A system for reducing airway obstructions of a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle, and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor in communication with the control unit for detecting a respiration effort pattern and a need for supporting airway patency. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may determine more than one gas output velocities. The more than one gas output velocities may be synchronized with different parts of a spontaneous breath effort cycle, and a gas output velocity may be determined by a need for supporting airway patency.

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a central venous catheter port are disclosed. An apparatus includes a body, a coupling configured to connect the body to the hub, a cleaning cap coupled to the body, and an actuator disposed within the body for rotating and translating the cap relative to the hub. The cleaning cap includes a cap body defining a cavity and a cleaning member disposed within the cavity, the cleaning member having threads that engage with the threads on the hub.

An adhesive patch for a drug delivery device with a bacteria impermeable sterility margin surrounding an edge surface of the adhesive patch is disclosed, as well as a drug delivery device fixed to such an adhesive patch and a method of assembling a drug delivery device with such an adhesive patch. In some arrangements, the sterility margin is attached to or integral with a lower liner on a lower surface of the adhesive patch. In other arrangements, the sterility margin is attached to or integral with an upper liner on an upper surface of the adhesive patch.

A multifunctional microstructure patch is provided. The multifunctional microstructure patch, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a base layer having an opening part formed in the center thereof; a plurality of microstructures formed on one surface of the base layer and comprising a first drug; and a cover layer detachably bonded on the other surface of the base layer along the periphery of the opening part, and formed so as to cover the opening part.

The invention generally relates to a continuous anesthesia nerve conduction apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly to a method and system for use in administering a continuous flow or intermittent bolus of anesthetic agent to facilitate a continuous or prolonged nerve block. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The sheath also includes an embedded conductive element for transmitting an electrical signal from a proximal portion of the sheath to a distal portion of the sheath. A cannula is arranged in the at least one lumen of the sheath and has a distal end protruding from a distal portion of the sheath. The cannula is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the embedded conductive element and is configured to provide nerve stimulation.

Capping and cleansing devices for capping and cleansing threaded vascular access connectors, particularly luer access devices such as needlefree vascular access connectors, threaded male luer connectors, and threaded open female luer connectors, and methods for using such devices, are described. The devices of the invention include interconnected inner and outer housings that a user can transition between a locked or engaged position to allow them to rotate in unison and a unlocked or disengaged position that allows the outer housing to rotate independently of the inner housing about the device's central axis, and a compressible cleansing matrix secured in the device (preferably in a well in the outer housing).

An antimicrobial catheter assembly can include a hub, a catheter tube connected to the hub, at least one extension leg connected to the hub, and a non-eluting antimicrobial coating on an internal or external surface of the catheter assembly. The hub includes at least one hub lumen defining a corresponding hub portion of a fluid pathway through the catheter assembly. The catheter tube includes at least one catheter-tube lumen defining a corresponding catheter-tube portion of the fluid pathway through the catheter assembly. The extension leg can include an extension-leg lumen defining a corresponding extension-leg portion of the fluid pathway through the catheter assembly. The antimicrobial coating can include a copper-based layer between a corrosion-preventing layer and the internal or external surface of the catheter assembly, an adhesion-promoting layer between the copper-based layer and the internal or external surface of the catheter assembly, or a combination thereof.

Embodiments described herein relate to encasements for protection of central lines, arterial lines, and/or intravenous (IV) lines from contaminants, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, an encasement device can include a flexible sleeve that fits over a central line and protects the central line from contaminants. The flexible sleeve has a first open end and a second open end. A first closing element secures the first open end to a medical dressing and a second closing element secures the second open end in a closed position at a location distal to the first closing element. In some embodiments, the central line can include an intravenous (IV) catheter, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and/or a hemodialysis line. In some embodiments, the device can include a flap coupled to the flexible sleeve.

Embodiments herein relate to thromboresistant coatings, coated devices, and related methods. In an embodiment, a thromboresistant implantable, partially implantable, or wearable medical device is included having a substrate, a non-fouling basecoat layer, and a lubricious topcoat layer. The non-fouling basecoat layer can include a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component. The non-fouling basecoat layer is disposed over the substrate. The lubricious topcoat layer can include a photo-reactive polyvinylpyrrolidone compound and a cross-linking agent. The lubricious topcoat layer can be disposed over the non-fouling basecoat layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled.