Abstract:
An antimicrobial lubricant combines an antimicrobial agent, preferably silver based, with a silicone lubricant. This is achieved by first formulating a lubricant solution that has a non-volatile silicone lubricant and a volatile solvent carrier. An antimicrobial agent is added to the lubricant solution. The solution is then subjected to ultrasonic energy so that the antimicrobial agent is uniformly mixed with the lubricant in the solution. The solution containing the antimicrobial lubricant may be sprayed onto a medical device, for example the outer surface of the catheter of a peripheral IV catheter. After the solvent flashes off, a coat of uniform antimicrobial lubricant is formed on the catheter surface. The antimicrobial lubricant coating facilitates the insertion of the catheter to a patient, and at the same time prevents the growth of microorganisms from the device and infection to the patient.
Abstract:
An underbody convective warming blanket that may be used by a pediatric or neonate patient includes a head portion configured with multiple substantially U-shaped channels each having a plurality of adjacent rows of apertures that circumscribe the head of the patient positioned on the blanket. The adjacent rows of apertures are configured on the upper layer of the blanket so as to be positioned at an orientation or angle relative to the base plane of the blanket or the head of the patient such that those apertures would substantially face the head of the patient when the blanket is inflated, so that the heated air output from the apertures is directed substantially towards the head of the patient to thereby effect an invisible dome of heated air that envelopes the head of the patient.
Abstract:
Embodiments relate to systems, methods and devices for delivering a drug or other therapy to a patient with an ambulatory infusion pump configured to provide a series of tolerance-building steps leading up to a plateau delivery rate. The plateau delivery rate is maintained until the prescribed amount of drug or therapy fluid is delivered to the patient. Embodiments of the invention include providing the patient or other user with a mechanism to decrease, or step down, the therapy delivery rate if a tolerance was not achieved at a lower rate, and providing notifications prior to a step up in a dosage delivery rate.
Abstract:
A device for inserting a needle used to introduce a cannula can include a housing (10) including a closed end, an open end, and an arm (206) including a tab (200) extending from the open end, and a sleeve (15) configured to be placed against the patient's skin, the sleeve defining a slot (210) extending along a length of the sleeve, and a barb (212) positioned adjacent to an end of the slot. The slot is sized to receive at least a portion of the arm and the tab of the housing so that the arm and the tab of the housing slides within the slot as the housing is moved relative to the sleeve, and the barb is positioned to engage the tab of the housing to limit movement of the housing relative to the sleeve. The device can also include a threaded portion of the housing extending towards the closed end of the housing.
Abstract:
A pump module for use in a medical fluid dispensing system is provided that includes a pump body (50) and first (62a) and second (62b) pump chambers formed in the pump body (50). The module further includes a pair of chamber inlets (68, 68) and chamber outlets formed in the pump body (50), each associated with one of the pump chambers (62a, 62b). Each of the pump chambers (62a, 62b) further includes a first portion (72) having a generally spherical segment shape and a second portion (74) integral with the first portion and having a generally conical shape, with the first and second portions in fluid communication with the chamber inlet (68) and the chamber outlet. The second, conically shaped portion (74) converges to the chamber outlet.
Abstract:
Each leg of a U tube blanket is configured to have at least one row of holes extending substantially along the length thereof. The size of the holes is incrementally increased from the proximal portion that is closest to the air inlet cross section of the blanket where heated air is input to the blanket for inflating the same to the distal portion of the legs of the blanket. For an embodiment of the inventive blanket, the plurality of vent holes along each leg of the blanket are grouped into a number of sections, for illustration purposes three, with the vent holes in each section having the same dimension.
Abstract:
A blunt cannula (10) includes a distal portion (12) and a proximal portion (14). The distal portion (14) has a non-uniform taper defined by a plurality, such as four, differently tapered segments (22, 24, 26, 28). The proximal portion (12) may additionally or alternatively have a non-circular, such as oval, cross-section. At least the major diameter (DMAJ) of the proximal portion (12) may taper toward the distal portion (14).
Abstract:
A system and method for optical spectroscopic measurements is described. One embodiment includes a measurement head for optical spectroscopic measurements, the measurement head comprising an illumination source configured to illuminate a sample, a collection optic configured to view the sample, and an internal reference, wherein the internal reference can be illuminated by the illumination source and viewed by the collection optic.
Abstract:
An adapter that bridges the connecting ends of a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud. Sufficient friction is provided between the core and the housing shroud to enable the medication providing device to be readily coupled to the core. Once the medication providing device is coupled to the core, and therefore the adapter, additional rotational movement, in either direction, of the medication providing device would only cause the core to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud, thereby preventing the medication providing device such as a syringe from being removed from the adapter. The inner shroud has a catch mechanism that enables it to mate readily with a connector, if the connector is rotated in one direction. The catch mechanism is designed such that once the connector is fully mated to the inner shroud, further rotational movement along the coupling direction would cause the inner shroud to rotate freely relative to the housing shroud. The catch mechanism is further configured to allow the connector to be removed if it were to be turned in a counter rotational direction. The connecting portion of the inner shroud is configured to accept a complementary connector. The connecting portion of the core likewise is configured to accept a complementary connector of the medication providing device to ensure that a proper medication conveying path is established between the medication providing device and the connector, and therefore the patient.
Abstract:
The present invention safety device is a one-piece needle assembly that has a base and a housing pivotally connected to the base. At the base there is formed longitudinally along its distal portion a catch mechanism that may be in the form of an anchor projection. At the back wall of the housing there is extended another catch mechanism that may be configured in the form of two clasping fingers. Also providing in the housing is an integral hook. As the housing and the base are pivoted relative to each other, and as the needle makes contact with the hook, the respective catch mechanisms at the base and the housing also make contact with each other, resulting in the coupling of the catch mechanisms and the coupling of the needle to the hook.