Abstract: A nasal cannula for use with an ambient pressure gas dispensing system with ambient pressure tubing. Nasal prongs extend from a nasal cannula body. A gas reception aperture is in fluidic communication with an inner volume of the nasal cannula body for receiving gas through the tubing. A one-way expiratory valve is retained by the nasal cannula body. Gas provided by the tubing can be inhaled through the nasal prongs and expired breath can be discharged through the one-way expiratory valve. First and second FiO2 adjustment apertures are individually and selectively adjustable in size to provide a desired entrainment of atmospheric air with gas inhaled through the nasal prongs. The nasal cannula body is formed from a first body member of resilient and flexible material assembled with a cavity that receives a second body member of rigid material.

Abstract: A gas blending apparatus and an ambient pressure gas delivery and conservation system with such a gas blending apparatus for delivering gas at ambient pressure from a donor reservoir to a recipient. A main conduit body has a first port in fluidic communication with the donor reservoir and a second port for supplying gas to the recipient through ambient pressure tubing. A one-way inspiratory valve between the first port and the second port permits gas to be drawn from the reservoir but not to be received through the second port, through the first port, and into the donor reservoir. An air-input orifice permits ambient air to be blended with gas drawn from the reservoir. An orifice adjustment member is selectively repositionable relative to the air-input orifice to adjust the effective size of the aperture thereby to adjust the ratio of ambient air to gas drawn from the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for conserving oxygen and other gasses supplied to a recipient. A supply conduit supplies gas from a source to a reservoir, which retains a volume of gas at ambient pressure. A conduit supplies gas from the reservoir to the recipient, and an inflation detection system detects when the reservoir is below a state of inflation and when the reservoir is inflated to the state of inflation. A valve system prevents gas from flowing from the source and into the reservoir when the reservoir is at the predetermined state of inflation, and the valve system permits gas to flow from the source and into the reservoir when the reservoir is below the predetermined state of inflation whereby gas within the reservoir can be continually replenished without pressurization above ambient pressure. The inflation detection system can be an electro-mechanical system. Alternatively, the inflation detection system can be a contactless system.

Abstract: A radiofrequency denervation device with a needle and an electrode to achieve radiofrequency denervation of the sacroiliac joint. The needle is substantially rigid with a sharp tip and a gauge sufficient to navigate through tissue and a tip comprising an inactive portion and a radiofrequency active portion for producing lesions in tissue. The tip is disposed in a helical formation concentric with a longitudinal axis of the needle that communicates over an arcuate path with an angle of attack. Radiofrequency denervation can be performed within patient tissue by rotating the tip of the needle in a screw-like motion in a first rotational direction to advance through tissue to achieve a position with the active portion of the tip substantially parallel to a surface of the sacrum and actuating the active portion to produce a lesion. Repositioning and further lesioning can be achieved by selective rotation and actuation of the tip.

Abstract: An automatic replenishing system for automatically replenishing preservative gas within a compressible bladder for supply to the inner volume of a vessel. A compressible bladder has an outer wall and an inner volume. A supply conduit receives preservative gas from a source, and a discharge conduit supplies preservative gas to a vessel. An inflation detection system detect a first condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated to a state of inflation and a second condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated below the state of inflation. A valve system is operative to prevent preservative gas from flowing from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the first condition and to permit preservative gas to flow from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the second condition.

Abstract: A radiofrequency denervation device with a needle and an electrode for actuating an active portion of the needle to produce radiofrequency denervation of the sacroiliac joint. The needle has a tip with an inactive portion and the radiofrequency active portion for producing lesions in surrounding tissue. The active portion and a portion of the inactive portion are disposed in a helical formation concentric with a longitudinal axis of the needle. The helical formation communicates over an arcuate path with an angle of attack. A method of radiofrequency denervation can be performed by rotating the tip of the needle in a screw-like motion in a first rotational direction to achieve a position with the active portion of the tip substantially parallel to a surface of the sacrum and actuating the active portion to produce a lesion. Repositioning and further lesioning can be achieved by selective rotation and actuation of the tip.

Abstract: An automatic replenishing system for automatically replenishing preservative gas within a compressible bladder for supply to the inner volume of a vessel. A compressible bladder has an outer wall and an inner volume. A supply conduit receives preservative gas from a source, and a discharge conduit supplies preservative gas to a vessel. An inflation detection system detect a first condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated to a state of inflation and a second condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated below the state of inflation. A valve system is operative to prevent preservative gas from flowing from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the first condition and to permit preservative gas to flow from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the second condition.

Abstract: A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.

Abstract: A radiofrequency denervation device with a needle and an electrode for actuating an active portion of the needle to produce radiofrequency denervation of the sacroiliac joint. The needle has a tip with an inactive portion and the radiofrequency active portion for producing lesions in surrounding tissue. The active portion and a portion of the inactive portion are disposed in a helical formation concentric with a longitudinal axis of the needle. The helical formation communicates over an arcuate path with an angle of attack. A method of radiofrequency denervation can be performed by rotating the tip of the needle in a screw-like motion in a first rotational direction to achieve a position with the active portion of the tip substantially parallel to a surface of the sacrum and actuating the active portion to produce a lesion. Repositioning and further lesioning can be achieved by selective rotation and actuation of the tip.

Abstract: A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.

Abstract: A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.

Abstract: A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.