Abstract: Target tissue may be removed from a subject using a cannula that has an interior cavity and an orifice configured to permit material to enter the cavity. This is accomplished by generating a negative pressure in the cavity so that a portion of the tissue is drawn into the orifice. Fluid is then delivered, via a conduit, so that the fluid exits the conduit within the cavity and impinges against the portion of the tissue that was drawn into the orifice. The fluid is delivered at a pressure and temperature that causes the tissue to soften, liquefy, or gellify. The tissue that has been softened, liquefied, or gellified is then suctioned away.

Abstract: A disposable urine control device for females during urination when in a crouched position. The control device is provided preferably folded flat and preferably packaged in a stack, each including an elongated flexible folded panel formed of disposable material and having side margins preferably narrowing toward a central portion from enlarged end portions thereof. A perimeter sealing bead extends upwardly from, and substantially continuously around the panel perimeter to provide stiffness and sealing against the labia majora of a female to contain urine within the perimeter sealing bead during urination. A flexible elongated conduit is connected at one end thereof in alignment with a urine drainage aperture formed into a central portion of the panel. When the panel and conduit are unfolded for use from a substantially flat folded orientation of the panel and a folded orientation of the conduit, urine is directed through the conduit into a toilet bowl.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a gasket releasably attached around a perimeter of the tissue site that may remain in place for an extended time and allows an over-drape to be attached to it. The system and method further may include a manifold sized and configured to be placed in contact with the tissue site; the over-drape positioned over the manifold and sealed to the gasket to create a sealed space between the over-drape and the tissue site; and a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the sealed space to deliver reduced pressure to the tissue site. A method is also presented.

Abstract: A modular, reduced-pressure, wound-closure system for providing a closing force on a surface would includes a flexible strap operable to be formed into a closed loop inbound and around the surface wound and a plurality of modular closing members coupled to the flexible strap. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the plurality of modular closing members. The modular closing members are operable to generate a closing force on the surface wound. A portion of the modular closing members are releasably attached to the patient's epidermis proximate the surface wound and another portion are attached to the flexible strap. A reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source is delivered to each modular closing member to generate the closing force on the surface wound. Methods and other systems are presented.

Abstract: The external urinary catheter comprises a sheath portion (1) and a tip portion (3). A layer of adhesive (7) is provided on the inner side of the sheath portion (1) and extends between a first limit (7a) and a second limit (7b). At least one indication (8) indicating at least the first limit (7a) of the layer of adhesive (7) is provided. The indication may be a visual indication, e.g. in the form of a colored line (8).

Abstract: This invention discloses a modular system having a base module, a mid-section control module, and a display module for preparing and administering a gas-enriched bodily fluid. An apparatus adapted for connecting with a gas tank is included in the system for gas tank hook-up. Gas-enrichment is achieved by a gas-enriching device which can be in the form of a disposable cartridge. During operation, the gas-enrichment device is placed in an enclosure within the control module. An electronic controller manages the various aspects of the system such as the production of gas-enriched fluid, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down. The system has a power supply for providing electrical power to the system, and a switching mechanism coupled to the power supply and gas tank for synchronized switching of the power supply and the gas tank between an ON state and an OFF state.

Abstract: An open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment device and system for treating a cavity in a patient's body, such as an abdominal cavity, is presented. In one instance, an open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment device includes a plurality of encapsulated leg members, each having an interior portion with a leg manifold member and formed with fenestrations operable to allow fluid flow into the interior portion, and a central connection member fluidly coupled to the plurality of encapsulated leg members. The central connection member has a connection manifold member. The open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment devices, systems, and methods allow for, among other things, removal of fluids.

Abstract: A hollow fiber bundle that is formed by arranging a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes 8 in one direction; a heat exchange pipe bundle that is formed by arranging and laminating a plurality of heat exchange pipes 9 in one direction crossing the hollow fiber membranes and is apposed with the hollow fiber bundle; and a potting material 10 that is filled in a region including both end parts of the hollow fiber membranes and the heat exchange pipes and forms a blood channel extending across the hollow fiber membranes and the heat exchange pipes are provided. The housing includes: blood ports 3a, 3b that face both ends of the blood channel; gas headers 4a, 4b that form gas ports 5a, 5b facing both ends of the hollow fiber bundle; and heat exchange headers 6a, 6b that form heat exchange liquid ports 7a, 7b facing both ends of the heat exchange pipe bundle.

Abstract: A collection device for a catheter assembly is disclosed providing for an easier catheterization process and fluid collection with the device capable of being folded from a larger form into a smaller, more mobile form. The collection device may have attached to its top portion a connecting tube capable of being stretched and compressed, thereby allowing the user more flexibility and convenience while catheterized. Additionally, the collection device may contain antiseptic agents, fold lines, a drainage tube, fastening mechanisms, and leg strap holders in order to make the device more convenient to use.

Abstract: A disposable hydrophilic catheterization device for inserting a hydrophilic catheter into the urethra of an individual for the purpose of evacuating the bladder is disclosed. The catheter device includes a catheter introducer, a flexible hydrophilic catheter and a flexible thin-walled sheath. The sheath surrounds the urethra-insertable portion of the catheter, is adapted for containing a wetting liquid, and prevents pooling of the wetting liquid with collected urine. A leak-resistant diaphragm disposed within the catheter introducer is capable of being pierced by the catheter tip to form a leak-resistant orifice around the wetted hydrophilic catheter as it moves through the orifice.

Abstract: A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a collection canister in fluid communication with the wound dressing. The canister includes a first vacuum chamber for drawing a vacuum and a second fluid chamber for collecting fluids removed from the wound dressing under the vacuum. The vacuum chamber may have a vacuum and a power source. The canister further includes a hydrophobic membrane separating the first and the second fluid vacuum chambers. The hydrophobic membrane is dimensioned to span a major portion of the cross-sectional area of the canister. The hydrophobic membrane may be dimensioned to substantially span an internal dimension of the collection canister. The hydrophobic membrane may include one or more outwardly extending lobes. The outwardly extending lobes may be arranged in staggered relation.

Abstract: A hand-held scanner appliance is employed to capture and display status of various types of catheter devices that have been inserted in hospital patients. The nurse scans his or her staff ID coded device, then scans the patient's ID wrist bracelets, and scans a catheter-unique identification coded tag on the catheter device. When the nurse performs a catheter insertion, and the catheter is scanned, a data entry is recorded with the patient identity, presence of catheter, and time of insertion. An intelligent rules engine computes the target removal time for the catheter device, which is also displayed. An alert for each catheterization occurs prior to the target removal time. The appliance is synchronized to the hospital server, and the catheterization status of the hospital patients is displayed for the medical practitioner. This process aids in preventing hospital-acquired infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system comprising: a reservoir body configured to hold a reservoir liner, wherein the reservoir liner is configured to hold an enteral feeding material; a reservoir connector configured to connect to the reservoir liner in a manner that permits flow of an enteral feeding material; a reservoir cap configured to connect to the reservoir body in a manner that connects the reservoir connector to the reservoir liner disposed within the reservoir body; and a syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly having a distal end configured to connect to the reservoir cap in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material, and a proximal end configured to connect to an enteral feeding device in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material.

Abstract: A method of bridging from a wound dressing to a wound port for negative pressure wound therapy includes positioning an elongate wick between a wound and a remote location with respect to the wound. The elongate wick includes a three-dimensional spacer fabric having an upper fabric layer spaced from a lower fabric layer by an intermediate layer of pile threads. The elongate wick is covered with a flexible wick cover such that an enclosure is formed around the elongate wick. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a first end of the elongate wick cover and the wound dressing such that a reservoir is defined over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a second end of the elongate wick cover and a fluid port configured for connection to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: An IV infusion bag carrier pack is arranged as a substantially hollow, flexible bag having an interior that is divided into two interior compartments by a flexible, heat permeable divider panel, one interior compartment being arranged to receive and confine an IV fluids bag and the other interior compartment arranged to receive and confine the inflatable pressure cuff member of a blood pressure apparatus, whereby an IV fluids bag contained in the first pocket may be selectively pressurized by inflation of the blood pressure cuff contained in the second pocket whereby selectively controlled infusion delivery of IV fluids contained in the carrier pack apparatus may be continuously maintained irrespective of the relative disposition of the carrier pack apparatus and patient during treatment, extrication and rescue in the field, and transport to a medical facility.

Abstract: A method of determining an amount of skin agent transferred from an absorbent article to an area of human skin is provided. An absorbent article is applied to and then after use removed from an area of skin. Tape is then releasably attached to and removed from the area of skin. The amount of skin agent that adheres to the tape is then analyzed to determine the amount of skin agent transferred to the area of skin.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure, wound closure system is presented that generates a closing force on a surface wound and optionally provides reduced pressure to a body cavity or tissue site. The sealed contracting member, when placed under reduced pressure, generates the closing force. One illustrative system includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, a sealed contracting member coupled to the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and wherein the closing force is generated between the first attachment member and the second attachment member when reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed contracting member. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: A urinary catheter with an improved retaining and activating feature is provided which is a safe device with reduced irritation and discomfort to a patient. The retaining mechanism positioned at the proximal end of the catheter assumes a “close” state for introduction and removal of the catheter into and from the urethral tract, and is transitioned into the “open” state when the catheter is in the bladder by mechanically manipulating the retaining mechanism through the activation mechanism. An actuating linkage wire connected between the retaining mechanism and activation mechanism controllably reciprocates in the channel of the catheter to transition the catheter between the “open” and “closed” states.

Abstract: A catheter device and methods useable to extract material from a body conduit, e.g., a blood vessel, are provided. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the body conduit, an opening in a wall of the catheter in fluid communication with a material collection chamber, and a controllably arcuate segment near the distal tip of the catheter and the opening. The catheter may include a sliding member, located within a lumen of the catheter, used to move the material entering the catheter through the arcuate segment opening, into the material collection chamber and away from said opening. The catheter may include a single mechanism utilized to both generate a vacuum to cause material to enter the catheter at the arcuate segment opening and also cause the sliding member to travel, inside the catheter, moving material away from the opening and into the material collection chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wound dressing, a wound contact layer and a medicinal composition comprising a hydrophilic base in which hydrocolloids are dispersed, wherein the hydrophilic base comprises at least one emulsifier and the use of said composition is for the treatment of wounds.