Abstract: An improved wipe for a laparoscope or other optical device subject to fogging comprises a top outer layer of microfiber cloth, a bottom outer layer, and absorbent material disposed between the top and bottom outer layers. The bottom layer may include an adhesive layer exposed by a release layer. The absorbent material may be a sponge or foam pad, including an open-cell foam pad. Alternatively, the absorbent material may include a plurality of absorbent fabric layers, with at least the outermost layer being a microfiber cloth layer. A sponge or foam tape may be disposed between the absorbent fabric layers and the bottom outer layer. The wipe may be a square shape with dimensions on the order of 2 to 4 inches on a side and a thickness in the range of ? to ½ inches. The article may further include a radiopaque thread.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail (2). A plurality of slide storage baskets (4) can be located in series on the rail (2). Each basket is “side loading” and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar (6). When the baskets (4) are placed on the load rail (2) (e.g. by hooking or clipping the baskets onto the rail), the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a “train”. Baskets moved to the pick-up end (12) of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods ensure that only genuine, licensed or authorized parts are used with a system. The apparatus comprises visual indicia on or in the part confirming that the part is genuine, licensed or authorized. A scanner or camera on or in the system reads the visual indicia, and a controller in communication with the scanner or camera is operative to reduce the functionality of the system if the visual indicia is incomplete or not present. In accordance with the embodiment, the system may not operate if the visual indicia is incomplete or not present. The visual indicia may include a trademark, logo, or other information proprietary to a source of origin. The system may be a piece of medical equipment, and the part may be a consumable. As examples, the system may be a medical insufflators, and the part may be an insufflation set.

Abstract: An improved, versatile suture cutting and removal tool comprises an elongated, hand-held body terminating in a distal end section including an upwardly oriented suture-cutting blade. Right and left tweezers on opposing side of the blade grasp and remove suture material once cut by the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the right and left tweezers are independently controlled by respective right and left depressible buttons. In particular, the right and left tweezers may include inclined ramp surfaces, with the right and left tweezers being independently controlled by respective right and left depressible buttons having respective inclined ramp surfaces that engage with the ramp surfaces of the tweezers. The blade is preferably supported on a central member having opposing right and left side edges, with the right and left tweezers each including an edge that bears against one of the edges of the central member to grasp and remove suture material.

Abstract: A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. As an alternative to separate tubes, a single, multi-lumen tube may be used. The insufflation gas may be CO2 and the warming gas may be room air. The heating element and sensors may be separate from the disposable unit of a heated insufflation set, and need not be re-sterilized prior to or after use in surgery. The heat is constantly maintained, thereby eliminating “cold spots” caused by the natural cycling of the resistance heaters.

Abstract: A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. The insufflation gas may be carbon dioxide and the warming gas may be room air. The heating element and sensors may be separate from the disposable unit of a heated insufflation set, and need not be re-sterilized prior to or after use in surgery. The heat is constantly maintained, thereby eliminating “cold spots” caused by the natural cycling of the resistance heaters due to the nature of the operation being preformed on the patient.

Abstract: Devices, instruments, systems and methods are provided in which a primary line that receives a biological fluid is selectively sampled by a plurality of collection chambers. Selective sampling occurs by selectively accessing the primary line and selective engagement of a sampling pump under control of a microprocessor. Further, the instrument housing reversibly houses a drive assembly and sample collection housing to permit the interchangeability of drive assemblies and collection housings and thus enhance sterility or reduction of cost.

Abstract: A basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail. A plurality of slide storage baskets can be located in series on the rail. Each basket is ‘side loading’ and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar. When the baskets are placed on the load rail, the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a ‘train’. Baskets moved to the pick-up end of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: An improved device for indicating and measuring small variations in the resistance of a living body is disclosed which utilizes a central processing unit to digitally process sensed body resistances and drive a resistance-indicating display while compensating for the effects of component aging, component tolerances and component temperatures. The device includes an automatic calibration circuit that is automatically activated on each powering up of the device to measure and store measurement values for a plurality of synthesized body resistances that are used to form a compensation model against which sensed body resistances are, subsequently compared for automatic adjustment of display driving measurement values.

Abstract: A multidirectional button for use in a user interface of a computing device (10). An object of the user interface may include a multidirectional button software keyboard (14) on a display screen (16).

Abstract: A portable computing device (10) with a display screen (26) that may be scrolled and/or zoomed in response to changes in the spatial orientation of the computing device. Changes in the spatial orientation of the computing device are sensed by accelerometers (20) contained in the device. Software converts signals sent by the accelerometers to scrolling or zooming commands that scroll and/or zoom the display screen. Motion of the computing device in the plane of the display screen of the computing device results in scrolling the display screen in the opposing direction of the motion of the computing device a distance greater than the distance the computing device is moved. Motion of the computing device perpendicular to the plane of the display screen zooms the display screen in or out. Motion of the computing device toward the user results in the display screen being zoomed in to reveal greater detail.

Abstract: A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. The insufflation gas may be carbon dioxide and the warming gas may be room air. The heating element and sensors may be separate from the disposable unit of a heated insufflation set, and need not be re-sterilized prior to or after use in surgery. The heat is constantly maintained, thereby eliminating “cold spots” caused by the natural cycling of the resistance heaters due to the nature of the operation being preformed on the patient.

Abstract: An economical yet effective apparatus and associated method heats and pressurizes a fluid-filled bag of the type used in a surgical setting. The apparatus includes an inner sealed flexible jacket including a sodium acetate solution and activator button therein operative to heat the fluid-filled bag. An outer sealed flexible jacket adjacent to the inner jacket includes a gas inlet for inflation thereof thereby applying pressure to the fluid-filled bag through the heated inner jacket during use.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail (2). A plurality of slide storage baskets (4) can be located in series on the rail (2). Each basket is “side loading” and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar (6). When the baskets (4) are placed on the load rail (2) (e.g. by hooking or clipping the baskets onto the rail), the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a “train”. Baskets moved to the pick-up end (12) of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: Devices, instruments, systems and methods are provided in which a primary line that receives a biological fluid is selectively sampled by a plurality of collection chambers. Selective sampling occurs by selectively accessing the primary line and selective engagement of a sampling pump under control of a microprocessor. Further, the instrument housing reversibly houses a drive assembly and sample collection housing to permit the interchangeability of drive assemblies and collection housings and thus enhance sterility or reduction of cost.

Abstract: A system and associated method is used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. A flexible pad has a length, a width and a periphery for wrapping around the instrument and a plurality of separate chambers defined through partitions. Each of the separate chambers includes an activation disc and a mixture of water and sodium acetate to generate heat through an exothermic reaction initiated through manual manipulation of the disc for that chamber. The pad is preferably made from two plastic sheets of substantially equal size, with the chambers being formed by heat-sealing or otherwise bonding the periphery of the sheets and the partitions. At least some of the partitions establish lengthwise and/or widthwise fold lines in the pad. At least one of the partitions may include a gap to facilitate fluid transfer of the mixture. The disc is preferably made of perforated stainless steel.

Abstract: An economical yet effective apparatus and associated method heats and pressurizes a fluid-filled bag of the type used in a surgical setting. The apparatus includes an inner sealed flexible jacket including a sodium acetate solution and activator button therein operative to heat the fluid-filled bag. An outer sealed flexible jacket adjacent to the inner jacket includes a gas inlet for inflation thereof thereby applying pressure to the fluid-filled bag through the heated inner jacket during use.

Abstract: A system and associated method is used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. The preferred embodiment comprises a pad for wrapping around an instrument, including a one or more substances operative to generate heat through an exothermic reaction; and an activation disc located around the periphery of the pad to provide for convenient user access. In the preferred embodiment, the activator is a mixture of water and sodium acetate, and the disc is made of perforated stainless steel. A housing contains the pad in sleeve form and an optional heat-conductive tube to receive the instrument around which the pad is wrapped. The pad may be partitioned.

Abstract: An improved device for indicating and measuring small variations in the resistance of a living body is disclosed which utilizes a central processing unit to digitally process sensed body resistances and drive a resistance-indicating display while compensating for the effects of component aging, component tolerances and component temperatures. The device includes an automatic calibration circuit that is automatically activated on each powering up of the device to measure and store measurement values for a plurality of synthesized body resistances that are used to form a compensation model against which sensed body resistances are, subsequently compared for automatic adjustment of display driving measurement values.

Abstract: An outdoor display includes a net formed of intersecting cables and a number of pixel display units disposed on the net at the intersection of a pair of cables. Each pixel unit includes a number of different colored LEDs. The LEDs of the pixel units forming the display are selectively activated to form a still image or moving video images. The net display can be attached to, supported by or between existing structures.