Abstract: A rotary valve unit is provided for blending fluid sources to regulate a temperature of fluid flowing to a heat exchange device in an extracorporeal blood perfusion circuit. A valve body includes a valve chamber having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. A wedged-shaped rotary valve is disposed within the valve chamber and is rotatable within the valve chamber for controlling a blending of the cold fluid entering the fluid chamber from the first inlet port and the return fluid entering the fluid chamber from the second inlet port to regulate the desired temperature of fluid provided to the heat exchanger. The wedge-shaped rotary valve is positionable to provide either only cold fluid to the first outlet port, only return fluid to the first outlet port, or blending of the cold fluid and return fluid to the first outlet port.

Abstract: A NIRS sensor device for brain monitoring is small in size, provides reliable attachment to a patient, blocks ambient light, is easy to use, is hygienic, and supports data integration with surgical and monitoring systems. The sensor device is coupled to a remote near infrared light source via a hybrid cable. Since the light source is remotely located, a source adapted for providing high energy, short pulses can easily be used so that there is less chance of interference by superficial non-brain tissues and less interference from ambient light. In addition, the remote location avoids changes in output of local light sources experienced in the prior art during hypothermia procedures (e.g., bandwidth shifts in LEDs as a result of lowered temperature). The higher energy may be achieved by the use of laser diodes as opposed to locally-mounted LEDs typically used in the prior art.

Abstract: A blunt dissector for separating a blood vessel from surrounding tissues in a body comprises a longitudinal rod having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal passage for conducting insufflation gas between the proximal and distal ends. An interior sleeve is mounted within the longitudinal rod for receiving an endoscope at the proximal end. A transparent tip is mounted to the distal end of the longitudinal rod. A handle is mounted to the proximal end of the longitudinal rod. The longitudinal rod has an outer surface along substantially all of the longitudinal rod between the proximal and distal ends consisting essentially of a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The body tissue harvesting instrument is provided with a cutter which is disposed at the distal end of an insertion member that is inserted into the body of an organism, and which severs tissue inside the body. The cutter includes: a cutter body which projects from the distal end, and which includes a slit that extends from the distal end toward the base end; a first high-frequency electrode disposed along the two side edges of the slit on the outer surface of the cutter body and a second high-frequency electrode disposed at the base end of the slit; and a mechanism which is disposed on both sides of the distal end of the slit in the projection of the cutter body, which rotates as a result of being pressed by the tissue, and which feeds the tissue toward the interior of the slit. In addition, the parts located on both sides of the distal end of the slit in the projection mutually separate in the thickness direction of the slit.

Abstract: An emboli detector device receives a blood flow in a perfusion circuit. The connector-like device has a rigid plastic smooth body hermetically sealed from the blood. There is a calculated thin, but rigid window formed as part of the flow-through tubing wall to allow ultrasonic waves to interrogate the flowing blood. A dampening material is included in the ultrasound path to adjust the acoustic levels to an applicable range to monitor emboli. The device incorporates a mechanism to securely hold the transducer during operation and a sensing system for automatically informing a control system of which one of several standard perfusion circuit tubing diameters is being used. The ultrasound echoes detected by the transducer are provided to a controller which detects the emboli and provides a detection signal to warn the surgeon or other operating room personnel of the embolic event.

Abstract: A single-lumen, multi-stage cannula particularly adapted for venous drainage during cardiac surgery includes a first stage comprising a longitudinal tubular tip having a first plurality of fenestrations to provide an axial flow at a proximal end of the tip. A second stage coaxial with the first stage comprises a nozzle section having an outer lumen wall and an inner annular wall. A central passage disposed within the inner annular wall continues the axial flow from the first stage. A plurality of outer passages is disposed between the outer lumen wall and the inner annular wall so that the inner annular wall isolates the central passage from the outer passages. The outer lumen wall includes a plurality of second fenestrations, wherein each second fenestration supplies fluid from a second region outside the cannula to a respective outer passage. The outer passages have respective outlets arranged to provide an injected flow substantially parallel to the axial flow.

Abstract: An input blood supply within a blood perfusion system is pumped through a chamber. A centrifugal flow of the input blood supply is formed in a bottom region of the chamber to cause air to migrate toward an axial center of the chamber. A float is buoyantly suspended on the centrifugal flow wherein the float is disposed for vertical movement in the chamber, and wherein the float has an effective density less than the density of the blood. When a volume of air present within the chamber is less than a predetermined volume, then the float closes a valve at an air outlet from the chamber. When a volume of air present within the chamber is greater than the predetermined volume, then the float opens the valve to remove air from the chamber.

Abstract: A waterless blood heater/cooler device directly controlling temperature of blood flowing through an extracorporeal blood circuit. A thermoelectric module is coupled to a supply voltage to generate a temperature difference. A heat exchanger cassette comprising a core and first and second laminar flow guides is in thermal contact (directly or indirectly) with the thermoelectric module. The cassette has a plurality of tubes for carrying parallel channels of the blood. The first and second laminar flow guides provide an inlet and an outlet for coupling to the extracorporeal blood circuit and respective intermediate chambers for receiving respective ends of the tubes in order to guide the blood to and from respective tubes in a substantially laminar flow.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: An endoscopic vessel harvesting device has an elongated sleeve member for insertion into a body having a vessel to be harvested. A V-cutter cutter is provided that is longitudinally extendable from the sleeve member toward a cutting position for cutting branches of a vessel being harvested. The cutter comprises a V-tip, a longitudinal slit for receiving a branch to be cut, and electrodes adjacent to the longitudinal slit for being electrically energized to cut and cauterize the branch. A debris remover is fixed to the sleeve member in alignment with the longitudinal slit for mechanically removing debris from the longitudinal slit when the cutter is positioned longitudinally inward from the cutting position. The debris remover is operable during times that the sleeve member is inserted into the body. Effectiveness of the V-cutter is maintained even in conditions favoring a build-up of debris that could otherwise clog the longitudinal slit of the V-cutter.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A vessel preparation and preservation kit supports a blood vessel during processing for use in bypass graft surgery. The device comprises a clamshell base having first and second trays latchable in a closed condition and pivotable to an open condition. The first tray has a series of open slots on an interior surface, wherein each slot extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamshell base. A first fixture has a first plate positionable in any selected one of the slots, a first fitting for holding a first end of the blood vessel, and a fluid supply needle for inserting into the first end of the blood vessel. A second fixture has a second plate positionable in any selected one of the slots a predetermined distance from the first fixture and having a second fitting for holding a second end of the blood vessel. A liquid-retaining foam is mounted in the second tray to immerse the prepared blood vessel in liquid to preserve it by putting the trays in the closed condition.

Abstract: A pump drive unit has an openable housing that accommodates a disposable impeller unit which is pre-connected with tubing, while maintaining the tight tolerances and close spacing. A levitation system (magnets and sensors), drive motor and drive magnets, and control electronics are all re-usable and housed within relatively permanent structures. In one embodiment, a hinged top separates the levitating magnets to allow the impeller unit to be captured and retained with positional accuracy and in close proximity to the desired locations when the hinged top is closed. The top may be separated into sections covering unequal arcs to coincide with the organization of the magnetic subcomponents in the upper drive unit housing.

Abstract: A dual-channel fluid temperature control apparatus controls temperature of cardiac fluids during surgery using power from an electrical convenience outlet having a power limit. A first pump receives a first heat exchange fluid to selectively pump the first heat exchange fluid within a first circulation channel. A second pump receives a second heat exchange fluid to selectively pump the second heat exchange fluid within a second circulation channel. A first heater unit comprises a first plurality of independently actuatable heating elements each having a respective power consumption. A second heater unit comprises a second plurality of independently actuatable heating elements each having a respective power consumption. A controller selectably actuates the first and second pumps and the first and second pluralities of heating elements to selectably heat or cool the first and second heat exchange fluids such that power draw of all activated pumps and heating elements is maintained within the power limit.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A roller pump including a stator and a rotor assembly disposed within the stator. The rotor assembly includes a rotor hub, a first roller slide and a second roller slide slidingly disposed within the rotor hub. Each of the roller slides rotatably supports a roller. An occlusion adjustment knob for adjusting a radial position of the first and second roller slides and a magnetic detent assembly for providing an audible indicator as the occlusion adjustment knob is rotated.

Abstract: A self-contained pack assembly includes all of the disposable components of an extracorporeal support circuit for cardiac bypass surgery. The pack assembly comprises a blood reservoir, a blood oxygenator, and a carrier for vertically mounting the blood reservoir and blood oxygenator. Trays may be releasably attached to the carrier to serve as containers for coiled tubing used in the support circuit.

Abstract: A retrograde cannula includes coaxial inner and outer bodies, wherein a least of the portion of the inner body is axially slidable within the outer body. The inner body forms an infusion lumen for conducting CPG. A sealing member is mounted adjacent a distal end of the outer body and is expandable into sealing relationship with a wall of a patient's heart. The sealing member includes proximal and distal ends that are moved away from one another to collapse the sealing member in response to axial sliding of the inner body within the outer body to reduce a profile of the cannula, and thereby facilitate movement of the cannula through a patient's body.

Abstract: Fluid pump control modes in a medical perfusion system include a Back Off Response Mode, a Flow Servo Mode, a Pressure Servo Mode, and a Master-Slave Servo Mode. In the Back Off Response Mode, pump's speed is decremented to a new speed when an excessive flow rate or pressure condition is detected. The new speed is maintained until an additional decrement is required or until the Back Off Response Mode is exited. In the Flow Servo Mode, a pump's speed is controlled to maintain a fluid flow rate indicated by a user as a setpoint. In the Pressure Servo Mode, a pump's speed is controlled to maintain a pressure indicated by the user as a setpoint. In the Master-Slave Servo Mode, a slave pump receives an indication of a master pump's speed, and the slave pump speed is controlled to maintain a specified percentage of the master pump's speed.

Abstract: A roller pump includes a stator, a rotor assembly including a rotor hub, a first roller slide and a second roller slide slidingly disposed within the rotor hub, with each of the roller slides supporting a roller. At least one adjustable bushing is mounted within at least one of the roller slides. The roller slide includes a recess and the at least one adjustable bushing is at least partially disposed within the recess. The at least one adjustable bushing includes a bushing member and a spring member, the bushing member and the spring member being disposed within the recess in the roller slide.