This invention provides sterilized vascular access assemblies that include a sterilized needleless access connector (NAC) and a sterilized removable protective cap or cover capping or covering one or both of the NAC's fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet, and methods of making and using such assemblies, advantageously in the context of providing fluids, medication, and/or nutrition to patients in acute or long-term healthcare settings.

A feeding tube aperture supported and aligned with a feeding tube opening in an abdominal wall of a patient, including a base having a first end surface transverse to an axis of the base and a feeding tube, a second opposed end surface, a central feeding tube passage extending between the first and second end surfaces, a plurality of vent passages around the feeding tube passage and extending between the first and second end surfaces, a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support extension centered on and extending outwardly from the feeding tube passage to support and align the feeding tube aperture, and a plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers extending outwards from the second end surface. The plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers resiliently space the second end surface from the abdominal wall and form a plurality of air passages to allow a flow of air around the abdominal wall and the feeding tube opening.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to flush syringe assemblies comprising an integrated contamination-prevention device integrated with device connector flushing positioned so that the practitioner cannot forget to apply disinfectant. The flush syringe assemblies comprise a barrel with an elongate plunger rod disposed therein and a cap comprising a passageway. The plunger rod includes a stopper of which at least a portion can be embedded in the passageway of the cap to form a plug in the cap. Methods of flushing a vascular access device (VAD) while providing a flush syringe assembly described herein are also disclosed.

A driveline for an implantable blood pump including a percutaneous outer tube configured to connect with the blood pump when the blood pump is implanted within a body of a patient and an external controller outside of the body of the patient and at least one ultra-violet light emitter coupled to the outer tube.

Antiseptic caps that can be used to disinfect and/or protect medical connectors are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the antiseptic cap can include a first chamber configured to be removably attached to the medical connector.

A system for irradiation of a vascular space and its contents is presented. An adapter device having a vascular access end and an optical interface end can include a waveguide affixed within a waveguide lumen and extending outwardly through the vascular access end. The adapter device enables the simultaneous administration of radiation and exogenous fluids to a patient while maintaining the optical interface isolated from any fluids.

A device and method for implanted port alleviation. The device including a dispensing cap having a compressible reservoir and a cover member, wherein the compressible reservoir is configured to hold a predetermined quantity of a topical anesthetic and the cover member is configured to cover an implanted port on the patient. An adhesive element attached to a top portion of the compressible reservoir configured to adhere to the skin of a patient. Advantageously, the compressible reservoir is positioned on top of the cover member such that when the compressible reservoir is compressed, the topical anesthetic is transferred to the cover member on the patient's skin above the implanted port numbing the patient's skin.

A port cap has a closed end, an open end, and a conical body made of a flexible material. An inside of the port cap may have a textured or uneven surface. The textured or uneven surface may be formed by one or more annular rings. An annular ring may be asymmetrical having different slopes on the two different sides of the annular ring. The port cap may be made of an elastomeric polymer or elastomeric copolymer. An insert inside the port cap may be made of a sponge or similar material and may contain a cleaning agent or microbiocidal. The port cap may be sealed with a lid. Methods of using the port cap are also disclosed.

Apparatus for delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system of a subject is described. The apparatus includes at least one intracranial catheter and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device includes a body having at least one extracorporeal surface and at least one subcutaneous surface, the body defining at least one port for connection to an implanted intracranial catheter. The port is accessible from the extracorporeal surface of the device, but is provided with a seal such as a rubber bung between the lumen of the port and the extracorporeal surface. The percutaneous access device may have more than two ports and/or a flange. A method of implanting the percutaneous access device is also described.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to flush syringe assemblies comprising an integrated contamination-prevention device integrated with device connector flushing positioned so that the practitioner cannot forget to apply disinfectant. The flush syringe assemblies comprise a barrel with an elongate plunger rod disposed therein and a cap comprising a passageway. The plunger rod includes a stopper of which at least a portion can be embedded in the passageway of the cap to form a plug in the cap.