Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent. The cap further includes a friction-forming member for creating a friction-based fitting of the cap onto the site of the medical implement.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent. The cap further includes a friction-forming member for creating a friction-based fitting of the cap onto the site of the medical implement.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: Access to a medical monitoring system, which includes a patient-portable monitoring device and an associated monitoring service at a central unit, is controlled by inputting a set of identification data elements into a medical monitoring device, which then establishes a communication link with a central unit and communicates the set of identification data elements to the central unit. The medical monitoring device and the central unit cooperatively determine whether the medical monitoring device may be activated for rendering medical monitoring device service, by evaluating the set of identification data elements as to whether they meet a set of basic structural requirements, and obtaining financial or other authorization from a third-party source. In the event that the identification data elements meet the set of basic structural requirements and the authorization is obtained, the central unit issues an activation signal to the medical monitoring device over the communication link.

Abstract: The invention concerns catheterization assemblies designed to reduce the risk of infection, transmission of bloodborne pathogens, loss of blood, and development of embolisms in a patient. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a catheterization assembly having a catheter hub with multiple access ports. In some embodiments, the catheter hub is permanently attached to a catheter and a valve. The catheter hub provides fluid communication between the valve and the catheter. The catheter hub may also be provided with a sealing member that provides access to a fluid passageway of the catheter hub but which prevents leakage of fluids from the catheter hub. In other embodiments, the catheter hub includes a passageway and an air vent for allowing air to pass out of the catheterization assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with and monitoring the operation of a device implanted within a patient. A transceiver capable of being implanted within a patient provides a communication interface between an implanted medical device and a monitor external to the patient's body. The external monitor can communicate with a remote monitoring center over a communication network. The external monitor also provides control signals to the implanted device via the transceiver unit. The transceiver apparatus is capable of two-way communication between the implanted device and the external monitor. The transceiver apparatus is also capable of detecting actions performed by the implanted device and physiological signals directly from the patient's body. Thus, the transceiver apparatus provides circuitry for determining whether an implanted medical device is operating properly. The transceiver apparatus provides a way to remotely reprogram one or more implanted medical devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns catheterization assemblies designed to reduce the risk of infection, transmission of bloodborne pathogens, loss of blood, and development of embolisms in a patient. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a catheterization assembly having a catheter hub with multiple access ports. In some embodiments, the catheter hub is permanently attached to a catheter and a valve. The catheter hub provides fluid communication between the valve and the catheter. The catheter hub may also be provided with a sealing member that provides access to a fluid passageway of the catheter hub but which prevents leakage of fluids from the catheter hub. In other embodiments, the catheter hub includes a passageway and an air vent for allowing air to pass out of the catheterization assembly.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: Access to a medical monitoring system, which includes a patient-portable monitoring device and an associated monitoring service at a central unit, is controlled by inputting a set of identification data elements into a medical monitoring device, which then establishes a communication link with a central unit and communicates the set of identification data elements to the central unit. The medical monitoring device and the central unit cooperatively determine whether the medical monitoring device may be activated for rendering medical monitoring device service, by evaluating the set of identification data elements as to whether they meet a set of basic structural requirements, and obtaining financial or other authorization from a third-party source. In the event that the identification data elements meet the set of basic structural requirements and the authorization is obtained, the central unit issues an activation signal to the medical monitoring device over the communication link.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter assembly including a needle-free valve assembly having a valve body, wherein the body has a first end and a second end, the body defines a passageway extending between said first and second ends, and the body defines a sealing surface in the passageway; a guidewire entry port defined by the valve body; a fitting permanently attached to the first end of the needle-free valve assembly; a length of catheter tubing affixed to the fitting; and a stiffening member threaded through the guidewire entry port and disposed within the needle-free valve, wherein the stiffening member extends through the length of catheter tubing is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the indwelling catheter assembly having a needle-free valve permanently attached thereto are similarly provided. Additionally, methods for preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and nosocomial infections are recited.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: Access to medical monitoring device service is controlled by inputting a set of identification data elements into a medical monitoring device system, which then establishes a communication link with a central unit and communicating the set of identification data elements to the central unit. The medical monitoring device system and the central unit cooperatively determining whether the medical monitoring device may be activated for rendering medical monitoring device service, by evaluating the set of identification data elements as to whether they meet a set of basic structural requirements, and obtaining financial or other authorization from a third-party source. In the event that the identification data elements meet the set of basic structural requirements and the authorization is obtained, the central, unit issues an activation signal to the medical monitoring device system over the communication link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with and monitoring the operation of a device implanted within a patient. A transceiver capable of being implanted within a patient provides a communication interface between an implanted medical device and a monitor external to the patient's body. The external monitor can communicate with a remote monitoring center over a communication network. The external monitor also provides control signals to the implanted device via the transceiver unit. The transceiver apparatus is capable of two-way communication between the implanted device and the external monitor. The transceiver apparatus is also capable of detecting actions performed by the implanted device and physiological signals directly from the patient's body. Thus, the transceiver apparatus provides a means for determining whether an implanted medical device is operating properly. The transceiver apparatus provides a way to remotely reprogram one or more implanted medical devices.

Abstract: It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automated system based on an integral fluid bag for administering a variety of intravenous drug regimens and reducing the vagaries of existing manual systems. The fluid has multiple chambers configured to implement a prescribed intravenous medical therapy. Each chamber's geometry (size, shape), sequence and position, alone and in combination with the other chambers, matches the prescribed intravenous therapy or drug regimen. The bag's configuration assures that the intravenous therapy is administered in accordance with the prescribed drug regimen, thus automating the previous manual method. A choice of fluid bag configurations may be stocked so that a prescription for well known and widely accepted drug regimens may be filled by merely selecting a bag with the appropriate chamber configuration and filling it with the prescribed medications.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: An injection valve includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. A piston is slidable within a bore of the housing between a first position wherein the piston is relatively far from the closed end and a second position wherein the piston is relatively near to the closed end. A biasing spring biases the piston toward the first position. The piston closes and seals the inlet when the piston is in the first position and allows fluid to pass from the inlet to the fluid channel to the outlet when the piston is in the second position. A piston seal is formed between the piston and a wall of the bore, dividing the bore into a unsealed chamber and a sealed chamber adjacent to the closed end. There is no vent between the sealed chamber and an exterior of the housing.