Abstract: A computer-based system for monitoring and improving a user's exercise compliance by providing the user with multiple forms of feedback designed to encourage adherence to an exercise schedule. In one embodiment the system comprises a personal computer having a commercially available telephony card and a cellular telephone carried by the user. The system calls the user after each scheduled workout and prompts the user to input whether they completed the workout. The system accepts and stores the input, calculates whether the user is achieving their workout goal, and gives the user positive or negative audio feedback based on whether the user is meeting their workout adherence target.

Abstract: A variable stride exercise apparatus is described. A variable stride exercise apparatus may include a frame. A crank system may be coupled to the frame. A foot member may be coupled to the crank system. The foot member may include a footpad. A variable stride system may be coupled to the foot member. The variable stride system and the foot member may be coupled such that at least a portion of the variable stride system is under at least a portion of the footpad. The variable stride system may allow a user of the apparatus to vary the length of the user's stride during use of the apparatus. The foot of the user may travel in a substantially closed path during use of the apparatus. At least a portion of the apparatus may remain substantially stationary during use.

Abstract: A unique structure for an indoor exercise bike that provides strength in its design, as well as the flexibility to create an aesthetically appealing frame structure. The monocoque frame design, including two symmetrical halves joined together, forms a very strong, light shell that can take on a variety of shapes and sizes. The seat structure, handlebar structure, drive train and support platforms are all able to be readily attached to the primary frame structure to provide an exercise bicycle that is sturdy, easy to manufacture, and light enough to easily move when necessary.

Abstract: A hand-held drinking container for consuming liquids, particularly while a user is engaged in physical activity, such as running, walking or in-line skating. One liquid reservoir (1) forms both the main body (27) and the handle (6) of the container. The user turns a trigger (3) on the outside of the handle (6) so as to enable an internal triggering mechanism (10) to lower a sealer (11) to permit liquid to exit the container via the funnel spout (2) on top of the container. Cushion supports (4) located on the main body (27) press against a back side of the user's hand to allow the user to focus his or her attention on the activity rather than on constantly gripping the container. One or more optional weights (7) can be secured to the bottom of the container by using straps (8) to enhance a workout. An optional flashlight (28) may be secured as well to provide safety for those who prefer exercising when dark.

Abstract: A jump rope simulator for aerobic and anaerobic exercise having a hand-held unit comprising a handle, a base length connected to the handle, and one or more concatenated extension lengths attached to the base length. To exercise, the user grasps one or two units, imitates the motions of swinging a conventional jump rope, and jumps up and down, but there is no risk to the user of tripping over a rope as with a conventional jump rope. If the user desires, two units may also be linked together with an easily attachable connector to form a device similar to a conventional jump rope. A user can quickly convert between the two configurations of the jump rope simulator.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for isolating and strengthening upper back and shoulder muscles including opposed first and second outboard support members containing separate and opposed sets of stacked weights supported for reciprocation vertically, and an upper cross-member containing a pair of aligned upper roller tracks. The frame includes a pair of inboard first and second crossbars supported at opposed ends in upper and lower roller tracks of the frame, such that the crossbars are manipulated in opposed outwardly directions by the user positioned therebetween. Separate cables and supporting pulleys are utilized to extend between first and second crossbars for connections to respective opposed sets of stacked weights, allowing for concurrent movement of weights when each crossbar is moved laterally outwardly and inwardly by user's right and left hands in palm-out orientation, thereby isolating and strengthening the user's upper back and shoulder muscles.

Abstract: An adjustable dumbbell includes a number of weights each having a slot to receive end portions of a bar, and a number of latch rods slidably engaged in the weights and each having an inner end engageable into the slots of the weights and engageable with the bar, to anchor and latch a selected number of the weights to the bar, and to allow the selected weights to be moved in concert with the bar. The weights each has a spring member to bias and force the inner end of the latch rod to engage with and to latch the weights to the bar. The weights each includes a panel having an orifice to slidably receive the latch rod, and to anchor the latch rod to the panel when the catch of the knob is rotated relative to the panel.

Abstract: The machine comprises a frame (1) to which means are attached that can be actuated by the limbs to overcome a force generated by resistance components by performing one or more exercises. The machine comprises two workstations having similar and similarly arranged actuating means (15, 20, 21A, 21B, 23, 123), all connected to the same resistance component (13; 113), so as to allow said persons, working together, to combine their respective efforts as they exercise.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a compact resistance unit that houses a pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder is connected to a pulley wheel that moves at least toward the cylinder. A main cable extends about a portion of the pulley wheel. One end of the main cable is fixed to the unit housing and the other end is attached to a pulley block of a block-and-tackle mechanism. A user cable extends through the block-and-tackle mechanism and is connected to a handle. The pneumatic cylinder resists movement of the handle away from the unit.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for use in performing abdominal exercises. The apparatus includes a back support member having a first side for supporting a back of a user and a headrest having a first side for resting a head of a user thereagainst. A device for supporting a neck and head of the user is positioned between the back support member and the headrest. When a user performs an abdominal exercise, the supporting device supports the headrest thereby preventing neck and cervical strain.

Abstract: A portable exercise device is disclosed for use in abdominal strengthening and toning in conjunction with a supporting component. The supporting structure can be a bed frame and the supporting component is usually the bed frame's transverse bar. The portable exercise device can be operated while lying on the bed, and includes bonded members: a first end, a body, and a second end. The first end is designed to hook to the support structure. The second end is designed to be place on a floor and is linked by two bar members that hook the user's feet in place. The body is a bar built between the first and second ends to secure the device.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise machine having a floor supported bench and a mast pivotally connected to an end of the bench by a universal joint connection. A pair of double acting hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected between the end of the bench and the mast. The connection of the cylinders to the bench is a universal joint connection. A footrest assembly is connected to the mast. A recumbent exerciser can not only exercise the main and lower abdominal muscles by pushing and pulling the mast against the resistance of the hydraulic cylinders in a back and forth direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bench, but also the side or oblique muscles by simultaneously pivoting the mast back and forth in a transverse direction. The machine also allows a combination of the above motions including a circular type motion in either direction, clockwise or counterclockwise.

Abstract: A tool changing device and a tool cleaning method capable of surely removing foreign matter such as swarf adhered to tapered portions and/or flange portions of tools, which serve as contact faces to be in contact with a spindle. There is arranged tool cleaning nozzles for spouting coolant on both sides of the spindle in the rotating position of a turret. The tool cleaning nozzle has a position and a posture such that the coolant spouted from the nozzle hits against the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret. The coolant is spouted from the tool cleaning nozzle with the rotation of the turret at the time of tool selection. Each time the turret rotates, the tapered portions and/or the flange portions of the tools held by the turret are cleaned by the coolant.

Abstract: A conductive roller including a core metal and a conductive elastic layer disposed on a peripheral surface of the core metal. The conductive roller has an electrostatic capacity not more than 50 pF at 100 Hz and an electric resistance not less than 105? nor more than 109? at an applied voltage 1000V. An electrostatic capacity C (L) at an alternating low frequency (L) and an electrostatic capacity C (H) at an alternating high frequency (H) satisfy the following relationship: 0<(C(L)?C(H))/(log10 Hz(H)?log10 Hz(L))<10.

Abstract: A conductive roller including at least one conductive elastic layer 1 formed of a polymer composition includes a main-component polymer not containing chlorine nor bromine and containing polyether or/and a cyan group; and an anion-containing salt having a fluoro group and a sulfonyl group. The anion-containing salt having the fluoro group and the sulfonyl group includes at least one salt selected from among a salt of bisfluoroalkylsulfonylimide, a salt of fluoroalkylsulfonic acid, and a salt of tris(fluoroalkylsulfonyl)methide.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) continuously advancing a web of bag making material at a first rate; (b) continuously joining portions of a downstream portion of a fastener tape to respective portions of the continuously advancing web of bag making material; (c) intermittently advancing an upstream portion of the fastener tape while the downstream portion is advancing continuously, the halt at the end of each intermittent advance being the start of the next work cycle, the upstream portion of the fastener tape being stationary during a respective dwell time of each work cycle and advancing during the remainder of each work cycle at a second rate faster than the first rate; (d) accumulating a portion of the fastener tape disposed between the upstream and downstream portions to compensate for the difference in the first and second rates during the aforementioned remainder of each work cycle; and (e) inserting a respective slider onto the upstream portion of the fastener tape during e

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the bottom of a bag includes a frame through which a bag to be folded is longitudinally advanced. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating grippers carried by a reciprocably movable gripper carrier. The grippers are operated to opposite edges of the bag, and laterally tension the bag. The apparatus includes a vertically reciprocable fold plate which then is moved downwardly to engage and downwardly fold a leading end portion of the bag. Adhesive is applied thereto, and the bag advanced, by movement of the gripper carrier, for advancement of the folded bag to at least one pair of intermittently-driven nip rollers. The grippers are released, and the nip rollers thereafter operated to compress and complete sealing of the bag bottom.

Abstract: A variable-circumference folder includes a gathering cylinder fitted with pin systems for reliably holding products of different thickness fed to the gathering cylinder by an accelerating device without any adjustment effort.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage includes a plurality of material shaping members to convert a sheet stock material into a continuous strip of cushioning product. The shaping members include a constant-entry roller assembly having at least two tapered rollers supported end to end for rotation about respective ones of first and second axes arranged at an obtuse angle whose aspect faces a circumferential side of the rollers that first engages sheet stock material traveling over the rollers from a supply roll of the material. The tapered rollers present material engaging surfaces on an imaginary material conversion line transverse to the travel direction of the material where the material first engages the rollers for more precise and consistent control of alignment of the stock material. The roller assembly has free ends over which the sheet stock material can be folded to reduce the width of the material traveling over the rollers.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include a carrier structure bearing a radioactive isotope and a radiopaque marker. According to several embodiments, the seeds include a central plug provided with an axial marker and a relatively transverse bore extending through the marker. A second marker may be positioned in the bore, thereby distinguishing a seed provided with the second marker relative to a seed not provided with the second marker. According to another embodiment, the isotope is deposited on the outer surface of a hollow radiolucent tube. A biologically-compatible, radiolucent, surface-sealing layer seals the external surface of the tube. A radiopaque marker wire of selected length is positioned in the hollow of the tube. Seeds may be distinguished from one another by providing seeds with marker wires of different lengths.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for attachment to a mechanical circulatory device, such as a VAD, and a method of using the same. The conduit assembly includes a conduit having a first rigid, curved conduit and a second rigid, curved conduit. A first coupling attaches a first end of the first rigid, curved conduit to the mechanical circulatory device, the coupling being movable between a rotatable position and a fixed position. The conduit assembly further includes a second coupling for attaching a second end of the first rigid, curved conduit to the second rigid, curved conduit, the second coupling being movable between a rotatable position and a fixed position.

Abstract: An intravascular pump, which may be a left ventricle assist device, comprising a wall defining a pumping chamber, the wall support by struts, the struts attached to or part of an actuation system to move the wall from an expanded position to a contracted position and back to operated the pump, the actuation system may be electrically activated shape memory alloy struts, electroactive polymeric struts, or may be a balloon, struts attached to a slidable member or other suitable system.

Abstract: A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, an everting tube and a steering section located near the distal end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The steering section is adapted for pointing the distal end in a desired direction using a plurality of rods adapted to be extended and retracted.

Abstract: In the light source unit 3A, a switching filter section 14, which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp 12, where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope 2A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 in front of the CCD 28 so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit 38, where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to retractor instrumentation for total hip arthroplasty, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a first pin coupled to the body, and a second pin coupled to said body, wherein at least a portion of said first and second pins are adapted to penetrate human bone. In a further illustrative embodiment, a retractor instrumentation set comprises a retractor device, a shaft that is adapted to be removably coupled to the retractor device, and an inserter that is adapted to be removably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A vascular sensing system includes blood flow restricting means, a sensor, and means for producing an output representing a return of blood flow after the blood vessel has been temporarily collapsed by the blood flow restricting means. The blood flow restricting means is capable of placement on a human toe having a blood vessel, and is capable of manipulating the blood vessel. The sensor is operably connected to the blood flow restricting means and is physically spaced from the toe. Further, a method of vascular sensing includes taking pressure measurements with an pressure cuff positioned on a toe, and conducting a waveform analysis of the pressure measurements to determine a return of blood flow pressure.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer is disclosed. The sphygmomanometer mainly has plural power buttons and plural memory buttons mounted thereon, and said power buttons and said memory buttons are in a one-on-one manner to communicate with one another. Through pressing one of said power buttons, a measurement value of blood pressure can be directly stored into a correspondingly memory area, and through pressing one of said memory buttons corresponding to that power button, said stored measurement value can be recalled and displayed on said display screen. Therefore, the sphygmomanometer can be provided for more than two users and also can respectively memorize (store) individual measurement value of blood pressure for each user.

Abstract: A spirometer coupled to a manual resuscitator. An air tube in the spirometer has a converging section, a laminar flow section and a pressure recovery section. A microcontroller and a display of expiratory flow parameters is provided.

Abstract: A collection device and method of use for excised tissue immobilization, removal of core samples from immobilized tissue and transport of the tissue for specimen radiography and pathological analysis. The collection device is comprised of a base member having an annular bottom wall and a side wall upwardly extending from the peripheral edge of the side wall, a lid member having a top wall and a skirt circumscribing the side wall and extending downwardly therefrom, and an incremental latching mechanism for securing the lid member to the base member. The side wall of the lid member includes a plurality of apertures positioned around at least a portion of the circumference of the side wall. In use, a tissue specimen placed in the base member is immobilized by compressing the tissue between the top wall of the lid member and the bottom wall of the base member and securing the lid member and base member together with the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A dual-chamber device for receiving and containing a liquid, particularly urine, employs a generally cylindrical body having a detachable top cover and an internal, transverse, funnel-shaped wall. The transverse wall has a central circular orifice and divides the body into lower and upper chambers for respectively receiving and retaining fore-stream and mid-stream urine liquid samples. A floatable orifice stopper in the lower chamber is responsive to fore-stream liquid filling the lower chamber to a predetermined level for closing the orifice, so that subsequent, mid-stream urine liquid is received into the upper chamber. A bottom cover has an upstanding stopper pushing column and a flexible, spring-like, annular web around a bottom cover pedestal region.

Abstract: A conventional living body information acquiring apparatus for measuring a skinfold thickness of a living body could not fix a relative position of skinfold thickness measuring means to the living body. Thus, the present invention comprises skinfold thickness measuring means of measuring a skinfold thickness of a living body 9 composed of a light source 1 and a photodetector 2, a protruding part 3 as relative position fixing means of fixing a relative position of living body information acquiring means to the living body 9 substantially constant, and holding means 4 of holding the light source 1, the photodetector 2, and the protruding part 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel spreader tensiometer adapted for use in measuring tension in an intervertebral disc space.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for locating, measuring and evaluating the enlargement of a foramen are provided. An instrument has a handle, an angled region, and a tip to be inserted into the foramen. An instrument can be pressed onto the foramen to determine its location and whether the empty space within the foramen is large enough for the maximum width of the tip to be inserted. If the tip cannot insert, the foramen can be cut to enlarge it enough for the tip to insert. A kit of several instruments or a single instrument with tips of different maximum widths are provided for determining the amount of empty space within the foramen through the course of the enlargement.

Abstract: A walking gait detection apparatus includes a microphone for picking up low-frequency-band sounds that are transmitted through the body of a pedestrian while walking and an analyzer for performing analysis. Accordingly, the gait of the pedestrian is detected. It is also possible to distinguish the gait pattern on the basis of the stance-phase time of a foot sole and the signal intensity, for example. The gait detection apparatus can accurately estimate the stride length on the basis of a detected gait cycle, the height of the pedestrian, and signals detected during walking. On the basis of low-frequency sounds picked up by the microphone while the pedestrian is walking, the pedestrian can be identified.

Abstract: An automatic device for optimized muscular stimulations, includes a central electronic unit connected to a memory unit, to muscular electrical activity detectors, and to muscular stimulation elements. The central unit determines within a range included between a lower limit frequency and an upper limit frequency, an optimum frequency of the periodical contractions in correspondence of which the sum of the amplitude of the signals provided by the detectors from the corresponding muscles of the user as a response to the stimulation is the maximum one. The central unit sets the muscular stimulation elements to produce periodical contractions of the muscle to be stimulated at the determined optimum frequency.

Abstract: A water-curable orthopedic splint, which can be immediately applied to an affected limb includes a water-curable orthopedic casting material, which is in the form of a splint, and a gel container. The word gel is meant to apply to a viscous semi-solid which can be applied over surfaces in an adherent film and will disperse and move in response to the movement of the practitioner's hands in molding and forming the adhesive bandage around the limb or in the formation of various shapes as splints prior to application to the patient. It is to be distinguished from a free-flowing liquid which drips when applied to a limb resulting in a messy environment.

Abstract: A tennis elbow support comprising a main body having an opening and a tendon pad having a pad base and a raised portion that projects from the pad base. The tendon pad is inserted into the opening so that the raised portion projects outwardly from a bottom surface of the main body. The main body can be releasably secured in a substantially circular configuration so that the support can be placed around the forearm of a user and the tennis elbow support can be tightened around the arm of the user with tendon pad in contact with the arm so that straight-line pressure is applied across the extensor muscle and tendon.

Abstract: In an orthopedic aid with two parts (15, 16) which are movable relative to one another and with a locking device for locking the two parts (15, 16) in a predetermined relative position and for unlocking the parts (15, 16) in order to permit movement of the parts (15, 16) with respect to one another, the unlocking can be advantageously controlled by the fact that the locking device can be actuated electromechanically from a control module (8, 8?), and an actuating signal can be sent by wireless transmission from an actuating unit (9?, 14) to the control module (8, 8?).

Abstract: A knee band is composed of a band of an elastic fabric (1), the whole external face (3) of which has a dense population of tiny loops of a suitable non elastic thread, interwoven with other elastic and non elastic threads that constitute the fabric, that extends perpendicularly to the surface such to provide for an anchor surface to the hooks of a Velcro® (i.e., fabric hook-and-loop) fastener portion (2d). The band is tightened essentially around the lower portion of the articulation of the knee, without being wrapped around the whole articulation. A preformed shell (5) shaped for adapting to and shielding the front and side portions of the knee is superimposed externally to the elastic band (1) and is fixed on the outer surface of the latter by means of Velcro® (i.e., fabric hook-and-loop) fasteners.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the blood flow QF in a vascular access (F) during an extracorporeal blood treatment is described, where the blood enters the blood treatment unit (3) of the blood treatment machine through an arterial branch (19) of an extracorporeal circulation loop (2) which is in fluid connection with the vascular access at an arterial connection. The blood is returned through a venous branch (21) of the extracorporeal circulation, which is in fluid connection with the vascular access at a venous connection (13). The blood flow in the vascular access is determined by measuring the pressure part, pven, in the arterial and/or venous branch of the extracorporeal circulation when the vascular access is open and interrupted, while the extracorporeal blood flow QB is varied. Then the fistula flow QF is determined from the measured values for the arterial and/or venous pressure while the vascular access is open and interrupted.

Abstract: In the apparatus and method for monitoring a vascular access (6) of an extracorporeal circuit (5; 10) of a patient, a control and calculation unit (17) varies a flow rate of a blood pump (9) predisposed to cause blood to circulate in the extracorporeal circuit. The control and calculation unit receives the pressure values in the blood withdrawal line (5) and the blood return line (10) from two pressure sensors (8, 12); the pressure values are a series of different values of the blood flow rate. The control and calculation unit processes the data gathered by means of a mathematical model which describes the variation of pressure in the vascular access as a function of the flow rate, in order to determine the blood flow rate in the vascular access. The invention detects the presence and location of a stenosis at the vascular access of a patient subjected to a hemodialysis treatment.

Abstract: A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus having blood flow from an upstream to a downstream direction. A burr hole is created, if necessary, in the cranium of the patient proximate the sagittal sinus. A distal end of a catheter is inserted through the burr hole and the dura into the sagittal sinus. The distal end of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end points generally in the upstream direction with respect to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter is adapted for placement through the dura of a patient proximate a superior sagittal sinus. The catheter is formed of semi-rigid material and has at least a ninety degree bend.

Abstract: A number of devices are illustrated for providing a manifold that can simply and selectively couple a number of different therapeutic and diagnostic elements to a catheter or other medical device. Some examples include devices having sliding actuators, rotary actuators, button actuators, or combinations thereof, for easily changing the valve scheme and fluid pathways within a manifold.

Abstract: A device (100) for depositing a non-flowable object or a non-flowable medicament in a body cavity includes an elongate body (12) which includes an elongate barrel (14) with a passage (18), configured to receive a non-flowable object or medicament, extending through the body (12). The passage (18) has an outlet (22) at a free end of the barrel (14), a portion of the passage (18) being curved. The device (10) also includes an ejector or plunger (30) which can be displaced along the passage (18) to push a non-flowable object or medicament received in the passage (18) out of the passage (18) through the outlet (22) thereof.

Abstract: A transcutaneous portal arrangement including a portal body having a bottom wall with a through-passing opening or transit for accommodating a catheter. A tubular element that fits in the portal body includes an end-portion which is inserted into the end-portion of the catheter. A clamping structure clamps the end-portion of the tubular element against the bottom wall around the through-passing opening so as to sealingly clamp the outer wall and the inner wall of the catheter around the edge of the opening and around the periphery of the tubular element, respectively.

Abstract: A balloon for a catheter and a method of making the balloon, having a layer of a porous polymeric material with a modified outer surface and a lubricious coating bonded to the modified outer surface. In one embodiment, the modified outer surface is formed by a polymer impregnated in the porous polymeric material, and the subsequently applied lubricious coating bonds to the impregnating polymer. In another embodiment, the modified outer surface is formed by a functionality deposited on the porous polymeric material which bonds to the subsequently applied lubricious coating. The modified outer surface provides an improved strong bond between the lubricious coating and the balloon, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: It is a purpose to provide a medicinal-liquid injection apparatus in which a needle-like tubular member is smoothly movable in a lumen without damaging an inner circumferential surface of the lumen. It includes that the needle-like tubular member having an acuminate needle portion as a free end portion thereof, in which a medicinal liquid can flow, is inserted in the lumen of a tubular main body insertable in a body of a living being, and a protection member having a flexible portion provided in a state such that the protection member is movable together with the needle-like tubular member and such that the flexible portion is interposed between an inner circumferential surface of the lumen and a tip of the needle portion of the needle-like tubular member.

Abstract: A locking device (21) is provided that is fixedly mounted to a catheter (34) and used to frictionally secure a guidewire (36) to the catheter (34) so that the guidewire (36) and catheter (34) may be advanced together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking device (21) comprises a J-shaped catch (22) integrally formed with a guidewire introducer (10) fixedly mounted to the catheter shaft (38). Once the guidewire (36) has been inserted into the shaft (38) via the guidewire introducer (10), the operator may insert the guidewire into the J-shaped catch (22). The guidewire (36) can then be released by sliding the guidewire (36) out of the J-shaped catch (22).

Abstract: A flexible sheath is attached to an end of a rigid extension tube. The other end of the rigid extension tube is connected with a surgical handpiece. Two flexible sheaths may be used—one as a barrier against contamination of aspiration tubing and the other as a barrier against contamination of irrigation tubing. This is effected by securing two rigid extension tubes between the surgical handpiece and an associated one of the aspiration and irrigation tubings. Each flexible sheath is collapsible and expandable so they may be expanded from a collapsed condition over the associated aspiration or irrigation tubings and secured in the expanded condition. The aspiration and/or irrigation tubings are connected to a cassette of a surgical pack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for irrigating and collecting tissue from a body cavity in a patient. The system includes an irrigation and collection device for injecting an irrigation fluid into the body cavity. The irrigation device injects fluid into the body cavity by creating a positive pressure within the device to expel the irrigation fluid from the device into the body cavity. The irrigation fluid is evacuated from the body cavity by the resulting negative pressure within the device, drawing the irrigation fluid and any loose tissue or particulate material into the device. The irrigation fluid is filtered, collecting the evacuated tissue and particulate material in a collection receptacle thereby isolating the evacuated tissue and particulate material within the irrigation fluid.