Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: Copper salts of ion exchange materials provide copper ions at levels suitable for use as an anti-infective agent. The copper salts of ion exchange materials may be formed using ether and ester derivatives of cellulose, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), ethylcellulose (EC), methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), cellulose acetate, and cellulose triacetate. Wound dressings having copper salts of ion exchange materials incorporated therein are also provided, and may be used to reduce the incidence of infection in wounds. The wound dressings may also be used to prevent infections in long-term wounds, such as those formed at wound drain, catheter, and ostomy entry sites. Copper salts of ion exchange materials may be used to kill microorganisms, and may optionally be used with additional anti-infective agents.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a removable tool-comprising shaft having an outer shaft and an inner actuation rod that may be removably or permanently connected together. A handle of the device includes a two-button mechanism for engaging and releasing the removable tool-comprising shaft. The two-button mechanism is configured to engage overlapping corresponding apertures of the outer shaft and the inner rod that extends through the outer shaft, and the handle may include a variety of configurations that can readily interchangeably be used with different tool bodies.

Abstract: A connection device for a patient warming system is provided. The device includes a first connector port and a second connector port that each includes a wall that circumferentially defines a longitudinal channel. The first and second connection ports are each configured to receive a tubing that leads to a patient warming device. A self-sealing valve is aligned in each of the longitudinal channels to engage an inlet and outlet port of a control unit of the patient warming system. A planar base member of the connection device joins the second end of the first connector port generally parallel to the second end of second connector port. The connection device also includes a flexure member with a first catch mechanism that releasably secures the connection device to the control unit of the patient warming system.

Abstract: A drug eluting catheter includes an active agent, such as a drug or chemical substance, which is integrated with the catheter and allows variable dosing of the agent for elution to the patient's body. The catheter includes a dosing region and graduated markings or is associated with a measurement device that includes graduated markings that correspond to a range of dose of the active agent associated with the catheter. By removing or masking an undesired dosing region prior to administration, a user may vary the dosage to suit a patient's needs.

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: A nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) device having a hollow body with a proximal wall, a distal wall, and an exhaust port extending through the distal wall. A proximal tubular member extends through the proximal wall of the body and is arranged such that a stream of gas entering the body through the proximal tubular member will exit the proximal tubular member in a first direction and then enter the exhaust port. A nozzle extends through the body and is arranged such that a stream of gas entering the body through the nozzle will exit the nozzle and then enter the proximal tubular member in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A lung ventilation apparatus and system are described. The lung ventilation apparatus may include a control panel; and a graphical user interface associated with the control panel, the graphical user interface comprising a central strip content item covering at least 50% of a total area of the graphical user interface, the central strip content item representing at least one of a patient monitoring screen or surveillance screen, the central strip content item comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises numerical elements indicating ventilation parameters of a patient, and the second portion comprises a graphical element indicating pressure at a patient airway.

Abstract: A method for controlling mechanical lung ventilation is described. The method may include intermittently switching the airway pressure of the patient from a substantially constant high baseline pressure level to a substantially constant low baseline pressure and vice-versa such that the patient is able to breathe spontaneously in both high and low baseline pressure levels; detecting an inspiration effort by the patient inside a trigger time window that immediately precedes a switching event of the intermittently switching the airway pressure; maintaining a baseline pressure at the level in which the inspiration effort was detected so that the patient can complete the inspiration-exhalation cycle; and switching the baseline pressure level after a delay time.

Abstract: A method for controlling mechanical lung ventilation is described. The method may include supplying a breathing gas to an airway of a patient in an intermittent way such that a plurality of respiratory cycles are formed; measuring a volume received by the patient in one or more respiratory cycles of the plurality of respiratory cycles; comparing the measured volume of each of the one or more respiratory cycles with a user defined target volume; attributing a classifying score to each of the one or more respiratory cycles based at least partially on a deviation between the measured volume and the user defined target volume; summing the classifying scores and dividing the result by a sample size of the one or more respiratory cycles; attributing a pressure step value based at least partially on the division result; and adding the pressure step value to a present pressure.

Abstract: A vertebral augmentation system and methods for vertebral augmentation and/or fusion using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet or needle with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target a site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height, to reinforce the bone structure, and/or to fuse two, three, or more adjacent vertebrae. An expandable member such as, for example, a balloon can be used to create a plurality of voids by displacing bone material, where the voids can be filled with curable material to augment the vertebrae and intervening space can be filled to fuse those adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An applicator assembly includes a head portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a fluid chamber; a container for containing an antiseptic solution coupled to and in fluid communication with the proximal end of the head portion; and an application member in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and comprising a foam, having a first foam layer adjacent a second foam layer, wherein the first foam layer is disposed toward the distal end of the head portion and comprises a dye impregnated therein, and the second foam layer is disposed away from the distal end of the head portion and is free from the dye, and wherein, after the antiseptic solution passes from the container through the fluid chamber, the antiseptic solution passes into the first foam layer, whereupon the dye is solubilized by and tints the antiseptic solution.

Abstract: A quick lock and release clamp mountable onto the bedrail of an operating table, hospital bed, and the like. The clamp includes a body, a foot, and a mouth having at least three sides defined by the body and foot. A biasing member is coupled to at least one of the body and the foot, wherein an actuating member coupled to the biasing member is configured to transmit a force to the mouth via the biasing member. A protrusion extending from the body and towards the foot engages the bedrail, thereby fixing the clamp onto the bedrail, by moving the actuating member in a first direction.

Abstract: This invention discloses a surgical prep solution formulation, either film forming or non-film forming, that changes color upon a change in pH to indicate that the solvent has sufficiently evaporated. The major components of this surgical prep solution include: antimicrobial agents, solvents, pH adjusters, color changing pH indicators, and optionally: film forming polymers, dyes and viscosity regulators. The pH of the solution may rise or fall depending on the pH of the original solution as compared with the normal pH range of the acid mantle of the human skin or the normal pH range of a sterilizing solution. As the pH changes, the pH indicator may cause the surgical prep solution to change color. Concurrently, as the fluids evaporate, the pH indicators interact with atmospheric CO2, causing the solution to change color based on the pH of the solution. The solution may also be used as coating for medical devices.

Abstract: An expandable member bone augmentation system and single-access-point methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure. An expandable member such as, for example, a balloon can be used to create a plurality of voids by displacing bone material, where the voids can be filled with curable material to augment the bone.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an antiseptic solution includes providing a container containing the antiseptic solution, the antiseptic solution having an initial purity, selecting a sterilization temperature from about 85° C. to about 135° C. and an sterilization time from about 1 minute to about 19 hours, heating the antiseptic solution to the selected sterilization temperature, maintaining the temperature for the selected sterilization time, and terminating the heating of the antiseptic solution when the sterilization time expires. After terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution has a post-sterilization purity. The sterilization temperature and the sterilization time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution is sterile and has a post-sterilization purity of at least about 92% and the percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity is at most about 5%.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an antiseptic solution includes providing a container containing the antiseptic solution, the antiseptic solution having an initial purity, selecting a sterilization temperature from about 85° C. to about 135° C. and an sterilization time from about 1 minute to about 19 hours, heating the antiseptic solution to the selected sterilization temperature, maintaining the temperature for the selected sterilization time, and terminating the heating of the antiseptic solution when the sterilization time expires. After terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution has a post-sterilization purity. The sterilization temperature and the sterilization time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution is sterile and has a post-sterilization purity of at least about 92% and the percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity is at most about 5%.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments via a fenestrated drainage tube. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: A spool valve for controlling fluid communication among hydraulic cylinders operating control and slave portions of a surgical device. The spool valve may be used to disconnect the control and the slave portions from one another such that there is no fluid communication between the control and slave portions. The spool valve may be used to engage or allow fluid communication between the control and slave. The spool valve may also be used to allow fluid communication between the slave and control portion and a fluid reservoir, thus allowing the hydraulic system to replenish fluid lost to evaporation, leakage, or other escape. The spool valve includes a body portion having at least two ports and a spool having at least one passageway moveable to a position so as to communicate with the at least two ports.

Abstract: A gas flow regulating device including a housing assembly, an inlet tube assembly, and a biasing device. The housing assembly has a main housing, a valve seat body, and a distal plate forming an outlet orifice. The inlet tube assembly includes a proximal inlet end, a tube forming a lumen, and a flange, and is slidably disposed within the main housing, biased to an open state by the biasing device. The flange separates middle and constant pressure chambers within the housing assembly. The inlet tube assembly is transitionable to a closed state in response to pressure in the constant pressure chamber to generate a relatively constant flow rate of air exiting the device via the outlet orifice.