Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc.

Floshield, Inc.

University of Michigan

Capsa Solutions LLC

Adam Landis

Wayne Lyle Poll

Caroline M Crisafulli

Thomas J Ward

Gregory P Drach

William J Post

Timothy Charles Rothwell

Rody Hardy

Eric Webb

Matthrew J Huddleston

J Stuart Wolf, Jr

Brian M Yoder

A view optimizing assembly for use with a laparoscope includes an elongate cylindrical body configured to hold a laparoscope therein and a deflector assembly attached to the elongate cylindrical body. The elongate cylindrical body includes a plurality of channels in a wall thereof, and the plurality of channels are configured to allow a flow of fluid or gas therethrough. The deflector assembly is configured to circumferentially enclose a distal end of the laparoscope and extend beyond the distal end of the laparoscope. The deflector assembly includes a plurality of passageways within a wall thereof, and each passageway is aligned with a different channel of the elongate cylindrical body so as to direct the flow of gas or fluid exiting the channels across a lens of the laparoscope in a plurality of different flow paths.

Device for maintaining visualization with surgical scopes

A method of defogging and cleaning a laparoscope includes: (1) inserting a laparoscope into a sheath; (2) inserting the laparoscope and sheath into a body cavity; (3) providing gas to a plurality of gas lumens within a wall of the sheath such that the gas flows through the gas lumens and over a lens of the laparoscope to defog the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity; and (4) providing a fluid comprising a surface-active agent to a fluid lumen within the wall of the sheath such that the fluid flows through the fluid lumen and over the lens to clean the lens while the laparoscope is in the body cavity.

Systems and methods for optimizing and maintaining visualization of a surgical field during the use of surgical scopes

Embodiments of medical carts and associated apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. A medical cart configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a cart base assembly, a work platform, and a height adjustment assembly carrying the work platform above the cart base assembly. The cart base assembly includes an upper portion and a touch-sensitive foot panel generally below the upper portion. The touch-sensitive foot panel includes a resilient cover having a contact surface and a contact switch underlying the resilient cover. The contact switch is operably coupled to the height adjustment assembly, and the contact switch is configured to detect for operator foot contact at the contact surface and to raise or lower the work platform via the height adjustment assembly when the operator foot contact is detected.

Medical carts with touch-sensitive foot panels, and associated apparatuses and methods

The present application discloses several embodiments of a devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to deliver at least one fluid to the objective lens of the laparoscope to clean and/or defog the objective lens of the laparoscope without the need to remove the laparoscope from the surgical field. In additional embodiments, a view optimizer is provided that is adapted to create leakage or venting of gas from the body cavity so as to ensure continuous gas flow from an insufflator.

The present application discloses several devices for maintaining visualization with a surgical scope. The embodiments of the device are adapted to shield, defog or clean the lens of the surgical scope while the surgical scope is being used to perform a surgical procedure within a patient's body. In some embodiments, the view optimizer is provided in multiple parts enabling separation of one or more operator control features from engagement with the surgical scope. In some embodiments, the view optimizer features stabilization means for securement and positioning with the surgical scope.

View optimizer and stabilizer for use with surgical scopes

Systems and methods make use of a view optimizing assembly having a deflector assembly with critical physical, pneumatic, and optical characteristics that make possible intra-operative defogging, surgical debris deflection, and cleaning of a laparoscope lens during minimally invasive surgery, while also maintaining visualization of the surgical site. The view optimizing assembly can incorporate a quick exchange feature, which makes possible a surgical method for maintaining clear visualization that includes the ability to make a quick exchange of laparoscopes having different operating characteristics (e.g., laparoscopes with different tip angles, lengths, or diameters) entirely on the sterile operating field and without interference with the preexisting surgical set-up on the sterile operating field. The view optimizing assembly integrates with the existing suite of minimally invasive instrumentation. It does not interfere with the surgical set-up, and it requires minimal change in the process or practice of a surgical operating room (OR) team.

An electrical surgical cautery device for delivering thermal energy to cauterize and provide hemostasis to a bleeding tissue comprises an electrically powered flexible thermal delivery element having a substantially planar resistive coil embedded in a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material comprises a tissue contact surface and a non-tissue contact surface. A power source is connected to the resistive coil of the thermal delivery element and provides an electrical current to heat the thermal delivery element being pressed against the tissue. A method for providing hemostasis to a bleeding tissue surface comprises providing and pressing an electrical cautery device having a thermal delivery element, against the hemorrhaging tissue at a predetermined temperature for an interval sufficient to cauterize the tissue and provide hemostasis.

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Reynoldsburg, OH, United States of America

Adam Landis