Abstract: A reagent is provided for the detection of an exotoxin protein produced by a beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria suspected of being present in a host biological fluid collected from a subject. An enzyme inhibitor is present to inhibit rogue protein modification of the substrate to prevent a false positive result of the color change. A kit is provided that is readily usable by an untrained user and merely requires that an element of the kit be contacted with a biological sample and thereafter no further actions are required by the user before a discernable color change is observed with visible or UV light and a positive/negative results reference card.

Abstract: A reagent is provided for the detection of an exotoxin protein produced by a betahemolytic streptococcus bacteria suspected of being present in a host biological fluid collected from a subject. A kit is provided that is readily usable by an unskilled user and merely requires that an element of the kit be contacted with a biological sample and that element is then subjected to electromagnetic spectral energy. The incident electromagnetic spectral energy then reacts with the exotoxin protein indicator and can be reliably measured by an electromagnetic spectral emission. The emission is measured by a reporting module and is displayed to the user in a form recognized by the user's sensory systems; sight, sound, etc. or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A reagent is provided for the detection of an exotoxin protein produced by a beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria suspected of being present in a host biological fluid collected from a subject. An enzyme inhibitor is present to inhibit rogue protein modification of the substrate to prevent a false positive result of the color change. A kit is provided that is readily usable by an untrained user and merely requires that an element of the kit be contacted with a biological sample and thereafter no further actions are required by the user before a discernable color change is observed with visible or UV light and a positive/negative results reference card.

Abstract: A reagent for the detection of an extracellular enzymatically active protein produced by a beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria found in a host biological fluid includes a proteinaceous substrate or a cholesterol-containing membrane substrate for the extracellular protein. The substrate is nonspecific within the groups of beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacterium and is in contact with an inert solid matrix. Upon reaction between the streptococcus enzymatically activate protein and the substrate, a color change discernable by an unaided human eye results. Extracellular streptococcus protein found in saliva represents a less invasive source of biological fluid for the determination as to whether a host suffers acute pharyngitis.

Abstract: A biological fluid processing device includes a multiple biological fraction container enclosing a liquid biological fraction. A rigid cassette contains at least one biological fluid processing chamber. A biological fluid processing chamber includes an affinity media chamber, a gel media chamber, a concentration chamber and a collection chamber. Tubing in fluid communication with the container and the biological fluid processing chamber is selectively compressed to provide a valving function. A programmable instrument receives the cassette and regulates the valving to control the flow of the biological fluid fraction through the device.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange, gel filter, or size exclusion device. The isolated plasminogen solution is then concentrated by a factor of from 2 to 10. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange, gel filter, or size exclusion device. The isolated plasminogen solution is then concentrated by a factor of from 2 to 10. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: A needle retraction device for removing a needle from a patient. The needle retraction device comprising a housing having an exterior wall which defines an interior compartment. A moveable member, having a pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, separated from one another by an elongate slot, is located within the interior compartment. The pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are also spaced from a remainder of the moveable member by a cavity or area which is sized to receive a coupling hub of a needle therein. The moveable member is movable from a first position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are located outside of the interior compartment of the needle retraction device for receiving a needle, and a second retracted position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, along with a supported needle or needle assembly, are completely retracted inside the interior compartment of the housing to prevent an inadvertent needle stick.

Abstract: A disposable tracheostomy inner cannula connector that is compatible with prior art disposable inner cannula tracheostomy tube systems. The connector has an annular ring at a proximal end thereof which allows the inner cannula to snap in the connector and thereby secure the inner cannula in place. A locking mechanism of the connector, located at the distal end, permanently affixes the outer cannula to the connector.

Abstract: A medical tubing tethering device comprising a tether having a first proximal end and an opposed distal end. A first mechanism is supported adjacent the proximal end of the tether for securing the medical tubing tethering device to a desired object. The distal end of the tether has a second attachment mechanism for coupling a medical tube thereto to facilitate support of the medical tube once the medical tubing tethering device is supported by the desired object. The tether can be substantially helical so as to be capable of wrapping around the medical tube to tether the medical tube to the patient to prevent unwanted movement of the medical tube relative to the patient. The tether may also be a flexible strap with a pressure sensitive adhesive or a hook and loop touch fastener. The medical tubing tethering device can also be used in combination with a stand alone anchor to facilitate use with a wider range of coupling surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of inadvertent sharps/needlestick injuries to healthcare workers and the like. The method and apparatus provide a tourniquet for restricting blood flow to the site of the sharps injury, an apparatus for mechanically applying a negative pressure directly to the site of the sharps injury and removing bodily fluids and blood therefrom, a mechanism for delivering an antimicrobial/antiviral agent(s) to the site, and bandage for covering the site of the sharps injury following treatment. The first aid components are preferable all contained within a convenient time saving kit to facilitate ease of use by an injured individual.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the sensing and reporting the relative humidity, moisture content, and temperature of inspired or delivered gases in a patient with an artificial airway. The apparatus includes a humidity sensing device, incorporated into an adapter that is compatible with and connectable in series to standard artificial airway connections of a patient's breathing circuit. The apparatus also includes a display means which receives signals from the sensing device, translates the signals and displays results as percent relative humidity and/or moisture content (water content per volume of gas delivered). One apparatus is connectable in series with the artificial airway just before the artificial airway enters the patient, or two apparati are connectable, one in the inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit, and one in the expiratory branch of the breathing circuit to monitor both inspired and expired gases in patients on mechanical ventilation or anesthesia.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: A needle retraction device for removing a needle from a patient. The needle retraction device comprising a housing having an exterior wall which defines an interior compartment. A moveable member, having a pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, separated from one another by an elongate slot, is located within the interior compartment. The pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are also spaced from a remainder of the moveable member by a cavity or area which is sized to receive a coupling hub of a needle therein. The moveable member is movable from a first position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders are located outside of the interior compartment of the needle retraction device for receiving a needle, and a second retracted position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs or shoulders, along with a supported needle or needle assembly, are completely retracted inside the interior compartment of the housing to prevent an inadvertent needle stick.

Abstract: A needle retraction device for removing a needle from a patient. The needle retraction device comprising a housing having an exterior wall which defines an interior compartment. A slidable member, having a pair of spaced apart movable legs separated from one another by an elongate slot, is located within the interior compartment. The pair of spaced apart movable legs are also spaced from a remainder of the slidable member by a cavity or area which is sized to receive needle therein. The slidable member is movable from a first position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs are located outside of the interior compartment of the needle retraction device for receiving a needle, and a second retracted position, in which the pair of spaced apart movable legs along with a supported needle, are completely retracted inside the interior compartment of the housing to prevent an inadvertent needle stick.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: A method of removing undesirable fluid from the respiration passages of a patient uses a closed system suction catheter assembly having a protective sleeve enclosing an aspirating catheter extending through a sliding seal in a patient coupling. The catheter has an antimicrobial surface such as formed by silver sulfadiazine which reduces the accumulation of bacteria while the catheter is within the protective sleeve and prolongs the useful life of the assembly.

Abstract: A short, tracheostomy length, single use open suction catheter, made of relatively flexible plastic material such as natural or synthetic rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon or like material having the flexibility and resilience necessary for use in the suctioning of the airway of tracheostomized patients in order to remove tracheobronchial secretions from such a patient with a tracheostomy tube in place. The tracheostomy length catheter has a fitting for connecting the proximal end (the end nearest the source of vacuum) to a source of vacuum. There is a valve, such as a thumb controlled valve, at the proximal end used for controlling the extent of the vacuum or low pressure at the distal end of the suction catheter (the end nearest the patient). The valve regulates the vacuum by covering or partially covering a vent port with the thumb of the clinician who is doing the suctioning of the patient.

Abstract: A suction catheter and method of using same in which oxygenated irrigating fluid is provided to the suctioning site. The oxygenated fluid can be formed using a Y-connector to mix oxygen and fluid in a single conduit, a reservoir of fluid having oxygen bubbled into it, or through the use of an oxygen exchanger. Pressurized oxygen-containing gas may be fed to the Y-connector to force the gas and irrigating fluid out through the catheter. The suction may be a dual lumen catheter or a tube within a tube.