BOWEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50A to about 90A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5A to about 49A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.
The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for bowel maintenance, and, more particular, to a rectal catheter having multiple sections of varying durometer hardness and a retention balloon to retain the catheter within the rectum of incontinent patients.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONMany circumstances can result in an individual becoming incontinent for an extended period of time. Examples of such circumstances include head or spinal cord trauma, disabling strokes, microbial caused illness, broken lower limbs or pelvic bones, digestive disorders, intensive care stays, and as side effects of administration of various pharmaceuticals. Incontinent patients and their caretakers face a great burden in the maintenance of the bowel and its functions. Such patients often suffer from constipation, but can also experience boughts of diarrhea, which impose even greater nursing problems. Constipation or stool impaction can be painful and require messy bowel irrigations and/or manual disimpaction to break up the impacted stool. Diarrhea, on the other hand, can result in perianal skin breakdown, which in turn can lead to open wounds and infections. The proper treatment of perianal wounds, whether caused by exposure to feces (i.e. diarrhea) or other etiology, can be especially difficult if the wound is continually being contaminated by feces. A great deal of time is necessary to cleanse contaminated wounds, change bedding and treat infections. Thus, there is a great need for devices and methods to improve the function of the bowel in incontinent patients. This need is
Previously, efforts to address these problems included a variety of devices, such as bags or plugs adhered to or inserted into the anus of non-ambulatory patients. These methods are limited in their effectiveness, in part due to leakage around the devices and the resultant effluent that remains in contact with the perianal skin and, in part, due to the complexities of the anal canal anatomy that can interfere with the use of such devices. Because of the ineffectiveness of the available methods for managing fecal evacuation in bed-ridden patients, physicians are frequently forced to construct a stoma in those individuals where enough intact perianal skin does not remain or where the occurrence of an infection would be life threatening.
Thus, it is among the advantages and features of the present invention that it can be used as a bowel maintenance system in a wide variety of incontinent patients for diversion of fecal matter to a receptacle to minimize contact of such fecal matter with patient skin. The new system (1) facilitates the collection of fecal matter for patients requiring stool management (2) provides access for colonic irrigation and (3) provides a conduit through which medications may be administered.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThus, it was with the above disadvantages and limitations in mind that the new bowel management system was developed. The new system is composed generally of a rectal catheter having three distinct portions, each with different elasticity and durometer hardness. A retention balloon mounted on the outer diameter of the patient proximal catheter maintains the catheter in a position within the rectum that provides for atraumatic sealing and anchoring. An optional intralumenal balloon mounted on the inner diameter of the catheter assists in insertion of the device into a patient's rectum and also acts as an anti-reflux valve to obstruct the catheter's evacuation lumen during periods of bowel irrigation or following medication administration for the purpose of retaining the medications in the patient's rectum. An optional faceplate that can be anchored to the patient with tape prevents migration of the retention balloon too far into the rectum. A drainage tube extends outwardly from the external retention faceplate and functions as a conduit to transport waste and irrigation fluids away from the patient to a waste collection bag. A flush/sampling port is located on the drainage tube and provides access for catheter flushing (rinsing) and stool sampling.
The catheter of the new system preferably includes three syringe connectors. One of the connectors is in fluid communication with the retention balloon and one of the connectors is in fluid communication with the intralumenal balloon. These connectors facilitate the inflation/deflation of the respective balloons. The third connector is in fluid communication with an optional irrigation lumen that exits the catheter at the patient proximal tip and is used for bowel irrigation and administration of medication solutions.
Accordingly, in furtherance of the above goals, the present invention is, briefly, a bowel management system for use in a patient. The new system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections of varying durometer hardness. A first section, which is patient proximal and which is disposed in the patient's rectum in normal use position, has a first end and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 50A to about 90A, so that the catheter patient proximal section is stiff enough to automatically maintain an open position for free flow of bowel waste when in normal use position with a retention balloon inflated. However, the first section is soft and pliable enough to permit folding longitudinally for ease of insertion into the rectum of the patient. A second section has a first end connected to the second end of the patient proximal section, and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 5A to about 49A. The second section can be positioned and retained in the anal canal of the patient for extended periods without distending the sphincters or causing discomfort. The system also includes a selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon attached coaxially and exterior of the patient proximal first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most first end of the patient proximal first section of the waste collection catheter. The substantially spherical retention balloon has an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.
The present invention is also, briefly, the combination of a bowel management system for use in a non-ambulatory patient and a waste collection bag. The bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections of varying durometer hardness including a patient proximal first section, which is disposed in the patient's rectum in normal use position, having a first end and a second end. The durometer hardness of the first section is such that the catheter patient proximal section is stiff enough to automatically maintain an open position for free flow of bowel waste when in normal use position, yet is soft and pliable enough to permit folding longitudinally for ease of insertion into the rectum of a patient. A second section has a first end connected to the second end of the patient proximal first section, and a second end sufficiently spaced from the first end that the second section can be positioned and retained in the anal canal of the patient and has a durometer hardness to permit the retention of the second section in the patient for extended periods without causing discomfort or lesions in the patient. A waste collection bag is adapted for secure, leak-proof connection to the waste collection catheter and is sized sufficiently large enough to receive fecal waste from the patient for extended periods, in the range of at least four hours.
The invention is further, briefly, a method for inserting a bowel management system into a patient, the method including:
(a) providing a bowel management system, the system having:
a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections of varying durometer hardness including:
a first section which is patient proximal and which is disposed in the patient's rectum in normal use position, having a first end and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 50A to about 90A, so that the catheter patient proximal section is stiff enough to automatically maintain an open position for free flow of bowel waste when in normal use position with retention balloon inflated, yet is soft and pliable enough to permit folding longitudinally for ease of insertion into the rectum of a patient;
a second section having a first end connected to the second end of the patient proximal section, and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 5A to about 49A, so that the second section can be positioned and retained in the anal canal of the patient for extended periods without distending the sphincters or causing discomfort; and
a selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon attached coaxially and exterior of the patient proximal first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most first end of the patient proximal first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient;
(b) folding the patient proximal first end of the waste collection catheter longitudinally;
(c) inserting the folded patient proximal first end of the waste collection catheter into the patient's rectum sufficiently far that the selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is entirely within the patient's rectum; and
d) securing the waste collection catheter in the position to which it has been inserted so that the catheter does not become separated from the patient during an extended period of time, in the range of hours, while the patient's body waste is permitted to drain out of the patient's body through the waste collection catheter.
The invention is further, briefly, a method for inserting a bowel management system into a patient, the method including:
(a) providing a bowel management system, the system having:
a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections of varying durometer hardness including
a first section which is patient proximal and which is disposed in the patient's rectum in normal use position, having a first end and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 50A to about 90A, so that the catheter patient proximal section is stiff enough to automatically maintain an open position for free flow of bowel waste when in normal use position with retention balloon inflated, yet is soft and pliable enough to permit folding longitudinally for ease of insertion into the rectum of a patient;
a second section having a first end connected to the second end of the patient proximal section, and a second end, and a durometer hardness in the range of about 5A to about 49A, so that the second section can be positioned and retained in the anal canal of the patient for extended periods without distending the sphincters or causing discomfort; and
a selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon attached coaxially and exterior of the patient proximal first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most first end of the patient proximal first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient;
b) inflating an intralumenal balloon in the patient proximal end of the waste collection catheter to the extent that the intralumenal balloon extends slightly beyond the proximal-most end of the catheter, to thereby provide a curved tip for ease of introduction of the catheter into the patient's rectum
(c) inserting the patient proximal first end of the waste collection catheter into the patient's rectum sufficiently far that the selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is entirely within the patient's rectum; and
(d) securing the waste collection catheter in the position to which it has been inserted so that the catheter does not become separated from the patient during an extended period of time, in the range of hours, while the patient's body waste is permitted to drain out of the patient's body through the waste collection catheter; and
(e) deflating the intralumenal balloon in the patient proximal end of the waste collection catheter to permit free flow of body wastes from the patient.
These and other objects and advantages will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Throughout the drawings like elements are indicated by like element numbers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the figures, and particularly
Rectal catheter section 18 has a patient proximal opening that, when positioned for normal use, opens into the rectum of a patient and a second end or distal opening which connects to the second catheter section 20. First catheter section 18 (shown enlarged in
Toward the patient distal end of catheter section 20 there is mounted an optional faceplate 41 which mounts surrounding the tube 20 and has preferably at least two sections 42 extending therefrom. Each extension 42 can have loops or other connectors 44 thereon to facilitate attachment of the faceplate strap 40 to the patient to keep it in place. Finally, in
In the exploded view,
The figures also show the substantially spherical shape of retention balloon 24. This shape is important because it seats naturally in the patient's rectum to prevent leaking around the retention balloon. The shape of the balloon is important to prevent damage to the rectal wall and to achieve optimum sealing to prevent leakage and to effectively funnel fecal matter into the proximal opening of catheter section 18. Thus, the shape needs to be substantially spherical, not elliptical or torrodial.
The size of the balloon when inflated is not only critical to prevent leakage but also to prevent migration of the new system 10 out of the rectum. The optimal size for balloon 24 for the normal adult patient is between 44 cc and 69 cc. It has been shown in the literature that a volume of 90 cc is sufficient to trigger a defecatory response and thus the retention balloon should not be sized to reach this volume. The minimum of 44 cc is critical in order to prevent leakage and outward migration from the rectum of the patient. The size of the balloon as expressed by a length to diameter ratio is 0.75 at the low end of the inflation range, 44 cc, (i.e., the balloon length is 1.35 inches and the balloon diameter would then be 1.8 inches) and 0.61 at the upper end, 69 cc (i.e., a balloon length of 1.35 inches and a balloon diameter of 2.32 inches). It is to be understood that all sizes given herein are for an average adult patient and can be adjusted proportionally for other non-average patients. The retention balloon 24 is inflated via a lumen 34, which opens into the balloon. The lumen is connected via a multi-lumen member 46 to an inflation device, such as a syringe, filled with air or saline or some other biocompatible fluid. The inflation device limits the volume of inflation medium infused to a volume that results n the inflation of the balloon to the desired range of 44 to 69 cc.
An example of a suitable material from which to form retention balloon 24, in order to achieve the desired results is silicone rubber, 30SH polydimethylsiloxane and fumed silica. Alternatively, the retention balloon material itself could limit the size if a material or structure was used that would only expand to the optimum size. An example of such material would be polyimide. An example of such a structure would be a stiff mesh impregnated into an otherwise elastic material such as silicone that would mechanically limit the retention balloon size when inflated. In turning to
Further with reference to
Catheter 22 as shown has an optional sampling/flushing port 62 (shown most clearly in
The connector assembly 66 illustrated at end 22B of catheter 22 includes a sleeve 64 spacedly along the length of catheter 22 to receive and retain the connector assembly, which attaches 22B to collection bag 60. It may be a heat-shrinkable band or other suitable retention means as desired. As shown in
System 10 catheter section 22 empties into a collection bag 60, which can be hung by the bedside to collect fecal waste matter.
Another optional feature of the new bowel management system is the provision of a faceplate which would serve as a retention mechanism to prevent internal migration of the bowel management system 10, as well as to prevent rotation of the trans-sphincter catheter section 20 of the device. Such a faceplate 41 can be mounted on the bridge section 52 as illustrated, in
Use of the New Bowel Management System:
For insertion of bowel management system 10 into a non-ambulatory patient it is preferred that the patient be in the left side down position, if possible, although other positions may be utilized if necessary due to the patient's clinical condition. The procedure for insertion is performed using recognized aseptic techniques as appropriate.
A device is selected with the appropriate trans-sphincter catheter section length, usually 4 cm for a female patient, or 6 cm for a male patient. And the rectum of the patient is examined to confirm no rectal impaction and to be sure that no lesions or strictures exist which would preclude use of the device. A 60 cc syringe is filled with 35 cc-40 cc water and a 30 cc syringe is filled with 20 cc water. The 30 cc syringe is attached to the intralumenal balloon connector and the intralumenal balloon 38 is filled with the 20 cc's of fluid.
Lubricant is applied to patient proximal end of the device including the protruding intralumenal balloon 38, the deflated retention balloon 24 and the patient's anus. Using the protruding end of the intralumenal balloon as an introducer, the patient proximal end of catheter section 18 is guided through the anus and into the distal rectum.
The 60 cc syringe is attached to the retention balloon connector 58 and the retention balloon 24 is inflated with the syringe contents (in this example, 35 cc-40 cc water). The catheter connector assembly 66 is connected to the waste collection bag connector 73 and bag 60 is positioned at bedside so that the catheter drainage tube 22 is not twisted or kinked. This allows for unobstructed fecal matter flow from the catheter 22 into bag 60.
After the catheter system is inserted into the patient's rectum and connected to the drainage bag, the 30 cc syringe is used to completely aspirate the 20 cc of water (or air) from intralumenal balloon 38. The 30 cc syringe is disconnected from the intralumenal balloon connector.
Catheter/bowel lumenal patency is confirmed by performing the following procedure:
The patient is placed in a slight head up position to promote drainage, the gravity irrigation or enteral feeding bag is filled with one liter of warm tap water and hung from an IV pole two to three feed above the height of patient's anus. The irrigation bag administration set is connected to the catheter irrigation port 54. After the caretaker verifies the connection to the correct catheter port, gravity irrigation is begun. Large stool pieces are broken up by a combination of irrigating and manual douching (i.e. constricting outflow and squeezing the drainage tube repeatedly). Irrigation is discontinued when stool pieces are no longer present in the effluent.
Irrigation of the patient's rectum can be performed using a gravity bag or by using a syringe. In the gravity bag method it is necessary to provide a waste collection bag with at least two liters of available volume. A standard gravity irrigation or enteral feeding bag with pre-attached administration set is used to infuse about a liter of warm tap water into the patient's anus at a flow rate of about one liter in six to ten minutes. The irrigation bag administration set is connected to the catheter system irrigation port and the 30 cc syringe (filled with 20 cc of fluid) is attached to the intralumenal balloon connector and the intralumenal balloon 38 is filled with the 20 cc's of fluid.
With the patient in a slight head down position the flow control valve on the irrigation bag set is opened and fluid is allowed to drain by gravity into the rectum and colon. If leakage occurs past the retention balloon during irrigation more water is injected into the retention balloon up to a maximum inflation volume of 50 cc.
The infused irrigant is permitted to remain as long as prescribed by physician. Then the 20 cc volume of fluid with which the intralumenal balloon was inflated is removed via syringe and the mixed fluid and feces are allowed to drain out of the rectum and colon. If necessary, the patient's position is modified to slight head up. Once irrigation is complete the administration set is disconnected from the catheter irrigation port. Any additional fluid that was injected into the retention balloon is removed by syringe via the retention balloon connector. If necessary the retention balloon may be completely aspirated and refilled to normal use volume (about 35 to about 40 cc).
If irrigation is performed using a syringe instead of a gravity bag preparations are similar, ensuring that sufficient space is available in the waste collection bag, and then a syringe is prepared with about 60 cc of warm tap water. A 30 cc syringe is prepared with about 20 cc of air or water and attached to the intralumenal balloon connector and the intralumenal balloon is inflated. The syringe is connected to the catheter irrigation port. With the patient in a slight head down position the irrigant is slowly injected into the rectum and colon. As with the gravity bag irrigation method, any leakage can be handled by further inflating the retention balloon. Similarly, irrigant is permitted to dwell for a prescribed time and then the fluid is aspirated from the intralumenal balloon with a syringe to allow drainage of fluid and feces out of the rectum and colon. If necessary the patient's position can be modified. Again, if extra fluid was introduced into the retention balloon it can now be released and the waste bag emptied if necessary.
The system irrigation port can be useful for administering medications or enema solutions. In this case, the port is preferably flushed first with about 10 cc to about 20 cc of water before and after administration of enema/medication solution. A syringe is filled with the desired solution to be introduced and a 30 cc syringe is filled with about 20 cc of air or water. After inflating the intralumenal balloon, the solution is injected and the catheter irrigation lumen is flushed as indicated. The syringe is then disconnected from the irrigation port and the solution is permitted to dwell for the prescribed time. The intralumenal balloon is then deflated, preferably by use of a 30 cc syringe, as previously described.
The flush/sampling port of the system can also be used to draw samples of fecal mater by use of a catheter tip syringe attached to the flush/sampling port. This can be very useful for monitoring a patient's progress and for testing purposes.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantages are attained. Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention various modifications are conceivable.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
Claims
1. A bowel management system comprising:
- a first section of the catheter having a patient proximal opening that, when in position for normal use, is in a patient's rectum to receive bowel waste,
- a second section of the catheter located distal to the first section that, when in position for normal use, can be collapsed by a patient's anal sphincter muscles;
- the first section being sufficiently pliable to permit folding for insertion into a patient's rectum but following insertion permits flow of bowel waste through the patient proximal opening;
- the second catheter section permitting passage of bowel waste from the patient and being sufficiently soft to permit retention within a patient's anal canal for extended periods of time; and
- a retainer for retaining the patient proximal opening in a position for normal use where it opens into the rectum of the patient.
2. The bowel management system of claim 1 wherein the retainer is a balloon extending outward relative to the patient proximal opening for retaining the patient proximal opening in a position for normal use to permit passage of bowel waste through the patient proximal opening.
3. The bowel management system of claim 2 wherein the balloon is attached coaxially about and exteriorly of the first catheter section.
4. The bowel management system of claim 2 wherein the balloon has an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large to retain the patient proximal opening of the first catheter section in a position for normal use where it opens into the rectum of a patient without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.
5. The bowel management system of claim 2 further including a lumened member substantially smaller in diameter than the first catheter section and having a first end in communication with the balloon and a second end connectable to a port for introduction or removal of a fluid to or from the balloon.
6. The bowel management system of claim 5 including a second lumened member substantially smaller in diameter than the first catheter section and having a first end in communication with a patient's rectum and a second end connected to an irrigation port for administering substances.
7. The bowel management system of claim 6 wherein the administered substances include at least one of a medication or an enema solution.
8. The bowel management system of claim 2 wherein the balloon has an inflated volume of about 44 cc to about 69 cc.
9. The bowel management system of claim 2 wherein the balloon has an inflated length to diameter ratio in the range of about 0.75 to about 0.61.
10. The bowel management system of claim 1 further comprising a third catheter section positioned distal to the second catheter section and coated internally with a substance to facilitate passage of bowel waste.
11. The bowel management system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first catheter section and the second catheter section includes silicone.
12. The bowel management system of claim 1 further comprising a third catheter section positioned distal to the second catheter section and coated externally with a substance to facilitate milking.
13. The bowel management system of claim 1 wherein the retainer includes a strap.
14. The bowel management system of claim 13 wherein the strap is provided on a faceplate, the faceplate being mountable to an exterior of a third catheter section positioned distal to the second catheter section.
15. The bowel management system of claim 1 and further comprising an intralumenal balloon mounted to an interior of the first catheter section.
16. A waste collection catheter having at least two sections for receiving, carrying and removing bowel waste from a patient, comprising:
- a rectal catheter section having a patient proximal opening that, when in a position for normal use, opens into a patient's rectum to receive bowel waste;
- the rectal catheter section being sufficiently pliable to permit folding longitudinally for ease of insertion into a patient's rectum while also being sufficiently stiff following insertion to maintain an open position in a patient's rectum for free flow of bowel waste through the patient proximal opening;
- a trans-sphincter catheter section distal to the rectal catheter section that can be collapsed by a patient's anal sphincter muscles when in a position for normal use;
- the trans-sphincter catheter section being sufficiently soft to be retained in a patient's anal canal for extended periods without distending a patient's anal sphincter muscles or otherwise causing discomfort and extending from internally of a patient, through the anal sphincter muscles, to externally of a patient; and
- means for retaining the patient proximal opening of the rectal catheter section in a position for normal use where it opens into a patient's rectum.
17. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 wherein the rectal catheter section and the trans-sphincter catheter section are formed of the same material.
18. The waste collection catheter of claim 17 wherein the material includes silicone.
19. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 including means for receiving, carrying and removing bowel waste from a patient, said means being associated with the trans-sphincter catheter section externally of a patient and cooperating with the retaining means for maintaining the waste collection catheter in a position for normal use.
20. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 wherein the retaining means is an inflatable balloon extending radially outwardly of the patient proximal opening for retaining the patient proximal opening in a position for normal use in an open position for flow of bowel waste through the patient proximal opening.
21. The waste collection catheter of claim 20 wherein the balloon is attached coaxially about and exteriorly of the rectal catheter section.
22. The waste collection catheter of claim 20 wherein the balloon has an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large to retain the patient proximal opening of the rectal catheter section in a position for normal use where it opens into a patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in a patient.
23. The waste collection catheter of claim 20 further including a lumened member substantially smaller in diameter than the rectal catheter section and having a first end in communication with the balloon and a second end connectable to a port for introduction or removal of a fluid to or from the balloon.
24. The waste collection catheter of claim 23 including a second lumened member substantially smaller in diameter than the rectal catheter section and having a first end in communication with a patient's rectum and a second end connected to an irrigation port for administering substances.
25. The waste collection catheter of claim 24 wherein the administered substances include at least one of a medication or an enema solution.
26. The waste collection catheter of claim 20 wherein the balloon has an inflated volume of about 44 cc to about 69 cc.
27. The waste collection catheter of claim 20 wherein the balloon has an inflated length to diameter ratio in the range of about 0.75 to about 0.61.
28. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 further comprising a third catheter section positioned in normal use distal to the trans-sphincter catheter section, coated internally with a substance to facilitate flow through of bowel waste.
29. The waste collection catheter of claim 28 wherein the third catheter section includes a connector for connection to a collection bag.
30. The waste collection catheter of claim 28 wherein the third catheter section is sufficiently soft to be milked to force fecal matter through the third catheter section to a collection bag.
31. The waste collection catheter of claim 28 wherein the retaining means is a strap provided on a faceplate mountable to an exterior of the third catheter section.
32. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 wherein at least one of the rectal catheter section and the trans-sphincteral section includes silicone.
33. The waste collection catheter of claim 16 further comprising an intralumenal balloon mounted to an interior of the rectal catheter section.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Inventors: Jae Kim (Daegu), John Minasi (Amelia Island, FL), James Schneider (Chesterfield, MO), Nick Martino (Fernandina Beach, FL), Peter von Dyck (Fernandina Beach, FL)
Application Number: 11/553,731
International Classification: A61M 1/00 (20060101);