Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A syringe structured to permit multiple filling and emptying cycles with a single syringe, but then to automatically disable that syringe to resist syringe reuse subsequent to a final dose-ejecting cycle. The syringe includes a plunger with a distal tip carrying capture structure that protrudes from the dispensing aperture of the syringe at a fluid fully-expelled position. A fluid discharge attachment can be coupled to the syringe to guide dispensing one or more dose of treatment substance. A first locking element, typically carried by the fluid discharge attachment, couples with the capture structure to resist retraction of the fully-depressed plunger, and thereby resists reciprocation of the plunger to prevent reuse of the syringe. Effectively, the discharge aperture of the syringe is pinned between an internally disposed stopper and the external capture structure.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Described is an atomizing nozzle having a relatively small frontal area permitting insertion of a nozzle into small diameter medical conduit(s). A body of a preferred nozzle has a characteristic size (e.g., cross-section diameter) of less than about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm). The nozzle body is typically carried on an extension member, which can be transversely flexible to permit passage of a nozzle body through a tube and along a nonlinear path. The nozzle body is typically connected to an extension member by way of a lap joint associated with the nozzle body. Preferred embodiments have a De/O ratio of less than 12.0, a Db/O ratio of less than about 18, and a Db/De ratio of less than about 1.1. Certain embodiments include a swirling chamber disposed upstream of the ejection orifice and having a proximal wall with a portion configured to at least approximate a portion of a dome, or other curved surface.

Abstract: Devices adapted to facilitate draining fluid from the abdominal/peritoneal cavity of a medical patient. The invention may be embodied in one or more element of an access port, insertion assist device, and/or abdominal catheter. A preferred abdominal catheter provides a drain field that can be inserted into the abdominal compartment, through an access opening having a small cross-section, in a stowed configuration and subsequently expanded to provide a large drain area through which to extract fluid from the compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a patient includes a urinary catheter (102) connected to a urine valve (250) providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter (102) and either a drain (224) or a fluid source (104). Preferably, the urine valve (250) is adapted for remote actuation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve (250) contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply (225) and drain (223) conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits (225, 223) between a patient's legs. When the urine valve (250) is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source (104), an infusion pump (116?) may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve (250) and into the patient's bladder (216). A pressure transducer (218) desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure and avoid pressure fluctuations induced by system components.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve is adapted for remote actuation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder. A pressure transducer desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure.

Abstract: Described is, e.g., an apparatus (100), and associated methods of manufacture and use, for draining a fluid, discharged from a urinary catheter (104) installed in a subject's bladder, into a drain container (138) while avoiding undesired pressure states in such bladder. A drain conduit (102) connected to the catheter has a sufficiently small size as to maintain plug-flow between opposite ends of the drain conduit. The discharge end of the drain conduit is connected to a siphon-break apparatus (106) configured to cause a siphon-break disposed at an elevation (132) in approximate agreement with the subject's bladder. The potential energy from fluid downstream of the siphon-break location is decoupled from fluid in the drain conduit.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus (100) adapted to temporarily close a surgical access opening (106) to a patient's body cavity (110). The apparatus includes a base (102) that is disposed around a perimeter of the opening, and a cap (104) that typically provides resealable access through the opening. The base generally forms an air-resistant seal to the patient's skin. In certain embodiments, the cap may be removable from the base. The base typically includes structure (180) configured to permit suction to be applied effective to remove undesired fluids from the body cavity. A cap is adapted to change in size to accommodate expansion and contraction of viscera.

Abstract: A temporary airway that can be used to facilitate an intubation procedure. Desirably, the temporary airway is removable from an installed intubation conduit without requiring disassembly of the intubation system and interrupting breathing treatment of the patient. Certain embodiments include an intubation lumen, and a treatment lumen. The intubation lumen is configured to assist in guiding an intubation conduit into operable position in a medical patient. The treatment lumen is operable to apply an anesthetic agent, and/or treatment fluids, including gas, such as Oxygen or compressed air. Certain treatment lumens are associated with a fluid dispersion nozzle, most preferably an atomizing nozzle.