Abstract: A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of impedance characteristics for the materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise to prevent patient trauma. The return electrode includes a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000&OHgr;.cm and one or more connectors for making electrical connection to the sheet. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. Configuration of the return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery. Through employment of washable surface areas, the electrode is made readily cleanable, disinfectable, sterilizable, and reusable.

Abstract: A capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of the electrode geometries and the impedance characteristics of the electrode, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode can include a connector and a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 100,000 &OHgr;·cm. The electrode can have a working surface area from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches (or about 70 to about 10,000 square centimeters). The electrode can be disposed on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. This very large working surface area eliminates the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels and by employing washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable.

Abstract: A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the electrode arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof of both the pad and the conductive element. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. Additionally, the selection of materials and electrode geometries can prevent the creation of pressure sore or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode.

Abstract: A removable semi-insulating sheet for use in self-limiting electrosurgical return semi-insulating sheet for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the semi-insulating sheet, and through tailoring of semi-insulating sheet geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The semi-insulating sheet has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery.

Abstract: A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode includes a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;·cm and one or more connectors for making electrical connection to the sheet. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery.

Abstract: A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the electrode arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof of both the pad and the conductive element. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. Additionally, the selection of materials and electrode geometries can prevent the creation of pressure sore or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of the electrode geometries and the impedance characteristics of the electrode, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode can include a connector and a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 100,000 &OHgr;·cm. The electrode can have a working surface area from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches (or about 70 to about 10,000 square centimeters). The electrode can be disposed on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. This very large working surface area eliminates the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels and by employing washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable.

Abstract: A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area lying in the range of from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. By presenting a very large surface area, the need for direct contact or contact through conducting jells is eliminated; through employment of washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable; and through the inclusion of capacitive.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument is disclosed and claims which includes a reusable electrode shaft, a disposable tip and a novel, insulated coupling for removably connecting the disposable tip to the electrode shaft. The present invention provides several advantages and features. The coupling provides ease in connecting the disposable tip to the reusable electrode shaft in an operating room environment. Once the tip is connected to the shaft, the coupling ensures a rigid and secure connection between the tip and the shaft, such that the coupled tip/shaft assembly feels to the surgeon like a single, unitary instrument. In addition, the coupling ensures a good electrical connection between the tip and the shaft, prevents the tip from inadvertently or accidentally becoming separated from the reusable electrode shaft, and maintains the position of the tip relative to the shaft by preventing the tip from rotating relative to the holder.

Abstract: A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area at lying in a range of from about 100 to about 20,000 square centimeters. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery.

Abstract: An improved bipolar electrosurgical instrument with multi-coated electrodes for use in performing medical procedures. The electrodes of the instrument include opposed electrically conductive working surfaces at the distal ends thereof which are coated with a thin layer of a nickel-free high chromium material. At least non-working exposed surfaces of the distal ends are coated with a coating of an insulating material so as to be electrically insulated.

Abstract: An exchanger includes an outer casing having an inlet port and an outlet port for a first fluid, and an inlet port and an outlet port for a second fluid, and a bundle of hollow fibers located within the outer casing and being in flow communication with the inlet and outlet port for the second fluid. A central core is located in the outer casing and the bundle of fibers is arranged around the central core. The central core includes an inlet manifold connected to the first fluid inlet port, and an outlet manifold connected to the first fluid outlet port.

Abstract: An exchanger includes an outer casing having an inlet port and an outlet port for a first fluid, and an inlet port and an outlet port for a second fluid, and a bundle of hollow fibers located within the outer casing and being in flow communication with the inlet and outlet port for the second fluid. A central core is located in the outer casing and the bundle of fibers is arranged around the central core. The central core includes an inlet manifold connected to the first fluid inlet port, and an outlet manifold connected to the first fluid outlet port.

Abstract: An exchanger includes an outer casing having an inlet port and an outlet-port for a first fluid, and an inlet port and an outlet port for a second fluid, and a bundle of hollow fibers located within the outer casing and being in flow communication with the inlet and outlet port for the second fluid. A central core is located in the outer casing and the bundle of fibers is arranged around the central core. The central core includes an inlet manifold connected to the first fluid inlet port, and an outlet manifold connected to the first fluid outlet port.

Abstract: A rotatably-driven asymmetrically-accelerated mass apparatus generates a substantially translational force with interaction with its external environment. The apparatus has an orbital frame mounted to a main frame and attached to a rotary drive shaft for undergoing revolution about a central axis upon operation of a drive unit. The orbital frame has at least one and preferably a plurality of support shafts defining separate orbital axes angularly spaced from one another about the central axis and located radially outwardly of and substantially parallel to the central axis. An orbital member is mounted to each support shaft for undergoing revolution with the orbital frame about the central axis. Each orbital member also is mounted to the support shaft for undergoing rotation about its orbital axis and for predisposing its center of mass in eccentric relation, and at a preset angular position relative, to the orbital axis.

Abstract: An improved damping system for continuous ink jet printers of the kind having: (i) a print head, including an ink cavity and an orifice plate coupled to the cavity, and (ii) an ink circulation system having an ink supply conduit to the print head cavity inlet and an ink return conduit coupled to the cavity outlet. The damping system reduces ink pressure transients within said print head means and includes: (i) a damping chamber for enclosing a gas-over-ink region that is coupled to the ink return conduit at a location proximate the print head and (ii) a printer subsystem for periodically introducing gas into said ink return conduit upstream of the damper chamber.