Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for delivering reduced pressure to a load-bearing wound site. The device can include a distal port configured to connect to a wound dressing positioned over the wound site; a proximal port located a distance from the distal port and configured to connect to a reduced pressure source, and a conduit body having an inner channel extending between the distal port and the proximal port. When the distal port is applied to the wound dressing positioned over the wound site the proximal port is positioned at a non-load bearing location remote from the wound dressing. The inner channel has a non-circular profile having a width larger than a height of the conduit body.

Abstract: Intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods for operation thereof are disclosed. The intragastric fluid transfer devices and related methods are intended to assist a patient in maintaining a healthy body weight by stimulating the inner stomach walls and/or the inner duodenum walls. Features of the intragastric fluid transfer device include insertion of the devices transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The life span of these intragastric fluid transfer devices may be material-dependent upon long-term survivability within an acidic stomach, but is intended to last one year or longer.

Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed that, in some embodiments, relate to treating a tissue site. In one embodiment, a dressing may include a manifold, a retention pouch, a sealing member, and a conduit interface. The manifold may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and the retention pouch may be adapted to retain and manage fluid extracted from the tissue site. The sealing member may cover the retention pouch and the manifold to provide a sealed space with the tissue site. The conduit interface may be in fluid communication with the sealed space and an exterior surface of the sealing member. The dressing may be utilized with a therapy device operable to control reduced pressure in the dressing and fluid flow over the sealing member.

Abstract: A method of decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) in an eye of a patient in need thereof includes implanting a first lacrimal implant through a firsts punctum and into a first lacrimal canaliculus of the eye of the patient. The method may further comprise implanting a second lacrimal implant through a second punctum and into a second lacrimal canaliculus of the eye of the patient, and releasing, on a sustained basis a therapeutically effective amount of an intraocular pressure-reducing therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for positioning a suction catheter in the airway of a patient. The systems may comprise a suction catheter, a delivery device, and/or a stylet. The delivery device may comprise an elongate shaft, an atraumatic distal end, an elongate passageway, and a retention element configured to releasably couple to an endotracheal tube. The suction catheter may be positioned in the elongate passageway, and the delivery device may help advance the suction catheter into the airway of a patient. In some variations, the delivery device may comprise elements configured to release the suction catheter in the airway after positioning.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.

Abstract: An external device for applying a substance to the perineum comprises: a bottom wall; and an elastic side wall extending from the bottom wall; wherein said bottom wall and side wall together form an open cup-shaped body for holding the substance.

Abstract: A package configured for storing and dispensing a tubular section of a urinary catheter includes a wall forming a spiral pattern on an interior surface of the package, a cavity, an outlet, a channel connecting the outlet and the cavity, and a by-pass flow path connected with the outlet. The spiral pattern extends from a central region of the package to an outer periphery of the package, with the spiral pattern of the wall forming a spiral space located between the wall and an adjacent section of the wall. The cavity is formed in the outer periphery of the package. The outlet is formed in the outer periphery of the package separate from the cavity.

Abstract: A variety of passive intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. Such passive implants do not autonomously change shape, but instead react within the stomach to induce satiety. The implants may take up volume within the stomach, thus reducing the digestive capacity. Additionally, the implants may contact areas within the stomach, such as the cardia surrounding the esophageal sphincter, to stimulate satiety-inducing nerves. Also, a number of implants slow gastric emptying by blocking or otherwise impeding flow through the pyloric sphincter. Other implants delay digestion by providing a duodenal sleeve. A number of implants combine two or more of these satiety-inducing features. Methods of implant are disclosed including compressing the implants within a delivery tube and transorally advancing the implants through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the implants occurs in the reverse.

Abstract: An insect-bite itch stopper is disclosed which has a pressure surface adapted for pressing directly onto an insect bite and an applicator for simultaneously or contemporaneously applying an anti-itch medication to the bite.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating blood withdrawn from patient including: simultaneously withdrawing blood and infusing withdrawn blood from and to the patient by flowing the withdrawn blood through an extracorporeal dialysis circuit including a dialyzer having a semi-permeable dialysis membrane and a dialysate side adjacent the membrane; feeding a dialysate containing 1 to 5 mM total calcium and 2 to 8 mM citrate to the dialysate side of the dialyzer, and introducing an anticoagulation fluid including at least 8 mM citrate into the arterial blood line.

Abstract: A method for treating a wound that includes incorporating a wound dressing comprising a plurality of fibers, each fiber having a length of at least two (2) inches, into a wound to cause the walls of the wound to remain apart and allow the wound to heal from the inside to the outside, and removing the wound exudate.

Abstract: A container assembly including a shield disposed at least partially within a receiving cavity of a receptacle of a lid is disclosed. The shield provides a physical barrier that at least partially covers and blocks an entrance to the receiving cavity to prevent a patient and/or healthcare worker from needle stick injuries. In one embodiment, the shield is adapted to receive a stopper of a collection tube, and the shield is transitionable between a locked position in which the shield is restrained within an open end of the receptacle, and an unlocked position in which the shield is movable within the receiving cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to blood flow reversal valves and related systems and methods. In certain aspects of the invention, a blood flow reversal valve includes a first member having a first passage and a second passage, and a second member having a first passage and a second passage. The first and second members are rotatably fixed relative to one another such that the first passage of the first member is aligned with the first passage of the second member and the second passage of the first member is aligned with the second passage of the second member. A flow directing element is disposed in the cavity and is moveable relative to the first and second members between a first position in which the first passage of the first member and the first passage of the second member are fluidly connected and a second position in which the first passage of the first member and the second passage of the second member are fluidly connected.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and a liquid-absorbent structure. The chassis has an inner sheet lying on a skin-facing side and an outer sheet lying on a garment-facing side. The outer sheet has a first outer sheet and a second outer sheet lying inside the first outer sheet. The second outer sheet is formed on its outer surface with a display area extending in a longitudinal direction. The liquid-absorbent structure is formed with a central void and lateral voids in which core material for a core is not present. The display area can be visually recognized from the garment-facing side through the first outer sheet and from the skin-facing side also through the central void of the liquid-absorbent structure.

Abstract: A connector system for medical fluid administration has a female connection member, which can act as an access port for a container of medical fluid, and a male connection member, for accessing the container of medical fluid. The female connection member defines a sheath for receiving a portion of the male connection member and this sheath is spanned at one end by a septum, which acts to close the container of medical fluid. A lumen is defined through the male connection member to allow passage of fluid therethrough. The septum has a central region and a peripheral region, the central region being of substantially greater thickness than the peripheral region. The male connection member comprises means for rupturing the peripheral region of the septum when it is received in the female connection member to form a connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for use in an eye with elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma, the device comprising a subconjunctival conformer shaped to conform to the eye wall and a fluid director that directs or facilitates the flow of intraocular fluid out of the eye and into the subconjunctival or retrobulbar space. The present invention also provides a method of lowering intraocular pressure using the device of the present invention.

Abstract: An ocular implant adapted to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of a human eye with a body extending along a curved longitudinal central axis in a curvature plane, a first strut on one side of the implant and a second strut on an opposite side of the implant, the circumferential extent of the first strut with respect to the plane of curvature being greater than the circumferential extent of the second strut with respect to the plane of curvature. The invention also includes methods of using the implant.