Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization.

Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged and includes instructions printed thereon to improve the medical procedure or catheterization implementation and results. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization, including, for example, improved swabs and an improved compartment for holding the swabs.

Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged and includes instructions printed thereon to improve the medical procedure or catheterization implementation and results. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization, including, for example, improved swabs and an improved compartment for holding the swabs.

Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged and includes instructions printed thereon to improve the medical procedure or catheterization implementation and results. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization, including, for example, improved swabs and an improved compartment for holding the swabs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayered elastomeric article with hydrophobic polymers as a patient contacting surface, hydrophilic polymers as a wear contacting surface, and a blend of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic polymers as an intermediate layer between two contacting surfaces. The article has low water absorption of the patient contacting surface to prevent virus penetration and a textured surface of the wear contacting surface to reduce the friction force between hand and glove surface. The hydrophilic polymers in wear contacting and intermediate layers of the article can increase water absorption and boost leaching effectiveness. High water absorption minimizes the uncomfortable feelings from excessive sweating. Increased effectiveness in leaching makes the article less cytotoxic. A method for making the disclosed elastomeric article is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include materials, devices, systems, and methods for identifying female urethra and facilitating catheterization. For instance, materials, devices, systems, and methods described herein may facilitate marking of female urethra, which may lead to increase in insertion accuracy and may reduce time for completing the catheterization procedure.

Abstract: A medical article, such as a catheter, is formed from a blend of polyurethane and synthetic polyisoprene (SPIR). The blended medical article is preferably selected and prepared to be relatively rigid at room temperature and relatively flexible at body temperature. An intermittent catheter made from the blend provides a degree of stiffness for its insertion into the patient at room temperature. The catheter becomes softer, and therefore more comfortable, at warmer temperatures (e.g., body temperature) which reduce discomfort after insertion. Optionally, the catheter or a portion thereof can have a hydrophilic coating as to avoid the need for external lubricants. Advantageously, the blended catheter can meet the stiffness, tensile strength, and coefficient of friction requirements of intermittent catheterization applications while avoiding the risk of toxic or allergic reactions in sensitive users.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: An indwelling urinary drainage catheter (12, 110) includes synthetic polyisoprene rubber (SPIR). Advantageously, the SPIR catheter can meet the tensile and resiliency requirements of Foley applications while avoiding the risk of allergic reactions in sensitive patients. The SPIR comprises an accelerator system that uses a carbamate as the only accelerator, a guanidine as the only accelerator, a combination of guanidine and carbamate accelerators, a combination of carbamate and thiazole accelerators, or a combination of guanidine, carbamate and thiazole accelerators.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: A medical article, such as a catheter, is formed from a blend of polyurethane and synthetic polyisoprene (SPIR). The blended medical article is preferably selected and prepared to be relatively rigid at room temperature and relatively flexible at body temperature. An intermittent catheter made from the blend provides a degree of stiffness for its insertion into the patient at room temperature. The catheter becomes softer, and therefore more comfortable, at warmer temperatures (e.g., body temperature) which reduce discomfort after insertion. Optionally, the catheter or a portion thereof can have a hydrophilic coating as to avoid the need for external lubricants. Advantageously, the blended catheter can meet the stiffness, tensile strength, and coefficient of friction requirements of intermittent catheterization applications while avoiding the risk of toxic or allergic reactions in sensitive users.

Abstract: An indwelling urinary drainage catheter (12, 110) includes synthetic polyisoprene rubber (SPIR). Advantageously, the SPIR catheter can meet the tensile and resiliency requirements of Foley applications while avoiding the risk of allergic reactions in sensitive patients. The SPIR comprises an accelerator system that uses a carbamate as the only accelerator, a guanidine as the only accelerator, a combination of guanidine and carbamate accelerators, a combination of carbamate and thiazole accelerators, or a combination of guanidine, carbamate and thiazole accelerators.

Abstract: An Aloe Vera glove manufacturing method is disclosed which uses a flow of compressed air to blow semi-finished inner-surface-out status gloves away from respective glove formers, and then covers a layer of Aloe Vera solution on the inner surface of each glove, and then has the Aloe Vera solution on the inner surface of each glove be dried by heating, and finally has the Aloe Vera-coated gloves be reversed to keep the layer of Aloe Vera coated inner surface of each glove face on the inside and the outer surface of each glove face on the outside.

Abstract: A multi-layer flexible article includes a first layer of natural rubber, a second layer of natural rubber, polyurethane, poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid, sodium salt) and polyethylene oxide and a third layer of acrylic copolymer and fluorocarbon telomer resin. The article is preferably a glove formed by the method of dipping a hand shaped mold into baths containing aqueous emulsions of the components used to form the layers. Gloves manufactured according to the method are substantially wet-hand and dry-hand donnable as compared to powdered latex gloves of similar size. The finished gloved is water washed and wet autoclaved to substantially reduce the protein content from the natural rubber and substantially remove other water extractable allergenic moieties. The washing and autoclaving renders the glove substantially hypoallergenic as compared to gloves not so treated.

Abstract: A multi-layer flexible article includes a first layer of natural rubber, a second layer of natural rubber, polyurethane, poly(acrylamide/acrylic acid) and polyethylene oxide and a third layer of acrylic copolymer and fluorocarbon telomer resin. The article is preferably a glove formed by the method of dipping a hand shaped mold into baths containing aqueous emulsions of the components used to form the layers. Gloves manufactured according to the method are substantially wet-hand and dry-hand donnable as compared to powdered latex gloves of similar size. The finished gloved is water washed and wet autoclaved to substantially reduce the protein content from the natural rubber and substantially remove other water extractable allergenic moieties. The washing and autoclaving renders the glove substantially hypoallergenic as compared to gloves not so treated.

Abstract: A multi-layer flexible article includes a first layer of natural rubber, a second layer of natural rubber, polyurethane, poly(acrylamide/acrylic acid) and polyethylene oxide and a third layer of acrylic copolymer and fluorocarbon telomer resin. The article is preferably a glove formed by the method of dipping a hand shaped mold into baths containing aqueous emulsions of the components used to form the layers. Gloves manufactured according to the method are substantially wet-hand and dry-hand donnable as compared to powdered latex gloves of similar size. The finished gloved is water washed and wet autoclaved to substantially reduce the protein content from the natural rubber and substantially remove other water extractable allergenic moieties. The washing and autoclaving renders the glove substantially hypoallergenic as compared to gloves not so treated.

Abstract: A glove configuration and method for making same of a thin flexible film is shown. The glove and form having an ambidextrous shape useful for either the left or right hand use and a cuff configuration which resists rolldown. The configuration of the cuff includes a corrugated portion and a broadly fluted portion. The former giving increased strength and thickness and the latter providing a place to improve the ease with which the glove may be stripped from its dipping form.

Abstract: A process for imparting enhanced antimicrobial properties to medical devices, and particularly surgical and examination gloves, and to such gloves produced by the process. The process involves partially forming the gloves by dipping glove molds into a latex composition, for example, and prior to curing or heating to final form, dipping the already coated forms into a second composition containing an antimicrobial agent, and thereafter curing or heat setting the finally produced glove prior to stripping from the form. Alternatively, the antimicrobial composition can be additionally or independently applied to a cured glove before stripping. The result is a glove which prevents, or decreases the potential of, cross-contamination between the glove users and patients because it will kill or reduce the susceptible microorganisms prior to or after penetration of the basic material forming the glove.