Abstract: An information bearing septum viewable under radiographic imaging is formed by molding a septum base to have a depression with a given configuration and molding a one-piece solid radiopaque material insert having the same given configuration. The radiopaque insert is mounted to the cavity formed by the depression at the septum base. The top of the septum is then covered by a silicone layer that bonds to the septum. The finished septum is adapted to be fitted to a reservoir housing of a subcutaneous implantable portal. In place of the solid insert, the septum may be formed by placing on top of the septum base a one-piece top layer impregnated with a radiopaque material that has an integral hanging insert that fittingly mounts into the cavity formed by the depression at the septum base.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: A convective blanket may be converted from an underbody blanket to a combination over body and underbody blanket by having an openable seal positioned substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the blanket away from the head area of the blanket. The seal may be preformed with a line of weakness so that it may readily be separated to form an opening for the head of the patient. The upper portion and the main portion of the blanket may be folded relatively towards each other to cover opposite sides of the patient. Elongate openings are provided in the main portion of the blanket to allow the arms of the patient to extend through the blanket.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein a plurality of formations that together form an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The formations are configured from impressions formed on different layers of the septum spatially separated along the vertical axis of the septum. The impressions are filled with a radiopaque material. The superposed formations do not overlap when viewed from atop the septum. When viewed under radiographic imaging from the top of the septum, a 3-D identification indicia is presented to the viewer. The 3-D indicia may be used as a 3-D marker to focus the location of the septum where a needle to access the fluid reservoir of the portal may be inserted.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein a plurality of formations that together form an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The formations are configured from impressions formed on different layers of the septum spatially separated along the vertical axis of the septum. The impressions are filled with a radiopaque material. The superposed formations do not overlap when viewed from atop the septum. When viewed under radiographic imaging from the top of the septum, a 3-D identification indicia is presented to the viewer. The 3-D indicia may be used as a 3-D marker to focus the location of the septum where a needle to access the fluid reservoir of the portal may be inserted.

Abstract: To determine the heat output efficacy of a heating device such as a convective warming blanket, a conduit structure is constructed to have coiled metal tubings that form the head, torso and other non-moving parts of a person analog. Flexible tubings interconnect the metal tubings to establish a continuous conduit between an inlet and an outlet of the structure, so that a fluid having a particular heat capacity may flow uninterrupted through the conduit structure. Respective temperature sensors at the inlet and outlet measure the input and output temperatures of the fluid. Using the flow rate, the heat capacity and the respective temperatures of the fluid measured at the inlet and outlet, the heat output efficiency of the blanket may be calculated. A FLIR camera may be used to obtain an IR image to confirm the heat output efficiency of the blanket.

Abstract: An air warmer has a housing whereinto is positioned a noise reduction mechanism having a casing that encases a sound reducing structure having a maze like cavity. An axial fan is positioned within the sound reducing structure. In operation, air is drawn into the sound reducing structure by the fan along a first tortuous passage. The air is directed by the fan through another tortuous passage to an air outlet to inflate a convective blanket with an air hose connected to the air outlet. The configuration of the maze like cavity and the material from which the nosie reducing structure is formed reduce the noise generated by the fan. A heater is provided proximate to the air outlet to heat the output air. A filter is provided at the air inlet to filter the ambient air drawn into the warmer.

Abstract: An information bearing septum viewable under radiographic imaging is formed by molding a septum base to have a depression with a given configuration and molding a one-piece solid radiopaque material insert having the same given configuration. The radiopaque insert is mounted to the cavity formed by the depression at the septum base. The top of the septum is then covered by a silicone layer that bonds to the septum. The finished septum is adapted to be fitted to a reservoir housing of a subcutaneous implantable portal. In place of the solid insert, the septum may be formed by placing on top of the septum base a one-piece top layer impregnated with a radiopaque material that has an integral hanging insert that fittingly mounts into the cavity formed by the depression at the septum base.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein a plurality of formations that together form an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The formations are configured from impressions formed on different layers of the septum spatially separated along the vertical axis of the septum. The impressions are filled with a radiopaque material. The superposed formations do not overlap when viewed from atop the septum. When viewed under radiographic imaging from the top of the septum, a 3-D identification indicia is presented to the viewer. The 3-D indicia may be used as a 3-D marker to focus the location of the septum where a needle to access the fluid reservoir of the portal may be inserted.

Abstract: A convective blanket may be converted from an underbody blanket to a combination over body and underbody blanket by having an openable seal positioned substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the blanket away from the head area of the blanket. The seal may be preformed with a line of weakness so that it may readily be separated to form an opening for the head of the patient. The upper portion and the main portion of the blanket may be folded relatively towards each other to cover opposite sides of the patient. Elongate openings are provided in the main portion of the blanket to allow the arms of the patient to extend through the blanket.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: A connector and method of connecting are described for connecting a first and second catheter at an overlap area where the first catheter fits within the second catheter. The connector includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the overlap area and a clamp that applies a radially inward force to the collar and encircles a portion of the overlap area.

Abstract: A connector and method of connecting are described for connecting a first and second catheter at an overlap area where the first catheter fits within the second catheter. The connector includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the overlap area and a clamp that applies a radially inward force to the collar and encircles a portion of the overlap area.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: A connector and method of connecting are described for connecting a first and second catheter at an overlap area where the first catheter fits within the second catheter. The connector includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the overlap area and a clamp that applies a radially inward force to the collar and encircles a portion of the overlap area.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.

Abstract: A needle protector that protects the tip or distal end of a cannula, a trocar, or a cannula/trocar combination, is provided by an extruded tubing that has at least a section thereof that includes one or a plurality of protrusions or protuberances that are configured in a given fashion so that there is a slight bend created at that section of the tube, when the tube is fitted onto a cannula or trocar with the protrusions coming into contact with the outer diameter surface of the cannula or trocar. This results in friction contact between the protrusions and the cannula or trocar to maintain the tube protector in place relative to the cannula or trocar. The protrusions may be punched or lanced in the tube to a given depth towards the interior of the tube to establish a given friction contact.