Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs.

Abstract: A system for performing surgery on a patient's eye includes a handpiece constructed for insertion into the eye, a control module, and a foot pedal module. The control module includes at least one control arranged for setting at least one parameter of operation of the handpiece (e.g., aspiration rate, intensity of phaco-power, etc.). The foot pedal module includes a foot pedal with which operation of the handpiece is controllable in accordance with the parameter set by the control in the control module. For example, the foot pedal may be used to vary the aspiration rate or the intensity of phaco-power up to the maximum set by a control on the control module. The foot pedal module includes circuitry for controlling operation of the handpiece in response to depression of the foot pedal and in accordance with the parameter set by the control in the control module.

Abstract: A surgical instrument of the kind which is adapted to operate using bipolar energizing potential comprises a pair of adjacently disposed, elongated electrodes that receive the bipolar potential, and an electrical insulator disposed between the electrodes. The insulator terminates proximally of distal ends of the electrodes to provide a cavity across which sparking between the electrodes occurs. Thus, the instrument is useful in, e.g., arthroscopic surgery on the knee, to perform several types of procedures (such as cutting, smoothing of cartilage, and coagulation) even in the presence of an electrically conductive irrigating solution (such as saline).

Abstract: An ophthalmic aspirator-irrigator system for use during cataract surgery is disclosed. The system frees both hands of the surgeon for the surgical tasks and leaves the automatic operation of the system to a single control input operated by a foot pedal. The pedal controls both the aspiration and ejection functions as well as their respective speeds. The ophthalmic aspirator-irrigator system essentially comprises a hand-held device, a control box operable by the foot pedal and a power cord connecting the device with the box. A source of fluid is connected via a tube to the device to effect the irrigation function. The control box includes a power source and a circuit coupled to the source and via the cord to the device. Preferably, the circuit includes a bridge output network controlled by a linear motion slide type potentiometer controlled by the foot pedal.

Abstract: An ophthalmic aspirator-irrigator system for use during cataract surgery is disclosed. The system frees both hands of the surgeon for the surgical tasks and leaves the automatic operation of the system to a single control input operated by a foot pedal. The pedal controls both the aspiration and ejection functions as well as their respective speeds. The opthalmic aspirator-irrigator system essentially comprises a hand-held device, a control box operable by the foot pedal and a power cord connecting the device with the box. A source of fluid is connected via a tube to the device to effect the irrigation function. The control box includes a power source and a circuit coupled to the source and via the cord to the device. Preferably, the circuit includes a bridge output network controlled by a linear motion slide type potentiometer controlled by the foot pedal.

Abstract: Suture tying forceps of improved construction are disclosed which materially reduce a suture being flexed therein from breaking. The suture typing forceps include a pair of members mounted in the free ends of a pair of gripping arms integrally joined at one end. The members terminate in a pair of suture tying tips, respectively featuring a pair of complementary mating surfaces serving as suture clamping surfaces. For the most part, the suture clamping surfaces are designed to clamp a suture segment which is about ten times the thickness of the suture. The suture clamping surfaces further are designed to define a flexing angle transversely thereof which is less than a right angle.

Abstract: A disposable coagulator for the bipolar coagulation of blood vessels and/or tissue is disclosed. The disposable coagulator comprises a light-weight, electrically insulating housing, a coaxial probe defining an inner and outer electrode and having a beveled end and secured within the housing, and a pair of insulated leads coupling the probe to a source of variable rf power. The surface area of the inner electrode at the beveled end is substantially the same as the surface area of the outer electrode. Preferably, the housing is injection formed of a suitable plastic material in two parts designed to snap-fit to one another so as firmly to hold the probe within the housing, once assembled.

Abstract: A completely disposable, permanently assembled drill for perforating bone structures, which includes a generally annular drill body. A primary drill member is slidably and rotatably received in the distal end of the drill body. A driver is slidably and rotatably received in the proximal end of said drill body. A pin and slot-type spring biased clutch is disposed on the confronting surfaces of the drill member and driver. The pin of the clutch projects through the triangular openings and the sidewall of the drill body so as to limit the throw of the clutch and to link the drill body and drill member together. The interaction of the pin against the triangular side of the slot in the drill body produces a component of force which tends to urge the clutch apart. When the drill is placed against the bone structure with a force sufficient to overcome the spring bias, the clutch will engage and the driver and drill member and the drill body will rotate together.

Abstract: A completely disposable, permanently assembled drill for perforating bone structures, which includes a generally annular drill body. A primary drill member is slidably and rotatably received in the distal end of the drill body. A driver is slidably and rotatably received in the proximal end of said drill body. A pin and slot-type spring biased clutch is disposed on the confronting surfaces of the drill member and driver. The pin of the clutch projects through the triangular openings and the sidewall of the drill body so as to limit the throw of the clutch and to link the drill body and drill member together. The interaction of the pin against the triangular side of the slot in the drill body produces a component of force which tends to urge the clutch apart. When the drill is placed against the bone structure with a force sufficient to overcome the spring bias, the clutch will engage and the driver and drill member and the drill body will rotate together.

Abstract: An improved artificial sphincter for occluding a duct. The basic sphincter includes means to increase the occlusive force about the duct and means to control the increase of such occlusive force. To protect the duct from excessive or damaging occlusion the basic sphincter is improved by including means for preventing increase of the occlusive force about the duct beyond a predetermined position. An additional improvement includes means for adjusting the occlusive means after the sphincter has been implanted in a human or animal body to account for variations in fit about different ducts.