Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module. The directional force assembly can include a piezoelectric disc, a piezoresistive element, an accelerometer, and/or a Hall Effect sensor. The end effector of the apparatus can include ultrasonic blade, an RF electrode, or a staple driving assembly. In some versions, the energy component includes an ultrasonic transducer. The control module may be configured to operate the energy component at a first energy setting in response to a first detected force and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force. The apparatus may also include an activation feature to be operated by a user. In some versions the piezoelectric disc may include a plurality of segments and may be configured to induce movement in at least part of the energy component.

Abstract: A fluid disinfection unit [40] is incorporated into a patient warming/cooling system [10], to reduce the risk of bacteria buildup in the warming/cooling fluid, which is typically water. More particularly, a mobile housing [17] contains the operable components for circulating warming/cooling fluid to a patient [12], including a pump [23], a heating/cooling source [24], a reservoir [22], a controller [26] and a control panel [32] to assist a user in operating the components. The reservoir [22] has upper [22a] and lower [22b] sections, for replenishing water and circulating water, respectively. A UV source [40] is mounted so as to extend through both reservoir sections [22a, 22b], to simultaneously emit UV light into both sections during circulation of the warming/cooling fluid, thereby to disinfect the water contained therein. The UV source [40] includes a bulb [42] protected within a transparent cover [44] that is completely transparent, and has been treated so as to be shatterproof.

Abstract: A fluid disinfection unit [40] is incorporated into a patient warming/cooling system [10], to reduce the risk of bacteria buildup in the warming/cooling fluid, which is typically water. More particularly, a mobile housing [17] contains the operable components for circulating warming/cooling fluid to a patient [12], including a pump [23], a heating/cooling source [24], a reservoir [22], a controller [26] and a control panel [32] to assist a user in operating the components. The reservoir [22] has upper [22a] and lower [22b] sections, for replenishing water and circulating water, respectively. A UV source [40] is mounted so as to extend through both reservoir sections [22a, 22b], to simultaneously emit UV light into both sections during circulation of the warming/cooling fluid, thereby to disinfect the water contained therein. The UV source [40] includes a bulb [42] protected within a transparent cover [44] that is completely transparent, and has been treated so as to be shatterproof.