Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a nose through which a cutting accessory extends. The nose is formed with an enclosed channel through which irrigating fluid is flowed. The enclosed channel has a helical shape such that as the channel extends longitudinally along the nose, the channel curves around the nose and the cutting accessory disposed in the nose.

Abstract: A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

Abstract: A sampling device and associated methods for collecting a plurality of samples of a solution in a medical sterilization device. The sampling device includes a base configured to support a plurality of vessels, and a cover. The cover and the vessels define an orientation in relation to each other with the orientation having a first position permitting ingress of the solution into a first vessel and preventing ingress of the solution into the second vessel, a second position permitting ingress of the solution into a second vessel and preventing ingress of the solution into the first vessel. The sampling device may alternatively comprise a plurality of covers each coupled to one of the vessels. Actuators may move the covers between configurations permitting and preventing ingress of the solution into the vessels. Control of the covers may be based on analytical characteristics measured in by a sensor within a flow path.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula. A plurality of elements are disposed adjacent to one another in the delivery cannula with void spaces defined between the elements. A fluent material, capable of setting to a hardened condition, is disposed within at least a portion of the void space in the delivery cannula. A push rod is movably disposed within the delivery cannula to apply a force to move the elements through the delivery cannula and into the interior of the vertebral body. Upon application of the force, the elements simultaneously carry the fluent material through the delivery cannula and into vertebral body to delivery the fluent material at a low pressure. The fluent material sets to the hardened condition to secure the elements and form the implant.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a support (100) worn around the head and a hood (400) worn over the head and the support. A ventilation unit (150) attached to the support draws air into the hood. Ultraviolet lights (360) direct light into the air stream drawn into the hood. The light renders microorganisms in the air stream innocuous.

Abstract: A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator with a handpiece for discharging a lavage solution. There is reservoir in which a therapeutic agent is stored. The therapeutic agent can be selectively mixed with the lavage solution to form a blended solution. The mixing can be performed selectively so as to make it possible to sequentially apply the blended solution or a basic (lavage only) solution.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator with a handpiece for discharging a lavage solution. There is reservoir in which a therapeutic agent is stored. The therapeutic agent can be selectively mixed with the lavage solution to form a blended solution. The mixing can be performed selectively so as to make it possible to sequentially apply the blended solution or a basic (lavage only) solution.

Abstract: A system for forming an implant to stabilize an interior of a vertebral body is provided. The system includes a delivery cannula (18) in which there is an agglomeration of beads (20) and cement (22). A membrane is disposed over the open end of the cannula. When the agglomeration is discharged from the cannula it fills the membrane. The membrane thus forms the outer shell of the implant internal to the bone.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator with a handpiece for discharging a lavage solution. There is reservoir in which a therapeutic agent is stored. The therapeutic agent can be selectively mixed with the lavage solution to form a blended solution. The mixing can be performed selectively so as to make it possible to sequentially apply the blended solution or a basic (lavage only) solution.

Abstract: A method of collecting medical waste in a waste collection unit using a disposable manifold and filter assembly. The disposable manifold and filter assembly includes a manifold housing with a plurality of inlets, a neck extending from the manifold housing to define an outlet, and a filter basket disposed in the manifold housing. The method includes inserting the neck into the waste collection unit to direct the medical waste passing through the disposable manifold and filter assembly into the waste collection unit. Tubes are connected to the inlets of the manifold housing to provide a path for the medical waste to travel from a target site, e.g., a patient, to the manifold housing. A vacuum is drawn in the waste collection unit to pull the medical waste through the tubes and into the disposable manifold and filter assembly where the medical waste is processed/filtered in a plurality of stages.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: A mixing assembly for mixing bone cement includes a housing, a lid, a handle, and two mixing paddles, a first and a second mixing paddle. The lid is removably attachable to the housing. The handle has a portion that extends through the lid and that is rotatable in a first rotational direction. The first mixing paddle is operatively coupled to the portion of the handle. As a result, the first mixing paddle rotates with the portion of the handle in the first rotational direction. The second mixing paddle is operatively coupled to the first mixing paddle for rotating opposite the portion. As such, when the portion of the handle and the first mixing paddle rotate in the first rotational direction, the second mixing paddle rotates in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A medical/surgical irrigator with a handpiece for discharging a lavage solution. There is reservoir in which a therapeutic agent is stored. The therapeutic agent can be selectively mixed with the lavage solution to form a blended solution. The mixing can be performed selectively so as to make it possible to sequentially apply the blended solution or a basic (lavage only) solution.

Abstract: A personal protection system is mountable to a user for distributing air to the user includes a shell providing structure. A fan module is supported by the shell for generating a flow of air. Cushioning is provided between the fan module and the shell to reduce vibrations and noise. The fan module includes a fan with blades having an airfoil shape for added noise reduction. An air flow channel is in fluid communication with the fan module for routing the flow of air. A pair of nozzle tips are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and are rotatably adjustable to allow directional adjustment of the flow of air toward a neck of the user. The personal protection system also includes a face shield with multiple removable layers which are sterilized as a unit using gamma radiation.

Abstract: A mixing assembly for mixing bone cement includes a housing, a lid, a handle, and two mixing paddles, a first and a second mixing paddle. The lid is removably attachable to the housing. The handle has a portion that extends through the lid and that is rotatable in a first rotational direction. The first mixing paddle is operatively coupled to the portion of the handle. As a result, the first mixing paddle rotates with the portion of the handle in the first rotational direction. The second mixing paddle is operatively coupled to the first mixing paddle for rotating opposite the portion. As such, when the portion of the handle and the first mixing paddle rotate in the first rotational direction, the second mixing paddle rotates in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.