Abstract: A system for a pneumatically-powered vitrectomy machine includes an output port, a venting valve, a venting manifold, a pressure transducer, and a controller. The output port provides pressurized gas to a vitrectomy probe. The venting valve is located close to the output port. The venting manifold fluidly connects the venting valve to a venting port. The venting port vents pressurized gas from the venting manifold. The pressure transducer is located near the output port. The pressure transducer is configured to read a pressure of a gas near the output port. The controller is adapted to receive information about the pressure and activate the venting valve. When the information received from the pressure transducer indicates a fault condition, the controller directs the venting valve to open.

Abstract: A system for providing pneumatic power to a vitrector includes first and second output ports, an output valve, an isolation valve, and three manifolds. The first and second output ports provide pressurized gas to power a vitrector. The output valve alternately provides pressurized gas to the first and second output ports. The isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve. Two manifolds fluidly connect the output valve to the first and second output ports. A third manifold fluidly connects the isolation valve to the output valve. When the isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve, the output valve operates at a high rate of speed to alternately provide pressurized gas to the first and second output ports thereby powering the vitrector.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for a surgical machine includes a reservoir, first and second proportional valves, and a controller. The reservoir holds pressurized gas. The first proportional valve is located on an input side of the reservoir and allows a variable amount of pressurized gas to enter the reservoir. The second proportional valve is located on an output side of the reservoir and allows a second variable amount of pressurized gas to exit the reservoir. The controller controls the operation of the first and second proportional valves. The controller adjusts the first and second proportional valves so that a constant gas pressure range is maintained at an output of the reservoir over a first range of input gas pressures and a second range of gas usage.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: A tray support arm assembly provides for the positioning of a tray and an attached movable arm in a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the console portion of a machine for use and a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the console portion of a machine for storage. The tray support arm assembly includes a lockable tray rotation joint, a lockable wrist joint, a lower arm assembly, a lockable elbow joint, an upper assembly and a lockable shoulder joint.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: A system for providing pneumatic power to a vitrector includes first and second output ports, an output valve, an isolation valve, and three manifolds. The first and second output ports provide pressurized gas to power a vitrector. The output valve alternately provides pressurized gas to the first and second output ports. The isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve. Two manifolds fluidly connect the output valve to the first and second output ports. A third manifold fluidly connects the isolation valve to the output valve. When the isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve, the output valve operates at a high rate of speed to alternately provide pressurized gas to the first and second output ports thereby powering the vitrector.

Abstract: A system for a pneumatically-powered vitrectomy machine includes an output port, a venting valve, a venting manifold, a pressure transducer, and a controller. The output port provides pressurized gas to a vitrectomy probe. The venting valve is located close to the output port. The venting manifold fluidly connects the venting valve to a venting port. The venting port vents pressurized gas from the venting manifold. The pressure transducer is located near the output port. The pressure transducer is configured to read a pressure of a gas near the output port. The controller is adapted to receive information about the pressure and activate the venting valve. When the information received from the pressure transducer indicates a fault condition, the controller directs the venting valve to open.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for a surgical machine includes a reservoir, first and second proportional valves, and a controller. The reservoir holds pressurized gas. The first proportional valve is located on an input side of the reservoir and allows a variable amount of pressurized gas to enter the reservoir. The second proportional valve is located on an output side of the reservoir and allows a second variable amount of pressurized gas to exit the reservoir. The controller controls the operation of the first and second proportional valves. The controller adjusts the first and second proportional valves so that a constant gas pressure range is maintained at an output of the reservoir over a first range of input gas pressures and a second range of gas usage.

Abstract: A tray support arm assembly provides for the positioning of a tray and an attached movable arm in a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the console portion of a machine for use and a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the console portion of a machine for storage. The tray support arm assembly includes a lockable tray rotation joint, a lockable wrist joint, a lower arm assembly, a lockable elbow joint, an upper assembly and a lockable shoulder joint.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.