Abstract: Wounds and temporary appliances can be protected against liquid contamination using a prophylactic dressing. The dressing includes a liquid resistant sheet and disposed thereon a first liquid barrier/adhesive strip and a second liquid barrier/adhesive strip wherein the first and second liquid barrier/adhesive strips are concentric; located at or near the periphery of the liquid resistant sheet; and are separated from one another by a gap. Adsorbent's and liquid indicators can be employed within the gap to add further functionality to the dressing. Also disclosed herein is a support useful for stabilizing leads to transcutaneous or percutaneous devices.

Abstract: A cassette module (1), in particular an ophthalmological cassette module (1), serves for receiving material and/or liquids aspirated during an operation and for insertion into a container chamber (8) of a suction module (19). The cassette module (1) comprises a container (4) with a container wall (3) that delimits a receiving space (33) for receiving the liquids, wherein the container (4) can be inserted into the container chamber (8), wherein the container (4) has at least one inlet opening (36) extending through the container wall (3), through which inlet opening (36) the material and/or the liquid can be delivered to the receiving space (33) of the container (4), and wherein the container (4) has at least one vacuum opening (25) which extends through the container wall (3) and by way of which the receiving space (33) can be subjected to an underpressure built up in the container chamber (8).

Abstract: An aspiration system including a housing containing an aspiration pump, a chamber, a collection bag in fluid communication with the chamber, and a tubing assembly including a first tube portion connected to the chamber. The tubing assembly has a connector to split the first tube portion into a second and third tube portion, the second tube portion in fluid communication with a first catheter to aspirate particles through the first catheter and the third tube portion in fluid communication with a second catheter to aspirate particles through the second catheter.

Abstract: A record-keeping indicator device, and in particular, to an indicator device associated with medicine containers permits a user to determine the number of doses of medicine taken in a successive interval and on a given day. The indicator device includes a disk having a top and bottom surface. The top surface displays a first set of indicia for the seven days of the week spaced circumferentially around the perimeter. A second set of indicia for the number of doses of medication ingested are evenly spaced between each indicator of the first set. A dial or arrow arm, at the center of the disk, extends outwardly toward the dose indicia and is rotatable about the disk via a turning mechanism. The bottom surface of the disk contains an adhesive material which allows the disk to be attached to any surface of a medicine container.

Abstract: A blood reservoir may be used in combination with other elements such as a heart lung machine (HLM), oxygenator, heat exchanger, arterial filter and the like to form an extracorporeal blood circuit that may be employed in a procedure such as a bypass procedure. The blood reservoir may be configured to receive, filter and store blood from a number of sources including vent blood (from within the heart), venous blood (from a major vein), purge blood (from a sampling line) and cardiotomy or suction blood (from the surgical field).

Abstract: An integrated system for assessing wound exudates from the wound of a patient is described. The system may contain functionality to detect, process and report various wound parameters. The system also may make treatment determinations based on these findings. The system may detect one or more physiological values of the wound exudates from the wound of the patient. The system may means for comparing the one or more detected physiological values to predetermined physiological values in order to obtain a comparison result in real time. The system may include a processor 15 which provides an electronic signal based on a comparison result in which the electronic signal may correspond to guidelines for treating the wound 13. The system may be integrated with other wound treatment devices, such as negative pressure wound therapy devices (NPWT) 9.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for establishing bidirectional fluid connection between a cartridge and a vial includes a housing having an open first end adapted to engage the cartridge and a second open end adapted to engage the vial. The adapter includes a needle assembly having a first tip and a second tip, with the needle assembly disposed within the housing and at least partially supported by a needle holder. The needle assembly is movable relative to the housing from an initial position in which the first and second tip are isolated from the cartridge and vial, to an end of use position, in which first tip is engaged with the vial and the second tip is engaged with the cartridge, establishing fluid communication therebetween. The needle assembly is maintained in the initial position by a locking structure which is released by rotationally advancing the needle holder relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the disconnection of a vascular access device such as a needle, cannula or catheter from a blood vessel or vascular graft segment. A pair of electrodes is placed in direct contact with fluid or blood in fluid communication with the vascular segment. In one embodiment, the electrodes are incorporated into a pair of connectors connecting arterial and venous catheters to arterial and venous tubes leading to and from an extracorporeal blood flow apparatus. Wires leading from the electrodes to a detecting circuit can be incorporated into a pair of double lumen arterial and venous tubes connecting the blood flow apparatus to the blood vessel or vascular graft. The detecting circuit is configured to provide a low-voltage alternating current signal to the electrodes to measure the electrical resistance between the electrodes, minimizing both the duration and amount of current being delivered.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a blood component separation device that can keep the concentration of anticoagulant in a predetermined blood component to a constant level to minimize aggregation of a predetermined blood component (for example, aggregation of platelets). One aspect of the present invention is a blood component separation device that separates the predetermined blood component from the blood drawn from a blood donor while supplying to the blood an anticoagulant for preventing coagulation of the blood, where an anticoagulant ratio, or a ratio of an amount of the anticoagulant supplied in relation to the blood, is set according to a hematocrit value of the blood donor so that a concentration of the anticoagulant in the predetermined blood component becomes a predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems, method, and devices are disclosed that involve reconfiguring lumens or unblocking lumens relative to a blockage to maintain flow of reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a multi-lumen applicator includes an applicator body having a distal end and a proximal end and formed with a plurality of apertures for receiving fluid from the tissue site and for delivering reduced pressure, a first lumen fluidly coupled to the plurality of apertures, a first activation member having at least a closed position and a open position, and a second lumen fluidly coupled to the plurality of apertures but for the first activation member being in closed position. The configuration is such that when the first activation member is moved to the open position, the second lumen is fluidly coupled to the plurality of apertures. Other systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A fill adapter system for an infusion pump assembly. The system includes a reusable fill adapter base, the base including a volume control mechanism to adjust an available fill volume of a reservoir of the infusion pump assembly and a pump mechanism configured to pump air into a fluid vial.

Abstract: A system for bypassing an anastomosis site in a hollow organ is provided. The system includes a sleeve configured for spanning the anastomosis site at an internal surface of the hollow organ and a band configured for attachment to an external surface of the hollow organ and limiting migration of the sleeve beyond the anastomosis site.

Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a tubular member which is flexible and configured to receive ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV illumination coupler. The tubular member contains a lumen defining a longitudinal interior space within the tubular member, a tubular body bounded by an inner wall defining an outer boundary of the lumen and an outer wall defining an outer surface of the tubular member, at least one optical fiber disposed outside of the interior space not parallel to an axis of the lumen and adapted to receive the UV light from the UV illumination coupler, and a protective component adapted to prevent substantively all of the UV light emitted from the optical fiber from exiting the outer wall. Methods for producing and using such devices are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the blood flow rate at which, in an extra-corporeal blood circuit of an extra-corporeal blood treatment apparatus, blood is pumped through the arterial blood line into the blood chamber of the dialyser and out of its blood chamber through the venous blood line is described. The method and apparatus provide for the determination of a plurality of parameters characteristic of the extra-corporeal blood treatment, with a given blood flow rate being determined in each case as a function of one of the characteristic parameters. A blood flow rate which is preset for the blood treatment is selected from the plurality of blood flow rates determined on the basis of the characteristic parameters. The blood flow rate to be preset is selected on the basis of a preset algorithm which may be implemented in software installed on a data processing unit or in hardware.

Abstract: A device for the concentration of a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid comprises a chamber for receiving a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid, and a body of absorbent material, the chamber being separated from the absorbent material by a barrier member having at least one opening, and a shutter element movable from a closed position, in which said opening is occluded, to an open position, in which said opening permits fluid flow from the chamber to the absorbent material. It has been found that the use of an absorbent material enables fatty material to be concentrated to the required degree in a passive, single vessel process without damage to the fatty tissue. There are also described methods for the use of the device.

Abstract: Drainage systems for excess body fluids and associated methods are disclosed herein. A body fluid drainage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a catheter that has an exterior surface, a proximal portion, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion. The body fluid drainage system can further include a valve device, a pressure sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the valve device and the pressure sensor. The valve device can include an actuator positioned over the exterior surface of the catheter. The actuator is movable between an open position that allows body fluid flow through the catheter, a closed position that at least substantially obstructs the body fluid flow through the catheter, and intermediate positions that partially obstruct the body fluid flow through the catheter. The controller can change the position of the actuator in response to a predetermined condition of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Described is a system for affecting intestinal microbial flora. The system includes an intestinal sleeve that is implanted in a patient and bypasses a section of the intestine; and probiotics, prebiotics or pharmacologic therapy used in combination with the intestinal sleeve. Also described are related methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy apparatuses and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes a controller configured to determine a level of exudate in a canister (or a dressing) based at least in part on one or more characteristics of pressure signals generated by a negative pressure source and monitored by a pressure sensor. One such characteristic of the pressure signals can be amplitude, which may increase as a level of exudate in the canister (or dressing) increases. The canister (or dressing) can include a filter configured to become occluded in order to prevent overflow of the canister (or dressing). The controller can be additionally configured to detect and indicate a canister (or dressing) pre-full condition before the filter becomes occluded. More efficient and reliable operation of the negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can thereby be attained.

Abstract: A bi-lateral endobronchial suctioning device includes actuating and articulating components that allow a provider to accurately suction both right and left bronchi as well as the trachea in a controlled and safe manner. A control mechanism is used to manipulate the actuating components in tubes forming a suction catheter to flex the tip of the bi-lateral endobronchial suctioning device to the left and to the right when the device is inserted through an endotracheal tube or other similar device, to enable directional control of a catheter for suctioning the lungs or trachea. The device further includes a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) port allowing sterile saline or other liquids or fluids to travel down the catheter lumen to assist with breaking up thick secretions which collect in the airways.

Abstract: A blood collection canister assembly enables a user to collect and transfer blood and includes liner and lid assemblies. The liner assembly is formed from a flexible liner material and defines an inner liner space. The lid assembly includes a primary lid portion attached to an upper mouth of the liner assembly and includes a series of ports. The series of ports may include a vacuum port, a patient port, a transfer port, and an additive port. The vacuum port is communicable with a vacuum line for directing blood transfer from a patient via the blood collection canister assembly. The patient port receives directed blood transfer from the patient, and the transfer port transfers collected blood to a separate reservoir for further processing. The blood collection canister assembly is usable in either an upright, first configuration for collecting and transferring blood or an inverted, second configuration for transferring collected blood.