Abstract: Disposable, bipolar electrosurgical forceps are designed to prevent the sticking of body tissue to the tips of the forceps and include a pair of electrode arms having lengths with opposite proximal and distal ends, with thin layers of biocompatible metal on the forceps arm distal ends and bipolar electrical conductors permanently secured to the forceps arm proximal ends.

Abstract: Disposable, bipolar electrosurgical forceps are designed to prevent the sticking of body tissue to the tips of the forceps and include a pair of electrode arms having lengths with opposite proximal and distal ends, with thin layers of biocompatible metal on the forceps arm distal ends and bipolar electrical conductors permanently secured to the forceps arm proximal ends.

Abstract: An energy storage device is provided that includes a bipolar conductive substrate having a first side coupled to a first substack and a second side coupled to a second substack. The first and second substacks have a plurality of alternately stacked positive and negative monopolar electrode units. Each respective monopolar electrode unit has a first and second active material electrode layer on opposing sides of a conductive pathway. A separator is provided between adjacent monopolar electrode units. The conductive pathways of the positive monopolar electrode units are electronically coupled to form a positive tabbed current bus, and the conductive pathways of the negative monopolar electrode units are electronically coupled to form a negative tabbed current bus. The negative tabbed current bus of the first substack and the positive tabbed current bus of the second substack are coupled to the first and second side of the bipolar conductive substrate respectively.

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 deoxygenating ophthalmic fluid are disclosed. The systems include an infusion system having a valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of gas, a first outlet in fluid communication with a container of ophthalmic fluid, and a second outlet in fluid communication with an infusion line of the system. The valve directs gas into the fluid disposed in the container to deoxygenate the fluid, and the deoxygenated fluid is then injected into the eye.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument is constructed to an extremely small scale with serrations formed on opposed operative microsurgical surfaces of the instrument by electric discharge machining.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle is removably attachable to a surgical instrument head for operation of a microsurgical instrument on the head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a piston mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The piston engages with a piston in the attached surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A tapered ring is mounted on the rod and engages with the piston for reciprocating the piston. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The plurality of resilient arms are alternatively squeezed radially inwardly by the surgeon's hand and released by the surgeon's hand to allow the resilient arms to flex radially outwardly. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the piston on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery illuminated directional laser probe has a handle and a rigid tubular tip projecting from the handle, and has an illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber that extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism on the handle is operable to extend distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber from the distal end of the instrument tip, and to retract the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber back into the interior of the tip. At least one of the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber is held in a curved configuration. The distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are secured to each other, whereby both the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber curve into a bent configuration as the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are extended from the distal end of the instrument tip.

Abstract: Charge information associated with an energy storage device may be determined from one or more kinetic responses of the energy storage device. Kinetic responses may include displacements, forces, pressures, or other kinetic properties, and changes in properties thereof. An indication device, such as a sensor, transducer, or other device, may be used to indicate kinetic responses. Charge information, measurements, or both, may be derived from indications of kinetic responses. Charging or discharging of an energy storage device may be controlled based on charge information.

Abstract: An illuminated laser probe primarily designed for ophthalmic surgery provides both illumination light to a surgical site and laser light to the surgical site. The probe has an elongate handle with a tubular tip extending from a distal end of the handle. A length of illumination optic fiber and a length of laser optic fiber extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism is provided on the handle at a position where the mechanism can easily be manipulated by a finger of a surgeons hand holding the handle. The mechanism is operatively connected with the laser optic fiber and is manipulated to selectively extend a distal portion of the optic fiber from the instrument tip and retract the distal portion of the optic fiber back into the instrument tip.

Abstract: Techniques, arrangements and compositions are provided to incorporate nanostructured materials into electrodes for energy storage devices. Materials such as, for example, carbon nanotubes, silicon nanowires, silicon carbide nanowires, zinc nanowires, and other materials may be used to modify electrode properties such as electronic conductivity, thermal conductivity, or durability, for example. In some embodiments, nanostructured materials may be added to electrode formulations such as, for example, slurries or powders. Nanostructured materials may be deposited directly onto active material particles or electrode components. In some embodiments, coatings may be used to assist in deposition.

Abstract: Electrode structures may include an electronically conductive foam in contact with an electronically conductive substrate. In some embodiments, the foam may be formed by coating a porous precursor material in contact with a substrate with an electronically conductive material and subsequently removing the precursor material. In some embodiments, the foam may be formed by removing a non-conductive component of a composite material in contact with a substrate, leaving a conductive component in contact with the substrate. Electrode structures may be coated with electronically conductive materials or sintered at elevated temperature to improve durability and conductivity.

Abstract: A bi-polar battery has a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto. The bi-polar battery also includes a wrapper for maintaining the seals created by the gaskets.

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. The ESD includes at least two sub-stacks, where the elements of each respective sub-stack are electrically coupled in series with other elements of the sub-stack. The sub-stacks may be placed in a single stack, and the sub-stacks may be electrically coupled in parallel, in series, or both, with other sub-stacks to create an ESD with a particular voltage and current capacity. The entire stack may be contained by a single pair of end caps.

Abstract: A bi-polar battery has a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto. The bi-polar battery also includes a wrapper for maintaining the seals created by the gaskets.

Abstract: A stacked energy storage device (ESD) has at least two conductive substrates 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. Each active material electrode may have a plurality of folded sections and planar sections to increase the ESD capacity, for example, by increasing number of interfaces within each cell segment.

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.

Abstract: A stacked battery 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. One or more gaskets may be included in each cell segment to seal the electrolyte within the cell segment. The electrode units may be “dish shaped” and may contain a pressure equalization valve to reduce electrode unit deflection and improve pressure equalization between cell segments. The pressure equalization valve may allow a gas to diffuse through adjacent cell segments and may substantially prevent electrolyte from diffusing through.