Abstract: A screen providing a GUI is disclosed for a tissue biopsy system having a tissue cutting member. The screen includes a first GUI area configured to represent a first region of the target site from which at least one tissue specimen has been separated from tissue at the target site by the tissue cutting member. The screen further includes a second GUI area configured to represent a second region from which the tissue cutting member may separate one or more additional tissue specimens from tissue at the target site. The screen includes a third GUI area configured to represent a third region in which the tissue cutting member is deployed to separate a tissue specimen from tissue at the target site. The GUI is configured to update the first GUI area, the second GUI area, and the third GUI area as the tissue cutting member is rotated within the patient.

Abstract: A screen providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for a tissue biopsy system includes a circular area and a plurality of GUI areas of variable size located in the circular area. The plurality of GUI areas includes a first GUI area, a second GUI area, and a third GUI area. The first GUI area is configured to represent a first region of the target site from which at least one tissue specimen has been separated from tissue at the target site by a tissue cutting member. The second GUI area is configured to represent a second region from which the tissue cutting member may separate one or more additional tissue specimens from tissue at the target site. The third GUI area is configured to represent a third region in which the tissue cutting member is deployed to separate a tissue specimen from tissue at the target site.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electrosurgical electrode of a medical device includes a hand-held electrosurgical electrode having cutting probe. A return electrode is positioned remote from the electrosurgical electrode. An RF generator is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode and to the return electrode, and includes an RF amplifier. The RF generator generates an RF signal at a first RF power level for tissue cutting and generates the RF signal at a second RF power level greater than the first RF power level to initiate tissue cutting. A sensor monitors an electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode. A controller coupled to the RF amplifier maintains a desired RF power output and a desired RF duty cycle at the first RF power level by adjusting a DC input voltage applied to an output stage of the RF amplifier based on the monitored electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode.

Abstract: A screen providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for a tissue biopsy system includes a circular area and a plurality of GUI areas of variable size located in the circular area. The plurality of GUI areas includes a first GUI area, a second GUI area, and a third GUI area. The first GUI area is configured to represent a first region of the target site from which at least one tissue specimen has been separated from tissue at the target site by a tissue cutting member. The second GUI area is configured to represent a second region from which the tissue cutting member may separate one or more additional tissue specimens from tissue at the target site. The third GUI area is configured to represent a third region in which the tissue cutting member is deployed to separate a tissue specimen from tissue at the target site.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electrosurgical electrode of a medical device includes a hand-held electrosurgical electrode having cutting probe. A return electrode is positioned remote from the electrosurgical electrode. An RF generator is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode and to the return electrode, and includes an RF amplifier. The RF generator generates an RF signal at a first RF power level for tissue cutting and generates the RF signal at a second RF power level greater than the first RF power level to initiate tissue cutting. A sensor monitors an electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode. A controller coupled to the RF amplifier maintains a desired RF power output and a desired RF duty cycle at the first RF power level by adjusting a DC input voltage applied to an output stage of the RF amplifier based on the monitored electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is disclosed for a tissue biopsy system having a tissue cutting member adapted for cutting one or more tissue specimens from tissue at a target site within a patient. The graphical user interface includes a first GUI area representing a first region of the target site from which the tissue cutting member has separated one or more tissue specimens. The graphical user interface further includes a second GUI area, visually distinguishable from the first GUI area, representing a second region from which the tissue cutting member may separate one or more additional tissue specimens from tissue at the target site.

Abstract: A system utilizes an oxygenation device to generate a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and to combine it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The oxygenation device may take the form of a disposable cartridge, which is placed within an enclosure. An electronic controller manages various aspects of the system, such as the production of gas-enriched fluids, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for in situ saphenous vein bypass includes an operating catheter which includes an optical fiber and an electrode, and a control catheter which includes a valvulotome. The operating catheter and control catheter are locked together and advanced through an incision in the leg. The catheters are closely spaced from each other, on opposite sides of a valve to be disrupted. Then, the valvulotome is manipulated to disrupt the valve, the electrode is manipulated to stanch blood flow from the valve and to close off side branches, and both procedures are viewed by means of the optical fiber. The valves of the saphenous vein are thusly disrupted in sequence, and the side branches to the saphenous vein closed off, to thereby modify the saphenous vein in situ for arterial use. In alternate embodiments, the electrode is used with delivery catheters to stop blood flow through a side branch or varicose vein. The electrode includes an embedded temperature sensor for sensing electrode temperature.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue resector is slidably engaged with a working channel of a flexible neuroendoscope for resecting brain tumors, cysts, hematomas, and herniated spinal discs. The resector includes a piezoelectric transducer for generating ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy is coupled to an ultrasonic probe having a rigid proximal segment for transmitting the energy therealong and a flexible distal segment which can bend to conform to the flexible neuroendoscope. An aspiration channel is provided, and the resector can be endoscopically positioned in the brain through the neuroendoscope and energized to ultrasonically break up tissue such as tumors, cysts, and hematomas and remove the tissue through the aspiration channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for in situ saphenous vein bypass includes an operating catheter which includes an optical fiber and an electrode, and a control catheter which includes a valvulotome. The operating catheter and control catheter are locked together and advanced through an incision in the leg. The catheters are closely spaced from each other, on opposite sides of a valve to be disrupted. Then, the valvulotome is manipulated to disrupt the valve, the electrode is manipulated to stanch blood flow from the valve and to close off side branches, and both procedures are viewed by means of the optical fiber. The valves of the saphenous vein are thusly disrupted in sequence, and the side branches to the saphenous vein closed off, to thereby modify the saphenous vein in situ for arterial use. In alternate embodiments, the electrode is used with delivery catheters to stop blood flow through a side branch or varicose vein. The electrode includes an embedded temperature sensor for sensing electrode temperature.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgery apparatus for causing the lumen of a vein to collapse to prevent blood flow through the vein, e.g., a varicose vein or a side branch of the saphenous vein, includes an electrode which is electrically connected to a power source, and the electrode is percutaneously advanced into the vein. Then, the power source is activated to energize the electrode and thus the blood vein until the blood vein sufficiently collapses to block the lumen of the vein. A feedback loop is also provided for sensing electrical impedance of the tissue within the vein being energized and for deenergizing the electrode when the impedance reaches a predetermined value.