Abstract: A trocar sleeve that isolates the surgical device or movement thereof to inhibit or prevent an established non-jet streaming condition from becoming a jet streaming condition and a method of inhibiting or preventing a jet streaming condition from occurring due to instrument obstruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gas for delivery into a body cavity, body space or body surface of an animal. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. One or more agents are released into the gas stream that flows through the chamber so that the gas stream carries the agent to the animal. Also shown, for use with, or without, the chamber, is an agent chamber adapted to be coupled to at least one structure defining at least one fluid flow path extending at least a portion of the distance between an insufflation device and the body cavity, body space or body surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning gas for use in a medical procedure, the gas being received into the apparatus from a gas source. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. The housing contains at least a humidification means comprising a container for liquid, such as at least one liquid retaining layer that is disposed within the chamber in the path of travel of the gas for humidifying the gas as it passes through the chamber. A humidity sensor may be disposed within the chamber that senses the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber. A monitoring circuit is connected to the humidity sensor that detects when the chamber requires a recharge of liquid based on the humidity of the gas in the chamber, and generates a recharge signal indicative thereof a charging port on the housing provides access into the chamber to recharge the chamber with water. Alternatively, a backup container of liquid is provided to continuously supply liquid to the humidification means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.

Abstract: A gas conditioning trocar having a chamber for heating and hydrating an unconditioned insufflation gas prior to injecting a conditioned insufflation gas into a body cavity during a medical procedure and a port through which surgical instruments can pass into a body cavity without inhibiting the flow of insufflation gas during the medical procedure.

Abstract: A gas conditioning trocar having a chamber for heating and hydrating an unconditioned insufflation gas prior to injecting a conditioned insufflation gas into a body cavity during a medical procedure and a port through which surgical instruments can pass into a body cavity without inhibiting the flow of insufflation gas during the medical procedure.

Abstract: A trocar sleeve that isolates the surgical device or movement thereof to inhibit or prevent an established non-jet streaming condition from becoming a jet streaming condition and a method of inhibiting or preventing a jet streaming condition from occurring due to instrument obstruction.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is an apparatus including an alarm for alerting an operator to recharge a humidifier, wherein such alarm is generated other than through the use of a humidity sensor. In one embodiment the total work performed during heating and hydrating an insufflation gas is measured and an alarm generated when the total work performed exceeds a particular threshold. In another embodiment, a flow meter is used to measure the total flow of insufflation gas so that when the total flow of insufflation gas reaches a predetermined level an alarm is activated.

Abstract: A fail-safe insufflation device having a thermal cutoff for interrupting power to an electrical heater to prevent overheating of insufflation gas wherein the thermal cutoff operates independent of a temperature control system to provide electrical shutdown of an electrical heater in response to a hostile temperature condition of the insufflation gas or a hostile temperature condition proximate the electrical heater.

Abstract: A cannula adapter for converting a trocar insufflator into a two-phase or two-mode insufflation system. In the needle insufflation mode the insufflation gas flows through a trocar cannula, a cannula adapter and an insufflation needle before entering a body cavity and in the trocar insufflation mode gas flows directly into the body cavity from the trocar cannula. The cannula adapter although sealingly attachable to the trocar cannula during the needle insufflation mode is removable therefrom for a seamless transfer between the needle insufflation mode and the trocar insufflation mode.

Abstract: A charged hydration device and a method of filling the hydration device so the charged hydration that can be mounted to a medical apparatus that provides insufflation fluid to a body cavity either immediately prior to the medical procedure or during a medical procedure with the charged hydration device including an inlet and outlet for an inline connection with the medical apparatus so that an insufflation gas delivered through the charged hydration device is hydrated to prevent tissue damage to a person receiving the insufflation gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.

Abstract: Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of surgically contaminated gas from an insufflated body cavity, the contaminants comprising smoke, aerosols, vapor, mist and the like generated during surgical procedures in order to clear the surgeon's vision of the surgical site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices to enable stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision-obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal. The flow rate is infinitely variable, adjustable and selectable using a flow control adjuster comprising a smoothly varying orifice.

Abstract: Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of surgically contaminated gas from an insufflated body cavity, the contaminants comprising smoke, aerosols, vapor, mist and the like generated during surgical procedures in order to clear the surgeon's vision of the surgical site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices to enable stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision-obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar sleeve's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for performing a surgical procedure may include atomizing at least a portion of a humidification liquid. The method may also include receiving a gas from a source. The method may further include generating a vortex flow of the received gas. The method may further include combining the vortex flow of the received gas with at least a portion of the atomized humidification liquid in order to humidify the received gas. The method may further include providing the humidified gas adjacent to or into a patient.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is an apparatus including an alarm for alerting an operator to recharge a humidifier, wherein such alarm is generated other than through the use of a humidity sensor. In one embodiment the total work performed during heating and hydrating an insufflation gas is measured and an alarm generated when the total work performed exceeds a particular threshold. In another embodiment, a flow meter is used to measure the total flow of insufflation gas so that when the total flow of insufflation gas reaches a predetermined level an alarm is activated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of surgically contaminated gas from an insufflated body cavity, the contaminants comprising smoke, aerosols, vapor, mist and the like generated during surgical procedures in order to clear the surgeon's vision of the surgical site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices to enable stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision-obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar sleeve's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for vacuum-assisted removal of surgically contaminated gas from an insufflated body cavity, the contaminants comprising smoke, aerosols, vapor, mist and the like generated during surgical procedures in order to clear the surgeon's vision of the surgical site and prevent exposure of the surgical staff to the gas. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a series of flow restriction devices to enable stepping down of the flow rate generated by an external vacuum. This reduced flow rate allows safe yet rapid removal of the toxic and vision-obstructing surgical byproducts from the patient's body cavity. The initial flow restriction device may comprise a perforated trocar sleeve in fluid communication with the vacuum source that allows retention of the surgical instrument within the trocar's inner lumen with concurrent smoke removal. The flow rate is infinitely variable, adjustable and selectable using a flow control adjuster comprising a smoothly varying orifice.

Abstract: A central server controls the receipt and analysis of patient medical data and patient information. The central server receives patient medical data and patient information from a sensor or a remote computer. A storage system of the central server stores the received patient medical data, patient information, and the associated medical report prepared by the analysis software on the central server after analysis of the patient medical data. The medical report associated with the patient medical data is transmitted from the central server to the remote computer. Also, a method controls the acquisition and analysis of patient medical data over a network by a central server from a remote computer operably interconnected by the network with the central server.

Abstract: High resolution full disclosure ECG data is transferred from a body sensor device to a handheld device via a wireless protocol. The handheld device transfers the full disclosure ECG data via a cellular network to a data center for analysis. A monitoring center communicating with the data center facilitates technician and physician review and interactions.