Abstract: A disposable liner for use with a reusable infant's bathtub. A workable liner may be formed from two parallel flat sheets of plastic film, bonded together around an outside boundary. The liner is disposable in a flat configuration of minimum thickness, and can then be folded to form a space-efficient rectangular package of substantially constant thickness. Certain liners may include a backrest cushion.

Abstract: A bath tub 100 for neonatal bathing including a backrest 112 that provides support for the baby at an inclined position, and a seat 152 to cooperate with the backrest 112 to flex the baby's hips to suppress the baby's urge to sit up or squirm. Embodiments may include side supports 136, 138 and/or stabilizer ribs 166, 168 to resist baby rotation about the seat 152. The tub 100 may be structured to reduce leverage to the baby to resist baby's turning over during a bath. A drain path 180 is desirably provided to maintain thermal equilibrium in the water during a bath. A system 240 may include a plurality of bathing accessories and a disposable sterile liner 264 to permit reuse of the tub 100, and/or an optional storage bag 268 to store the tub 100, and even a system 240, at a convenient location.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A disposable liner for use with a reusable infant's bathtub. A workable liner may be formed from two parallel flat sheets of plastic film, bonded together around an outside boundary. The liner is disposable in a flat configuration of minimum thickness, and can then be folded to form a space-efficient rectangular package of substantially constant thickness. Certain liners may include a backrest cushion.

Abstract: A bath tub 100 for neonatal bathing including a backrest 112 that provides support for the baby at an inclined position, and a seat 152 to cooperate with the backrest 112 to flex the baby's hips to suppress the baby's urge to sit up or squirm. Embodiments may include side supports 136, 138 and/or stabilizer ribs 166, 168 to resist baby rotation about the seat 152. The tub 100 may be structured to reduce leverage to the baby to resist baby's turning over during a bath. A drain path 180 is desirably provided to maintain thermal equilibrium in the water during a bath. A system 240 may include a plurality of bathing accessories and a disposable sterile liner 264 to permit reuse of the tub 100, and/or an optional storage bag 268 to store the tub 100, and even a system 240, at a convenient location.

Abstract: A bath tub 100 for neonatal bathing including a backrest 112 that provides support for the baby at an inclined position, and a seat 152 to cooperate with the backrest 112 to flex the baby's hips to suppress the baby's urge to sit up or squirm. Embodiments may include side supports 136, 138 and/or stabilizer ribs 166, 168 to resist baby rotation about the seat 152. The tub 100 may be structured to reduce leverage to the baby to resist baby's turning over during a bath. A drain path 180 is desirably provided to maintain thermal equilibrium in the water during a bath. A system 240 may include a plurality of bathing accessories and a disposable sterile liner 264 to permit reuse of the tub 100, and/or an optional storage bag 268 to store the tub 100, and even a system 240, at a convenient location.

Abstract: A bath tub 100 for neonatal bathing including a backrest 112 that provides support for the baby at an inclined position, and a seat 152 to cooperate with the backrest 112 to flex the baby's hips to suppress the baby's urge to sit up or squirm. Embodiments may include side supports 136, 138 and/or stabilizer ribs 166, 168 to resist baby rotation about the seat 152. The tub 100 may be structured to reduce leverage to the baby to resist baby's turning over during a bath. A drain path 180 is desirably provided to maintain thermal equilibrium in the water during a bath. A system 240 may include a plurality of bathing accessories and a disposable sterile liner 264 to permit reuse of the tub 100, and/or an optional storage bag 268 to store the tub 100, and even a system 240, at a convenient location.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A syringe structured to permit multiple filling and emptying cycles with a single syringe, but then to automatically disable that syringe to resist syringe reuse subsequent to a final dose-ejecting cycle. The syringe includes a plunger with a distal tip carrying capture structure that protrudes from the dispensing aperture of the syringe at a fluid fully-expelled position. A fluid discharge attachment can be coupled to the syringe to guide dispensing one or more dose of treatment substance. A first locking element, typically carried by the fluid discharge attachment, couples with the capture structure to resist retraction of the fully-depressed plunger, and thereby resists reciprocation of the plunger to prevent reuse of the syringe. Effectively, the discharge aperture of the syringe is pinned between an internally disposed stopper and the external capture structure.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Described is an atomizing nozzle having a relatively small frontal area permitting insertion of a nozzle into small diameter medical conduit(s). A body of a preferred nozzle has a characteristic size (e.g., cross-section diameter) of less than about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm). The nozzle body is typically carried on an extension member, which can be transversely flexible to permit passage of a nozzle body through a tube and along a nonlinear path. The nozzle body is typically connected to an extension member by way of a lap joint associated with the nozzle body. Preferred embodiments have a De/O ratio of less than 12.0, a Db/O ratio of less than about 18, and a Db/De ratio of less than about 1.1. Certain embodiments include a swirling chamber disposed upstream of the ejection orifice and having a proximal wall with a portion configured to at least approximate a portion of a dome, or other curved surface.

Abstract: Devices adapted to facilitate draining fluid from the abdominal/peritoneal cavity of a medical patient. The invention may be embodied in one or more element of an access port, insertion assist device, and/or abdominal catheter. A preferred abdominal catheter provides a drain field that can be inserted into the abdominal compartment, through an access opening having a small cross-section, in a stowed configuration and subsequently expanded to provide a large drain area through which to extract fluid from the compartment.

Abstract: A multi-access adapter operable to dispense doses of a medicament in succession from a bulk container, such as a vial. A preferred adapter may be used alone, or in combination with various discharge devices. A first preferred combination includes the adapter paired with a needle for injection of the medicament into one or more patients. A second preferred combination includes an atomizing nozzle affixed to the adapter and arranged for discharge of the medicament therethrough. Sometimes the atomizing nozzle carries a nostril guide structure that can be absorbent and may operate as a splash guard.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a patient includes a urinary catheter (102) connected to a urine valve (250) providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter (102) and either a drain (224) or a fluid source (104). Preferably, the urine valve (250) is adapted for remote actuation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve (250) contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply (225) and drain (223) conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits (225, 223) between a patient's legs. When the urine valve (250) is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source (104), an infusion pump (116?) may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve (250) and into the patient's bladder (216). A pressure transducer (218) desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure and avoid pressure fluctuations induced by system components.

Abstract: A multi-access adapter operable to dispense doses of a medicament in succession from a bulk container, such as a vial. A preferred adapter may be used alone, or in combination with various discharge devices. A first preferred combination includes the adapter paired with a needle for injection of the medicament into one or more patients. A second preferred combination includes an atomizing nozzle affixed to the adapter and arranged for discharge of the medicament therethrough. Sometimes the atomizing nozzle carries a nostril guide structure that can be absorbent and may operate as a splash guard.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.