Abstract: A neurosurgery system for probing brain tissue of a patient for tumorous tissue. The system including a suction tool, an excitation source, an optical instrument, and a controller. The suction tool including a suction cannula defining a lumen, an optical fiber configured to transmit fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue; and an indicator configured to selectively emit visible light. An excitation source is configured to emit an excitation light having a wavelength to induce the fluorescence in the tumorous tissue. The optical instrument is coupled to the optical fiber. The optical instrument configured to convert the fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue and transmitted by the optical and configured to determine that the brain tissue is tumorous based on the electrical signal and activate the indicator based on the determination.

Abstract: A method of setting a cannula lock. An orientation of a bore of a brake is set by rotating a base and a head of the brake about at least one axis. An actuator is actuated to cause relative movement between the head and the base to engage internal surfaces of the shell to fix the orientation of the bore. A device may be directed through the bore and into tissue along a trajectory established by the orientation of the bore. The actuator may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to move the head and the base away from one another. Anchors coupled to the shell may be embedded into the section of tissue. The actuator may be an extraction tool for extracting a drive ring from the base of the shell to permit unembedding of the anchors from the tissue. The head and the base may be semi-spherical.

Abstract: A front end attachment for a powered surgical tool. The front end attachment includes a nose. The nose defines a bore for receiving a shaft of a cutting accessory that is connectable to a motor of the powered surgical tool. The nose also defines a groove separate from the bore. The groove is formed in an outer surface of the nose and extends longitudinally along the nose. An irrigation fitting includes a tube that is seated in the groove of the nose. The irrigation fitting is adapted to receive an irrigating fluid. A heat shrink tubing is disposed over the outer surface of the nose to extend over and enclose the groove. The heat shrink tubing secures the irrigation fitting to the nose.

Abstract: A front end attachment for a powered surgical tool comprises a nose and an irrigation fitting. The nose extends forward from a proximal end of the nose. The nose defines a bore and an enclosed channel. The bore is for receiving a cutting accessory for movement therein. The enclosed channel extends longitudinally and helically along the nose such that, as the channel extends longitudinally, the channel curves around the nose so as to curve around the bore. The irrigation fitting is received by the enclosed channel in the nose.

Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating and determining a characteristic of tissue. An instrument generates rotational torque, and a drill bit tool body extends along an axis between a distal end to engage tissue and a proximal end to couple to the instrument. An emitter operatively coupled to the instrument emits light. A detector operatively coupled to the instrument detects light. An emission lightguide within the tool body transmits light emitted by the emitter toward the tissue as the instrument rotates the tool body. A detection lightguide within the tool body is spaced from the emission lightguide and transmit light reflected by the tissue toward the detector as the instrument rotates the tool body. The emitter emits light into the emission lightguide along the axis, and the detector detects light reflected from the tissue exiting the detection lightguide transverse to the axis when the tool body is coupled to the instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool for conveying electrical energy comprising an elongated electrode extending in an axial direction from a proximal electrode end to a distal electrode end. The distal electrode end defining a working end configured for cutting or coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy received by the electrosurgical tool. At least one layer of an insulation material covering an outer surface of the working end so that a portion of the outer surface of the working end is not covered by the insulation material. When electrical energy is provided to the elongated electrode, current is only conducted through an exposed portion of the outer surface of the working end. At least one layer of the insulation material prevents current from straying from the outer surface of the working end covered with the insulation material.

Abstract: A tip is formed for use with an ultrasonic handpiece. The handpiece, when actuated, is capable of causing the tip to go into ultrasonic vibrations. The tip has a shaft from which a head extends. Teeth extend from the head. At least the teeth have a case hardened outer layer. The case hardened outer layer reduces the wearing of the teeth when the teeth are vibrated against hard tissue.

Abstract: A surgical system for penetrating and determining a characteristic of tissue. An instrument generates rotational torque, and a drill bit tool body extends along an axis between a distal end to engage tissue and a proximal end to couple to the instrument. An emitter operatively coupled to the instrument emits light. A detector operatively coupled to the instrument detects light. An emission lightguide within the tool body transmits light emitted by the emitter toward the tissue as the instrument rotates the tool body. A detection lightguide within the tool body is spaced from the emission lightguide and transmit light reflected by the tissue toward the detector as the instrument rotates the tool body. The emitter emits light into the emission lightguide along the axis, and the detector detects light reflected from the tissue exiting the detection lightguide transverse to the axis when the tool body is coupled to the instrument.

Abstract: A method of setting a cannula lock. An orientation of a bore of a brake is set by rotating a base and a head of the brake about at least one axis. An actuator is actuated to cause relative movement between the head and the base to engage internal surfaces of the shell to fix the orientation of the bore. A device may be directed through the bore and into tissue along a trajectory established by the orientation of the bore. The actuator may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to move the head and the base away from one another. Anchors coupled to the shell may be embedded into the section of tissue. The actuator may be an extraction tool for extracting a drive ring from the base of the shell to permit unembedding of the anchors from the tissue. The head and the base may be semi-spherical.

Abstract: A cannula lock for holding a medical device static in a select orientation relative to tissue. The cannula lock includes a shell with anchors. The anchors are deployed to the hold the shell static to the tissue. A pivoting brake (95) is disposed in the shell. The brake holds the medical device. When the orientation of the brake, by extension, the orientation of the device is established, the brake is set. The brake is set by expanding the brake (95) outwardly against the inner surfaces of the shell so as to hold the brake and medical device in the select orientation.

Abstract: A front end attachment for a powered surgical tool comprises a nose and an irrigation fitting. The nose extends forward from a proximal end of the nose. The nose defines a bore and an enclosed channel. The bore is for receiving a shaft of a cutting accessory connectable to a motor of the powered surgical tool for rotation thereby. The enclosed channel is separate from the bore. The channel extends longitudinally and helically along the nose such that, as the channel extends longitudinally, the channel curves around the nose so as to curve around the bore. The irrigation fitting is in fluid communication with the enclosed channel in the nose. The irrigation fitting is adapted to receive an irrigating fluid and to flow the fluid through the enclosed channel.

Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a nose through which a cutting accessory extends. The nose is formed with an enclosed channel through which irrigating fluid is flowed. The enclosed channel has a helical shape such that as the channel extends longitudinally along the nose, the channel curves around the nose and the cutting accessory disposed in the nose.

Abstract: A tip is formed for use with an ultrasonic handpiece. The handpiece, when actuated, is capable of causing the tip to go into ultrasonic vibrations. The tip has a shaft from which a head extends. Teeth extend from the head. At least the teeth have a case hardened outer layer. The case hardened outer layer reduces the wearing of the teeth when the teeth are vibrated against hard tissue.

Abstract: A cannula lock for holding a medical device static in a select orientation relative to tissue. The cannula lock includes a shell with anchors. The anchors are deployed to the hold the shell static to the tissue. A pivoting brake (95) is disposed in the shell. The brake holds the medical device. When the orientation of the brake, by extension, the orientation of the device is established, the brake is set. The brake is set by expanding the brake (95) outwardly against the inner surfaces of the shell so as to hold the brake and medical device in the select orientation.

Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a nose through which a cutting accessory extends. The nose is formed with an enclosed channel through which irrigating fluid is flowed. The enclosed channel has a helical shape such that as the channel extends longitudinally along the nose, the channel curves around the nose and the cutting accessory disposed in the nose.

Abstract: A surgical tool arrangement for performing endoscopic surgical procedures which includes a powered handpiece and a cutting accessory which detachably connects to the handpiece. The cutting accessory has a distal end which defines a cutting head incorporating a suction arrangement directly adjacent the cutting features thereof.

Abstract: The bur includes a shaft to which a bur head is attached. The bur head includes a plurality of flutes. Each flute at least has a rake surface, a cam surface and a cutting edge. The rake surface extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the head. The rake surfaces define the flute cutting edge (38). The associated cam surface curves away from the rake surface. One or more ribs extend radially outwardly from the cam surface.

Abstract: A surgical tool arrangement for performing endoscopic surgical procedures which includes a powered handpiece and a cutting accessory which detachably connects to the handpiece. The cutting accessory has a distal end which defines a cutting head incorporating a suction arrangement directly adjacent the cutting features thereof.

Abstract: The bur includes a shaft to which a bur head is attached. The bur head includes a plurality of flutes. Each flute at least has a rake surface, a cam surface and a cutting edge. The rake surface extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the head. The rake surfaces define the flute cutting edge (38). The associated cam surface curves away from the rake surface. One or more ribs extend radially outwardly from the cam surface.

Abstract: A cranial perforator with an inner drill and an outer drill that surrounds the inner drill. Both drills are rotated by a head. Once the inner drill penetrates the bone, the inner drill moves against the outer drill. This movement causes the inner drill to disengage from the perforator head. The disengagement of the inner drill from the perforator head serves to stop the rotation of both drills.