Abstract: A powered surgical tool system capable of providing energization signals to plural powered surgical handpieces. The system includes a console to which at least one footswitch is attached. The footswitch can be mapped to control any one of the handpieces connected to the console. The console includes a display on which representations of the footswitch and handpieces connected to the console are presented. The representations of the handpieces are in different colors. When the footswitch is mapped to a specific handpiece, the representation of the footswitch is presented in the same color as the representation of the handpiece to which the footswitch is mapped. When plural footswitches are attached to the console, the representation of each footswitch is presented in a color corresponding to the color of the representation of the handpiece to which the footswitch is mapped.

Abstract: A powered surgical tool system capable of providing energization signals to plural powered surgical handpieces. The system includes a console to which at least one footswitch is attached. The footswitch can be mapped to control any one of the handpieces connected to the console. The console includes a display on which representations of the footswitch and handpieces connected to the console are presented. The representations of the handpieces are in different colors. When the footswitch is mapped to a specific handpiece, the representation of the footswitch is presented in the same color as the representation of the handpiece to which the footswitch is mapped. When plural footswitches are attached to the console, the representation of each footswitch is presented in a color corresponding to the color of the representation of the handpiece to which the footswitch is mapped.

Abstract: A console for providing power to a surgical tool. Internal to the console is a power supply that supplies power, a processor that regulates the application of the power and a memory reader that reads data from a memory integral with the tool. The power is sourced over terminals also part of the console. The tool memory data are used to regulate the characteristics of the sourced power. An isolation circuit also internal to the console extends between the terminals over and the memory reader. The isolation circuit allows the memory reader to send read requests to the tool memory and receive data signals from the tool memory over the terminals while protecting the memory reader from the power signals sourced by the power supply.

Abstract: A console for providing power to a surgical tool. Internal to the console is a power supply that supplies power, a processor that regulates the application of the power and a memory reader that reads data from a memory integral with the tool. The power is sourced over terminals also part of the console. The tool memory data are used to regulate the characteristics of the sourced power. An isolation circuit also internal to the console extends between the terminals over and the memory reader. The isolation circuit allows the memory reader to send read requests to the tool memory and receive data signals from the tool memory over the terminals while protecting the memory reader from the power signals sourced by the power supply.

Abstract: A surgical tool system with a powered tool that includes a memory in which data describing the characteristics of the power signals that are to be sourced to the toll are stored. A control console based on the data in the tool memory sources the power signal to the tool. Both the data signals written out from the tool memory and the power signals from the console are exchanged over common console terminals and common tool terminals. An isolation circuit in the tool prevents the applied power signals from the console from adversely effecting the tool memory.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: A surgical tool system with a powered tool that includes a memory in which data describing the characteristics of the power signals that are to be sourced to the toll are stored. A control console based on the data in the tool memory sources the power signal to the tool. Both the data signals written out from the tool memory and the power signals from the console are exchanged over common console terminals and common tool terminals. An isolation circuit in the tool prevents the applied power signals from the console from adversely effecting the tool memory.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: A surgical tool system including plural powered surgical handpieces. The handpieces are removably connected to a single control console. The control console has a power supply. A controller internal to the control console simultaneously supplies power to the plural handpieces. In the event the handpieces collectively draw more power than the power supply can provide, the control console temporarily stops the application of power to one of the handpieces.