Abstract:
Described is a fingertip electrosurgical medical device useful for tissue grasping and tissue cutting, coagulating, welding and ablating in open and laparoscopic surgery applications. The electrosurgical medical device has a finger cuff assembly that attaches to the distal end of a surgeon's finger. An electrode is attached to, or is intrinsically part of, the finger cuff assembly. This electrode is connected to at least one electrically conductive wire that is adapted to transmit electric current to the electrode. The electrode may take any number of shapes depending upon the surgical procedure. Generally, two finger cuff assemblies are used in an opposable relationship to facilitate energy transfer or tissue grasping functions performed by the surgeon.
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 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:
A conscious sedation system and method using time variant vibration stimuli to assess the level of sedation of a patient. The method for determining the level of sedation in a patient who is receiving a conscious sedation drug comprising applying a first vibration stimuli to a patient, the vibration stimuli comprising vibratory pulses wherein each pulse is separated from a prior pulse by a time interval, and the time interval between the pulses can be varied, and wherein each pulse is applied with a predetermined duration, monitoring a patient's response to the vibration stimuli applying an additional vibration stimuli to the patient, wherein the second vibration stimuli can be the same or different as the first stimuli, and wherein the time interval between the pulses and/or the duration of the pulses can be altered, monitoring the patient's response to the additional vibration stimuli, and repeating the steps of applying the additional stimuli and monitoring the patient's response to the additional vibration stimuli to determine the patient's level of sedation. In another embodiment, a conscious sedation system for applying the method described above.
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:
An implantable pedometer for measuring the amount of joint use is disclosed. The implantable pedometer includes a sensor adapted for detecting indicators of joint usage. A counter is configured for storing count data corresponding to the number of indicators detected by the sensor and a telemetry circuit is configured for transmitting the count data outside of the body.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a dry toner powder containing a wax component and formed using a limited coalescence suspension polymerization process. Both conventional and aqueous dispersed waxes may be used to form the toner particles. Likewise, both dry and aqueous dispersed pigments may be used. The resulting toner provides properties desired in the next generation of toners including small uniform particle size as well as desirable anti-blocking and high-temperature anti-offset properties.
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 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 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.