A cover layer for a vacuum wound therapy dressing includes a backing layer formed from a flexible polymeric membrane and an adhesive layer for affixing the backing layer over a wound bed to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal around a perimeter of the wound bed. The cover layer is reinforced with a reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the backing layer to distribute forces associated with evacuating a reservoir, as defined by or within the cover, to stimulate healing of the wound bed.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a pump assembly and a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The pump assembly and the wound dressing can be fluidically connected to facilitate delivery of negative pressure to a wound via a fluid flow path. The system can be configured to efficiently deliver negative pressure and to detect and indicate presence of conditions, such as a blockage in a fluid flow path. Monitoring of the conditions can be performed by detecting a level of activity of a pump of the pump assembly.

A method and apparatus for determining gastric content volume. The internal temperature of the contents of the stomach is measured at least one predetermined time t after the patient is fed, and the gastric volume determined from the temperature. In preferred embodiments, a known volume of water at a known temperature is injected into the stomach, and the temperature of the stomach contents is measured after the stomach temperature has stabilized. An apparatus for performing the method, in which continuous measurement is possible without disturbing the patient's feeding schedule, and a method for using the inventive method in the control of an automatic feeding apparatus, are also disclosed.

A method includes inserting into a patient body a medical suction tool, which includes a hollow first tube for removing material away from a Eustachian tube of a patient, and a hollow second tube disposed around the first tube. The medical suction tool is navigated to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is sealed by coupling an outer surface of the second tube to an inner surface of the Eustachian tube. While the Eustachian tube is sealed by the second tube, the material is removed away from the Eustachian tube via the first tube.

A skin-safe effluent containment system that may be used to contain fluid leakage from openings in the body of a patient and will adhere to skin in any condition: healthy or injured, wet or dry, smooth, scarred, or uneven. Fluid leakage can occur from natural orifices such as the anus and vagina, spontaneously formed enteric fistulas, rectovaginal fistulas, and surgical openings such as ileostomy and colostomy stomas. The system includes a vacuum-adherent pouch device, comprised of a pouch connected to a porous foam ring which has an air-permeable contact layer on its bottom surface and an air seal on its top surface. The inner and outer perimeters of the foam ring are enclosed and sealed with skin-adhesive materials. When placed on the patient, negative pressure (vacuum) is applied to the foam ring so that the foam collapses and compresses the vacuum-adherent pouch device down against the patient's skin. Negative pressure in combination with the adhesive materials on the perimeters of the foam ring forms a fluid barrier around the opening in the body of the patient so that leakage can be directed into the pouch and drawn away to a separate effluent container.

A nasal aspirator capable of effectively preventing backflow and a control method thereof are disclosed. The nasal aspirator includes a casing, a control board, a lower suction nozzle, an upper suction nozzle, a liquid storage cup, and an air pump unit. The control board is disposed in the casing. The lower suction nozzle is disposed on an upper end of the casing. The lower suction nozzle has a chamber and a suction passageway therein. The chamber has an opening facing upward. An upper end of the suction passageway communicates with the chamber. A detection system for detecting a liquid is provided in the chamber. The detection system is connected to the control board.

A thrombectomy system may include an elongate shaft that defines a high pressure lumen and a low pressure lumen. The high pressure lumen may terminate near an end of the low pressure lumen. An expandable capture basket may be disposed near the end of the low pressure lumen. A thrombectomy apparatus may include an elongate shaft, an evacuation lumen extending within the elongate shaft and a high pressure lumen extending within the elongate shaft. A capture apparatus may be disposed within a wire lumen that extends within the elongate shaft such that the capture apparatus extends distally from the wire lumen.

The present invention relates to a device for the extraction of body fluid by suction, comprising a pump (2) with a pump housing (4) that comprises a suction opening (31), a container (6) with a container housing (8) that surrounds a reservoir (10) for storing the extracted body fluid and comprises an interface (84) in a container housing wall (82) for the communication between the suction opening (31) and the reservoir (10), a suction line port (74) that is connectable to a suction line (6) for the extraction of body fluid by suction, which is provided with a cover element covering the coupling device to improve the cleanliness and/or for the formation of functional surfaces for securing the suction line and/or releasing the coupling device.

Disclosed embodiments may relate to a fluid bridge configured to facilitate negative -pressure therapy when used in a vertical orientation and/or under compression, and to systems and methods related thereto. In some embodiments, the fluid bridge may comprise an open-cell foam support manifold within an envelope. The support manifold may be configured to reduce negative-pressure drop across the length of the fluid bridge and/or to maintain therapeutic levels of negative pressure, for example despite vertical orientation and/or use under a compression garment.

The present invention relates to a scalp cupping device, an electronic cupping device system having same, and a use method therefor. The scalp cupping device, according to the present invention, for discharging body waste by using a negative-pressure load obtaining suction force from the removal of the inner air thereof can comprise: a negative pressure-controlling main cup having a negative pressure adjustment means provided at the upper side thereof so as to apply a negative-pressure load to the inside thereof; and a body contact auxiliary cup which is inserted into and coupled to the opened lower portion of the main cup, and which has, on the circumference of the bottom opening thereof, a contact portion for coming in contact with the body.