Abstract: An improved percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube that allows continuous suctioning/sumping without occlusion of the tube by the gastric wall. The PEG tube includes a hollow drainage tubing coupled to a ventilated bell cap. The bell cap can be open or closed to the external environment is ventilated via apertures, crenellations and grooves, and hemispherical arches. The PEG tube minimizes, or completely eliminates, the need for a user thereof to frequently flush the tube, thus also curtailing intermittent suctioning and allowing for longer periods of uninterrupted drainage. Furthermore, the PEG tubes of the current invention reduce clogging of the tube by larger gastric matter that is intended to be suctioned out of the patient or subject.

Abstract: An extension tube for a urinary catheter comprises a tubular body with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an internal lumen extending between the inlet opening and the opening. The tubular body comprising at least a first layer, which first layer includes natural and/or regenerated cellulose fibers, and preferably to a large extent, such as at least 40 wt %. The tubular body is further arranged to be compressible into a compacted, preferably generally flat, storage state, and to be expandable into an expanded, tubular use state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer needle comprising a body portion with a cylindrical cross-section and a tip portion in extension to the body portion. The tip portion of the needle forms at least two converging surfaces defining an edge. The needle forms a plurality of conduits arranged about a central solid core. The conduits and the core extend from the body portion into the tip portion such that each conduit terminates in one of the tip surfaces and the solid core forms the tip. The invention further relates to an apparatus for cleaving a polymer fibre at elevated temperatures. The polymer needle is prepared by this cleaving apparatus. The cleaving apparatus comprises a holding means for holding the fibre, a guide for guiding the movement of a cleaving knife, and a cleaving knife forming a cutting face of V-shape.

Abstract: An IV catheter system may have a catheter component and a needle component. The catheter component may have a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a push feature extending outward from the catheter hub. The push feature may have an outer surface that receives contact from a digit to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration, in which the needle is within the cannula, to a fluid delivery configuration, in which the needle is outside the catheter hub. The needle component may have a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis. The push feature may be formed of a flexible material that causes the push feature, in response to pressure exerted on the outer surface by a dressing securing the catheter component to a patient, to deflect the outer surface toward the cannula axis.

Abstract: A toilet shield comprises a tube, a first arm, a second arm, and a raised collar. The first arm is coupled to a first side edge of a lumen of the tube. The second arm is coupled to a second side edge of the lumen of the tube. The tube is configured such that the lumen of the tube opens in response to the first arm and the second arm being extended in generally opposite directions. The raised collar is disposed between and rises above the first arm and the second arm and is configured to deflect liquid feces expelled from a defecating human toward a rear portion of a toilet. An expandable pleat is disposed on each side of the raised collar.

Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly includes a housing member, an outer lumen member extending from the housing member, and a needle member having a needle slidably or movably coupled to the housing member, wherein the needle can be extended beyond the outer lumen. Once a flash of blood is confirmed the needle member is uncoupled from the housing member and removed from within the patent's vein or artery. An inner lumen member having an elongated member housing an inner lumen is then connected to the housing member. The integrated catheter assembly therefore receives and delivers blood through a single injection site.

Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly includes a housing member, an outer lumen member extending from the housing member, and a needle member slidably or movably coupled to the housing member, wherein the needle member can be extended beyond a first port of the outer lumen member in a first position and concealed in the outer lumen member in a second position. The outer lumen member has a side port between its first and second ports such that when the needle is extended in the first position and inserted into an arteriovenous fistula, blood from the arteriovenous fistula flashes into the needle member, is diverted through a relief port of the needle member out the side port of the outer lumen member for delivery to a dialysis machine. The assembly further includes an inner lumen member that is disposable through the housing member to extend out from the same the outer lumen member to provide dialyzed blood from the machine. The assembly therefore receives and delivers blood through a single injection site.