Abstract: In an apparatus for the insufflation of gas into a body cavity the dynamic pressure of the gas flow conducted to the body cavity and the static intra-abdominal pressure in the body cavity are detected with at least one measuring transducer. The electrical output signal of the measuring transducer detecting the pressure is converted by difference formation with a compensation signal, which substantially takes into account the resistance to flow of the instrument conducting the gas into the body cavity, into a difference signal corresponding to the static intra-abdominal pressure.

Abstract: A novel method of oxygenating the tissue of a living mammal is disclosed comprising the steps of providing an oxygenated fluorocarbon-containing liquid; injecting that oxygenated liquid into the peritoneal cavity of said mammal; and withdrawing said fluorocarbon liquid from said cavity, said injecting and withdrawing be conducted at a rate sufficient to oxygenate said tissue. Accordingly, a novel "artificial lung" is disclosed which is useful to selectively oxygenate the body of a mammal, as reflected by increased arterial blood gas (pO.sub.2) in said mammal.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations are oxygenated prior to use by means of a portable oxygenation system. The blood substitute is in a closed container or bag. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the bag from a separate container. The bag is continuously agitated for a sufficient time to increase the pO.sub.2 of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations to a desired pressure, e.g., to at least 600 mmHg. In one embodiment, the system used for oxygenation of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations comprises a small tank for gas having an inlet port and an outlet port fitted with shut-off valves. The outlet port is adapted to be connected to a filter which, in turn, is adapted to be connected to the inlet port of a three-way valve. The primary outlet of the three-way valve is adapted to mount a hypodermic needle which is adapted to be pushed through a rubber septum in a port of the bag to communicate with the interior of the bag.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator has a Y-shaped tubular connector and a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers. One end of each fiber is located in the first upper arm of the connector. The other end of each fiber is located in the other upper arm of the connector, with each fiber forming a loop extending out of the lower opening of the connector. To guide insertion of the device into a patient's vein, and to provide structural support for the fiber loops, a support member extends downward from the connector with an aperture at is distal end. Each of the fiber loops pass through this aperture. The device is inserted through a single small incision into the patient's venous system. An oxygen supply is attached to one of the upper arms of the connector. Oxygen flows through the hollow fibers and diffusion through the fiber wall into the blood. Carbon dioxide diffuses across the fiber wall from the blood into the interior of the fiber tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for insufflating gas, in particular CO.sup.2 into the human or animal body, especially for laparoscope, with an insufflation instrument, for example, a Veress inflow needle, with the following structures arranged successively along a gas line a: pressure reducer 1a throughflow meter and pressure meter and with a control circuit connected with the throughflow meter and a pressure meter via respective control lines. The device is without noise-generating magnetic valves, and the intra-abdominal pressure can be measured continuously without elaborate switch overs. The pressure reducer is electrically controllable and connected with the evaluating and control circuit via a control line and is controllable via control line as a function of a clock generator and a nominal pressure generator.

Abstract: The disposable trochar in the form of a gas insufflation needle having a removable rod and needle portion within an outer sheath is provided. The rod has a blunt end and is retractable during insertion so that the needle edge cuts through the abdominal wall. Once passing through the wall the rod extends so as to protect the bowel from the sharp needle. A gas port provided for introducing gas through the rod and out a side passageway near the blunt end. After the abdomen is extended, the rod and needle can be removed as unit from the sheath and thrown away and a suitable instrument introduced through an instrument port having a separable diaphragm. The gas can continue to be introduced around the instrument and into the abdomen while the instrument is in place. After the required medical procedures are completed, the instrument is removed. Then the sheath and associated parts are removed and thrown away.

Abstract: An in vivo extrapulmonary blood gas exchange device having a bundle comprised of a plurality of elongated gas permeable tubes being bound at each end and enclosed within a respective air tight proximal and distal chamber. A dual lumen tube having an outer lumen and an inner lumen is situated relative to the gas permeable tubes such that the outer lumen terminates within the proximal chamber and such that the inner lumen terminates within the distal chamber. The apparatus includes means for selectively adjusting the overall, outside diameter of the bundle of gas permeable tubes to provide either a furled, small insertion diameter when inserting the apparatus into the venae cavae of a patient or an unfurled, expanded oxygenation diameter after the apparatus is in place within the venae cavae and the bundle of gas permeable tubes is deployed therein. The apparatus is inserted into the patient through a single incision at one of the right external iliac, common femoral or internal jugular veins.

Abstract: A laser smoke evacuation system and method for laser smoke removal from the site of laser laparoscopy in a patient cavity. The system includes a CO.sub.2 gas pump connected through a control valve, a pressure sensor, and a bacterial filter to a laparoscopic tube inserted into the patient, a return line from a second laparoscopic tube in the patient through a smoke filter, a pressure sensor, a control valve, and a fluid trap into the return of the pump, and an insufflator connected into the patient to supply CO.sub.2 gas lost by leakage and tissue absorption an to provide required distention of the patient cavity. The method includes the steps of supplying a first flow of CO.sub.2 gas into a patient cavity to the operation sites, returning the first flow of CO.sub.2 gas with removed laser smoke from the cavity, cleansing the smoke from the first flow of CO.sub.2 gas, recirculating the cleansed first flow of CO.sub.2 gas back to the patient, and providing a second makeup flow of CO.sub.

Abstract: A gate or slide valve of molded plastic construction having a flat gate or slide member reciprocable or rotatable in a slot whose widths may vary due to the limitations of the molding process in combination with a flat low-friction laminated seal which is resiliently adjustable to accommodate the aforesaid widthwise variations.

Abstract: A novel acute care cerebral support system and method for treating severly ischemic brains is disclosed wherein an oxygenated nutrient emulsion is circulated through at least a portion of the ventriculo-subarachnoid spaces. The nutrient emulsion contains an oxygenatable non-aqueous component, an aqueous nutrient component, an emulsification component, and other components which render physiologic acceptability to the nutrient emulsion. The disclosed system and method have been shown to effectively exchange oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, and other metabolites in severely stroked brains. Significant restoration of oxidative metabolism and electrographic activity result from the disclosed treatment. Methods for producing the nutrient emulsion and a system for delivering that emulsion to the cerebrospinal pathway are also disclosed. Additionally, novel diagnostic methods for diagnosing the physiologic state of hypoxic-ischemic and other diseased neurologic tissue during treatment are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the insufflation of gas, particularly carbon dioxide, into the human or animal body, by means of which the gas is passed from a pressurized gas reservoir, preferably via one or more intermediate reservoirs and at least one pressure reducer, into a line and an insufflator, e.g. a Veress needle, the intraabdominal static pressure being measured by means of the apparatus. A gas flow regulator is positioned in the line between the pressure reducer and the insufflator. Downstream of the flow regulator is positioned a pressure gauge, whose measured value is fed as a function of time into an electronic evaluation circuit and is converted into the intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tubular member forming a primary lumen and having an insufflation lumen formed in the wall thereof. The insufflation lumen is of somewhat D-shape with the generally flat side being radially inward and the curved side being radially outward. A communicating tube, which is provided for connection to the proximal opening of the insufflation lumen, is made, at least at the end thereof connected to the insufflation lumen, of a cross-sectional shape approximating that of the insufflation lumen. The generally flat side of this tube is aligned with the generally flat side of the insufflation lumen and the curved radially outward side is aligned with the corresponding side of the insufflation lumen. The communicating tube, at least in the region of connection to the insufflation lumen, is made of a relatively rigid material so as to resist deformation and resultant restriction of the internal cross-section thereof.

Abstract: Medical treatment apparatus and method for sustaining the vitality of an organ in the gastrointestinal tract by catheterization including improvements in catheter placement, ischemia detection, and oxygenation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter includes magnetically responsive material and placement of the catheter is accomplished by manipulating one or more magnetic devices.

Abstract: The fluid infusion device includes a primary and an auxiliary fluid pump capable of providing a substantially continuous flow of a fluid, such as air. A pressure regulator driven by a reversible electric motor regulates the air pressure and the flow of pressurized air through an disposable air delivery unit, consisting of a millipore, bacterial static filter and a tube removably connected to an air outlet is controlled by a normally closed, solenoid-operated infusion valve. Separate pressure transducers detect the pump output pressure, the regulator outlet or preset pressure, and the infusion pressure downstream of the infusion valve when it is open.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of hypoxia is provided. The process involves the infusion of highly oxygenated perfluoro-chemicals into the peritoneal cavity of a patient, for oxygen transport into the body and carbon dioxide transport out of the body. The oxygenated perfluorocarbons are subsequently removed from the peritoneal cavity. The infusion and removal can be on a continuous or intermittent basis.

Abstract: Bronchoscopy apparatus comprises a tubular bronchoscope instrument having a laser manipulator at its proximal or rear end. A gas passage element running along the length of the bronchoscope is connected via a control system to pressurized oxygen and a source of reduced pressure (suction). The control system is operable to switch between a simple ventilation mode and a suction mode. The suction mode may be prolonged to give adequate time for laser surgery. An audible alarm is activated shortly before suction is discontinued and pressurized oxygen is applied.

Abstract: A diagnostic endoscope useful to make remote examinations and retrievals having a pistol grip which includes a built-in flexible pneumatic bulb.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for intraluminal membrane oxygenation of internal organs. A catheter having a walled chamber is introduced to dispose the chamber against the lumen of an internal organ. The wall of the chamber is of a material which is freely permeable to gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and poorly permeable to liquid. Oxygen is introduced into the catheter and perfused through the walled chamber. Oxygen passes through the wall of the chamber to the organ while carbon dioxide from the organ passes through the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for insufflating fluid media into a cavity of a human or animal body, particularly the abdonimal cavity. A single hollow needle is utilized for intermittently insufflating the gas into the body cavity. Thereafter the flow of gas is interrupted and then the needle is connected with a pressure measuring device to determine both the static and dynamic fluid pressure of the body cavity. The amount of fluid insufflated can also be measured with the aid of the same hollow needle. Using the needle for insufflating will insure that the measuring will be correct since the gas during insufflating will blow any blood clots and/or tissue into the body cavity. The conduit leading to the needle may be split in a number of branches to insufflate gas at desired different pressures and/or volumes which again are variable. Most of the operation can be effected automatically. A display panel giving a visual indication of the parameters can also be provided.

Abstract: A novel acute care cerebral support system and method for treating severly ischemic brains is disclosed wherein an oxygenated nutrient emulsion is circulated through at least a portion of the ventriculo-subarachnoid spaces. The nutrient emulsion contains an oxygenatable non-aqueous component, an aqueous nutrient component, an emulsification component, and other components which render physiologic acceptability to the nutrient emulsion. The disclosed system and method have been shown to effectively exchange oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, and other metabolites in severely stroked brains. Significant restoration of oxidative metabolism and electrographic activity result from the disclosed treatment. Methods for producing the nutrient emulsion and a system for delivering that emulsion to the cerebrospinal pathway are also disclosed. Additionally, novel diagnostic methods for diagnosing the physiologic state of hypoxic-ischemic and other diseased neurologic tissue during treatment are provided.

Abstract: A novel system and method for treating ischemic neurologic tissue is disclosed wherein an oxygenated nutrient emulsion is circulated through at least a portion of the cerebospinal pathway. The nutrient emulsion contains an oxygenatable non-aqueous component, an aqueous nutrient component, an emulsification component, and other components which render physiologic acceptability of the nutrient emulsion. Methods for producing the nutrient emulsion and a system for delivering that emulsion to the cerebrospinal pathway are also disclosed. Additionally, novel diagnostic methods for diagnosing the physiologic state of hypoxic-ischemic and other diseased neurologic tissue during treatment are provided.