Abstract: A surgical clip may include a first leg member having a first inner surface with a curvature, the first leg member having a first thickness in a vertical direction, a first width in a lateral direction, and a first length in a longitudinal direction, where the first width is greater than the first thickness along at least half of the first length. The surgical clip may also include a second leg member having a second inner surface with a curvature, the second leg member having a plurality of teeth. The first width may be defined by first and second lateral protrusion extending from opposing side surfaces of the first leg member. The first width may be greater than a second width of an inner portion of the first leg member and a third width of an outer portion of the first leg member.

Abstract: A wideband acoustic immittance measurement apparatus including an ear probe having an acoustic output port for emitting sound into an ear canal and an acoustic input port for receiving sound from the ear canal, a loudspeaker that is acoustically connected with the acoustic output port, a microphone acoustically connected with the acoustic input port for generating an audio signal as a function of sound received at the acoustic input port, and a processor for controlling the loudspeaker to emit sound spanning a frequency range and receiving the audio signal of the microphone, determining a complex acoustic admittance Y(f)=G(f)+jB(f) as a function of frequency f based on the emitted sound and the received audio signal, and identifying at least one middle ear resonance based on both the real and imaginary part of the determined acoustic admittance as a function of frequency f.

Abstract: A vascular access training simulator system for training intravascular insertion of a medical device is disclosed. The vascular access training simulator system includes an anatomical training model having clinically relevant ultrasonic properties representative of ultrasonic properties of a human body site for ultrasound imaging. The training model includes a transparent housing, a transparent simulated tissue, at least one simulated blood vessel suspended in the tissue, and a layer of simulated skin covering the housing and the tissue. A first imaging device is records a first video showing a view of an insertion site outside of the simulated skin. A second imaging device records a second video showing the simulated blood vessel through the transparent simulated tissue. A third imaging device is shows an ultrasound view of the simulated blood vessel and the simulated tissue. A monitor displays a composite view of all three videos simultaneously on a single screen.

Abstract: An audiometer system including an audiometer device that includes an audiometer digital signal processing (DSP) unit, an audiometer baseband processing unit positioned, and an audiometer light-based transceiver. The system further includes a transducer including a transducer light-based transceiver in optical communication with the audiometer light-based transceiver, a transducer baseband processing unit, a transducer processor unit, and an audio speaker.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder device is provided for securely holding an endotracheal tube to a patient during intubation. The tube holder device includes a support rail placed above a lip of a patient. An auxiliary clip is coupled to the support rail and slidably movable along the length of the support rail for holding an accessory device relative to the patient's face. The auxiliary clip includes both a horizontal accessory holder and a vertical accessory holder to releasably retain the accessory device horizontally and vertically, respectively. A tube fastener is coupled to the support rail and includes a tube holder base, an adjustment clip coupled to the tube bolder base for laterally repositioning the tube holder base along the support rail, and a securement tie. The securement tie may be wrapped around a portion of the endotracheal tube to secure the tube to the tube holder base.

Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus including red, green, and blue light sources, one or more optical lenses, a light guide cable to transmit light from the light source, a one-chip color image sensor including a shutter, the color image sensor being operable to measure red, green, and blue light in the imaging path and transmit measured colored light in respective red, green, and blue channels. The red, green, and blue light sources are sequentially flashed in synchronization with the operation of the image sensor and the color image sensor captures red, green, and blue images in synchronization with the flashed color. The color image sensor transmits the colored images on respective color channels one at a time.

Abstract: Tissue access devices and methods of using and making the same are disclosed. The devices can have a sensor configured to occlude a flow path by deflecting a membrane into the flow path when the devices become dislodged from tissue. The sensor can be configured to partially or fully occlude the flow path. The sensor can have a spring, can be a spring, or may not have a spring. The sensor can be static or can be moved from a sensor first configuration to a sensor second configuration. The membrane can be deflected into the flow path when the sensor is in the sensor second configuration.

Abstract: Tissue access devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The devices can have a sensor configured to occlude a flow path by deflecting a membrane into the flow path when the devices become dislodged from tissue. The sensor can be configured to partially or fully occlude the flow path. The sensor can have a spring. The spring can be biased to move the sensor from a sensor first configuration to a sensor second configuration when a force applied by the sensor first surface against a non-sensor surface changes from a first force to a second force less than the first force. The membrane can be deflected into the flow path when the sensor is in the sensor second configuration.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for accessing a superior vena cava of a patient without visualization of a vasculature of the patient. A stylet has an elongated body including a core wire disposed within a tubular body, the core wire having a pre-formed shape in a first state and a straightened shape in a second state. A first portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A second portion of the core wire has a first pre-formed bend in the first state. A third portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state. A fourth portion of the core wire has a second pre-formed bend in the first state. A fifth portion of the core wire has a substantially straight shape in the first state and includes a narrow segment that increases deflection of the distal tip.

Abstract: A surgical clip may include: a first leg member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and second side surfaces, the inner surface of the first leg member having a concave curvature; a second leg member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and second side surfaces, the inner surface of the second leg member having a convex curvature; at least one first tooth extending from a first lateral side of the inner surface of the second leg member; and a first channel defined between the first side surface and the inner surface of the first leg member. The first and second leg members may be configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and in the closed configuration, the at least one first tooth is received in the first channel.

Abstract: A cartridge may include a pair of side walls separated by a compartment, the compartment being configured to receive a surgical clip, and a base member supporting the pair of side walls. The pair of side walls may extend at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis of the base member to hold the surgical clip at the acute angle. The acute angle may be greater than 10° and/or about 20-30°. The cartridge may also include a pedestal extending between the pair of side walls and configured to support the surgical clip, where the pedestal is disposed at the acute angle. The cartridge may further include a retainer configured to retain the surgical clip in the compartment, the retainer including a pair of fingers configured to contact the surgical clip, where the pair of fingers are oriented at the acute angle.

Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus and system is described including circular fiber array ends arranged at skewed angles relative to the optical axis of the imaging path, a light intensity distribution converter along the illumination path to convert a bell-shaped distribution into a top-hat distribution, an image sensor, and high frequency response light source(s) operating in flash illumination mode in synchronization with the image sensor. As a result, unnecessary exposure of illumination light to a patient eye is minimized while the illumination light can span a wide enough coverage range with desired intensity and spectral distribution to cover the desired angular field of view and spectral range on a retina.

Abstract: A medical device adapted for contact with a vessel or cavity in the body including a tubular portion is provided. The device has an external surface including an external substance that is at least one of a coating or an impregnation, comprising alexidine in an amount that is both anti thrombogenically effective and anti microbially effective. The device also has an internal surface including an internal substance that is at least one of a coating or an impregnation, comprising alexidine in an amount that is both anti thrombogenically effective and anti microbially effective.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a navigation system for placing a medical device into a patient. The system may include an external unit configured to be disposed on a chest of the patient, the external unit having: a radiating element configured to produce a first radio frequency (“RF”) signal; and a plurality of three-axis sensors configured to receive a second RF signal. The system may also include a medical device such as a catheter. The catheter may have: a first antenna configured to receive the first RF signal and produce an alternating current; a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current into a direct current; a frequency generator configured to produce a second RF signal that is received by the plurality of three-axis sensors. The RF signals received by the plurality of three-axis sensors may be used to determine a position of the catheter relative to the external unit.

Abstract: Provided are plasmid vector constructs encoding multiple immunomodulatory proteins where each protein or component thereof can be expressed utilizing appropriate promotors and/or translation modifiers. Additional immunomodulatory proteins and genetic adjuvants containing shared tumor antigens can be added to further therapeutic potential as well as allow tracking of therapeutic treatment. Also provides are methods of expressing the plasmid constructs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a tissue opening, for example a trocar opening used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. In a tissue closure device, a finger guard or shield can be used, handle or holding area or areas can be used, and positioning indicators can be used. A resiliently flexible target material can also be used for reliably holding a suture during the procedure. Introducers can be used having a suture holder, an alignment indicator and insertion limits.

Abstract: A device for producing sensory stimuli for a child by means of a body made of an elastic material and a bellows which is embedded in the elastic material of the body, including a first converter device for generating a fluid flow for moving a lying surface for a child, a second converter device for generating sound in a fluid, which corresponds at least to either heart sounds or human speech or music, and a fluid line for simultaneously conducting the fluid flow generated by the first converter device and transmitting the sound generated by the second converter device to a bellows in a body made of an elastic material.

Abstract: An audiometer system including an audiometer device that includes an audiometer digital signal processing (DSP) unit, an audiometer baseband processing unit positioned, and an audiometer light-based transceiver. The system further includes a transducer including a transducer light-based transceiver in optical communication with the audiometer light-based transceiver, a transducer baseband processing unit, a transducer processor unit, and an audio speaker.

Abstract: A surgical clip may include first and second leg members, each having inner surfaces. The inner surface of the first leg member may be concave and the inner surface of the second leg member may be convex. The surgical clip may include a first locking member positioned on a distal end portion of the first leg member, and a second locking member positioned on a distal end portion of the second leg member. The surgical clip may also include a third locking member position between a proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the first leg member, and a fourth locking member positioned between a proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the second leg member. The first and second locking members, and the third and fourth locking members may be configured to interact to secure the surgical clip in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument access port assembly and method of use, the surgical instrument access port a surgical instrument has a needle lumen and a surgical access port. The needle lumen extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a needle tip at a distal end, and a body portion at a proximal end, the body portion having at least one recess or finger. The surgical access port has a cannula defining a hollow cannula shaft, and a tapered hub attached to a proximal end of the cannula. The tapered hub includes at least one inner ring configured to abut against the at least one recess or finger while the surgical instrument is inserted into the cannula of the surgical access port.