Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for determining physiological parameters from blood flow dynamics includes a catheter configured for insertion into a blood vessel of a subject through which blood flows, a flexible barrier associated with the catheter configured to oscillate in response to changes in pressure of the blood within the catheter, and a pressure field microphone configured to measure a pressure field induced by the oscillation of the flexible barrier and to generate a measured acoustic pressure signal that can be processed to determine the physiological parameters.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus, for detecting radiation and/or pollutants including smoke and carbon monoxide, comprises an alarm circuit including a detector for radiation and/or pollutants and an audible alarm emitting device. A power supply circuit, connectable to an external AC power supply, supplies power to the alarm circuit. A controller operates the power supply circuit in a first mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit at a first power level less than that required to energize the audible alarm emitting device and, in response to the detection of radiation and/or pollutants, operates the power supply in a second mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit at a second power level sufficient to energize the audible alarm emitting device.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: A laparoscopic tool includes a base having a bore that receives the proximal end of an elongate outer tube having a lumen in axial alignment with the bore. An elongate inner rod is slideably mounted in the lumen and the bore. A clamp is detachably secured to a distal end of the elongate inner rod. A handle controlled by a user advances and retracts the inner rod. A nitinol clamp is connected to the distal end of the inner rod and an electrically conductive suture thread holds the clamp to the inner rod. A wedge block positioned at the proximal end of the inner rod has a slit that releasably engages the suture thread so that the suture thread is pulled until it is taut and wedged into the slit. The clamp closes when heated by an electrical current flowing through the suture thread and opens when the current stops.

Abstract: This invention is an alarm apparatus (100) for detecting radiation and/or pollutants including smoke and carbon monoxide. The apparatus comprises an alarm circuit including detection means for detecting the radiation and/or pollutants and an audible alarm emitting device (102). A power supply circuit (A, B), connectable to an external AC power supply, supplies power the alarm circuit. A controller (60) operates the power supply circuit (A, B) in a first mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit (52) at a first level less than that required to energise the audible alarm emitting device (102) and, in response to the detection of radiation and/or pollutants, operates the power supply (A, B) in a second mode of operation in which it supplies current to the alarm circuit (56) at a second level sufficient to energise the audible alarm emitting device (102).

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing device includes a handle and a shaft mounted to the handle. A toggle knob is adapted to rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. A pair of opposed jaws, each having a hollow structure, open and close relative to one another. A needle carrier and a needle holder are respectively slideably disposed in a lumen of a first and a second jaw. A needle has first and second pointed ends and is adapted to be press fit into the lumen of the first jaw with the first pointed end exposed and alternatively into the lumen of the second jaw with the second pointed end exposed. A spring-loaded pusher advances and retracts the needle carrier when the toggle knob is in a first position and advances and retracts the needle holder when in a second position. The tool assists a surgeon in suturing tissue captured between the jaws.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector (110) is provided that comprises a housing (112) having a base (114) for attaching the detector to a surface and a cover (116) having a side wall (124) and a bottom wall (126) defining the interior of said cover. An optical sensor (131) is provided for generating a signal representative of the detected light and a control circuit (130) is provided for controlling operation of the detector. The control circuit (130) includes a plurality of temperature sensors (D1, D2) for sensing a rise in ambient temperature and generating a signal representative thereof. The temperature sensors (D1, D2) are located above an internal surface of said bottom wall (126) within the housing and are substantially equally spaced. The control circuit (30) is operable to compare said representative signal with a reference signal and generate an alarm signal in dependence thereon.

Abstract: An alarm for detecting smoke comprises a housing (1) having vents (9) for allowing ingress of smoke into the housing. A sensor chamber (22,26) is disposed within the housing and has vents (24a,24b) for allowing ingress of smoke into the sensor chamber and comprises two parts. A diode emitter and diode sensor (25) is mounted within the sensor chamber for sensing light reflected off smoke. An alarm circuit (32), including detection means for detecting smoke sensed by the sensor diode (25), is supported on a printed circuit board (PCB) (29). The PCB is sandwiched between two halves (22 and 26) of the sensor chamber such that an edge (30) thereof extends part-way into said sensor chamber. The sensor is mounted on, near or adjacent to the edge.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector (10) is provided that comprises a light source (154), a light receiver (172), and a control circuit (130) for controlling operation of the detector. The control circuit (130) is configured to apply an unregulated voltage to the light source to cause it to emit light, to monitor the current through said light source (154) so as to monitor the light emitted by said light source (154); and to monitor the current generated by light received by said light receiver (172) so as to monitor the light received by said light receiver (172). The control circuit (130) generates a ratio signal representative of the ratio of the monitored currents; and compares the ratio signal with a reference value and generate a smoke detection signal in dependence thereon.

Abstract: An alarm for detecting radiation and/or air pollutants such as smoke, carbon monoxide or the like has a control circuit (11) including a microcontroller (12) configured to monitor preselected alarm parameters, and memory means (30, 36, 40) for storing data representing said parameters. The microcontroller (12) has an input/output means (3) connectible both to a preselected voltage level for switching said control circuit between an operational mode and a shutdown mode and to an external processing means for enabling downloading and display of said data.

Abstract: An alarm for detecting radiation and/or pollutants such as smoke, carbon monoxide or the like, the alarm comprises: an alarm circuit (12) including detection means (14) for detecting the radiation and/or pollutants, and an audible alarm (16); a power supply circuit (24) connectable to an external AC power supply for supplying standby power to the alarm circuit (12); and a battery (20) for supplying power to the audible alarm (16) when the alarm is energized. The power supply circuit (20) is configured to supply current to the alarm circuit (12) at a level less than that required to energize the audible alarm (16).

Abstract: A laparoscopic tool includes a base having a bore that receives the proximal end of an elongate outer tube having a lumen in axial alignment with the bore. An elongate inner rod is slideably mounted in the lumen and the bore. A clamp is detachably secured to a distal end of the elongate inner rod. A handle controlled by a user advances and retracts the inner rod. A nitinol clamp is connected to the distal end of the inner rod and an electrically conductive suture thread holds the clamp to the inner rod. A wedge block positioned at the proximal end of the inner rod has a slit that releasably engages the suture thread so that the suture thread is pulled until it is taut and wedged into the slit. The clamp closes when heated by an electrical current flowing through the suture thread and opens when the current stops.