Abstract: An exemplary capsule apparatus is provided, which includes a capsule having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A terminal portion of the capsule at the first end has a tapered end that has a section which curves toward a center of the terminal portion. Additionally, a tethered capsule apparatus includes a capsule configured to provide imaging optics having an orifice provided at least one end thereof. A tether having a proximal end and a distal end is also be provided The distal end of the tether has an enlarged end portion that is greater than a width of a neighboring portion, and the enlarged end portion can be positioned and configured to be secured in the orifice.

Abstract: An exemplary capsule apparatus is provided, which includes a capsule having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A terminal portion of the capsule at the first end has a tapered end that has a section which curves toward a center of the terminal portion. Additionally, a tethered capsule apparatus includes a capsule configured to provide imaging optics having an orifice provided at least one end thereof. A tether having a proximal end and a distal end is also be provided. The distal end of the tether has an enlarged end portion that has a width that is greater than a width of a neighboring portion, and the enlarged end portion can be positioned and configured to be secured in the orifice.

Abstract: An exemplary capsule apparatus is provided, which includes a capsule having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A terminal portion of the capsule at the first end has a tapered end that has a section which curves toward a center of the terminal portion. Additionally, a tethered capsule apparatus includes a capsule configured to provide imaging optics having an orifice provided at least one end thereof. A tether having a proximal end and a distal end is also be provided. The distal end of the tether has an enlarged end portion that has a width that is greater than a width of a neighboring portion, and the enlarged end portion can be positioned and configured to be secured in the orifice.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that utilize high-pressure liquid jets to perform a variety of useful functions. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are described incorporating one or more liquid jets utilized to contact tissue excised by a non-liquid jet tissue-cutting component of the surgical instrument. In certain embodiments, a liquid jet of a surgical instrument can be utilized for the purpose of excising tissue of a patient immobilized and/or manipulated by the surgical instrument. Also described are surgical devices of the type characterized by curettes, rongeurs, bone punches, bone cutting forceps, morcellators, surgical micrograspers, with functionality and performance supplemented by the integration of a liquid jet. Also disclosed are methods of using certain liquid jet-containing surgical instruments for performing surgical procedures, for example surgical procedures on the spinal column of a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of surgical instruments for forming a liquid jet, which are useful for performing a wide variety of surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the invention provides surgical liquid jet instruments having a pressure tube and an evacuation tube, where the pressure tube includes at least one nozzle for forming a liquid jet and where the evacuation tube includes a jet-receiving opening for receiving the liquid jet when the instrument is in operation. In some embodiments, the surgical liquid jet instrument is constructed to minimize damage to the tissue surrounding the tissue that is desired to be removed. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the distal tip of the evacuation tube wall and/or the pressure tube wall is blunted to minimize tissue damage. The invention also provides surgical methods utilizing the inventive surgical liquid jet instruments for cutting or ablating a selected tissue within portions of a patient's spine, such as within the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that utilize high-pressure liquid jets to perform a variety of useful functions. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are described incorporating one or more liquid jets utilized to contact tissue excised by a non-liquid jet tissue-cutting component of the surgical instrument for the purpose of further cutting the excised tissue and/or fragmenting and/or disaggregating at least a portion of the excised tissue into a plurality of small particles and/or facilitating or assisting removal of excised tissue from a surgical site without the need to remove the instrument from the surgical site. In certain embodiments, a liquid jet of a surgical instrument can be utilized for the purpose of excising tissue of a patient immobilized and/or manipulated by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for continuous imaging and for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises a housing secured to a patient's body, a transducer mounted within the housing, means for controlling the transducer to insonify the drug carrier with an ultrasonic signal and to thereby cause the release of the agent, and means for processing an ultrasonic echo signal to produce an image. Also, a method for controlling release of an encapsulated agent from a carrier comprises the steps of measuring a physiological parameter of a patient based on an ultrasonic echo signal, comparing the physiological parameter to a threshold, and transmitting an ultrasonic signal to insonify the carrier and thereby cause the release of the agent from the carrier in accord with the measured physiological parameter.

Abstract: In the present invention, an intraoperative ultrasound transducer probe, or intraoperative probe, has a housing, to which, interchangeable accessories may be attached. The interchangeable accessories adapt the intraoperative probe's shape to provide access to a patient's body parts in confined spaces in intraoperative environments. In one embodiment of the present invention a first interchangeable accessory has an extension handle that may be attached to the intraoperative probe to enable an operator to reach into surgical incisions and view the patient's body parts. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention a second interchangeable accessory has a finger cuff for attaching the intraoperative probe to an operator's finger. The finger cuff may be used in place of the extension handle, providing access to a patient's body parts in confined spaces, such as the posterior side of the heart for epicardial imaging during open heart surgery.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe including a sensor head having an array of ultrasonic transducer elements is disclosed. The sensor head is located at the tip of a flexible shaft. The flexible shaft houses a flex circuit which is electrically connected directly to the transducer elements. The flex circuit transmits electrical signals from the transducer elements to the handle of the probe. The flexible shaft is bendable in all directions and can bend in a sharp radius in the region near the tip of the flexible shaft.