Abstract: A medical device support system including a central shaft, an extension arm, and a brake assembly. The extension arm has a support for a medical device and a hub at its proximal end mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft. The brake assembly is secured in the hub for rotation therewith and includes first and second discrete arc shape clamp pieces configured to flex toward and away from each other to respectively increase and decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft. The hub includes a hub access opening configured to allow passage therethrough of at least one of the arc shape clamp pieces.

Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device configured to test the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a tubular body for containing at least one sterilization indicator and a filter assembly including at least one filter member. The only flow path into the interior of the tubular body containing at least one sterilization indicator is provided through the filter assembly to control and restrict flow of a gaseous sterilization medium from an external environment.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch includes at least one sheet, wherein outer peripheral edges of the at least one sheet are sealed together to define a pouch having an interior space for receiving an article therein. A first releasable seam spans between a first peripheral edge of the at least one sheet to a second, opposite, peripheral edge of the at least one sheet, the first releasable seam dividing the at least one sheet into a first sheet part and a second sheet part. A second releasable seam and a third releasable seam each substantially span from a third peripheral edge of the at least one sheet to a fourth, opposite, peripheral edge of the at least one sheet and along the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container for storing an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the container comprising: walls formed from a gas permeable, liquid impermeable polymeric material, the walls being capable of permitting gas to escape from the container through the walls to avoid build-up of pressure within the container while retaining liquid within the container, the polymeric material having a gas transmission rate in the range from about 0.05 to about 0.5 cubic centimeters of gas per square centimeter of polymeric material per 24 hours at 25° C.

Abstract: A refractive lens array assembly for integrated, adjustable beam spreading and bending, said refractive lens array comprising: (i) a first optical element including a top face having a stepped surface or a generally planar wedge-shaped surface, and a bottom face having a curved surface; and (ii) a second optical element including a top face having a curved surface, and a bottom face having a stepped surface or a generally planar wedge-shaped surface.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is defined that includes a patient support having one or more pads for supporting a patient's torso and hip in a generally horizontal orientation. At least one, elongated leg support extends from the patient support. The leg support is movable through a generally horizontal plane. A portion of the leg support is declinable and inclinable from the horizontal plane. A traction device is connected to the leg support. The traction device is attachable to a patient's leg and operable to exert a traction force on the patient's leg along an axis of the traction device. The traction device is connected to the leg support by a slide assembly and the traction device can be secured stationary relative to the leg support or the traction device can slide relative to the leg support.

Abstract: An ergonomic body positioning system for supporting and positioning a user such that the user can maintain a neutral body position while providing improved access and visibility to a worksite. The body positioning system includes a base, a support arm, a stem mounted to the support arm, and at least one body support device.

Abstract: A sterile field encroachment indicator apparatus for a surgical lighting system includes one or more encroachment indicators, one or more sensor units, and one or more controllers. The encroachment indicators are configured to indicate encroachment of a predetermined proximity to a surgical lighthead by a foreign entity and contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The surgical lighthead is configured to provide illumination in order to illuminate a surgical environment. The sensor units are positioned in the surgical lighthead, and are configured to sense proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The controllers are configured to control the encroachment indicators based on the sensed proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the sensed contact of the foreign entity with the surgical lighthead.

Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitor comprising two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric, the dielectric comprising microorganisms. The dielectric may comprise a biological indicator. This invention relates to a process for determining whether the microorganisms are alive or dead. The number of microorganisms can be determined. This invention relates to a process for testing the efficacy of a sterilization process using the capacitor.

Abstract: A concentrate aqueous composition for removing Type I and Type III rouge from various stainless-steel items. The liquid composition comprises oxalic acid, a phosphonic acid, and various amines. The use of an amine has been found to provide synergistic results in removal of the noted types of corrosion from various stainless-steel items that include medical instruments, machines, equipment, pipes, tools, mixing and storage vessels, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuously monitoring pressure ulcer risk for a patient positioned on a support surface. The support surface has an associated pressure sensing device for sensing instantaneous pressure at the support surface. The method includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensing device to generate a two-dimensional instantaneous pressure (IP) map indicative of instantaneous pressure at locations of the support surface. The method further includes acquiring a body position model using the two-dimensional IP map, where the body position model includes body parts that are respectively mapped to locations on a pressure ulcer risk map. An accumulated risk is determined in associated with each body part. The pressure ulcer risk map is displayed in accordance with the accumulated risk. Further, a current body position model is compared to a previous body position model to detect a position change of the patient on the support surface.

Abstract: A method for pressurizing a sterilization chamber of a steam sterilizer with a controlled rate of pressure change. Pressure is increased in the sterilization chamber by opening a steam-to-chamber valve for a pulse duration during each of a plurality of time PERIODS needed to reach a target pressure value. During each time PERIOD, the steam-to-chamber valve is moved to an open state for the duration of the pulse. An error value indicative of the difference between a Theoretical Pressure and a Measured Pressure is determined at the end of each PERIOD. This error value is used to determine the duration of the pulse for the subsequent PERIOD, thereby maintaining a desired rate of pressure change in the sterilization chamber.

Abstract: A pressure management device with an integrated warming apparatus that provides improvements to pressure management for patients in the supine and side-laying positions, warms a patient's head during surgery; and allows for compact storage. The pressure management device includes a pressure management layer and a heating layer having a heating member that includes a heating element.

Abstract: A medical device support system including a central shaft, an extension arm, a brake clamp assembly, and a brake actuator. The extension arm has a support for a medical device and a hub at its proximal end mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft. The brake clamp assembly is secured in the hub for rotation therewith and includes first and second clamp portions. The brake actuator includes a cap, a plunger coupled to the cap for reciprocable axial movement relative to the cap, and a spring disposed between the cap and the plunger and configured to exert a biasing force against movement of the cap axially toward the plunger. The cap is adjustably mounted to the hub and coupled to the plunger to selectively urge the first and second clamp portions either toward or away from the central shaft to respectively increase or decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft.

Abstract: A refractive lens array assembly for integrated, adjustable beam spreading and bending, said refractive lens array comprising: (i) a first optical element including a top face having a stepped surface or a generally planar wedge-shaped surface, and a bottom face having a curved surface; and (ii) a second optical element including a top face having a curved surface, and a bottom face having a stepped surface or a generally planar wedge-shaped surface.

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 semi-annular 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 semi-annular in shape and including a light source.

Abstract: A sterilization process challenge pack including a base tray, a first cover, and a second cover is configured to provide a restrictive flow path for gaseous sterilization medium to test the efficacy of a sterilization process. The base tray includes at least one chamber containing a biological indicator and/or chemical indicator. The first cover including a notch is configured to cover the at least one chamber. The second cover is attached to peripheral surfaces of the base tray except at an unsealed portion. A flow path through the unsealed portion and the notch in the first cover provides the only fluid communication between an external environment and the at least one chamber.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing material includes receiving the material in a sterilizing chamber, vaporizing sterilant supplied to vaporizer from a sterilant source, exposing the material to the vaporized sterilant by conducting a sterilization cycle in the sterilizing chamber, heating ambient filtered air supplied to the vaporizer from an ambient filtered air source, and removing residuals of the vaporized sterilant absorbed or adsorbed by the material during the sterilization cycle by conducting an aeration cycle in the sterilizing chamber. The removing of the residuals includes conducting a plurality of aeration pulses to provide the sterilizing chamber with an aeration atmosphere comprising the heated filtered air to vaporize the absorbed or adsorbed residuals, and conducting a plurality of aeration vacuum pulses to evacuate the aeration atmosphere and vaporized residuals from the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A test instrument and a method for producing a test instrument used to evaluate a cleaning, disinfection and/or drying processes of internal flexible channels includes obtaining a medical instrument having a flexible probe section configured for insertion into a body, the flexible probe section including at least one internal flexible channel and at least one external device port, and attaching an access device between the at least one external device port and the at least one internal flexible channel to enable selective access into the internal flexible channel.