Abstract: A system is configured to perfuse one or more organs and/or associated tissues while monitoring the physiological function, testing medical devices or therapies, or both. The system includes a pump, a container, a fluid circuit, a platform, and at least one actuator. The pump is configured to generate a flow of a fluid. The container defines an interior cavity and is configured to receive at least one organ or tissue and maintain at least one environmental condition associated with the at least one organ or tissue within the interior cavity. The fluid circuit is configured to fluidically couple the pump to the at least one organ or tissue. The platform is operably coupled to the container. The at least one actuator is configured to move the platform to mimic at least one biological movement associated with the at least one organ or tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to devices, systems and methods for monitoring neuromuscular blockage. In an embodiment, a neuromuscular blockage monitoring system comprises a patch device comprising a unitary patch body, at least two electrodes and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor arranged between the at least two electrodes on the unitary patch body; and a stimulator device operatively coupled to the patch device and configured to provide at least one electrical signal to the at least two electrodes to stimulate a muscle motor point and to receive a signal from the at least one sensor related to a result of the stimulation of the muscle motor point.

Abstract: A system and method for implanting heart assist devices. A model of a heart of a patient is formed based on images taken of the cardiothoracic cavity of the patient. A point is selected for insertion of the heart assist device based on the model. A graft location is selected on the aorta and a graft length for the graft is determined as a function of the implant location and the selected graft location.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to devices, systems and methods for monitoring neuromuscular blockage. In an embodiment, a neuromuscular blockage monitoring system comprises a patch device comprising a unitary patch body, at least two electrodes and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor arranged between the at least two electrodes on the unitary patch body; and a stimulator device operatively coupled to the patch device and configured to provide at least one electrical signal to the at least two electrodes to stimulate a muscle motor point and to receive a signal from the at least one sensor related to a result of the stimulation of the muscle motor point.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a type of a material in a region within a vascular system of a patient and/or a distance to the material are provided. At least one source fiber is provided that supplies light from a light source to a region within a vascular system of a patient. At least one return fiber is provided to receive light reflected from the region within the vascular system. At least one controller is provided to determine at least one property of the region within the vascular system from the reflected light, and to determine a type of a material in the region within the vascular system and/or an indication of a distance to the material. Techniques such as laser ablation may then be performed based on the determined material type and/or distance to remove unwanted buildup, deposits, etc., while avoiding harmful results such as tearing of tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to devices, systems and methods for monitoring neuromuscular blockage. In an embodiment, a neuromuscular blockage monitoring system comprises a patch device comprising a unitary patch body, at least two electrodes and at least one sensor, the at least one sensor arranged between the at least two electrodes on the unitary patch body; and a stimulator device operatively coupled to the patch device and configured to provide at least one electrical signal to the at least two electrodes to stimulate a muscle motor point and to receive a signal from the at least one sensor related to a result of the stimulation of the muscle motor point.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a type of a material in a region within a vascular system of a patient and/or a distance to the material are provided. At least one source fiber is provided that supplies light from a light source to a region within a vascular system of a patient. At least one return fiber is provided to receive light reflected from the region within the vascular system. At least one controller is provided to determine at least one property of the region within the vascular system from the reflected light, and to determine a type of a material in the region within the vascular system and/or an indication of a distance to the material. Techniques such as laser ablation may then be performed based on the determined material type and/or distance to remove unwanted buildup, deposits, etc., while avoiding harmful results such as tearing of tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient's head. The apparatus includes an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device adaptable to the patient's head. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the convective device toward the patient's head. The base sheet also supports an evaporative cooling element that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient's head. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's head by the inflating medium exhausted from the convective device. The evaporative cooling element may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the apparatus, is connected to the convective device.

Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The inflatable thermal blanket comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form an inflatable covering. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the inflatable covering toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the inflatable covering. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may be circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the inflatable thermal blanket, is connected to the inflatable covering.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The apparatus comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the convective device toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the convective device. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the appatatus, is connected to the convective device. The blower delivers air, under pressure, to an inlet opening in the convective device.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device, or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device, or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The inflatable thermal blanket comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form an inflatable covering. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the inflatable covering toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the inflatable covering. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may be circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the inflatable thermal blanket, is connected to the inflatable covering.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing, the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient The inflatable thermal blanket comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form an inflatable covering. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the inflatable covering toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the inflatable covering. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may be circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the inflatable thermal blanket, is connected to the inflatable covering.

Abstract: A focal cooling apparatus includes a cooling, or heat sinking, layer over which a layer of compressible, thermally insulating material is disposed. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material has a surface for supporting a portion of a human (or animal) body. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material responds to pressure exerted against the surface by exhibiting a thermal resistance between the surface and the cooling layer that varies inversely with the pressure. Means are provided for maintaining the cooling layer at a predetermined temperature below normal human temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. A mechanism is provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.