Abstract: A surgical method in one method includes making an opening in the skin of a patient having an orthopedic condition involving a nerve pathology producing pain, positioning an instrument in the opening, the instrument having first and second substantially opposed arcuate arms, each arm having a concave inside surface so that the arms substantially define a rounded space, and a third component located substantially at a periphery of the rounded space, retaining an internal target tissue comprising a nerve on the instrument, causing an emitter to apply an emission signal upon the retained tissue, causing a detector to receive an evaluation signal from the internal target tissue, wherein the evaluation signal is a tissue response to the emission signal, causing a processor to receive the evaluation signal from the detector, receiving an indicia about the nerve from the processor, and retracting the third component in response to the indicia.

Abstract: A surgical method in one method includes making an opening in the skin of a patient having an orthopedic condition involving a nerve pathology producing pain, positioning an instrument in the opening, the instrument having first and second substantially opposed arcuate arms, each arm having a concave inside surface so that the arms substantially define a rounded space, and a third component located substantially at a periphery of the rounded space, retaining an internal target tissue comprising a nerve on the instrument, causing an emitter to apply an emission signal upon the retained tissue, causing a detector to receive an evaluation signal from the internal target tissue, wherein the evaluation signal is a tissue response to the emission signal, causing a processor to receive the evaluation signal from the detector, receiving an indicia about the nerve from the processor, and retracting the third component in response to the indicia.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), is configured for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure. The scalpel evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and performs the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits a signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted signal to determine whether a nerve is in the incision path. The surgical instrument includes a retractable blade. Evaluation includes determining whether a nerve is present before incision and/or evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured. A warning is provided when a nerve is in the incision path and/or the captured target tissue is inappropriate. The surgical instrument disables extension of the blade when a nerve is in the dissection path and/or the captured target tissue is inappropriate.

Abstract: The subject invention is a surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), particularly designed for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure, that evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and is used to perform the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits an evaluation signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted evaluation signal to determine the presence of a nerve in the incision path. The dissection and evaluation (surgical) instrument includes a blade that is retractable relative to a target tissue capture area thereof. Evaluation may include determining the presence of a nerve before incision and/or the evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus is provided for visualization or imaging of the transverse carpal ligament and surrounding structures/features of a hand of a patient, and treatment of the transverse carpal ligament, particularly, but not necessarily, for performing non-invasive carpal tunnel release. The subject invention utilizes ultrasound waves preferably, but not necessarily, in the high frequency range and cavitations to image the transverse carpal ligament (TCL), record its location in three-dimensional space, and perform precision treatment on the transverse carpal ligament. Treatment may range from stretching or lengthening the TCL to complete tissue ablation or dissection of a portion or portions of the TCL (as is performed in a standard carpal tunnel release procedure) in order to release pressure within the carpal tunnel. Particularly, high temperature conditions are generated at target tissue of the TCL resulting in elongation or necrosis/dissection.

Abstract: The subject invention is a surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), particularly designed for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure, that evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and is used to perform the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits an evaluation signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted evaluation signal to determine the presence of a nerve in the incision path. The dissection and evaluation (surgical) instrument includes a blade that is retractable relative to a target tissue capture area thereof. Evaluation may include determining the presence of a nerve before incision and/or the evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured. A warning is provided when the evaluation determines that a nerve is in the incision path and/or when the captured target tissue is determined to be inappropriate.

Abstract: A ventilated garment includes a head cover and a ventilation system associated with the head cover. The ventilation system can include a helmet supported by the wearer of the garment and a number of piezo fan assemblies mounted on the helmet. The piezo fan assemblies includes a number of piezo blades that generate airflow from piezo-induced oscillation of the blades. In certain embodiments, the piezo fan assemblies can include multiple outlet ducts to provide directed airflow in multiple directions.

Abstract: A ventilated garment includes a head cover and a ventilation system associated with the head cover. The ventilation system can include a helmet supported by the wearer of the garment and a number of piezo fan assemblies mounted on the helmet. The piezo fan assemblies includes a number of piezo blades that generate airflow from piezo-induced oscillation of the blades. In certain embodiments, the piezo fan assemblies can include multiple outlet ducts to provide directed airflow in multiple directions.

Abstract: A protective garment includes a gown adapted to be worn on the torso of a person and a head cover sealingly attached to the gown. The head cover is defined by a film formed of an elastic, air impermeable, optically clear material that is configured to inflate when the airspace within the head cover is above atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the head cover inflates to a substantially spherical shape around the head of the wearer. The inflated head cover provides an airspace sufficiently large to accommodate any air-moving system associated with the protective garment. The head cover can include a filter mounted within an opening in the film, and can be provided with features for attaching the filter to a fan assembly of a helmet-mounted ventilation system.