Avent, Inc.

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Adrienne A Hershey

Donald J McMichael

Edward B Madsen

Joseph A Cesa

Scott M Teixeira

John Anthony Rotella

Brian Joseph Cuevas

Stephen Avedis Baratian

Michael Z Sleva

Alison Salyer Bagwell

Andrew Thomas Baker

Stephanie Michelle Martin

Juan P Aragon

Barry P Markwick

Kok-Ming Tai

Teuta Elshani, Iii

Benone Tarcau

Jonathan Hofmekler

Jennifer S Stadelman

James M Takeuchi

Cindy Korir-Morrison

Carl Aronson

Lisa A Dagnatchew

Mike Sleva

Gerry Arambula

Amy G Williams

Donald J Mcmichael

Stephen A Baratian

James V Fisher

Bobby D Jones

John Brewer

Jr F Anthony Headley

A subglottic suctioning system with a tracheal tube having a ventilation lumen, a cuff inflation lumen, and a suction lumen are disclosed which may help reduce the incidence of ventilator associated (or acquired) pneumonia. The suction lumen communicates with the space in the trachea above the cuff where secretions accumulate. The suction lumen has a valve on the proximal end for connection to a source of vacuum. The valve is adapted to interrupt the supply of vacuum to the suction lumen to allow for the introduction of a rinsing fluid in its place and to automatically re-establish the connection to the source of vacuum upon completion of rinsing. The rinsing fluid aids in maintaining an open suction lumen and may include medicaments and mucolytic agents to enhance or promote healing or to alter the properties of the mucus to make removal easier. The user may easily and repeatedly alternate suction and rinsing fluid through the suction lumen, i.e., the user may 'pulse' the line to loosen, break up and remove secretions and deposits that may partially or completely block or clog the suction lumen.

Subglottic suctioning system

A catheter assembly incorporating a pre-biased indicator, the assembly includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. The assembly further includes a base located at the proximal end of the catheter, the base defining an opening to the catheter lumen, the base having a first end and a second end. An inflatable balloon having a predetermined fill volume is located at a distal end of the catheter. An inflation valve is located on the base; the inflation valve is in fluid communication with the balloon through an inflation lumen defined by the catheter walls. The pre-biased indicator located on the base in fluid communication with the balloon is configured to provide a discrete visual signal that the pressure of a fluid in the balloon is different from a predetermined level of pressure or the volume of the balloon is different from the predetermined fill volume.

Enteral feeding catheter assembly incorporating an indicator

A product display system () suitable for positioning different packaged products for use in a single location, the product display system () including at least two trays () that are connected to each other by at least one bracket (), further including a messaging panel () which is inserted into either a tray () or a bracket ().

Product display for multiple product configurations

There is provided a system having a sputum trap or container that is used to transfer a portion of a sample to a sample slide. The container has a body with a top and bottom. The bottom is adapted to accept the sample slide. The bottom also has a one way valve to allow transfer of a portion of the sample to the sample slide upon manipulation of the body by a user. In certain embodiments, the body may be manipulated by squeezing it or by pushing down on the top. The bottom of the container is adapted to receive the sample slide so that the sample can be transferred to it.

Sputum trap

There is provided a lateral flow assay that can provide an indication of Gram negative (GN) or Gram positive (GP) infection (or both) within 30 minutes, and desirably in less than 15 minutes. The immediate result would signal the presence of Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, or no bacteria detected. The detection level would be above a specific bacterial concentration threshold that is clinically significant infection source (e.g. 10^3 cfu/ml) versus the presence of a colonizing bacteria that is not a part of the active infection.

Rapid identification of organisms in bodily fluids

Ergonomic bodily fluid collection container

There is provided a device for sampling bodily fluids. Some embodiments have a handle, a lumen, and a diverter valve. The distal end of the handle is adapted to connect with a sampling device and is in fluid communication with the lumen. There is a vacuum connection on the proximal end of the handle that is also in fluid communication with the lumen. A suction valve may desirably be located in the lumen to control the application of vacuum from the vacuum connection to the sampling device. The diverter valve directs the flow through the lumen such that a sample from the patient goes into a sputum trap when the trap is connected. The device may further have a saline port in fluid communication with the lumen, located distal to the suction valve, for rinsing the tube and diluting secretions.

System and method for sampling device for bodily fluids

There is provided a venting system for enteral feeding having a reflux bag in fluid communication with an enteral feeding site on a patient. The bag has a vent that relieves enteral pressure from the patient and is located within a bellows that compresses the reflux bag after the vent relieves. The system does not rely on gravity to urge the liquid in the reflux bag back to the patient so it may be used by sleeping patients who change positions. It may also be placed in a backpack so that the patient may be freed from having to remain seated or prone for long periods of time and can instead lead a more normal lifestyle.

Ambulatory enteral feeding system

A balloon catheter device includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. An inflatable balloon is located at a distal end of the catheter and is inflated through an inflation valve located on a base. An internal cavity is defined in the base and is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon. A translucent window is disposed over the internal cavity such that an interior volume of the cavity is externally viewable. Introduction of a colored fluid through the inflation valve to inflate the balloon results in the colored fluid also being present in the internal cavity, thereby providing an externally visual indication of the inflation state of the balloon.

Enteral feeding catheter device with an indicator

A balloon catheter device, for example an enteral feeding catheter, includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. A base is located at the proximal end of the catheter and has an opening to the catheter lumen. An inflatable balloon is located at a distal end of the catheter and is inflated through an inflation valve located on the base. An internal cavity is defined in the base and is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon such that fluid used to inflate the balloon to an operational fill volume fills the internal cavity as well. A translucent window is disposed over the internal cavity such that an interior volume of the cavity is externally viewable. Introduction of a colored fluid through the inflation valve to inflate the balloon results in the colored fluid also being present in the internal cavity, thereby providing an externally visual indication of the inflation state of the balloon.

A suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at a distal end thereof, and a proximal end that is connectable to a suction source. A collar is slidable along the suction tube from a retracted position to a deployed position. A sleeve is provided having a proximal end fixed relative to the proximal end of the suction tube, and a distal end configured with the collar so as to move therewith and cover the suction tube in the deployed position of the collar. A wiper seal is contained within collar in sliding frictional engagement around the suction tube.

Yankauer suction device with sleeve and wiper

Growing community of inventors

Cumming, GA, United States of America

Adrienne A Hershey