A thermal protection system configured for use with a dialysate container or bag in a dialysis system is disclosed. The thermal protection system being configured so that when the dialysate container is subjected to a temperature greater than a predetermined temperature such as, when the dialysate container is heated within a microwave oven, the thermal protection system is configured to (i) prevent the flow of dialysate from the bag, (ii) indicate that the dialysate container has been subjected to a temperature greater than the predetermined temperature, or (iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the thermal protection system is a circular hollow ring positioned within an exit port of the bag, the ring melting upon reaching the predetermined temperature to block the flow of dialysate. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the thermal protection system may be a thermally sensitive dye configured to change color upon being subjected to the predetermined temperature.

Apparatus for transporting particles through a patient's trachea into the respiratory system include a delivery tube having at least a ventilation lumen and a particle delivery lumen. The delivery tube has a centering device near its distal tip, such as a balloon eccentrically mounted on the tube to position an outlet of the particle delivery lumen near a centerline of the trachea above the carina branching into the right and left bronchus. A proximal end of the delivery tube connects to a source of particles, and a controller may be provided to adjust a rate and/or an amount of the particles delivered to the patient. In a specific example, frozen particles are delivered to control core body temperature. In other instances, the particle may be a medicament or other substance for effecting other therapies or diagnostic procedures.

Systems and methods for pressure sensors being located in various components of a surgical medical gases delivery system (such as for laparoscopic surgery) are disclosed. The pressure sensors can enable gas supply (either of a surgical medical gases delivery system or supplementary to such a system) to sense pressure so as to safely insufflate the surgical cavity in a controlled manner. Advanced pressure sensing can also be provided to achieve specific flow algorithms and/or non-standard flow patterns that may help achieve functionality for mitigating smoke accumulation in the surgical cavity and/or impairment to vision, and helping to improve stability in the surgical cavity. The pressure sensing disclosed herein can allow for more control over the fundamental aspects of gas control and supply in the surgical gas delivery system, better performance, and outcomes of the surgery, and better incorporation of a humidification therapy.

Systems and methods for generating nitric oxide are disclosed. A nitic oxide (NO) generation system includes at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing NO from a flow of a reactant gas; and a controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas produced by the at least one pair of electrodes by utilizing duty cycle values of plasma pulses selected from a plurality of discrete duty cycles to produce a target rate of NO production based on an average of discrete production rates associated with each of the plurality of discrete duty cycles.

An absorbent cuff for use with a male patient wearing a catheter is provided, the cuff including a nonpermeable body operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material and to prevent leakage of a fluid retained. A circumferentially concave opening is operable for positioning on the catheter below the head of a patient's penis and surround the point of insertion of the catheter into the patient's urethra. A catheter passage is operable to enclose a catheter and to receive and retain fluid discharged from a catheter. A slit enables a catheter to be inserted into the catheter passage of the absorbent material. An absorbent pad operable for use with female patients includes an absorbent material, a nonpermeable backing, a catheter passage, and a slit to allow for insertion and removal of a catheter.

An injection device comprises a housing with a receptacle for a product, a dosing mechanism for setting a product dosage to be administered and for displaying the product dosage that has been set, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product. The dosing mechanism comprises a dosing sleeve which is rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for setting a product dosage and which is rotatable relative to the housing in a second, opposite direction for correcting or dispensing a product dosage. The dispensing mechanism comprises a piston rod, at least one sleeve, and a clutch. The device further comprises a first detector for detecting movement of the clutch relative to the dosing sleeve and/or the housing and/or the at least one sleeve and a data processing unit connected to the first detector for reading, storing, processing, transmitting, and/or displaying signals received from the first detector.

A pathogen detection system includes a pathogen sensing adaptor that detect pathogens present in the breathing circuit associated with a ventilated patient. A pathogen sensing adaptor may include a conduit, removable cartridges with testing strips, an optical sensor, and communication circuitry. Upon detecting a colorimetric change on the testing strip, the optical sensor generates a signal indicative of the presence and/or level of pathogens.

A method of treating disorders in a human or animal subject may include heating a material containing a compound to a first temperature to form a heated volume of the material. The method may additionally include heating the heated volume to a higher second temperature to form a dose of vapor including the compound. The method may also include administering the dose of vapor to the subject to treat disorders such as pain. The method may further include pre-heating the material to a preliminary temperature prior to the heating to the first temperature. The heating and pre-heating may be performed with a capsule including two covering layers, each including an electrically conductive material, configured to hold the material therebetween and to generate heat by resistive heating.

Disclosed is a particularly lightweight breathing mask for respiratory applications or as personal protective equipment, in which the rigid component is produced from thermoplastic films by means of high-pressure forming. The base material of the rigid component is available in a flat form and can thus be printed or coated in a variety of ways before processing; this allows properties to be introduced into the mask that would not be feasible in a conventional injection molding process. The use of film instead of injection-molded components enables a significant reduction in weight and thus an improvement in wearing comfort for the user. At the same time, the film allows a higher degree of flexibility of the rigid component during operation, enabling a better fit to the shape of the face under certain operating conditions and thus also improving wearing comfort

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound dressing. The wound dressing can comprise an absorbent material, an electronics unit comprising a negative pressure source, the electronics unit integrated within the wound dressing and at least partially encapsulated by a flexible film. The flexible film can comprise a window or aperture configured to permit fluid communication between the absorbent material and the negative pressure source.