Hand held and portable disinfection units for use with patients having indwelling catheters hospitalized or under care in an intensive care unit.

A disclosed antimicrobial medical device includes a fluid transfer device configured to couple between a patient and a fluid reservoir, a fluid pathway extending through the fluid transfer device, a first electrode coupled to the fluid transfer device, and a second electrode coupled to the fluid transfer device and spaced apart from the first electrode. The first electrode includes a first conductive material and the second electrode includes a second conductive material different from the first conductive material. The second electrode is configured to form a galvanic cell with the first electrode.

A gas delivery system (50) for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient (54) includes a blower assembly (100) structured to generate the flow of breathing gas. The blower assembly includes a gas flow path including an inlet manifold, an assembly (130) structured to adjust a pressure and/or flow rate of the flow of breathing gas, and an outlet manifold structured to be coupled to a patient circuit. The gas delivery system additionally includes a light system structured to generate sanitizing light and deliver the sanitizing light to one or more internal surfaces of at least one of the inlet manifold, the assembly and the outlet manifold for sanitizing the one or more internal surfaces.

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.

Cyclic urea compounds as Granzyme B inhibitors, compositions that include the compounds, and methods for using the compounds. Methods for treating cutaneous scleroderma, epidermolysis bullosa, radiation dermatitis, alopecia areata, and discoid lupus erythematosus are provided.

A device for connecting first and second medical fluid flow systems includes a linear movement carriage system that is positioned within a housing. The carriage system includes first and second connector holders configured to hold first and second connectors of the first and second medical fluid flow systems, respectively. A coupler holder is configured to hold a coupler and is positioned substantially between the first and second connector holders. The first and second connector holders and the coupler holder are relatively moveable between a separated configuration, where the first and second connectors and the coupler are located in relatively spaced apart positions, and a joined configuration, where the first and second connectors engage the coupler. An ultraviolet light source is positioned in the housing so as to irradiate first and second connectors and the coupler. A drive system transitions the first and second connector holders and the coupler holder between the separated and the joined configurations.

A gastro-intestinal (GI) scope device for use in the disinfection of a patient's colon including a gastro-intestinal (GI) scope having an insertion tube and a universal cord, an ultraviolet (UV) light assembly, and a UV light sleeve assembly, wherein the UV light assembly includes a power source, a UV light box operatively connected to the power source, and a UV light source operatively connected to the UV light box, wherein the UV light source is located within an interior of the insertion tube and the UV light sleeve assembly is located on an end of the insertion tube in order to disinfect a patient's colon.

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.

Placement of a vascular access device (intravenous, intra-arterial and/or intra-osseous vascular access) in a non-sterile environment greatly increases the risk of infection via the vascular access device. This invention provides an approach for accomplishing sterilization of the site where vascular access will be attempted under non-sterile field conditions. In addition, this invention provides a sterile vascular connector pre-loaded with an antimicrobial, e.g., Taurolidine. Use of the vascular connector provides the antimicrobial concurrently with achieving vascular access, which limits the risk of infection despite access placement under non-sterile field conditions.

Methods and systems for a catheter access port cleaning, disinfection or sterilization device are disclosed. The catheter access port cleaning, disinfection or sterilization device may comprise, a first housing having a power source and control circuit; a second housing shaped to mate with a catheter and having a first ultra-violet light source mounted therein, the first housing wired to the second housing to power the light source. When activated, the ultra-violet light source emits ultra-violet radiation that is transmitted from the second housing to the catheter attached to a patient. In this way, the device provides an efficient system for cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing an access port in the second housing while reducing patient infections.