Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device can have a housing and an electrode defining an energizable surface at least partially positioned externally of the housing. The electrode can move longitudinally relative to the housing. A shank of the electrode can be positioned within the housing and configured to urge against an energizable element in the housing. The energizable element can have a longitudinally movable electrical coupler configured to electrically couple with the shank portion when the shank portion urges against the energizable element. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument can selectively provide electrosurgical energy to an energizable electrode. The instrument can include an interface configured to issue one or more waveform command signals corresponding to a selected therapeutic result; waveform generation circuitry configured to deliver in response to the one or more wave form command signals, a corresponding one or more waveforms selected from a first, a second, and a third waveform, each of the first, second and third waveforms being different from the other of the first, second and third waveforms. The instrument can include a variable output voltage supply configured to supply a selected electrical current to a corresponding output, and an output driver circuitry configured to combine at least one or more of the waveforms with the respective high-voltage electrical current to generate an electrosurgical current suitable for achieving the therapeutic result when applied to a treatment site by the energizeable electrode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a multimode electrosurgical system having an electrosurgical instrument with a first electrode configuration that operates in a bipolar mode and second electrode configuration that operates in a monopolar mode. In other embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an instrument and system that provide multiple modes of surgical and/or therapeutic treatments, at least one being an electrosurgical mode of treatment, the instrument including at least one active electrode on a working portion, and the working portion including or supporting at least one non-electrosurgical functional element, the instrument including at least one operational return electrode configuration of selectively variable surface area.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device can have a housing and an electrode defining an energizable surface at least partially positioned externally of the housing. The electrode can move longitudinally relative to the housing. A shank of the electrode can be positioned within the housing and configured to urge against an energizable element in the housing. The energizable element can have a longitudinally movable electrical coupler configured to electrically couple with the shank portion when the shank portion urges against the energizable element. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device can have a housing and an electrode defining an energizable surface at least partially positioned externally of the housing. Such a device can have a first circuit and a second circuit. The housing can define a handpiece. The first circuit can be configured to selectively direct energy to a power element. The power element can be configured to selectively electrically couple to the electrode. The second circuit can have a selectively operable handpiece accessory. The handpiece can also have a device configured to direct suitable energy from the first circuit to the second circuit to power the second circuit. In some embodiments, the second circuit can be configured to selectively interrupt the first circuit. For example, the second circuit can interrupt the first circuit when a cumulative duration of operation of the second circuit exceeds an upper threshold duration. Methods of operating such handpieces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a video imaging system that includes an auto-focus mechanism wherein an input from a user of the video imaging system invokes an auto-focus procedure. Responsive to the input, the auto-focus mechanism is scanned over a range of focal distance from a first setting to a second setting indicated by the input. A sequence of images using the video imaging system is captured while scanning the auto-focus mechanism over the range. The images in the sequence are processed so as to compute a measure of focal quality with respect to each of the images. The measure of the focal quality is analyzed so as to select an optimal focal distance, and the auto-focus mechanism is set to the selected focal distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a video imaging system that includes an auto-focus mechanism wherein an input from a user of the video imaging system invokes an auto-focus procedure. Responsive to the input, the auto-focus mechanism is scanned over a range of focal distance from a first setting to a second setting indicated by the input. A sequence of images using the video imaging system is captured while scanning the auto-focus mechanism over the range. The images in the sequence are processed so as to compute a measure of focal quality with respect to each of the images. The measure of the focal quality is analyzed so as to select an optimal focal distance, and the auto-focus mechanism is set to the selected focal distance.

Abstract: Eyewear comprises a microphone and a speaker. An eyewear neck strap couples the microphone and speaker to a wearer unit carried by the eyewear wearer. The wearer unit exchanges wireless signals with a base station. The base station is coupled to various devices such as surgical theater equipment, and/or to a telecommunication system, such as a telephone system. The eyewear enables the wearer to conduct hands-free communication such as telephone conversations and command and control operations, as well as to perform other hands-free tasks such as dictation. The wearer also receives data in audio form or as an image using a video display coupled with the eyewear.

Abstract: Eyewear for two-way communication comprises a speaker and a microphone. The speaker is supported by an earstem of the eyewear. In some embodiments the earstem is formed into a speaker support loop. The speaker is supported by the loop and held away from the wearer's external outer ear. Speaker position is adjustable in relation to the wearer's ear. An electrical cord couples the microphone and speakers to a wearer unit that includes a wireless transceiver. The electrical cord functions as a neck strap to support the eyewear when removed from the head.

Abstract: Eyewear comprises a microphone and a speaker. An eyewear neck strap couples the microphone and speaker to a wearer unit carried by the eyewear wearer. The wearer unit exchanges wireless signals with a base station. The base station is coupled to various devices such as surgical theater equipment, and/or to a telecommunication system, such as a telephone system. The eyewear enables the wearer to conduct hands-free communication such as telephone conversations and command and control operations, as well as to perform other hands-free tasks such as dictation. The wearer also receives data in audio form or as an image using a video display coupled with the eyewear.

Abstract: Eyewear for two-way communication comprises a speaker and a microphone. The speaker is supported by an earstem of the eyewear. In some embodiments the earstem is formed into a speaker support loop. The speaker is supported by the loop and held away from the wearer's external outer ear. Speaker position is adjustable in relation to the wearer's ear. An electrical cord couples the microphone and speakers to a wearer unit that includes a wireless transceiver. The electrical cord functions as a neck strap to support the eyewear when removed from the head.

Abstract: A method for transporting a flexible resilient strip longitudinally within a processing station so that a nominally curved lateral cross section of the strip is substantially flattened wherein the strip is advanced along an arcuate path to bend longitudinally and by that bending cause the nominally curved lateral cross section to collapse to a substantially flat lateral cross section without longitudinal tensioning of the strip.

Abstract: A positioning stage wherein encoder pair means on a table which is movable on a frame by a drive and transmission system generate a signal independent of lost motion in that system so that a microprocessor can fix the position of the table in a predetermined position with respect to the frame irrespective of that lost motion.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system including a soft bio-compatible elastomer lens is described. The lens is capable of being collapsed and inserted in the eye on the head of a cannula integral to the lens system.