Abstract: A disposable garment incorporates a system for collecting fluid waste from a user, i.e., urine, while the user is unable to visit a bathroom for a lengthy time duration. A collection chamber in the system receives urine flow from the user, and the collection chamber connects with a bladder which receives the urine via a one-way Tesla-type tube which prevents backflow during fluid transfer. Also incorporated into the garment is a pair of saddlebags, with each bag connected to a respective portion of the bladder for receiving and holding urine therefrom. For this purpose, each saddlebag contains a liquid absorbing material impregnated with a drying agent. Operationally, each bag is designed to conform against a leg of the user for the expected time duration. At the end of the time duration, the garment and bags are disposed of.

Abstract: A device for visually verifying the proper placement of a tube (e.g. a nasogastric tube) in the body of a neonate, essentially includes an optical fiber and a light source. In combination, the light source is connected to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The light source is then activated to illuminate the optical fiber, and the illuminated optical fiber is advanced through the tube into the body of the neonate. Due to the translucent nature of neonate body tissue, the optical fiber illuminates both the tube and anatomical features of the neonate's internal organs. With this optical capability, a visual determination can be made as to whether the tube has been properly placed.

Abstract: A device for visually verifying the proper placement of a tube (e.g. a nasogastric tube) in the body of a neonate, essentially includes an optical fiber and a light source. In combination, the light source is connected to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The light source is then activated to illuminate the optical fiber, and the illuminated optical fiber is advanced through the tube into the body of the neonate. Due to the translucent nature of neonate body tissue, the optical fiber illuminates both the tube and anatomical features of the neonate's internal organs. With this optical capability, a visual determination can be made as to whether the tube has been properly placed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for warming a nutritional substance (i.e. mother's milk or formulated liquids) for ingestion by a neonate. Structurally, the system includes a warmer for holding a container of the nutritional substance as it is simultaneously vibrated and warmed in preparation for the neonate, and it includes a controller which determines how the system will be operated. For an operation of the present invention, a user provides input to the system controller to establish a mode of operation (e.g. warming; warming-frozen; or thawing). The user will also input a predetermined protocol to the controller. During the operation, a heat sensor monitors temperatures of the nutritional substance which are provided as feedback input to the controller for operating the warmer in accordance with the protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for warming a nutritional substance (i.e. mother's milk or formulated liquids) for ingestion by a neonate. Structurally, the system includes a warmer for holding a container of the nutritional substance as it is simultaneously vibrated and warmed in preparation for the neonate, and it includes a controller which determines how the system will be operated. For an operation of the present invention, a user provides input to the system controller to establish a mode of operation (e.g. warming; warming-frozen; or thawing). The user will also input a predetermined protocol to the controller. During the operation, a heat sensor monitors temperatures of the nutritional substance which are provided as feedback input to the controller for operating the warmer in accordance with the protocol.

Abstract: A disposable system for use in warming a neonate nutritional liquid is disclosed and includes a pouch having a first flexible bag attached to a rigid connecting component and a second flexible bag. To establish the pouch, the two flexible bags are arranged as an inner and outer bag and are coupled to each other to establish a permanently sealed compartment between the bags which houses a thermally conductive fluid. A liner having a flexible bag attached to a rigid connector component is placed within and removably attached to the pouch. A container of neonate nutritional liquid is placed in the disposable system and the assembly is placed in a warming well. A heating coil is then activated to heat the warming well. Heat from the warming well passes through the conductive fluid to safely and uniformly heat the neonate nutritional liquid.

Abstract: A system for preparing a nutritional liquid for ingestion by a neonate is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle for sterilizing water for use in warming the nutritional liquid. A sterilizer having an ultraviolet (UV) light source is engaged with the receptacle, and a fluid pump is provided to pump sterilized water from the receptacle and into a sleeve compartment of a warming bag. The sleeve compartment surrounds an interior pocket that is dimensioned to receive a container that is filled with the nutritional liquid. The system also includes a heater/vibrator having a reservoir and a heating element. The reservoir is dimensioned to receive the warming bag and liquid-filled container. When the heating element is activated, heat is conducted from the heating element to the reservoir, from the reservoir to the water, and from the water to the nutritional liquid in the liquid-filled container.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting a urine sample from a neonate is provided. The device is attached to the neonate shortly after birth and removed after the neonate produces a urine sample. An interior shell and an exterior shell form the device, and an absorbent material is located inside the interior shell to absorb the urine sample. The interior shell and the exterior shell are connected by a hinge and are initially in a nesting position, with the exterior shell on top of the interior shell. After the urine sample is absorbed by the absorbent material, the exterior shell is rotated around an axis defined by the hinge to contact and compress the absorbent material to release the urine sample for collection.

Abstract: A system for preparing a nutritional liquid for ingestion by a neonate is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle for sterilizing water for use in warming the nutritional liquid. A sterilizer having an ultraviolet (UV) light source is engaged with the receptacle, and a fluid pump is provided to pump sterilized water from the receptacle and into a sleeve compartment of a warming bag. The sleeve compartment surrounds an interior pocket that is dimensioned to receive a container that is filled with the nutritional liquid. The system also includes a heater/vibrator having a reservoir and a heating element. The reservoir is dimensioned to receive the warming bag and liquid-filled container. When the heating element is activated, heat is conducted from the heating element to the reservoir, from the reservoir to the water, and from the water to the nutritional liquid in the liquid-filled container.

Abstract: A sterilized system component is disclosed for holding a container of neonate nutritional liquid during a warming of the nutritional liquid. Structurally, the system component includes a pouch-shaped receptacle having a water-filled enclosure. The receptacle includes an outer bag and an inner bag. The inner bag is conformed to be received into the outer bag with the open end of the inner bag affixed to the periphery of the outer bag opening to create a permanent, fluid-tight seal. This permanent seal then creates an enclosed fluid chamber between the inner bag and the outer bag that can be filled with warm water through a fluid port that is provided in the outer bag. Prior to the warming procedure, both the receptacle and the water that is used need are sterilized using ultraviolet radiation from a germicidal lamp.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting a urine sample from a neonate is provided. The device is attached to the neonate shortly after birth and removed after the neonate produces a urine sample. An interior shell and an exterior shell form the device, and an absorbent material is located inside the interior shell to absorb the urine sample. The interior shell and the exterior shell are connected by a hinge and are initially in a nesting position, with the exterior shell on top of the interior shell. After the urine sample is absorbed by the absorbent material, the exterior shell is rotated around an axis defined by the hinge to contact and compress the absorbent material to release the urine sample for collection.

Abstract: A heating device for individually and automatically warming and vibrating one or more containers to thaw, warm, and mix a liquid within the containers, the liquid being cold or frozen. The device heats the contents of each container to a selected temperature by heat exchange between a heated fluid and the contents of the container. A bag or liner holds the fluid to be heated and the container thereby allowing the bag or liner to be placed into a device well or reservoir for heating while vibrating or shaking elements connected to the well or reservoir assist in mixing and uniformly heating the fluid and the container contents. The container typically is a baby bottle, syringe, test tube, or the like.

Abstract: A receptacle-type heating device for automatically warming and vibrating a multitude of containers simultaneously in order to thaw, warm, and mix cold or frozen liquid in an expedient and accurate manner. The device heats each container to a desired temperature using heat exchange of heated water with the container. The device includes a heater block having multiple wells therein, and removable reservoirs disposed respectively within the wells for receiving the water. Heating elements are disposed between the removable reservoirs and the heater block within the wells for heating the removable reservoirs, the water, and the containers placed therein. The container typically is a baby bottle, syringe, test tube, or the like.