Abstract: An apparatus for controlling or metering a viscoelastic material for eye surgery. Such an apparatus may generally comprise a housing having a cylinder; a plunger having at least a portion operable to move within the cylinder; a reservoir; an inlet check; and an outlet check valve fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The inlet check valve may be configured to allow the viscoelastic material into the reservoir at a priming pressure. An actuator can be coupled to the plunger and configured to move the plunger in a first direction to increase the pressure in the reservoir to a delivery pressure that is sufficient to close the inlet check valve and open the outlet check valve. A return spring can be configured to move the plunger in a second direction to decrease the pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A patient control system uses a patient-implanted catheter in thermal communication with a fluid bath via a circulating fluid circuit. A controller automatically controls the temperature of the fluid bath as required for selectively cooling or heating the patient in accordance with patient temperature measurements. The controller thermally decouples the catheter and patient from the fluid bath during changes in fluid bath temperatures in order to overcome the effects of system thermal mass.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a wireless communication system for medical sensor data. This communications system includes a portable unit that connects to a wireless sensor and a monitor unit that connects to a sensor monitor. Once activated, the units will self organize into a wireless communication structure controlled by the portable unit. As other pairs of units activate, they can self-organize their transmissions by joining an existing network or by creating new networks.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Abstract: A system for exchanging heat with the body of a patient for cooling or warming the patient provides for automatic temperature control in accordance with the monitored temperature of the patient. The system comprises a temperature control module and temperature probes for making body core temperature measurements. The body core temperature measurements are used to control the temperature of fluid circulating within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A Foley catheter has redundant temperature sensors to enable use of the Foley catheter with a patient heating system, such as one relying on a vascular heat exchange catheter. The temperature sensors electronically couple with a control unit, which obtains a primary temperature reading from one of the temperature sensors and obtains a secondary temperature reading from the other temperature. The control unit compares the primary and secondary temperature reading to determine a sensor temperature difference. When the sensor temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, then the control unit activates an alarm, shuts down the patient heating system, or both.

Abstract: A Foley catheter has redundant temperature sensors to enable use of the Foley catheter with a patient heating system, such as one relying on a vascular heat exchange catheter. The temperature sensors electronically couple with a control unit, which obtains a primary temperature reading from one of the temperature sensors and obtains a secondary temperature reading from the other temperature. The control unit compares the primary and secondary temperature reading to determine a sensor temperature difference. When the sensor temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, then the control unit activates an alarm, shuts down the patient heating system, or both.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include at least one balloon which is adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. Embodiments including multiple balloons enhance the surface area of contact, and the mixing of both the heat exchange and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body without cooling the entire body system. It is of particular advantage in brain surgeries where stroke, trauma or cryogenic tumors can best be addressed under hypothermic conditions. Heat pipe technology can be used to form a heat pipe heat exchange catheter. The heat pipe heat exchange catheter includes metallic bellows which allow for flexibility.

Abstract: A system for exchanging heat with the body of a patient for cooling or warming the patient provides for automatic temperature control in accordance with the monitored temperature of the patient. The system comprises a temperature control module and temperature probes for making body core temperature measurements. The body core temperature measurements are used to control the temperature of fluid circulating within the fluid circuit.