Abstract: A system for treating uterine disorders includes a balloon catheter having a cannula with a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable balloon secured over the distal end of the cannula. The device includes a heating assembly coupled with the distal end of the cannula and disposed inside the inflatable balloon, and an impeller disposed inside the heating assembly. In one embodiment, the heating assembly includes an elongated heating tube having a heating film covering an outer wall thereof, at least one fluid inlet extending though the outer wall and a fluid outlet located at a distal end of the elongated heating tube. The impeller is rotatable for drawing fluid through the at least one fluid inlet and into the elongated heating tube for heating the fluid, and discharging the heated fluid from the fluid outlet for circulating the fluid throughout the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A stabilizing device having a flexible shaft with a terminal connector and surgical tools used therewith. The flexible shaft is responsive to a tension element connected to a distal end of the shaft and in communication with a proximal end of the shaft. An elastic means interfacing between the proximal end of the tension element and an actuating cam cause the shaft to adapt for differences in activating tension between straight and curved positions. Accordingly, stretching and deformation of the tensioning element is reduced and shaft stiffness upon activation of the tensioning element is repeatable. The terminal connector includes a ball-and-socket arrangement adapted to resiliently absorb movement of an organ during surgery. A bendable suction stabilizer foot adaptable to contours of an organ is also provided as an attachment to the stabilizer device.

Abstract: A system and method for telecommunication network screening of telemarketer messages is provided. A telemarketer message intended for a telecommunication user is received. The telemarketer message and a telecommunication user preference are compared. The telemarketer message is blocked if the telecommunication user preference indicates that the telecommunication user does not want to receive the telemarketer message. The telemarketer message is provided to the telecommunication user if telecommunication user preference indicates that the telecommunication user wants to receive the telemarketer message.

Abstract: A system for providing ringback content. In the system, a user places a call on a communication device to a callee via a network. The network may store content information about the user and uses this content information to deduce the intent of the user's call. The callee provides ringback content to the user's communication device based on the deduced user call intent.

Abstract: A fixed needle syringe has a syringe barrel with its distal portion modified to accept a needle protective housing. In particular, the distal portion is formed with the a groove dimensioned to accept a collar that is attached to the housing. The inside surface of the collar is provided with a number of flanges that fit within the groove formed at the distal portion of the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe. Protrusions are provided at the inside surface of the collar to frictionally act against the syringe barrel, so that the needle protective housing does not freely rotate, but is rotatable relative to the syringe barrel by the application of a predetermined torque to either the collar or the housing attached thereto. An internal hook is provided in the housing to grasp the needle of the syringe, when the housing is pivoted to cover the needle extending from the needle hub of the syringe.

Abstract: To ensure that there is no misconnection between a needle, such as for example a spinal or epidural needle, and the appropriate medication, the needle hub the needle is formed, by molding or extrusion, to have a given configuration. An adapter is placed between the needle and a conventional fluid store, or medical line. The end of the adapter that connects to the needle assembly is formed to have a configuration that is complementary to that of the hub of the needle assembly, so that the adapter and the needle hub may be readily mated to each other. The other end of the adapter is formed to have another configuration, for example a conventional luer, that is readily connectable to a conventional fluid store, such as a syringe that has a conventional luer. The adapter is formed by inter-fitting two elements to effect an integral locking mechanism to prevent the uncoupling of the fluid store and the adapter, once they are securely coupled.

Abstract: A malleable shaft device for use in surgical procedures, having a tension fiber therein, whereby the malleable shaft transitions from a malleable state to a rigid state when a force is applied to the tension fiber, has a variable-pitch cam operatively connected to the tension fiber, and a lever operatively connected to the variable pitch cam for applying force. The mechanical advantage of the cam changes with displacement to accommodate increasing load, and to increase the rate of travel while loads are light. The force profile may provide for a constant input force to accomplish the full travel of the cam.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir for a medical infusion system includes an expandable elastomeric bladder defining a chamber for receiving and containing a volume of therapeutic substance and exerting pressure thereon to dispense the therapeutic substance from the bladder. The bladder has preferably a single port formed through the thickness thereof. A bi-directional valve is in fluid communication with the chamber of the elastomeric bladder and is used for filling the bladder chamber with the therapeutic substance and for connecting to a catheter assembly for dispensing the therapeutic substance to a patient undergoing treatment. The single port of the elastomeric bladder is connected to a medical grade flexible tubing, which is also connected to the bi-directional valve.

Abstract: A stabilizing device having a flexible shaft with a terminal connector and surgical tools used therewith. The flexible shaft is responsive to a tension element connected to a distal end of the shaft and in communication with a proximal end of the shaft. An elastic means interfacing between the proximal end of the tension element and an actuating cam cause the shaft to adapt for differences in activating tension between straight and curved positions. Accordingly, stretching and deformation of the tensioning element is reduced and shaft stiffness upon activation of the tensioning element is repeatable. The terminal connector includes a ball-and-socket arrangement adapted to resiliently absorb movement of an organ during surgery. A bendable suction stabilizer foot adaptable to contours of an organ is also provided as an attachment to the stabilizer device.

Abstract: A fixed needle syringe has a syringe barrel with its distal portion modified to accept a needle protective housing. In particular, the distal portion is formed with the a groove dimensioned to accept a collar that is attached to the housing. The inside surface of the collar is provided with a number of flanges that fit within the groove formed at the distal portion of the syringe barrel of the fixed needle syringe. Protrusions are provided at the inside surface of the collar to frictionally act against the syringe barrel, so that the needle protective housing does not freely rotate, but is rotatable relative to the syringe barrel by the application of a predetermined torque to either the collar or the housing attached thereto. An internal hook is provided in the housing to grasp the needle of the syringe, when the housing is pivoted to cover the needle extending from the needle hub of the syringe.

Abstract: A malleable shaft device for use in surgical procedures, having a tension fiber therein, whereby the malleable shaft transitions from a malleable state to a rigid state when a force is applied to the tension fiber, has a variable-pitch cam operatively connected to the tension fiber, and a lever operatively connected to the variable pitch cam for applying force. The mechanical advantage of the cam changes with displacement to accommodate increasing load, and to increase the rate of travel while loads are light. The force profile may provide for a constant input force to accomplish the full travel of the cam.

Abstract: A new wheel assembly (14), with a gear reducing hub (22), and including a new hand wheel assembly (30) mounted on a hand wheel hub (36) for a manual multispeed wheelchair (10), that has an improved shifting mechanism that allows easy shifting at user's hand level. A shifter (76) is rotated, which axially moves a shift member (52) to couple with drive chock openings (46) in direct drive or a planetary gear system (58) for low gear operation. The new wheel assembly (14) also includes a quick disconnect mechanism for easy change of the wheel assembly (14) from the wheelchair (10) without tools. A torque collar (144), on the inboard side of the hub (22), couples with a sleeve assembly (136) on the wheelchair (10) and allows torque to transfer directly from hub (22) to wheelchair (10).