Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing medical instruments that includes a body defining an interior volume and a lid connected to the body and configured to seal the interior volume between the lid and the body. The lid includes an exterior filter structure including a first plurality of ridges and a first plurality of troughs formed between the first ridges. The container includes a filter assembly connected to the lid and including an interior filter structure including a second plurality of ridges and a second plurality of troughs formed between the second ridges. The first plurality of ridges of the exterior filter structure are interposed between the second plurality of ridges of the interior filter structure. The exterior and interior filter structures are configured to form longitudinal channels positioned between the lid and filter assembly to define a rectangular tortuous filter path that inhibits ingress and egress from the interior volume.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing medical instruments that includes a body defining an interior volume and a lid connected to the body and configured to seal the interior volume between the lid and the body. The lid includes an exterior filter structure including a first plurality of ridges and a first plurality of troughs formed between the first ridges. The container includes a filter assembly connected to the lid and including an interior filter structure including a second plurality of ridges and a second plurality of troughs formed between the second ridges. The first plurality of ridges of the exterior filter structure are interposed between the second plurality of ridges of the interior filter structure. The exterior and interior filter structures are configured to form longitudinal channels positioned between the lid and filter assembly to define a rectangular tortuous filter path that inhibits ingress and egress from the interior volume.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing medical instruments that includes a body defining an interior volume and a lid connected to the body and configured to seal the interior volume between the lid and the body. The lid includes an exterior filter structure including a first plurality of ridges and a first plurality of troughs formed between the first ridges. The container includes a filter assembly connected to the lid and including an interior filter structure including a second plurality of ridges and a second plurality of troughs formed between the second ridges. The first plurality of ridges of the exterior filter structure are interposed between the second plurality of ridges of the interior filter structure. The exterior and interior filter structures are configured to form longitudinal channels positioned between the lid and filter assembly to define a rectangular tortuous filter path that inhibits ingress and egress from the interior volume.

Abstract: An adjustable length laparoscopic instrument is provided. The instrument includes a shaft with a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. The instrument further includes an actuation rod with an actuation rode distal end and an actuation rod proximal end. The actuation rod is receivable by the shaft such that the actuation rod can translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate an end effector. The instrument further includes a handle configured to hold the shaft and the actuation rod. The handle is configured to cause the actuation rod to translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate the end effector. The instrument further includes a length adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a shaft length. The shaft length is defined between the handle and the shaft distal end.

Abstract: An adjustable retractor blade and retractor system are disclosed. The retractor blade includes a fixed portion, extendible portion, and means for adjusting the length of the retractor blade. The means for adjusting may include a threaded rod engaging the fixed portion with the extendible portion. In one aspect, the extendible portion includes a plurality of stackable members, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by attaching stackable members. In one aspect, the fixed portion includes a plurality of holes, and the extendible portion includes at least one post, the plurality of holes configured to receive the at least one post, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by slidably displacing the extendible portion until the at least one post engages with at least one of the plurality of holes. Methods are provided for adjusting the length of a retractor blade.

Abstract: An adjustable length laparoscopic instrument is provided. The instrument includes a shaft with a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. The instrument further includes an actuation rod with an actuation rode distal end and an actuation rod proximal end. The actuation rod is receivable by the shaft such that the actuation rod can translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate an end effector. The instrument further includes a handle configured to hold the shaft and the actuation rod. The handle is configured to cause the actuation rod to translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate the end effector. The instrument further includes a length adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a shaft length. The shaft length is defined between the handle and the shaft distal end.

Abstract: An adjustable retractor blade and retractor system are disclosed. The retractor blade includes a fixed portion, extendible portion, and means for adjusting the length of the retractor blade. The means for adjusting may include a threaded rod engaging the fixed portion with the extendible portion. In one aspect, the extendible portion includes a plurality of stackable members, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by attaching stackable members. In one aspect, the fixed portion includes a plurality of holes, and the extendible portion includes at least one post, the plurality of holes configured to receive the at least one post, with the length of the adjustable blade adjusted by slidably displacing the extendible portion until the at least one post engages with at least one of the plurality of holes. Methods are provided for adjusting the length of a retractor blade.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a sound card or an internal capability for generating sounds from a digital music or sound file. The medical instrument is one which generates unwanted noise and is constantly in the presence of a patient or an operator, and may be in a home, a clinic, a laboratory, or other intimate setting. For instance, a patient may be typically connected for hours to a hemodialysis machine that has a noisy pump. A blood-plasma volunteer may be hooked to a noisy blood separation machine for a period of time. A laboratory technician may work in close proximity to a sample preparation machine that constantly gurgles and whirrs. In each instance, a sound card and a speaker can generate previously-recorded masking noises that make that the presence and operation of the machine more tolerable.

Abstract: A modular connector plug for high speed applications includes a wire guide filter at least partially situated in the conductor-receiving cavity of the housing of the plug. The wire guide filter includes an impedance containing portion comprising a longitudinally extending body having a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways and an internal cable guide portion comprising a longitudinally extending body defining a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways.

Abstract: A modular connector plug for high speed applications includes a wire guide filter at least partially situated in the conductor-receiving cavity of the housing of the plug. The wire guide filter includes an impedance containing portion comprising a longitudinally extending body having a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways and an internal cable guide portion comprising a longitudinally extending body defining a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a sound card or an internal capability for generating sounds from a digital music or sound file. The medical instrument is one which generates unwanted noise and is constantly in the presence of a patient or an operator, and may be in a home, a clinic, a laboratory, or other intimate setting. For instance, a patient may be typically connected for hours to a hemodialysis machine that has a noisy pump. A blood-plasma volunteer may be hooked to a noisy blood separation machine for a period of time. A laboratory technician may work in close proximity to a sample preparation machine that constantly gurgles and whirrs. In each instance, a sound card and a speaker can generate previously-recorded masking noises that make that the presence and operation of the machine more tolerable.

Abstract: The present invention lessens the amount of air entering between mating membranes of a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor of the present invention includes a transducer portion and separate patient or medical fluid transfer portion or dome. The transducer portion is reusable and the dome is disposable. The dome defines a fluid flow chamber that is bounded on one side by a dome membrane. Likewise, the transducer is mounted inside a housing, wherein the housing defines a surface that holds a transducer membrane. The two membranes mate when the dome is fitted onto the transducer housing. The pressure sensor enhances the seal between the mated membranes by creating higher localized contact stresses. The pressure sensor also reduces the amount of gas that permeates from the fluid chamber across the dome membrane and between the interface by making the dome membrane from a material having a low vapor transmission.

Abstract: The present invention lessens the amount of air entering between mating membranes of a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor of the present invention includes a transducer portion and separate patient or medical fluid transfer portion or dome. The transducer portion is reusable and the dome is disposable. The dome defines a fluid flow chamber that is bounded on one side by a dome membrane. Likewise, the transducer is mounted inside a housing, wherein the housing defines a surface that holds a transducer membrane. The two membranes mate when the dome is fitted onto the transducer housing. The pressure sensor enhances the seal between the mated membranes by creating higher localized contact stresses. The pressure sensor also reduces the amount of gas that permeates from the fluid chamber across the dome membrane and between the interface by making the dome membrane from a material having a low vapor transmission.