Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “η” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Fluid introduction into the patient during surgery can be tracked more accurately. For example, saline is often introduced to a patient to clean an operating site. The saline is taken from a sterile bucket and introduced to the patient. In one described approach, the system senses the volume or weight of fluid in the sterile bucket and determines any decrease in the volume or weight to be an introduction of fluid to the patient. If, however, additional saline is added to the bucket, that addition is not counted in the fluid tracking and the further decrements from that new fluid amount is what is used to track fluid addition to the patient.

A hysteroscopic fluid management system includes a saline source with an electrolyte concentration, at least one pressure mechanism for circulating saline to and from a targeted site and through a filter having filter characteristics back to the source, and a controller. The controller provides a saline inflow in a first flow path to the site and a saline outflow in a second flow path from the site through the filter and back to the source at a controlled flow rate. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is performed at the site in the presence of the saline. The filter characteristics and the controlled flow rate are selected to (1) cause substantially no change in the electrolyte concentration in the saline, (2) to prevent hemolysis of greater than 5% of filtered red blood cells exposed to the saline, and/or (3) to minimize effect on prothrombin time of plasma exposed to the filter.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “η” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

A fluid infusion system includes an air pump connected to an accumulator tank to produce pressurized air that is stored in the accumulator tank. The system can include one or more fluid bag chambers wherein each fluid bag chamber includes an inflatable bladder positioned inside the fluid bag chamber to apply pressure on the fluid bag supported inside the chamber. The fluid bag can be connected by a tube set to deliver fluid from the fluid bag to a surgical tool at a surgical site. The fluid can, for example, be irrigation fluid or distention fluid. The system can include a controller connected to the pump to control the pump to produce the pressurized air and an adjustable pressure regulator can be connected between the accumulator tank and the inflatable bladder to control the pressure of air delivered to the inflatable bladder and the pressure that the fluid is delivered to the surgical tool. A pressure sensor can be connected between the adjustable pressure regulator and the inflatable bladder to measure the air pressure delivered to the inflatable bladder and send the air pressure measurements to the controller. The controller can configure the system display to show the air pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

A system for determining components of matter removed from a body includes a container for receiving the matter, a device for weighing the container and the matter therein, an instrument for obtaining information relating to determine the components of the matter based in part on a weight of the matter determined by said device and the information relating to the at least one aspect of the matter obtained by said instrument. A display includes a screen for displaying information relating to the matter provided by said processer. The information may include a height and/or a color of the matter among other aspects. An insert containing an absorbent material may be utilized to separate fat cells from a fluid when liposuction is used to remove the matter. The insert may be porous allowing fluid to enter the absorption.

Examples of a module for housing unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment for use during surgery. The module can include a lower section and a tower-like upper section. The lower section can house unrelated electronic and electromechanical equipment. The tower-like upper section can be located on top of the lower section. A water-resistant cowling can enclose at least a portion of the lower section and the tower-like upper section. A cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be protectively housed within the tower-like upper section. The cartridge containing one or more ultraviolet-C producing lights can be configured to emerge upward from a top of the tower-like upper section to substantially seat itself on the top of the tower-like upper section when activated allowing the ultraviolet-C light to disinfect the patient and staff-contacting upper surfaces of the equipment in the operating room.

A fluid management system including a pass-through fluid volume measurement system to provide continuous measurement of fluid returned from a surgical site during transit to a waste collection system. The pass-through fluid volume measurement system eliminates the need to physically replace full fluid collection containers during the medical procedure with new, empty fluid collection containers.