Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: The system for displaying muscle force data includes a wearable patch and a remote visual display. The wearable patch carries electrodes suitable for sensing electromyographic signals on the skin of the patient. The patch carries circuitry which converts the detected electromyographic signal to a digital output which can be transmitted to the remote visual display. The circuitry relies on filtering to produce a usable digital signal at very low power consumption. The transmitted signal can be used to drive a variety of visual displays, including a conventional hand-held personal communicators and entertainment devices which had been programmed to suitably process the visual display.

Abstract: The system for displaying muscle force data includes a wearable patch and a remote visual display. The wearable patch carries electrodes suitable for sensing electromyographic signals on the skin of the patient. The patch carries circuitry which converts the detected electromyographic signal to a digital output which can be transmitted to the remote visual display. The circuitry relies on filtering to produce a usable digital signal at very low power consumption. The transmitted signal can be used to drive a variety of visual displays, including a conventional hand-held personal communicators and entertainment devices which had been programmed to suitably process the visual display.

Abstract: The system for displaying muscle force data includes a wearable patch and a remote visual display. The wearable patch carries electrodes suitable for sensing electromyographic signals on the skin of the patient. The patch carries circuitry which converts the detected electromyographic signal to a digital output which can be transmitted to the remote visual display. The circuitry relies on filtering to produce a usable digital signal at very low power consumption. The transmitted signal can be used to drive a variety of visual displays, including a conventional hand-held personal communicators and entertainment devices which had been programmed to suitably process the visual display.

Abstract: The system for displaying muscle force data includes a wearable patch and a remote visual display. The wearable patch carries electrodes suitable for sensing electromyographic signals on the skin of the patient. The patch carries circuitry which converts the detected electromyographic signal to a digital output which can be transmitted to the remote visual display. The circuitry relies on filtering to produce a usable digital signal at very low power consumption. The transmitted signal can be used to drive a variety of visual displays, including a conventional hand-held personal communicators and entertainment devices which had been programmed to suitably process the visual display.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the volume of surgical fluid present in a cavity in the body of a patient during surgery includes a conduit to the cavity for conducting the surgical fluid therefrom to at least one receptacle for receiving the fluid from said cavity. A source of vacuum assists in withdrawing fluid from the cavity and a vacuum controller interposed between the vacuum source and the receptacle controls the duration of time the receptacle is exposed to vacuum from the vacuum source. The apparatus preferably has a vacuum sensor for sensing vacuum levels in the receptacle when disconnected from the source of vacuum and shares the source of vacuum with another application, giving priority to maintaining a proper vacuum level in the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the volume of surgical fluid present in a cavity of the body during surgery includes a fluid pump for pumping surgical fluid to the cavity via a conduit. A dampener is disposed between the pump and the cavity, with the dampener receiving the fluid output of the pump and having a pressure sensitive volumetric capacity, therefor such that variations in output volume of the pump are diminished by the dampener, the output of which is directed to the cavity. The dampener may be in the form of a hollow chamber into which surgical fluid flows trapping a selected quantity of gas thereabove with the gas quantity being determined by a vent valve. A hydrophobic filter or a float valve may be employed as the vent valve.

Abstract: A device for weighing fluid includes a scale from which a fluid receptacle is suspended. Oscillations in the weight reading due to the pendulous motion of the receptacle are suppressed by a digital filter selected to have rejection notches at the frequencies of weight oscillation.

Abstract: A device for weighing fluid includes a scale from which a fluid receptacle is suspended. Oscillations in the weight reading due to the pendulous motion of the receptacle are suppressed by a digital filter selected to have rejection notches at the frequencies of weight oscillation.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for determining the presence of fluid in a light-transmissive conduit includes a light emitter and a light detector positioned proximate to the conduit. The light detector is juxtaposed relative to the light emitter to receive light emitted by the light emitter. The light received by the light detector is dependent upon the presence of fluid in the conduit. The light received by the light detector varies due to the different optical properties between a conduit that is empty and one that has fluid in it. The light detector may be a phototransistor whose output is amplified to increase the signal attributable to the presence or absence of fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are used for controlled infusion of fluid into a body cavity. In particular, the improved system allows a user to accurately control pressure created in a body cavity over a broad range of fluid flow rates required in various medical procedures. In one embodiment, the system comprises a pump having a conduit which defines a fluid flow path from the pump. Typically, a surgical instrument such as a resectoscope is coupled to the conduit to direct the fluid into the body cavity. The system controls pressure in the body cavity by using a first sensor to measure pump output and a second sensor to measure body cavity pressure. Preferably, the second sensor measures the actual pressure in the body cavity to correct for any pressure losses that may occur during fluid delivery from the pump.

Abstract: A switch apparatus for performing diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures on a patient by the use of first and second electrodes which are placed on a patient. A defibrillator unit and another medical device utilizing radio frequency energy from a radio frequency generator unit comprises a multi-function adapter unit. The adapter unit is coupled to the first and second electrodes, to the defibrillator unit and to the electrosurgery unit for switching between the defibrillation unit and another medical device to permit performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the patient.

Abstract: A switch apparatus for performing diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures on a patient by the use of first and second electrodes adapted to be placed on the patient and by the use of a defibrillator unit and another medical device utilizing radiofrequency energy from a radiofrequency generator unit comprising a multi-function adapter unit adapted to be coupled to the first and second electrodes and adapted to be coupled to the defibrillator unit and to the electrosurgery unit for switching between the defibrillation unit and another medical device to permit performing the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the patient utilizing the same first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A medical electrode for use with a power supply for providing a more uniform current distribution for contacting an exposed surface of skin of a living body comprising a flexible carrier layer formed of an insulating material. A layer of conductive material is carried by the carrier layer. The layer of conductive material is separated into at least two segments with a space therebetween so that the two segments are electrically isolated from each other. A continuous layer of hydrogel material overlies the segments and is disposed in said space. The hydrogel material has a resistivity greater than the resistivity of the skin of the patient. A connector is adapted to be connected to the source of power whereby substantially equal current flow can be achieved from each segment through the skin of the patient without sharp transitions in current flow between the segments and the space between the segments.

Abstract: An electrode construction comprising a support structure, a conductive electrode material carried by the support structure and having a length and a width and having proximal and distal extremities, said support structure including a compliant sleeve having an open end and surrounding the distal extremity of the conductive electrode material while permitting the conductive electrode material to protrude through the open end, and conductive contact means making contact with the proximal extremity of the conductive electrode material.

Abstract: Large surface area electrode for use with a power supply having a more uniform current density distribution for contacting the exposed surface of a living body having a contour. The electrode comprises a layer of flexible conductive material of a predetermined geometrical shape and having first and second surfaces. The layer is normally relatively flat and is capable of assuming contours of the skin of the body when the electrode is placed in contact with the body with the first surface of the layer engaging the exposed surface of the body. The layer of conductive material has a central portion and a surrounding ring portion. The central portion and the surrounding ring portion have outer margins with edges. A flexible carrier layer is provided which is secured to the second surface of the layer of flexible conductive material and serves to support the central portion and the said surrounding portion so that the surrounding portion is spaced from and insulated from the central portion.