Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: A perfusion cannula for treating a patient. The, cannula includes a hollow tube adapted for insertion into a vessel of the patient and adapted for fluid flow. The tube has a proximal end. The tube has a primary hole disposed in proximity to the proximal end for release of fluid from the tube and at least a first perfusion hole disposed in the tube wall for release of fluid from the tube. The cannula includes a widener extending from the outer surface of the tube and effectively extending the outer diameter of the tube. The inner diameter of the tube is smooth and continuous and has a circular, cross-section throughout. The widener is in spaced relation from the proximal end and in proximity to and in operational relation with the first perfusion hole wherein fluid in able to escape from the first perfusion hole without obstruction by the vessel wall when the tube is in the vessel wall. A perfusion cannula for treating a patient having at least a first ridge. A system for treating a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has a port through which the fluid can flow. The port is adjacent to but apart from the orifice. The apparatus includes a mechanism for controlling the size of the port that is open. The controlling mechanism is disposed over the port and able to close the port. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which a fluid can flow. The distal end has an end marker disposed about the orifice which appears in an image of an imaging device. An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end having an orifice through which fluid can flow. The catheter has an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive flow indication through a rotary blood pump. The apparatus includes a blood pump adapted for implantation into a patient. The blood pump has a moving mechanism which contacts blood and imparts energy to the blood to move the blood in the patient at a desired flow rate. The apparatus a mechanism for causing the moving mechanism to move the blood. The causing mechanism is engaged with the moving mechanism. The causing mechanism receiving energy to power the causing mechanism. The apparatus comprises a sensorless flow indicator connected to the blood pump to identify the flow of blood through the pump based only on an energy balance between the energy imparted to the blood by the moving mechanism and the energy received by the causing mechanism. A method for determining blood flow in a patient. The method includes the steps of providing energy to a blood pump implanted in a patient to operate the pump.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel in a patient. The apparatus includes a graft. The apparatus includes a mechanism for compressing the vessel to the graft and holding the vessel to the graft. A method of repairing a vessel of a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a first end of a graft in contact with a first side of the vessel. Then there is the step of placing a second side of the graft in contact with the second side of the vessel. Next there is the step of compressing the first side of the vessel against the first end. Then there is the step of compressing the second side of the vessel against the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive flow indication through a rotary blood pump. The apparatus includes a blood pump adapted for implantation into a patient. The blood pump has a moving mechanism which contacts blood and imparts energy to the blood to move the blood in the patient at a desired flow rate. The apparatus includes a mechanism for causing the moving mechanism to move the blood. The causing mechanism is engaged with the moving mechanism. The causing mechanism receiving energy to power the causing mechanism. The apparatus comprises a sensorless flow indicator connected to the blood pump to identify the flow of blood through the pump based only on an energy balance between the energy imparted to the blood by the moving mechanism and the energy received by the causing mechanism. A method for determining blood flow in a patient. The method includes the steps of providing energy to a blood pump implanted in a patient to operate the pump.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

Abstract: A system for securing a blood separator bowl in an autotransfusion machine includes a split ring or collar adapted to grip an enlarged cap on the base of the bowl and a clamp assembly for moving the collar between retracted and expanded positions. In the retracted position, the clamp assembly includes both an overcenter lock system for securing the collar in the retracted position and a backup auxiliary lock in the event of failure. The system further provides for centering the separator bowl on its axis of rotation to prevent undue vibration.

Abstract: A medical video endoscope system for allowing high-resolution three-dimensional images to be viewed has a stereoscopic endoscope for converting optical images of an object to left and right video image signals. An electronic processor module controls the stereoscopic endoscope and processes the left and right video image signals into time-multiplexed signals representative of high-resolution three-dimensional images having stereoscopic depth. The time-multiplexed signals are provided to a monitor which displays high-resolution video images based on the signals. A viewing device is provided which allows a viewer to see high-resolution three-dimensional video images having stereoscopic depth on the monitor. A rigid sheath assembly with an angled distal tip can be placed over a barrel of the endoscope and rotated with respect thereto in order to change the viewing direction of the stereoscopic endoscope.

Abstract: A system of infusing fluids in a patient includes an infusion pump for infusing fluids into a patient in accordance with instructions to carry out a desired course of infusion therapy. The system includes a physiological sensor for sensing conditions of the patient during the course of the infusion and a remote infusion controlling system for monitoring the course of the infusion and generating suggested adapted instructions.

Abstract: An infusion management and pumping system is disclosed. Infusion prescriptions are generated and monitored by a pharmacy management system. Labels for each infusion to be given to a patient are generated and printed in a bar code format. Each label contains data regarding a prescribed infusion program, including the drug or drugs to be infused, the infusion regimen, the expiration date, and the patient to whom the infusion is to be administered. The management system checks for incompatibilities between drugs that are being prescribed for simultaneous infusion. Each label generated by the management system is attached to the container which holds the infusion solution. The data on the label is transferred to an infusion pumping system by a bar code reader at the infusion pumping system. The pumping system checks that all necessary data has been entered. During operation, the pumping system checks for a variety of alarm conditions and stores any alarms in a ranking according to urgency.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with an inner elongated member having an inner layer of a soft elastomeric polyurethane material and an outer layer of a hard plastic nylon material, which is formed by forming the outer layer onto the inner layer by coextrusion.

Abstract: An infusion management and pumping system having an alarm handling system is disclosed. During operation, the pumping system checks for a variety of alarm conditions and stores any alarms in a ranking according to urgency. The system is operative to alter the mode of pumping operation to correspond to the priority of the alarm conditions.