Abstract: Connectors and devices for flexible negative pressure systems are described.

Abstract: A wound exudate management system includes a pump for generating negative pressure, a dressing for covering and protecting a wound of a user, a tube including an interior lumen, the tube disposed between the pump and the dressing such that the pump and the dressing are in fluid communication via the interior lumen. The dressing includes an adhesive layer for adhering the dressing adjacent the wound, a wound contact layer, a pressure dispersion layer, a plurality of layers of absorbent material disposed between the wound contact layer and the pressure dispersion layer, a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the backing layer being adjacent, and in contact with, the pressure dispersion layer and the adhesive layer, and a flexible connector disposed on the second surface of the backing layer.

Abstract: A wound exudate management system includes a pump for generating negative pressure, a dressing for covering and protecting a wound of a user, a tube including an interior lumen, the tube disposed between the pump and the dressing such that the pump and the dressing are in fluid communication via the interior lumen. The dressing includes an adhesive layer for adhering the dressing adjacent the wound, a wound contact layer, a pressure dispersion layer, a plurality of layers of absorbent material disposed between the wound contact layer and the pressure dispersion layer, a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the backing layer being adjacent, and in contact with, the pressure dispersion layer and the adhesive layer, and a flexible connector disposed on the second surface of the backing layer.

Abstract: Connectors and devices for flexible negative pressure systems are described.

Abstract: A wound exudate management system includes a pump for generating negative pressure, a dressing for covering and protecting a wound of a user, a tube including an interior lumen, the tube disposed between the pump and the dressing such that the pump and the dressing are in fluid communication via the interior lumen. The dressing includes an adhesive layer for adhering the dressing adjacent the wound, a wound contact layer, a pressure dispersion layer, a plurality of layers of absorbent material disposed between the wound contact layer and the pressure dispersion layer, a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the backing layer being adjacent, and in contact with, the pressure dispersion layer and the adhesive layer, and a flexible connector disposed on the second surface of the backing layer.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system includes an air subsystem being adapted to provide pressurized air, a fluid subsystem being adapted to provide fluid, a mixer being adapted to mix the fluid with the pressurized air, and a media subsystem being adapted to provide abrasive media. The method includes pressurizing the air, mixing the fluid with the air, thereby changing the relative humidity of the air, and blasting a surface of a structure with abrasive media mixed with the fluid and the pressurized air.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system includes an air subsystem being adapted to provide pressurized air, a fluid subsystem being adapted to provide fluid, a mixer being adapted to mix the fluid with the pressurized air, and a media subsystem being adapted to provide abrasive media. The method includes pressurizing the air, mixing the fluid with the air, thereby changing the relative humidity of the air, and blasting a surface of a structure with abrasive media mixed with the fluid and the pressurized air.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for reinforcing the rear end of a vehicle having a ladder-type frame. The device includes a first bar that is adapted to be secured between the left side rail and right suspension attachment of the vehicle frame and a second bar adapted to be secured between the right side rail and left suspension attachment such that the first and second bars are mounted to the frame in a crosswise fashion with respect to each other between the side rails. The device is mounted adjacent the rear of the vehicle frame whereby torsional stiffness and rigidity can be added to the rear of the frame and lateral deflection of the suspension attachments that occurs during aggressive driving is sharply minimized.

Abstract: A method of assaying for animals having a high innate immunity level by assessing the total white blood cell count of the mammal or at least one of the mammal's parents and/or the acute phase protein level of the mammal or at least one of its parents. Alternatively, genetic markers indicative of these values may be used. The values obtained are compared to equivalent measurements from other mammals of the same breed. Values higher than mean equivalent measurements from mammals of the same breed indicate a high innate immunity level which is associated with a high performance.

Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a vacuum wound dressing for covering a wound bed comprising: a wound contact layer comprising a fibrous blend or fibrous material that forms a cohesive gel when wetted by wound exudate; a source of vacuum situated to be separated from the wound bed by the wound contact layer; and a vacuum sealing layer covering the wound contact layer and adapted to retain relative vacuum in the wound contact layer, wherein (i) the dressing is essentially missing a non-gelling, foam layer in which the source of vacuum is situated or (ii) the vacuum sealing layer comprises as an outer layer a foam layer.

Abstract: A multi layered wound dressing for use on wounds producing high levels of exudate, the dressing comprising a transmission layer having a high MVTR; an absorbent core capable of absorbing and retaining exudates; and a wound contacting layer which transmits exudate to the absorbent core, the absorbent core and wound contacting layer limiting the lateral spread of exudate in the dressing to the region of the wound.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprises a blend of at least two types of discrete fibers wherein one discrete fiber is of a modified cellulose gel-forming material and a second discrete fiber is of another type of gel-forming material such as an alginate.

Abstract: A novel wound dressing includes a fibrous absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, an odor layer for absorbing odor and a barrier layer interposed the fibrous absorbent and barrier layers. Preferably the barrier layer is vacuum perforated and the fibrous absorbent layer is of highly absorbent fibres capable of absorbing 25 grams of exudate per gram of dressing.