Abstract: A multi-directional, equalizer clamp device is disclosed that provides, via a single action, a way to lock multiple objects that may be disposed in different numerous directions. The clamp may also achieve clamping using numerous force factors, and may be configured to attach and secure objects, such as pins, to the side rail of a support and/or operating table via a single-point of operation. The clamp device comprises upper and lower body portions which are configured to clamp to a side rail along a primary clamping direction, and are further configured to receive objects and clamp them along a secondary clamping direction. The clamp device further comprises a control assembly, such as a knob, to facilitate and achieve simultaneous clamping along both primary and secondary clamping directions at a single point of control.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) current sensor for remotely activating a smoke evacuation device in an electrosurgical system includes a sensor body with a cable interfacing sidewall and a retaining member. The cable interfacing sidewall and the retaining member define a retention pocket for receiving a cable communicating RF current. The RF current sensor additionally includes a sensor element for detecting RF current in the cable and a sensor cable in electrical communication with the sensor element. The RF current sensor can operate in at least two modes, depending on whether the cable communicates RF current to a monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument, but regardless of the operation mode, the sensor cable can communicate an activation signal and a current signal derived from the detected RF current to the smoke evacuation device, which activates or adjusts the period of time and/or the smoke evacuation flow rate of a vacuum source.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. This information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to identify and annunciate the name of the person in the visual scene, or otherwise communicate the identity of the person, like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: A sterile cover assembly is for a biopsy device. The biopsy device includes a reusable holster including a housing and driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is for driving a cutter in a needle of a probe. The housing is adapted to releasably couple to the probe. The sterile cover assembly includes a sleeve and a flexible sterile cover. The sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of the housing of the reusable holster. The sterile cover is coupled to the sleeve and is configured to cover the housing of the holster.

Abstract: A marker delivery device is described and claims. The marker delivery device is used to implant a detectable marker after a biopsy procedure is performed. The marker delivery device includes a cannula comprising a distal end and a marker exit positioned proximate the distal end; an actuator movable to a marker deployment position, wherein the actuator is slidably disposed within the cannula; and a retainment mechanism configured to retain the actuator in the deployment position.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a cutter, and a tissue sample holder. The tissue sample holder comprises an outer cup and a cap. A tray retains severed tissue samples from a biopsy procedure. In some versions, the tray is selectively detachable from the cap in a one-handed operation by the user. The tray may be ejected into a sample container, such as a formalin cup. The cap may include a threaded portion that is configured to engage a complementary threaded portion of a sample container to seal the sample container once the tissue samples have been transferred to the sample container from the tissue sample holder of the biopsy device. One or more ports may be provided in the cap to manage excess fluid within the outer cup of the tissue sample holder, and/or to provide integrated access for a marker delivery device.

Abstract: A vessel has a lumen defined at least in part by a wall. The wall has an interior surface facing the lumen, an outer surface, and a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) coating set supported by the wall. The PECVD coating set comprises a water barrier coating or layer having a water contact angle from 80 to 180 degrees, applied using a precursor comprising at least one of a saturated or unsaturated fluorocarbon precursor having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Optionally, the coating set includes an SiOx gas barrier coating or layer from 2 to 1000 nm thick, in which x is from 1.5 to 2.9 as measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and optionally other related coatings.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: The present invention is a depth sensing visual prosthesis. By depth sensing objects within an image, items located at a certain depths from the user can be removed to declutter an image. The resulting image presents only objects within a range of depth from the visual prosthesis user. Depth sensing can be accomplished in various ways including structured light, time of flight, or preferably, a stereo camera pair.

Abstract: A pre-filled pharmaceutical package comprising a liquid formulation of a VEGF-antagonist, for example Ranibizumab, in a pre-filled pharmaceutical package, for example a syringe, cartridge, or vial, made in part or in whole of a thermoplastic polymer, coated on the interior with a tie coating or layer, a barrier coating or layer, a pH protective coating or layer, and optionally a lubricity coating or layer. Stability performance of the VEGF-antagonist packaged in the coated COP vessel comparable to or better than glass was obtained.

Abstract: An article or vessel is described including a vessel surface and a coating set comprising at least one tie coating, at least one barrier coating, and at least one pH protective coating. For example, the coating set can comprise a tie coating, a barrier coating, a pH protective coating and a second barrier coating; and in the presence of a fluid composition, the fluid contacting surface is the barrier coating or layer. The respective coatings can be applied by PECVD of a polysiloxane precursor. Such vessels can have a coated interior portion containing a fluid with a pH of 4 to 8. The barrier coating prevents oxygen from penetrating into the thermoplastic vessel, and the tie coating and pH protective coating together protect the barrier layer from the contents of the vessel. The second barrier coating is comparable to glass surface if needed.

Abstract: Cable connection systems allow for an electrosurgical return electrode to be simultaneously connected to multiple ESUs. The cable connection systems can include individual return cables for simultaneous connection to each of the ESUs. The cable connection system can also include a junction that joins, connects, or associates the return cables in a manner that allows for the multiple ESU cables to be electrically connected to the return electrode at a single connection point on the return electrode.

Abstract: A substrate is described having a treated contact surface comprising a carbon or silicon compound comprising from 1 to 30 atomic percent oxygen, from 0.1 to 30 atomic percent nitrogen, or both, each as measured by XPS. The treated contact surface has a biomolecule recovery percentage greater than the biomolecule recovery percentage of the surface before treatment according to the method.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, a tissue sample holder, and a sample stopping assembly. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter is longitudinally translatable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The tissue sample holder is coupled proximally relative to the body. The cutter lumen of the cutter defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit extending between a distal end of the cutter and the tissue sample holder. The sample stopping assembly includes a rotatable strainer that is configured to selectively arrest movement of a tissue sample within the fluid conduit between the cutter and the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing a video image in an electronic video processor, including the steps of receiving an input image having an input field of view, generating a processed image from the input image, and having an output field of view smaller than the input field of view, searching for a predetermined pattern within the input image, providing an indication when the predetermined pattern is found in the input image, zooming the processed image to the input field of view and highlighting the predetermined pattern in the processed image in response to the indication.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device that evacuates smoke from a surgical site and filters the smoke from the air. The smoke evacuation device can include a fluid trap for removing moisture from the smoke. The smoke evacuation device can also include a filter with a compression mechanism for compressing a filter medium. The smoke evacuation device can also include features for controlling flow parameters, noise, and vibrations of the device. A remote activation device can also be used to activate the smoke evacuation device upon detection of certain system parameters.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation, which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue is not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes, as continued use may result in neural damage and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a needle extending distally from a body. The needle includes a transverse aperture, a first lumen, and a second lumen. A cutter is movable within the first lumen to sever tissue protruding through the transverse aperture. A valve assembly is operable to change the pneumatic state of the second lumen. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a translating member slidably disposed in a bore of the valve body. The valve body includes a first port and a second port. The first port is in fluid communication with the second lumen of the needle. The second port is in fluid communication with atmospheric air. The translating member selectively couples the first port with the second port based on the longitudinal position of the translating member within the bore. The translating member translates relative to the valve body based on the position of the cutter.