Abstract: Preparing the heart for connection with a ventricular assist device (VAD) can include attaching an attachment ring to a ventricular apex of the heart. The attachment ring optionally includes a seal or a valve to allow the procedure to be performed with or without a heart-lung bypass. A valve can be temporarily attached to the attachment ring. Tissue is removed from the ventricular apex through the attachment ring to form a hole through which an inflow conduit of the VAD can be inserted. A slit can first be made in the ventricular apex to facilitate removal of the tissue. A clamp can be closed around the attachment ring to secure the inflow conduit.

Abstract: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. Further, an annular or partially annular sensor is adapted to hold an emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. A clip-style sensor is provided with a spacer that controls the distance between the emitter and detector.

Abstract: A system that monitors water displacement in tissue during patient therapy includes a generator supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue, a spectrometer operably coupled to the generator, and a processor communicating with the generator and with the spectrometer having a light source for exposing tissue to light and a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to sense changes in light through tissue in response to tissue treatment and communicate the changes to the processor to determine tissue hydration levels and motility. A plurality of optical fibers may be configured in an array to communicate light between the generator and tissue. An optical temperature monitor may communicate with the processor and be coupled to an optical fiber. The optical fibers may have an optic fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers. The system may be incorporated within an electrosurgical pencil or a forceps. A corresponding method of detecting hydration is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coring knife can be used to make a circular incision. The coring knife can include an abutment that can be inserted into heart tissue. The circular incision is made by pressing the circular cutting edge of the coring knife against the abutment.

Abstract: A slitting tool can be used to make a linear incision. The slitting can include a flat blade contained within a housing, and an actuator for extending the flat blade out of a housing.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry sensor adapted to emit light from an emitter proximate to a patient's tissue and detect a portion of the emitted light on a detector proximate to the tissue. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to acquire position data for the emitter and for the detector with one or more position indicators. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to process the position data to obtain a change in position of the emitter and the detector; and to process pulse oximetry measurements using the change in position to obtain a motion-corrected pulse oximetry data.

Abstract: A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, and attachment ring and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood.

Abstract: A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, and attachment ring and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood.

Abstract: A ventricular assist system and a method of implanting the system are disclosed. The system can have a pump, an inflow conduit, an outflow conduit, attachment ring, ring clamp, and a valvular structure. The attachment ring can be attached to the apex of the heart. The valvular structure can have a flexible, one-way valve in a rigid housing. The inflow conduit can be passed through the valvular structure and the attachment ring into a beating heart with minimal loss of blood. Devices such as slitting tool, coring knife, and/or C-clamp and use of the devices can form part of the system and method for implanting the ventricular assist device.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in sensor measurements. A sensor may selectively absorb light from outside sources. A sensor may selectively absorb light near a region of tissue having relatively large subcutaneous anatomic structures, such as large blood vessels, and selectively reflect light near a region of tissue that is relatively free of large blood vessels or other structures. The sensor is adapted to reduce the effect of large subcutaneous anatomic structures and outside light on measurements for pulse oximetry or other spectrophotometric techniques.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to be placed on multiple tissue sites. A sensor is provided that may have one configuration associated with use on a digit and a second configuration associated with use on another tissue site, such as a forehead. Further, a sensor may be adapted to be a transmission-type sensor or a reflectance-type sensor, depending on its configuration.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry sensor adapted to emit light from an emitter proximate to a patient's tissue and detect a portion of the emitted light on a detector proximate to the tissue. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to acquire position data for the emitter and for the detector with one or more position indicators. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to process the position data to obtain a change in position of the emitter and the detector; and to process pulse oximetry measurements using the change in position to obtain a motion-corrected pulse oximetry data.

Abstract: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. Further, an annular or partially annular sensor is adapted to hold an emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. A clip-style sensor is provided with a spacer that controls the distance between the emitter and detector.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and/or methods for assessing body fluid-related metrics and/or changes therein. The disclosure further provides systems, devices, and/or methods for correlating body fluid-related metrics in a particular tissue with the corresponding whole-body metric. The disclosure also provides, systems, devices, and/or methods for assessment of such metrics to facilitate diagnosis and/or therapeutic interventions related to maintaining and/or restoring body fluid balance.

Abstract: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. Further, an annular or partially annular sensor is adapted to hold an emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position when applied to a patient. A clip-style sensor is provided with a spacer that controls the distance between the emitter and detector.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include a patient sensor which has a low-friction exterior coating. In an embodiment, the exterior surface of the sensor may come into contact with external items, such as, for example, bed linens, clothing, unintended parts of the patient's body, or other people. The low-friction coating disposed on the exterior of the sensor may include a material having a relatively low coefficient of friction with respect to these external items. In an embodiment, the low-friction material may include, for example, a fluoropolymer, a polypropylene, or a polyethylene. Additionally, in an embodiment, an internal surface of the sensor that is in contact with the patient may have a relatively high-friction coating, such as an adhesive. In an embodiment, a stack of adhesive layers may be disposed on the internal surface around one or more light emitting and/or detecting optics.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to provide output to indicate when the sensor experiences abnormal forces or pressure. The forces may be outside forces, or the forces may be generated by patient motion. A sensor system as provided may also be adapted to correct for such forces when calculating measurements related to a physiological characteristic.

Abstract: A sensor may be adapted to provide output to indicate when the sensor experiences abnormal forces or pressure. The forces may be outside forces, or the forces may be generated by patient motion. A sensor system as provided may also be adapted to correct for such forces when calculating measurements related to a physiological characteristic.

Abstract: The current techniques provide a system for monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient using microneedles that are coupled to an optical system, allowing spectroscopic measurements to be made immediately below the outer layer of the epidermis. In embodiments of the present invention, the results of the spectroscopic measurements are used to control the administration of a drug through an intravenous tube. In other embodiments, the microneedles may be coated with a drug for administration to the patient. In other embodiments, the microneedles may be mounted in a probe, wherein an actuator is used to move the needles into contact with the skin, and a drug delivery system is used to infuse the drug into the patient. A method for making needles is also provided.