Abstract: A circuit, for monitoring and controlling parameters of an electrosurgical unit, ESU, relative to load and the RF energy, has a load responsive output sensing circuit that measures the ESU load. A signal modifier, attached to the sensing circuit enhances the signals measured and transmits them to a buffer. An analog to digital converter, A/D, digitize the signals and samples wave pulse train at about eight million samples per second. A data memory stores the digitized signals. A RF drive clock connects to the ESU output; a sample clock uses phase shifting to interrogate the input signals to a processor, DSP, at a greater sampling rate of frequency than without. The DSP receives the stored signals from the data memory and processes them while monitoring and calculating ESU parameters measured, i.e.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical apparatus having four general embodiments: (1) the use of an ultrasonic vibrator and a radio frequency generator to simultaneously cut and cauterize tissue, (2) the use of an ultrasonic vibrator to cut tissue coupled with the independent use of a radio frequency generator to cut tissue, (3) the exclusive use of a radio frequency generator to cut and cauterize tissue, and (4) the use of a laser to fulgerate tissue. An aspiration system is preferably combined with these embodiments to facilitate surgery and biopsy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic and electrosurgical handpiece housing has an axis, a distal end, a proximal end and a passage defined by an inside wall. A piezo stack has elements carried along a plane generally transverse to the axis. A retainer for the elements has distal, intermediate and proximal portions. The distal portion has a fastener; the proximal portion has a threaded shoulder bolt. The stack about the shoulder has an energy input and a reference output positioned axially apart from one another. An insulating sleeve about the bolt is between central openings of the elements and the bolt. A pair of insulators about the bolt has the stack therebetween; one insulator is between the plane and the stack and the other is near the threads. The intermediate portion attaches to the housing at the plane with decoupling and sealing. An irrigation channel conveys fluid. The drive energy input, the feedback signal and the reference outputs are insulated by the sleeve and pair from the bolt.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece to which is connected a first active electrode and a second return electrode having exposed distal ends which define a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.

Abstract: Electrosurgical apparatus for performing at least cutting and coagulation of biological tissue, which comprises a hand operated electrosurgical pencil comprising an electrically insulated housing and an electrode with a distal end defining a tip, means for supplying high-frequency, alternating current, electrical energy from a generator through the electrode to the tissue and means for returning electrical energy from the tissue to the generator to complete an electrical circuit, switching means mounted on the housing for selecting the cut mode or the coagulating mode, which switching means is connected to an isolated low voltage, direct current circuit which provides an appropriate signal to control the generator in the cut mode or coagulating mode, respectively, whereby the generator supplies the desired high-frequency, alternating current, electrical energy to the electrode and current leakage is limited.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tubular trocar system has a hollow tube substantially longer than its diameter. The tube is shaped for insertion in a direction generally along its axis through tissue of a human or animal body. Distal and proximal ends on the tube enter and remain outside the tissue, respectively. A tip on the distal end punctures tissue of a human or animal. An insulating portion of high dielectric material extends along the tube between the distal and proximal ends. An electrode on the insulating portion extends from the proximal end to the tip to transmit radio frequency energy. An energy supply at the electrode proximal end permits the passage of energy to the tip. An electrosurgical generator as part of the energy supply has a control to regulate the amplitude and frequency of the energy. A return path in circuit with the tip and the energy supply cuts and/or coagulates. A tip point at an acute angle to the axis lessens the initial force necessary for entry of the tube.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the safety and efficiency of a hand-operated electrosurgical pencil having an exposed electrode with a distal end defining a tip for cutting biological tissue, which device comprises a nose piece adapted to be mounted about said electrode and defining at least one pathway for a stream of gas which shrouds the electrode at or near the tip thereof, and electrosurgical apparatus incorporating the device and a method for cutting biological tissue using the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical circuit system which provides electrical energy to a surgical apparatus having ultrasonic fragmentation, aspiration and electrosurgical coagulation capabilities, which system also includes an impedance sensing network and automatic feedback power output control to reduce RF power output as load impedance increases, thereby reducing RF leakage current.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the safety and efficiency of a hand-operated electrosurgical pencil having an electrode with a distal end defining a tip for cutting or coagulating biological tissue, which device comprises a nose piece adapted to be mounted about said electrode and containing conduit means defining converging pathways for streams of gas which impinge obliquely on said electrode at or near the tip thereof, and electrosurgical apparatus incorporating said device and a method for coagulating or cutting biological tissue using said apparatus.

Abstract: An improved device for delivering RF current to the operating tool of an ultrasonic surgical apparatus which comprises a switch module for selecting said RF current, an electrically conducting metal band connected to the switch module and an electrically conductive O-ring in electrical contact with the metal band and located around the acoustic conecting member of the apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical aspirator having an improved irrigation/aspiration manifold and components to facilitate quick connections of the irrigation and aspiration lines to a handpiece. In combination with a handle assembly having an ultrasonic vibrator for vibrating an ultrasonic tip and a nosecone, a nosecone extension defining a rotating joint for connection to the nosecone in an articulating joint for connection to a rigid or flexible flue is provided. The nosecone extension further defines an irrigation cowl having an irrigation port for receiving an irrigation connector for connecting the irrigation fluid to the nosecone extension for passage of irrigation fluid through the nosecone extension and a flue about the surgical tip. An aspiration tubulation connector adapted to securely fit a slot through the nosecone and nosecone extension connects an aspiration port on the tip to the aspiration tube for connection to a pump into a discard area.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer comprising a plurality of elongated strips of magnetostrictive material, each strip having a proximal end, a distal end and a substantially V-shaped cross section wherein each arm of the V is formed by a longitudinal length of the strip, each strip being attached to an adjacent strip at both the proximal end and the distal end to form and integral substantially rigid column having a central axis with fins extending radially relative to said axis; and an ultrasonic resonant vibrator including such a transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic resonant vibrator comprising an ultrasonic vibration magnetostrictive transducer, and a resonant member having a proximal end and a distal end for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to an operating member which is part of the resonant structure. The vibrator comprises an integral substantially rigid column having a central axis with fins extending radially relative to said axis and having a longitudinal hole defining a tunnel centered along the central axis, wherein at least part of the resonant member is located within the tunnel; and a surgical handpiece incorporating such a vibrator.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling and disassembling threadably engageable members, which comprises: (a) wrenching means and (b) an integral securing means and torque limiter assembly; said assembly comprising, in combination, securing means operatively associated with a pinion block pivotally mounted on a solid base, said pinion block having a surface which bears against biasing means connected to force means, preferably a compression spring, which provides a predetermined amount of torquing when a first member is held in said securing means and a second member is turned relative thereto by said wrenching means, whereby the amount of torquing is limited by the pivotal movement of said pinion block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for endoscopic removal of compliant biological tissues utilizing an endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator comprising irrigation and aspiration means, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer, a first resonator such as a half-wave stepped velocity transformer, a probe including a second resonator such as a constant-stress velocity transformer, a blunt or modified working tip of open channel means or restricted tubular means for application of ultrasonic energy to cellular material, and a capacitive fluid sensor to detect the presence of irrigation fluid adjacent these transformers within the instrument. The surgery is advantageously performed by operating the transducer in the 10-20 kHz range to achieve maximum cavitation of the intracellular fluids in the tissues to be removed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generating system and method including an electrosurgical generator; and a handpiece including an active electrode connected to the electrosurgical generator for applying electrosurgical current from the generator to a patient, the handpiece having switches disposed thereat for changing the level of the output power delivered from said generator to said patient whereby the change may be effected from the sterile field of a surgical procedure. The above switches together with cut and coagulation mode switches disposed at the handpiece are so connected as to minimize the number of wires needed to connect the handpiece to the generator. Decoding circuitry for determining the status of the switches is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a novel water-insoluble, hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive that has a number of unique characteristics including being elastomeric and ultraconformable. This adhesive includes an irradiation cross-linked synthetic organic polymer having a three-dimensional matrix, and an adhesive plasticizer. The plasticizer includes a substantially non-volatile elasticizer. The adhesive is useful either as a coating on a supporting web-like substrate or as a self-supporting layer. Also provided are various articles made using the adhesive such as a bandage or ostomy device, a method of making the adhesive, and methods of using the adhesive.In one embodiment, the adhesive is electroconductive, and is useful for attaching an electrically conductive member of an electrode to a selected surface such as mammalian tissue. Also provided is an electrode having a layer of this adhesive, and a method of adhering this electrode to mammalian tissue.

Abstract: Pump actuator assembly for use in operating a pump for supplying intravenous liquid to a patient which comprises a housing having a sealed chamber therein with a portion thereof being covered by a flexible membrane. A plunger is mounted in the housing so that a portion thereof is disposed in the sealed chamber for movement between innermost and outermost positions. A constant quantity of liquid fills the sealed chamber. A booth encloses the portion of the plunger disposed in the fluid. A liquid-tight seal is provided between the booth and the housing to permit the plunger to be moved between the innermost and outermost positions so that the flexible membrane can be caused to move between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator including a patient circuit including an active electrode and a return electrode; a pulse train generating circuit an M.times.N storage device having M memory locations where M>1 and where each location contains N storage positions where N.gtoreq.1, the storage device storing at least one, K-bit binary signal, where 1<K.ltoreq.M, the bits of which are respectively stored in the Jth storage positions of K of the M memory locations where J.ltoreq.N; an output circuit for sequentially outputting the K-bit binary signal from the storage device; the electrosurgical generator being sequentially responsive to the sequentially outputted bits of the K-bit binary signal for generating an electrosurgical signal and applying this signal to the patient circuit. The storage device may take the form of one or more shift registers or EPROM's for example.