Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting medical waste. A mobile rover includes at least one waste container, and a rover controller. A chassis is removably couplable with the mobile rover and includes a vacuum regulator, and a chassis controller. The chassis controller is configured to control operation of the vacuum regulator based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor disposed on the mobile rover. The chassis may include a control panel configured to receive an input of and display a vacuum level, and the chassis controller may control operation of the vacuum regulator based on the input. The mobile rover may include plural waste containers, and the chassis may include plural vacuum regulators. The chassis controller may control operation of the vacuum regulators on the chassis to independently regulate the vacuum level supplied to each of the waste containers on the mobile rover.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting medical/surgical waste. A mobile rover includes at least one waste container supported on the mobile rover for storing the medical/surgical waste. A chassis is separate from and configured be removably coupled with the mobile rover. The chassis supports a chassis controller and a vacuum pump configured to draw a vacuum on the waste container. A rover controller is supported on the mobile rover and configured to receive a pressure signal representative of a level of the vacuum. The chassis controller is configured to be in communication with the rover controller and to regulate the level of the vacuum drawn based on the pressure signal. A transmitter may be supported on the mobile rover and in communication with the rover controller, and a receiver may be supported on the chassis to be in communication with the transmitter to establish a communication circuit for data transfer.

Abstract: A lavage unit may include a handpiece configured to house a pump to which an irrigation tube is connected. The pump may include a bellows defining a pump chamber. When the bellows is reciprocated by a linkage, the bellows draws irrigation fluid from the irrigation tube into the pump chamber and then discharges the fluid out of the pump chamber through an outlet. The pump further includes a section formed from compressible or flexible material that defines a supplemental chamber. The linkage is connected to said pump to alternatively compress the bellows forming the pump chamber and the material forming the supplemental chamber. During the movement of the linkage a valve located between the pump chamber and the supplemental chamber reciprocates with the linkage.

Abstract: A sterilization enclosure comprises one or more sensors for measuring characteristics within the container during a sterilization process, including one or more characteristics of sterilization agent(s), to determine whether instruments disposed within the container have been exposed to threshold process conditions to ensure a desired level of sterilization for those instruments.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a helmet worn on the head of a user and a hood removably coupled to the helmet. The hood may comprise a shell, a transparent face shield, and a mounting element configured to removably couple the hood to the helmet. The transparent shield may comprise a first lens and a second lens. The first lens may be coupled to the shell, and the second lens may be coupled to the first lens. The second lens may be coupled to the first lens by one of an adhesive, heat staking or ultra-sonic welding. The hood may also comprise a mounting element configured to center the transparent face shield relative to a light assembly coupled to the helmet such that the light emitted from the light assembly passes through a u-shaped opening or slot defined by the second lens.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a helmet worn on the head of a user and a hood removably coupled to the helmet. The helmet may comprise a ventilation assembly, a chin bar and a control circuit. The chin bar may comprise a mounting device and a hall effect sensor mounted adjacent the mounting device. The hall effect sensor may be in communication with the control circuit. The hood may comprise a transparent face shield and a mounting element configured to removably couple with the mounting device of the helmet. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from said hall effect sensor indicating the coupling of said mounting element of said hood with said mounting device of said helmet.

Abstract: An irrigator that is powered by a surgical tool capable of driving an implement. The irrigator includes a pump contained in a pump housing adapted for attachment to the tool. The irrigator includes a tip assembly connected to the pump by a flexible supply tube. Thus the tip assembly can be position against tissue against which the irrigating fluid is to be applied without having to likewise position the tool and the pump.

Abstract: A sterilization enclosure comprises one or more sensors for measuring characteristics within the container during a sterilization process, including one or more characteristics of sterilization agent(s), to determine whether instruments disposed within the container have been exposed to threshold process conditions to ensure a desired level of sterilization for those instruments.

Abstract: A sterilization container with a sensor module for monitoring the environmental characteristics internal to the container. The sensor module includes a normally closed end bore. A sensor is disposed in the closed end void space. Other sensors also part of the module monitor the pressure and temperature of the environment inside the container. Based on the measurements of the environment in the container and the environment within the closed end void space it is possible to determine the extent to which the container is filled with saturated steam.

Abstract: A sterilization container with a sensor module for monitoring the environmental characteristics internal to the container. The sensor module includes a normally closed end bore. A sensor is disposed in the closed end void space. Other sensors also part of the module monitor the pressure and temperature of the environment inside the container. Based on the measurements of the environment in the container and the environment within the closed end void space it is possible to determine the extent to which the container is filled with saturated steam.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a helmet worn on the head of a user and a hood removably coupled to the helmet. The helmet may comprise a ventilation assembly, a chin bar and a control circuit. The chin bar may comprise a mounting device and a hall effect sensor mounted adjacent the mounting device. The hall effect sensor may be in communication with the control circuit. The hood may comprise a transparent face shield and a mounting element configured to removably couple with the mounting device of the helmet. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from said hall effect sensor indicating the coupling of said mounting element of said hood with said mounting device of said helmet.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a support (100) worn around the head and a hood (400) worn over the head and the support. A ventilation unit (150) attached to the support draws air into the hood. Ultraviolet lights (360) direct light into the air stream drawn into the hood. The light renders microorganisms in the air stream innocuous.

Abstract: A lavage unit may include a handpiece configured to house a pump to which an irrigation tube is connected. The pump may include a bellows defining a pump chamber. When the bellows is reciprocated by a linkage, the bellows draws irrigation fluid from the irrigation tube into the pump chamber and then discharges the fluid out of the pump chamber through an outlet. The pump further includes a section formed from compressible or flexible material that defines a supplemental chamber. The linkage is connected to said pump to alternatively compress the bellows forming the pump chamber and the material forming the supplemental chamber. During the movement of the linkage a valve located between the pump chamber and the supplemental chamber reciprocates with the linkage.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting medical/surgical waste. A mobile rover includes at least one waste container supported on the mobile rover for storing the medical/surgical waste. A chassis is separate from and configured be removably coupled with the mobile rover. The chassis supports a chassis controller and a vacuum pump configured to draw a vacuum on the waste container. A rover controller is supported on the mobile rover and configured to receive a pressure signal representative of a level of the vacuum. The chassis controller is configured to be in communication with the rover controller and to regulate the level of the vacuum drawn based on the pressure signal. A transmitter may be supported on the mobile rover and in communication with the rover controller, and a receiver may be supported on the chassis to be in communication with the transmitter to establish a communication circuit for data transfer.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting waste during medical/surgical procedures including a mobile container cart with a waste container. A container cart is selectively coupled to a suction cart that includes a vacuum pump. The connection of the carts results in the connection of the vacuum pump to the waste container. The vacuum pump draws a vacuum that results in waste being drawn through a suction line into the waste container. The container cart holds instruments that can be removably attached to the container cart. This facilitates the configuration of the container cart for the specific procedure for which it is necessary to draw a suction.

Abstract: An irrigator that is powered by a surgical tool capable of driving an implement. The irrigator includes a pump contained in a pump housing adapted for attachment to the tool. The irrigator includes a tip assembly connected to the pump by a flexible supply tube. Thus the tip assembly can be position against tissue against which the irrigating fluid is to be applied without having to likewise position the tool and the pump.

Abstract: An irrigator that is powered by a surgical tool capable of driving an implement. The irrigator includes a pump contained in a pump housing adapted for attachment to the tool. The irrigator includes a tip assembly connected to the pump by a flexible supply tube. Thus the tip assembly can be position against tissue against which the irrigating fluid is to be applied without having to likewise position the tool and the pump.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.