An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

A wound-care system includes a first pump fluidly coupled to an oxygen source. An oxygen concentrator is fluidly coupled to the first pump. A humidification system is fluidly coupled to the oxygen concentrator. A wound dressing is fluidly coupled to the humidification system and to an exudate chamber. A negative-pressure tube fluidly is coupled to the exudate chamber. A first valve is disposed between the first pump and the oxygen concentrator. A second valve is disposed between the oxygen concentrator and the wound dressing. A third valve is disposed in the negative-pressure tube. Selective activation of the first pump, the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve facilitates delivery of at least one of individual, sequential, or simultaneous negative-pressure treatment and oxygen-rich fluid treatment to the wound via the wound dressing.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wound-care assembly The wound-care assembly includes a base layer. A film layer is operatively coupled to the base layer and a fluid conductor is in fluid communication with a wound and a vacuum source. The wound-care assembly further includes a fiber-optic patch comprising a plurality of fiber-optic strands. The fiber-optic strands are pressed into contact with an interior surface of the wound by the fluid conductor. The fiber-optic patch provides ultraviolet light to the wound and the relative vacuum is applied to the wound via the vacuum source and the fluid conductor.

An apparatus for reducing pathogens in blood. An infusing blood source provides a supply of blood at a selectable flowrate. A blood transportation line transports the blood from the infusion blood source. A UV-passing cuvette receives the blood from the blood transportation line. An irradiation chamber has a clamp for fixing the UV-passing cuvette at a predetermined gap from the UV radiation source for exposing the blood within the UV-passing cuvette directly to UV radiation. A radiation recycling coating is formed on surfaces of the irradiation chamber for reflecting and recycling the UV radiation to expose the blood indirectly to the UV radiation. The predetermined gap and the flow rate are selected so that the direct and indirect exposure of the blood to the UV radiation kills pathogens in the blood while limiting the loss of healthy blood cells and blood constituents due to the UV radiation and heat generated by the UV radiation source.

A portable device for the decontamination of a breast. The aim of the device is to reduce the risk of mastitis, even when the patient has a medicament incompatibility. For this purpose, the invention includes a decontamination unit which decontaminates the breast at least by means of a physical method.

A method for prophylaxis or treatment of a graft's rejection of a recipient, driven and adjusted by a microprocessor-based controller. Provided is a fluid circuit comprising a first container configured to receive a transplant component and a second container configured to receive an apoptotic component. Provided is a separator configured to associate with the fluid circuit and separate whole blood into a red blood cell component, a plasma component, and a white blood cell component. Whole blood is directed into the fluid circuit and the separator. The whole blood is separated into the red blood cell component, the plasma component, and the white blood cell component. A first portion comprising the transplant component of the white blood cell component is directed to the first container. A second portion of the white blood cell component is directed to the second container and the second portion is rendered apoptotic.

Liquid drug cartridges and an associated inhaler are used to deliver one more separate doses of an aerosolized liquid drug. A cartridge includes a container for storing the liquid drug, an end cap having an ejection opening, a filter element, and a piston that is repositionable relative to the container to selectively eject a volume of liquid drug from the ejection opening. The filter element filters the liquid drug prior to ejection from the ejection opening. The liquid drug cartridge can be coupled with an inhaler that includes an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator includes a vibratable membrane onto which the liquid drug is ejected. The liquid drug is aerosolized by the vibration of the membrane for inhalation by a user.

A wound care device includes a flexible cover having a concave interior surface and a flange configured for sealing engagement with the skin of a patient so that the device can be affixed to the skin of the patient. An inlet tube is in fluid communication with the interior thereof and configured to deliver a fluid compound thereto. An outlet tube extends from the flexible cover and is in fluid communication with the interior thereof to allow aspiration of fluid from within the flexible cover. A programmable system delivers one or more of oxygen, saline, medicaments, UV light, and ultrasonic vibration on a schedule predetermined by a user of the device.

A wound-care system includes a first pump fluidly coupled to an oxygen source. An oxygen concentrator is fluidly coupled to the first pump. A humidification system is fluidly coupled to the oxygen concentrator. A wound dressing is fluidly coupled to the humidification system and to an exudate chamber. A negative-pressure tube fluidly is coupled to the exudate chamber. A first valve is disposed between the first pump and the oxygen concentrator. A second valve is disposed between the oxygen concentrator and the wound dressing. A third valve is disposed in the negative-pressure tube. Selective activation of the first pump, the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve facilitates delivery of at least one of individual, sequential, or simultaneous negative-pressure treatment and oxygen-rich fluid treatment to the wound via the wound dressing.

An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.