Abstract: An intervertebral disc surgical system has at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are positioned parallel to one another. The working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of an electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope. The optical cannula has an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc surgical system has at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are positioned parallel to one another. The working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of an electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope. The optical cannula has an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical device for conducting surgery. The device includes a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within said tubular housing. The device further includes an actuator connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality electrodes to and from the tubular housing.

Abstract: An electrosurgical handpiece is provided that includes a squeezable handle. The squeezable handle has a back grip and a finger grip that can be squeezed to actuate electrosurgical handpiece. The back grip and the finger grip are connected by a lower malleable region that has an elasticity greater than the remainder of the squeezable handle.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical handpiece that has a first main body and a second main body. A squeezable handle connects to and across the first main body and the second main body such that, when the handle is unsqueezed, the first main body and the second main body assume a first position relative to one another. When the handle is squeezed, the first main body and the second main body assumes a second position relative to one another. An active electrosurgical electrode is slidingly mounted within the second main body and extends from the second end. A spacer is positioned around and in sliding engagement with the smaller diameter region of the first main body.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps have a body portion and two buttons. A first electrode is supported by the body portion and terminates at a first end. A second electrode is positioned parallel to the first electrode. The second electrode terminates at a second end. A sheath is positioned around the first electrode and the second electrode and terminates at a sheath end. The first end and the second end extend axially out from the sheath end, wherein the sheath is movably supported by the body portion.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc surgical system has at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are positioned parallel to one another. The working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of an electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope. The optical cannula has an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical handpiece that has a first main body and a second main body. A squeezable handle connects to and across the first main body and the second main body such that, when the handle is unsqueezed, the first main body and the second main body assume a first position relative to one another. When the handle is squeezed, the first main body and the second main body assumes a second position relative to one another. An active electrosurgical electrode is slidingly mounted within the second main body and extends from the second end. A spacer is positioned around and in sliding engagement with the smaller diameter region of the first main body.

Abstract: A disc surgical system is provided having an elongated tubular member housing and an electrosurgical electrode for excising of or shrinking tissue. The instrument includes at least one cannula having an operative end for entering an operative field of a patient, at least one guide wire having a pointed end for piercing tissue, a tapered dilator configured to slide over a guide wire; and a trephine configured to slide over a guide wire. The operative end has threads on an exterior surface of the cannula for engagement with the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical device for conducting surgery. The device includes a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within said tubular housing. The device further includes an actuator connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality electrodes to and from the tubular housing.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes making a phone call from a sender to a receiver and providing a non-audio identifier to the receiver in a phone call signal of the phone call. The non-audio identifier provides access to information of the sender by the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an enhanced surgical tool and display device for conducting surgical procedures which includes a wearable headgear including a frame for positioning an optical display into a field of view. A controller is attached to a portion of the frame and adapted to provide a computer generated image to an optical display. An optical display, including an active side for projecting a computer generated image, electrically communicates with the controller and is attached to the controller such that the active side is visible in a field of view.

Abstract: A spinal surgical system comprising a plurality of surgical components for cooperating with a electrosurgical handpiece comprising an elongated tubular member housing an electrode, with the tubular member configured to fit within and be extended down a standard sized cannula in a MIS procedure. The system components comprise one or more cannulas, straight or beveled; one or more guide wires, with and without pointed ends for piercing tissue; a tapered dilator; a trephine; and one or more depth control stops for mounting on the cannula for monitoring its depth. The system is especially useful for performing a discectomy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode for performing an EFBL procedure comprises an elongated thin, forceps-shaped structure shaped to substantially match the curvature of the skull extending from the brow upward to a position at or above the hairline. The electrode terminates at a distal end in electrically-conductive spaced tips that are bare. The electrode is bipolar and is connected to electrosurgical apparatus capable of generating RF electrosurgical currents, preferably at a frequency of about 4 MHz. Bipolar forceps can also be provided at the end of a flexible tip handpiece, the forceps being manipulated by extending and retracting the forceps from the handpiece end.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical electrode for treating diseased tissue and lesions. The electrosurgical electrode when used to sever tissue is characterized by reduced heating and reduced tissue alteration at the severed surfaces. The active end of the electrode may be the point of a needle or the sharpened edge of a blade or have other configurations. The electrode composition preferably has a core metal of mainly molybdenum clad with a cladding metal of silver with a small amount of germanium and indium. The cladding tightly bonds the silver-alloy cladding to the mainly molybdenum core metal. For specially configured electrodes, the core metal may be omitted.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for use by a surgeon that provides additional features and benefits compared with known designs. The operating mode as well as other operating parameters, especially power level, can be preset by the surgeon before commencing the procedure. Five operating modes are available using a three-button fingerswitch handpiece and a 3-way footswitch, including three unipolar modes and two bipolar modes over a full range of power levels including a new turbo mode for treating heavy bleeders.

Abstract: The invention is based on the use of polyisobutylmethacrylate instead of PMMA as an adhesive or spinal fill material for treating diseases of the spine. Polyisobutylmethacrylate has several advantages over PMMA, mainly less heat is developed during the in situ polymerization process. When using any spinal adhesive of fill material that is light activated, a tube can be used to transmit activating light to the light-activated adhesive or spinal polymerizable fill material at the surgical site. In addition, a mesh bag comprising optical fibers or similar light transmitting material can be employed to receive the injected light-activated fill, with the mesh bag, irradiated externally, for directing the light via the bag to the polymerizable fill.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for spinal procedures comprises a generally scoop-shaped cup whose periphery is electrically active and is capable of applying RF electrosurgical currents to spinal tissue. The active electrode may comprise an exposed bare wire at the leading edge of the cup. A conduit in a handle section can convey suction to the cup. A tissue clearing member is pivotably mounted on or inside the cup and can be manipulated via a lever on the handle to help dislodge tissue. The tissue clearing member may be a radially-extending vane for rotation in the plane of the cup edge. The tissue clearing member may also be made electrically active thus selectively providing unipolar or bipolar operation.