Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example, the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for inserting a sterile catheter, and for maintaining a sterilely sealed catheter and catheter insertion site over time. In one embodiment, a four-part integrated system is provided that includes (1) a novel vascular catheter with integrated uniform diameter mounting, capping, and needle safety procurement features, (2) a novel vascular catheter dressing designed to specifically mate with and seal to this vascular catheter to achieve a sterile seal both at the catheter-skin insertion site and the catheter-dressing exit site, (3) a hub protection and sterilizing apparatus that serves to stabilize, protect, and sterilize the working end of the catheter hub as it protrudes from the sterile dressing, and that also helps to improve the ergonomics of the catheter-dressing complex in order to avoid snagging on clothing etc., and (4) a whole dressing accessory secondary cover and securement device.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve a sterile catheter-dressing system that allows for integrated injection of fluids, e.g., a saline flush, during the process of catheter insertion and sterile dressing placement. Such methods and devices can be used as a fully integrated catheter insertion system, or to convert existing catheter insertion devices and methods into integrated flush and sterile sealing catheter-dressing systems. Such methods and devices can greatly simplify the catheter insertion process, and can allow the reproducible placement of a fully sterile and flushed vascular catheter, as well as the placement of a durably sterile circumferentially sealing and securing dressing.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for inserting a sterile catheter, and for maintaining a sterilely sealed catheter and catheter insertion site over time. In one embodiment, a four-part integrated system is provided that includes (1) a novel vascular catheter with integrated uniform diameter mounting, capping, and needle safety procurement features, (2) a novel vascular catheter dressing designed to specifically mate with and seal to this vascular catheter to achieve a sterile seal both at the catheter-skin insertion site and the catheter-dressing exit site, (3) a hub protection and sterilizing apparatus that serves to stabilize, protect, and sterilize the working end of the catheter hub as it protrudes from the sterile dressing, and that also helps to improve the ergonomics of the catheter-dressing complex in order to avoid snagging on clothing etc., and (4) a whole dressing accessory secondary cover and securement device.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one embodiment, a catheter dressing is provided that includes an adhesive plate configured for attachment to the skin of a patient and a flexible sheath that extends proximally from the adhesive plate. The sheath can be capable of longitudinal extension from a compressed to an extended state and can be configured in its extended state to surround an external segment of a catheter implanted in the patient and circumferentially seal to a portion of the external segment at a distance from the adhesive plate. The dressing can also be configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the catheter while at the same time permitting non-longitudinal movement. One-piece rigid or semi-rigid dressing bodies are also disclosed, as are various methods and devices for facilitating removal and or replacement of a catheter dressing.

Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.