Abstract: A flat multi-conductor cable and a method for manufacturing such a cable to maintain consistent spacing between adjacent conductors. A dielectric film is laminated to both sides of a plurality of conductors, such as flat copper conductors. The film is heated to cause the film to flow around and adhere to the conductors. A jacket is extruded around the dielectric film to form a jacketed multi-conductor cable. A conductive shield may be applied over the dielectric film prior to the extrusion of the cable jacket. The conductive shield may be conductively coupled to one or more of the conductors by dimpling the shield over the respective conductors or by a laser ablation technique.

Abstract: An applicator and an electro-mechanical applicator drive system for automatically emptying the liquid components from respective syringes in a controlled manner for co-applying fibrin sealant components with a gas to form a spray. The applicator drive system includes a piston elevator section which moves the syringe pistons of the respective syringes in unison. The applicator drive system further includes at least one syringe piston force sensor which senses a force required by the piston elevator section to move at least one of the syringe pistons forward and outputs a force sensor signal. A controller is provided which controls movement of a piston elevator of the piston elevator section based on the force sensor signal.

Abstract: A multi-function control system to control a variety of operations associated with a powered surgical device such as an arthroscopic surgical shaver. The system has an ergonomically designed foot switch which has a plurality of discrete force sensitive transducers arranged in an arcuate pattern. The transducers have no moving parts and have a force sensitive element which produces a variable output which is a function of the force applied by a user. The foot switch is used in conjunction with a control console which enables a user to adjust the force sensitivity threshold of the transducers. The foot switch additionally has physically discrete and tactilely sensible areas enabling a user to activate selected functions with a minimal amount of foot movement.

Abstract: An irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The irrigation/aspiration pump system operates with a selected one of a plurality of tubing sets, each tubing set being adapted to provide irrigation and aspiration for a particular surgical procedure and coded to define the type of procedure for which the tubing set is designed. Each tubing set is adapted to be received by the irrigation/aspiration pump console in a way which enables the code associated with the tubing cassette to be automatically read by a code detecting means associated with the system. The code detecting means supplies appropriate control signals to different parts of the irrigation/aspiration pump system in order to assure that the parameters with which the system will be operating, when the chosen tubing set is being used, are those for which the tubing set is designed.