Abstract: A surgical instrument has a channel dimensioned to receive a viewing instrument and enable the viewing instrument to be moved to or from a position near an optically transparent portion of a blunt, enclosed distal end of a shaft to provide unobstructed viewing through the distal end, and a position to the proximal side of an enclosed working area to provide viewing of the enclosed working area. A surgical instrument also or alternatively has a fluid routing switch within a shaft which can selectively connect a fluid infusion channel to at least one fluid export pore or a return channel. A method involves moving a viewing instrument to or from a position near an optically transparent portion of a blunt, enclosed distal shaft end and a proximal side of an enclosed working area. A method also or alternatively involves changing a position of a fluid routing switch within the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly disposed in the housing which moves 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 are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A pair of handles is operatively connected to the drive assembly and the handles are movable relative to the housing to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy for treating tissue. The forceps also includes a first switch disposed on the housing which is activatable to selectively deliver energy of a first electrical potential to at least one jaw member for treating tissue in a monopolar fashion.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system has a radio frequency generator and a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the housing for the generator is a calibration device for adjusting the energy output of the generator, if necessary, at the beginning of a treatment session. The calibration device has a target element with a target surface, a transducer for sensing changes in temperature of the target element with respect to the temperature of a reference element, and an energy output adjuster for adjusting the radio frequency energy output of the generator in response to a calibration signal generated by the transducer. The generator housing has a receptacle for locating the nozzle of the handheld instrument in juxtaposition with the target element so that when a plasma burst is generated as part of a calibration sequence it is incident on the target surface.

Abstract: A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member 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 are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force the drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sphincterotome is disclosed including an elongate shaft having a lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft. The lumen includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. A cutting element extends within the lumen through the proximal segment of the lumen and extends exterior of the elongate shaft along the distal segment of the lumen. A stiffening member is positioned within the distal segment of the lumen.

Abstract: An APC device to simultaneously operate a plurality of instruments for argon plasma coagulation. In order to enable simultaneous connection and operation of several instruments, the APC device provides several instrument hubs to connect the plurality of instruments and to connect a control device to all instrument hubs. The control device controls the amplitude of a high-frequency voltage and operates the APC device such that, on actuation of at least one actuation means and generation of at least one actuation signal, the high-frequency voltage is interrupted for a defined duration and then the high-frequency voltage is set to the ignition voltage level and, after ignition of the plasma on all of the APC instruments for which the actuation means is actuated, the high-frequency voltage is set to the operational voltage level.

Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first, spaced-apart position to a second position to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an insulative housing, a thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material and a sealing plate. The insulative housing has a series of electromechanical interfaces which mate with a corresponding series of electromechanical interfaces which extend from the sealing plate such that the sealing plates are a capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held between the jaw members. The thermally conductive, electrically nonconductive material is configured to encapsulate and secure the sealing plate to the insulative housing.

Abstract: A manually supported electrosurgical device comprises an elongated electrode supported for motion within an insulated housing so that in one position its operating end extends from the housing into a surgically useful position and in another position its operating end is retracted within the housing. A spring has one end connected to the housing and the other end connected to the spring so as to normally urge it to the retracted position. A manually actuable trigger supported on the housing may be depressed to force the electrode against the spring force so that its operating end extends out of the housing. When the pressure on the trigger is removed, the spring forces the electrode back into the housing. When depressed, the trigger connects the electrode to a radio frequency generator.

Abstract: For the coagulation of tissue by plasma, instruments are known that comprise a tubular probe body through which inert gas is conducted and an ignition electrode within the lumen in the region of an outlet of the probe body. A current conductor is provided to supply a coagulation current to the ignition electrode. The ignition electrode is fixed to the probe body substantially in the middle, by means of fixing devices. The present invention provides an instrument for plasma coagulation wherein a fixing device for the ignition electrode comprises a piece of sheet metal, a wafer or similar flat body, which is fixed by its longitudinal edges to the tube wall so that it extends substantially diametrically across the lumen, and to which the ignition electrode is attached.

Abstract: An ultrasonic coagulation and cutting apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer for a treatment using ultrasonic vibrations on body tissue; a probe for transmitting generated ultrasonic vibrations to the distal end thereof; a movable gripping member for cooperating with the outer surface of the probe in gripping therebetween body tissue; an operation unit operated to move the gripping member; an operation transmitting member for transmitting the operation of the operation unit to the gripping member; and high frequency power supply connecting portions for electrically connecting the probe and the gripping member to predetermined portions of a high frequency power supply for a treatment using high frequency current on the body tissue. At least coagulation of the body tissue using high frequency current is started in a first gripping state. Cutting of the body tissue using ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer is started in a second gripping state.

Abstract: An instrument for the unipolar ablation of heart tissue comprises: an electrically conductive shaft tube (20) that is electrically insulated on the outer lateral surface; an electrical connection, which is placed at the proximal end of the shaft tube (20) and which is connected to the shaft tube (20) in a conductive manner; a flushing connection, which is situated at the proximal end of the shaft tube (20) and which communicates with the bore of the shaft tube (20), and; an electrode (14), which is inserted into the distal end of the shaft tube (20), is connected to the shaft tube (20) in an electrically conductive manner, and which has at least one discharge opening (34) that communicates with the bore of the shaft tube (20). The electrode (14) is detachably connected to the distal end of the shaft tube (20).

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment tool is provided which includes: a grasping portion that has a first shoulder portion and second shoulder portion; a current-carrying portion that protrudes out from a distal end of each of the first and second shoulder portions; a pivot portion that is disposed in the distal end of the first shoulder portion so as to protrude in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the first shoulder portion, the distal end of the pivot portion being provided with an insulating portion; a wire that is connected to the grasping portion; a sheath which has a tubular shape, and into which the wire and grasping portion are inserted; a main body to which the sheath is fixed; and a sliding portion which is disposed to move in the longitudinal direction of the main body in a sliding manner, and to which the wire is connected.

Abstract: During an inspection discrete checkpoints provide data to a portable reader, enabling a record to be generated identifying each checkpoint visited during an inspection. At least one checkpoint associated with the inspection will convey ancillary data to the portable device, either in lieu of, or in addition to, a checkpoint ID uniquely identifying a location or component inspected. The ID is not ancillary data, because the only function of the ID is to verify that an inspector was present at a particular location or component. In contrast, ancillary data are data that have an additional utility. For example, a sensor may be disposed in proximity of the component or location to be inspected. Data collected by such a sensor represents ancillary data, because such data does more than uniquely identify a particular location or component that was visited during an inspection.

Abstract: An M-4 firearm having a lower receiver assembly and an upper receiver assembly. The upper receiver assembly is connected to the lower receiver assembly. The lower receiver assembly has a fire control assembly. The upper receiver assembly has a barrel and a hand guard. The hand guard has a venting features for allowing cooling air to pass therethrough. The hand guard has a heat shield mounted therein. The hand guard has at least one peripheral device mounting rail. The hand guard has an upper portion and a removable lower portion. The removable lower portion has at least one peripheral device mounting rail. The removable lower portion may be removed and replaced with a different second removable lower portion without the removal of fasteners.

Abstract: A security system for protecting articles (8), the system comprising at least one Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) loop (1) , one Emitting Unit (7) and one Detecting Unit (9) attached to each article (8) to be protected, the Detecting Unit (9) having a detector to detect electromagnetic fields emitted by the EAS loop (4) and the Emitting Unit (7) and to distinguish between them, and an alarm generator for generating an alarm if a predetermined sequence of fields is detected. The system combines existing EAS loops (4) normally present in a retail store with Emitting Units (7) and Detecting Units (9) so as to monitor movement of articles (8), especially supermarket trolleys, around the retail store.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for indicating safe or potentially hazardous operating conditions of an aircraft in a required navigational performance (RNP) environment. The apparatus comprises a course deviation display field with first and second markers defining outer boundaries of the RNP width and a central marker indicating the desired course within the RNP width, an aircraft estimated position uncertainty (EPU) marker in the display field whose size corresponds to the EPU relative to the RNP and a current aircraft position marker coupled to the EPU marker and moving therewith as the aircraft position changes with respect to the RNP width. The display desirably changes color and/or flashes to alert a pilot to a potentially hazardous condition when an outer boundary of the EPU marker approaches to within a predetermined guard-band distance of or overlaps either of the first or second markers. An audible warning can be included.

Abstract: An early-warning security system for monitoring and tracking in real-time the activities and movements associated with prescribed personnel, personal property, mobile vehicles, and buildings. The system comprises a plurality of in situ local controllers having a microprocessor and a coordinated plurality of conspicuous and clandestine digital video cameras for continuously producing digital audio and visual signals, uplinking such signals via a suitable wireless telecommunications device to a satellite, general packet radio service, the Internet, intranet or extranet, and then downlinking these signals to a plurality of control centers for recording and analysis thereof. Uplinking of these digital signals may occur continuously or may be activated by a manual or predefined trigger event. Preventative or remedial action is immediately taken when perturbations from normal behavior or activities are observed in the recorded audio and visual signals.

Abstract: A chime activated by a clock to sound a pleasing sound every hour, by attaching a clock to an electrical controller that operates a striker mechanism. The striker mechanism, comprising a striker ball that strikes the chime elements when rotated provides an uniquely pleasing sound. The invention also includes means of disconnecting the sound independent of clock operations as well as chime activation for a varying period or a varying number of striker rotations to provide auditory indication of the time.

Abstract: A heat detector uses a single comparator operating in conjunction with a dynamically changing thermal reference that ensures quick response to rapid rates of thermal change and a fixed threshold that indicates an ambient temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The inputs of the comparator receive different ones of the output signals of two thermal sensors. One thermal sensor responds nearly instantaneously to changes in ambient thermal conditions. The other thermal sensor is mounted on a printed circuit board operating as a heat sink and responds more slowly to changes in ambient thermal conditions. The difference between the thermal sensor output signals is zero at a lower ambient temperature when the rate of thermal change exceeds a preset amount and at a higher ambient temperature when the rate of thermal change is relatively slow.