Abstract: A method of storing, transporting and using a plurality of surgical devices organized in an instrument case. The method includes the steps of: assembling the plurality of surgical devices in the instrument case; and providing a shipping container including a plurality of walls. The walls define a shipping compartment. The shipping container includes a telescoping handle connected to at least one of the walls, and a set of at least partially recessed wheels connected to at least one of the walls. The method further includes the steps of: captivating the instrument case within the shipping compartment; transporting the shipping container from a first location to a second location using the telescoping handle and the at least partially recessed wheels; removing the instrument case from the shipping container; and using at least some of the surgical devices to perform a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument container assembly includes a container and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one wire handle pivotally coupled with the container. A handle grip has a longitudinally extending opening. A portion of the wire handle is positioned radially within the opening. The handle grip has an outer surface with an elliptical cross sectional shape, and a plurality of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending ribs on the outer surface. The handle grip is preferably formed of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument container assembly includes a container and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one wire handle coupled with the container, and a pair of handle halves. Each handle half includes a pair of ends and a pair of partial openings respectively positioned at the ends. Each partial opening of one handle half is adjacent a respective partial opening of the other handle half. The adjacent partial openings conjunctively receive a portion of the at least one wire handle therein. The handle halves surround a portion of the at least one wire handle and are snap fitted together.

Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus is disposed in an intravenous fluid line. At the top end of the line is attached a chamber where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber, a metering chamber or the intravenous supply. When air is detected, a valve or valves are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line between the pump and the separation chamber so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.

Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus 5 is disposed in an intravenous fluid line 3. At the top end of the line 3 is attached a chamber 1, 2, 12 where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber 12, a metering chamber 2 or the intravenous supply 1. When air is detected, a valve 11 or valves 7, 9 are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump 4 is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber 1, 2, 12. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line 31 between the pump 4 and the separation chamber 1, 2, 12, so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A medical pump apparatus including an internally sterile pumping chamber having a flexible diaphragm forming a wall portion and a drive rod extending through the diaphragm in a rotating vane disposed within the pumping chamber. A motor rotates a revolving hook which engages the drive rod to drive the vane within the pumping unit. The pumping chamber is isolated from the motor by the fluidtight attachment of the drive rod through the flexible diaphragm. Fluid is pumped into the inlet of pumping chamber through the hollow shaft of the vane and out through a fluid conduit of the vane, subsequently out the outlet of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An inflation control system including a high flow valve is controlled by pilot air selectively delivered by a piezo vent valve. The high flow valve includes a pilot input, an outlet and a main air chamber fed with main supply air through a main air conduit. The high flow valve further includes a diaphragm with an upper web, a lower web, a cylindrical member connecting the upper and lower webs and an annular ridge extending radially out around the cylindrical member. A pilot air supply is connected by a pilot air conduit to the pilot input. A piezo pilot valve interposed on the pilot air conduct opens or closes to provide or prevent the pilot air to the high flow valve. The pilot air shifts the high flow valve from a closed to an open state. A vent valve connected to the pilot air conduit removes the pilot air to allow the high flow valve to close.

Abstract: An inflation control system including a high flow valve is controlled by pilot air selectively delivered by a piezo vent valve. The high flow valve includes a pilot input, an outlet and a main air chamber fed with main supply air through a main air conduit. The high flow valve further includes a diaphragm with an upper web, a lower web, a cylindrical member connecting the upper and lower webs and an annular ridge extending radially out around the cylindrical member. A pilot air supply is connected by a pilot air conduit to the pilot input. A piezo pilot valve interposed on the pilot air conduct opens or closes to provide or prevent the pilot air to the high flow valve. The pilot air shifts the high flow valve from a closed to an open state. A vent valve connected to the pilot air conduit removes the pilot air to allow the high flow valve to close.

Abstract: A normally-closed valve that can be easily connected and disconnected. Disposed in the fluid passageway through the valve is a cylindrical member that may be moved between an open position and a closed position. A spring holds the member in the closed position, and a leur-type cannula may be inserted into the valve to push the member into the open position. Two sealing rings are mounted around the cylindrical member. These rings prevent flow through the valve when the member is in its closed position. Two sets of channels are placed in the walls of the passageway to permit flow around the sealing rings when the member is in its open position.

Abstract: An air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus (5) is disposed in an intravenous fluid line (3). A return line (8) is attached to a point in the line (3) below the air-detection apparatus (5). The other end of the return line (8) is attached to a chamber (1, 2, 12) where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber (12), a metering chamber (2) or the intravenous supply (1). When air is detected, a valve (11) or valves (7, 9) are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump (4) is turned on, the fluid is pumped through the return line (8) to the separation chamber (1, 2, 12).

Abstract: A normally-closed valve that can be easily connected and disconnected. Disposed in the fluid passageway through the valve is a flexible, resilient disk and a pin mounted adjacent to the disk. The disk is mounted in a wide portion of the passageway and is held in place by the narrow portions of the passageway. The disk fits snugly into the passageway so that the edge of the disk forms a seal with the wall of the passageway. A nozzle is inserted into the passageway and urges the pin against the disk, causing the disk to deform. When the disk deforms, its effective diameter decreases, and its edge separates from the passageway wall, permitting fluid to flow through the valve. The narrow sections of the passageway wall have channels disposed therein for permitting flow when the disk is deformed. The pin also has channels on its surface to permit flow around it.