Abstract: An access disconnection system includes: a material capable of absorbing blood from a patient upon an arterial or venous line disconnection; a light emitter positioned to emit light onto the material; a light receiver positioned to receive light reflected off of the material; and electronic circuitry operably coupled to at least one of the light emitter and receiver, the circuitry configured to provide an output (i) when light received by the receiver reaches a particular level or (ii) indicative of an amount of light received by the light receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter, especially an expandable catheter with a transition between the individual sections allowing insertion of the transition into urethra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a wetness indicator printed onto a surface of said backsheet wherein the wetness indicator comprises a graphic that further comprises at least one responsive color composition and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to said responsive color composition; wherein upon wetting, said graphic becomes visible to the unaided eye.

Abstract: A wound cover comprising: an absorber layer made of a functional non-woven comprising at least first and second filaments; wherein said first filaments comprise a core of a polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath of polyolefin, and a silver source is incorporated in the sheath; and wherein said second filaments comprise a core of polyacrylonitrile and a sheath of polyacryl; wherein the absorber layer is capable of absorbing from 0.15 to 1.20 ml/cm2 of water.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed including an inner part including a sheet of material having an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, a front waist region, and a rear waist region, wherein the front waist region is connected with the rear waist region to form a waist opening and two leg openings; an outer part including an absorbent material, the outer part being separate from the inner part and adapted to be worn over the outer side of the inner part such that the inner part can be worn independently of the outer part; and an opening in the sheet of material of the inner part for allowing bowel movement waste to pass through the opening so that the inner part cooperates with the outer part in use to collect and retain bowel movement waste between the inner and outer parts.

Abstract: A tube assembly for carrying malodoriforous matter from the human body comprises a silicone based tube having a central bore for the malodoriforous matter, and a tubular sleeve member comprising an odor barrier material, the silicone based tube and the tubular sleeve member being arranged one within the other such that the tubular sleeve member provides an odor barrier to obstruct leakage of odors from malodoriforous matter in the bore of the silicone based tube. The tube assembly is especially suitable for use in fecal or bowel management apparatus.

Abstract: An applicator device capable of housing an insertable element includes a plunger member that is slideably engaged with the insertion member and has an insertion end and a gripper end. The gripper end of the plunger member consists of a locking mechanism having a diameter greater than the diameter of the plunger member. The insertion member also includes a locking mechanism that is capable of engaging the locking mechanism of the plunger member that may prevent the plunger member from withdrawal.

Abstract: A urinary device for use on a penis of a male suffering from urinary incontinence. The device comprises a body having a closed distal end and an open proximal end and defining a cavity therein. The body has an inner layer made of a moisture absorbent material and an outer layer made of a moisture resistant material. A malleable material encircles a portion of the proximal end of the body wherein the proximal end is adapted to conform to the shape of the malleable material.

Abstract: A system and method for regenerating damaged or necrosed tissue. Negative or vacuum pressure is applied to a surface of the damaged tissue to stimulate the revascularization of the area and/or increased blood flow to the area, which encourages the regeneration of the damaged tissue. A negative pressure device is provided that is capable of providing a sequenced vacuum treatment regimen to damaged tissue.

Abstract: A non-invasive tissue oxygenation system for accelerating the healing of damaged tissue and to promote tissue viability is disclosed herein. The system is comprised of a lightweight portable electrochemical oxygen concentrator, a power management system, microprocessors, memory, a pressure sensing system, a temperature monitoring system, oxygen flow rate monitoring and control system, a display screen and key pad navigation controls as a means of providing continuous variably controlled low dosages of oxygen to a wound site and monitoring the healing process. A kink resistant oxygen delivery tubing, whereby the proximal end is removably connected to the device and the distal end with holes or a flexible, flat, oxygen-permeable tape is positioned on the wound bed as a means of applying oxygen to the wound site. The distal end of the tube is in communication with the electrochemical oxygen concentrator and wound monitoring system to communicate temperature and oxygen partial pressure information.

Abstract: An indwelling endourethral drainage catheter includes a tubular distal portion and a spiral proximal portion. A central lumen extends along substantially the entire length of the catheter. The spiral proximal portion defines an outer spiral channel in fluid communication with the central lumen. The distal end of the catheter is anchored externally so that the catheter is held against advancement into or out of the urethra. In certain methods, the diameter of the spiral proximal portion may be changed to address obstructions within the urethra or facilitate navigation of the catheter along the urethra.

Abstract: A method for separating a volume of whole blood contained in a separation bag into at least three components comprising centrifuging the separation bag so as to separate therein a first inner layer comprising plasma, a second intermediate layer comprising platelets, a third intermediate layer comprising lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes and a fourth outer layer comprising red blood cells, transferring, into a plasma component bag connected to the separation bag, a plasma component and transferring into a mononuclear cell component bag a mononuclear cell components.

Abstract: A method and various devices are disclosed that facilitates the measurement of hemodynamic parameters by injection of an indicator in an indicator dilution technique using an extracorporeal circuit connected to a patient. Specifically, the invention deals with problems caused by the spike in pressure in an extracorporeal line that result from the injection of a bolus. The method and various devices provide for diversion of blood during an indictor injection process and then return of the diverted blood back into the system after the injection is completed. The variations of the invention use diversion lines, accommodating cases and other devices that are designed to accumulate blood displaced during injection and then returning the blood to the extracorporeal circuit after injection.

Abstract: A wound exudate removal and isolation system includes a porous dressing, a canister in fluid communication with the dressing, and a first valve positioned between the dressing and the canister. The first valve is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A disposal line is fluidly connected to the canister and includes a second valve that is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A pump is fluidly connected to the canister and is configured to draw wound exudate from the dressing into the canister when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. The pump is configured to force wound exudate from the canister into the disposal line when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

Abstract: A flow-through fluid reservoir includes a body with a first fluid port, a member movable within the body by an actuator to increase or decrease a volume of a chamber defined by a sidewall of the body. The actuator has a second fluid port. Movable member has a fluid path therethrough such that fluid ports are in fluid communication irrespective of the position of the movable member or the volume of chamber. A shaped slot on the shell of the actuator and a projection on the body cooperate to constrain relative movement of the body and actuator along a path corresponding to the shaped slot. The slot advantageously may include a stop intermediate therealong. A canted aspect of the slot may be used to initiate relative movement of the member within body. The body includes an end wall through which the first fluid port communicates. A shroud is defined by a coaxial extension of the sidewall beyond the end wall to surround the first fluid port, and gripping elements may be provided on the shroud.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent assembly for expanding a bodily passage in a patient and draining a fluid therefrom. The assembly comprises at least one expandable stent and an elongated carrier for delivery or retrieval of the stent. The stent is circumferentially attached to a distal end of the carrier. The carrier defines at least two concentric lumens therethrough, a drainage lumen in fluid communication with the bodily passage for drainage of the fluid and an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the expandable stent. The invention also provides a method of expanding a bodily passage in a patient and draining a fluid therefrom. The method comprises providing a stent assembly of the present invention; inserting a guidewire into the bodily passage through the drainage lumen of the carrier; advancing the assembly along the guidewire until the assembly reaches a desired location; expanding the stent; and draining the fluid through drainage lumen of the carrier.

Abstract: A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound includes a wound dressing configured for placement over the wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound. An elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing is expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir. A fluid system is in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir, and a pressure system is in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling inflammatory response at an internal tissue site of a patient utilizes a reduced-pressure treatment device. Controlling the inflammatory response may be accomplished in a number of ways that involve treating the inflammatory milieu. Treating the inflammatory milieu may include removing or moderating pro-inflammatory stimuli, e.g., fluids, enhancing perfusion of the tissue at or near the internal tissue site, or providing reduced-pressure therapy. The reduced-pressure treatment device is placed at or near the internal tissue site and is fluidly coupled to an external reduced-pressure source. The reduced-pressure treatment device provides reduced pressure proximate the tissue site and treats the inflammatory milieu. The reduced-pressure treatment device for controlling inflammatory response may be a minimally-invasive treatment device.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and salvaging blood includes: a first chamber with a below atmosphere internal pressure for continuous collection of blood through an inlet port; a second chamber for receiving blood from the first chamber through a connection channel; a channel valve manually controllable to close the connection channel; and a control for simultaneously controlling the channel valve and the internal pressure of the second chamber between an internal pressure corresponding to the internal pressure of the first chamber and ambient air pressure, wherein the control is arranged to provide an internal pressure corresponding to the internal pressure of the first chamber to the second chamber through a passageway separated from the connection channel for providing blood from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, and means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound. The former removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing over the wound bed. The latter promotes wound healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.