Abstract: Compositions and methods for assessing gut function are disclosed. They are designed to provide accurate, rapid, point-of-care or in-community assessment of enteric dysfunction.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides novel ligands, which may be used to make novel MRI contrast agents for the detection of zinc. In further aspects, by the present disclosure also provides methods of using as imaging agents and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods for preparing phospholipid formulations including phospholipid UCA formulations.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a physiologically acceptable visualisable contrast medium for the diagnosis of patency of conduits and method of its preparation comprising of an active ingredient comprising of a local anesthetic, whereby the active ingredient incorporated is 2% weight by weight of lidocaine hydrochloride; a sterile mixture comprising of sodium chloride and water, whereby the strength of the sodium chloride incorporated is 0.9% weight by volume in a solution of water.

Abstract: The present invention refers to cells from a subpopulation of progenitors of endothelial cells loaded with gold nanoparticles sensitive to excitation with infrared radiation with consequent release of thermal energy, to a composition having a plurality of these cells and to their use in the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumours thanks to the selective localization of the composition in the tumour mass, which can be thus identified easily for diagnostic purposes by marking the cells with appropriate marking agents, or treated by stimulation with pulsed laser beam up to the complete cauterization of the tumour mass for a targeted and highly effective therapeutic action.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus is disclosed. A sterilizing apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: a cover main body unit having an accommodation space formed therein so as to accommodate a device to be sterilized, wherein the accommodation space is open toward a bottom surface on which the device to be sterilized is disposed; an ultraviolet light emitting diode provided on a surface facing the bottom surface of the cover main body unit, and turned on so as to emit ultraviolet rays toward the accommodation space; a power supply unit for supplying power to the ultraviolet light emitting diode so as to turn on the ultraviolet light emitting diode; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the power supply unit.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma comprises the steps of positioning the object in a sterilization chamber, and conditioning the object present in the chamber. The step of conditioning includes a first stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which a first concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed, a suction stage performed after the first injection stage, during which the chamber is evacuated, and a second stage of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber that is performed after the suction stage, during which a second concentration of atomic nitrogen is imposed in the chamber. The method further comprises a sterilization step of sterilizing the object, performed after the conditioning, and includes injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber, during which step a concentration of atomic nitrogen in the chamber is imposed that is greater than the first and second concentrations.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object with atomic nitrogen from a nitrogen plasma includes the steps of placing the object in a sterilization chamber and a sterilization half-cycle for sterilizing the object present in the chamber. The sterilization half-cycle comprises an alternation between stages of injecting atomic nitrogen into the chamber and of intermediate stages, each intermediate stage including at least one suction stage during which the chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A device for reconstituting a filter and/or a filter-containing consumable for use in breath monitoring, the device including a connector socket that may receive and/or mate with the filter or filter-containing consumable, a pump that may pump ambient air into a chamber of the device, an inlet that may allow flow of oxygen into the chamber, a UV source that may catalyze the formation of ozone from the oxygen, thereby obtaining ozone enriching air in the chamber, and an outlet that may eject the ozone enriched air, from the chamber, into the filter, thereby reconstituting the filter and/or the filter-containing consumable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to disinfection and, more particularly, to methods, devices, and systems for disinfection of a space. In one embodiment, the invention provides a disinfecting system comprising: a disinfecting composition; and a device for producing a fog of the disinfecting composition, the fog comprising liquid droplets having diameters between about 0.5 micron and about 20 microns. In some embodiments, the invention includes a dehumidifying device for removing the fog of the disinfecting composition from the space.

Abstract: Submersible devices for disinfecting liquid. The device includes a cap having a hollow cylindrical body and a heat sink that is disposed inside the cap, detachably secured to the cap and includes a cavity therein. The device further includes a light source package disposed inside the cavity of the heat sink and configured to generate disinfecting light; a window disposed on the heat sink and formed of material that passes through the disinfecting light generated by the light source package; a flange nut disposed outside the cap and detachably secured to the cap; and a sealing mechanism for preventing liquid from leaking into the cavity. The heat sink is configured to transfer the heat energy generated by the light source package to the cap and flange nut.

Abstract: Disinfection apparatus having submersible disinfection devices for disinfecting fluid. The disinfection apparatus includes: a pipe having one or more linear segments; one or more disinfection devices installed on the pipe, each of the one or more disinfection devices generating light for disinfecting fluid in a linear segment of the pipe; and a controller electrically coupled to the one or more disinfection devices and controlling the one or more disinfection devices. Another embodiment of the disinfecting apparatus includes; side and bottom walls and a lid that define an enclosed chamber; an inlet and outlet for communicating fluid to the enclosed chamber; a plurality of disinfection devices disposed on the side wall, each of the plurality of disinfection devices generating light for disinfecting fluid inside the enclosed chamber; and a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of disinfection devices and controlling the plurality of disinfection devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing air pollutants from the air is described. The apparatus contains a fan module and a chamber that can hold either activated carbon or a gel that reacts with air pollutants from air.

Abstract: A fragrance dispenser for emitting fragrance into an airstream impinging on an air filter, the dispenser having a receptacle with an open end that faces toward the air filter and that has a porous diffuser layer occlusively overlying the open end of the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid preparation for soft contact lenses, particularly hydrogel contact lenses or silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The liquid preparation for contact lenses according to the present invention contains a hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid derivative having a monoether of a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 6 or more and 20 or less carbon atoms and glycerol in a side chain. The liquid preparation for soft contact lenses according to the present invention may contain at least one cationic bactericide selected from the group consisting of an alexidine salt, a chlorhexidine salt, a polyhexamethylene biguanide salt and a quaternary ammonium salt. The liquid preparation for soft contact lenses according to the present invention is capable of suppressing adsorption of a cationic bactericide to soft contact lenses, and suppressing occurrence of corneal staining in a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which has a low affinity with respect to latex gloves, comprising a hydrophobic matrix, characterized in that said hydrophobic matrix comprises: for 100 parts by weight of a mixture P of 2 styrene-saturated olefin-styrene triblock copolymers, a first which has a viscosity of between 0.01 and 1 Pa·s as measured in a 5% (weight/weight) solution in toluene and a second which has a viscosity of between 0.01 and 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to foam. In particular, the present invention relates to profiled foams and processes for profiling absorbent foam products. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes for producing a profiled absorbent polyurethane foam product, comprising the steps of foaming, curing, profiling and drying, wherein profiling occurs before drying; and absorbent aliphatic polyurethane foam products having at least one profiled surface.

Abstract: Small-diameter suture materials and suture coating materials made from the twisting or braiding of biocompatible polymeric fibers have been developed, which support drug delivery and maintain a high tensile strength. The fibers entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month. While monofilament fibers lose tensile strength with the inclusion of active agents, twisting the drug-loaded, multifilament fibers allows for an increase in the tensile strength for the overall composites, while still retaining a small diameter. The methods of making these materials and using them for ocular surgery and vasculature repair have also been developed.

Abstract: A medical hydrogel composition, a medical hydrogel, a preparation method therefore and an application thereof, and a medical hydrogel kit. The medical hydrogel composition comprises a first component and a second component; the first component comprises polylysine and polyethylene imine; the second component comprises one or more of 4-arm-polyethylene glycol-succinimidyl glutarate, 4-arm-polyethylene glycol-succinimidyl succinate, and 4-arm-polyethylene glycol-succinimidyl carbonate; the degree of polymerization of the polylysine is 20 or more. The medical hydrogel is formed by reacting the first component with the second component of the medical hydrogel composition. The medical hydrogel kit comprises the medical hydrogel composition and a buffer solution used for dissolving the components of the medical hydrogel composition. The medical hydrogel has a degree of swelling of ?10%-50%, and can be applied in narrow parts where cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerves are densely distributed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of filling different two-kinds of multiple inks into an ink extruding member for a three-dimensional print and a method of three-dimensional printing using the filled ink, and relates to a three-dimensional printing method using multiple inks comprising a step of applying pressure to the retained multiple inks and extruding it into a single extruding port of the extruding part to prepare an ink extruded product and printing the ink extruded product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable device configured to deliver, to an injured bone site, components for revascularisation and bone repair, the device comprising: a first osteoconductive scaffold component adapted to hold and deliver to the injured bone site, growth factors for inducing cellular events that initiate healing; and comprising a second osteoconductive scaffold component adapted to hold and deliver to the injured bone site, viable autologous osteogenic and/or angiogenic cells, and wherein the device also comprises a third scaffold component adapted to promote bone cell proliferation and vascularity, whereby the scaffold components provide a stable mechanical environment for promoting bone cell proliferation and vascularity. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacture of the implantable device.

Abstract: A bioinductive patch includes a patch body and a button. The patch body has an inner space. The button is disposed in the inner space of the patch body. A method for manufacturing a bioinductive patch includes step in which a patch body having an inner space is provided. The method continues with step in which a button is disposed in the inner space of the patch body.

Abstract: A scaffold comprising electrospun decellularized ECM of an organ, wherein the decellularized ECM has a similar protein composition to native ECM of the organ, Methods of generating same are also disclosed as well as uses of same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are contractile cell constructs, methods for using them to treat disease, and methods for making them.

Abstract: Provided are tri-component matrices having collagen, hyaluronan, and chondroitin sulfate. Also provided are processes for producing a tri-component matrix. Additionally, provided are processes for providing cells capable of producing cartilage to a bone or cartilage defects.

Abstract: A bioinductive patch includes a patch body and a button. The patch body has an inner space. The button is disposed in the inner space of the patch body. A method for manufacturing a bioinductive patch includes step in which a patch body having an inner space is provided. The method continues with step in which a button is disposed in the inner space of the patch body.

Abstract: A thick three-dimensional culture skin sheet is provided. The invention provides a three-dimensional culture skin sheet comprising at least epidermal cells and having concavoconvexities in at least one portion of the base section. The invention further provides a cell culturing vessel to be used for production of the three-dimensional culture skin sheet, having on at least one portion of the culture surface a porous film comprising convex sections for formation of concavoconvexities in the base section of the three-dimensional culture skin sheet. The invention still further provides a method for preparing a three-dimensional culture skin sheet using the cell culturing vessel.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene tube is provided and has a thickness of 0.1 mm or less, a tensile elongation at break of 350% or more, and a melting energy of 0.6 J/g or more which is calculated from an endothermic peak at 370° C.±5° C. in a procedure of increasing a temperature in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: Methods are provided to produce optimal fractionations of charged keratins that have superior biomedical activity. Also provided are medical implants coated with these keratin preparations. Further provided are methods of treating blood coagulation in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method of cosmetic or biomedical application of a device, comprising a self-contained syringe device comprising an inner syringe included within an outer syringe and wherein a filter is attached inside the outer syringe barrel; wherein the filter comprises a filter material that prevents premature filter collapse where the filter material is optionally coated to increase stiffness, and wherein liposuctioned adipose tissue is collected and purified inside the syringes.

Abstract: An illumination element such as an optical waveguide for illuminating a surgical field in a patient has a light input section, a light transmitting section, and a light output section. The light input section is optically coupled to a proximal section of the light transmitting section and inputs light into the illumination element. The light transmitting section transmits the light preferably by total internal reflection or by other transmission means. The light output section is adjacent a distal section of the light transmitting section which has a light extraction area from which the light exits with an energy density. The light extraction area is large enough to maintain the energy density at a level that prevents melting of the illumination element or burning of the patient, and the light extraction area has a profile that does not interfere with access to the surgical field.

Abstract: Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a driving circuit that supplies a driving signal to a negative pressure source to cause the negative pressure source to provide negative pressure via a fluid flow path to a wound dressing. The apparatus furthers include a controller that adjusts a frequency of the driving signal supplied by the driving circuit according to a comparison of a previous magnitude and a subsequent magnitude of the driving signal while the negative pressure source provides negative pressure. The transfer of power to the negative pressure source can thereby be tuned to maximize an amount of power transferred to the negative pressure source.

Abstract: A system and method for a diaphragm-based fluidics aspiration system is disclosed. The aspiration system includes a waste reservoir configured to hold a vacuum pressure; an aspiration connection; a vacuum pinch valve including a first outlet fluidically coupled to the waste reservoir; a second outlet fluidically coupled to the aspiration connection; a fluid channel; and an actuator configured to alter a cross-sectional area of the fluid channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a wound dressing connected to a fluid container via a pump, wherein the wound dressing is in communication with a mechanical pressure control valve, the fluid container is provided with an inlet and an outlet. Also provided are ( ) flexible fluid containers comprising of at least two layers of film with an integrated vent, (ii) wound dressings and (i) a multi-compartment wound fluid container comprising at least two internal compartments and provided with an outlet and an inlet, in which the container comprises a microporous fluid separator which divides the at least two internal compartments, wherein the microporous fluid separator permits gas flow between the compartments and prevents fluid flow to the outlet of the container. Other apparatus provided comprises a means for detecting the level of fluid within a multi-compartment wound fluid container as described.

Abstract: Fluid management in surgical procedures. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: pumping surgical fluid through a tube to a surgical site by a fluid controller operating in a first mode, the first mode comprising a first relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, and the first mode comprising a first set of proportional, integral, and differential (PID) parameters; and then pumping surgical fluid through the tube to the surgical site with the fluid controller operating in a second mode, the second mode comprising a second relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, the second relationship different than the first relationship, and the second mode comprising a second set of PID parameters used, the second set of PID parameters different than the first set of PID parameters.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation between a first body space and a second body space in a patient, such as to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Apparatus to collect and mix a hematic fluid, comprising a main body, on which at least one tray is positioned, able to receive and support at least a sac connected fluidically to a hematic fluid transfer tube, and at least a user interface to input and display data; the user interface is associated with the main body by means of removable connection means configured to allow the user interface to be disposed in a plurality of different positions with respect to the main body of the apparatus, so that the apparatus can assume different operating configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple bag system for fractionating blood, the system including a fluid collecting bag including at least one outlet port; at least first and second sampling bags, each including at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; and a unit for transferring fluid from the fluid collecting bag to the sampling bags; wherein the unit for transferring fluid includes an acoustic sorter. Also disclosed is a method for fractionating blood into blood products.

Abstract: A manual breast pump includes: a body having a communicating part that communicates with space surrounded by a hood placed on a breast; a diaphragm that deforms to generate a negative pressure in the communicating part; and a handle for operation that approaches and separates from the body, wherein a colliding part, against which at least the handle and the body collide before directly contacting each other, is provided in at least a region of any of the handle, the body, and the diaphragm, the colliding part is integrally made of a same material as a material of a region in which the colliding part is arranged, and has a damper structure that absorbs an impulsive force or reduces propagation of the impulsive force and/or a cover structure in which the colliding part is covered via a gap so as not to be exposed to an outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical treatment apparatus comprising a tube set 20, a peristaltic pump 6 for conveying fluid, and a monitoring apparatus 15 for monitoring the occlusion of the positive displacement elements 13A, 13B of the peristaltic pump. In addition, the invention relates to a tube set 20 for a medical treatment apparatus, and to a method for monitoring the occlusion of the occlusion elements of a peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid for a medical treatment apparatus. The invention is based on the fact that the occlusion of the positive displacement elements 13A, 13B of the peristaltic pump 6 is monitored in order to monitor the fluid flow in the hose line 5.

Abstract: Cannula assemblies and methods of manufacturing cannula assemblies are provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pigtail extension coupled to the cannula. The pigtail extension includes a proximal section having a first stiffness and a distal section having a second stiffness, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness. The proximal section of the pigtail extension is positioned between the cannula and at least a portion of the distal section.

Abstract: An artificial heart for use in a human recipient includes a housing within which a quartet of turbine pump segments are operative. The quartet of turbine pump segments is configured to provide a pair of redundant input and output turbine pump segment pairs each input and output pair being coupled by a curved passage providing a redundancy which, in turn, enhances the safety factor provided by the artificial heart. Each turbine pump segment includes an impeller forwarded for rotation and having a plurality of impeller blades together with a static deswirler positioned within the impeller output flow to reduce the swirling turbulence of the blood flow induced by the rotating impeller.

Abstract: Devices for moving blood within a patient, and methods of doing so. The devices can include a pump portion that includes an impeller and a housing around the impeller, as well as a fluid lumen. The impeller can be activated to cause rotation of the impeller and thereby move fluid within the fluid lumen.

Abstract: A method of assisting a heart for the operation of a ventricular assist device comprising the steps of implanting a cannula to the heart and deploying a stent within a left ventricle, a right ventricle, a left atrium, or a right atrium of the heart. The stent may be transferable from a first compact configuration to a second open configuration to facilitate implantation. The stent may also have a flared distal end to assist with alignment, positioning, and prevent outgrowth.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device for use in a human recipient includes a housing within which a series pair of turbine pump segments, each having a deswirler, are operative. The series pair of turbine pump segments provides a redundancy which in turn enhances the safety factor provided by the ventricular assist device.

Abstract: An organ restraint device includes a first end portion including a fluid inlet channel, a second end portion including a fluid outlet channel, a medial body portion coupled between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: A drip chamber is provided that includes a hollow body and a nucleation column extending into the interior of the hollow body. The nucleation column can be formed with, or treated by a treatment to include, microfeatures or other surface properties that provide nucleation sites for the nucleation and amalgamation of microbubbles. The drip chamber can include a bubble catcher in the bottom of the hollow body and the nucleation column can extend from the bubble catcher into the interior of the hollow body. Methods of making such drip chambers are also provided.

Abstract: A deaerating device set allows a priming circuit to be deaerated fully automatically using a deaerating unit and a priming control unit, a priming liquid container and preferably a priming pump or a priming compressor. A blood pump is operated in a pulsatile manner during the pumping of a priming fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood treatment machine having a control, having a pump actuator for pumping blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit which comprises an arterial line and a venous line, and having a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the venous line, wherein the control has a detection function for detecting a venous needle disconnect which compares a value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line with a limit value to recognize a venous needle disconnect, wherein the limit value with which the detection function compares the value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line can be set variably and/or is set variably by the control.