Abstract: Surgical systems for use in surgical procedures utilizing robotic devices. The surgical system having one or more components for housing a sensor or one or more tools for anchor or sensor delivery. The surgical system may include a surgical sensor anchor and/or a surgical sensor anchor delivery tool. A method of performing a robotically assisted surgical procedure, comprising using a surgical sensor anchor during a surgical procedure which utilizes a robot to track movement of at least one portion of a body structure undergoing a surgical procedure or to track movement of a body structure near a surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for providing robotically assisted surgery that involves the removal of bone or non-fibrous type tissues during a surgical procedure, in particular with assistance from real-time ultrasound images from an ultrasound probe. The system utilizes a multi-axis robot having a reciprocating tool that is constructed and arranged to remove hard or non-fibrous tissues while leaving soft tissues unharmed. The multi-axis robot may be controlled via computer or telemanipulator, which allows the surgeon to complete a surgery from an area adjacent to the patient to thousands of miles away.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for quickly retracting a tool from a surgical site. The system is generally constructed and arranged for attachment to a robotic arm for manipulation of the tool to perform an in-vivo surgery. The tool is constructed to retract from the surgical site upon a predetermined condition. The system and the robot can be reset when the condition has cleared so that the surgery can continue.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system is provided that includes a robot connected to a computer system to help effect control of the robot. A tool is removably mounted to a distal end of a robot arm. The tool is adapted to selectively grip, move and drive an effector and a coupled fastener. The fastener is used in orthopedic surgery, and the effector is uncoupled from the fastener after it is inserted in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for providing robotically assisted surgery that involves the removal of bone or non-fibrous type tissues during a surgical procedure. The system utilizes a multi-axis robot having a reciprocating tool that is constructed and arranged to remove hard or non-fibrous tissues while leaving soft tissues unharmed. The multi-axis robot may be controlled via computer or telemanipulator, which allows the surgeon to complete a surgery from an area adjacent to the patient to thousands of miles away.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for quickly retracting a tool from a surgical site. The system is generally constructed and arranged for attachment to a robotic arm for manipulation of the tool to perform an in-vivo surgery. The tool is constructed to retract from the surgical site upon a predetermined condition. The system and the robot can be reset when the condition has cleared so that the surgery can continue.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for increasing positional accuracy of surgical systems that utilize magnetic or electromagnetic sensors to provide positional awareness to a surgeon or robot performing the surgery. The system takes advantage of electromagnetic tracking through sensors. These sensors are very accurate and repeatable, while being compact enough to not inhibit surgical procedures. The accuracy and repeatability of the sensors is <1 mm within a predetermined 6 inch×6 inch performance motion box. The system is constructed and arranged to map the distortion patterns of the sensor and, in real time, correct the distortion pattern to provide accurate location of anatomical structures for performance of a surgery.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for increasing positional accuracy of surgical systems that utilize magnetic or electromagnetic sensors to provide positional awareness to a surgeon or robot performing the surgery. The system takes advantage of electromagnetic tracking through sensors. These sensors are very accurate and repeatable, while being compact enough to not inhibit surgical procedures. The accuracy and repeatability of the sensors is <1 mm within a predetermined 6 inch×6 inch performance motion box. The system is constructed and arranged to map the distortion patterns of the sensor and, in real time, correct the distortion pattern to provide accurate location of anatomical structures for performance of a surgery.

Abstract: Surgical systems for use in surgical procedures utilizing robotic devices. The surgical system having one or more components for housing a sensor or one or more tools for anchor or sensor delivery. The surgical system may include a surgical sensor anchor and/or a surgical sensor anchor delivery tool. A method of performing a robotically assisted surgical procedure, comprising using a surgical sensor anchor during a surgical procedure which utilizes a robot to track movement of at least one portion of a body structure undergoing a surgical procedure or to track movement of a body structure near a surgical site.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for controlling the movements of a multi-axis robot to perform a surgery at least on the spinal area of a human in vivo. The system includes controls and software coding to cause the robot to move in desired patterns to complete the surgery, which may include bone, disc and tissue removal, and may also include insertion of hardware for fusing adjacent bony structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for providing robotically assisted surgery that involves the removal of bone or non-fibrous type tissues during a surgical procedure. The system utilizes a multi-axis robot having a reciprocating tool that is constructed and arranged to remove hard or non-fibrous tissues while leaving soft tissues unharmed. The multi-axis robot may be controlled via computer or telemanipulator, which allows the surgeon to complete a surgery from an area adjacent to the patient to thousands of miles away.

Abstract: A surgical system and method are provided that is configured to effect substituting a high resolution image created pre-surgery for a lower resolution image created in real time during surgery and simulating the real time position of the surgical site.

Abstract: Surgical systems for use in surgical procedures utilizing robotic devices. The surgical system having one or more components for housing a sensor or one or more tools for anchor or sensor delivery. The surgical system may include a surgical sensor anchor and/or a surgical sensor anchor delivery tool. A method of performing a robotically assisted surgical procedure, comprising using a surgical sensor anchor during a surgical procedure which utilizes a robot to track movement of at least one portion of a body structure undergoing a surgical procedure or to track movement of a body structure near a surgical site.

Abstract: A method of mechanically joining tubes to headers in tubular heat exchangers of a high density, high performance type. The headers are made of a heat recoverable metallic material and worked while in a martensitic state to be subsequently shrunk upon installed tubes. Procedural steps are carried out with particular regard to a header construction characterized by a multiplicity of closely spaced apart tube accommodating holes separated by relatively narrow ligaments in which working stresses are to be absorbed.

Abstract: A fluid circulating system including a pump and an accumulator-reservoir device of the bootstrap type in which operation of the pump energizes the device to maintain a pressurized system despite an increasing fluid density caused by lowering fluid temperatures. A light spring force is applied which establishes a minimal system pressure effective even when the pump is shut off and which maintains in its proper convolution a rolling diaphragm comprised in the accumulator-reservoir device.

Abstract: Valve apparatus including a regulating valve controlling fluid flow through a duct and positionable to produce a regulated downstream pressure from a normally relatively higher upstream pressure. A pilot valve enables a relatively reduced fluid pressure to be used on and in connection with a regulating valve operator. The pilot valve responds to inlet pressure and enables sequential operating steps according to which, in part, the regulating valve moves to a fully open position upon inlet or upstream pressure dropping to a predetermined low value and moves to a fully closed position upon inlet or upstream pressure dropping below the predetermined low value.

Abstract: Thermal actuating or like apparatus in which a sight conduit is comprised in a valve housing enabling the changing position of a thermal actuator within the housing to be observed from outside the housing. A fiber optic device acts as the sight conduit and provides for a display externally of the housing of color coded or like markings on the actuator. In one aspect thereof, the invention makes possible a substantially continuous comparison of the operations of redundant actuators so that an operator or user of the apparatus may be alerted to failure of one of the actuator units.

Abstract: An air inlet control inset in the skin or outer wall surface of an aircraft or the like. The control device has an open position in which it is able to capture ram air flowing over the wall surface and which at the same time defines an open flow area through which lower pressure ambient air can be inducted when ram air is unavailable. The air inlet control includes a shutter opening into ram air flow, and an actuating mechanism therefor. In one disclosed form of the invention, the shutter is aerodynamically biased to reduce actuating forces required to close the shutter against ram air pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus indicating the quantity of fluid in a closed and pressurized fluid circulating system. The apparatus compensates or corrects for fluid expansion and contraction due to temperature change so that the indicated quantity is the true quantity. The apparatus includes a direct acting, mechanical connection from a fluid accumulator-reservoir device to an indicator. A thermostat sensing fluid temperature introduces a correction into the mechanical connection.

Abstract: A mixing valve wherein a body provides plural inlets and a common outlet, with a valve settable to control flow from the inlet to a mixing chamber communicating with the outlet. A fluid pressure operated piston means adjusts the valve in its control positions. A temperature responsive device orients in the path of flow from the outlet and effectively controls the positioning of the piston means.