Abstract: A dialysis apparatus includes a housing; a first electrical contact carried by the housing; a hydrogel material located within the housing; a second electrical contact connected to the hydrogel material, the hydrogel material located so as to be contacted by a liquid flowing through the housing; and wherein the hydrogel material expands as the material absorbs the liquid such that the second electrical contact is moved and eventually engage the first electrical contact.

Abstract: A blood access device includes (i) a conductive needle configured to pierce a patient's skin and gain access to a blood vessel; (ii) an insulative housing supporting a fluid communication junction between the needle and flexible tube; (iii) a conductor having a first end connected to the insulative housing and a second end extending from the insulative housing in a direction coextensive with the needle such that (a) when the needle has gained access to the blood vessel the patient's skin, the conductor is electrically insulated from the conductive needle and (b) if the needle is pulled so as to interrupt access with the blood vessel, the conductive needle and the conductor come into contact with each other.

Abstract: A negative/positive pressure, thermal energy therapy device is described in this application. The present invention uses a conventional negative pressure, thermal energy device and/or an alternative embodiment thereof and adds a significant modification. The modification is that positive pressure, not just ambient pressure, is at least occasionally applied to the patient's body contained in the negative pressure, thermal energy device.

Abstract: A blood access device includes (i) a first layer, a bottom surface of the first layer including (a) an adhesive or (b) a hook and loop material for securing the first layer to a patient, a first conductive attachment material located at a top surface of the first layer; (ii) a first conductor contacting the first conductive attachment material; (iii) a second layer, a second conductive attachment material located at a bottom surface of the second layer, the first and second conductive attachment materials configured to be releasably secured to each other; (iv) a second conductor contacting the second conductive attachment material; and (v) a blood vessel access member carried by the second layer.

Abstract: A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus includes a housing; a first electrical contact carried by the housing; a hydrogel material located within the housing; a second electrical contact connected to the hydrogel material, the hydrogel material located so as to be contacted by a liquid flowing through the housing; and wherein the hydrogel material expands as the material absorbs the liquid such that the second electrical contact is moved and eventually engage the first electrical contact.

Abstract: A self-contained gatching mattress is provided having a gatching mattress sleep deck, a first air bladder cushion, a second cushion material, a control box having an air pump system and a manifold, a conduit distribution unit, a sliding bridge, and a cushion material positioned above the sliding bridge and the control box. The sliding bridge forms a gap area for conduits to extend from the control box to the conduit distribution unit which decreases the chances of the conduits being kinked or the conduits altering the cushion's tissue interface pressure to a patient positioned on the cushion when the sleep deck is gatched and/or portions are retracted or extended.

Abstract: A blood access device includes (i) a conductive needle configured to pierce a patient's skin and gain access to a blood vessel; (ii) an insulative housing supporting a fluid communication junction between the needle and flexible tube; (iii) a conductor having a first end connected to the insulative housing and a second end extending from the insulative housing in a direction coextensive with the needle such that (a) when the needle has gained access to the blood vessel the patient's skin, the conductor is electrically insulated from the conductive needle and (b) if the needle is pulled so as to interrupt access with the blood vessel, the conductive needle and the conductor come into contact with each other.

Abstract: A blood access device includes (i) a first layer, a bottom surface of the first layer including (a) an adhesive or (b) a hook and loop material for securing the first layer to a patient, a first conductive attachment material located at a top surface of the first layer; (ii) a first conductor contacting the first conductive attachment material; (iii) a second layer, a second conductive attachment material located at a bottom surface of the second layer, the first and second conductive attachment materials configured to be releasably secured to each other; (iv) a second conductor contacting the second conductive attachment material; and (v) a blood vessel access member carried by the second layer.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus includes a housing; a first electrical contact carried by the housing; a hydrogel material located within the housing; a second electrical contact connected to the hydrogel material, the hydrogel material located so as to be contacted by a liquid flowing through the housing; and wherein the hydrogel material expands as the material absorbs the liquid such that the second electrical contact is moved and eventually engage the first electrical contact.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a convective thermal unit. The convective thermal unit has the conventional blower that directs ambient air to a heating element, the heating element heats the air and the heated air is directed into a conduit. The conduit directs the heated air into a receiving unit like a blanket positioned over a patient. A difference between the prior art and the present invention is the incorporation of a shape memory polymer and/or alloy material into the conduit to ensure the conduit does not contact the ground when the convective thermal unit is not being used or not providing the desired thermal energy.

Abstract: A thermal energy transfer pad is disclosed. The thermal energy transfer pad has a first flexible, thermal energy transfer sheet and a second flexible, thermal energy transfer sheet. The first flexible, thermal energy transfer sheet (a) is made of a first fluid impervious material, (b) has a perimeter measurement of A prior to manufacturing and (c) has a first thermal energy transfer thickness. The first flexible, thermal energy transfer sheet is molded to form fluid path troughs defined by interior protuberances and the first sheet's perimeter edge. That molding alters the first flexible, thermal energy transfer sheet's perimeter measurement to B, which is less than A. The second thermal energy transfer sheet (a) is made of a second fluid impervious material, (b) has a perimeter measurement of B and (c) has a second thermal energy transfer thickness.

Abstract: A self-contained gatching mattress having a gatching mattress sleep deck, a first air bladder cushion, a second cushion material, a control box having an air pump system and a manifold, a conduit distribution unit, a sliding bridge, and a cushion material positioned above the sliding bridge and the control box. The sliding bridge forms a gap area for conduits to extend from the control box to the conduit distribution unit which decreases the chances of the conduits being kinked or altering the cushion's tissue interface pressure to patient's positioned on the cushion when the sleep deck is gatched and/or portions are retracted or extended.

Abstract: A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system.

Abstract: A negative/positive pressure, thermal energy therapy device is described in this application. The present invention uses a conventional negative pressure, thermal energy device and/or an alternative embodiment thereof and adds a significant modification. The modification is that positive pressure, not just ambient pressure, is at least occasionally applied to the patient's body contained in the negative pressure, thermal energy device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid warming container (a.k.a., cassette) having an integrated heating element attached to the container, not the warming device as conventionally done. The heating element provides thermal energy to the fluid contained in the container. The fluid contained in the container is designed to be injected and/or delivered, eventually and normally immediately, into a patient.