Abstract: A suction wand assembly includes a suction wand connected to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a pressable button or similar device for allowing a user to regulate suction force through the suction wand. The valve assembly optionally includes a locking mechanism for holding the valve in a closed position. The suction wand assembly may be stored in a holster, which optionally includes an instrument support for holding a tip of the suction wand above a base region of the holster.

Abstract: An intraluminal, balloon expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The present invention provides a lumen support stent with an unobstructed through-lumen for use in a blood vessel. A constraining mechanism is provided for securely maintaining the stent in the collapsed condition during delivery. The stent is preferably formed with a series of interconnected slide and lock mechanisms for permitting movement from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition and inhibiting radial recoil from the expanded condition. The stent may be formed from a shape memory alloy for providing crush-recovery after deployment.

Abstract: An intraluminal, balloon expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The present invention provides a lumen support stent with an unobstructed through-lumen for use in a blood vessel. A constraining mechanism is provided for securely maintaining the stent in the collapsed condition during delivery. The stent is preferably formed with a series of interconnected slide and lock mechanisms for permitting movement from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition and inhibiting radial recoil from the expanded condition. The stent may be formed from a shape memory alloy for providing crush-recovery after deployment.

Abstract: A securement device (10) secures a medical article (12) to the body of a patient and prevents longitudinal movement of the medical article (12) relative to the securement device (10). The securement device (10) includes a base portion (50) that is disposed over at least a part of a securement piece (20). The securement piece (20) forms a channel (19) configured to receive at least a portion of the medical article (12). The device (10) includes at least one actuator (40). The at least one actuator (40) is coupled with the securement piece (20) and configured to move the securement piece (20) between open position and a closed position. When the securement piece (20) is in the open position, it can receive at least a portion of the medical article (12). When the securement piece (20) is in the closed position, it prevents the received medical article (12) from moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the securement device (10).

Abstract: A universal device for securing a catheter on a patient includes a base which optionally has one or more locating elements for positioning or securing a catheter or catheter fitting of various shapes or sizes. The base optionally includes a recessed or flat receiving area defined by locating elements arranged in any configuration suitable to hold or receive a catheter or catheter fitting, e.g., in a tapering or V shaped formation. Additional locating elements may be positioned elsewhere on the base for receiving or holding a flange or wing of a catheter fitting and preventing its movement in various directions. The base optionally has an angled surface to maintain the desired angle for catheters or catheter fittings in a patient. A cover is removably or permanently connected to the base and may optionally have one or more top openings for receiving tabs or extensions of a catheter fitting.

Abstract: A system for securing a medical device such as a catheter or other medical article having various shapes or sizes in place on a patient includes a securing device. The securing device may optionally include a retainer having one or more receiving areas and one or more retention arms adjacent to the receiving areas. The securing device may also include a retention strap having a latching element that is removably connectable to a retention arm to securely hold a catheter in place. The retainer may optionally be connected to a base which may optionally be connected to an adhesive pad for easy attachment of the securing device to a patient.

Abstract: A suction wand assembly includes a suction wand connected to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a pressable button or similar device for allowing a user to regulate suction force through the suction wand. The valve assembly optionally includes a locking mechanism for holding the valve in a closed position. The suction wand assembly may be stored in a holster, which optionally includes an instrument support for holding a tip of the suction wand above a base region of the holster.

Abstract: A closed suction catheter includes a valve assembly and a manifold. A catheter tube is attached to the valve assembly and slidably secured within the manifold. The closed suction catheter may include one or more features for promoting an effective, safe, and efficient process for suctioning mucus and other fluids from a patient's lungs, and for cleaning the various components of the catheter system. For example, the closed suction catheter may include a tube wiper having a reinforced leading ridge and/or an internal ledge for efficiently wiping the catheter tube. The valve assembly may include a locking mechanism having a slider unit, a cam arm, and/or ribs that engage openings in the slider unit for maintaining a valve stem in proper alignment and an actuator on the valve assembly in a locked position. The closed suction catheter may include several other features, as well.

Abstract: A universal securing device for holding catheters of various shapes and sizes and the like in place includes a base and cover. The cover may be connected to the base by a hinge which allows the cover to be lifted open or pushed down into a closed position, over a catheter fitting. The base may have locating elements configured and arranged to fit around catheter fittings of various sizes, and the locating elements prevent substantial movement of a catheter fitting and catheter in various dimensions. The cover may include capture elements which act to grip and compress the catheter fitting when the securing device is in a closed position, thus preventing substantial movement of a catheter fitting and catheter in various dimensions. The base may be attached to a patient with an adhesive pad attached to the bottom surface of the base.

Abstract: A universal device for securing a catheter on a patient includes a base which optionally has at least one locating element for positioning or securing a catheter or catheter fitting of various shapes or sizes. The base has an opening and one or more restraining elements positioned on a surface of the base and extending over a portion of the opening. A retention plate includes locating elements for positioning or securing a catheter or catheter fitting of various shapes or sizes on the retention plate. Optionally, the retention plate may be movable. A support plate or similar device attached to the base holds the retention plate between the restraining elements and the support plate. A cover is connected to the base and may optionally have at least one capture element for restraining a catheter or catheter fitting of various shapes or sizes on the base or on the retention plate.

Abstract: A closed suction catheter includes a valve assembly and a manifold. A catheter tube is attached to the valve assembly and slidably secured within the manifold. The closed suction catheter may include one or more features for promoting an effective, safe, and efficient process for suctioning mucus and other fluids from a patient's lungs, and for cleaning the various components of the catheter system. For example, the closed suction catheter may include a tube wiper having a reinforced leading ridge and/or an internal ledge for efficiently wiping the catheter tube. The valve assembly may include a locking mechanism having a slider unit, a cam arm, and/or ribs that engage openings in the slider unit for maintaining a valve stem in proper alignment and an actuator on the valve assembly in a locked position. The closed suction catheter may include several other features, as well.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler includes systems to prevent or inhibit inadvertent delivery of multiple doses. A latching or locking actuation button prevents closing the inhaler and release of a subsequent dose, until the first dose is inhaled. The actuation button is released, under control of an electronic controller linked to a sensor which senses inhalation. A latching system prevents closing the inhaler until the latching system is released, helping the patient to avoid inadvertently releasing multiple doses. The latching system may include a lockout, also controlled by an electronic controller or microprocessor, which prevents closing the inhaler until the released dose is inhaled. A visual warning system may also be provided to indicate a potential inadvertent multiple dose condition to the patient.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from the larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater air flow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.

Abstract: A drug powder inhaler has a cover plate pivotably attached to a lid on an inhaler housing. A lever is pivotably attached to the cover plate. A blister pack disk is rotatably mounted on the housing under the cover plate. A powder duct in the housing extends from a staging chamber underneath one end of the lever to an aerosolizing chamber. An actuator in the housing is pressed to shear open a blister on the blister pack disk and thereby deliver the drug dose contents of the blister into the staging chamber. A switch senses pressure in the mouthpiece and switches on a motor spinning an impeller within the aerosolizing chamber, when inhalation is detected.

Abstract: A drug powder inhaler has a cover plate pivotably attached to a lid on an inhaler housing. A lever is pivotably attached to the cover plate. A blister pack disk is rotatably mounted on the housing under the cover plate. A powder duct in the housing extends from a staging chamber underneath one end of the lever to an aerosolizing chamber. An actuator in the housing is pressed to shear open a blister on the blister pack disk and thereby deliver the drug dose contents of the blister into the staging chamber. A switch senses pressure in the mouthpiece and switches on a motor spinning an impeller within the aerosolizing chamber, when inhalation is detected.

Abstract: A powder storage and delivery system for a drug powder inhaler has a carrier disk with a blister shell sealed by a shear layer. A tab is adhered to the shear layer, underneath the blister shell. The carrier disk is placed into a dry powder inhaler. An actuator pushes against the tab, causing the shear layer to tear away, releasing the powder drug contents from the blister into the dry powder inhaler. A disk carrier has bursting blisters with a brittle blister shell sealed with a foil lid, and covered by a plate. An actuator moves against the plate, causing the plate to buckle and the blister shell to burst open, releasing powdered drug into the dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: A drug powder inhaler has a cover plate pivotably attached to a lid on an inhaler housing. A lever is pivotably attached to the cover plate. A blister pack disk is rotatably mounted on the housing under the cover plate. A powder duct in the housing extends from a staging chamber underneath one end of the lever to an aerosolizing chamber. An actuator in the housing is pressed to shear open a blister on the blister pack disk and thereby deliver the drug dose contents of the blister into the staging chamber. A switch senses pressure in the mouthpiece and switches on a motor spinning an impeller within the aerosolizing chamber, when inhalation is detected.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a front section holding a unit dose cartridge over a mixing chamber. An impeller is rotatably mounted within the mixing chamber. A rear section of the inhaler includes a motor, a breath actuated switch, and pins for positioning the unit dose cartridge in the front section and driving a plunger through the unit dose cartridge, to deposit a powdered drug into the mixing chamber, as the front and rear sections are brought together. A filter wheel allows air to flow forward from the rear section into the mixing chamber, but substantially prevents stray drug powder from migrating rearwardly to the rear section. The front section is preferably disposable, while the rear section is advantageously reusable.