An insertion device is disclosed. The insertion device includes a base portion, a top portion slidably connected to the base portion, an introduction needle, a catheter in slidable relation to the introduction needle, and a substantially cylindrical flash chamber, the flash chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the introduction needle. The flash chamber is connected to the base portion, the top portion slidably engages with the flash chamber, and the catheter and the top portion slidably advance with respect to the introduction needle and the base portion.

Apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may be a pipe that includes heat transfer materials that have a thermal conductivity of greater than 50 Watts per meter Kelvin. Heat transfer materials may include one or more solid heat sinks (that are rigidly connected to each other or to a portion of the pipe), Peltier devices, or loose fill of a desired size or shape. Fill included in the pipe may also absorb particulate matter or volatile organic compounds. As a user burns or vaporizes materials at one end of the pipe and sucks heated smoke or vapor into the pipe, that user may inhale cool and clean smoke or vapor. Methods and apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may allow a controller at the pipe to send sensor or consumption data to other electronic devices when a number of milligrams of a substance inhaled by a patient are monitored.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus employing a wound dressing for negative pressure wound therapy and methods of using the same. Some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressing to be applied to a wound site, for example a wound dressing including a three-dimensional filter element, and methods of using the same.

An oxygen concentrator includes one or more adsorbent sieve beds operable to remove nitrogen from air to produce concentrated oxygen gas at respective outlets thereof, a product tank fluidly coupled to the respective outlets of the sieve bed(s), a compressor operable to pressurize ambient air, one or more sieve bed flow paths from the compressor to respective inlets of the sieve bed(s), a bypass flow path from the compressor to the product tank that bypasses the sieve bed(s), and a valve unit operable to selectively allow flow of pressurized ambient air from the compressor along the one or more sieve bed flow paths and along the bypass flow path in response to a control signal. The valve unit may be controlled in response to a command issued by a ventilator based on a calculated or estimated total flow of gas and entrained air or % FiO.sub.2 of a patient.

Injection devices for delivering pharmaceutical compositions into the eye are described. Some devices include a resistance component for controllably deploying an injection needle through the eye wall. The resistance component may be disposed on the injector device, or on a portion of the injection device housing, or on a drug reservoir. Some devices may be removably attached to a drug reservoir, for example, through a luer connector. Other devices may comprise internal luer seal for securely connecting a drug conduit of the device to the luer cavity of a drug reservoir. Yet other devices may comprise a priming-enabling element to facilitate the drug priming of a shielded needle. Related methods and systems comprising the devices are also described.

An extracorporeal blood treatment device is provided that includes a hydraulic system having a plurality of flow paths. A control unit provides an operating mode for disinfecting the hydraulic system with a liquid supplied via one of the flow paths. A method for operating the extracorporeal blood treatment device is also provided. The hydraulic system has a valve device that provides several switching positions. The valve device has an inlet for a liquid for disinfecting the hydraulic system, and a plurality of outlets. In a first switching position, the inlet is connected to one of the outlets. In another switching position, the inlet is connected to a plurality of the outlets. The inlet of the valve device is in fluid communication with a first flow path and the outlets are in fluid communication with another flow path. Disinfecting liquid can simultaneously be supplied to the individual flow paths.

Modular ventilatory support systems and methods are disclosed in which a user may transition the system between a stationary configuration, an extended range configuration, and a stand-alone configuration. The modular components of the system include a compressor unit, a ventilator which may dock with the compressor unit, and a patient interface which may be connected to either the compressor unit or the ventilator unit. By rearranging these modular components into different configurations, mobility and duration of use may be optimized to fit the present needs. In the stationary configuration, mobility is most restricted, but duration of use is maximized. In the extended range configuration, mobility is enhanced, with duration of use limited by the battery power of the ventilator. In the stand-alone configuration, mobility is maximized, with duration of use limited by battery power of the ventilator and the quantity of an external gas supply.

A combination positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and resuscitation system and related methods. The systems can be well-suited for use in providing CPAP therapy for a neonate or infant patient, with the ability to also provide resuscitation therapy at a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) as needed or desired without switching to another system or switching the patient interface. The system can include an expiratory pressure device capable of regulating a positive end expiration pressure (PEEP) of the system, which preferably can also induce pressure oscillations relative to a mean PEEP.

A stool management system having a tubular body including a first end section disposable in a rectum of a patient and a second end section including a first connector which detachably mates with a second connector coupled to a collection container which receives waste matter passed through the tubular body from the bowel of the patient.

Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.