Abstract:
A suction head (30) for collecting liquid waste that falls to the floor during an activity such as a medical/surgical procedure. The head includes a base (50) that is disposed over the floor and a face that is located outwardly of the base. The face (116) is formed from flexible material. There are openings in the face. When liquid strikes the face, the face flexes so as to absorb the kinetic energy of the liquid. The liquid flows through the openings in the face and through a first set of openings in the base. The base has a second set of openings through which a suction is drawn. The liquid that flows through the first base openings is drawn by the suction into the second openings. The suction draws the liquid into a collection canister. The suction drawn through the second openings also draws into the head liquid on the floor adjacent the head.
Abstract:
A cleaning module for cleaning bone stock used in surgical procedures. The cleaning module includes a shell. The shell defines a void space to receive the bone stock. A cutter is located within the void space. A shaving tube is coaxially disposed about the cutter to move at different speeds and/or directions relative to the cutter. When actuated, the cutter rotates to clean the bone stock by cutting soft tissue from the bone stock. A tumble plate reorients the bone stock, while an arm moves across the tumble plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position to press the bone stock into the cutter through a window in the shaving tube. A drive assembly actuates the cutter, shaving tube, arm and tumble plate.
Abstract:
An instrument for treating tissue during a medical procedure includes a hand-held portion (502, 1204) and a working portion (202). The hand-held portion is manually supported and moved by a user and the working portion is movably coupled to the hand-held portion. A tracking device (114) is attached to the hand-held portion for tracking the instrument. The tracking device is in communication with a control system (120), which is used to keep the working portion within or outside of a boundary (106). A plurality of actuators are operatively coupled to the working portion. The control system instructs the actuators to move the working portion relative to the hand-held portion during the medical procedure in order to maintain a desired relationship between the working portion and the boundary.
Abstract:
A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.
Abstract:
A patient handling device, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a motor for driving one or more wheels to assist in the movement of the device. At least one proximity sensor is positioned on the device in order to detect the presence of one or more objects that may lie in the path of the device when it moves. A controller on the device determines the distance between itself and the object and automatically controls the speed of the device in a manner designed to reduce the likelihood of a collision and/or to mitigate the impact of a collision. The automatic speed control of the device may follow one or more predetermined profiles that correlate certain parameters, such as a distance to the object or relative velocity, with a maximum acceptable speed of the device.
Abstract:
A transport apparatus includes a movable base, a sling, and a support frame mounted to the base. The frame extends over the base and is configured to move from a position spaced above the base at a first height wherein the frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface for engaging the sling when placed on the surface to another position spaced at a height greater than the first height after engagement with the sling. The sling is adapted to be engaged by the frame, which provides lateral support to the sling, wherein when the frame and sling are raised to the greater height the sling is raised above the surface so that a person supported on the sling may be lifted off the surface with the sling and the frame and supported in a stabilized sitting position so that the person can moved away from the surface.
Abstract:
A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system comprise a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.
Abstract:
The present invention provides modified highly potent bone morphogenetic proteins. In particular, the present invention features a chimeric bone morphogenetic protein including a dimer with each monomer containing a type I receptor binding site derived from a member of the BMP subfamily and a type II receptor binding site derived from a member of the TGF-ß subfamily. As a result, the chimeric bone morphogenetic protein has improved binding affinity to type II receptor relative to the naturally-occurring BMP subfamily member from which the type I receptor binding site is derived. Also provided are modified bone morphogenetic proteins having reduced affinity for Noggin. Other embodiments of modified BMPs, compositions and method of use are also included.
Abstract:
A system and method for wirelessly transmitting a video image signal from an endoscopic camera to a receiver or control unit for storage and/or display on a video monitor. Use of a frame-specific, variable compression algorithm capable of progressively encoding a data stream provides for a better performing and higher quality wireless endoscopic camera system capable of generating images at varying resolutions. Use of a short-range, high-performance wireless technology, such as Ultrawideband (UWB), improves the performance capabilities of the system, while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life. Implementations of error correcting codes, as well as the use of multiple transmitting and receiving antennas, further improve the fidelity of the wireless communication.
Abstract:
A system and method for determining and monitoring various characteristics of a patient positioned on a patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, or cot, is disclosed. The system and method involve monitoring the forces exerted by the patient on one or more force sensors, which may be load cells on the support apparatus. These force sensors will detect vibrations that correspond to various conditions of the patient, including the patient's heart rate, breathing rate, and/or the seizure status of a patient. These vibrations may be analyzed, such as by Fast Fourier Transforms, in order to determine the various conditions of the patient.