Abstract: A surgical assembly and system are disclosed. The system comprises a first generator for generating a first signal for use in generating an electrical field proximate a site of a surgical procedure for removing particles suspended proximate the surgical site. The assembly further comprises a surgical tool comprising a tool-piece communicatively couplable with the first generator and a second generator, the second generator being arranged to generate a second signal for use in cutting or cauterizing biological tissue of the patient during the surgical procedure, the assembly further comprising a switching assembly for switching the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece and a controller for controlling the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece.

Abstract: A surgical access port and assembly are disclosed for providing access for a medical instrument into an intracorporeal cavity of a patient undergoing surgery. The access port comprises a cannula and a first passage which extends along the cannula and along which a medical instrument is arranged to pass, the passage comprising a first entrance portion disposed at a proximal region the of the cannula and a first exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula. The cannula further comprises a second passage which extends along the cannula and along which an electrode is arranged to pass, the second passage comprising a second entrance portion disposed at a proximal region of the cannula and a second exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a surgical device actuatable for performing a surgical procedure, the device having an electrically conductive portion, and an ion-generating electrode integrally arranged with respect to the surgical device, the ion-generating electrode having an ion emission zone. The ion emission zone of the ion-generating electrode and the electrically conductive portion of the surgical device are moveable relative to each-other between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A surgical spray instrument is disclosed comprising a main body connectable to a transfer tube; a propellant actuator for selectively releasing propellant from the main body and along the transfer tube and out through a distal end thereof. An ion emitter is arranged along the tube, the ion emitter having an ion emission zone. This enables the directed and concentrated delivery of therapeutic, pharmacological and diagnostic agents to tissues inside or outside of the body. There is further disclosed a surgical assembly for enabling uniform deposition of a particulate material to a surface of an intracorporeal cavity of a patient. The surgical assembly comprises an ion emitter; a dispenser having an outlet locatable within the cavity and for dispensing the particulate material therefrom, and a processor for determining a location of the ion emission zone of the ion emitter in dependence upon the position of the outlet of the distributor within the cavity to provide for the uniform deposition.

Abstract: A removable electronic drum head for an acoustic drum is disclosed. The electronic drum head includes an elastic strike layer, a rigid plate centered below the elastic strike layer. A first sensor is attached to a bottom surface of the rigid plate. A structural body supports the elastic strike layer, rigid plate and first sensor. The structural body is further adapted to attach to an acoustic drum. Other optional foam layers may be included above and below the rigid plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting digital and analog circuitry on separate substrates within a single integrated chip package attenuates logic level signals on one substrate, transmits the attenuated signals to another substrate, and amplifies the attenuated signals back to logic level signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decreasing the supply current to peak output current ratio of a fully complementary cascode amplifier. The amplifier has two shunt portions coupled to a pair of differential input signals and to an output portion which, in turn, is coupled to a pair of output terminals. Based on the relative magnitudes of the input signals, the first shunt portion selectively diverts current from the output portion while the second shunt portion selectively supplies current to the output portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interconnecting digital and analog circuitry on separate substrates within a single integrated chip package attenuates logic level signals on one substrate, transmits the attenuated signals to another substrate, and amplifies the attenuated signals back to logic level signals.

Abstract: A method for synchronously operating two or more rotary head digital audio tape recorders without having to dedicate a separate timing track. The present invention synchronizes the machines in three steps. First, the slave unit reads the time code value from the data stream and compares this time code to the master's time code, examining the difference in time code values and adjusting the transport speed so that the values are approximately equal. Next, the slave's capstan motors are slowed down (or sped up) so that the slave and master units are within one drum revolution of each other. Finally, the slave's microprocessor adjusts the speed of the entire system to skip individual samples until the master and slave units are synchronized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording multiple channels of digital audio data onto one-half inch tape using a rotary head recorder. The tape format includes sector spaces and a write timing sector to provide reduced susceptibility to errors arising from head misalignment, provides improved punch-in and punch-out capabilities using overdub identification values recorded within each channel of audio information, and provides a unique time code word that facilitates accurate high-speed scan and search operations, as well as multiple device synchronization. Each pair of audio tracks terminates with a write timing sector that serves as an absolute location marker for the rotary head, and allows the digital audio system to determine precise head location with respect to the tape.

Abstract: A digital audio interface protocol carries multiple channels of digital audio information serially between a transmitting digital audio tape recorder and a plurality of receiving recording units. Using a three stage process, the circuitry of the present invention allows the receiving VCO's to "lock on" to the sampling rate of the serial digital data stream without any explicit sampling information. In a first stage, the VCO frequency is adjusted until a sync pattern is properly received. In a second stage, the VCO frequency is adjusted to oscillate a preselected number of times between sync pattern occurrences. In a third stage, the VCO phase is adjusted to match the phase of the serial data stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microphone in which all elements having mass which can affect the output of the microphone have a resonant frequency outside the frequency range of interest. The present invention utilizes a relatively stiff diaphragm having low density, which is at the same time thin. The diaphragm is designed to have a resonant frequency outside the range of interest. The diaphragm and the sensor are a single assembly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly comprises a diaphragm made of a ceramic material having the properties of stiffness and low density. The sensor is a piezo electric disk coupled to the diaphragm. The sensor/diaphragm assembly is mounted in a housing so as to have a reference air space behind the assembly. The sensor is metallized to provide electrical conductivity. The reference air space is kept separate from the atmosphere and the resonant frequency of the assembly and air space is higher than the selected frequency range.