Abstract: A medical device includes a base material having an immobilized fibrinolytic enzyme and dextran sulfate. The dextran sulfate has a molecular weight that is less than 40 kilo dalton (kDa). The medical device is formed from at least a base material. A fibrinolytic enzyme is immobilized on the base material. The fibrinolytic enzyme is stabilized with a dextran sulfate having a molecular weight of less than 40 (kDa).

Abstract: An applier for ligation clip is provided. The applier includes: an outer tube having mounting bosses; a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the mounting bosses, the jaws having actuating projections; a feed tube located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube, the feed tube having actuating slots in which the actuating projections are located; a clip lock arm located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube; and a clip advance arm located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube, the clip advance arm having flexible pinchers at one end of the clip advance arm. A method of applying a ligation clip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A narrow profile surgical ligation clip has two legs with clamping surfaces joined by a hinge near the proximal ends, allowing the clip to reversibly open and close. A locking mechanism is proximal to the hinge to bias or lock the clip closed, including first and second jaw structures spaced on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the clip thereby defining a locking space therebetween. In one embodiment, a wedge or buttress body moves by application of an external force applied to a proximal end of the clip towards the hinge to move into the locking space such that one or more outer surfaces or projections of portions of the body fit into or abut against complementary surfaces or other parts of the locking mechanism or clip assembly to bias or lock the clip in a closed position and provide additional closing force to the inner clamping surfaces.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating instrument used in the medical field which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The penetrating tip further includes an exterior surface extending continuously between the apex and the base and configured to facilitate puncturing of the tissue and an enlargement of an access opening formed in the tissue, in a manner which facilitates separation of the tissue and minimizes cutting, severing or otherwise damaging the contiguous bodily tissue surrounding the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides in some embodiments, an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction line. The endotracheal tube is an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. An inflatable cuff is attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The shoulder of the inflatable cuff is inverted in order to increase the diameter of the cuff from its distal end to its proximal end. The endotracheal tube also includes a connector to couple the suction lumen to a source of suction to remove subglottic secretions from the area above the cuff.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a dilator with a tip that has a bump, a sheath, an assembly comprising the dilator and the sheath, and methods of use, where the bump on the tip is configured to reduce or minimize damage to the sheath, and to prevent trauma to a subject during insertion or removal.

Abstract: The present invention provides in some embodiments, an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction line. The endotracheal tube is an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. The outer wall also defines an opening to the suction lumen near a distal end of the endotracheal tube An inflatable cuff is attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The shoulder of the inflatable cuff is inverted in order to increase the diameter of the cuff from its distal end to its proximal end. A diffuser cap is positioned over the opening to the suction lumen and defines a fluid flow path for secretions into the suction lumen through the opening to the suction lumen.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating instrument of the type used in the medical field and which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end thereof. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The apex may be substantially aligned with a linear extension of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft or alternatively, may be spaced laterally outward or off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides in some embodiments, a method for insert molding a coupling between catheter segments with different diameters and/or a catheter having different diameters. Generally, the method can include the steps of providing first and second tubes having larger and smaller diameters, respectively and positioning the first and second tubes onto a core pin assembly having an outer surface at one section which forms a contoured inner profile for a joint section to join the first and second tubes. Additionally, the method can include injection molding the joint section to join the first and second tubes, to form the catheter tube with the contoured inner profile at the joint section.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for automatically removing water or accumulated moisture from a breathing circuit. The device includes a housing with breathing circuit flow entry and exit ports and a water drainage port. A buoyant body in the housing can mate with a float valve seat to seal the drainage port, and is moveable to open the drainage port when sufficient liquid accumulates in the interior space. The buoyant body displaces a substantial portion of the housing inner compressible volume. Water is automatically removed by a water vapor permeable container coupled to the housing receiving flow from the drainage port, or the device is coupled to a source of suction, further including at least one bleed port fluidly coupling the source of suction to the surroundings, acting with a valve element to equalize any pressure differential between the housing interior space and suction connection, when no water is accumulated in the device.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material and chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disposed in the base material sufficient to reduce microbial growth. The base material includes a polymer having a silicone monomer and a urethane monomer. To make the medical device having an antimicrobial agent, a silicone-urethane-carbonate polymer is dissolved in Dimethylformamide/Tetrahydrofuran (DMF/THF) to generate a coating solution, a chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is mixed into the coating solution, a base material is coated with the coating solution, and the coating solution is dried to remove the solvent. The chlorhexidine is present in concentration sufficient to reduce microbial growth.

Abstract: A water dissipation device for removing water vapor or moisture from a breathing circuit is provided, including an upper lid portion, an entry port and an exit port. An outer cover structure extends from the upper lid portion to define an enclosed volume. An inner frame extends from the upper lid portion inside the outer cover structure. The outer cover structure includes a first layer of water or moisture wicking material and a second layer of water vapor breathable medium, and has an inner surface area bounding an inner flow space such that water vapor or moisture can permeate from the inner flow space through the outer cover structure out of device. The device can include an inner cup structure extending from the upper lid portion into the enclosed volume to displace the enclosed volume and define and bound a portion of the inner flow space and compressible volume therein.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a water dissipation device to remove water vapor from a humidified gas traveling through a breathing circuit between a patient and a ventilator, or a ventilator and a patient. The present invention includes a water dissipation device having a housing defining entry and exit ports for coupling to the breathing circuit and a breathable medium permeable to water vapor and impermeable to liquid water bacteria, viruses and other gases enclosed within said housing.

Abstract: A medical device includes a base material and chlorhexidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disposed in the base material sufficient to reduce microbial growth. The base material includes a polymer having a silicone monomer and a urethane monomer.

Abstract: A surgical suture is made of an elongate, hollow braid of high strength fibers. The braid defines an elongate, longitudinally-extending, central chamber that is open and without any core material extending therein so that, when a surgeon's knot is tied with the suture, the cross-sectional shape of the braid collapses upon itself and is reduced in size in response to pressures experienced when the knot is tightened thereby producing a low profile knot that resists slippage. Preferably, the braid is of a size corresponding to a USP size 5-0 to USP size 7 suture and has one or more, preferably a pair, of color contrasting monofilaments woven therein to enhance suture visibility. Methods of making a flattened suture and of utilizing the high strength suture to maintain body tissues in an engaged position to promote healing are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides in some embodiments, an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction line. The endotracheal tube is an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. An inflatable cuff is attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The shoulder of the inflatable cuff is inverted in order to increase the diameter of the cuff from its distal end to its proximal end. The endotracheal tube also includes a connector to couple the suction lumen to a source of suction to remove subglottic secretions from the area above the cuff.

Abstract: A medical device includes a structure configured for introduction to a vascular system of a patient. The structure including a surface having sodium nitroprusside and silver disposed thereupon, The sodium nitroprusside has a concentration sufficient to reduce thrombosis. To make the medical device, a base material is impregnated with sodium nitroprusside, the medical device is formed from the base material, and the medical device is coated with an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A catheter lock solution includes a hydrochloric acid solution having a concentration of 0.3 Molar to 1.0 Molar. This hydrochloric acid solution may be used to lock a catheter and/or salvage an infected catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a medical securement device such as sutures, yarns, meshes, filaments, tapes, knits, and composite braids made from fiber materials like UHMWPE which are coated in whole or in part with a colored coating solution. This invention provides surgeons with improved recognition of suture ends in surgery by construction of sutures with ends having different colors. Additionally, the invention provides surgeons with a means for color coding or marking of medical devices for proper recognition of various devices used in surgery for particular tasks and surgical procedures.

Abstract: A water dissipation device for a breathing circuit is provided, including a bucket-shaped hollow composite structure having walls made of a first inner layer made of water vapor wicking material, and a second outer layer of a water vapor breathable medium surrounding the first inner layer. The device defines a flow space surrounded by the composite structure to provide a superior way of removal of moisture or water vapor from a breathing circuit, due to the greater surface area of flow spaces bounded by a water vapor breathable medium and the use of a water vapor wicking material and relatively long dwell times and flow paths through the device. The result is that when the device is connected to a breathing circuit, rainout or condensation in the breathing tube and collection of water within the breathing circuit is significantly reduced.