Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described in the present disclosure for determining the location and orientation of an object placed on a surface. One such system, among others, includes an optical device physically supported by an object at a fixed position with respect to a reference point of the object. The system also includes a surface upon which the object can be placed. A reference pattern, which is applied to the surface, includes an array of markings visible to the optical device. The array of markings includes encoded location information and orientation information. In addition, the system includes a processing device in communication with the optical device. The processing device is configured to calculate the location and orientation of the reference point of the object with respect to the surface.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Industrial fluids can be monitored by employing differential ion mobility spectrometer to sample the industrial fluids. This process may also include controlling an industrial device or an industrial process using the results of the output from the field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer. The process may also include employing a device to condition the sample prior to introducing the sample into field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: Devices adapted to facilitate draining fluid from the abdominal/peritoneal cavity of a medical patient. The invention may be embodied in one or more element of an access port, insertion assist device, and/or abdominal catheter. A preferred abdominal catheter provides a drain field that can be inserted into the abdominal compartment, through an access opening having a small cross-section, in a stowed configuration and subsequently expanded to provide a large drain area through which to extract fluid from the compartment.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of a surgical instrument. Movement and/or forces applied to the surgical instrument are preferably sensed within the apparatus. An actuator is preferably used to apply force to the surgical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. The apparatus applies variable force feedback to apply force to the surgical instrument in one or more degrees of freedom to provide an enhanced haptic experience to the user.

Abstract: An interface device capable of communicating with a computer running a simulation program, such as a surgical simulation program, comprises an instrument capable of being manipulated by a user. The instrument is receivable within an orifice in an instrument receiving member, the instrument receiving member comprising a capture member engageable with the instrument and a sensor to sense a position of the instrument. The position of the instrument is then used by the computer to control a graphic image related to the simulation. In one version, the simulation is a simulation of a surgical instrument insertion procedure, such as an endoscopy procedure.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: Described is, e.g., an apparatus (100), and associated methods of manufacture and use, for draining a fluid, discharged from a urinary catheter (104) installed in a subject's bladder, into a drain container (138) while avoiding undesired pressure states in such bladder. A drain conduit (102) connected to the catheter has a sufficiently small size as to maintain plug-flow between opposite ends of the drain conduit. The discharge end of the drain conduit is connected to a siphon-break apparatus (106) configured to cause a siphon-break disposed at an elevation (132) in approximate agreement with the subject's bladder. The potential energy from fluid downstream of the siphon-break location is decoupled from fluid in the drain conduit.