Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided an enteral feeding assembly having a base and a connector. The base has a catheter with a lumen for communication with a body lumen. The base also has an opening with a predetermined shape on its proximal side that also communicates with the catheter lumen. The connector has a key configured to complement the predetermined shape of the opening in the base, which occurs desirably in one position only, so that the connector and base may be joined together. The connector is also connected to a feeding tube that provides a nutrient solution from a replaceable feeding bag. Once the connector is in position in the base, liquid may from the bag to the body lumen. Once in position, the connector may rotate 360 degrees relative to the base before being again in the installation/removal position.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum In upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and skives as non-inflatable removal elements on the exterior surface of the cleaning lumen. Each skive has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The skives self-position the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic container for draining fluid from the pleural space or peritoneal cavity of a patient. The container is desirably easy to open, easy to pour, easy to hold, easy to control and keep from falling on the floor, and that has graphics that communicate the use and disposal of the container in a relatively simple and easy to understand manner.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic container for draining fluid from the pleural space or peritoneal cavity of a patient. The container is desirably easy to open, easy to pour, easy to hold, easy to control and keep from falling on the floor, and that has graphics that communicate the use and disposal of the container in a relatively simple and easy to understand manner.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and skives as non-inflatable removal elements on the exterior surface of the cleaning lumen. Each skive has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The skives self-position the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.

Abstract: Endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes have an inflatable cuff for sealing the trachea so that a patient may be ventilated through a respiratory lumen of the tube. As a result of sealing the trachea outside of the tube, liquids accumulate above the cuff. If these liquids are allowed to move into the lungs, they may cause ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP). The liquids may be removed by suction applied to a suction lumen terminating in a port above the cuff, but suctioning can cause damage to the trachea if the tube is sucked up against the tracheal wall. A tracheal catheter having a unique method of attaching the balloon cuff is provided. The cuff is to attached so that an upper part (collar) of the cuff is used to cover the distal end of a suction lumen port. This allows the port to be located closer to the cuff and so provides more thorough liquid removal and reduces the possibility that the tube may suck itself onto the tracheal wall.

Abstract: Endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes have an inflatable cuff for sealing the trachea so that a patient may be ventilated through a respiratory lumen of the tube. As a result of sealing the trachea outside of the tube, liquids accumulate above the cuff. If these liquids are allowed to move into the lungs, they may cause ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP). The liquids may be removed by suction applied to a suction lumen terminating in a port above the cuff, but suctioning can cause damage to the trachea if the tube is sucked up against the tracheal wall. A tracheal catheter having a unique method of attaching the balloon cuff is provided. The cuff is to attached so that an upper part (collar) of the cuff is used to cover the distal end of a suction lumen port. This allows the port to be located closer to the cuff and so provides more thorough liquid removal and reduces the possibility that the tube may suck itself onto the tracheal wall.

Abstract: A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided an enteral feeding assembly having a base and a connector. The base has a catheter with a lumen for communication with a body lumen. The base also has an opening with a predetermined shape on its proximal side that also communicates with the catheter lumen. The connector has a key configured to complement the predetermined shape of the opening in the base, which occurs desirably in one position only, so that the connector and base may be joined together. The connector is also connected to a feeding tube that provides a nutrient solution from a replaceable feeding bag. Once the connector is in position in the base, liquid may from the bag to the body lumen. Once in position, the connector may rotate 360 degrees relative to the base before being again in the installation/removal position.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having enhanced absorption of bodily exudates are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a bodily exudate modifying agent and a skin care formulation. The bodily exudate modifying agent is capable of reducing the viscosity of bodily exudates such as feces and menses. The skin care formulation comprises a bodily exudate modifying agent neutralizer to neutralize the possible negative effects on skin barrier function caused by the bodily exudate modifying agents coming into direct contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having enhanced absorption of bodily exudates are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a bodily exudate modifying agent and a skin care formulation. The bodily exudate modifying agent is capable of reducing the viscosity of bodily exudates such as feces and menses. The skin care formulation comprises a bodily exudate modifying agent neutralizer to neutralize the possible negative effects on skin barrier function caused by the bodily exudate modifying agents coming into direct contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having enhanced absorption of bodily exudates are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a bodily exudate modifying agent and a skin care formulation. The bodily exudate modifying agent is capable of reducing the viscosity of bodily exudates such as feces and menses. The skin care formulation comprises a film forming agent that, upon transfer to the skin, can form a continuous film layer on the skin to retard harmful agents.

Abstract: A technique for incorporating a liquid additive into a nonwoven web is disclosed. Specifically, the liquid additive is loaded into filler particles to form a “dry liquid concentrate”, i.e., pulverulent granular solid or powder loaded with the liquid additive. The incorporation of the liquid additive into dry liquid concentrates provides a variety of benefits. For example, prior to extrusion, the dry liquid concentrates generally retain the properties of filler particles from which they are formed as the liquid remains isolated. In this manner, a higher level of the liquid additive may be compounded with a melt-extrudable base composition without adversely affecting the extrusion process. Only upon extrusion of the composition will a significant portion of the liquid additive be released to provide the desired properties to the resulting nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved disposable article for the absorption and containment of urine or other body exudates, for example a diaper, training pants or an adult incontinence article, that has a high fecal fluid intake rate as measured by the Fecal Fluid Intake Test.

Abstract: An elastic laminate having topographical features and a method of making an elastic laminate that includes topographical features is described. The elastic laminate includes a plurality of elastic strands made up of an elastomeric adhesive composition to provide topographical features that can withstand compression. In one particularly desirable embodiment the elastic laminate is treated so that the laminate is fluid permeable. Such laminates are useful as intake layers in personal care products, for example bodyside liners in diapers.

Abstract: A deep patterned nonwoven fabric including a plurality of raised portions having a first thickness of at least 1.5 mm and a plurality of depressed portions having a second thickness at least 50% less than the first thickness is prepared using a process which reduces and minimizes distortion of the raised portions. The process includes the steps of heating a precursor nonwoven fabric to soften its fibers and passing the heated nonwoven fabric to a nip defined by a patterned roll and an opposing member.