Abstract: A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Blood vessels may be occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. The occlusion device finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient's vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery.

Abstract: A method for occluding a body lumen includes providing a clamping device having a pair of opposed pressure applying jaws, providing a sensor on one of the pressure applying jaws for sensing blood flow through a body lumen, and releasably securing a luminal clip between the pressure applying jaws. The method includes using the sensor for detecting blood flow through the body lumen for locating the body lumen, positioning the luminal clip adjacent the located body lumen, and closing the pressure applying jaws for clamping the luminal clip over the body lumen for at least partially occluding blood flow through the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tenaculum-like devices and systems for the intravaginal delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic devices and particularly for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries in order to treat uterine disorders. Included are methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue. The tenaculum-type device has a distal portion with a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention or tissue grasping mechanism with a grasping element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. The tenaculum-type devices embodying features of the invention may have an expandable distal tip to more securely be engaged within the patient's uterine cervical canal.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries without puncturing skin or vessel walls. The devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries are configured to be applied to arteries externally of the arteries. Occlusion may be temporary or permanent, and may be partial or complete. Clamping a device to tissue near to an artery is effective to compress tissue around the artery and to indirectly compress the artery. The methods, devices and systems of the invention find use in, for example, treatment of uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a patient's vagina by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery to occlude a uterine artery. Clamping of an artery may also be performed by clamping a device directly onto an artery.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for reducing or abolishing blood flow by occluding uterine arteries for treating adenomyosis and endometriosis. A non-invasive uterine artery occlusion device embodying features of the invention includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a uterine artery disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Uterine arteries are occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. One uterine artery may be occluded or both may be occluded simultaneously. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient's vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tenaculum-like devices and systems for the intravaginal delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic devices and particularly for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries in order to treat uterine disorders. Included are methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue. The tenaculum-type device has a distal portion with a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention or tissue grasping mechanism with a grasping element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. The tenaculum-type devices embodying features of the invention may have an expandable distal tip to more securely be engaged within the patient's uterine cervical canal.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue are provided. In different aspects, devices, systems and methods for locating tissue; for guiding instruments to tissue; for grasping tissue; and for retaining and manipulating tissue are provided. Such tissue may include the cervix of a female patient. A device may have a distal portion having a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. Devices may include a proximal portion, such as a handle. Devices may be configured to co-operate with other instruments. Cooperation with other instruments may include serving as a mount for instruments and guiding instruments. Such devices may aid in the placement and operation of instruments for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, such as, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods for applying a luminal clip to occlude a body lumen, such as a blood vessel, duct, or lymph node are provided. Devices embodying features of the invention include an elongated pressure-applying member having a handle portion and a jaw portion with a clip-receiving surface; a sensor disposed on a jaw portion; and an energy transmission element connected to the sensor. The sensor may detect and/or locate a body lumen, and may be used to differentiate between a blood vessel and other body lumens. The device can apply a luminal clip to a body lumen to compress and to occlude the lumen. Occlusion may be partial or complete, and may be temporary or permanent. Occlusion of the uterine arteries may treat uterine fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and other uterine disorders and conditions; clips may also be applied in cholecystectomy procedures, and in other medical procedures.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for reducing or abolishing blood flow by occluding arteries. A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device embodying features of the invention includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Blood vessels may be occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. The invention finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient's vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery.

Abstract: Both the number and the size of microair bubbles in a bloodstream are accurately determined optically, independently of oxygen saturation, by monitoring the intensity of light transmission in the 800-850 nm range through the bloodstream and indicating the count and amplitude range of peaks in the monitored intensity.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries without puncturing skin or vessel walls. The devices, systems and methods for occluding arteries are configured to be applied to arteries externally of the arteries. Occlusion may be temporary or permanent, and may be partial or complete. Clamping a device to tissue near to an artery is effective to compress tissue around the artery and to indirectly compress the artery. The methods, devices and systems of the invention find use in, for example, treatment of uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a patient's vagina by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery to occlude a uterine artery. Clamping of an artery may also be performed by clamping a device directly onto an artery.

Abstract: Blood volume in a soft-shell venous reservoir is measured for real-time display by ultrasonically measuring the distance between the walls of the reservoir bag at representative points and determining the volume of the bag by an interpolation based on the known shape of the reservoir bag as it expands and contracts.

Abstract: The blood volume contained in a soft-shell venous reservoir is measured by using strain gauges to detect variations in the expansion stress imposed upon the reservoir material or a film overlying the reservoir as the reservoir fills.

Abstract: The blood volume in a soft-shell venous reservoir is measured by immersing the reservoir in a fluid and measuring the displacement of that fluid, either by measuring a liquid level in an overflow tube or by measuring the temperature-compensated gas pressure if the displaced fluid is a gas in a sealed container. Equipment operable from outside the container to measure the reservoir or to expel air therefrom is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microair bubbles in a bloodstream are diverted from the bloodstream in a diversion chamber by ultrasonic energy, and are collected in a blood-filled stasis column where they can be accurately measured by a bubble detector and then vented to atmosphere. Bubbles of different sizes can be separated into different stasis columns for enhanced measurement.

Abstract: An accurate real-time volume measurement of the blood content of a soft-shell venous reservoir is obtained by computing the volume from the weight of the blood in the reservoir modified by the hematocrit of the blood.