Abstract: Pull tab assemblies and related components and methods are disclosed herein. Some pull tab assemblies are configured to selectively interrupt and reestablish connections between a battery and a battery contact of an electronic circuit. Some pull tab assemblies include perforated pull tabs and/or pull tabs in which a proximal portion of the pull tab is configured to be cut or removed. Some pull tabs are designed to remain within a slot of the housing to impede fluid entry into the housing. Some methods disclosed herein involve programming memory that is disposed within a housing of a pull tab assembly or device.

Abstract: Inflation devices and methods to inflate medical devices are disclosed. Certain embodiments enable the selective coupling of a plunger to a syringe body through manipulation of a handle. Other embodiments facilitate the generation of relatively high fluid pressures through inflation device designs that incorporate multiple plungers.

Abstract: Inflation devices configured to communicate with remote displays are disclosed herein. Kits including such inflation devices with portable display devices are also disclosed herein. Methods of remotely displaying pressure data from a medical device are also disclosed herein. Devices, kits, and methods of connecting medical devices to remote displays and transferring information to or from linked computers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Inflation devices configured to communicate with remote displays are disclosed herein. Kits including such inflation devices with portable display devices are also disclosed herein. Methods of remotely displaying pressure data from a medical device are also disclosed herein. Devices, kits, and methods of connecting medical devices to remote displays and transferring information to or from linked computers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflation device that may comprise multiple plungers is disclosed. The inflation device may have multiple configurations wherein certain plungers are locked with respect to a body of the inflation device while others are configured to be displaceable within the body. Each plunger may be configured with a different effective surface area, allowing a practitioner to vary the amount of force required to attain certain pressures.

Abstract: Inflation devices and methods to inflate medical devices are disclosed. Certain embodiments enable the selective coupling of a plunger to a syringe body through manipulation of a handle. Other embodiments facilitate the generation of relatively high fluid pressures through inflation device designs that incorporate multiple plungers.

Abstract: Fixation and protective components for use with implantable medical devices, such as access ports and catheters, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a protective sleeve is employed about a catheter so as to distribute compressive loads and ensure patency of the catheter lumen, even in areas prone to pinch-off. A catheter assembly in one embodiment thus comprises an elongate catheter tube that defines at least one lumen. A protective mesh sleeve is disposed about an external portion of the catheter tube so as to cover at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter tube. The protective sleeve is configured to distribute a compressive load on the catheter tube so as to ensure patency of the at least one lumen of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A catheter and internal bolster for securing the catheter or other medical device within a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongate catheter tube that defines at least one lumen and an internal bolster disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter tube. The internal bolster includes a plurality of hinged arms and is capable of an undeployed position wherein each arm is longitudinally extended substantially parallel to the catheter tube, and a deployed position wherein each arm is folded about its hinge so as to radially extend from the catheter tube and provide a bolster configuration. The internal bolster further includes a resilient portion included with the catheter tube and disposed centrally with respect to the internal bolster. The resilient portion provides a force urging the internal bolster to the deployed position. In one possible implementation, the catheter is configured as a feeding tube.

Abstract: A delivery device for inserting a plurality of T-fastener-equipped sutures into a body of a patient in a spaced-apart configuration for the purpose of securing the stomach wall against the abdominal wall, also known as gastropexy, is disclosed. The suture delivery device is configured to deliver multiple sutures using a single needle and without need for reloading, saving time and effort for the clinician and simplifying the suture placement process. In one embodiment, a T-fastener-equipped suture delivery device comprises a housing, a hollow needle extending from the housing, and a plurality of T-fastener-equipped sutures at least partially disposed within one of the needle and the housing. An ejection assembly for successively ejecting the T-fasteners from a distal end of the needle without reloading the delivery device is also included in the housing.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a suspension of solids in an aqueous medium, comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system, which flocculation system comprises, a) a substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and b) a cationic polymeric flocculant of intrinsic viscosity at least 4 dl/g, thereby causing the solids to flocculate, separating the flocculated from aqueous medium, characterized in that i) the components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend; or ii) component a) is a non-ionic polymer that has an average molecular weight of below 750,000 and components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend or separately. Also claimed is an aqueous composition comprising the substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and cationic polymer, method for making it and a composition comprising a blend of substantially anhydrous particles of component (a) and component (b).

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware and software platform that allows a service provider to easily provide internet services, virtual private network services, firewall services, etc., to a plurality of customers. One aspect provides a method and system for delivering security services. This includes connecting a plurality of processors in a ring configuration within a first processing system, establishing a secure connection between the processors in the ring configuration across an internet protocol (IP) connection to a second processing system to form a tunnel, and providing both router services and host services for a customer using the plurality of processors in the ring configuration and using the second processing system, a packet routing system and method is described that includes a processor identifier in each packet to route the packets to a physical processor, and a logical queue identifier to route the packets to the destination object within that processor.

Abstract: Access ports for providing subcutaneous access to a patient are disclosed. Such access ports may include: at least one structural element configured for resisting deformation of the septum in response to a pressure developed within the reservoir. Further, an access port may be structured for accommodating: 1) a flow rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second; or 2) a pressure developed within the reservoir of at least about 35 psi. An infusion set is disclosed and may be structured for flowing a fluid at a flow rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second. Infusion tubing comprising a plurality of layers is disclosed. Methods of operating and flowing a fluid through an access port or an infusion set are disclosed. A method of identifying an access port for power injection is disclosed. Septums comprising at least one gel region are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of flocculating and dewatering an aqueous suspension of suspended solids comprising, introducing into the suspension, (a) substantially linear polymer, (b) structured polymer, characterised in that the polymers are introduced into the substrate sequentially. The process brings about improvements in filtration.

Abstract: A method of dewatering suspensions in which a high molecular weight, water soluble, cationic polymer flocculant and an encapsulated low molecular weight water soluble, coagulant are mixed with the suspension. The coagulant is not released into the suspension until after flocculation has taken place.

Abstract: A method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising, a) a substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant and b) an anionic polymeric flocculant, characterised in that, the substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension before the addition of the anionic polymeric flocculant. The method is useful for flocculating China clay suspensions, suspensions of s welling clays, calcium carbonate suspensions, titanium dioxide suspensions, suspensions of coal tailings, red mud and phosphate slimes etc.

Abstract: A process of flocculating microbial cell material from a suspending medium which contains cell material, comprising adding to the suspending medium a first polymeric material which is cationic and has intrinsic viscosity of not more than 2 dl/g, and subsequently or simultaneously adding to the suspending medium a second polymeric material which is cationic or substantially non-ionic and has intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g, and allowing the cell material to flocculate.

Abstract: A process of flocculating and dewatering an aqueous suspension of suspended solids comprising, introducing into the suspension, (a) a concentrated polymer solution and, (b) a dilute polymer solution, characterised in that the concentrated and dilute polymer solutions are introduced into the substrate substantially simultaneously. Preferably the concentrated and dilute polymer solutions are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous composition comprising a dilute aqueous solution of polymer and a concentrated solution of polymer. The process brings about improvements in filtration and cake solids.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a suspension of solids in an aqueous medium, comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system, which flocculation system comprises, a) a substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and b) a cationic polymeric flocculant of intrinsic viscosity at least 4 dl/g, thereby causing the solids to flocculate, separating the flocculated from aqueous medium, characterised in that i) the components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend; or ii) component a) is a non-ionic polymer that has an average molecular weight of below 750,000 and components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend or separately. Also claimed is an aqueous composition comprising the substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and cationic polymer, method for making it and a composition comprising a blend of substantially anhydrous particles of component (a) and component (b).

Abstract: A process of flocculating and dewatering an aqueous suspension of suspended solids comprising, introducing into the suspension, (a) substantially linear polymer, (b) structured polymer, characterised in that the polymers are introduced into the substrate sequentially. The process brings about improvements in filtration.

Abstract: A method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising, a) a substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant and b) an anionic polymeric flocculant, characterised in that, the substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension before the addition of the anionic polymeric flocculant. The method is useful for flocculating China clay suspensions, suspensions of s welling clays, calcium carbonate suspensions, titanium dioxide suspensions, suspensions of coal tailings, red mud and phosphate slimes etc.