The present invention relates to a suction instrument, more particularly a bipolar mapping suction instrument, for surgical purposes and to a system for suctioning fluids and tissue and for monitoring nerve tissue. The suction instrument comprises a cannula unit, which comprises an electrically conductive outer cannula tube, an electrically conductive inner cannula tube, and insulation. The electrically conductive inner cannula tube is electrically connected to a first pole of the bipolar electrical connection of the second interface. The electrically conductive inner cannula tube is arranged concentrically in the outer cannula tube which optionally can be insulated from the exterior. The electrically conductive inner cannula tube is mechanically connected to the handpiece and/or the first interface. The electrically conductive outer cannula tube is electrically connected to a second pole of the bipolar electrical connection of the second interface. The insulation is concentrically arranged between the outer cannula tube and the inner cannula tube. The insulation is configured to fully electrically isolate the outer cannula tube and the inner cannula tube in relation to one another.

A method of priming a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly including a lumen, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a first inlet configured to receive the fluid from a fluid source, a second inlet configured to receive a suction from a vacuum source, an outlet in fluid communication with the lumen, a valve chamber, and at least one valve plug. The method includes activating the fluid source to provide the fluid to the first inlet, activating the vacuum source to provide the suction to the second inlet, transitioning the at least one valve plug from a first position to a second position, and transferring a first portion of the fluid from the first inlet toward the vacuum source through the second inlet thereby priming the surgical instrument.

Fecal management methods and apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) are described herein. The fecal management apparatuses may apply one or more fecal removal cycles of suction and irrigation (and in some examples air) to actively remove fecal material. The apparatus may control the timing of delivery of the fecal removal cycles as well as the parameters of the applied suction, irrigation and/or air within and between fecal removal cycles. The invention additionally provides methods, and computer program products for controlling an apparatus or system that is configured for removal of fecal material from a patient's rectum.

A work tip for an ultrasonic surgical hand piece has a solid knife with a sharp distal edge. A first fluid tube located on one side of the knife and has open ends to receive or discharge fluid. A second fluid tube is located on the other side of the knife and is slidably connected with the knife. The second fluid tube has an opening at a distal end and a smaller side hole. During phacoemulsification the knife is vibrated independent of the fluid tubes. The second fluid tube has irrigation fluid passing from the opening and side hole, and the first fluid tube is positioned so as to receive fluid from the second tube. During I/A cleanup the second fluid tube receives aspiration fluid only through the side hole because the knife is positioned to block the aspiration fluid from entering through the opening.

A hydrotherapy device for treating a wound on a surface of a patient's body is provided. A body of the hydrotherapy device includes a wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a chamber defined by the inner surface. The wall further includes an internal void, a first port extending fully through the wall and in communication with the void, a second port extending from the outer surface partially through the wall and in communication with the void, and a plurality of channels, each extending from the void to the inner surface. A central axis of each channel forms an angle at the inner surface.

A system for feeding and evacuation has a feeding tube in place into a subject's stomach cavity, having a Luer-Lock compatible female connector on an outboard end, a feed source, a unique Lopez valve having a conventional connector on one end and a male Luer-Lock connector on the other end in place of the conventional tapered connector, a suction tube coupled to a suction source, the suction tube having a connector compatible with the conventional connector of the conventional Lopez valve on an end away from the suction source. With the feeding tube connected to the feed source, nutrients are supplied to the subject through the feeding tube, and with the feed source disconnected, the body of the unique Lopez valve connected to the feed tube by the male Luer-Lock extension and to the suction tube, the subject's stomach cavity is exposed to suction controlled by the conventional Lopez valve.

Systems, devices and methods for use in liposuction and infusion medical procedures including handheld devices, micro-cannulas, curved cannulas vacuum pressure changing features.

An ophthalmic surgical cartridge has a fluid pump with a pump chamber and a drive chamber which are separated by a fluid-tight and ion-tight partition element. A body fluid is suppliable to the pump chamber and a drive fluid is suppliable to the drive chamber. A deformation or change in position of a portion of the partition element is achievable with the drive fluid which increases the second volume in size and decreases the first volume in size to drain the body fluid from the pump chamber. The drive chamber has a front side wall with an edge zone in which only a single passage opening is provided, through which the drive fluid is suppliable into the drive chamber to fill the drive chamber with the drive fluid, and through which said drive fluid can be drained from the drive chamber to remove the drive fluid from the drive chamber.

A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein said fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than said first predetermined rate, the improvement including a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to said output signal to actuate said second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at second predetermined rate.

A method and system for foot-actuated device to switch between a vacuum supply and an oxygen supply in a medical environment. The system enables a user to press down on the device to compress a first tube and open a second tube. When the user releases the device, the first tube is opened and the second tube is compressed.