Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: A bone harvester and bone marrow removal system. The bone harvester can include a body defining a channel extending longitudinally therethrough from a distal to a proximal portion of the body. The distal portion can include a cutting tip. Bone marrow may be drawn through the channel.

Abstract: A bone cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide. In some examples, the bone cutting guide includes additional components, such as bridging member or secondary cut guide, to provide additional functionality.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically maintaining medical records and to facilitate availability and use of information relating to patients, as well as other information used in the operation of a medical facility. The system stores information such as patient charts, medical histories of patients, insurance information, including documentation requirements of insurance companies, timelines for calendaring events, and dictionaries of commonly or repetitively used information. The system permits inputting of information relating to a patient encounter or appointment with a patient and inputting information on business related contacts, including information on patients, pharmacies, physicians and insurance companies. The system further facilitates tracking of patients and their medical status, prescription writing, printing of reports, and preparation of insurance forms, including electronic claim forms.

Abstract: In a further aspect of the invention, the calculated results may be communicated as a graphical output 196, such as is illustrated in FIG. 27. The graphical output 196 may be accessed by pressing a graph report button 198 on the report output dialog box (FIG. 26). The graphical output 196 is useful to further illustrate to the physician and the patient the changes in the calculated risk value over time, and in relation to the cholesterol levels. The graphical output 196 is also useful as a further tool in enabling a patient to understand the relationship between their health habits and the associated risk factor, and in encouraging the patient to participate in their own medical decision making.

Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for provisionally bracing an external fixator while the external fixator is reconfigured.

Abstract: A method and system for electronically maintaining medical records and to facilitate availability and use of information relating to patients, as well as other information used in the operation of a medical facility. The system stores information such as patient charts, medical histories of patients, insurance information, including documentation requirements of insurance companies, timelines for calendaring events, and dictionaries of commonly or repetitively used information. The system permits inputting of information relating to a patient encounter or appointment with a patient and inputting information on business related contacts, including information on patients, pharmacies, physicians and insurance companies. The system further facilitates tracking of patients and their medical status, prescription writing, printing of reports, and preparation of insurance forms, including electronic claim forms.

Abstract: A stent is disclosed for placement within the pancreatic or biliary duct to facilitate drainage therethough, and related instrumentation which facilitates the atraumatic placement of the stent within the duct. The stent is atraumatically placed by means of an instrumentation system which draws or pulls the stent into position and wedges the distal end portion of the stent into the terminating portion of the duct to maintain the stent in place within the duct. As described herein, the stent is made of a soft biocompatible material which is resiliently compliant so as to allow the stent to readily conform to the curvature of the ductal passageway in which it has been placed. When placed, the stent extends along the length of the duct, with the proximal end extending into the duodenum. Perforations in the stent further faciliate drainage along the length of the stent.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube has a temperature sensor positioned proximal of a patient's larynx when the tube is in use. Thus, the sensor overlies the tongue. In view of the high vascularity of the tongue, the sensor provides an accurate reading of the patient's body temperature and responds quickly to temperature changes. A heat insulator inhibits heat transfer from the interior of the endotracheal tube to the sensor, and an electrical insulator electrically isolates the sensor from the tongue. In a first embodiment, the sensor is linear in configuration, and in a second embodiment the sensor is serpentine in configuration to increase the surface area of the contact between the sensor and the tongue. A third embodiment adds an oxymeter. In additional embodiments, the sensor is placed on other highly vascular regions of the body, or where an artery is present. The sensor may also be positioned within a preselected vein or artery.

Abstract: A connector for joining an endotracheal tube and an integrally formed auxiliary lumen to a source of anesthesia and a preselected item of auxiliary equipment, respectively, includes a first pair of tubular mounting members on a proximal end of the connector that are closely radially spaced with respect to one another and longitudinally spaced from a second pair of tubular mounting members on a distal end of the connector that are closely radially spaced with respect to one another. A pair of parallel bores are formed in the base of the connector to provide fluid communication between associated, longitudinally spaced apart mounting members.

Abstract: A connector for joining an endotracheal tube and an integrally formed auxiliary lumen to a source of anesthesia and a preselected item of auxiliary equipment, respectively, includes a first pair of tubular mounting members on a proximal end of the connector that are closely radially spaced with respect to one another and longitudinally spaced from a second pair of tubular mounting members on a distal end of the connector that are closely radially spaced with respect to one another. A pair of parallel bores are formed in the base of the connector to provide fluid communication between associated, longitudinally spaced apart mounting members.

Abstract: A method for treating fibrotic lesions in the epidural space of the spinal column includes the steps of percutaneously inserting into the epidural space and across a fibrous lesion, a catheter carrying a compliant, inflatable balloon which is expandable both radially and longitudinally, and, expanding the balloon radially so as to contact the walls of the epidural space and disrupt the fibers of the lesion, and thereafter expanding the balloon longitudinally within the epidural space so as to increase the area of contact between the balloon and the walls of the epidural space. An introducer for percutaneously inserting a catheter or other medical device into the epidural space includes a polymeric tubular shaft having a tapered, curved distal tip through which the catheter is advanced and retracted.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a sterile operating environment for endoscopic diagnosis and/or surgery. A covering comprises a pair of generally orthogonally arranged component bags. Each of the component bags is of an accordian-like extendible type. The component bags are joined adjacent the open end of one bag and an aperture adjacent the open end of the other bag. The open end of the second bag is engaged either to a sterile endoscopic probe preferably of the disposable type or to a shield for enclosing the distal end of an endoscope. The entire apparatus is sterilized and configured so that the component bags can be extended along the camera and light guide cables of the endoscopic system so that resistant spores, bacteria and viruses cannot contaminate the open incision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the exposure of video images of the type that are commonly generated during endoscopic examination of tissue. The output of a video amplifier is detected and compared with an ideal value. A corresponding adjustment of amplifier gain is determined and such adjustment compared with a predetermined optimum range of amplifier gain. In the event that the calculated adjustment lies within such optimum range, the gain of the amplifier is adjusted accordingly. In the event that the optimum range is exceeded by the absolute value of the calculated adjustment, the exposure time of the camera sensor and the gain of the amplifier are adjusted in opposite senses whereby the amplifier is continuously operated within its optimum range.

Abstract: An adapter for an endoscopic system. An ocular piece is suitable for substitution for the eye-piece of a conventional endoscope. The ocular piece includes a window that is fitted into the end of a barrel-like member and slightly recessed from the edge thereof. The endoscope-engageable portion of the adapter includes a similar window that is also recessed creating a thin cavity therebetween. A latch mechanism at the end of the endoscope engageable portion of the adapter includes a plate having an interior circular aperture that can be selectively moved between positions that block and permit axial travel between the ocular piece and the endoscope engageable portion. The thin chamber between the windows is filled with sterilized water, preventing loss of optical clarity from the accumulation of liquid particles on window surfaces. The separtion between the windows permits rotation therebetween without damage to optical surfaces.

Abstract: A lens system is characterized by a back focal length that substantially exceeds its front focal length. An input lens having a relatively short focal length is arranged to receive an image. The back of the input lens is a mirrored concave surface that is inclined in such a way as to direct the reflected image to a concave mirror. The concave mirror and a Mangin mirror having a convex mirrored back surface form a relay lens system for redirecting the image reflected from the concave mirror to a second point on that mirror from which the image is reflected to a predetermined focal point. The Mangin mirror is arranged to remove chromatic and spherical aberrations from the virtual image. The lenses and mirrors of the system are arranged so that the optical distance from the concave mirror to the predetermined focus is at least three times the focal length of the first lens.

Abstract: A spline and splinting board combination is disclosed that comprises a two-part board structure with an upper board and a lower board that may be adjustably secured to each other. The upper board may be utilized independently when a small child or infant is to be transported and has a pair of belt receiving slots that allows the board to be utilized with differing heights of small children or infants. The upper board is adjustably secured to the lower board through a pair of thumb screws received in adjustment slots to allow adjustment of the distance from the top of the upper board to the bottom of the lower board to correspond to a desired distance for a particular patient. Inflatable cervical and lumbar supports are disclosed that may be quickly inflated or deflated to provide additional supports to those areas of the patient.

Abstract: A pressure sensing catheter includes a pressure sensor within the length of a hollow catheter insertable into the human body. The catheter has a surrounding circumferential pressure transmitting membrane that is exposed to the region whose pressure is being measured. The membrane bears against a cantilevered shutter whose excursion into a gap in an optical fiber varies the amount of light transmitted by the fiber as a function of the external pressure.