A material engagement element sheet formed from a sheet material (10) incorporates a pattern of material engagement element slots (14), each slot containing an array of material engagement elements (20) which have a tapered distal section (30), a flange section (34) and a proximal section (32) which is attached to an edge of the slots in the sheet material. The material engagement element sheet material may be a single layer of shape memory material, or the sheet material may be a composite of different layers some of which may include pre-strained shape memory materials with distinguishable activation parameters. The material engagement element slot configuration allows for the simultaneous processing of the material engagement elements. The material engagement elements may be processed such that they are in a state that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the material engagement element sheet. The configuration of the flexible base material and the pattern of the material engagement element slots may be used in order to manufacture various material engagement element devices including a material engagement element pad device (166), a cylindrical material engagement element device (104, 105), and a spherical material engagement element device (152).

A surgical portal apparatus includes a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end that extends along a longitudinal axis, and a surgical tape. The sleeve includes an inner wall defining an internal longitudinal passageway dimensioned for permitting passage of a surgical object therethrough and an outer wall configured for positioning against tissue. The inner and outer walls define at least a partial annular space therebetween, the annular space being in fluid communication with an opening in the outer wall. The surgical tape includes a body portion retained within the annular space of the sleeve and a leading tab extendable through the opening in the outer wall of the sleeve. The surgical tape has a first surface and a second surface, each of the first and second surfaces having at least one of tissue reactive functional groups and self-reactive functional groups.

A self-lubricating tampon applicator includes a barrel having opposed insertion and proximal end portions and having a continuous side wall that defines an interior area and a plurality of spaced apart apertures and proximate the insertion end portion. A tampon is positioned in the interior area of the barrel. A piercing member is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of apertures. A lubricant reservoir is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of piercing members. A plunger situated in the barrel engages a proximal end of the tampon and is slidable from a starter configuration extending from the proximal end portion of the barrel to a deployed configuration positioned inside the barrel. Pressure applied to the plunger pushes the tampon and the reservoir downstream and the reservoir is pierced by the piercing member, dispensing lubricant through the plurality of apertures onto an outer surface of the barrel.

Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

The present invention provides a method and device for visualizing and treating an injury, wound or skin, using a visual tourniquet and skin bandage system made of transparent materials. The inventive bandage system is capable of applying pressure while absorbing bodily fluids away from the wound or skin and providing support for the application of one or more medicaments or a combination of treatment gas and/or medicine. The inventive bandage system enables the practitioner to visually inspect and measure the size of the wound over time without removing or touching the bandage or tourniquet thereby reducing pain and contamination of the wound bed. One embodiment of the inventive bandage system continuously controls the wound bed temperature thereby reducing pain and inhibiting bacterial growth. Other embodiments of the inventive bandage system are used as a visual tourniquet to apply a combination of pressures to a wound or skin injury.

This present patent application relates to a waterproof post-operative carpal tunnel surgery glove structured to be worn by an individual after experiencing a carpal tunnel surgery. The glove prevents a bandage and surgical stitches from getting wet for an extended period of time up to the point of the stitches being removed. The glove can be easily worn by sliding the glove over the fingers, palm, and wrist. The glove can be secured via a hook and loop fastener strap on the wrist area to conform to a wear's arm. A wearer can also adjust the fit of the glove to comfortably accommodate the hand using the hook and loop fastener strap. The glove keeps the bandage dry at all times and maximizes protection against water and cross-contamination of the bandage while hand washing, showering and the like.

A wound packing material is provided, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, including a body of a porous material, the body including frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. Methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and methods of its use are also provided.

Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. An applicator and/or tensioning device may be used to apply a dressing to a subject. The applicator and/or tensioning device applies and/or maintains a strain in an elastic dressing, wherein at least some of the strain is out-of-plane or at a non-orthogonal, non-parallel and non-aligned orientation to other strains in the dressing.

A heat-shrinkable medical dressing structure for suture-free and scar-free wound closure, including a heat-shrinkable sheet portion and a non-heat-shrinkable sheet edge portion. The non-heat-shrinkable sheet edge portion is arranged along the bottom peripheral surface of the heat-shrinkable sheet portion and the two portions are fixed as one. The bottom surface of the non-heat-shrinkable sheet edge portion is provided with an adhesive layer. Shrinking force, produced when the heat-shrinkable sheet portion is heated, interworks with the adhesive edges so that wound closure is easily achieved without any sutures or secondary wounds. The heat-shrinkable medical dressing structure helps lessen pain and there will not be any scarring from sutures. It is easy to use and saves time and effort.