Abstract: A urinary catheter and a method of its manufacture are disclosed. The urinary catheter comprises a tubular shaft extending between an insertion end and a discharge end, the tubular shaft being formed of at least two materials having different properties. The materials are arranged substantially separated from each other in distinct zones, wherein at least one of the width and thickness of said zones varies over the length of the tubular shaft, to form two or more uniform sections of the tubular shaft having various relative amounts of said materials, and wherein at least one transition between two such uniform sections is formed by at least one transition section providing a gradual transition between the uniform sections. The catheter can e.g. be produced by intermittent extrusion.

Abstract: An aspiration device is described, including a bulb aspirator including a bulb body, a first collar and tip, the bulb body includes an upper portion configured for receiving one end of the first collar and lower portion configured for receiving in a first configuration a stop and in a second different configuration a second collar associated with a suction tube, the tip is configured for insertion into a passageway; the stop being configured for detachable connection to the lower portion of the bulb body when in the first configuration; and the suction tube including the second collar, a tube portion and an adaptor, the second collar is disposed at a first end of the suction tube and being adapted to be coupled to the lower portion of the bulb body, the adaptor is configured to adapt to a human mouth to enable suction to be applied at the adaptor.

Abstract: A medicament transport system includes a syringe adapter assembly; and a vial adapter assembly including a base defining an opening having a seal member disposed therewithin, a stem extending from the base and defining a lumen therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof, a needle shuttle valve slidably disposed within the lumen of the stem and supporting a transfer needle and a vacuum needle; and a vacuum cup slidably supported on the stem, wherein a vacuum chamber is defined in the space between the base, the stem and the vacuum cup. The medicament transport system includes a condition where the transfer needle and the vacuum needles penetrate the seal member of the vial adapter assembly, and the vacuum cup is moved to draw a vacuum through the vacuum needle. An automation system is provided that utilizes a medicament transport system for forming a medicament solution from a liquid/non-liquid solution.

Abstract: A swab roller formed from an elongated stem having a first end terminating with a covering and a second end terminating with a covering. A casing tube placed over a portion of the elongated stem is sized to allow the rotation of the elongated stem within the casing tube. The covering is formed from an absorbent material such as cotton or foam. The swab roller can be constructed of inexpensive components, such as paper for general use or from medical grade materials or sterile packaging for specialty use.

Abstract: A device (10) for directing a medical fabric (28) into a portion of a body. An elongated housing (12) having a distal end (16) and an opening (22) at the distal end (16). A supply of medical fabric (28) in the housing (12). An actuator (24) spaced from said opening (22) and configured to advance a portion of the medical fabric (28) through said housing (12) and out of the opening (22).

Abstract: Liquid drug transfer device for use in a Ready-To-Use liquid drug transfer assemblage for establishing flow communication between a liquid source and an injection vial. The liquid drug transfer device includes an injection vial adapter for mounting on an intact injection vial having an injection vial stopper without puncturing same, a liquid source adapter for attachment to a liquid source, a dual ended liquid transfer member for flow communication with the liquid source and puncturing an injection vial stopper, a safety catch mechanism requiring an initial manual linear sliding extension for priming the liquid drug transfer device, an extension limit arrangement for limiting the linear sliding extension, and a snap fit securing arrangement for securing the liquid source adapter on the injection vial adapter after actuation.

Abstract: A system includes a vial stabilizer base having a first body and a plurality of fingers projecting from the first body, with the plurality of fingers being annularly disposed about the first body, and a vial adapter having a second body and a plurality of arms projecting from the second body. The second body defines a passageway. The plurality of fingers of the vial stabilizer base defines a socket having a first seat configured to receive a vial and a second seat configured to receive the vial adapter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy during an imaging procedure. The method includes the step of positioning balloon catheters in a patient's renal arteries and inflating the balloons of each catheter to block the flow of contrast media into the patient's kidneys.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring oxygenator performance in extracorporeal circuit systems or the like. More particularly, the disclosure relates to systems and methods including a controller programmed to determine oxygenator apparatus flow impedance as a function of an inlet pressure measurement, an outlet pressure measurement and a blood flow rate measurement. The systems and methods may include a communication device that receives signals from the controller to communicate information regarding oxygenator apparatus performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure sensor measures the pressure at the wound therapy dressing and restricts fluid flow to the wound therapy dressing when a predetermined pressure is achieve.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and dressings for treating a linear wound, such as an incision, on a patient are presented. The systems, dressings, and methods involve a sealed wound dressing assembly that helps form a fluid seal around the linear wound while simultaneously encompassing a subcutaneous delivery conduit to deliver fluid to or from a subcutaneous tissue site. In one instance, a reduced-pressure interface is used to allow the subcutaneous delivery conduit to pass through tissue at or near the linear wound and through a wound dressing assembly to a drainage receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a foamed fluid to a wound of a patient (e.g., through a wound dressing covering the wound and coupled to the skin around the wound).

Abstract: A protecting system for containing a biopharmaceutical fluid includes: a flexible pouch designed to contain a biopharmaceutical fluid; a protecting package including: two frames which respectively form a lower frame and an upper frame and which have a peripheral area; a fastening system able to clamp the two frames of the protecting package to each other, the frames sandwiching the flexible pouch. The fastening system includes at least an assembly only including: a snap including a backing part; and a cap including a washer. The lower and the upper frames of the protecting package are directly clamped between the washer of the cap and the backing part of the snap in a clamping position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing dialysis are described. The apparatus is a patch which provides structural support to a blood vessel, such as vein or fistula. The patch provides a location for puncturing the blood vessel with a needle, either at the puncture site or on the back side to prevent the needle from going through the blood vessel. The patch may also be palpated, allowing health care provider to easily locate a preferred puncture site. The method includes placing the patch on the blood vessel, and using the patch to provide a location for providing dialysis.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to an aspirator having a handle that includes a suction connector extending from a proximal end face, a substantially cylindrical sleeve mount having an outer surface and a shoulder. A tubular member defining a bore and having flared end disposed in a suction head having one or more cantilevered protuberances can extend from the sleeve mount. The substantially cylindrical sleeve mount is in relief with respect to the shoulder and extends distally therefrom. The substantially cylindrical sleeve mount defines an aperture. The suction connector bore, bore of tubular member, inner cavity of handle and suction head bore define a fluid flow path or cavity. The aspirator can include a sleeve that receives the suction head. The sleeve engages and interferes with the sleeve mount. The suction head and sleeve's inner wall have one or more engineered clearances between them to enhance assembly.

Abstract: A safety connector has a needle, and includes a tubular protective sleeve with a distal section, having a movable wall portion arranged in the peripheral wall thereof. The movable wall portion is selectively movable between a retracted position and a protection position. In the retracted position, the movable wall portion is aligned with the peripheral wall of the proximal section of the tubular protective sleeve. In the protection position, the movable wall portion projects into the inner space of the tubular protective sleeve.

Abstract: Devices are provided with an internal dimension that can be reduced and increased in vivo. In one example, an interatrial shunt for placement at an atrial septum of a patient's heart includes a body. The body includes first and second regions coupled in fluid communication by a neck region. The body includes a shape-memory material. The body defines a passageway through the neck region for blood to flow between a first atrium and a second atrium. The first and second regions are superelastic at body temperature, and the neck region is malleable at body temperature. A flow area of the passageway through the neck region may be adjusted in vivo.

Abstract: A method for using a universal electronic toolset for indicating and adjusting of an implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve regardless of whether the valve includes a fixed reference magnet used to determine an angle of orientation of the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve or not. A magnetic field detection sensor array in an indicator tool of the electronic toolset determines whether the fixed reference magnet is present in the implantable programmable bodily fluid drainage valve. If the presence of the fixed reference magnet is detected then the center and direction of flow of the adjustable valve unit is ascertained via electronic feedback from the electronic toolset; otherwise, the center and direction flow is ascertained via exclusively by manual physical palpation of the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. The proximal end includes a retention feature having a coiled shape. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.