A view optimizing assembly, method and kit for use in combination with a laparoscope having a lens located on the shaft tip of the laparoscope, and a source of insufflation CO.sub.2. The invention includes a multi-lumen sheath assembly, a deflector assembly in fluid communication with the lumens of the sheath assembly, wherein the flow of CO.sub.2 through the lumens forms a vortex when coming into contact with the deflector assembly, thereby preventing fogging of the laparoscope lens.

A device for preventing contamination of a positive-pressure connector (6) of an indwelling needle and a method based on same. The device comprises a shell (1), a connecting port (3) fixedly connected to the shell (1) and used for connecting to the positive-pressure connector (6), an air pressure balance hole (5) disposed opposite to the connecting port (3) and provided on the shell (1), and a filtering membrane (2) provided between the air pressure balance hole (5) and the connecting port (3). The device is simple in structure, adopts a structural design of the filtering membrane (2), can filter microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, dusts, and particulate pollution sources, and is used during indwelling of infusion intervals to prevent the positive-pressure connector (6) from being exposed to the air and maintain the aseptic state and positive-pressure condition of the positive-pressure connector (6) during indwelling.

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 catheter insertable into a cavity of a patient for monitoring pressure including a first lumen for drainage from the cavity and an expandable balloon. The balloon has a liquid containing chamber to monitor pressure within the cavity of the patient as pressure on the outer wall of the balloon deforms the balloon and compresses the liquid within the balloon. An exit port provides passage of air from an interior of the balloon to outside the catheter. A membrane has plurality of pores dimensioned to enable passage of air but prevent passage of the liquid therethrough. A pressure sensor communicates with the liquid containing chamber for measuring pressure based on compression of liquid caused by deformation of the expanded balloon.

A device for directly detecting pressure variations of a fluid within a body cavity is provided. The device has a pressure transducer, a pressure transmission device extending between a distal tip suitable for partial insertion into the body cavity and a proximal port in direct contact with a sensing surface of the pressure transducer. The distal tip forms an access port that places the pressure transducer outside the body cavity into direct fluid communication with the inside of the body cavity. The pressure transmission device has, between the distal tip and the proximal port, a flexible cannula having a length sufficient to allow anchoring of an intermediate stretch of the flexible cannula and/or the pressure transducer to an anchoring zone distant from the body cavity.

The described technology generally includes systems and processes for a PD optimization process may operate to estimate, predict, or otherwise determine the value of PD dose variables values based on patient characteristics and/or PD prescription information. In one embodiment, a PD optimization process may be or may include a UFV determination process, operative to determine a predicted UFV for a patient. In some embodiments, the UFV determination process may include training a computational model to generate a predicted UFV output based on input of patient characteristics, PD prescription information, PD outcomes (for instance, UFV), and/or historical information associated with patient characteristics, PD prescription information, and/or PD outcomes. In some embodiments, a feedback control process with continuous Intraperitoneal Pressure (IPP) and hydration status measurements may be used to keep the hydration status of the patient within a target level ran. Other embodiments are described.

A system includes an endoscope configured for insertion into an internal body cavity and a fluid management system. The fluid management system includes a pump configured to pump fluid through the endoscope into the internal body cavity and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the internal body cavity based upon a current feedback signal received from the pump. A method includes supplying a drive signal to a pump to pump fluid into an internal body cavity, receiving a current feedback signal from the pump, and determining a pressure within the internal body cavity based on the current feedback signal.

Balloon/infusion catheters comprise internal corewires within a single lumen structure in which the corewire can slide relative to the catheter tube within limits, and the balloon is attached to the catheter tube on one end and to the sliding corewire on the other end. The lumen provides fluid to inflate the balloon and to infuse fluid into the vessel proximal to the balloon. The infusion ports can have a polymer valve to limit infusion to lumen pressures at which the balloon is appropriately inflated. The balloon/infusion catheter can have an integral flow meter near its proximal end. Corresponding methods for use of the balloon/infusion catheter are described, such as for the delivery of hydraulic forces when used in conjunction with an aspiration catheter.

A method and device used to improve the operation of a hydrocephalus shunt system based on the use of alpha and beta radioactive isotopes implanted in the critical zones of the shunt in order to prevent the deposition of organic matter such as blood cells, tissue, or bacteria, thereby clogging the system and causing malfunction.

A renal failure therapy system having an electrically floating fluid pathway is disclosed. The example system includes a dialyzer, a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer, and a dialysis fluid circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer. The system also includes an electrically floating fluid pathway comprising at least a portion of the blood circuit and at least a portion of the dialysis fluid circuit. The only electrical path to ground is via used dialysis fluid traveling through the renal failure therapy system to earth ground. The disclosed system enables at least one electrical component in the at least a portion of the dialysis fluid circuit of the electrically floating fluid pathway to be electrically bypassed.