Abstract: A blade holder tool enables a user to insert the skate blade into a sharpener unit for sharpening. The skate blade is a user-removable skate blade having a central portion and endward portions that include blade retention features that engage a user-controlled blade retention mechanism of a skate to secure the skate blade in the skate. The blade holder tool includes an upper portion graspable by a user to hold the blade holder tool and place it in an inserted position in the sharpener unit. It further includes a lower blade-engaging portion that grasps the central portion of the skate blade and locates the skate blade in a sharpening position in the sharpener unit. Because it grasps skate blade in a central portion, the blade holder tool has a universal quality enabling it to be used with skate blades of a variety of sizes or lengths.

Abstract: A skate blade sharpening system includes a clamp for retaining a skate blade in a sharpening position during a sharpening operation, with a centerline of the sharpening position having a first predetermined location relative to a first visual reference feature. A grinding wheel contacts the skate blade during sharpening and is mounted for rotation on a motor arm. A centerline of the grinding wheel has a second predetermined location relative to a second visual reference feature carried by the motor arm. An adjustment mechanism is used to move the motor arm transversely during an alignment operation to vary relative position between the grinding wheel and the sharpening position across a range that includes an aligned position in which the centerline of the grinding wheel is aligned with the centerline of the sharpening position. The aligned position is indicated by alignment of the first visual reference with the second visual reference feature.

Abstract: An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.

Abstract: A skate blade sharpening system includes a chassis and an elongated slot for receiving a skate blade, and a skate blade retention mechanism at an underside of the chassis to retain the skate blade in the sharpening position. A grinding wheel moves along the slot including the lower edge of the skate blade during sharpening. A pair of slot covers are mounted at a top surface of the chassis at respective ends of the slot. The slot covers are movable between covering and non-covering positions. In the non-covering positions the slot covers uncover the slot sufficiently to permit insertion and removal of the skate blade. In the covering positions, the slot covers cover end portions of the slot adjacent the ends of the skate blade to prevent insertion of objects through the end portions of the slot during sharpening.

Abstract: An ablation device includes first and second electrodes and an absorbent medium. The ablation device may include a permeable spacer or other mechanisms to position the ablation device in the uterus. The absorbent medium configured to absorb a conductive fluid and optionally to distend. A current can be applied to the first and second electrodes to convert the conductive fluid to a vapor or steam for ablation of the uterus.

Abstract: Uterine sounds are provided including an insertion member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen, wherein the insertion member is configured for insertion through an endocervical canal. A measurement member is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the measurement member configured to move within the lumen of the insertion member, where the distal end can protrude from the distal end of the insertion member and is configured for insertion to approximately the fundus of a uterine cavity. An expansion member is also provided transitionable between an unexpanded and expanded state, wherein the unexpanded position is configured to pass an internal cervical os, and the expanded position is configured to prevent passage. Once the expansion member is positioned, the measurement member is positioned relative to the insertion member to establish a measurement of a depth of the uterine cavity.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system and method of forming same includes an ablation device having a substrate with an outer surface and energy transport elements coupled to the outer surface. The substrate is configured to have a shape that approximates an interior shape of a uterus. The system and method further including an energy source electrically coupled to the energy transport elements and at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned in a lateral region of the uterus.

Abstract: Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments directed to cervical seals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cervical seal having adjustable length comprises a first portion and a second portion, each configured to receive an elongated central member, a length of the cervical seal corresponding to a distance between the first portion and the second portion. The cervical seal further comprises a membrane coupled to the first portion and the second portion and extending along the length of the cervical seal, wherein the first portion is movable from a first position along the elongated central member to a second position along the elongated central member, so as to change the length of the cervical seal and the membrane is configured so that a radial profile of the membrane increases in response to increasing the length of the cervical seal, so as to provide a conformable cervical seal.

Abstract: An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system and method of forming same includes an ablation device having a substrate with an outer surface and energy transport elements coupled to the outer surface. The substrate is configured to have a shape that approximates an interior shape of a uterus. The system and method further including an energy source electrically coupled to the energy transport elements and at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned in a lateral region of the uterus.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for imaging system calibration using a field replaceable unit. Certain embodiments provide a field replaceable unit for imaging system calibration. The unit includes an array of radio opaque fiducials arranged for use in image calibration for an imaging system. The unit also includes a plurality of receivers positioned around a periphery of a detector in the imaging system for use in navigation calibration for the imaging system. The unit further includes a connection for providing data regarding image calibration and navigation calibration to a processor. Additionally, the unit includes a frame for positioning the array of radio opaque fiducials and the plurality of receivers embedded in a concave target with respect to a detector in the imaging system.

Abstract: Surgical instruments include a handle, gas and electrical conduits, a hollow elongated electrode, elongated insulating sheath, and actuator mechanism. The handle has distal and proximal ends, the proximal end branching to form two arm-like portions and the distal end widening to form a tubular body portion having features sized for receiving at least an index finger and a thumb. Gas and electrical conduits are disposed within the handle for connection to external gas and electrical sources. A hollow elongated electrode extends from the handle, defines a gas conduit along its length, and is operably coupled to the gas and electrical conduits. An elongated insulating sheath encloses the electrode. An actuator mechanism alternates between two states to turn the instrument on and off. A sheath actuator slidably retracts and extends the elongated insulating sheath to increase or decrease exposure of the electrode. Methods for operating electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for imaging system calibration using a field replaceable unit. Certain embodiments provide a field replaceable unit for imaging system calibration. The unit includes an array of radio opaque fiducials arranged for use in image calibration for an imaging system. The unit also includes a plurality of receivers positioned around a periphery of a detector in the imaging system for use in navigation calibration for the imaging system. The unit further includes a connection for providing data regarding image calibration and navigation calibration to a processor. Additionally, the unit includes a frame for positioning the array of radio opaque fiducials and the plurality of receivers embedded in a concave target with respect to a detector in the imaging system.