Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible sizing tube having a distal end portion including a plurality of apertures. The control valve enables suction to be applied to the patient's stomach via the apertures to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the sizing tube to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Entrapment and collection systems and method of entrapping and collecting biologic material produced on a patient are disclosed. The systems include a collection bag which formed of a flexible sheet material having a hollow interior, a first mouth and a second mouth. The first mouth is openable to enable the biological structure to be disposed in the hollow interior and to enable a removal instrument, e.g., a morcellator, to be introduced therethrough to engage the biologic structure to effect a procedure on it. The second mouth enables a viewing instrument to be extended through it for visualizing the procedure and is closeable by a drawstring to entrap biologic material produced by the procedure after the removal instrument and viewing instrument have been removed, whereupon the collection bag may be withdrawn from the body of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible sizing tube having a distal end portion including a plurality of apertures. The control valve enables suction to be applied to the patient's stomach via the apertures to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement the sizing tube to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: A wound packing for use with suction is provided. The wound packing comprises a plurality of nonabsorbent synthetic polymeric fibers coupled together to form a nonabsorbent material suitable for placement in the wound of a mammal. A method for treating the wound in a mammal using the disclosed wound packing is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method to control suction in a patient environment. The device comprises a body portion having an interior chamber adapted for coupling to a source of the vacuum; a valve comprising a shaft rotatably coupled to the body portion; and an actuator coupled to the shaft of the valve. In operation the valve is rotatable between i) a first position in which the vacuum is provided to the interior chamber via the valve at a first predetermined level and ii) a second position in which the vacuum is interrupted to the interior chamber. The actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position which increases the vacuum in the interior chamber to a second predetermined level for clearing occluded suction lines in the patient circuit.

Abstract: A wound contact device comprising a permeable material and a wound contact layer having voids extending through the contact layer to a depth in the permeable material. The wound contact layer can comprise a thin sheet or film forming a generally flat and smooth wound contact surface having essentially no discontinuities or gaps. The wound contact layer can comprise a thin sheet of highly calendered fabric forming a wound contact surface having a mean surface roughness in the range of about 0 microns to about 200 microns. In progressive wound healing, an embodiment of the wound contact device having the fabric contact surface is used in earlier healing stages and an embodiment of the wound contact device with film contact surface is used in later healing stages. The wound contact device is particularly useful in wound dressings for use in suction-assisted wound therapy.

Abstract: An intermittent regulator is provided in which the regulator alternates between supplying partial vacuum to a patient for withdrawing fluids from the body of a patient, and supplying atmosphere to a patient, at a selected intermittent rate, that is adjustable upon adjusting a timing mechanism. The timing mechanism is isolated from communicating with the vacuum being drawn from a patient, separating the regulator into a “wet” side and a “dry” side. The regulator includes a piston and spool, each having magnets therein, whereby intermittent motion of the piston controls the motion of the spool and which thereby controls the opening of ports for delivery/non-delivery of vacuum to a patient. An alternative embodiment has porting for sensing occlusion in the patient line and converting the regulator from a continuous-on operation to an intermittent operation. An alternative embodiment has separate air inlet and outlet conduits to atmosphere from the “dry” side of the regulator.

Abstract: A gauge is provided, preferably for patient use, in which a piston moves linearly within a gauge body against the force of a spring. A diaphragm separates the sensing side of the piston from the clean or atmosphere side of the piston. The diaphragm rolls against the piston and the wall of the chamber during changes in pressure, and does not interfere with accuracy of the readings. Dampening is provided out of the patient fluid stream. The sight glass through which measurements are read produces an optical magnification. A baffle prevents entrained particles from the patient from entering the gauge in significant amounts. A surface-to-surface seat enables the gauge to be mounted as a saddle seat on a duct, regulator or the like.

Abstract: A container is provided that is disposable, for first collecting blood delivered from a patient, preferably by means of a vacuum draw of blood into a container, and then the blood in the container is treated. The treatment is provided by an at least partial a back-and-forth or reciprocating motion of blood along membranes, such that filtrate components of the blood pass through the membrane walls and are collected, whereby retentate components of the blood are retained, with the back-and-forth motion being provided by means of a substantially constant vacuum draw, that provides a pumping action by means of a diaphragm pump. A replenishment liquid is automatically added, substantially proportional to the amount of filtrate components of the blood that are withdrawn. The membranes are protected by a means for removing body fats or other potentially harmful materials.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which, individually or together, a gaseous fluid such as air is delivered along the shaping member to impinge upon aerosols created by the shaping of the bone and to deliver the aerosols back toward the bone away from an operator, and a cooling liquid is delivered along the shaping member, in order to cool the shaping member where it contacts the bone. Preferably, the gaseous fluid is air and it is delivered through a manifold carried by the shaping member, forming an air curtain. Preferably, the cooling liquid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid preferably being delivered through the shaping member and opening in a direction toward the shaped bone. Where the shaping member is a saw, the liquid may be delivered through the interior of the saw, for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof. Alternatively, the cooling liquid may be delivered externally of the saw.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for shaping bone, in which a cooling, lubricating and/or curative fluid is delivered by means of the shaping member, in order to cool or lubricate the shaping member where it contacts the bone and/or to provide a curative fluid to the shaped surface of the bone. Preferably, the cooling fluid is at least partially water, with or without a curative substance carried therein, with the liquid being delivered at the shaping end of the member, in a direction toward the shaped bone. The fluid may be provided through the interior of the shaping member to at least one relatively narrow opening located at the shaping end of the member, or may be provided by at least one exterior channel that runs along at least one wide side of the shaping member. Optionally, cooling liquid may also be delivered through the interior of the shaping member for discharge through at least one narrow side thereof.