Abstract: An improved insulating layer for electrosurgical instruments and its use for electrosurgical instruments for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site is disclosed. The insulating layer may include a ceramic material that is substantially sealed with a coating comprising substantially of a material based on polydiorganosiloxanes or derivatives thereof that have been cured. Such an insulating layer may advantageously include one or more insulating materials with pores that have been sealed so as to prevent biological materials from entering the pores with such sealing material preferably containing one or more of silicate materials or materials that form silicates. Heat sinks may be included in various embodiments to establish a thermal gradient away from functional portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Systems for acquiring an approximation of the surface geometry of a 3-dimensional object include a self-powered wireless, non-contact optical scanner, the location and orientation of which may be tracked with respect to an object coordinate system, and a processor configured for projecting a pattern of structured light on the object, moving the pattern with respect to the object, acquiring images of the intersection of the light on the object over time, determining local coordinates of points on the intersection with respect to the pattern, tracking the position of the pattern, transforming the local coordinates to object coordinates, and accumulating the points as a model of the surface of the object. The systems may wirelessly and possibly compactly transmit geometrical data which characterizes an intersection for a given position of the scanner with respect to the object.

Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided which includes a signal generator configured to obtain a trigger signal corresponding to a timing of interest, imaging equipment configured to obtain a plurality of images of a feature of interest, and a processor programmed to correlate the plurality of images with the trigger signal. Also provided is a method of correlating a plurality of medical images by obtaining a trigger signal of a timing of interest, obtaining a plurality of images of a feature of interest, and correlating the plurality of images with the trigger signal.

Abstract: A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatment of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.

Abstract: Methods for acquiring an approximation of the surface geometry of a 3-dimensional object include projecting pattern of structured light on the object, moving the pattern with respect to the object, acquiring images of the intersection of the light on the object over time, determining local coordinates of points on the intersection with respect to the pattern, tracking the position of the pattern, transforming the local coordinates to object coordinates, and accumulating the points as a model of the surface of the object. The methods include a step for wirelessly and possibly compactly transmitting geometrical data which characterizes an intersection for a given position of the scanner with respect to the object. Systems for embodying the method include a self-powered wireless, non-contact optical scanner, the location and orientation of which may be tracked with respect to an object coordinate system.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for communicating data over a network of twisted pair wiring that is in active use as a conductive path for ordinary telephone signals. Data is encoded redundantly in multiple channels to avoid interference by noise on the telephone network, such as interference from common radio signals. Data is also communicated in the reverse direction using a more general procedure. This reverse channel can be located above the telephone voice band and below the multiple data channels. Data communications are accomplished without interfering with voice communications. The transmitted data may include audio/video signals, and signals from infrared transmitters.

Abstract: A transceiver is operable to connect to a 2-wire conductive path to communicate information in multiple channels to a companion transceiver. Data is encoded redundantly inside the channels, enabling communication to succeed even when one of the channels drops out due to noise. The channels may be selected so that they do not overlap the bands used by common radio sources. The companion transceiver decodes the data using the signals it receives from the multiple bands, and transmits information back to the first transceiver. Transmitted information may include video signals and signals from infrared transmitters.

Abstract: A surgical system that applies electrical energy to obtain predetermined surgical effects while improving the control of the application of the energy that is supplied by electrosurgical generators. In one embodiment, a surgical assembly interfaces with and receives power from an electrosurgical generator for executing a first electrosurgical procedure. This surgical assembly may employ a shunt circuit between its power and return lines for providing in effect a voltage limitation and/or to allow a constant power electrosurgical generator to execute an at least substantially constant voltage electrosurgical technique. The electrosurgical assembly may also include a return coupler for directing energy from the patient back to the electrosurgical generator, which in turn may include a dielectric material which interfaces with the patient and which at least initially conveys the return energy via one or more electric fields versus conduction.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for communicating data over a network of twisted pair wiring that is in active use as a conductive path for telephone signals. A first channel is used for transmission of data from a signal interface to a transceiver. The data is made available to the signal interface from an external source of information. The transceiver communicates data in the reverse direction of a second channel. The transceiver can sendcontrol signals upstream to indicate which audio/video content is to be sent back. Information communicated in the reverse channel can be received as a light signal, with the light signal recreated at the opposite end of the link.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating between a number of computers within a residence over an active telephone network, and for communicating data between a telephone exchange and the residence in a first data band concurrently with the computers communicating in a second data band over the telephone wiring network within the residence. A modem bridges communication in the first data band and the second data band enabling the computers to communicate with the telephone exchange, which may provide a data path to other computers, for instance over the Internet. In addition, signals such as video signals can be distributed within the residence in an additional high-frequency band making use of common circuitry for both data and video communication.