Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible device that integrates electromagnetic and mechanical elements and allows the combination of different mechanisms for voluntary closing of the intestinal lumen. The device can be used either with a stoma to control intestinal transit to the outside and avoid the use of collection pouches, or without a stoma to regulate intestinal transit for another medically necessary reason.

Abstract: An infusion apparatus including a body having an infusion reservoir and one end of the body adapted to receive a pierceable end of a vial, a barrel rotatably disposed in an opposing end of the body and having an internal fluid chamber, and a plunger received in one end of the barrel, wherein the barrel rotates relative to the body between a first position allowing bi-directional fluid flow between the barrel and the vial, and a second position allowing bi-directional fluid flow between the barrel and the infusion reservoir, and wherein the plunger is movable relative to the barrel to control the bi-directional fluid flow between the barrel and the vial and the bi-directional fluid flow between the barrel and the infusion reservoir.

Abstract: A plug for occluding an ocular canaliculus comprises a cylindrical body member having a first outer diameter. The cylindrical body member is provided along an external surface with at least one outwardly extending projection having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and larger than an inner diameter of an ocular canaliculus. The first outer diameter of the plug is typically less than and approximately equal to the inner diameter of the canaliculus.

Abstract: The container (1) for fluid products, particularly for medical products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food or the like, comprises: a hollow body (2) for the containment of a fluid product having a neck (3); a closing element (8) having an attachment portion (9) which, in a closing configuration, is associated with the hollow body (2) along a preset breaking line (10) adapted to allow the separation of the closing element (8) from the hollow body (2) in a separation configuration wherein on the hollow body (2) is formed an opening for the outflow of the fluid product; at least a flap element (11) for supporting information, data or logos (12), joined to the attachment portion (9) and movable between an initial configuration wherein the flap element (11) is moved away from the neck (3), and a final configuration wherein the flap element (11) is fitted at least partially around the neck (3) to form a maneuver key (13) adapted to allow the removal by tearing the closing element (8) off.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nozzles for removing a preservative from a fluid comprising a therapeutic agent to an eye. More particularly, the nozzles disclosed herein may minimize patient exposure to preservative by rapidly and selectively removing a preservative from a solution comprising a therapeutic agent. An example nozzle may comprise a flow diverter which directs a flow path from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet over a length longer than the distance from the inlet to the outlet. In some cases, the nozzle may comprise a preservative removing agent.

Abstract: A cap system for sealing injectable drugs within a vial is disclosed. The system includes an elastomeric stopper, a retainer member, a locking member, a cap assembly and a piercing member. The retainer member is arranged to snap onto the vial and the locking member slid with respect to the retainer member to permanently seal the vial. The cap assembly includes a cap and a band and is coupled to the locking member. The cap releasably holds the piercing member. The band is arranged to be removed to enable the cap to move the piercing member to penetrate the stopper, whereupon the cap can be removed. The piercing member is arranged to be connected to a syringe or other instrument to withdraw the vial's contents.

Abstract: A control system controlling the blood flow rate in a blood supply system (1) in which a pump (18) transports blood from a reservoir (10) toward multiple outlets (30, 26, 26a) of which one or more outlets are openable to permit flow and closable to block flow, wherein the control system comprises a monitoring arrangement (22, 32, 32a) to determine the flow rate through a first outlet (30), and a controller responsive to the monitoring arrangement and controlling the pump (18) to maintain the flow rate through the first outlet (30) at a pre-determined level. This allows a flow rate through the first outlet to be maintained independently of any active blood diversions.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a sensor (10) for emitting a signal indicating a variation in blood volume (?Bv?) of an individual (7) subjected to extracorporeal blood treatment and a sensor (14) for emitting a signal indicating a weight loss of the individual. A control unit (20) receives the signals, compares the ratio between the relative variation of blood volume (?Bv/BV) and the relative variation of weight loss (AWL/TW) of the individual with a desired value, and controls the weight loss of the individual on the basis of the comparison. The apparatus enables automatically controlling a dialysis, preventing some complications due to hypotension.

Abstract: A three-dimensional substrate has a first surface, a second surface, land areas and comprises three-dimensional protrusions extending outward from the second surface of the three-dimensional substrate. The three-dimensional protrusions are surrounded by the land areas. The three-dimensional substrate is a laminate comprising at least two layers in a face to face relationship. The second layer comprise a tissue layer facing outward from the second surface of the three-dimensional substrate. The tissue layer comprises at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the tissue layer.

Abstract: A catheter has extruded length of tubing and an injection molded tip that facilitates insertion of the catheter into the body. The catheter is fabricated by the steps of providing the tubing, for example, by extruding the tubing from a thermoplastic resin cutting the tubing to the desired length, inserting a plug into the tubing, inserting one end of the tubing into an injection mold cavity, creating and forming a tip in an injection molding step, and demolding the tubing with the formed tip.

Abstract: Manifold structures, systems, and methods are disclosed that include using longitudinal members and one or more shaped projections to cause microstrain at a tissue site. In one instance a manifold structure includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal members and at least one shaped projection coupled to at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members for creating a microstrain at a tissue site. The at least one shaped projection includes a columnar member having a distal end and includes an enlarged member positioned at the distal end of the columnar member. The columnar member has a first outer diameter (D1) and the enlarged member has a second outer diameter (D2). The second outer diameter of the enlarged member is greater than the first outer diameter of the columnar member (D2>D1). Other systems, methods, and structures are presented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits useful for cleansing the eyelids and maintaining eyelid hygiene are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for treating or cleansing an ocular region is disclosed. The system consists essentially of: (A) a tubular applicator, wherein the applicator comprises: (i) a first chamber and a second chamber; and (ii) a sealable element situated between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein at least the second chamber is substantially pre-filled with an ocular composition, and (B) a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is bonded to an external surface of a first end of the applicator.

Abstract: A two phase method for reducing the formation of biofilm includes an evacuation of ambient air from a region about the surgical or treatment site, to extract airborne or aerosolized bacteria ejected from the site by the treatment. The extracted bacteria are prevented from settling back onto the cleansed tissue surface, thus at least reducing colonial bacteriological growth and concomitantly exuded biofilm material. A second phase involves the attachment of one or more ultrasonic transducers to the patient over or near a surgical treatment site after the surgery is terminated. Each applied ultrasonic transducer is used to vibrate the patient's tissues at the treatment site to disrupt biofilm formation.

Abstract: A bi-stable popper valve and a device for detecting blockage in a flow of a fluid are provided. The valve includes a membrane supporting two conformations: in a first conformation the membrane is convex in relation the upstream fluid, and in a second conformation the membrane can be concave in relation to the upstream fluid, such that in the first conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is prevented and in the second conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is permitted through an pore defined by the membrane in only the second conformation. The membrane changes from the first conformation to the second responsive to a pressure of the fluid meeting or exceeding an opening pressure value of the membrane. A sensor can detect a shift from the first conformation to the second conformation, indicating a flow, or absence of flow, of the fluid.

Abstract: A wound dressing for use in vacuum wound therapy comprising a wound contact layer which is an open structure comprising a yarn comprising gel-forming filaments or fibres, the structure having a porosity which allows exudate to flow through it.

Abstract: Negative pressure wound therapy sponges that are custom-fabricated to fit a given wound to be treated, corresponding methods of creating said sponges in situ or external to a wound, and related systems for performing negative pressure wound therapy using said sponges. Exemplary sponge embodiments may have pressure-sensing capabilities.

Abstract: A container for collecting liquid for transport, includes a shell having a port adapted for receiving tubing and configured to define a chamber that has a window in an exterior surface of the shell. The window is so positioned that when a wicking material, which is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture and which is so dimensioned that when the wicking material is received within the shell and applied through the window to the particular source of moisture, the shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the shell chamber and the shell is otherwise closed a partial vacuum can be created within the shell chamber to draw moisture into the shell chamber through the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the shell chamber for transport from the shell chamber via the tubing.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of manipulating subdermal fat in a treatment area. Such methods include inserting a needle (e.g., a micro-coring needle) through the dermis to the subdermal fat layer in order to excise a portion of tissue from the treatment area. These insertions result in a portion of the dermis and a portion of subdermal fat to enter into the needle. Removal of the needle results in excision of the portion of dermis and subdermal fat that entered into the needle.

Abstract: An aspiration device can be used to aspirate an obstruction from a blood vessel. The aspiration device is configured to allow controlled one-handed aspiration yet maintain a syringe plunger feel of vacuum. The aspiration device also allows one-handed injection to empty the device when needed. Furthermore, mechanisms enable one-handed locking of a plunger position of the device to maintain vacuum when the user releases the device.

Abstract: An exemplary catheter can be provided which can include, for example, a first inflation arrangement configured, in operation, to substantially seal and/or anchor the catheter inside the bladder when inflated, a second inflation arrangement configured, in operation, to substantially float in urine when inflated, wherein the second arrangement can be located at a predetermined distance from the first inflation arrangement, and an aperture provided between the first inflation arrangement and the second inflation arrangement, where the first and second arrangements can cause the aperture to be (i) open when the second inflation arrangement can be located at a first position relative to the first inflation arrangement, and (ii) closed when the second inflation arrangement can be located at a second position relative to the first inflation arrangement, and where the second position can be different than the first position.