Abstract: A combination connector and enteral feeding system including the combination connector are disclosed. The connector includes a first connector element, a second connector element, a lumen extension tip, and a port. The first connector element includes a first sidewall and a first thread profile on an inner surface of the first sidewall that is configured to couple with a threaded fitting of a wide-mouth connector. The second connector element includes a second sidewall, and an inner surface of the second sidewall has a connection surface configured to couple with a medical connector. The lumen extension tip extends from a bottom of the second connector element and is disposed within the second connector element. The port is configured to couple to tubing. In an enteral feeding system, a tubing is coupled to the port.

Abstract: A feeding tube port for use in connection with an enteral feeding system is provided. The feeding tube port includes an inner core made of a first material and an over-layer made of a second material. The over-layer at least partially encloses the inner core, such that the inner core is configured to resist separation from the over-layer. In some aspects, the inner core may be formed from a rigid plastic material and the over-layer may be formed from a pliable material. The inner core may include one or more ribs, slots and/or apertures configured to enhance adherence between the inner core first material and the over-layer second material. The inner core may further include one or more contact points configured for attachment of a feeding tube valve other similar component to the feeding tube port.

Abstract: A bolus feed delivery system is provided and includes a coupling configured to couple to a source of enteral nutrition; and a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. Specifically, the proximal end is coupled to the nutrition adapter downstream of the coupling. The bolus delivery feeding system further includes a feeding tube adapter coupled to the distal end of the tube. Specifically, the feeding tube adapter includes a coupling configured to be coupled to a feeding tube receiving port. Further, the feeding tube adapter includes a lumen fluidly coupling the lumen of the tube with a lumen of the receiving port, and the lumen extends continuously in a linear direction. Further, the nutrition adapter, the tube, and the feeding tube adapter are formed as one piece.

Abstract: An enteral feeding system includes a nutrition adapter, a first tube, a cartridge, a second tube, and a feeding tube adapter formed together as one piece. The nutrition adapter includes a coupling configured to couple to a source of enteral nutrition. The first tube has a proximal end that is coupled to the coupling of the nutrition adapter. The cartridge is configured for insertion into a peristaltic pump and includes a cartridge tube defining a cartridge inlet outlet coupled to a distal end of the first tube and a cartridge outlet. The second tube has a proximal end coupled to the cartridge outlet. The feeding tube adapter is coupled to a distal end of the second tube and is configured to be coupled to a feeding tube receiving port such that a lumen of the feeding tube adapter is coupled to a lumen of the second tube.

Abstract: A feeding tube port for use in connection with an enteral feeding system is provided. The feeding tube port includes an inner core made of a first material and an over-layer made of a second material. The over-layer at least partially encloses the inner core, such that the inner core is configured to resist separation from the over-layer. In some aspects, the inner core may be formed from a rigid plastic material and the over-layer may be formed from a pliable material. The inner core may include one or more ribs, slots and/or apertures configured to enhance adherence between the inner core first material and the over-layer second material. The inner core may further include one or more contact points configured for attachment of a feeding tube valve other similar component to the feeding tube port.

Abstract: A medical device position notification system including a negative pressure device. The medical device is configured to be inserted into an orifice of the patient. The negative pressure device provides information related to the position of the medical device in the patient's body and communicates the information in real-time. The negative pressure device may also be coupled to a sensor, processor, and display device and indicates the position of the medical device in the patient's body in real-time.

Abstract: There is provided a lateral flow assay that can provide an indication of Gram negative (GN) or Gram positive (GP) infection (or both) within 30 minutes, and desirably in less than 15 minutes. The immediate result would signal the presence of Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, or no bacteria detected. The detection level would be above a specific bacterial concentration threshold that is clinically significant infection source (e.g. 10^3 cfu/ml) versus the presence of a colonizing bacteria that is not a part of the active infection.

Abstract: An indicator assembly for use with a non-vascular catheter device. The indicator assembly includes: a first retainer secured to a catheter tube, the first retainer being an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a non-vascular lumen or cavity of the body; a second retainer secured to the catheter tube, the second retainer deployed outside the human body; and an indicator located outside the body on the catheter tube between the first retainer and the second retainer. The first retainer and the second retainer are configured to maintain substantially the same position with respect to each other on the tube and the indicator is configured to signal a change in position with respect to either the first or the second retainer, thereby indicating a change in the length of a stoma.

Abstract: There is provided a lateral flow assay that can provide an indication of Gram negative (GN) or Gram positive (GP) infection (or both) within 30 minutes, and desirably in less than 15 minutes. The immediate result would signal the presence of Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, or no bacteria detected. The detection level would be above a specific bacterial concentration threshold that is clinically significant infection source (e.g. 10?3 cfu/ml) versus the presence of a colonizing bacteria that is not a part of the active infection.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device includes a housing, and a test strip disposed within the housing having a membrane with a detection region and a collection region. A sample meter includes a first end for absorption of a test sample, and a storage section that receives and stores at least a component of the test sample. An opening in the housing is sized for insertion of the sample meter into the housing such that the storage section of the sample meter is disposed adjacent the collection region of the membrane. The test sample component is transferable from the storage section to the collection region for subsequent migration to the detection region. An activatable isolation mechanism is provided within the housing and is disposed so as to isolate portions of the sample meter storage section upon activation thereof such that a defined length of the storage section is presented to the collection region of the membrane.

Abstract: An indicator assembly for use with a non-vascular catheter device The indicator assembly includes: a first retainer secured to a catheter tube, the first retainer being an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a non-vascular lumen or cavity of the body; a second retainer secured to the catheter tube, the second retainer deployed outside the human body; and an indicator located outside the body on the catheter tube between the first retainer and the second retainer. The first retainer and the second retainer are configured to maintain substantially the same position with respect to each other on the tube and the indicator is configured to signal a change in position with respect to either the first or the second retainer, thereby indicating a change in the length of a stoma.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and associated test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. A sample membrane is utilized having a collection region and a detection region, the collection region having a known saturation volume for the intended test sample. A barrier is defined between the collection region and the detection region. The collection region is saturated with the test sample having a volume of less than about 100 microliters so that a known volume of the test sample is contained in the collection region. The barrier is removed from between the collection region and detection region of the membrane and a diluent is supplied to the collection region of the membrane to facilitate flow of the test sample from the collection region to the detection region of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for fabricating and assessing the quality of printing on substrates used for chemical or biological array testing, and method for ascertaining relative consistency of the deposit reproducibility is described. Generally, the method involves: providing a substrate, providing a solution mixture of a capture moiety and a colorant; depositing an amount of said solution mixture onto said substrate, monitoring the substrate such that the visible indicator colorant manifests in a co-extensive fashion as with the capture moiety on the substrate. In another aspect, the invention relates to a sensor or assay device comprising a physical complex of a number of capture agents and an amount of colorants adhere to least a part of a surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A fluidic assay device or test format that can regulate or control the sample flow rate and modulate the manifestation of test results to reduce or eliminate errors is described. The assay device has a substrate with a flow-rate control zone that regulates the amount of time needed for development and appearance of a visual signal in the observation-feedback zone until the color transition in the detection zone reaches color stability. The present invention also describes absorbent articles incorporating such an assay device and methods of monitoring dehydration or testing ion strength of a urine sample using such a test format.

Abstract: Various modifications to a porous substrate, such as employed in lateral flow assay devices, to regulate or modify the flow rate and/or flow path pattern of a fluid through the porous substrate is described. The lateral flow assay device has a porous substrate matrix in fluid communication with a flow-rate control zone having a number of flow-rate control devices arranged as features in or on a substrate surface or laminates thereof in a body. The flow-rate control devices may include: a density gradient, porosity gradient, ion affinity gradient, micro-channels, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fluidic assay device or sensor is described. The sensor has a porous substrate with a first face or plane defined along x-y coordinate axes, and a second face remote in a z-direction from the first face. The first face contains a sample deposition zone and the second face has at least one detection zone, such that when a fluid sample is deposited in the sample deposition zone, fluid is transported by means of capillary action along the z-direction to the detection zone and manifests a signal development. An absorbent article, such as a diaper or feminine hygiene product, having such a three-dimensional sensor integrated across the thickness of the absorbent article, from an inner layer to an outer layer, is also described.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device includes a housing, and a test strip disposed within the housing having a membrane with a detection region and a collection region. A sample meter includes a first end for absorption of a test sample, and a storage section that receives and stores at least a component of the test sample. An opening in the housing is sized for insertion of the sample meter into the housing such that the storage section of the sample meter is disposed adjacent the collection region of the membrane. The test sample component is transferable from the storagesection to the collection region for subsequent migration to the detection region. An activatable isolation mechanism is provided within the housing and is disposed so as to isolate portions of the sample meter storage section upon activation thereof such that a defined length of the storage section is presented to the collection region of the membrane.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and associated test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. A sample membrane is utilized having a collection region and a detection region, the collection region having a known saturation volume for the intended test sample. A barrier is defined between the collection region and the detection region. The collection region is saturated with the test sample having a volume of less than about 100 microliters so that a known volume of the test sample is contained in the collection region. The barrier is removed from between the collection region and detection region of the membrane and a diluent is supplied to the collection region of the membrane to facilitate flow of the test sample from the collection region to the detection region of the membrane.