Abstract: A water heating and treatment system with UV lamp water treatment sanitation for suppression of pathogens and undesired bacterial content in a domestic hot water system includes a water heater, and a cold water supply line to supply water to the water heater. The cold water supply line includes a UV sanitation lamp. A single or multiple temperature regulating mixing station supplies a temperature regulated heated water to one or multiple temperature zones. A three-way return water diverter valve provides a portion of a re-circulated hot water from a hot water recirculation line including a temperature sensor to the single or multiple temperature regulating mixing station and a remaining portion of the re-circulated hot water to the drain. A method for treating hot water to suppress pathogens and undesired bacterial content in a domestic hot water system is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting the placement of a catheter within the body of a patient through the use of an ultrasound imaging system are disclosed. In particular, the systems and methods described herein enable a clinician to determine, prior to insertion of the medical device, how much of the device will be disposed within the vessel, thus enabling the clinician to choose a catheter with suitable length. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system for assisting with placement of the medical device comprises a console, a probe for producing an image of a target location, and a processor. The processor provides to a user proximity information relating to the anticipated proximity of the medical device to the target location prior to insertion of the medical device. A display is included for depicting the image, target location depth, and the proximity information of the medical device to the target location.

Abstract: A water heating and treatment system with UV lamp and anti-scale water treatment sanitation for suppression of pathogens and undesired bacterial content in a domestic hot water system includes an anti-scale device, and a UV sanitation lamp. A single or multiple mixing station supplies heated water to one or multiple temperature zones. A water heater sanitation loop includes a sanitation loop pump to circulate hot water within the water heater. A three-way return water diverter valve allows for safe sanitation of a domestic hot water system by diverting over temperature re-circulated water away from the mixing valve to a drain, as needed. A method for treating hot water to suppress pathogens and undesired bacterial content in a domestic hot water system is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. The system may include a first pole and a second pole designed to generate an electric field sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements. The system may include a stylet inserted into a medical device. The stylet may include a magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field positioned along a distal portion of the stylet, and a stylet electrode positioned distal of the magnetic assembly. The stylet electrode may be designed to function as both an interior excitation electrode and an interior detection electrode. Advancement of the medical device in the patient may include using a conductance curve generated from the plurality of field measurements to identify an obstruction or malposition in the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. The system may include a first pole and a second pole designed to generate an electric field sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements. The system may include a stylet inserted into a medical device. The stylet may include a magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field positioned along a distal portion of the stylet, and a stylet electrode positioned distal of the magnetic assembly. The stylet electrode may be designed to function as both an interior excitation electrode and an interior detection electrode. Advancement of the medical device in the patient may include using a conductance curve generated from the plurality of field measurements to identify an obstruction or malposition in the patient.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. The system may include a first pole and a second pole designed to generate an electric field sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements. The system may include a stylet inserted into a medical device. The stylet may include a magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field positioned along a distal portion of the stylet, and a stylet electrode positioned distal of the magnetic assembly. The stylet electrode may be designed to function as both an interior excitation electrode and an interior detection electrode. Advancement of the medical device in the patient may include using a conductance curve generated from the plurality of field measurements to identify an obstruction or malposition in the patient.

Abstract: Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet. In another embodiment, techniques for identifying and locating obstructions in the vessel in which a device is disposed are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting the placement of a catheter within the body of a patient through the use of an ultrasound imaging system are disclosed. In particular, the systems and methods described herein enable a clinician to determine, prior to insertion of the medical device, how much of the device will be disposed within the vessel, thus enabling the clinician to choose a catheter with suitable length. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system for assisting with placement of the medical device comprises a console, a probe for producing an image of a target location, and a processor. The processor provides to a user proximity information relating to the anticipated proximity of the medical device to the target location prior to insertion of the medical device. A display is included for depicting the image, target location depth, and the proximity information of the medical device to the target location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting the placement of a catheter within the body of a patient through the use of an ultrasound imaging system are disclosed. In particular, the systems and methods described herein enable a clinician to determine, prior to insertion of the medical device, how much of the device will be disposed within the vessel, thus enabling the clinician to choose a catheter with suitable length. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system for assisting with placement of the medical device comprises a console, a probe for producing an image of a target location, and a processor. The processor provides to a user proximity information relating to the anticipated proximity of the medical device to the target location prior to insertion of the medical device. A display is included for depicting the image, target location depth, and the proximity information of the medical device to the target location.

Abstract: Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet. In another embodiment, techniques for identifying and locating obstructions in the vessel in which a device is disposed are disclosed.

Abstract: Needle guide systems for a sonography device are disclosed. The needle guide systems include both fixed and adjustable needle guides. In one embodiment, the needle guide includes a needle guide body that is rotatably mounted to a probe of a sonography device. A plurality of needle channels is disposed on a surface of the needle guide body. Each needle channel can be selectively rotated into position to guide a needle into a body of a patient at a predetermined needle insertion angle. If another needle insertion angle is desired, the needle guide is rotated to place a new needle channel defining the desired needle insertion angle into position. In another embodiment, a needle guide is disclosed and includes an extended guide feature, such as a guide cone, to assist in inserting a needle into the needle channel.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various aspects for visualizing and manipulating display of the ECG signal data acquired via the present system, together with aspects of various ECG sensor configurations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various aspects for visualizing and manipulating display of the ECG signal data acquired via the present system, together with aspects of various ECG sensor configurations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A needle guide assembly for inserting a needle into the body of a patient in order to access a subcutaneous target, such as a vessel, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the needle guide assembly comprises a needle guide body that is configured to at least indirectly and removably attach to an image producing device, such as an ultrasound probe. The needle guide body defines at least first and second elongate guide channels. Each guide channel defines a unique insertion angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe. Further, each guide channel is configured to accept needles of differing gauges.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Various aspects for visualizing and manipulating display of the ECG signal data acquired via the present system, together with aspects of various ECG sensor configurations, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a length adjustable handle with a traditional cleaning device selectively attached to one end and a scuff removal device attached to an opposed end. The traditional cleaning device may be a light or heavy duty broom, wet mop, dust mop, squeegee, or the like. The scuff removal device may include a motor connected to a battery and a scuff removal tip operatively coupled to the motor. When the motor is selectively energized, the tip is caused to vibrate for efficiently removing a scuff mark from a surface. Thus, the cleaning device may be converted from a traditional cleaning tool to a scuff mark removal tool merely by inverting the elongate handle in the user's hands.