Abstract: A blade exchange device may be used to remove or install a blade on a medical or surgical instrument such as a dermatome. The blade exchange device generally includes a base portion and a blade engaging portion that engages the blade being removed or installed. The blade exchange device may be used in a system that also includes a magnetic tool for coupling and moving the blades that are removed or installed. The blade exchange device, system and method may be used, for example, with commercially available dermatome instruments such as the type known as the Goulian-Weck knife.

Abstract: Satellite communications methods include receiving communications signals including co-channel interference at a space-based component from a plurality of wireless terminals in a satellite footprint over a satellite frequency band and reducing interference in the communication signals by (a) performing co-channel interference reduction on the communications signals to generate a plurality of interference reduced signals and (b) performing multiple access interference cancellation on the interference reduced signals. An interference reducing detector for a satellite communications system includes an interference reducer configured to perform co-channel interference reduction on communications signals to generate a plurality of interference reduced signals, and a detector configured to perform multiple access interference cancellation on the interference reduced signals. Satellite communications systems and satellite gateways including interference reducing detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of transmitting a plurality of communications signals over a plurality of discontiguous bandwidth segments in a frequency band include defining a plurality (NFFT) of orthogonal subcarriers across the frequency band, defining a plurality (N) of available physical subcarriers from among the orthogonal subcarriers. The available physical subcarriers are distributed among the plurality of discontiguous bandwidth segments. The methods further include multiplexing the plurality of communications signals onto the plurality of available physical subcarriers. Multiplexing the plurality of communications signals onto the plurality of available physical subcarriers may include assigning the communications signals to respective ones of a plurality (N) of logical subcarriers, and mapping the plurality of logical subcarriers to corresponding ones of the plurality of available physical subcarriers. Related transmitters, receivers and communications systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A blade exchange device may be used to remove or install a blade on a medical or surgical instrument such as a dermatome. The blade exchange device generally includes a base portion and a blade engaging portion that engages the blade being removed or installed. The blade exchange device may be used in a system that also includes a magnetic tool for coupling and moving the blades that are removed or installed. The blade exchange device, system and method may be used, for example, with commercially available dermatome instruments such as the type known as the Goulian-Weck knife.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for providing suction and/or irrigation has a surgical tool or electrode tip mounted within the wall of an elongated housing or cannula such that the passageway through the housing is substantially unobstructed. A mounting notch is formed in the elongated housing and the surgical tool is formed with a mounting tab that matches the mounting notch. The mounting tab is positioned into the mounting notch and is substantially flush with the wall of the elongated housing. The mounting tab is then secured to the wall of the elongated housing, for example, by laser welding. The surgical tool can be formed with various different tip shapes including, but not limited to, a J hook, an L hook, a spatula, a needle, and a ball. In one example, the surgical instrument is used as a laparoscopic electrosurgical instrument and the elongated housing and surgical tool are made of electrically conductive materials.

Abstract: A threaded quick disconnect adapter is used to connect one or more different surgical probes, such as laparoscopic probes, to a valve device, such as a trumpet valve. The threaded quick disconnect adapter includes an adapter body having first and second ends. A valve engaging portion is disposed on the first end of the adapter body and is preferably threaded to threadably engaging an outlet on the valve. A threaded probe engaging portion is disposed on the second end of the adapter body for threadably engaging a probe base on one of the probes. A sealing portion, such as an O-ring, is also disposed on the second end for sealing with the probe base. The threaded probe engaging portion has a larger outer diameter than the sealing portion. In one example, the probe is attached with first a linear motion to engage the probe base with the sealing portion and then a rotating or twisting motion to thread the probe base on the threaded probe engaging portion.