Abstract: A medical effector system comprised of a bedside unit and a procedure unit. The bedside unit contains a series of connection points for receiving inputs from a series of patient monitors. The procedure unit contains a patient monitoring and medical effector program, and a drug delivery pump or magnetic flux generator capable of delivering therapeutic energy to a patient. The medical effector system contains the capability to issue and receive a request from a non-sedated patient, issue and receive a request from a sedated patient and then to calculate a time difference. The medical effector program operates the pump or magnetic flux generator based upon at least some of the patient outputs and program inputs including a calculated time difference. A removable umbilical cable connects the two units and allows the output of the patient monitors as well as other information to travel between the two units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for coupling a respiratory cannula with a medical effector system. The coupling device consists of a plate with several ports for receiving respired gases from the respiratory cannula and for delivering oxygen or air to the respiratory cannula. The coupling device may directly or indirectly deliver the respired gases to a capnometry device located in the medical effector system. Also included is a port for delivering an audio signal from the medical effector system to an audio earpiece disposed proximate the ear of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capnometry apparatus for receiving respiratory gas from a respiratory cannula positioned on a patient. An integrated host controller alerts a user if the capnometry apparatus is connected or not connected to the respiratory cannula based in part on a signal output from a capnometer located in the capnometry apparatus. The host controller also includes the functionality to shut off the capnometer pump with or without a time delay when the capnometer signal output indicates the capnometer pump is not connected to the cannula. An ambient-air pressure sensor located in the capnometry apparatus alerts the host controller if the capnometry apparatus has been moved to a new location with a substantially different altitude than the first location, in which case the host controller will issue an alert to a user prompting a calibration of the capnometry apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter distally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter display until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting an operational mode of a surgical biopsy system for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. For this method the operator uses a surgical biopsy system comprising an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving the tissue sample. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a control unit, a display showing a plurality of available operational modes of the surgical biopsy system, and at least one control button remotely located from the control unit and operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit. The method comprises the steps of visualizing icons on a display which are representative of the plurality of operational modes on the display and actuating the control button(s) to scroll through the operational modes on the display to select a desired operational mode.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting an operational mode of a surgical biopsy system for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. For this method the operator uses a surgical biopsy system comprising an elongated hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving the tissue sample. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a control unit, a display showing a plurality of available operational modes of the surgical biopsy system, and at least one control button remotely located from the control unit and operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit. The method comprises the steps of visualizing icons on a display which are representative of the plurality of operational modes on the display and actuating the control button(s) to scroll through the operational modes on the display to select a desired operational mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter distally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a biopsy instrument. The biopsy instrument comprises an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough. The biopsy instrument further comprises a cutter rotatably and translationally positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving and transferring the tissue portion into the piercer lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient using a surgical biopsy device. The biopsy device comprises an elongated piercer having a piercer lumen extending therethrough, and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a port for receiving and transferring the tissue sample into the piercer lumen. The biopsy device further comprises a rotation motor for rotating the cutter and a translation motor for translating the cutter in the axial direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control apparatus comprises a computing device for the coordinated control of the rotation and translation motors. The control apparatus further comprises a first sensor operationally connected to the rotation motor for supplying a rotation signal to the computing device for measuring the rotational speed of the cutter.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A linear stapler particularly adapted for open surgical procedures is disclosed. Staples are fired when tissue is clamped between the cartridge and anvil of the staple fastening assembly of the stapler, and the firing trigger is pivotally rotated in a counterclockwise direction from an unfired position to a fired position adjacent the hand grip of the frame of the stapler. Resistance to the pivotal rotation of the firing trigger independent of the staple fastening assembly is provided to inhibit the surgeon from inadvertently firing the staples or partially firing the staples from the cartridge against the anvil. The firing bar is sandwiched between two spacer plates secured to the firing bar, and a stationary slot pin must overcome the resistance of detents displayed on slots in the spacer plates when the firing bar is moved distally to fire the staples. An audible signal is also provided to alert the surgeon when staples have been fully fired.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided with an improved apparatus for protecting the tub from being overfilled in the form of a float having a float stem that is automatically captured upon insertion through a passage in the tub bottom wall such that the float will be restrained against disengagement from the tub bottom wall. The float is vertically movable to operate a control switch for regulating the level of water within the tub. Preferably a retaining ring is carried on a stem of the float which is automatically biased through a varying diameter keyway and is subsequently moved to a captured position below the member having the keyway.

Abstract: According to the invention, a tub assembly, consisting of a tub and associated supporting frame, is provided. The tub has a front opening, a bottom wall, back wall, top wall and spaced side walls. The frame has an upwardly facing ledge for supporting the bottom tub wall and further has an upstanding leg. Structure is provided for snap-fitting the upstanding leg and a portion of the tub together so that the tub portion and leg are confined against both vertical and fore and aft relative shifting.