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.

Abstract: A blood storage system comprising: a collection vessel for red blood cells; an oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage vessel for red blood cells; tubing connecting the collection vessel to the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device and the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device to the storage vessel; and a gamma or X-ray irradiating device is used to irradiate red blood cells stored in the vessel, storing red blood cells under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: A closing plug for a sealed sterile vial containing medical or nutritional active substances, which is suitable for the sterile connection to a container of liquid diluent solution. There is also described a sterile connection system between a sealed sterile vial closed by means of a plug and a tube for drawing said active substances, for mixing them with a liquid diluent solution inside a sterile container. The plug requires an internal sterile chamber in which, upon the piercing of an outer film for sealing the plug, a compressible protection cap of a piercing tip of the tube is inserted, which abuts against a seat of the sterile chamber allowing the tip to pierce the end wall of the protection cap and then the inner membrane of the closing plug. An intermediate pierceable membrane placed on the seat of the internal chamber of the vial may be included.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include an elongated catheter body having a distal portion including an expandable cannula having an inlet and an outlet. The expandable cannula can have a delivery profile and an operational profile larger than the delivery profile. An impeller assembly can include an impeller shaft, and an impeller body can include one or more blades. The impeller blades can draw blood into the cannula when rotated. Further, an expandable support can have a mounting portion disposed on the impeller shaft distal of the impeller body and a cannula contact portion for reducing a change in tip gap due to bending of the cannula. The cannula contact portion can be disposed distal of the mounting portion.

Abstract: An applicator for applying fluid medicaments to a corneal surface of a patient, after surgery, includes a circular, ring-shaped member. The ring member creates an aperture which extends between parallel planes, with a wall surrounding the aperture as well as upper and lower openings into the aperture. The wall around the aperture is tapered, and there is a hole that extends through the wall. A hollow shaft is connected in fluid communication with the hole in the wall through which a fluid can be injected into the aperture. A bubble of the fluid can then be cradled in the aperture by the wall, and held therein by surface tension across the lower opening of the aperture. An application of the fluid bubble onto the patient's eye requires only contact between the fluid bubble and the eye, with no need for contact between the applicator and the eye.

Abstract: The draining device 1 is provided with a main body 11 including two side wall members 111 each having a tip end section 111B curved downward, and a connecting portion 12 connecting the side wall members 111. In a manner such that at least upper portions of adjacent side wall members 111 are spaced at a certain distance d and side surfaces 111a of the adjacent side wall members 111 face each other, by connecting the side wall members 111 of the main body 11 with the connecting portion 12, a liquid draining passage R for draining a liquid to a space between adjacent side wall members 111. For this reason, since the liquid inflow cross-sectional area S1 and the passage cross-sectional area S2 increase, it becomes possible to introduce a large amount of liquid into the gap between the side wall members and pass therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydraulically controlled arterial/venous access are provided. The apparatus and methods may include tubing anastomized to a conduit. A clamp may be positioned over the tubing. The clamp may seal the tubing. The clamp may be configured to unseal the tubing. The clamp may be positioned to seal the tubing such that outer walls of the tubing are compressed flush with each other. The tubing may include an inner lumen and an outer lumen. The outer lumen may terminate in a balloon. The inner lumen may include a compressible portion near the anastomosis site. The inner lumen may include a non-compressible portion. The balloon may encircle at least part of the non-compressible portion. A reservoir may be configured to control an opening or closing of the clamp. When the inner lumen is open, fluid may flow from the conduit to the reservoir.

Abstract: A surgical suction device is disclosed that includes a suction tube having a first longitudinal axis, a proximal opening, and a distal opening; a guide tube that is substantially coextensive with and parallel to the suction tube, and has a second longitudinal axis, a proximal opening, and a distal opening; a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end; and a junction point having a proximal opening and a distal opening; wherein the stylet is disposed along the second longitudinal axis and encircled by the guide tube, and urging the stylet through the guide tube along the second longitudinal axis through the junction conduit translates the distal end of the stylet to the distal opening of the junction point. The guide tube may effectively cut the length of the handle member in half.

Abstract: An extracorporeal reservoir device including a housing, a venous inlet sub-assembly, and a venous filter. The venous sub-assembly is mounted to the housing and includes a downtube and a luer port connector body. The connector body extends from the downtube and forms a passageway open to a lumen of the downtube. The connector body is arranged such that fluid flow from the passageway merges with a flow path of fluid along the primary lumen at an angle of less than 90°. Secondary blood flow through the port connector body is less likely to induce turbulent flow into venous blood flow within the downtube, and is thus less likely to break up any bubbles carried by the venous blood. For example, at port flow rates of less than 500 mL/minute, fluid flow from the port connector body does not induce turbulent flow into fluid flowing through the primary lumen.

Abstract: Connection pads for coupling fluid-instillation and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods and wound dressings for breaching a drape after coupling a wound dressing to a fluid-instillation and/or NPWT apparatus.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing with a cavity having at least one connector fluidically connecting the cavity to an outside of the housing and a plug that is movable within the housing. The plug is movable at least between a first position that substantially occludes fluidic communication between the cavity and an outside of the housing through the at least one connector and a second position that allows fluidic communication between the cavity and the outside of the housing through the at least one connector. The valve also includes a septum in operable communication with the housing that is sealingly penetrable by a fluid transfer device, wherein the fluid transfer device is capable of moving the plug between at least the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A female urination device that allows a woman to urinate while standing includes a fluid collecting body and a sanitary napkin. The fluid collecting body has a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface that are positioned in between a spout and a rim. The concave interior surface delineates a fluid collecting portion, while the rim delineates a vulval opening. The spout is in fluid communication with the vulval opening through the fluid collecting portion, wherein urine is able to freely pass through the fluid collecting body. The concave interior surface and the convex exterior surface are tapered from the rim to the spout, while the spout is tapered away from the concave interior surface and the convex exterior surface to facilitate the control of the flow of urine. The sanitary napkin is positioned around the rim and assists in adhering the fluid collecting body to the woman's body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for tapping or delivering a fluid from a bottle sealed with a closure, the device having a hollow cylinder-shaped first part having a circumferential wall, which first part can be placed on the bottle and surrounds the closure, a hollow cylinder-shaped second part which can be adjusted with respect to the first part, the second part having a first wall running transverse to the longitudinal axis direction, and a puncturing needle originating from the first wall and extending in the direction of the first part permitting piercing of the closure, wherein the first part cannot be adjusted axially with respect to the second part if the closure is not surrounded and, if the first part surrounds the closure, the first part can be adjusted with respect to the second part for piercing the closure.