Abstract: A vascular stent for placement around an outside of a circulatory anastomosis is disclosed. The vascular stent comprises a laminated body having a biodegradable inner collagen layer and a perforated outer collagen layer arranged around the biodegradable inner collagen layer. Also disclosed are a method of using the vascular stent in an arteriovenous bypass grafting procedure and a kit comprising the vascular stent and instructions for using the vascular stent in an arteriovenous bypass grafting procedure.

Abstract: A conformable pressure sensor pad 109 comprising: a sensor arrangement 130 comprising a central column 10 of segments and outer columns 11 of segments, wherein the segments in the outermost columns are tapered outwardly, and wherein a pressure-sensitive sensor 22 is mounted in a plurality of the segments in the central column; and a conformable pad 110 including a plurality of pouches 62, the pouches 62 being in fluid communication with each other, each segment 10, 11 of the sensor arrangement 130 being positioned on a respective pouch 62, the plurality of pouches 62 being shaped to be positioned between a respective segment 10, 11 and the skin surface of a patient in use.

Abstract: A sensor unit for detecting a pressure applied to a patient by a medical dressing, the sensor unit comprising: an electronic sensor configured to detect a pressure or force applied to a pressure plate of the electronic sensor; a plurality of lever elements positioned over the pressure plate, wherein each of the plurality of lever elements comprises an abutment region that is moveable towards the pressure plate; and, an exterior plate coupled to the plurality of lever elements such that, in use, a displacement of the exterior plate from an equilibrium position towards the pressure plate causes the abutment region of at least one lever element to move in a direction towards the pressure plate and transfer a force from the exterior plate to the pressure plate.

Abstract: An air-conditioning condensate drain cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to suspend a condensate drain line cleaning fluid container therein, and a fluid dispensing unit configured to connect the cleaning fluid container to an air-conditioning condensate drain pipe and selectively control the rate at which the cleaning fluid is transferred from the cleaning fluid container to the condensate drain pipe. The fluid dispensing unit includes an elongated tube for transferring a fluid, a drip chamber for viewing the fluid, and a flow regulation clamp configured to control the rate at which the fluid is transferred from the cleaning fluid container to the condensate drain pipe. The housing includes a support member for suspending the cleaning fluid container therein, an elongated slot for viewing the cleaning fluid container, and a pair of apertures and protrusions for removably mounting the front portion to the rear portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sample and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge perhaps between a hydrophobic wand and a hydrophilic sample support element. Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sample and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge perhaps between a hydrophobic wand and a hydrophilic sample support element. Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sample (1) and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids (3) in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge (6) perhaps between a hydrophobic wand (4) and a hydrophilic sample support element (2). Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles (64) and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sample (1) and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids (3) in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge (6) perhaps between a hydrophobic wand (4) and a hydrophilic sample support element (2). Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles (64) and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention solves many of the problems for the wheelchair bound individual who wants an ergonomically sensible, convenient, yet powerful and stable wheelchair. The Trike's unique power source is provided by a rowing-type motion of the user rather than the less efficient “hand rim” grip or wrist propulsion. Power is generated both in the out rowing stroke and the in rowing stroke through a inventive power drive. The rowing motion significantly reduces the chances for repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel. Furthermore, the rowing motion and movements are designed to facilitate efficient propulsion and steering in combination, to be effected simultaneously. The rowing motion allows the user's full arm strength and full range of motion to assist in the powering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cannula assembly is removably mountable to a syringe body having a pair of side-by-side chambers; there being an opening into each chamber at a bottom of the syringe. The cannula assembly includes a connector and a dual lumen assembly extending from the connector. The dual lumen assembly includes a pair of tubes defining two fluid paths. The connector includes fluid paths which, when the cannula assembly is mounted to the syringe, place the fluid path of one of the tubes in fluid communication with one of the syringe body chambers and the fluid path of the other of the dual lumen tubes in fluid communication with the other of the syringe body chambers.

Abstract: The Trike's unique power source is provided by a rowing-type motion of the user rather than the less efficient “hand rim” grip or wrist propulsion. The rowing motion significantly reduces the chances for repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel. Furthermore, the rowing motion and movements, are designed to facilitate efficient propulsion and steering in combination, to be effected simultaneously. The rowing motion allows the user's full arm strength and full range of motion to assist in the powering of the vehicle. The wheelchair also has a retractable fifth or propulsion wheel that allows the chair to be used in a confined space without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A combined irrigator-vacuum device includes a pump assembly mountable over a syringe or device body. The device body has a dividing wall which divides the body into a clean chamber and a waste chamber. Openings are formed at the bottom of the body to provide an inlet into said waste chamber and an outlet from said clean chamber. The pump assembly includes a housing and a compressible cover defining a pump chamber. A vacuum valve and an irrigation valve are positioned within the pump chamber above the syringe waste chamber and clean chamber, respectively. The pump is operable such that compression of the cover causes irrigant fluid to be ejected from the clean chamber and release of the cover causes used irrigant to be vacuumed into the waste chamber. The device can be selectively switchable between an irrigation-vacuum mode, an irrigation-only mode and a vacuum-only mode.

Abstract: A cannula assembly is removably mountable to a syringe body having a pair of side-by-side chambers; there being an opening into each chamber at a bottom of the syringe. The cannula assembly comprises a connector and a dual lumen assembly extending from the connector. The dual lumen assembly comprises a pair of tubes defining two fluid paths. The connector comprises fluid paths which, when the cannula assembly is mounted to the syringe, place the fluid path of one of the tubes in fluid communication with one of the syringe body chambers and the fluid path of the other of the dual lumen tubes in fluid communication with the other of the syringe body chambers.

Abstract: A combined irrigator-vacuum device includes a pump assembly mountable over a syringe or device body. The device body has a dividing wall which divides the body into a clean chamber and a waste chamber. Openings are formed at the bottom of the body to provide an inlet into said waste chamber and an outlet from said clean chamber. The pump assembly comprises a housing and a compressible cover defining a pump chamber. A vacuum valve and an irrigation valve are positioned within the pump chamber above the syringe waste chamber and clean chamber, respectively. The pump is operable such that compression of the cover causes irrigant fluid to be ejected from the clean chamber and release of the cover causes used irrigant to be vacuumed into the waste chamber. The device can be selectively switchable between an irrigation-vacuum mode, an irrigation-only mode and a vacuum-only mode.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end.

Abstract: The present invention solves many of the problems for the wheelchair bound individual who wants an ergonomically sensible, convenient, yet powerful and stable wheelchair. The Trike's unique power source is provided by a rowing-type motion of the user rather than the less efficient “hand rim” grip or wrist propulsion. The rowing motion significantly reduces the chances for repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel. Furthermore, the rowing motion and movements, are designed to facilitate efficient propulsion and steering in combination, to be effected simultaneously. The rowing motion allows the user's full arm strength and full range of motion to assist in the powering of the vehicle. The wheelchair also has a retractable fifth or propulsion wheel that allows the chair to be used in a confined space without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for placing a vehicle operator into an performance driving position for a particular vehicle by adjusting equipment on the vehicle based on various combinations of biometric parameters of the vehicle operator. In one embodiment, the performance driving position for a particular vehicle is first determined and is stored in a processing device or associated memory. The vehicle operator may enter required biometric parameters into an input device operably connected to the processing device, which in turn calculates the vehicle operator's present location and any movement of the seating elements, controls, and set forth necessary to place the vehicle operator in an performance driving position. The processing device then sends one or more output signals to one or more motors associated with one or more seating elements or controls to adjust such equipment and place the operator in the performance driving position.

Abstract: A surgical clip (5) is provided for clipping a tubular structure (9) in vivo to ligate the tubular structure. The clip comprises first and second clip portions (6, 7). A hinge portion (8) is provided connecting the clip portions together and to enable the clip portions to be hinged together from an open clip condition to a closed clip condition thereby to ligate a tubular structure placed between the clip portions. A lock is provided for locking the clip portions together in the closed clip condition. In the closed clip condition the clip has a substantially smooth external profile, for example including blunt ends (21), so as to reduce the possibility of the clip (in use) eroding surrounding tissue structures.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for use in applying a sheet of surgical material through an opening to bridge the remote internal termination of the opening has a deployment sleeve (1), a plunger (2) for location within the sleeve (1) and a sheet of surgical material (3) which can be folded or collapsed to a conical form as shown for location at and within the distal end of the deployment sleeve. An actuating means (4) comprising a suture is provided operative to unfold or erect the sheet (3) following expulsion from the distal end of the deployment sleeve (1) through longitudinal movement of the plunger (2). The sheet (3) includes radial ribs (5) connected along their length to the sheet except at an inner region (5a) defined by a hinge (5b) where the ribs are free and joined at the ends to a collar (5c) through a further hinge connection.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis intended, primarily for the repair of muscle wall defects such as occur in inguinal hernias is fabricated from a surgically compatible mesh material having a prismatic external mesh wall (1). The prismatic shape includes three lobes (2), providing a generally triangular cross-sectional shape. The shape is maintained by internal reinforcing ribs (3), which here extend the length of the prism. The ribs are formed through the connection of three individual mesh strips (4), with each rib comprising two strip parts forming a lamination extending the length of the prism. With this construction closure of elongate legions is readily achieved and a wide range of elongate shapes and dimensions of hernias can be treated.