Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.

Abstract: A bracket for shielding a capacitive touch screen from external noise arising from stray capacitance comprises upper and lower complementary rectangular conductive metal shield elements which are joined together inside a housing with a transparent touch screen retained therebetween. The upper shield element is provided with a large central aperture so that the touch screen is accessible to a user. The lower shield element is also provided with a large central aperture to enable a display, such as an LCD, to be viewed through the transparent touch screen. The display is secured to the lower shield element with an insulating member interposed between the display and the lower shield element. The shielding bracket provides a full shield for the upper, lower and edge surfaces of the touch screen to prevent the capacitance of a hand resting upon the housing from interfering with the touch screen.

Abstract: A shield for shielding a capacitive touch screen from external noise arising from stray capacitance is located between the exterior housing of a touch screen device and the touch screen itself. The shield comprises a thin piece of conductive material such as aluminum foil laminated between two layers of insulating material such as a polycarbonite and is secured to the upper surface of the touch screen, as by an adhesive. The shield has a central opening which is smaller than an opening in the housing of the touch screen device that is provided to enable the touch screen to be contacted for entry of data, and to enable a user to view a display that is located beneath the touch screen, which is transparent. Portions of the shield are thus visible, and the central opening of the shield thus defines the portion of the display which can be viewed.

Abstract: A circuit and method for minimizing electromagnetic emissions which employ a cancellation signal to produce electromagnetic fields which are opposites of the fields produced by the digital circuit. The circuit and method of the present invention are particularly suited for use in digital systems which produce constant-frequency and constant-amplitude clock signals for driving a circuit load. The circuit includes a cancellation circuit for producing the cancellation signal, which may include the same oscillator used to produce the clock signal. An amplitude-adjust circuit adjusts the amplitude of the cancellation signal, and a phase-adjust circuit adjusts the phase of the cancellation signal.