Abstract: An anesthesia machine with a head worn display includes a gas delivery system and a patient monitor system cooperating in such a manner as to monitor the anesthesia and vital parameters of a patient in surgery. The gas delivery system supplies oxygen or a gaseous anesthetic at a controlled pressure and flow rate as monitored by gas delivery sensors. The gas delivery sensors and patient vital parameter sensors are interfaced to a monitor processor and the measured values of the sensors can be displayed on a head worn display device having stereoscopic capabilities. The monitor processor includes communication ports for selectively monitoring the sensors of a similar anesthesia machine remotely positioned and for downloading patient medical records from a hospital medical records computer. A wireless communication link can be employed between the monitor processor and the head worn display to facilitate movement of an anesthesiologist about an operating room.

Abstract: A stereoscopic video telecommunication system includes a fiberoptic based wideband switching network interconnecting wideband subscriber stations and narrowband subscriber stations. A wideband station includes a stereoscopic video receiver along with a stereophonic audio receiver for respectively displaying and playing stereo video and audio signals received by way of the network. The wideband station may also include a stereoscopic video source such as a pair of stereoscopic video cameras along with a stereophonic pair of microphones. The wideband station may also include narrowband devices such as a conventional telephone, a computer, and a facsimile machine. Connections between stations on the network are established by dialing another station and transferring the desired signal, including stereoscopic video signals. Preferably, the signals are converted to a digital format and, especially for stereoscopic video signals, data compressed to conserve network overhead.

Abstract: A disposable surgical apparatus for removing potentially harmful materials including fluids, vapors and airborne particles, especially AIDS virus, from an operating zone, during an operation comprising a vacuum generating system that draws the potentially harmful material through a suction manifold mounted on a surface in the proximity of a wound or incision. The suction manifold is incorporated in an elongate strip having an adhesive surface that is adhered to the patient in the vicinity of an incision or the like and that includes a plurality of apertures therealong in flow communication with the vacuum generating system.

Abstract: A disposable surgical apparatus for removing potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate, especially AIDS virus, from an operating zone, including an environment occupied by a surgeon during an operation comprises a vacuum generating system that draws the potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate through a suction manifold mounted on the surgeon's wrists and outside the protective apparel donned by surgeons during operations. The apparatus further includes a suction conduit routed beneath the surgeon's protective apparel connecting the suction manifold cuff to a high efficiency filter and vacuum pump. The protective cuff is designed so as not to appreciably impair the movement or vision of the surgeon.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for preventing the exchange of harmful substances between an area isolated by the apparatus and the environment for use in medical, laboratory, and industrial application. The apparatus includes a physical shield, a vacuum barrier, and an adjustable support frame. The apparatus further includes a vacuum connector for connecting the apparatus to a vacuum source, a vacuum conduit for flow communicating with the air around the perimeter of the physical shield such that the vacuum source draws air along with solid and liquid matter entrained in the air into the vacuum conduit, and a plurality of vacuum apertures located along the vacuum conduit for communicating the vacuum source with the air. The apparatus is designed so as to provide protection for persons in proximity to a source of harmful substances such as aerosols produced by surgical procedures at a surgical incision on a patient infected with the AIDS virus or the like.