Abstract: An embalming fluid together with methods and kits for use in preparing the present embalming fluid, are provided, in which the fluid includes a pseudoplasticizing vegetable based, water-soluble polymer and a non-toxic disinfectant and which is essentially free from aldehyde. The preferred disinfectant is an iodine-based disinfectant, polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine being particularly preferred.

Abstract: A tissue closure treatment system and method are provided with an external patient interface. A first fluid transfer component (FTC1) can be placed directly on a suture line for transferring fluid exuded therethrough. An underdrape is placed over FTC1 and includes a slot exposing a portion of same. A second fluid transfer component (FTC2) is placed over the underdrape slot in communication with FTC1. Negative pressure is applied to FTC2 through a connecting fluid transfer component (FTC3). The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using a manual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suction when a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained. An automatic operating mode utilizes a microprocessor, which can be preprogrammed to respond to various patient and operating conditions. The method proceeds through several phases with different components in place and different patient interface functions occurring in each.

Abstract: A medical bag of multi-liquid missing type for one-shot operation for opening the weak seal portion, which makes it possible to obtain simultaneous opening of a blending medicine inlet. The medical bag 10 is formed of a soft film material and having a weak seal portion, which divides the space inside the bag into a plurality of compartments 20 and 22. A blending medicine inlet port 14 is arranged adjacent the one compartment 20. The inlet port 14 includes sealed compartments 36A, 36B and 36C for storage of the respective blending medicines. The inlet port 14 is usually closed by a peel film member 44 for preventing the blending medicines from being discharged. The peel film member 44 is strongly adhered to the opposed surface of the plastic film constructing the medical bag.

Abstract: A Foley type catheter of the type including an elongated flexible tube and an inflation lumen, the distal end of the tube being provided with a membrane that is inflated into a balloon by fluid passage though the lumen, wherein to retain the distal end interiorly of a bladder, and a drainage eye, wherein to enable the catheter to drain urine therefrom. The proximal end of the tube is provided with a fluid control valve and a fluid pump, each hand operated as desired. The pump is in the form of a squeeze bulb and/or aspirator and adapted to deform to supply and/or withdraw fluid into and from the lumen and selectively inflate/deflate the membrane. In one embodiment, the pump is in the shape of a pleated bellows that is axially collapsed and end walls forced together and into a suction cup like retaining engagement, and a coil spring acts to restore the shape.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, implantable drainage devices with a curvilinear portion are provided, such as stents or drainage catheters formed as a tubular member having a curvilinear portion comprising one or more pairs of adjacent bends curved in opposite directions. The drainage devices house a drainage lumen that may extend through the curvilinear portion, which may be dimensioned to retain the drainage device within a body vessel and provide a desired fluid conductance through a tortuous portion of the drainage lumen within the curvilinear portion. The curvilinear portion may include two or more planar bends facing in opposite directions.

Abstract: A wound contact device comprising a permeable material and a wound contact layer having voids extending through the contact layer to a depth in the permeable material. The wound contact layer can comprise a thin sheet or film forming a generally flat and smooth wound contact surface having essentially no discontinuities or gaps. The wound contact layer can comprise a thin sheet of highly calendered fabric forming a wound contact surface having a mean surface roughness in the range of about 0 microns to about 200 microns. In progressive wound healing, an embodiment of the wound contact device having the fabric contact surface is used in earlier healing stages and an embodiment of the wound contact device with film contact surface is used in later healing stages. The wound contact device is particularly useful in wound dressings for use in suction-assisted wound therapy.

Abstract: A liquid distribution unit disposed in a position between an absorbent member and a wearer's body. The liquid distribution unit includes a sheet, the sheet including a plurality of openings defined through material which is otherwise liquid impermeable, and a plurality of introductory tubes extending toward the absorbent member, and each one of the introductory tubes includes one first end and one second end. Each first end of the tubes is connected to the sheet so that a center of each of a plurality of openings of the sheet is coincident with a center of an opening of each first end. The introductory tubes are adjacent to one another through an empty space. An absorbent product having the distribution unit is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing carbon dioxide from whole blood. Hydrogen ions are generated from water in the blood, resulting in the formation and release of carbon dioxide from the blood.

Abstract: This invention is a Cooling, Heating, Bladder Relief, Gas, Hydration and Nutrition Chem-Bio Suit Connectivity System used connecting various life function support systems in Chemical-Biological Protective Suits. The connectivity system provides means to quick connect and disconnect various user desired support systems including cooling and heating, bladder relief, gas, hydration and nutrition and external to a user that is inside a Chem-Bio Suit. The connectivity system is capable of allowing a user to use any of the support systems either in any combination thereof or individually. The connectivity system self perforates and self seals upon installation in the Chem-Bio Suit and seals upon connection and disconnection of life support systems to prevent contamination from entering inside the Chem-Bio Suit and threatening the health or safety of the user.

Abstract: An intra-urethral catheter for a male patient, has a lumen (7) interrupted within the prostatic space (S) of the patient's urethra (U), by a blockage (8), and upper and lower by-pass openings (9, 10) through the catheter-wall (6) are located one above and one below the blockage (8). The upper opening (9) discharges urine collected from the bladder (B) to flush the prostatic space (S), and the lower opening (10) passes the urine back into the lower part (7?) of the lumen for discharge. In a modification, the length of the catheter below the sphincter (M) of the bulbar urethra and the external urethral orifice (O), is of membraneous form (11), and at the external urethral orifice (O) extends into a portion (12) for folding back over the glans (G). A ring (13) retains the folded-back portion (12) on the glans (G).

Abstract: A universal valve for the Foley type urinary catheter has structure which permits its use as a patient controlled drainage valve, as an interface from which to take sterile samples, and as a connection to a day or night collection bag all without removal of the universal valve from the Foley type urinary catheter. The universal valve may be open or closed by the use of a squeeze mechanism for patient control, or by movement of the threaded connection between the universal valve and a collection bag so that the universal valve is continuously open for drainage into the urine collection bag.

Abstract: A device and method for performing stenting and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction includes a semi-rigid tubular guide sleeve through which a flexible tubular stent, having an oversized length, is inserted from a punctal opening into the nasal cavity. The guide sleeve is removed and a resilient, radially expandable punctal anchor is placed through the punctal opening, to contact the stent and hold it in place. An introducer device having a hollow tubular core and a coaxially mounted, axially translatable outer sheath is provided to facilitate placement of the anchor. The anchor is stretched over the distal end of the core and the stent threaded into the central lumen of the core. Once the anchor is in place, the sheath is translated to push the anchor off the distal end. Excess stent at its proximal end is then trimmed off.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for non-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanical device, such as a sensor or control in an implanted medical device, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough is provided. The flow of fluid through the valve housing can be controlled, for example, by a valve assembly that has a plurality of predetermined pressure settings. A radio frequency tag can be disposed in the valve assembly, and the masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions of the masking element and the radio frequency tag can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate the pressure setting of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 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: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a device adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be fed through a blood vessel, a pump associated with the distal end of the catheter, and a tool associated with the distal end of the catheter. The tool is adapted to be used for percutaneous minimally invasive heart surgery. Examples of the tools include a tool for excising natural tissue, a tool for excising a natural valve, and anthretomy device, a prosthetic valve delivery system, a balloon catheter, a knife, a stapler, and a screwdriver. The pump is used for maintaining blood flow around the site of the heart surgery while the surgery is taking place without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is provided having a receiving member and a disposable bag liner, as well as a method for producing a compacted inner bag liner, and a method for applying such an ostomy appliance. The inner bag is compacted lengthwise while twisting a bottom part in relation to a rim, with the method including the manner of compacting the same.

Abstract: A device and method for selectively controlling the direction of blood flow to and from the patient during hemodialysis is provided. Specifically, the device and method reverse flow between four fluid lines without changing connections between a patient and a hemodialysis machine. Advantageously, the blood is subjected to minimal stresses as it passes through the switching device.

Abstract: A medicament applicator for use with a medicament cartridge is disclosed herein. The applicator comprises a first handle member and a second handle member, both of which are movable with respect to one another between a first handle position and a second handle position. The applicator further comprises a first separating member and a second separating member, which are movable between a first separating position, which corresponds to the first handle position, and a second separating position, which corresponds to the second handle position. The applicator further comprises a compressing apparatus attached to the applicator, which compresses the medicament cartridge and selectively expels the medicament from the medicament cartridge.

Abstract: A worn article includes a fitting portion 1 that fits around a torso of a wearer, and an absorbent portion 2 covering a crotch of the wearer and absorbing body fluid from the wearer. The absorbent portion 2 includes a first end portion 23 and a second end portion 24 that are connected to the fitting portion 1. The first end portion 23 of the absorbent portion 2 can be detached from the fitting portion 1. A cover sheet 4 is provided covering at least a portion of the first end portion 23. A portion of the cover sheet 4 is processed so that the cover sheet 4 is tearable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying viruses and bacteria in a closed loop system that irradiates the fluid multiple times through the same channel. The apparatus consists of a cuvette, an irradiation station, a peristaltic pump, and a bottle. A plurality of power control switches controls the operation of the apparatus. This includes an on/off power switch, an on/off pump control, and a ultraviolet light control switch. A timer is provided to regulate the time period the cuvette is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation within the irradiation station. A cover is provided to enable the cuvette to be used and exposed to ultraviolet radiation within an enclosed environment.