Abstract: A surgical system for performing a surgical procedure includes a machining tool and a stationary tool. The machining tool has a first contact surface having a hardness. The stationary tool has a second contact surface at least partially formed of a magnesium alloy. The second contact surface is biocompatible and bioabsorbable, and has a hardness. The hardness of the first contact surface is greater than the hardness of the second contact surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in delivering pain medication to separate locations from a single source of pressurized medication includes a valve housing, a cap, and a flexible diaphragm. The valve housing includes a first end and a second end and an inlet passage. The first end includes first and second outlet orifices. The cap has a closed end and an open end and is removably coupled to the valve housing at the open end. The flexible diaphragm is coupled between the cap and the valve housing and is movable from a closed position to an open position. The flexible diaphragm seals a pressure chamber from the first and second outlet orifices when in the closed position and opens the first and second outlet orifices to the pressure chamber when in the open position.

Abstract: An infusion assembly for delivering therapeutic fluid to plural body sites is provided. The assembly includes a positive displacement pump that discharges the therapeutic fluid. The assembly also includes a flow regulator valve including a valve housing that defines a pressure chamber, an inlet bore that opens into the pressure chamber, and first and second outlet passageways. The first and second outlet passageways extend, respectively, from separate first and second outlet openings to a first catheter and a second catheter through which the therapeutic fluid is directed to the body sites. A controller cyclically regulates the operation of the pump so that, in a first phase of each cycle, the pump is actuated so as to cause a fluid pulse to be presented through the inlet bore of the valve housing to the diaphragm and in a second phase of each cycle, the pump is not actuated.

Abstract: A system (20) for performing an electrosurgical procedure includes a first electrode (22) for contacting a target nerve tissue area of a patient to deliver electrical energy to the target nerve tissue area. The system (20) is characterized by a multi-function hand controller (30) in communication with a control unit (24) and remote from and corresponding to a screen unit (138) for providing inputs to the control unit (24) in parallel with the screen unit (138) whereby an operator may position the multi-function hand controller (30) at a patient's side and enter inputs to said control unit (24) by either of said multi-function hand controller (30) and the screen unit (138). The multi-function hand controller (30) includes a plurality of push-buttons (52) corresponding to the screen unit (138) for entering inputs to the control unit (24). The inputs to the control unit (24) control the electrical energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in delivering pain medication to separate locations from a single source of pressurized medication includes a valve housing, a cap, and a flexible diaphragm. The valve housing includes a first end and a second end and an inlet passage. The first end includes first and second outlet orifices. The cap has a closed end and an open end and is removably coupled to the valve housing at the open end. The flexible diaphragm is coupled between the cap and the valve housing and is movable from a closed position to an open position. The flexible diaphragm seals a pressure chamber from the first and second outlet orifices when in the closed position and opens the first and second outlet orifices to the pressure chamber when in the open position.

Abstract: A medication delivery system includes a reservoir for storing a supply of medication and a pump assembly coupled to the reservoir. The pump assembly has a pump inlet and a pump outlet and is controllable to provide a flow of medication in the form of a series of pulses. The pump outlet is subdivided into a plurality of legs. A controller is coupled to the pump assembly for controlling the pump assembly and receives a desired flow of medication and responsively controls the pump assembly to provide a series of pulses of medication to provide the desired flow of medication. The series of pulses are determined to provide an outlet pressure at the pump outlet adapted to reduce an effect of any differential pressure between the legs.