Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a plastic hub which is received by a handpiece for operating the instrument. The plastic hub includes a wall that encloses a passage that receives a surgical tool-carrying member, and at least one detectable coding element is embedded at a selected circumferential position in the wall. For example, the coding element is embedded in a hole disposed in the wall. Alternatively, the coding element is molded into the wall during injection molding of the hub. The coding element is, for example, a magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a surgical device includes a housing and a magnetic switching element mounted on the housing. The magnetic switching element includes a magnet, a magnetic sensor configured to produce a control signal for controlling the surgical device, and an actuator mounted on the housing for movement between a first position in which a magnetic field of the magnet is decoupled from the magnetic sensor and a second position in which the magnetic field is coupled to the magnetic sensor so as to change a value of the control signal produced by the magnetic sensor. The magnetic switching element may also include magnetically soft material positioned so that movement of the actuator causes relative movement between the magnet and the magnetically soft material.

Abstract: A surgical system, adapted to operate with at least one surgical device, has a handpiece containing a motor which is adapted to receive the surgical device. The surgical device is driven through a continuum of positions by the motor output shaft. A controller microprocessor controls the operation of the system. The motor has sensors for generating electrical position signals and the controller is responsive to input signals for defining both a stop position and a reversal position for the surgical device. As a result, the controller initiates operation of the surgical device at the so called stop position and stops operation of the surgical device so that it comes to rest substantially at the stop position. In an oscillatory mode of operation, the controller also forces reversals to occur solely at a reversal position dictated by the system, under the control of the user.

Abstract: A forceps having forceps jaws operated by manually operable handle also has a cable connected between the forceps jaws and a manually operable actuator such that the forceps jaws are swung to a desired position when the actuator is operated.

Abstract: A surgical device including a handpiece adapted to receive a surgical tool, a motor driven drive shaft for rotating the tool about an axis, a static seal element sealed to the motor assembly, and a dynamic seal element sealed to the drive shaft, the seal elements having mating sealing portions defining a face seal in a surface transverse to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A needle guide is provided which includes a hub and a needle connected to the hub. A stylet may also be provided for insertion into the hollow interior of the needle to aid in the insertion of the needle through tissue. The needle has a transverse breaking section, preferably a groove, adjacent to the hub. The breaking section is configured so that the needle will break cleanly in two at the breaking section when the hub is bent back and forth relative to the portion of the needle distal to the breaking section. An alternative embodiment of the needle guide provides a handle which extends from the hub over the needle. A hinge is provided in alignment with the needle breaking section to permit the handle to be flexed relative to the hub when the hub is moved back and forth in the manner described.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical instrument consists of an outer stationary member having a distal aperture, the wall of the outer member defining a first cutting edge at the aperture; an internal movable member disposed within the outer member, adapted to be power driven and having a second cutting edge arranged to move toward and closely past the first cutting edge in rapid, repetitive fashion to sever tissue. The instrument further includes a table extension provided at the aperture, projecting outwardly from the general contour of the body of the outer stationary member. The table extension is constructed and arranged to engage tissue against which the operator urges the instrument, in a manner to improve the repetitive cutting action.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical instrument consists of an outer stationary member having a distal aperture, the wall of the outer member defining a first cutting edge at the aperture; an internal movable member disposed within the outer member, adapted to be power driven and having a second cutting edge arranged to move toward and closely past the first cutting edge in rapid, repetitive fashion to sever tissue. The instrument further includes a table extension provided at the aperture, projecting outwardly from the general contour of the body of the outer stationary member. The table extension is constructed and arranged to engage tissue against which the operator urges the instrument, in a manner to improve the repetitive cutting action.

Abstract: A single-motor surgical system for operating a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, consisting of a handpiece containing the motor and adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of the surgical devices, each device having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, the handpiece including an automatic sensor for sensing the indicator, and controls responsive to the sensor to automatically establish the operational limit of the motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by the handpiece.

Abstract: Cutting-suctioning instrument having an elongated support and first and second, opposed distal jaws, at least one of which is pivotable about a transverse axis and adapted to be closed by an actuator, and a suction throat defined between proximal portions of the two jaws. Preferably, a sliding inner tube, which defines the suction passage, serves as actuator to move the pivotable jaw. As a cutter for meniscal cartilage, a hollow tube defining a tissue-fragment transport, suction passage is arranged to communicate through the open throat with the region between the jaws to receive cut tissue while suction is associated with the proximal end of the instrument for enabling tissue to be drawn from between the jaws, through the throat and thence through the transport passage while the instrument remains in situ for repeated cutting. Preferred embodiments of the instrument are especially useful in arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: Cutting-suctioning instrument having an elongated support and first and second, opposed distal jaws, at least one of which is pivotable about a transverse axis and adapted to be closed by an actuator, and a suction throat defined between proximal portions of the two jaws. Preferably, a sliding inner tube, which defines the suction passage, serves as actuator to move the pivotable jaw. As a cutter for meniscal cartilage, a hollow tube defining a tissue-fragment transport, suction passage is arranged to communicate through the open throat with the region between the jaws to receive cut tissue while suction is associated with the proximal end of the instrument for enabling tissue to be drawn from between the jaws, through the throat and then through the transport passage while the instrument remains in situ for repeated cutting. Preferred embodiments of the instrument are especially useful in arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful in joint surgery for instance closed surgery of the knee. When in the form of a rotary vacuum shaver it comprises an external stationary tube having a side-facing, axially extending shaving port and an internal rotary blade capable of rotating at a slow speed, of the order of 200 rpm or below. Radial bearing portions at both proximal and distal ends radially support the blade in shearing relation to the external tube. A vacuum conduit draws fluid and articles to be shaved into the shaving port, and draws discrete shavings through the instrument, while the blade is driven at shearing speeds.

Abstract: A single-motor surgical system for operating a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, consisting of a handpiece containing the motor and adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of the surgical devices, each device having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, the handpiece including an automatic sensor for sensing the indicator, and controls responsive to the sensor to automatically establish the operational limit of the motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by the handpiece.