Abstract: An apparatus for driving an articulating probe comprises an elongate probe constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one predetermined degree of motion and to transition from a flexible state to a rigid state, and a force transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to apply a force to the probe. The force is selected from the group consisting of a force that causes probe to articulate in the at least one predetermined degree of motion and a force that causes the probe to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state. The base structure is attached to portion of the force transfer mechanism and the elongate probe; the base structure comprising one or more stabilizing elements constructed and arranged to resist undesired movement of the probe caused by force from the force transfer mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an articulating probe comprises an elongate probe constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one predetermined degree of motion and to transition from a flexible state to a rigid state, and a force transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to apply a force to the probe. The force is selected from the group consisting of a force that causes probe to articulate in the at least one predetermined degree of motion and a force that causes the probe to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state. The base structure is attached to portion of the force transfer mechanism and the elongate probe; the base structure comprising one or more stabilizing elements constructed and arranged to resist undesired movement of the probe caused by force from the force transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a medical procedure includes a first multi-linked mechanism comprising a plurality of first links, and a lumen therethrough; a second multi-linked mechanism comprising a plurality of second links, wherein the second multi-linked mechanism is constructed and arranged to be slidingly received by the lumen of the first multi-linked mechanism, and where the first and second multi-linked mechanisms are configured to transition from a limp state to a rigid state; a set of proximal cables comprising at least a first proximal cable and a second proximal cable; a set of distal cables comprising at least a first distal cable and a second distal cable; a cable control assembly constructed and arranged to independently apply tension to the first proximal cable and the second proximal cable; a cable interface assembly constructed and arranged to receive a force from at least the first proximal cable and the second proximal cable and to transmit a corresponding force to at least the first

Abstract: A robotic introducer system comprises a first assembly comprising a cable control assembly configured for use in a plurality of medical procedures, a second assembly comprising a distal link extension assembly configured for fewer uses than the first assembly, and a third assembly comprising an articulating probe assembly, coupled between the first and second assemblies and configured for fewer uses than the second assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an articulating probe comprises an elongate probe constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one predetermined degree of motion and to transition from a flexible state to a rigid state, and a force transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to apply a force to the probe. The force is selected from the group consisting of a force that causes probe to articulate in the at least one predetermined degree of motion and a force that causes the probe to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state. The base structure is attached to portion of the force transfer mechanism and the elongate probe; the base structure comprising one or more stabilizing elements constructed and arranged to resist undesired movement of the probe caused by force from the force transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a body, a reservoir, a filter, and a tab. The body is configured to be held in a fixed relationship relative to a stem, wherein the body comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to receive a fluid from a surgical instrument via the stem. The outlet is configured to output a first portion of the fluid from the cartridge. The reservoir is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet. The filter is configured to filter the first portion of the fluid as the first portion of the fluid is directed from the inlet, through the filter, and to the outlet. The tab connected to the body and configured to engage with the stem. The tab is configured to, when the cartridge is moved to disengage from the stem, at least one of break away from the body and become functionally inoperable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument is powered by a pressurized fluid and includes a rotatable shaft connected to a dissection tool. The instrument includes a housing member comprising a one-piece base. A rotor housing chamber is defined by the base, and the rotatable shaft is located in the rotor housing chamber. A first hearing housing is defined by the base, located adjacent the rotor housing chamber, and houses a first bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A second bearing housing is defined by the base, located on an opposite side of the rotor housing chamber from the first bearing housing, and houses a second bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A passage is defined by the base and operable to direct a pressurized fluid through the base to the rotor housing chamber in order to rotate the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a body, a reservoir, a filter, and a tab. The body is configured to be held in a fixed relationship relative to a stem, wherein the body comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to receive a fluid from a surgical instrument via the stem. The outlet is configured to output a first portion of the fluid from the cartridge. The reservoir is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet. The filter is configured to filter the first portion of the fluid as the first portion of the fluid is directed from the inlet, through the filter, and to the outlet. The tab connected to the body and configured to engage with the stem. The tab is configured to, when the cartridge is moved to disengage from the stem, at least one of break away from the body and become functionally inoperable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument is powered by a pressurized fluid and includes a rotatable shaft connected to a dissection tool. The instrument includes a housing member comprising a one-piece base. A rotor housing chamber is defined by the base, and the rotatable shaft is located in the rotor housing chamber. A first bearing housing is defined by the base, located adjacent the rotor housing chamber, and houses a first bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A second bearing housing is defined by the base, located on an opposite side of the rotor housing chamber from the first bearing housing, and houses a second bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A passage is defined by the base and operable to direct a pressurized fluid through the base to the rotor housing chamber in order to rotate the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.

Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.

Abstract: A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.

Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The surgical instrument is powered by a pressurized fluid and includes a rotatable shaft connected to a dissection tool. The instrument includes a housing member comprising a one-piece base. A rotor housing chamber is defined by the base, and the rotatable shaft is located in the rotor housing chamber. A first bearing housing is defined by the base, located adjacent the rotor housing chamber, and houses a first bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A second bearing housing is defined by the base, located on an opposite side of the rotor housing chamber from the first bearing housing, and houses a second bearing that engages the rotatable shaft. A passage is defined by the base and operable to direct a pressurized fluid through the base to the rotor housing chamber in order to rotate the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel, lightweight, massively parallel device comprising microelectromechanical (MEMS) fluidic actuators, to reconfigure the profile, of a surface. Each microfluidic actuator comprises an independent bladder that can act as both a sensor and an actuator. A MEMS sensor, and a MEMS valve within each microfluidic actuator, operate cooperatively to monitor the fluid within each bladder, and regulate the flow of the fluid entering and exiting each bladder. When adjacently spaced in a array, microfluidic actuators can create arbitrary surface profiles in response to a change in the operating environment of the surface. In an embodiment of the invention, the profile of an airfoil is controlled by independent extension and contraction of a plurality of actuators, that operate to displace a compliant cover.

Abstract: A lower limb prosthesis comprising a foot, a pylon, a socket, a connector between the socket and the pylon, an adapter between the foot and the pylon, and a liner in the socket, the liner being substantially rigid at room temperatures and moldable at a temperature between approximately 50 degrees C. and approximately 100 degrees C. Also a support for a residual lower limb, the support being sized to receive the residual lower limb and comprising a socket and a liner in the socket, the liner being substantially rigid at room temperatures and moldable at a temperature between approximately 50 degrees C. and approximately 100 degrees C.