The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue.

A dressing for treating an open abdominal cavity with negative pressure. In some embodiment, the dressing may comprise a viscera contact layer capable of communicating a negative pressure to the viscera and capable of forming flow paths for a fluid through the contact layer; a fluid manifold capable of being disposed adjacent to the contact layer and capable of communicating a negative pressure to a tissue and capable of forming flow paths for a fluid; and a sensor capable of acquiring data associated with strain in one or more of the fluid manifold and the viscera contact layer

A gas delivery system supplying a body cavity with a given gas includes a first guide pipe for supplying the given gas into the body cavity and a second guide pipe installed in the first guide pipe for supplying the given gas into the body cavity at a flow velocity that differs from that of the first guide pipe. A flow velocity of the given gas that is supplied from a first conduit which is formed by the first guide pipe and the second guide pipe is faster than a flow velocity of the given gas that is supplied from a second conduit which is formed in the second guide pipe.

An open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment device and system for treating a cavity in a patient's body, such as an abdominal cavity, is presented. In one instance, an open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment device includes a plurality of encapsulated leg members, each having an interior portion with a leg manifold member and formed with fenestrations operable to allow fluid flow into the interior portion, and a central connection member fluidly coupled to the plurality of encapsulated leg members. The central connection member has a connection manifold member. The open-cavity, reduced-pressure treatment devices, systems, and methods allow for, among other things, removal of fluids.

Apparatus for administering certain nerve blocks includes a sheath constructed from a flexible ultrasound echogenic material, a more rigid introducer/dilator for introducing the sheath into the patient, and an ultrasound echogenic catheter for inserting through the sheath once the distal end of the sheath is in place adjacent the nerve(s) to be blocked and the introducer/dilator has been withdrawn. The catheter has provisions at its proximal end for connecting to a source of local anesthetic. Methods for use of this apparatus are also described.

The disclosure provides an implantable bioartificial active secretion system for providing a physiological regulating secretion such as insulin necessary for functionality of a physiologic activity such as glucose metabolism of a living-being host. The system includes a housing implantable within the host, in fluidic communication with tissue fluid indicative of a physiological regulating secretion need. A chamber within the housing contains a plurality of physiologically active, autonomously functioning, live secretory cells for producing the physiological regulating secretion. A continually operating two pump apparatus moves tissue fluid into contact with the secretory cells for pick up of the physiological regulating secretion for subsequent physiologically-effective dispensing into the host, while avoiding immuno-rejection of the host body or of the host to the secretory cells.

A method of providing and/or injecting octreotide acetate to a subject in need thereof includes storing the octreotide acetate in a cartridge of a multi-use multi-dose injector provided with a variable dose setter and actuator. The injector includes a needle configured for subcutaneous administration of the octreotide acetate, the octreotide acetate having a concentration of 2,500 μg/mL. The method further includes providing, on the injector, a plurality of indicia only at prescribed doses of 50 μg, 100 μg, 150 μg and 200 μg settable via the dose setter without indicia between said prescribed doses; and permitting setting of a dose of the octreotide acetate by rotation of the variable dose setter, wherein the injector is configured to provide at least one audible feedback during the rotation.

Apparatus and methods are provided for applying negative pressure to tissues of a patient that are transmitted to the vertebral venous system of the patient and thereby lowering intracranial pressure. Intracranial pressure is thus lowered easily without increasing the work of breathing, without needing to be intubated, and without breathing through a valve in patients with elevated increased intracranial pressure.

Insufflation systems may provide a continuous flow of insufflation gas to a body cavity. The continuous flow may be directed over the lens of an endoscope received within a cannula to form a protective envelope around the lens and improve visibility. The continuous flow may be supplied by a pressurized gas source. The continuous flow line may be assembled in parallel to an insufflation line running through a standard insufflator configured to provide non-continuous gas flow to the body cavity. The lines may converge upstream of or at the cannula or the insufflation flow may be provided to a separate cannula. Continuous gas flow may be provided by recirculating gas from the body cavity through the cannula Continuous gas flow may be provided by storing gas from the non-continuous insufflation flow in an accumulator and releasing the gas during off phases of the insufflation flow.

A gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.