Abstract: Corrosion-resistant tools for use in oil and/or gas wells are described. These tools include at least one component formed of a metal that has a lower density and different physical properties than steel and also a lower resistance to acids in the well environment. The lower density component may be formed of an aluminum alloy and may be shielded by steel components and sealing components of the tool.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods of using the surgical devices are disclosed. The surgical devices generally include a trocar, a cannula releasably mounted on the trocar, and a propulsion system operatively connected to the trocar. The cannula includes a hub, and has a central opening through which the trocar extends. The propulsion system is operable to drive the trocar axially in a forward direction away from a proximal end of the surgical device.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising: a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening; a gas source external to the internal space; an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space; a source of partial vacuum adapted to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter; a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space; a display adapted to provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the inter

Abstract: An ophthalmic system (100) having an ophthalmic cassette (104) for operative engagement with an ophthalmic apparatus (102) is disclosed. The ophthalmic cassette (104) includes a cassette body (108) having a manifold (124) defining an inlet port (180) in fluid flow communication with first and second fluid pathways (120/122) which are in selective fluid flow communication with respective first and second storage chambers (116/118) such that fluid enters either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118). The ophthalmic apparatus (102) is operable to permit alternate fluid flow communication between the inlet port (108) and either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118) during operation of the ophthalmic system (100).

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace in which in a gas space above at least one hearth an annular baffle is provided above the rabble arms of that hearth. The annular baffle modifies gas flow in the gas space, in particular gas residence times above the hearth. This in turn can enhance performance of the furnace, for example in respect of carbon monoxide emissions.

Abstract: A surgical device and methods of using the surgical device are disclosed. The surgical device includes a trocar, a cannula releasably mounted on the trocar, and a propulsion system operatively connected to the trocar. The cannula includes a hub, and has a central opening through which the trocar extends. The propulsion system is operable to drive the trocar axially in a forward direction away from a proximal end of the surgical device.

Abstract: Method and device for optimizing combustion in combustion devices. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an oxygen enriching device, wherein the oxygen enriching device comprises a chamber, the chamber comprising at least two sections, introducing ambient air in a laminar flow into a first section of the at least two sections, converting the laminar air flow from a translational movement into a rotational movement using spiral guiding surfaces disposed inside the first section of said at least two sections, ionizing ionizable components of the ambient air by applying ionization energy thereto in form of a pulsed direct current electric field, separating ionized components from non-ionized components by using the electric field, and introducing the separated ionized components into a combustion chamber of a combustion device, and discharging the separated non-ionized components from the oxygen enriching device by passing separated non-ionized compounds from the first section into the second section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle operates a microsurgical instrument on a surgical instrument head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a ring mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The ring is operatively associated with the surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.

Abstract: A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally includes a handle having a first end a second end, a trocar disposed adjacent the first end of the handle, a plurality of cannulas disposed on the trocar simultaneously, and a drive system. The drive system is disposed for forward movement of the cannulas in a longitudinal direction away from the first end of the handle.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system (100) having an ophthalmic cassette (104) for operative engagement with an ophthalmic apparatus (102) is disclosed. The ophthalmic cassette (104) includes a cassette body (108) having a manifold (124) defining an inlet port (180) in fluid flow communication with first and second fluid pathways (120/122) which are in selective fluid flow communication with respective first and second storage chambers (116/118) such that fluid enters either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118). The ophthalmic apparatus (102) is operable to permit alternate fluid flow communication between the inlet port (108) and either the first storage chamber (116) or the second storage chamber (118) during operation of the ophthalmic system (100).

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument has a pair of operative surgical surfaces that are moved relative to each other in shearing or grasping procedures performed by the instrument. The instrument has a handle containing an elongate center rod with a ring mounted for reciprocating movement on the rod. A tube is secured to the ring and a shaft extends through the tube and is secured to the rod. The handle also includes a plurality of resilient arms that extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring on the rod. The plurality of actuator arms are alternatively manually compressed radially inwardly by the surgeon's hand and released by the surgeon's hand to allow the arms to flex radially inwardly and outwardly. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod and causes the tube and shaft to move axially relative to each other.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle operates a microsurgical instrument on a surgical instrument head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a ring mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The ring is operatively associated with the surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace in which in a gas space above at least one hearth an annular baffle is provided above the rabble arms of that hearth. The annular baffle modifies gas flow in the gas space, in particular gas residence times above the hearth. This in turn can enhance performance of the furnace, for example in respect of carbon monoxide emissions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle operates a microsurgical instrument on a surgical instrument head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a ring mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The ring is operatively associated with the surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.

Abstract: A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption.

Abstract: An irrigating cannula includes a hub having an inner passage and a side port extending through the hub and connecting to the inner passage. The inner passage is configured to receive an instrument, and a fluid passage is defined between the hub and the instrument. The fluid passage is configured to deliver a fluid through an incision in a body.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator apparatus controls a variable output signal to electrodes. The generator apparatus operates in a cut mode, a coagulation mode or a stimulate mode. The generator apparatus comprises a DC power supply that provides regulated low voltage and high voltage outputs and a radio frequency (RF) waveform generator circuit that provides pulse duration modulation (PDM) of a carrier signal. The carrier signal directly affects the variable output signal to the electrodes. A control circuit controls a variable output signal to electrodes used in electrosurgical procedures. The control circuit comprises a DC power supply circuit that provides regulated low voltage and high voltage outputs and an RF waveform generator circuit that provides pulse duration modulation of a carrier signal. The carrier signal directly affects the variable output signal to the electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for a hybrid electrochemical cell which utilizes two different chemistries in the same cell. According to one aspect, the hybrid cell includes a first pair of electrode units which form a first electrochemical cell and a second pair of electrode units, which form a second electrochemical cell. The second electrochemical cell utilizes a different chemistry than the first electrochemical cells, but both chemistries share a common electrolyte. The hybrid cell further comprises a common electrolyte layer provided between each pair of electrodes. In certain implementations, the common electrolyte layer is a single cavity such that the electrolyte is shared between both the first and the second electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A stacked energy storage device (ESD) has at least two cell segments arranged in a stack. Each cell segment may have a first electrode unit having a first active material electrode, a second electrode unit having a second active material electrode, and an electrolyte layer between the active material electrodes. Variable volume containment may be used to control the inter-electrode spacing within each cell segment. In some embodiments, one or more dynamic flexible gaskets may be included in each cell segment to seal the electrolyte within the cell segment and to deform in preferred directions. In some embodiments, hard stops may set the inter-electrode spacing of the ESD.