Abstract: A vascular compression apparatus and method for applying pressure onto an area of a patient generally including a blood vessel and a wound site, such as a blood vessel puncture, after a cannulated procedure for the purpose of controlling bleeding and achieving hemostasis. The vascular compression apparatus includes a handle, a shaft and a pad. The shaft extends generally downward from the center of the bottom side of the handle. The pad is connected generally off-center of its top side to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom side of the pad is convex to allow the vascular compression device to be rocked back and forth. In use, the pad is generally placed proximal to the catheter insertion site and over the blood vessel containing the catheter. The device is rocked proximally to control blood flow while removing the catheter. After the catheter is removed from the puncture site, the device is rocked distally to the puncture site, where pressure is applied until hemostasis is achieved.

Abstract: A vascular compression apparatus and method for applying pressure onto an area of a patient generally including a blood vessel and a wound site, such as a blood vessel puncture, after a cannulated procedure for the purpose of controlling bleeding and achieving hemostasis. The vascular compression apparatus includes a handle, a shaft and a pad. The shaft extends generally downward from the center of the bottom side of the handle. The pad is connected generally off-center of its top side to the bottom end of the shaft. The bottom side of the pad is convex to allow the vascular compression device to be rocked back and forth. In use, the pad is generally placed proximal to the catheter insertion site and over the blood vessel containing the catheter. The device is rocked proximally to control blood flow while removing the catheter. After the catheter is removed from the puncture site, the device is rocked distally to the puncture site, where pressure is applied until hemostasis is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-&bgr;-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a &bgr;-1→4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-.beta.-1.fwdarw.4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a .beta.-1.fwdarw.4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.