Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090247832 | HEATER FOR SURGICAL VIEWING INSTRUMENTS - A system and associated method is used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. A flexible pad has a length, a width and a periphery for wrapping around the instrument and a plurality of separate chambers defined through partitions. Each of the separate chambers includes an activation disc and a mixture of water and sodium acetate to generate heat through an exothermic reaction initiated through manual manipulation of the disc for that chamber. The pad is preferably made from two plastic sheets of substantially equal size, with the chambers being formed by heat-sealing or otherwise bonding the periphery of the sheets and the partitions. At least some of the partitions establish lengthwise and/or widthwise fold lines in the pad. At least one of the partitions may include a gap to facilitate fluid transfer of the mixture. The disc is preferably made of perforated stainless steel. A housing may be provided to contain the pad in sleeve form, and an optional heat-conductive tube may be used to receive the instrument around which the pad is wrapped. | 10-01-2009 |
20090305407 | Devices and Methods for Sampling Biological Fluids - Devices, instruments, systems and methods are provided in which a primary line that receives a biological fluid is selectively sampled by a plurality of collection chambers. Selective sampling occurs by selectively accessing the primary line and selective engagement of a sampling pump under control of a microprocessor. Further, the instrument housing reversibly houses a drive assembly and sample collection housing to permit the interchangeability of drive assemblies and collection housings and thus enhance sterility or reduction of cost. | 12-10-2009 |
20110087160 | INSUFFLATION GAS HEATER SYSTEM AND TUBING FOR USE THEREWITH - A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. The insufflation gas may be carbon dioxide and the warming gas may be room air. The heating element and sensors may be separate from the disposable unit of a heated insufflation set, and need not be re-sterilized prior to or after use in surgery. The heat is constantly maintained, thereby eliminating “cold spots” caused by the natural cycling of the resistance heaters due to the nature of the operation being preformed on the patient. | 04-14-2011 |
20130274652 | INSUFFLATION GAS HEATER SYSTEM AND TUBING FOR USE THEREWITH - A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. As an alternative to separate tubes, a single, multi-lumen tube may be used. The insufflation gas may be CO | 10-17-2013 |
20140243853 | SUTURE CUTTING AND REMOVAL TOOL - An improved, versatile suture cutting and removal tool comprises an elongated, hand-held body terminating in a distal end section including an upwardly oriented suture-cutting blade. Right and left tweezers on opposing side of the blade grasp and remove suture material once cut by the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the right and left tweezers are independently controlled by respective right and left depressible buttons. In particular, the right and left tweezers may include inclined ramp surfaces, with the right and left tweezers being independently controlled by respective right and left depressible buttons having respective inclined ramp surfaces that engage with the ramp surfaces of the tweezers. The blade is preferably supported on a central member having opposing right and left side edges, with the right and left tweezers each including an edge that bears against one of the edges of the central member to grasp and remove suture material. | 08-28-2014 |
20150035648 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENSURING THE USE OF GENUINE CONSUMABLE OR REPLACEMENT PARTS - Apparatus and methods ensure that only genuine, licensed or authorized parts are used with a system. The apparatus comprises visual indicia on or in the part confirming that the part is genuine, licensed or authorized. A scanner or camera on or in the system reads the visual indicia, and a controller in communication with the scanner or camera is operative to reduce the functionality of the system if the visual indicia is incomplete or not present. In accordance with the embodiment, the system may not operate if the visual indicia is incomplete or not present. The visual indicia may include a trademark, logo, or other information proprietary to a source of origin. The system may be a piece of medical equipment, and the part may be a consumable. As examples, the system may be a medical insufflators, and the part may be an insufflation set. | 02-05-2015 |
20150096140 | ANTI-FOG WIPE CONSTRUCTION - An improved wipe for a laparoscope or other optical device subject to fogging comprises a top outer layer of microfiber cloth, a bottom outer layer, and absorbent material disposed between the top and bottom outer layers. The bottom layer may include an adhesive layer exposed by a release layer. The absorbent material may be a sponge or foam pad, including an open-cell foam pad. Alternatively, the absorbent material may include a plurality of absorbent fabric layers, with at least the outermost layer being a microfiber cloth layer. A sponge or foam tape may be disposed between the absorbent fabric layers and the bottom outer layer. The wipe may be a square shape with dimensions on the order of 2 to 4 inches on a side and a thickness in the range of ⅛ to ½ inches. The article may further include a radiopaque thread. | 04-09-2015 |