Abstract: A non-aspirating dispenser containing a gel therein for delivery to a desired surface such as a medical article. More specifically, a gel that is dispensed in the form of droplets that are free of air or a gas therein and with reduced drift potential. The dispenser has a container having a flexible bag therein enclosing a thixotropic gel, and has a pressurized gas that is capable of exerting pressure on the bag and forcing the gel out of said bag in a steady stream upon pressing an actuator that is operatively connected to an ejection valve. The bag is free of propellants, and does not produce an aerosol. The gel is thixotropic and is utilized for keeping medical instruments moist in order to prevent soils present thereon from drying out, which can make reprocessing of medical instruments more difficult and less effective. The dispenser implemented at a point of use for transport or prior to delayed reprocessing in the reprocessing area.

Abstract: A surgical light head and proximity detection method includes a housing, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to direct light at a target region of interest, and a plurality of distance sensors arranged in the housing. At least two of the distance sensors have field of views that overlap to define a common detection region of interest and the common detection region of interest at least partially overlaps with the target region of interest. The light head may have a plurality of integrally formed tilted seats that position the distance sensors relative to a center line of focus of the surgical light head. The distance sensors may be integrated in the housing via an optical component that is sealed relative to the housing and covers the distance sensor while enabling transmission and receipt of distance sensing signals therethrough.

Abstract: A medical device processor includes a chemical dosing system including a supply tube extending along a length between a first and second end. A pump is coupled to the supply tube downstream from the first end and configured to pump fluid in the tube. A bubble detector is coupled to the supply tube downstream from the first end, wherein an inner volume of the supply tube between the bubble detector and the second end is equal to or greater than a volume of a dose of liquid to be pumped from the chemical dosing system in a given dose. A controller is configured to run the pump for a predetermined period of time; detect the presence of one or more bubbles in the supply line based on measurement by the bubble detector; upon detection, continue to run the pump for the remainder of the predetermined time; and issue a notification.

Abstract: A handle assembly for an accessory of a medical device support system. The handle assembly includes a handle, an interface device, a conductive coating, and a connector. The interface device is in an outer surface of a generally tubular section of a handle housing of the handle and is configured to receive an input or transmit an output associated with the medical device support system. The conductive coating is on the inner surface of the generally tubular section and is configured to transmit one or more of power, ground, control signals, and communication signals corresponding to the input or the output of the interface device. The connector is connected to the conductive coating and is configured to transmit the one or more of the power, ground, control signals, and communication signals from the conductive coating to another part of the accessory and/or the medical device support system.

Abstract: A multi-channel selector valve includes a housing, a rotor at least partially disposed within the housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a first cam surface, and a stator at least partially disposed within the housing. The housing includes a plurality of flow controllers arranged about the axis of rotation of the rotor, each flow controller including an aperture, and a blocking member disposed adjacent to the cam surface, the blocking member selectively movable relative to the aperture to open and permit flow through the aperture.

Abstract: A surgical table includes a base, a tabletop, first and second frameworks, a cable, and a cable take-up mechanism. The first and second frameworks are moveable relative to one another to move the tabletop relative to the base in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The cable has a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, and an intermediate portion. The first and second ends are mounted to the respective first and second frameworks. The cable take-up mechanism includes a constant-force spring coupled to the intermediate portion of the cable to take up slack in the cable as the first and second frameworks move relative to one another to move the tabletop relative to the base.

Abstract: Embodiments include a lighting assembly includes an elongate gasket body formed of a resilient, optically transmissive material. The gasket body includes a light source cavity at least partially defined by a light transmission portion and an attachment channel configured to attach the gasket body to a mount. A light source is disposed in the light source cavity. Other embodiments include securement ring including a clamp portion and a lighting assembly portion. The clamp portion includes first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and curving between first and second ends, the first end of the first segment coupled to the second end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment coupled to the first end of the second segment to collectively form an aperture. The lighting assembly portion includes a first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and including a light source.

Abstract: A liquid sporulation method is described. A first liquid culture is prepared by adding bacterial cells to a sporulation broth, wherein an optical density (OD600) of the first liquid culture is in a range of 0.001 to 0.01. The first liquid culture is incubated and an optical density (OD600) thereof is increased to be in a range of 0.2 to 2.0. Second liquid culture is prepared by adding the incubated first liquid culture to a predetermined amount of additional sporulation broth, wherein an optical density (OD600) of the second liquid culture is in the range of 0.001 to 0.1, and a ratio of a volume of the second liquid culture to a volume of the first liquid culture is in a range of 10:1 to 150:1. The second liquid culture is incubated so an optical density (OD600) thereof is increased to be in a range of 1.0 to 4.0.

Abstract: A momentum arresting ramp that includes a plurality of steps that each includes a slider receiving surface and a transition surface. The steps may enable a device with wheels to be moved down the ramp by a user, without inconvenient gravity building momentum of the device down the ramp. For example, the steps may be spaced apart along a first axis such that a first slider of the device is never in contact with one of the transition surfaces when a second slider of the device is in contact with another one of the transition surfaces. The configuration of the steps and the sliders may enable the device (e.g., a device heavy enough to typically require two users to unload using a planar ramp) to be easily and conveniently unloaded by a single user.

Abstract: A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

Abstract: Knuckle joint assembly for a medical device support system. The knuckle joint assembly includes a cartridge assembly that includes a cartridge housing and a rotary bearing. The cartridge housing includes a bore having a central axis and a bearing mount in the bore. The rotary bearing is press fitted in the bearing mount and configured to receive axially therethrough a spindle to rotatably support the spindle about the central axis. The knuckle joint assembly includes a retaining clip and a retaining pin. The retaining clip is selectively movable to disengage and engage a groove in a spindle to respectively support or release the spindle along a central axis. The retaining pin is movable between a first position to allow movement of the retaining clip between positions but prevent removal of the retaining clip, and a second position to block movement of the retaining clip from the engaged position.

Abstract: A medical device support system including a shaft, an extension arm, and a hub mounted to the shaft for pivotable movement of the extension arm about a rotation axis of the shaft. The hub includes a cavity including first and second contact faces, and at least one floating stop movably disposed in the cavity. The hub is pivotably mounted for a range of at least 360-degrees rotation about the rotation axis. The at least 360-degrees rotation range is based on a compound of a first rotation range and a second rotation range. The first rotation range is defined by a first movable amount of the at least one floating stop between first and second stop surfaces fixed relative to the shaft. The second rotation range is defined by a second movable amount of the at least one floating stop between the first and second contact faces of the hub.

Abstract: A surgical lighting system and a method of rotating a camera of a surgical lighting system includes a light head housing including a plurality of light emitting elements arranged to emit light downward to a region of interest, a handle mounted to and protruding downward from the light head housing, the handle including a handle housing having a sufficient size to be gripped by the human hand, and a camera assembly mounted within the handle housing and including a camera having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the region of interest. The camera assembly is mounted within the handle housing for rotation greater than 360 degrees about a rotation axis from a first stop to a second stop and vice versa. The first stop limits clockwise rotation of the camera and the second stop limits counterclockwise rotation of the camera.

Abstract: A sterilization process test device for verifying the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a tubular body defining a chamber for containing at least one sterilization indicator and a cap to sealingly close the tubular body. The tubular body includes at least one hole, which is covered by a gas and steam permeable cover. The only flow path into the chamber is provided through the steam and gas permeable cover and the at least one hole, which when combined are configured to control and restrict a flow of steam or a gaseous sterilization medium from an external environment.

Abstract: A liquid sporulation method is described. A first liquid culture is prepared by adding bacterial cells to a sporulation broth, wherein an optical density (OD600) of the first liquid culture is in a range of 0.001 to 0.01. The first liquid culture is incubated and an optical density (OD600) thereof is increased to be in a range of 0.2 to 2.0. Second liquid culture is prepared by adding the incubated first liquid culture to a predetermined amount of additional sporulation broth, wherein an optical density (OD600) of the second liquid culture is in the range of 0.001 to 0.1, and a ratio of a volume of the second liquid culture to a volume of the first liquid culture is in a range of 10:1 to 150:1. The second liquid culture is incubated so an optical density (OD600) thereof is increased to be in a range of 1.0 to 4.0.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light transmissive substrate extending along a length and including a light emission portion including opposed first and second major surfaces spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction, an inner edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces in the thickness direction, and an outer edge surface opposed the inner edge surface and extending in the thickness direction. An extension portion extends from the light emission portion proximate the second major surface in the thickness direction. A light source is attached to the extension portion. A light head includes a housing, a primary light source attached to the housing, and the lighting assembly as an auxiliary lighting assembly. The housing includes a channel in which the auxiliary lighting assembly is retained.

Abstract: A device and method for testing for the presence of liquid in a cannula of a medical instrument is described. The device includes a flexible guide member having a first end, a second end and a length extending from the first end to the second end, an elongated member arranged within the flexible guide member, and an absorbent material attached to one of the elongated member. The flexible guide member is inserted into the cannula, the flexible guide member is manipulated to cause the absorbent material to move through the cannula. The absorbent material is analyzed for the presence of liquid.

Abstract: A light head for a medical device support system. The light head includes a housing base, an annular shape first lens, a housing cover, and a motion transfer member. The housing cover includes a cavity within which the annular shape first lens is rotatable about a rotation axis. The housing cover includes a second lens. The annular shape first lens and the second lens are in a light emitting path of the plurality of light emitting elements. The motion transfer member is configured to movably interact with a boss of the annular shape first lens to rotate the annular shape first lens about the rotation axis and within the cavity. A periphery of the annular shape first lens includes guide members configured to position the boss of the annular shape first lens to movably interact with the motion transfer member.

Abstract: A device and method for operating a lighting system varies a characteristic of visible light emitted by a first lighthead according to a predefined profile, and fixes a characteristic of visible light emitted by a second lighthead. A light sensor configured to view a focal area of the second lighthead detects a characteristic of visible light on a target surface over a period of time, and the characteristic of the light detected by the light sensor over the period of time is compared to the characteristic of light defined in the predetermined profile. A mode of operation of the first and second lighthead is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: A load balancing arm for a medical device support system. The load balancing arm includes a proximal hub, an adjustable bearing element, a support arm, a spring and a link. A distal end of the support arm is configured to support a medical device load and a proximal end is pivotably mounted to a main bearing element for pivotable movement about a main pivot axis. The spring extends within a cavity of the support arm and is mounted to exert a biasing force between the main pivot axis and a distal end of the spring. The link has a proximal end pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element for pivotable movement about an adjustable pivot axis, and a distal end pivotably mounted to the distal end of the spring such that the biasing force exerted by the spring is transmitted through the link to the adjustable bearing element.