Abstract: A surgical drape for preventing surgical site infections during surgery includes an emitter sealed air tight to the drape. The emitter includes an inflatable receiver portion and a terminal outlet distributor fluidly continuous with the receiver portion. The receiver portion inflates on receiving a sterile gas flow from a source of sterile gas. The terminal outlet portion conditions the received sterile gas and emits it as a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of essentially sterile gas into ambient air in the operating room substantially anatomically levelly at least immediately past the incision while keeping the gas essentially sterile. An embodiment is for use in surgery on an extremity of the patient and another embodiment is for use in surgery on an anatomical part that is not an extremity.

Abstract: A method of maintaining sterile surgical instruments sterile. The instruments are placed on a tray located on an upper surface of a sterile gas flow conditioning emitter affixed onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision. The emitter has upper and lower gas vents from its interior, the upper vent facing and opening across the tray for passing sterile gas across the tray to maintain a sterile field on the tray for the instrument.

Abstract: A method of maintaining sterile surgical instruments sterile. The instruments are placed on a tray located on an upper surface of a sterile gas flow conditioning emitter affixed onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision. The emitter has upper and lower gas vents from its interior, the upper vent facing and opening across the tray for passing sterile gas across the tray to maintain a sterile field on the tray for the instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and Methods for protecting a patient from surgical site infection from airborne microbes during surgery. A sterile gas flow conditioning emitter for affixation onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision is anatomically shape conforming for attaching a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of sterile gas substantially anatomically levelly on that anatomical surface and flowing the flow field in the direction of that site while essentially preventing ambient airborne particles from entering the interior of the flow field under the emitter to maintain the gas essentially sterile during passage over the site.

Abstract: A sterile gas flow conditioning emitter for affixation onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision is anatomically shape conforming for attaching a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of sterile gas substantially anatomically levelly on that anatomical surface and flowing the flow field in the direction of that site while essentially preventing ambient airborne particles from entering the interior of the flow field under the emitter to maintain the gas essentially sterile during passage over the site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting a patient from surgical site infection from airborne microbes during surgery. A sterile gas flow conditioning emitter for affixation onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision is anatomically shape conforming for attaching a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of sterile gas substantially anatomically levelly on that anatomical surface and flowing the flow field in the direction of that site while essentially preventing ambient airborne particles from entering the interior of the flow field under the emitter to maintain the gas essentially sterile during passage over the site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting a patient from surgical site infection from airborne microbes during surgery. A sterile gas flow conditioning emitter for affixation onto an anatomical surface of a patient adjacent a site of incision is anatomically shape conforming for attaching a unidirectional coherent non-turbulent flow field of sterile gas substantially anatomically levelly on that anatomical surface and flowing the flow field in the direction of that site while essentially preventing ambient airborne particles from entering the interior of the flow field under the emitter to maintain the gas essentially sterile during passage over the site.

Abstract: A retractor system having a blade assembly with notches for receiving a portion of a surgical retractor stay. A retractor system having a cam lock mechanism and/or a ratchet mechanism to restrict movement of the paddle arms. A retractor system having pinions to engage an elastic band to aid the frame and paddle arms to automatically self-position during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An improved surgical retractor stay system has a variable geometry retractor frame and disposable retractor stay clips. The retractor stay clips are adapted to snap onto the variable geometry retractor frame and are slidably movable thereon. The retractor frames are custom made having variable geometry and are prepared from extruded metals. The surgical retractor stay system uses the snap-on retractor stay clips in conjunction with the variable geometry retractor frame.

Abstract: An improved surgical retractor stay having a plastic hook member such that the entire surgical retractor stay is substantially non-interfering with X-ray and MRI imaging techniques.

Abstract: A retractor system having a tray for receiving a small animal or a portion of a body during surgery. The tray has a notched flange for receiving an elastic member of a surgical stay while a tissue holding member of the stay holds a surgical incision open. The tray also includes a drain and a spout either of which may be used to discharge fluids accumulating during surgery. The system may include a snap-on cover to contain the tray contents when moving the tray. The system may have an inclined, textured bottom member and wall holes for receiving adjustable arms having notched flanges.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use in performing surgery upon a patient at a surgical siting includes an annular frame conformed to fit the surface of the patient's body at the site, the frame having a plurality of notches, each having a width. A plurality of stays are provided each including an elongated elastic member having a length, a width, and proximal and distal end portions. The width of each elastic member is preferably greater than the width of the notches so that the stay forms a connection with the annular frame by engaging a selected portion of the elastic member into a notch. At least a portion of one of the elastic members includes a section of hollow elastic tubing having a bore surrounded by a tubing wall. A tissue holding member includes a handle plate forming a first plane, the plate having a thickness, a length, and a height. A wide section of the tissue holding member is much wider than the diameter of the tubing.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes an elongated elastic member having first and second end portions. A retractor hook portion is connected to the first end portion of the elastic member. The second end of the elastic member has a receptacle for connecting a pair of jaws thereto. A pair of jaws is provided, each being mounted to the elastic member at the receptacle. A jaw closing member is provided for urging the jaws to clamp together in a "closed" position. Two sockets are provided in the receptacle, each of the sockets accepting one of the jaws. A portion of the elastic member is positioned in between the two jaws to provide elasticity that urges the jaws to clamp the jaw together.

Abstract: An improved surgical retractor stay has an integrally formed handle body and elongated elastic member with a tail that can engage a slot of a retractor. The improved construction preferably includes an injection molded one piece handle and elongated member so that void spaces are eliminated. A wire hook member includes multiple folded sections that are encapsulated by the handle (e.g., during injection molding of the handle about the hook member). An exposed portion of the hook member extends beyond the distal tip of the handle body and provides a sharp end portion that is used to engage selected body tissue.

Abstract: A power humidifier which supplies steam humidity to the air flow of a furnace system. Heater elements within a water reservoir heat the water to create steam supplied to the air flow. The humidifier is controlled by a microprocessor to ensure efficient operation while monitoring operating characteristics to prevent damage to the humidifier. The microprocessor ensures that the reservoir fills properly, the water level does not fall below the heating element, and that the unit does not overheat during operation.

Abstract: An isolator and method of using same for providing an atmosphere free of contamination from external sources and for containing and evacuating contaminates generated during the course of a surgical procedure, particularly laser procedures that are performed within the isolator. The isolator includes a double chambered structure made of a flexible material on a rigid frame. Filtered air is provided to the outer chamber and enters the inner chamber through various openings in the inner enclosure walls. The inner chamber is under negative pressure and the mix of filtered air and any air borne contaminants generated by the procedure are evacuated to an air handling unit where contaminants are neutralized and removed from the air. A portion of the top side of the bag is made of a relatively stiff, optically transparent, material through which the surgeon or the assembly worker can view the work area.

Abstract: An isolator and method of using it for providing a contamination-free atmosphere in which a surgical procedure can be performed or equipment that is sensitive to environmental contamination can be assembled. The isolator includes an inflatable bag of flexible material through which filtered air is circulated. For use in surgery, a portion of the lower side is made of an elastic surgical drape material to allow a body member upon which a surgical procedure is to be performed to be pulled into the work space of the bag. A portion of the top side of the bag is made of a relatively stiff, optically transparent, material through which the surgeon or the assembly worker can view the work area. A plurality of open-ended sleeves are attached to the bag through which the hands and arms of the surgeon and his assistants or the worker can extend into the work space.

Abstract: Air filtering apparatus includes a filter cell having ionizing and collecting structure, a high voltage power supply and control unit for supplying a high voltage to the filter cell, a separate low voltage power supply unit for supplying operating power to the high voltage power supply unit and a separate probe unit for monitoring the flow of air within a duct in which the filter cell is installed. The high voltage power supply and control unit includes an output transistor in series with a primary winding of a step-up transformer and controlled by an oscillator circuit which is operative to control and limit the output voltage and current and also the current through the output transistor. The probe unit includes a pair of thermistors and a bridge circuit and operates to provide a signal which is independent of variables other than air flow velocity. A modified apparatus is also disclosed, arranged for portable use and arranged for energization from a standard power line with no separate low voltage supply.

Abstract: Air filtering apparatus includes a filter cell having ionizing and collecting structure, a high voltage power supply and control unit for supplying a high voltage to the filter cell, a separate low voltage power supply unit for supplying operating power to the high voltage power supply unit and a separate probe unit for monitoring the flow of air within a duct in which the filter cell is installed. The high voltage power supply and control unit includes an output transistor in series with a primary winding of a step-up transformer and controlled by an oscillator circuit which is operative to control and limit the output voltage and current and also the current through the output transistor. The probe unit includes a pair of thermistors and a bridge circuit and operates to provide a signal which is independent of variables other than air flow velocity. A modified apparatus is also disclosed, arranged for portable use and arranged for energization from a standard power line with no separate low voltage supply.