Sample collection apparatus and methods of sample collection are provided, for example saliva collection apparatus and methods of saliva collection. Said apparatus conveniently comprises a filter assembly and an interface for delivering material from the apparatus to an assay unit.

A free radical sterilization system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The free-radical sterilization system is used in sterilizing items in the chamber and, with an open-bottomed wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body.

Systems and methods provide for holding surgical drain evacuators in inelastic expandable pouches. Particularly, apparatuses and methods include or utilize garments for supporting and protecting surgical drain evacuators and surgical drains include straps or belts for attaching the garment to a patient. The garments include one or more expandable pouches configured to receive a surgical drain evacuator, wherein the expandable pouch is formed of a flexible inelastic material.

A drainage bag is provided for a thermal control unit adapted to deliver temperature-controlled liquid to a patient in order to control the patient's temperature. The drainage bag is used to hold and transport the liquid when the liquid inside the thermal control unit is changed. The drainage bag includes a bottom layer, a top layer sealed thereto, and a float secured to the top layer that is positioned adjacent an opening in the top layer. As the liquid from the thermal control unit drains into the opening in the top layer, the liquid lifts the float and the float lifts the top layer of the bag. The bag thereby expands its volume to accommodate the liquid from the thermal control unit. The bag may further be designed to be carried without sealing the opening and without spilling the liquid. A method for using the bag is also disclosed.

A system suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person or animal may include an assembly having a fluid impermeable casing having a fluid reservoir at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end, and a longitudinally extending fluid impermeable layer coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid outlet and defining a longitudinally elongated opening between the reservoir and the outlet. The assembly can further include a fluid permeable support disposed within the casing with a portion extending across the elongated opening, and a fluid permeable membrane disposed on the support and covering at least the portion of the support that extends across the elongated opening, so that the membrane is supported on the support and disposed across the elongated opening. The assembly can further include a tube having a first end disposed in the reservoir and a second, fluid discharge end.

A chest drainage system including a collection device configured to receive fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient. A sensor is included to detect a pressure differential in the fluid. A display is configured to display a trend in occurrences of changes in pressure of the fluid over time in predetermined time increments based on a number of detections of pressure differentials that exceed a predetermined pressure differential during each of the predetermined time increments. The trend is correlative to the percentage of time that the patient is deemed to have an air leak in the pleural cavity in the predetermined time increments. The trend is derived from a ratio of the quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient for which the predetermined pressure differential is detected (QRC.sub.leak) in the predetermined time increments to the total quantity of respiratory cycles of the patient in respective predetermined time increments (QRC.sub.total).

A system suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person or animal may include an assembly having a fluid impermeable casing having a fluid reservoir at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end, and a longitudinally extending fluid impermeable layer coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid outlet and defining a longitudinally elongated opening between the reservoir and the outlet. The assembly can further include a fluid permeable support disposed within the casing with a portion extending across the elongated opening, and a fluid permeable membrane disposed on the support and covering at least the portion of the support that extends across the elongated opening, so that the membrane is supported on the support and disposed across the elongated opening. The assembly can further include a tube having a first end disposed in the reservoir and a second, fluid discharge end.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for draining. The apparatus includes a body, the body having a first compartment adjacent to a second compartment, the first compartment having an inlet port fluidly connected to an outlet port, the inlet port defining a needle seat within the first compartment, a first rod hole for operation with a second rod hole in the second compartment, and a plurality of venting holes, the second compartment having a plurality of spaced notches along. The apparatus further includes a setting rod, the setting rod having a shaft and a sealing head, the shaft sized to be slideably maintained in the first rod hole and the second rod hole, the sealing head slideably attached to an end of the shaft and sized to obstruct fluid flow from the inlet port at the needle seat.

Post-operative apparel such as post-mastectomy garments are described herein. In various embodiments, a post-mastectomy garment may include first and second ends, an interior side and an exterior side opposite the interior side, and the interior and exterior sides may extend between the first and second ends. In some embodiments, a closing mechanism may releasably connect the first end to said second end. In various embodiments, two opposing openings through the garment may be provided and shaped to receive arms of a patient. In some embodiments, an adjustable chest support may extend outward from the interior side. One or more drain bulb pockets may be positioned on the interior side to receive one or more surgical drain bulbs. One or more tubing pockets may also be positioned on said interior side to receive excess drain tubing.

A method includes collecting used dialysis fluid in a container and combining the dialysis fluid with an acid to lower the pH value of the used dialysis fluid.