Abstract: A method and apparatus extract a signal component of a measured signal using one of two methods. If the signal component in the measured signal is a periodic signal with a certain well-defined peak-to-peak intensity value, upper and lower envelopes of the measured signal are determined and analyzed to extract said signal component of the measured signal. This signal component can further be used to calculate a desired parameter of the sample. The DC component of the signal is determined as the median value of the upper envelope, and the AC component is determined as the median value of the difference between the upper and lower envelopes. If the signal component of the measured signal is a periodic signal characterized by a specific asymmetric shape, a specific adaptive filtering is applied to the measured signal, resulting in the enhancement of the signal component relative to a noise component.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus extract a signal component of a measured signal using one of two methods. If the signal component in the measured signal is a periodic signal with a certain well-defined peak-to-peak intensity value, upper and lower envelopes of the measured signal are determined and analyzed to extract said signal component of the measured signal. This signal component can further be used to calculate a desired parameter of the sample. The DC component of the signal is determined as the median value of the upper envelope, and the AC component is determined as the median value of the difference between the upper and lower envelopes. If the signal component of the measured signal is a periodic signal characterized by a specific asymmetric shape, a specific adaptive filtering is applied to the measured signal, resulting in the enhancement of the signal component relative to a noise component.

Abstract: An electrosurgical coagulating and cutting instrument employing pairs of clamping arms having wrist portions proximal to closing ramps and jaws and configured to close at their wrists first, then their distal tips and lastly, their heels. The instrument includes mechanisms for preventing the advancement of a cutting blade when the jaws are not closed. An actuator for closing the jaws includes an actuator handle and a drive head having teeth formed therein and a pawl mounted in the handle for engaging the teeth, these latter structures forming a ratcheting mechanism. Said mechanism is controllably releaseable.

Abstract: A surgical trocar device having an obturator and cannula that requires less force to insert and remove from tissue. The cannula includes a head assembly and the obturator includes a cap assembly that have cooperating surfaces that bear against each other so that when the obturator is rotated about its axis the obturator is axially deflected within the cannula and thus more easily removed from the tissue into which the obturator is inserted. The tip of the obturator and the end of the cannula are designed to minimize tissue damage and insertion effort by providing a smooth, unencumbered surface transition. In one aspect of the invention, the tip of the cannula is smooth, continuous, and flexible and can radially deflect when the larger-diameter obturator is inserted or withdrawn though the cannula.

Abstract: The functionality and the output power delivered are evaluated in an electrosurgical generator by calculating first and second values related to the output power delivered by using separate first and second computations. The two calculated values are compared, and an error condition is indicated when the two values differ by a predetermined amount. The separate computations, coupled with the other separate activities of measuring, averaging and sampling the output current and voltage measurements, serve as an effective basis for detecting errors caused by malfunctions or equipment failure. The error condition may be used to as a basis to terminate the output power delivery or indicate the error.

Abstract: Semi-autonomously executed routines accomplish the primary functions of electrosurgical energy delivery on a responsive basis for power control purposes and to adapt the delivered output waveform to perform new and better surgical procedures. The routines include and output voltage and output current sampling routine, a control routine for establishing the width of drive pulses used to create the output waveform, a pattern generation routine for establishing the pattern of drive pulses to be delivered in one mode cycle established by a selected mode of operation, a pattern delivery routine for repeatedly delivering sequences of the mode cycle pattern of drive pulses, and a power supply control routine for varying the voltage of the drive pulses in coordination with varying the width of the drive pulses.

Abstract: DC input energy is converted into DC output voltage by the use of a switched current mode high-voltage power supply. Pulses of input current are switched through a conversion transformer and the energy content of each pulse is converted into the DC output voltage. The time widths of the input current pulses are regulated relative to the DC input and output voltages, the magnitude of the current within each input current pulse, and in relation to maintaining a plurality of different selected operational conditions. The rate at which the input current pulses are converted is changed relative to the level of the DC output voltage.

Abstract: The in-line hand operated valve controls the flow of at least the irrigation fluid or suction to a surgical site. First and second sources provide fluid and suction to the valve. Valve body source ports communicate with the source lines and a delivery port communicates with a delivery line. The valve includes collapsible internal fluid carrying channels linking these ports. Each valve mechanism includes an operator control surface, a stem, and a compressor member acting on and closing and opening the collapsible channels. A biasing element keeps the stem and compressor either open or closed. A two position interlocking mechanical switch, coupled to the stem, is extended in the ON valve position and withdrawn in the OFF position. The method of providing a valve control utilizes these shape and click open and click close systems.

Abstract: The automatically controlled pump supplies pressurized irrigation fluid to a surgical site. The pump system includes a motor in a housing and a pump in a housing defining input and output ports. The pump has a rotatable impeller. The motor is powered by batteries. The system operates in conjunction with a downstream manual suction/irrigation control valve. In one system, an ON/OFF motor switch is controlled by fluid flow above a nominal flow by a sensor typically mounted downstream of the pump. In another, flow is detected by a negative buoyancy poppet having a “leaky” valve seat. When the poppet moves, its position is sensed and the switched motor is ON. In a remote control system, the motor is remotely controlled by a switch integrated into the manual control valve. One method automatically controls a pump by monitoring fluid flow above a system minimal flow and turning ON/OFF the motor based upon flow above the minimum.

Abstract: The functionality and the mode of operation are evaluated in an electrosurgical generator by determining whether a patterned pulse signal that contributes to the generation of electrosurgical energy is as expected. A number of pulses in the patterned pulse signal is compared to an expected number of pulses, and an error condition is indicated when the two values are not the same or differ by more than a predetermined amount. The expected number of pulses depends on a mode of operation of the electrosurgical generator. The error condition may be used to as a basis to terminate the output power delivery.

Abstract: Each of a banana pin connector plug, a rolled sheet metal connector plug and a Bovie connector plug are electrically and mechanically connected an electrosurgical generator with a single adapter-less multi-plug connector device. These three connector plugs are prevalently used to connect foot-switched monopolar electrosurgical handpieces to the generator. A socket is moved into a position to connect to the banana pin connector plug, and the socket is moved out of position to permit a contact arm to move into contact with the rolled sheet metal connector plug and the Bovie connector plug.

Abstract: Output power delivery from an electrosurgical generator is evaluated to avoid malfunctions and risk conditions. Output power is delivered in a selected delivery path and the flow of output power is sensed in the selected delivery path and other delivery paths which have not been selected. The output power delivery is terminated upon determining that output power is not flowing in the selected delivery path or that output power is flowing in a delivery path that was not selected.

Abstract: A modular trocar assembly having a cannula, a passive valve seal assembly and an instrument seal assembly all releasably joined to define a central axial bore, where the passive valve seal assembly contains a valve seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when no instrument is inserted but which opens to allow for insertion of an instrument, and where the instrument seal assembly contains an instrument reducer seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when an instrument is inserted through the valve seal. The passive valve seal assembly and the instrument seal assembly are preferably composed of plastic so as to be disposable, while the cannula is preferably composed of a sterilizable material to enable reuse.

Abstract: The automatically controlled pump supplies pressurized irrigation fluid to a surgical site. The pump system includes a motor in a housing and a pump in a housing defining input and output ports. The pump has a rotatable impeller. The motor is powered by batteries. The system operates in conjunction with a downstream manual suction/irrigation control valve. In one system, an ON/OFF motor switch is controlled by fluid flow above a nominal flow by a sensor typically mounted downstream of the pump. In another, flow is detected by a negative buoyancy poppet having a “leaky” valve seat. When the poppet moves, its position is sensed and the switched motor is ON. In a remote control system, the motor is remotely controlled by a switch integrated into the manual control valve. One method automatically controls a pump by monitoring fluid flow above a system minimal flow and turning ON/OFF the motor based upon flow above the minimum.