Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical instrument for inserting material into the body. The surgical instrument generally includes an outer tubular member. The instrument has a longitudinal section and an arcuate section having at least two different radii of curvature. An inner member is movably positioned within the outer tubular member and includes structure for engaging a length of material to draw the material through the outer tubular member and into the body. Methods of using the surgical instrument to position a length of tape beneath the urethra to form a support are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer having an infrared sensor is of a type suitable for taking temperature in the mouth of a patient. The thermometer may view body tissue directly or may have a tip that rapidly heats to equilibrium with the body tissue temperature. The tip is viewed by the infrared sensor. A probe cover having a metallized tip for indirectly measuring temperature is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable enteral feeding apparatus (20) facilitates ambulatory enteral feeding and prevents damage to an enteral feeding tube during use. The apparatus includes a backpack type enteral feeding support, a soft pouch (38) having a hook and loop surface on the pouch and a rigid spacer (68). The pouch surrounds the fluid container (42), trapping and attaching it to the inside of a backpack using hook and loop system. The soft sided pouch provides easy removal and replacement of a variety of fluid containers in a mobile backpack. The rigid spacer supports the pouch and provides clearance for connection to enteral feeding tubing (32). Shoulder straps (26) substantially immobilize the apparatus relative to a subject. A telescopic enteral feeding tube concealment belt (30) is provided that allows patient mobility while concealing and protecting enteral feeding tubes.

Abstract: A system for heat ablation of tissue in a patient comprises a plurality of electrodes operatively connected to a source of radiofrequency energy and configured to apply RF energy to tissue at a patient site, a plurality of RF current restricting circuits, each circuit coupled between one of the plurality of electrodes and the source of radiofrequency energy, and configured to restrict RF energy to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is enabled and not restrict RF energy to flow to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is disabled, at least one return electrode adapted to contact the patient and configured to return RF energy to the RF source; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively enable each of the plurality of RF current restricting circuits, in one of a sequential and non sequential fashion, wherein the switching mechanism is isolated from each of the current restricting circuits.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. A rigid structural support is included which is configured to support the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface and includes at least one flow channel defined therein.

Abstract: An axial elongate bipolar tissue sealer/cutter and method of use by a surgeon for electrosurgery on tissue. A chassis on a handle extends axially for axial movement. An effector on a distal end of the chassis first contacts tissue with axial movement. The effector provides bipolar electrosurgery. A member extending from the distal end is opposite the patient end of a tube. A part on the member is transverse to the axis to conduct electrosurgery. First and second bipolar electrodes on the effector and part are electrically isolated. A generator for bipolar electrosurgery supplies the electrodes. An activator is movably supported on the handle connects to the tube and/or chassis to axially move the patient end and its effector relative to the part. Tissue and bodily fluid therebetween are sealed or cut through application of compression and bipolar electrosurgery between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Abstract: A method of using a pump set on a pump to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The pumping apparatus has a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is controlled by the control system to emit an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking a safety interlock device associated with the pump set. The safety interlock device affects the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the pump set conduit is properly positioned in the pump. The pump is controlled to pump liquid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector.

Abstract: A pump set for use with a pump to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The pumping apparatus has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device is adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and providing an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the feeding pump.

Abstract: An enteral feeding pump and feeding set for use to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The enteral feeding pump has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source operatively connected to the control system of the enteral feeding pump emits an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device is adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the enteral feeding pump.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus and pump set for use to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The pumping apparatus has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device being adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the feeding pump.

Abstract: A transfer needle safety apparatus including a guide port adapted to fit a variety of body fluid receptacle sizes. A sleeve substantially fills the cavity inside a needle shield. The sleeve includes a robust external lead-in structure for aligning/assembling and centering the sleeve in the shield and a robust internal lead-in structure for aligning and centering a narrow body receptacle onto a needle. The sleeve engages a long section of the outer surface of a receptacle thereby preventing rocking or lateral motion of a receptacle septum relative to a needle tip. Streamlined gripping features allow removal of the sleeve from the shield.

Abstract: A tool reinforces a medical needle having a recessed portion of relatively narrow diameter. The tool includes a cylindrical body which is detachably attachable to the recessed portion of the medical needle.

Abstract: A control system for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing selectively positionable relative to an operating theater with the housing being coupled to an electrosurgical energy source. The system also includes at least one foot-activatable pedal operatively engaged with the housing which has indicia identifying the function of the pedal disposed thereon. Illuminating means are also included with the system which illuminating means are designed to illuminate at least a portion of the pedal which, in turn illuminates the indicia.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed capable of controlling the output crest factor, as well as the output power of the electrosurgical generator across a range of tissue impedances during electrosurgery. The control occurs automatically, in real time and continuously during the duration of electrosurgical activation of the electrosurgical generator by varying both the output crest factor and output power based on the changing impedance of the tissue. The electrosurgical generator also includes controls for allowing a surgeon to manually select the appropriate crest factor value and power output value for a particular surgical procedure. By automatically adjusting the output crest factor and by giving the surgeon the ability to manually “tailor” the output crest factor across a range of tissue impedance, the electrosurgical generator enhances the ultimate surgical effect and desirable surgical results.