Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A suction-irrigiation aspiration device may be provided with a tip capable of mechanical action to break up or emulsify material into smaller particles during a suction or irrigation procedure. The mechanical action in the tip may the in the form of a rotational or linear reciprocating motion to cut or emulsify the blood or tissue and thereby prevent or reduce clogging of the suction-irrigiation aspiration device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.

Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.

Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.

Abstract: A combined patient interface and integrated exhaust assembly that passes a controlled flow of gas from an interior of a patient interface to ambient atmosphere at a predetermined flow rate irrespective of variations of pressure in the interior of the patient interface device relative to ambient atmosphere. Control of the flow of exhaust gas is achieved by varying the effective cross sectional area of the exhaust path communicating the interior of the patient interface with ambient atmosphere based on the pressure in the interior of the patient interface relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO.sub.2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO.sub.2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.

Abstract: A self-regulating valve device adapted for use with respiratory equipment of a type which produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device affords automatic access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction and includes a primary inlet, a secondary inlet and an outlet. The primary inlet is adapted for connection to a ported exhalation valve which, in turn, is connected to one end of an elongated flexible tube, the opposite end of which is connected to a gas flow generator. The outlet, in turn, is connected to the inlet of an oral, nasal or oral/nasal respiratory mask respectively adapted to cover the patient's mouth, nose or mouth and nose. The valve device further comprises a pressure-responsive valve element for regulating gas flow into the inlet of the respiratory mask. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the valve device may be used in conjunction with a tracheotomy tube or an endotracheal tube or similar patient interface means.

Abstract: A respiratory mask including a flexible seal member that is formed to receive nasal and/or oral portions of a user's face. The flexible seal member is adapted to resiliently deform against the facial structure of the user to form a seal therewith when the mask is secured to the user's head by suitable straps or related headgear. The mask further includes a single block-like spacer for limiting deformation of the mask seal when the mask is engaged with the user's face and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the spacer. A presently preferred adjusting mechanism includes a flexible strap member upwardly extending from the mask and along which the spacer may be conveniently and selectively positioned.

Abstract: A self-regulating valve device adapted for use with respiratory equipment of a type which produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device affords automatic access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction and includes a primary inlet, a secondary inlet and an outlet. The primary inlet is adapted for connection to a ported exhalation valve which, in turn, is connected to one end of an elongated flexible tube, the opposite end of which is connected to a gas flow generator. The outlet, in turn, is connected to the inlet of an oral, nasal or oral/nasal respiratory mask respectively adapted to cover the patient's mouth, nose or mouth and nose. The valve device further comprises a pressure-responsive valve element for regulating gas flow into the inlet of the respiratory mask. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is additionally provided a diffuser element positioned generally at the valve outlet/mask inlet junction.