Abstract: An endoscopic forceps for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto which has first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes an actuator for moving jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of operating in a bipolar mode which enables the jaw members to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue. The forceps also includes a monopolar element housed within the first jaw member which is selectively movable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position distal to the first jaw member.

Abstract: A method for electrosurgically sealing a tissue includes steps of: (A) applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and (B) applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and keeping constant or varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses of subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs during the individual RF energy pulses. The method terminates the generation of the at least one subsequent RF pulse upon a determination that the electrical transient is absent.

Abstract: A receptacle for sensors insertable into a gas stream, houses at least one sensor for controlling at least one physical/chemical parameter of the gas stream, and is defined by at least one boundary wall, at least part of which is defined by a filtering element permeable solely to the gaseous phase of the gas stream.

Abstract: A probe cover having a portion that operates as a blackbody. The blackbody rapidly heats to equilibrium with the body tissue. An infrared thermometer using the probe cover may view the blackbody to acquire the temperature of the body tissue temperature being measured.

Abstract: A thermometry assembly includes a thermometer and a mount for mounting the thermometer on a wall or other support structure. The thermometry assembly has an anti-theft system for deterring theft of the thermometer. The anti-theft system generally includes a counter that counts the number of uses of the thermometer during a period beginning from the time the thermometer was last on the mount. A microcontroller of the thermometer is programmed to disable further operation of the thermometer when a threshold number has been reached or exceeded by the counter. The counter is reset when the thermometer is returned to the mount. The anti-theft system includes a solid-state sensor that is activated by a magnet in the mount. The sensor signals to the microcontroller to reset the counter when it is activated by the magnet.

Abstract: An infection-preventing gastrostomy catheter kit to be used in the gastrostomy, which can pass an intragastric retainer of a catheter easily and reliably through an infection-preventing sheath by an easy maneuver, and which can reduce the diameter of the infection-preventing sheath. The catheter kit comprises: a gastrostomy catheter 20 including a flexible, hollow PEG tube 21 reinforced with filaments 24, an deformable intragastric retainer 23 positioned at the trailing end of the PEG tube 21, and a tapered member 22 positioned at the leading end of the PEG tube 21 for retaining the leading end portion 40a of a guide wire 40 inserted from a leading end hole 22a thereof; and an infection-preventing sheath 1 including a flexible, hollow tubular body 2, and a socket member having a socket 4 positioned at the trailing end of the tubular body 2 for retaining the intragastric retainer 23, and pins 5, thereby removably sheathing the gastrostomy catheter 20.

Abstract: A concealment belt having a first member and a second member, each member if forms a cavity by folding a first fold and a second fold. The first member is inserted into the second member with a feeding device, such as a feeding tube within and concealed by the first and second member. The first and second member move relative one another to adjust to the amount of feeding device that needs to be concealed.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Abstract: A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. The connector can include a magnet for magnetically coupling the connector to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seal in an electrosurgical device includes placing components of the electrosurgical device within an elongated housing section, the housing section including an actuator opening, introducing the housing section within a mold filled with a liquid thermoplastic elastomer and allowing the elastomer to flow within the housing, forming an elastomeric inwardly-extending lip portion circumferentially surrounding an opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device for introducing an electrode therein, and allowing the molded elastomer to cure and become integral with the housing to seal the components within the molded elastomer contained within the housing section. The method may also include the step of forming an elastomeric actuator seal around the actuator opening.

Abstract: A medical suturing tool 10 is composed of an insertion puncture needle 13 having an insertion hole 13a, a retrieval puncture needle 14 disposed in parallel with the insertion puncture needle 13, a lock part 15, and a surgical suture 16. A vertically elongated opening 18 is formed on the side surface of the insertion puncture needle 13, and an engaging groove 19 including a wide upper portion 19a and a narrow lower portion 19b on the side surface of the retrieval puncture needle 14 at a position slightly lower than the portion opposing to the vertically elongated opening 18. The lock part 15 is composed of a spherical portion 15a which can pass through a wide upper portion 18a and cannot pass through a narrow lower portion 18b and a rod-shaped portion 15b which can pass through the narrow lower portion 18b.

Abstract: A method for electrosurgically sealing a tissue includes steps of: (A) applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and (B) applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and keeping constant or varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs during the individual RF energy pulses. The method terminates the generation of subsequent RF pulses upon a determination that the electrical transient has passed a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An automatic control system for an electrosurgical generator is herein disclosed. The automatic control system includes voltage and current sensing circuits, a processing circuit, an output determining circuit, and a control circuit. Samples of the voltage and current outputs are supplied to the processing circuit and the output determining circuit to generate an output signal. The output signal is compared to a reference signal to generate a feedback signal for controlling a drive circuit.

Abstract: A cassette of probe covers that can be removed from the set for covering a probe of a tympanic thermometer can be securely retained in a cassette holder, and readily removed when necessary. The cassette includes a retaining system that can have a detent on the cassette holder and a detent receptacle on the cassette. The detent snaps into the receptacle when the cassette is inserted into the holder. The holder is configured so that grips on the cassettes are readily accessed to grasp and hold the cassettes for removal from the holder.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a thermometer is disclosed. The thermometer comprises a primary temperature sensor for determining the temperature of a target. The thermometer also comprises a reference temperature sensor positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor. One calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor. This calibration can utilize a non-electrically conductive liquid bath for temperature control. Another calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor and the primary temperature sensor.

Abstract: A portable test apparatus for testing the accuracy of a radiation-sensing thermometer. The portable test apparatus comprises a target adapted to be maintained at a target temperature for sensing by the radiation-sensing thermometer. The apparatus also comprises a communication link adapted to receive temperature-sensing information from the radiation-sensing thermometer. The apparatus also comprises a processor adapted to analyze the received temperature-sensing information and to provide an indication to a user about whether the thermometer is functioning properly.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a thermometer is disclosed. The thermometer comprises a primary temperature sensor for determining the temperature of a target. The thermometer also comprises a reference temperature sensor positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor. One calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor. This calibration can utilize a non-electrically conductive liquid bath for temperature control. Another calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor and the primary temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient. An electromagnetic signal is applied to the neural tissue through an electrode. The electromagnetic signal has a frequency component above the physiological stimulation frequency range and an intensity sufficient to produce an alteration of the neural tissue, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain, and a waveform that prevents lethal temperature elevation of the neural tissue during application of the electromagnetic signal to the neural tissue.