Abstract: An aspiration system to control vacuum pressure in an ultrasonic surgical handpiece to result in improved control responsiveness during aspiration. The system comprises a console including a vacuum pump. The system includes a cassette comprising a joint that divides a vacuum path into at least two flow paths. A first joint port couples to a first flow path. A second flow path is coupled to a second joint port, a third flow path is coupled to a third joint port, and a fourth flow path is coupled to a port on a surgical waste receiver. A first sensor senses pressure in the fourth flow path and provides a waste receiver pressure signal. A second sensor senses pressure in the third flow path and provides a tip pressure signal. The controller controls a position of a first vent valve and a second vent valve based on the waste receiver pressure signal and the tip pressure signal, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool with a console are provided. A first drive signal is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool. A characteristic of a harmonic signal resulting from application of the first drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical tool is acquired. A cancellation signal is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal. The first drive signal and the cancellation signal are combined to produce a second drive signal that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool such that presence of the harmonic signal resulting from application of the second drive signal is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal resulting from application of the first drive signal.

Abstract: Control console for a powered surgical tool that includes a transformer with a secondary winding across which the tool drive signal is present. Also internal to the transformer is a matched current source that consists of a leakage control winding and a capacitor. The current sourced by the matched current at least partially cancels out leakage current that may be present.

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).

Abstract: An aspiration system to control vacuum pressure in an ultrasonic surgical handpiece to result in improved control responsiveness during aspiration. The system comprises a console including a vacuum pump. The system includes a cassette comprising a joint that divides a vacuum path into at least two flow paths. A first joint port couples to a first flow path. A second flow path is coupled to a second joint port, a third flow path is coupled to a third joint port, and a fourth flow path is coupled to a port on a surgical waste receiver. A first sensor senses pressure in the fourth flow path and provides a waste receiver pressure signal. A second sensor senses pressure in the third flow path and provides a tip pressure signal. The controller controls a position of a first vent valve and a second vent valve based on the waste receiver pressure signal and the tip pressure signal, respectively.

Abstract: Control console for a powered surgical tool (310) that includes a transformer (250) with a secondary winding (264) across which the tool drive signal is present. Also internal to the transformer is a matched current source that consists of leakage control winding (246) and a capacitor. The current sourced by the matched current source at least partially cancels out leakage current that may be present.

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle includes a base for mounting in the emergency vehicle and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, wherein the arm configured to support a cot while the cot is being loaded into or unloaded from the emergency vehicle. The ambulance cot loading and unloading system further includes an indicator mounted relative to the arm and a control system, which is in communication with the indicator and configured to generate a status indication of the cot loading and unloading system at the indicator.

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle includes a base for mounting in the emergency vehicle and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, wherein the arm configured to support a cot while the cot is being loaded into or unloaded from the emergency vehicle. The ambulance cot loading and unloading system further includes an indicator mounted relative to the arm and a control system, which is in communication with the indicator and configured to generate a status indication of the cot loading and unloading system at the indicator.

Abstract: An aspiration system to control vacuum pressure in an ultrasonic surgical handpiece to result in improved control responsiveness during aspiration. The system comprises a console including a vacuum pump. The system includes a cassette comprising a joint that divides a vacuum path into at least two flow paths. A first joint port couples to a first flow path. A second flow path is coupled to a second joint port, a third flow path is coupled to a third joint port, and a fourth flow path is coupled to a port on a surgical waste receiver. A first sensor senses pressure in the fourth flow path and provides a waste receiver pressure signal. A second sensor senses pressure in the third flow path and provides a tip pressure signal. The controller controls a position of a first vent valve and a second vent valve based on the waste receiver pressure signal and the tip pressure signal, respectively.

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).

Abstract: An ambulance cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle includes a base for mounting in the emergency vehicle and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, wherein the arm configured to support a cot while the cot is being loaded into or unloaded from the emergency vehicle. The ambulance cot loading and unloading system further includes an indicator mounted relative to the arm and a control system, which is in communication with the indicator and configured to generate a status indication of the cot loading and unloading system at the indicator.

Abstract: Control consoles and methods for supplying a drive signal to a surgical tool are provided. The control console comprises a transformer with primary and secondary windings. The primary winding receives an input signal from a power source and induces the drive signal in the secondary winding to supply the drive signal to the surgical tool. A first current source comprising a leakage control winding is coupled to a path of the drive signal. The primary winding induces a first cancellation current in the leakage control winding to inject into the path of the drive signal to cancel leakage current. A sensor coupled to the path of the drive signal outputs a sensed signal to provide feedback related to leakage current. The sensor may connect to a second leakage current cancellation source and/or a fault detection stage. The power source may be variable and may also energize the second current source.

Abstract: An ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle comprises a cot having a head end, a base for mounting to a deck of an emergency vehicle, a track mounted for linear movement along said base, and an arm mounted for linear movement along said track from a retracted position to an extended position. The arm is and configured to engage the cot, and wherein when the track is extended along the base and the arm is extended along the track the arm is extended from the base in an extended position and is configured for lifting the cot and providing cantilevered support to the cot while in the extended position.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, uses the ability to communicate with a device via near field communication to determine that the device is physically proximate the support apparatus. The support apparatus uses this determination to associate itself with the device. In some instances, the associated device is a mattress positioned on the support apparatus; a footboard on the support apparatus; a medical device used with a patient supported on the support device; a nearby piece of furniture; another patient support apparatus; or an ID tag worn by a caregiver or patient, or attached to a piece of equipment. After the support apparatus and device are associated, they communicate information between each other using far field communication, which supports higher data transfer rates. Flux concentrators are added in some embodiments to extend and/or shape the range of near the field communication.

Abstract: Control console for a powered surgical tool (310) that includes a transformer (250) with a secondary winding (264) across which the tool drive signal is present. Also internal to the transformer is a matched current source that consists of leakage control winding (246) and a capacitor. The current sourced by the matched current source at least partially cancels out leakage current that may be present.

Abstract: An ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle comprises a cot having a head end, a base for mounting to a deck of an emergency vehicle, a track mounted for linear movement along said base, and an arm mounted for linear movement along said track from a retracted position to an extended position. The arm is and configured to engage the cot, and wherein when the track is extended along the base and the arm is extended along the track the arm is extended from the base in an extended position and is configured for lifting the cot and providing cantilevered support to the cot while in the extended position.

Abstract: Systems (10) and methods (12) of controlling an ultrasonic surgical tool (20) with a console (22) are provided. A first drive signal (40) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20). A characteristic of a harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40) to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) is acquired. A cancellation signal (70) is generated based on the characteristic of the harmonic signal (44). The first drive signal (40) and the cancellation signal (70) are combined to produce a second drive signal (80) that is sinusoidal. The second drive signal (80) is applied to the ultrasonic surgical tool (20) such that presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the second drive signal (80) is reduced relative to presence of the harmonic signal (44) resulting from application of the first drive signal (40).