Abstract: Disclosed is a capnometry apparatus for receiving respiratory gas from a respiratory cannula positioned on a patient. An integrated host controller alerts a user if the capnometry apparatus is connected or not connected to the respiratory cannula based in part on a signal output from a capnometer located in the capnometry apparatus. The host controller also includes the functionality to shut off the capnometer pump with or without a time delay when the capnometer signal output indicates the capnometer pump is not connected to the cannula. An ambient-air pressure sensor located in the capnometry apparatus alerts the host controller if the capnometry apparatus has been moved to a new location with a substantially different altitude than the first location, in which case the host controller will issue an alert to a user prompting a calibration of the capnometry apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxygen delivery apparatus constructed from an oxygen delivery manifold, a respiratory cannula, and a host controller. The host controller contains an oxygen delivery program and accepts a respiration input regarding whether the patient is inhaling or exhaling, and whether the patient is breathing orally or nasally. The oxygen delivery program regulates the flow rate of oxygen based in part upon the respiration input provided. A first rates is used when the patient is inhaling and exhaling orally, a second rate is used when the patient is inhaling nasally, and a third rate is used when the patient is exhaling nasally.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for coupling a respiratory cannula with a medical effector system. The coupling device consists of a plate with several ports for receiving respired gases from the respiratory cannula and for delivering oxygen or air to the respiratory cannula. The coupling device may directly or indirectly deliver the respired gases to a capnometry device located in the medical effector system. Also included is a port for delivering an audio signal from the medical effector system to an audio earpiece disposed proximate the ear of a patient.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and method using time variant vibration stimuli to assess the level of sedation of a patient.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system, a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system, and a response assembly for a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. A controller generates a request for a predetermined hand grip response from a patient and analyses at least a dynamic variable (such as a force, a pressure, or a distance) of a hand grip response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. A response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller. The response assembly senses the dynamic variable of the hand grip response and communicates the dynamic variable to the controller.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a cannula and response testing assemblage for a conscious sedation system. In one embodiment, a controller generates a request for a predetermined response from a patient and analyses at least a response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. A cannula is disposable on the face of the patient for monitoring the breathing of the patient. A request assembly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller. A response assembly senses the response and communicates the response to the controller. At least a part of at least one of the request and response assemblies is supported by the cannula. In another embodiment, the cannula itself is used as the response assembly wherein the response is a breathing response of the patient to the request.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system comprising a controller which generates an audio request for a predetermined response from a patient, the request including a personalized message and a response testing apparatus including a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller and the response assembly detects the response and communicates the response to the controller. The conscious sedation system can have an input to include the personalized message.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. A controller generates a request for a predetermined hand motion response from a patient and analyses at least a hand motion response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. The response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller. The response assembly senses the hand motion response and communicates the hand motion response to the controller.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. The response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly communicates to a patient a request generated by a controller of the conscious sedation system for a predetermined response from the patient. The response assembly senses a response made by the patient to the request and communicates the response to the controller which analyses at least the response to determine a level of sedation of the patient. At least one of the request assembly and the response assembly includes a cableless communication device which communicates at least one of the request and the response between the controller and the patient.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a request assembly for a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. The conscious sedation system includes a controller which generates a request for a predetermined response from a patient and which analyses at least a response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. The response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly audibly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller and includes a non-ear-canal-contacting speaker. The response assembly senses the response and communicates the response to the controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for implementing surgical procedures which includes an ultrasonic surgical hand piece having an end-effector, a console having a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the hand piece, an electrical connection connecting the hand piece and the console, and a memory, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), disposed in the electrical connection. The console sends a drive current to drive the hand piece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the blade. The console reads the memory and authenticates the hand piece for use with the console if particular or proprietary data are present in the memory. Moreover, to prevent errors in operating the hand piece, the memory can store certain diagnostic information which the console can utilize in determining whether the operation of the hand piece should be handicapped or disabled. Furthermore, the memory can be used to reprogram the console, if needed.

Abstract: The disposable endoscope sheath includes a low-profile sleeve member that can accommodate a variety of different endoscope lengths that are longer than the sleeve member. In several embodiments of the invention, the sleeve member includes irrigation channels that do not communicate with an endoscope receiving space. In other embodiments of the invention, irrigation fluid passes through the endoscope receiving space of the sleeve member. In all embodiments of the invention, irrigation fluid that is expelled from the sleeve member can flush surgical debris away from the viewing end of the endoscope. The sleeve member has a generally low profile and does not require continuous suction to halt the expulsion of irrigation fluid from the sheath when the irrigation function is not being used. A brief reverse suction can be used to remove a residual drop of cleaning solution from the viewing end of the sheath.

Abstract: The disposable endoscope sheath includes a low-profile sleeve member that cooperates with the endoscope shaft to establish a relatively narrow irrigation space between the sleeve member and the endoscope shaft. The sleeve member is intentionally shorter than the endoscope shaft to accommodate a variety of different endoscope lengths that are longer than the sleeve. In various embodiments of the invention the sleeve member can be positioned to establish a predetermined distal gap between the terminal end of the sleeve member and the viewing end of the endoscope shaft, to establish a flush alignment between the respective ends, or to have the endoscope shaft project slightly beyond the terminal end of the sleeve member. Irrigation fluid can thus flow across the viewing end of the endoscope flushing away surgical debris from the viewing end. The sleeve member can be a rigid or flexible structure.

Abstract: The disposable endoscope sheath includes a low-profile sleeve member that cooperates with the endoscope shaft to establish a relatively narrow irrigation space between the sleeve member and the endoscope shaft. The sleeve member is intentionally shorter than the endoscope shaft to accommodate a variety of different endoscope lengths that are longer than the sleeve. In various embodiments of the invention the sleeve member can be positioned to establish a predetermined distal gap between the terminal end of the sleeve member and the viewing end of the endoscope shaft, to establish a flush alignment between the respective ends, or to have the endoscope shaft project slightly beyond the terminal end of the sleeve member. Irrigation fluid can thus flow across the viewing end of the endoscope flushing away surgical debris from the viewing end. The sleeve member can be a rigid or flexible structure.

Abstract: A method of restoring a used organic photoreceptor which includes a supporting substrate having a photoconductor layer contained on said substrate and an overlaying layer of charge transport material. The photoreceptor is heated to a temperature near or above the glass transition temperature of the charge transport layer for a time sufficient to allow for flowing and/or melting of the top surface of the charge transport layer, and then cooled to room temperature, followed by applying a new layer of charge transport material over the existing charge transport layer.