Abstract: A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a frame member having an attachment location and a rigid mounting device disposed in the attachment location. The frame member comprises an upper straight portion connected to a lower straight portion via a bent portion, wherein the lower straight portion comprises a plurality of mounts each having a top surface. A centerline extending through the rigid mounting device is level with each of the top surfaces.

Abstract: In an initial configuration a device comprises a casing containing: a plurality of beads, a rupturable first container containing one or more isocyanates and a rupturable second container containing one or more polyols, wherein in the final configuration the casing is substantially filled by a polyurethane in which the plurality of beads are embedded. In an intermediate configuration the device is transformed from the initial configuration to a final configuration by rupturing the first container and rupturing the second container so that the one or more isocyanates react with the one or more polyols in a reaction that forms the polyurethane. As the polyurethane is formed during the reaction the polyurethane surrounds the plurality of beads. The device may be molded as the polyurethane is formed in the casing.

Abstract: A device comprising a casing and having an initial configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a final configuration, wherein in the initial configuration the casing contains: a plurality of beads, a rupturable first container containing one or more isocyanates and a rupturable second container containing one or more polyols. In the final configuration the casing is substantially filled by a polyurethane in which the plurality of beads is embedded. In the intermediate configuration the device is transformed from the initial configuration to the final configuration by rupturing the first container and rupturing the second container so that the one or more isocyanates react with the one or more polyols in a reaction that forms the polyurethane. As the polyurethane is formed during the reaction the polyurethane surrounds the plurality of beads. The casing includes one or more vent tubes configured to allow gases formed by the reaction to escape the casing.

Abstract: A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a rigid frame member having a top portion, a plurality of mounts each having a top surface, wherein the plurality of mounts are disposed at prescribed locations of the top portion. The top surface of the plurality of mounts are configured to align on a common horizontal plane that extends in parallel with the top portion of the frame member.

Abstract: In an initial configuration a device comprises a casing containing: a plurality of beads, a rupturable first container containing one or more isocyanates and a rupturable second container containing one or more polyols, wherein in the final configuration the casing is substantially filled by a polyurethane in which the plurality of beads are embedded. In an intermediate configuration the device is transformed from the initial configuration to a final configuration by rupturing the first container and rupturing the second container so that the one or more isocyanates react with the one or more polyols in a reaction that forms the polyurethane. As the polyurethane is formed during the reaction the polyurethane surrounds the plurality of beads. The device may be molded as the polyurethane is formed in the casing.

Abstract: A device comprising a casing and having an initial configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a final configuration, wherein in the initial configuration the casing contains: a plurality of beads, a rupturable first container containing one or more isocyanates and a rupturable second container containing one or more polyols. In the final configuration the casing is substantially filled by a polyurethane in which the plurality of beads is embedded. In the intermediate configuration the device is transformed from the initial configuration to the final configuration by rupturing the first container and rupturing the second container so that the one or more isocyanates react with the one or more polyols in a reaction that forms the polyurethane. As the polyurethane is formed during the reaction the polyurethane surrounds the plurality of beads. The casing includes one or more vent tubes configured to allow gases formed by the reaction to escape the casing.

Abstract: A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a rigid frame member having a top portion, a plurality of mounts each having a top surface, wherein the plurality of mounts are disposed at prescribed locations of the top portion. The top surface of the plurality of mounts are configured to align on a common horizontal plane that extends in parallel with the top portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a rigid frame member having a top portion, a plurality of mounts each having a top surface, wherein the plurality of mounts are disposed at prescribed locations of the top portion. The top surface of the plurality of mounts are configured to align on a common horizontal plane that extends in parallel with the top portion of the frame member.

Abstract: Described is a device comprising a retro-reflective marker comprising a core comprising a body portion, and a mounting recess extending into the body portion. The mounting recess comprises one or more flexible interior engagement structures configured for snap-on engagement with one or more complementary exterior engagement structures of a mounting post. The flexible interior engagement structures are configured so that when the retro-reflective marker is mounted onto the mounting post by direct axial application, the flexible interior engagement structures are deflected by the one or more complementary exterior engagement structures as the flexible interior engagement structures move past the one or more complementary exterior engagement structures and spring back to a relaxed position to thereby engage the one or more complementary exterior engagement structures so that the retro-reflective marker is mounted in a secured configuration on the mounting post.

Abstract: A device and manufacturing method for a surgical navigation system, comprising a frame member having an attachment location and a rigid mounting device disposed in the attachment location. The frame member comprises an upper straight portion connected to a lower straight portion via a bent portion, wherein the lower straight portion comprises a plurality of mounts each having a top surface. A centerline extending through the rigid mounting device is level with each of the top surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid collection container (100) includes a vessel (101) and a lid (102). A mesh conduit layer (201) is coupled to the vessel so as to span an opening (110) of the vessel and enclose an interior (111) of the vessel. The mesh conduit layer is liquid permeable and serves as a splash retarding mechanism that prevents liquids being transferred through the mesh conduit layer from splashing back. An optional cache (603) of coagulant material can be disposed within an interior of the vessel as well.

Abstract: A fluid collection container (100) includes a vessel (101) and a lid (102). A mesh conduit layer (201) is coupled to the vessel so as to span an opening (110) of the vessel and enclose an interior (111) of the vessel. The mesh conduit layer is liquid permeable and serves as a splash retarding mechanism that prevents liquids being transferred through the mesh conduit layer from splashing back. An optional cache (603) of coagulant material can be disposed within an interior of the vessel as well.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The assembly comprises a catheter having a balloon with a plurality of segmented annular ribs, and a stylet having a relatively stiff proximal sleeve and a relatively flexible malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve.

Abstract: A switch for selectively directing fluid to either one of two catheters and for inflating a "manually" inflatable balloon of one of the catheters when fluid is directed to that catheter. The switch includes a valve mechanism that is operatively linked with a balloon inflation mechanism such that the balloon is inflated when fluid is directed to that catheter, and the balloon is deflated when fluid is directed to the other catheter. The switch is particularly adapted for use in administering cardioplegia solution to a patient's heart alternatively via an antegrade cardioplegia catheter and a retrograde cardioplegia catheter. A method of use of the switch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula having a sidewall with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. The cannula has a cap substantially blocking axial flow through the distal end of the lumen. There are a plurality of outlet openings in the sidewall of the cannula adjacent the distal end. The distal end of the lumen is flush with or preferably distally beyond the distal ends of the outlet openings. The aortic cannula may have a bend therein, as is known in the art, in which case the outlet openings on the outside side of the bend are smaller than the outlet openings on the inside side of the bend, to reduce disparity in the flow that would otherwise be caused by the bend, substantially equalizing flow through the openings.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The catheter is adapted for improved retention in the coronary sinus. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having infusion, pressure-sensing and balloon-inflation lumens, an inflatable balloon and a pressure sensor tube in fluid communication with the balloon-inflation lumen for sensing pressure in the inflatable balloon. The internal volume of the pressure sensor tube is relatively non-expansible relative to the internal volume of the inflation balloon in normal operation of the catheter. The balloon includes a plurality of segmented annular ribs.

Abstract: A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solutions into the coronary sinus. The catheter is adapted for improved retention in the coronary sinus. The catheter comprises a catheter tube having infusion, pressure-sensing and balloon-inflation lumens, an inflatable balloon and a pressure sensor tube in fluid communication with the balloon-inflation lumen for sensing pressure in the inflatable balloon. The internal volume of the pressure sensor tube is relatively non-expansible relative to the internal volume of the inflation balloon in normal operation of the catheter. The balloon includes a plurality of segmented annular ribs.

Abstract: A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.