Abstract: An improved swab device includes a handle member having a swab portion and a hinge. The hinge divides the handle member into a handle portion and a controllable portion. The device further includes a first stop member and a second stop member. The controllable portion may articulate from a rest position in a first direction until it is retained in a first retained position. The first stop member is configured to prohibit the swab portion from articulating any further in a first direction and also may be configured to maintain the swab portion in the first retained position. The swab portion may then be released from the first retained position and articulate in an opposite second direction until it is retained in a second position. The second stop member is configured to prohibit the swab from articulating any further in a second direction and also may be configured to maintain the swab portion in the second retained position.

Abstract: Skin antiseptic composition dispensers and methods of use are disclosed. The skin antiseptic composition dispenser may include a container with one or more walls that are substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas during normal ethylene oxide sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the container may include flexible walls free of metallic foil barrier layers. The containers may also include one or more vents in addition to one or more openings used to dispense the skin antiseptic composition within the container. The dispenser may include an applicator with a hydrophilic foam.

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 for treating wounds.

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 for treating wounds.

Abstract: An arrangement in connection with the handling of patient fluids, comprising a suction canister open at one end, a cover for closing the suction canister, a suction bag fastened to the cover, and an underpressure apparatus for applying underpressure to a space between the suction canister and the suction bag. The arrangement further comprises fastening means for keeping the suction bag narrowed in such a manner that the width and length of the suction bag are at least along part of the suction bag smaller than when the suction bag is opened, and the fastening means are arranged to release the suction bag to be opened into the suction canister under the action of the underpressure when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A hand-held RFID scanner appliance is employed to capture and display status of urinary catheters in hospital patients. The patients are provided with RFID wrist bracelets, and catheters are provided with RFID tags, each with a unique identification code. When the nurse performs a catheter insertion, the nurse scans the patient wrist bracelet with the appliance, then scans a selected catheter. After the catheter is successfully inserted, the catheter is scanned a second time. This creates a time stamp, and a data entry is recorded with the patient identity, presence of catheter, and time of insertion. The appliance is synchronized to the hospital server, and the catheterization status of the hospital patients is displayed for the medical practitioners. This process aids in preventing hospital-acquired urinary tract infections.

Abstract: Devices and procedures for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from the eye are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, an implant sized to fit within the Schlemm's Canal is provided. The implant has a plurality of penetrating members having an unextended position in which the penetrating members lie generally close to the longitudinal axis of the implant and an extended position in which the penetrating members are extended outward. In use, the implant is advanced around at least a substantial portion of the Schlemm's Canal with the penetrating members in the first unextended position. After the implant is positioned within the Schlemm's Canal, the penetrating members are caused to move from the first unextended position to the second extended position, wherein the penetrating members penetrate the wall of the Schlemm's Canal. This creates fluid passageways in the wall of the Schlemm's Canal. The implant can also serve to keep the Schlemm's Canal open.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping a urinary container in place while in use. The apparatus comprises a first generally stiff member for positioning between a mattress and box springs of a bed. There is a urinary collection means engageable with and hanging from the first member for retaining urine therein while in use and a fluid communication means engageable with the urinary collection means and with such user for fluid communication of such urine from such user to the urinary collection means.

Abstract: An intestinal implant includes a proximal anchor self-expandable from a radially compressed position to a radially expandable position for engagement with a wall of the intestinal lumen and a flexible sleeve coupled to the anchor. The sleeve is implanted with the anchor downstream from the pylorus and the sleeve extending further downstream through the intestinal lumen.

Abstract: A device for use in a system or method of collecting and processing aspirated tissue received from a harvesting device is provided by a canister body having a vacuum port and an evacuation port operable to be placed in communication with a vacuum source, a tissue harvesting port for directing tissue into the canister body received from the harvesting device under suction, and a separator element dividing the canister body into an upper vacuum chamber in communication with the vacuum port and the tissue harvesting port and a lower vacuum chamber in communication with the evacuation port, the separator element including a plurality of apertures enabling fluid to pass between the chambers while restricting tissue from doing the same and a depression with a channel leading to a tissue retrieval port to facilitate processed tissue collection.

Abstract: An assembly structured to aspirate nasal cavity of individuals including, but not limited to, children. A hand held and hand operative casing includes a negative pressure source preferably battery operated, and a cover assembly removably connected to the casing and structured to at least partially define a receiving chamber. An inlet assembly is formed in the casing and communicates with the negative pressure source at least partially by means of a path of fluid flow. A container is removably disposed within the receiving chamber in a predetermined, operative orientation sufficient to receive and collect a predetermined portion or phase of the aspirated fluid, such as mucus is removed from the nasal cavity. The path of fluid flow is disposed, dimensioned and structured to restrict passage of the heavier, predetermined portion or phase of the aspirated fluid thereby facilitating its collection within the container, which is disposable along with the collected aspirated fluid after use.

Abstract: While waiting for prostate-size-reducing drugs or herbs to have an effect, it's often necessary to have a catheter, like the Foley, inserted into the bladder. Urine passing through such collects in a plastic bag which must be drained, regularly, and is awkward to carry and difficult to disguise under clothing. In lieu of a Foley, full-length self-cathetering is less awkward, but the recurring process can irritate the urethra and prostate, and increase the chance of getting cystitis. The present new catheter type has a barb-like tip to retain such inside the bladder. A urine drainage inlet is located less than an inch below the barb. The easy drainage of urine is facilitated simply by pushing the catheter upward until the inlet opening is inside the bladder. Because the required insertion distance is much reduced, there's less likelihood of there being irritation of the organs, and less likelihood of getting cystitis.

Abstract: A bag cover is fabricated of a flexible material. The bag cover has a rear sheet with a hole adjacent to a top edge. The rear sheet has a downwardly extending projection formed at a bottom edge. The cover has a front sheet overlying the rear sheet. A top edge is essentially midway between top and bottom edges of the rear sheet. A pocket receives and supports a bag. A slit is provided in the rear sheet between an upper edge and the hole. Facing fasteners are provided on the rear sheet adjacent to the slit. The facing fasteners are adapted to be separated to separate a bag from the cover. A fixed patch of hook and loop fasteners is provided on an upper surface of the projection. An overlying removable patch is provided. The patches are adapted to receive a cylindrical portion of a bag.

Abstract: An implant for use in surgery for glaucoma of an eye having an oval plastic piece to which a tube is attached. The oval is wrapped as a taco enclosing the tube. The oval is placed via an incision in the conjunctiva to allow the device to be placed under the lateral or the medial rectus muscle. The tube is disposed in a sceral flap in the eye. A surgical method using the device is disclosed.

Abstract: A bowel management system includes a rectal catheter; and at least one physiologic sensor. The rectal catheter has a portion in contact with a patient's body internally thereof during use of the system, to thereby determine a preselected physiologic parameter of a patient having the rectal catheter inserted into the patient's bowel. The position of the sensor relative to the rectal catheter portion is such that the sensor is disposed in close proximity to the internal tissue of the patient, or within the fecal flow, when the bowel management system is place for use within the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for determining hydration of an article and/or a person. The physical and/or electrical properties of a device in the absorbent article may be altered by hydration received in the absorbent article. The alteration of the physical or electrical properties may indicate the amount of hydration in the absorbent article. Furthermore, a time period for receiving the hydration in the absorbent article may also be determined. The hydration of the person may be determined based on a fluid output rate from the person computed using the amount of hydration output from the person and the time period for receiving the hydration.

Abstract: To prevent a paper diaper reliably from slipping down at a body liquid absorbing time, and to bring the paper diaper into close contact along the line of a body thereby to improve the wearing comfortableness. An armoring sheet includes: waist portion elastic members, and so on; hip surrounding elastic member groups, and so on arranged at the front F and the back B; and a plurality of curved elastic member groups extending, at each of the front F and the back B, from one side jointing edge to the crotch side, reaching the other side jointing edge while passing over the crotch side, and arranged at a spacing without intersecting with each other. The curved elastic member groups have their starting/trailing ends connected at a predetermined spacing substantially over the range from the upper portion to the lower portion of the side portion jointing edge.

Abstract: A Foley catheter with a retention balloon includes an elongated inflation tube so that the inflation port used to inflate and deflate the balloon may be maneuvered away from the drainage port of the Foley catheter. If the Foley catheter was placed using a urethral access sheath, the elongated inflation tube allows the surgeon to easily remove the access sheath from the patient.

Abstract: A portable closed wound drainage system that uses a pouch shaped dressing which is inserted into a wound. At least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch 1 is porous to allow exudates to enter. Exudates are removed from the pouch by flexible tubing which is secured inside the pouch at one end, and secured at the other end to a portable drain/suction unit. The pouch contains porous material, and may optionally contain beads and fillers which are antibacterial in nature. The tubing can have a single or multi-lumen structure with perforations in the side walls of the end of the tube that is inserted in the pouch to allow body fluids to enter laterally. The portable drain/suction unit is preferably a portable battery powered device. The pouch and the tube are sealed by a flexible sealing material which is applied to the outer surface of the skin around the periphery of the pouch and the tubing as it exits the pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing, a controller, a fluid source, a negative pressure source, and a canister. The controller, the fluid source, the negative pressure source, and the canister are carried by the housing. The fluid source is couplable to the bandage. The negative pressure source is couplable to the bandage through the canister. The controller is operable to provide a first signal resulting in automated fluid delivery to the bandage from the fluid source. The controller is operable to provide a second signal resulting in the negative pressure source applying negative pressure to the bandage through the canister.