Abstract: A floor pod (100) for indoor use, including a vertically movable bollard adapted to present utilities and provide security function, presented in a watertight housing (110) is disclosed.

Abstract: A pod, particularly for indoor use, consisting of a vertically movable bollard adapted to present utilities and optionally provide security function, presented in a watertight or waterproof housing is disclosed. The pod can provide a watertight or waterproof seal in both its distended and retracted state and also provides a substantially flush, cleanable top surface with respect to the surrounding floor, table, or surface when retracted. The pod may optionally be adapted with a universal adaptor for presenting gas and other like utilities. All utilities are sourced from beneath the ground or from a source outside the pod. The pod is powered and may be controlled directly on the bollard or distant to the bollard by a wired or wireless connection thereto. Finally, the pod may be placed in a floor, table, or other structure as a single stand-alone unit and may work in conjunction with other pods.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly is provided for retaining tissue, membrane, and organs in a retracted position after insertion into an incision on a patient. The assembly includes a hollow surgical access channel of oblong cross-section optionally expandable and contractible in diameter, thereby providing means for distraction of structure affixed to the retractor. The assembly optionally further comprises: gripping means for grasping by a surgeon or device and an introducer of generally oblong cross-section. The introducer, adapted to fit within the access channel, is generally rectangular in cross-section, rounded at the edges, with parallel sides. The distal end of the introducer protrudes from the retractor when inserted therein, and works to delicately push tissue apart. The introducer is placed within the hollow access channel and provides an hollow access channel for access by a surgeon and surgical instruments.

Abstract: Surgical instruments providing access to delicate tissue, such as brain tissue or breast tissue, through a transcutaneous incision. A surgical apparatus may have a hollow sleeve retractor extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal retractor end to a distal retractor end and an introducer having a proximal introducer end and a distal introducer end. The proximal introducer end is configured to install within the hollow sleeve with its distal end extending beyond the distal retractor end. The distal introducer end is tapered and may have a rounded profile in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis to displace delicate brain tissue transversely to the longitudinal axis without damage to the tissue. The distal retractor end may be blunt and adapted to support adjacent brain tissue while minimizing disruption to the tissue after the retractor is positioned at a surgery site and the introducer is removed from the retractor.

Abstract: Surgical methods providing access to delicate tissue, such as brain tissue or breast tissue, through a transcutaneous incision. A method may include making an incision adjacent a region containing delicate tissue, and providing a surgical assembly having: a retractor having a hollow sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and an introducer having a proximal end installed within the hollow sleeve and a distal end extending beyond the distal retractor end. The surgical assembly is advanced into the region containing delicate tissue, and the distal introducer end gently displaces the delicate tissue as the surgical assembly is advanced to thereby avoid damage to the delicate tissue. The introducer is removed from the retractor to leave the distal retractor end at a surgical site located in the physical region containing delicate tissue. One or more surgical instruments are then used through the hollow sleeve.

Abstract: A patient table, modified with a fixed-base design thereby allowing for heavy patients, providing tilting and cantilevering capabilities, table top extension (i.e. providing head to toe coverage), and overall stability, is described. The operating room table re-design includes incorporation of utility sources into the architecture of the table, so that utilities, such as wiring, vacuum, and gas hoses, arise from the table itself. The source of all utilities to the table (as opposed to those emanating from the table) may come from an underground connection. Further, the table is interchangeable with tables customized for a specific procedure.

Abstract: A combination material comprising a surface material and a backing such as plasterboard is adjoined to a connector that allows adjoinment with another connector affixed onto a frame. The combination material comprises overlapping regions, allowing stacking and the connection means allows adjustment of the combination material for perfect fit. A linear frame element provides an efficient means for connecting the combination material to a frame.

Abstract: A graphical-user-interface manipulable lighting system is disclosed in which a light source having a position of focus is moved by an articulator adapted to receive and send signals through a control box indicating the current and intended positions of the focus of the light source, and further a computer interface operating wirelessly which graphically displays the current position of the light source and is adapted to allow a user to drag an icon indicating the current position of the light source onto a new intended position thereby resulting in the movement of the light source to the new position.

Abstract: An improved operating room design is disclosed. Interfering connection devices, such as wires, cables, and hoses, are eliminated from the working area by use of disappearing floor pods mounted between a sub-floor and a finished floor. The floor pods recess flush with said finished floor, thereby allowing floor cleaning by a robotic device that incorporates disposable, sterile cleaning cartridges. Movable carts, such as an anesthesiology cart, are adapted for docking with said pods on the upper surface of said pods with connectors presented underneath said carts. Said pods provide numerous utility connections such as gas, vacuum, and electric. Gas and vacuum lines are preferably supplied from a universal adaptor. A surgical table is mounted on the sub-flooring of the operating room. AU utilities are fed to the table from underneath the floor.

Abstract: An acrylic or other polymer composition, optionally containing aluminum trihydrate, and having undoped and/or doped titanium dioxide dispersed evenly throughout is disclosed. Said composition provides a sterile surface which can be renewed. Said composition provides a highly sterile surface upon photoactivation of the surface by at least either low-level ultraviolet irradiation or ambient/natural light (as when using doped titanium dioxide). A method of using such a surface material is also disclosed. Said acrylic or other polymer composition may be adhered onto a polycarbonate or other polymeric backing, optionally by an intervening layer of a third polymer. The resulting acrylic or other polymer/polycarbonate or other polymer combination is adapted to provide ambient lighting when exposed to a light source.

Abstract: A patient table, modified with a fixed-base design thereby allowing for heavy patients, providing tilting and cantilevering capabilities, table top extension (i.e. providing head to toe coverage), and overall stability, is described. The operating room table re-design includes incorporation of utility sources into the architecture of the table, so that utilities, such as wiring, vacuum, and gas hoses, arise from the table itself. The source of all utilities to the table (as opposed to those emanating from the table) may come from an underground connection. Further, the table is interchangeable with tables customized for a specific procedure.

Abstract: An automated (robotic) floor cleaner (100) is adapted to allow sterile cleaning of sensitive environments, such as hospital room. In particular, the floor-cleaner chassis (124) is redesigned to be mounted on a deck (102) containing cleaning devices that contact the floor. The cleaning devices mounted on the deck (102) include vacuum head (132), brushes (120), cleaning fluid sprays (128), and conceivably sanitizing devices such as UV germicidal light, are provided pre-sterilized. As such, the adapted floor-cleaner chassis (124) allows the deck (102) to be mounted to the bottom of the chassis (124), the floor-cleaner (100) is then used to clean a floor, after which, the deck (102) is removed from the chassis (124) and disposed. The robotic-floor cleaner (100) and sterilization system cleans floor between or even during cases. Further, the robotic floor cleaner (100) reduces the “turnover time” required between cases, as it operates simultaneously while the staff prepares the room for the next case.

Abstract: An ambient lighting system for a hospital operating room environment and a method of using said system is described. An apparatus comprising the combination of a translucent sheet and a backlight LED panel or colored light source (colored lamp(s) or LED(s) in an alcove) provides a diffuse light when light from said panel, alcove, or other source is presented to the translucent sheet, is scattered, and represented as unfocused light on the exposed surface of the translucent sheet. Usage of the apparatus in an operating room provides a calming environment. The method and apparatus may be adapted to include wireless control over the intensity, color, and on/off state of the light. Further, usage of known translucent materials provides a sterile and safe surface.

Abstract: A floor pod (100) for indoor use, includes a vertically movable bollard adapted to present utilities and provide security function, presented in a watertight housing (110) is disclosed. The floor pod (100) provides a watertight seal (132) in both its distended and retracted state and also provides a flush, cleanable top surface with respect to the surrounding floor when retracted. The floor pod (10 may optionally be adapted with a universal adaptor for presenting gas and other like utilities All utilities are sourced from beneath th ground. The floor pod (100) is powered and may be controlled directly on the bollard or distant to the bollard by a wired or wireless connection thereto.

Abstract: An invention that provides improved means for automatic illumination of a surgical site is disclosed. By way of utilizing a wireless radio-frequency transmitter adapted to transmit a distance signal to a receiver, which provides adjustment, by way of an actuator, of a single light source or an array of light sources, an illuminating field is provided with the further advantage that shadows are minimized. In addition, the transmitter, in one embodiment, is of a small profile and constructed in biocompatible materials. The device may be either sterilizable for reuse or disposable, thereby allowing packing of the transmitter in a sterile container thereby further allowing placement of the device in, on, or by a surgical site. The present invention also discloses an array of lights that are arrayed more distant from each other than typical and yet provides a focused, intense illumination field with maximal line of sight approach owing to the discrete (recessed) housing of the light sources.

Abstract: An acrylic or other polymer composition, optionally containing aluminum trihydrate, and having undoped or doped titanium dioxide dispersed throughout is disclosed. Said composition provides a “renewable” surface and further provides a highly-sterile surface upon photoactivation of the surface by at least either low-level ultraviolet irradiation or ambient/natural light (as when using doped titanium dioxide).

Abstract: A trash receptacle comprising an entrance in a wall adapted to receive a disposable, lightweight, and preferably plastic cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge is adapted to dispose its center of gravity in a manner that maintains the cartridge within the wall entrance under its own empty weight. The cartridge may further receive a disposable bag to maintain sterility. The bag can be held in place by a sealing device, such as an O-ring, which, in one embodiment, snaps over said bag onto said cartridge, said O-ring or other sealing device preferably color-coded to indicate the type of waste to be disposed in said cartridge. The cartridge is also adapted to receive a plug to allow disposal of sharps. If a bag breaks, the cartridge may be sealed and disposed of, thereby maintaining a sanitary and sterile environment. The receptacles may be arrayed in a wall, thereby providing a convenient waste disposal system that does not interfere with critical working space.

Abstract: A marker for surgical procedures which permits an operating surgeon to mark the place to be operated on accurately in a manner which is as free of pain as possible for the patient, and has a tubular guide cannula (1), an introduction tube (2), and a marking pin (3) which is connected to a flexible bar (4), the bar (4) being adapted to be introduced into the introduction tube (2) from its proximal end (5) by such an amount that it protrudes at the distal end (6) of the introduction tube (2). The marking pin (3) can be supported on the proximal end (5) of the introduction tube (2). The introduction tube (2) with the bar (4) therein and the attached marking pin (3) can be introduced via the distal end (8) of the guide cannula (1) into the latter by such an amount that the proximal end (5) of the introduction tube (2) is located in the region of the proximal end (7) of the guide cannula (1), and the marking pin (3) extends out of the proximal end (7) of the guide cannula (1).