The invention provides an insufflation apparatus having a housing and a gas generator arranged to be, at least partially, mounted to the housing. The housing includes a gas outlet for delivering gas to a patient and a gas storage chamber arranged to store gas and deliver it to the gas outlet. The gas generator includes a cartridge mount on the housing adapted to receive a gas generating cartridge, the gas generating cartridge containing gas generating material that generates gas that is delivered to the gas storage chamber. The invention also provides alternative insufflation apparatus, a gas cartridge and a method of generating insufflation gas.

A device and method for forming NO-containing gas flow to treat a biological object is disclosed. The device may include an anode, a cathode, an interelectrode area between the cathode and the anode, an NO-containing gas flow outlet channel leading from the interelectrode area to a nozzle for directing and releasing the NO-containing gas flow from the device and a mechanism to adjust a relative position between the anode and the cathode to produce varying concentrations of NO. In addition, the device may include one or more features for interconnecting the various components to ensure proper and consistent assembly of the device.

A system for accessing a patient's uterine cavity and detecting perforations in the uterus includes an elongated probe having a flow channel extending to a terminal outlet in a distal region of the probe. A fluid source is coupled to the flow channel, and a seal on the probe is positionable in an endocervical canal. The probe may be trans-cervical inserted into the uterine cavity, and a fluid may be introduced through the channel to flow outwardly from the terminal outlet into the uterine cavity. A parameter of said fluid flow is monitored to detect a perforation in the uterus.

A medical tube transports gases to and/or from a patient. The medical tube includes a bead wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the medical tube. The bead forms a first portion of a lumen wall of the medical tube. The medical tube also includes a film wrapped around the longitudinal axis of the medical tube. A first portion of the film overlies the bead, and a second portion of the film forms a second portion of the lumen wall. The lumen wall, formed by the bead and the second portion of the film forms a substantially smooth bore. The medical tube can be reusable or reprocessable.

An insufflator (3) is operable to insufflate a cavity selectively and alternately at a first pressure and a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The insufflator (3) is responsive to a signal generated by a foot pedal operated switch (72) to change the pressure at which the insufflating gas is supplied from the one of the first and second pressures at which the insufflating gas is currently being supplied to the other one of the first and second pressures. The insufflator (3) comprises an output valve (47) having first and second output ports (49, 50) through which insufflating gas is selectively supplied. The first output port (49) is connectable to an instrument channel (10) of an endoscope (5), and the second output port (50) is connected to an insufflating channel (12) of the endoscope (5). An instrument sensor (22) detects an instrument in the instrument channel (10) of the endoscope (5) and produces a signal indicative of an instrument in the instrument channel (10) for so long as the instrument remains in the instrument channel (10). The insufflator (3) is responsive to a signal from the instrument sensor (22) indicative of an instrument in the instrument channel (10) for switching the output valve (47) so that the delivery of insufflating gas from the insufflator (1) is switched from the instrument channel (10) to the insufflating channel (12) while an instrument is in the instrument channel (10). A input valve (57) switches a pressure sensor (55) from monitoring the pressure in the cavity through the insufflating channel (12) to the instrument channel (10) while the instrument is detected in the instrument channel (10).

A method of performing a gas arthroscopy by injecting a joint capsule with sealant prior to insufflation with gas. This sealant can be any biocompatible gel or liquid with sufficient viscosity or sealing capability to prevent air embolisms while performing gas arthroscopy.

Systems and methods for reducing pathogens near an implant are discussed. In some cases, the methods include reducing contaminants in a portion of a patient that has an implant and that is disposed interior to a closed surface of skin of the patient. The method can further include placing a conduit in the closed surface of skin and flowing an antimicrobial fluid into that portion of the patient to contact the antimicrobial fluid with a surface of the implant and tissue adjacent to the implant. In some cases, the antimicrobial fluid is then removed from the portion of the patient having the implant. As part of this method, biofilm near the implant can be mechanically, ultrasonically, electrically, chemically, enzymatically, or otherwise disrupted. Other implementations are described.

The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.

A filter cartridge for surgical gas delivery systems includes a filter housing configured to be seated in a filter cartridge interface of a surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element is seated in a first end portion of the filter housing. A second filter element is seated in a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion. A third filter element is seated in the filter housing between the first and second filter elements. The third filter element can include an activated carbon material, such as an activated carbon disc.

A medical gas condition system for supplying a liquid hydration fluid to a hydrator before or during an ongoing medical procedure by coupling the flow of liquid hydration fluid into the hydrator to either the absence of flow of medical insufflation gas into the hydrator or to a condition where the liquid hydration fluid can be absorbed by a hydrator without being forced through the hydrator in liquid form.