Abstract: A cranial spinal column support assembly includes a base having a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface. A support frame is attached to and extends upwardly from the upper surface. The support frame is positioned generally adjacent to the first end of the base. A mounting is positioned on the support frame and is selectively positioned between an upper portion of the support frame and a lower portion of the support frame. A securing member is adapted for releasably securing the mounting to the frame in a fixed position. A head support is mounted to and extends outwardly away from the mounting. The head support includes a face receiving member for receiving a head in a downward facing position.

Abstract: A sliding gas-tight seal on an access port promotes insufflation of an anatomical space formed in tissue at a surgical site only during insertion of an endoscopic instrument through the access port into the anatomical space, and promotes deflation of the inflated space upon removal of the endoscopic instrument from within the access port. An inflatable balloon disposed about the port near the distal end may be selectively expanded to seal and anchor the access port within an incision through which a surgical procedure with insufflation is to be performed. Multiple resilient seals may be attached to the body of the port, and an auxiliary resilient seal may be inserted within the aperture of a seal attached to the body to accommodate a wide range of endoscopic instruments of various exterior dimensions inserted through the seals.

Abstract: An inhaler comprises a pump 17, a drug dosing device 15 and a cyclone 1 which delivers an aerosol of powdered medicament from the drug dosing device 15 into a chamber 11 when the pump 17 is activated. The aerosol is inhaled by the user through a mouthpiece 13.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting disordered breathing in a patient and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for detecting patient snoring and/or for dynamically determining a snore detection threshold, and to a pressure support system and method of providing pressure support that uses this unique snore detection and/or snore detection dynamic adjustment technique to control the pressure provided to at patient.

Abstract: Device for implanting occlusion spirals in body cavities or blood vessels with a catheter, an occlusion spiral that can be moved within the catheter in the longitudinal direction, and at least one securing means attached in the occlusion spiral, structured as a flexible lengthwise element, which passes through the length of the occlusion spiral at least in a partial region, which is characterized in that the securing means contains a material with shape memory properties.

Abstract: An anastomosis staple comprising of a plurality of vessel engaging members and a binding structure holding the vessel engaging members together is described. The binding structure has at least one bioabsorbable element. The binding structure is rigid enough to allow for deployment and quickly resorbs to avoid problems associated with intimal hyperplasia and physical hindrance of secondary interventional procedures. The vessel engaging members may be comprised of superelastic or shape memory metal and are independent from one another. The members may be equidistant from one another and embedded within the binding structure. The composite staple can preferably serve as a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for treatment of a patient's lacrimal system is applied transnasally without the use of a guide wire or a curve retention member. The catheter uses a stainless steel hypotube of sufficient stiffness and column strength to be pushed from the patent's nasal cavity through an opening-formed through the lateral nasal wall and lacrimal fossa, into the lacrimal sac. The catheter has an inflatable member mounted about a rigid bent distal segment. The opening is first formed by pushing small holes through the medial sac, lacrimal fossa, and lateral nasal wall with an instrument and coalescing the holes. The catheter is then introduced into the nasal cavity and pushed laterally through the opening by manipulating its proximal end. Pressurized fluid is then applied to the catheter to inflate the inflatable member and dilate the opening.

Abstract: A pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The controller in the pressure support system operates as a set of prioritized control layers, wherein each control layer competes for control of the pressure generating system to implement a unique pressure control process. The pressure support system also controls the pressure provided to the patient based on the variability of the monitored data and a trend analysis of this data, including an indication of the skewness of the patient's inspiratory waveform.

Abstract: A self-contained system which converts nitrous oxide to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable system is disclosed wherein liquefied nitrous oxide is converted to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The decomposition occurs over a catalyst bed which is all contained in a small reactor. The invention is useful for underwater, fire fighting and outer space applications.

Abstract: Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates have locking components such as snap-fit components to maintain the plates together. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus or an eternally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. One of the compression plates enables a graft vessel to be pre-everted so that the anastomosis fenestra contours are everted. The appparatus provides a structure that enables the vessels to be joined without being penetrated.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion instrument includes: a cylinder (10, 20, 60) provided with an insertion part (11) which is inserted in an eye through an incision formed in the eye; a push-out unit (30) which is mounted axially movably in the cylinder to push out an intraocular lens (40) placed in the cylinder to the outside through the insertion part; and a working pressure adjustment unit (22, 23, 24; 70, 72, 80, 81) which is set in contact with the push-out unit to adjust working pressure needed to move the push-out unit by changing frictional force on the push-out unit.

Abstract: A combination of a bellows structure (12), volume restrictor, and pressure restrictor for use on a hand-operated resuscitator is provided to enable delivery of ventilation within specific volume and pressure limitations specified by the operator. The bellows structure (12) consistently provides predictable and uniform generation of gas flow for ventilation without regard to one or two-handed technique, hand placement, or hand size. The volume restrictor, primarily comprising of an inflow obturator (20), outflow obturator (22), and placement cam (34), enables the physician to specify a specific tidal volume to be delivered, which constitutes a volume-controlled cycling capability of the invention. The pressure restrictor, primarily comprising of an outer housing (40), stopper housings (41), and a stopper (50), enables the physician to specify a specific maximum airway pressure to be exposed to the patient, which constitutes a pressure-controlled cycling capability of the invention.

Abstract: A ventilator has an inspiratory unit and an expiratory valve for regulating a flow of breathing gas and a control unit for controlling the inspiratory unit and the expiratory valve. In order to facilitate the opening of collapsed alveoli in the lungs, the control unit controls the inspiratory unit and the expiratory valve to generate a recruitment phase with an elevated basic pressure for the flow of breathing gas upon which a number of breaths is superimposed at a faster breathing rate.

Abstract: A tracheal tube ventilation apparatus to more effectively remove expired gases. In one preferred embodiment, one or more leak holes are created in the side walls of an endotracheal tube so that expired gases can leak out of the endotracheal tube above the larynx, such as into the back of the mouth (i.e., oropharynx). Each leak hole might advantageously have a diameter between 0.5 and 4.0 mm. In another preferred embodiment, a tube is attached to a proportionately larger leak hole (e.g., up to 8.0 mm) so that the expired gases can be directed away from the leak hole to a specific location, such as directed out of the mouth. In the case of mechanically controlled ventilation, a positive end expiratory pressure can be applied to this tube to mechanically assist with the process of exhaling. In each of these embodiments, it is preferred, but not required, that the endotracheal tube be an ultra-thin walled, two stage tube so as to further assist in the reduction of resistance to the flow of oxygen/air.

Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A manual inexsufflator including a standard mechanical ventilator, a medical suction unit, and a piston-like sliding valve mechanism which connects a patient ventilation interface with either the ventilator or the suction unit. By sliding the valve mechanism in and out the user selectively connects the patient to either the ventilator, for purposes of insufflation, or the suction unit, for purposes of exsufflation. The ventilator may generate expiratory positive airway pressure between inexsufflation cycles.

Abstract: A suture trimmer having a shaft with a groove formed in the side thereof, a cutting member movably disposed within the shaft, and a suture retainer slidably disposed within the shaft. The suture trimmer may be used to position knots formed within a suture loop prior to trimming the free end(s) of the suture loop, and to deliver an agent near the location where the suture is severed.

Abstract: There is provided a dispenser comprising a body for receipt of a carrier for a composition; an exit channel definable by the body for passage of the composition to a user; a cover for the exit channel reversibly movable between a storage position in which the cover fully protects the exit channel, to an in-use position wherein the exit channel is exposed. Biasing means act on the cover when the cover is not in the in-use or storage positions, to bias the cover towards either the in-use position or the storage position.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for medical retrieval devices. Some embodiments pertain to a medical retrieval device including a cage having internal migration barriers therein. Some embodiments pertain to a medical retrieval device including a cage having variable diameters along the length thereof. Several alternative medical retrieval devices constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A holding member has an opening portion which opens to an distal end. The opening portion, the distal end of an endoscope and a holding member define a treatment space. A clamping member can project and retreat from and into the opening portion through the treatment space. The puncture member can move in the treatment space, in a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the endoscope.