Abstract: A surgical tool with links between the distal end of the tool shaft and the working member located forward of the shaft. Steering cables attached to the working member are selectively tensioned and slackened to bend the links. Once the links have desired curvature, a lock assembly tensions the plural cables. The tensioning of the cables urges the links against each other. As a result of the abutment of the links against each other, the links resist buckling from the desired curved shape.

Abstract: A rongeur (34) for driving a cutting unit (240) that includes an outer (240) tube and a cutting implement (302) able to both rotate in move longitudinally in the outer tube The rongeur includes a body (36) to which a rotating spindle (102) for actuating the cutting implement is mounted. The spindle is designed to allow the inner tube to while, rotating move longitudinally relative to the spindle. A mechanism (150, 180) attached to the body selectively displaces the drive inner tube so the distal end of the cutting implement can be advanced towards and retracted away from the distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical sagittal saw that includes an oscillating head. The oscillating head and the yoke used to drive the head are formed with complementary tapered surfaces. The oscillating head is seated in the yoke so the tapered surfaces are adjacent. The yoke and head are pressed together so the yoke and head tapered surfaces abut. As a result of tapered surfaces abutting the oscillating head and yoke effectively become a single unit. The oscillating head and yoke are mounted to the saw body so the yoke can be driven by the drive shaft integral with the saw. The oscillating head is rotatably mounted to the saw. Thus, upon actuation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft oscillates the yoke so as to foster similar oscillations in the oscillating head. The oscillating head drives the saw blade attached to the saw.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal and a saw blade cartridge. The saw has a head to which the blade cartridge is releasably mounted and a clamping assembly that releasably hold the cartridge to the head. The blade cartridge includes a blade bar, a blade head mounted to the bar and at least one drive rod that actuates the blade head. A rib projects from the blade bar to stiffen the cartridge. The rib extends over the blade bar so as to extend both proximally and distally relative to where the clamp assembly bears against the blade bar. The rib reduces skiving of the cartridge when a load is applied to either the top or bottom surface of the blade bar.

Abstract: A saw for pivoting a blade in a sagittal plane. The saw includes a drive assembly with at least one drive member. The drive assembly is configured to both reciprocate the blade in the sagittal plane and to simultaneously pivot the blade around an axis that extends through the sagittal plane. The drive assembly is configured to reciprocate and pivot the blade at different frequencies. Consequently the teeth (186) of the blade travel in a loop pattern that crosses itself.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical sagittal saw that includes an oscillating head. The oscillating head and the yoke used to drive the head are formed with complementary tapered surfaces. The oscillating head is seated in the yoke so the tapered surfaces are adjacent. The yoke and head are pressed together so the yoke and head tapered surfaces abut. As a result of tapered surfaces abutting the oscillating head and yoke effectively become a single unit. The oscillating head and yoke are mounted to the saw body so the yoke can be driven by the drive shaft integral with the saw. The oscillating head is rotatably mounted to the saw. Thus, upon actuation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft oscillates the yoke so as to foster similar oscillations in the oscillating head. The oscillating head drives the saw blade attached to the saw.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw for use with a complementary blade assembly that includes a static bar. The saw includes a head over which the blade assembly bar is seated. A clamp rod is able to mounted to the head to move along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The rod has a head that, as result of the longitudinal movement of the rod is moved towards and away from the head. A blade assembly is disposed on the saw head adjacent the rod. The rod can be positioned in a run state so that the rod head abuts the bar of the blade assembly so as to hold the blade assembly to the saw head. Alternatively, the rod can be repositioned in a load state the rod head is spaced from the saw head. This allows the blade assembly to be removed and replaced. A control member mounted to the saw head controls the movement of the rod. When the rod is moved from the load state to the run state, a biasing member places a force on the rod to hold the rod in the run state.

Abstract: A system for collecting and compressing waste collected in a medical or surgical procedure. The system includes a bag for collecting the waste that is seated on a mobile cart. Once the waste is collected the bag is closed and, while on the cart, transported to a compactor. While on the cart, the bag is compacted. Air in the bag is discharged through a one-way valve fitted to the bag. The one way valve may be attached to a cartridge that is inserted into the bag opening. The air discharged from the bag is filtered prior to discharge into the ambient environment. The filter may be built into the one-way valve.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw for use with a complementary blade assembly that includes a static bar. The saw includes a head over which the blade assembly bar is seated. A clamp rod is able to mounted to the head to move along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The rod has a head that, as result of the longitudinal movement of the rod is moved towards and away from the head. A blade assembly is disposed on the saw head adjacent the rod. The rod can be positioned in a run state so that the rod head abuts the bar of the blade assembly so as to hold the blade assembly to the saw head. Alternatively, the rod can be repositioned in a load state the rod head is spaced from the saw head. This allows the blade assembly to be removed and replaced. A control member mounted to the saw head controls the movement of the rod. When the rod is moved from the load state to the run state, a biasing member places a force on the rod to hold the rod in the run state.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal and a saw blade cartridge. The saw has a head to which the blade cartridge is releasably mounted and a clamping assembly that releasably hold the cartridge to the head. The blade cartridge includes a blade bar, a blade head mounted to the bar and at least one drive rod that actuates the blade head. A rib projects from the blade bar to stiffen the cartridge. The rib extends over the blade bar so as to extend both proximally and distally relative to where the clamp assembly bears against the blade bar. The rib reduces skiving of the cartridge when a load is applied to either the top or bottom surface of the blade bar.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw for use with a complementary blade assembly that includes a static bar. The saw includes a head over which the blade assembly bar is seated. A biasing member mounted to the saw head normally places a force of the blade assembly bar that urges the bar away from the blade head. A coupling assembly releasably holds the blade assembly bar in the static state to the saw head. When the coupling assembly is in the run state, holding the blade assembly to the saw head, the coupling assembly does so in opposition to the force the biasing assembly exerts against the blade assembly bar. During the process of removing the blade assembly from the saw, the force of the biasing assembly assists in the removal of the blade assembly bar from the saw head.

Abstract: A saw for pivoting a blade in a sagittal plane. The saw includes a drive assembly with at least one drive member. The drive assembly is configured to both reciprocate the blade in the sagittal plane and to simultaneously pivot the blade around an axis that extends through the sagittal plane. The drive assembly is configured to reciprocate and pivot the blade at different frequencies. Consequently the teeth (186) of the blade travel in a loop pattern that crosses itself.

Abstract: A system for collecting and compressing waste collected in a medical or surgical procedure. The system includes a bag for collecting the waste that is seated on a mobile cart. Once the waste is collected the bag is closed and, while on the cart, transported to a compactor. While on the cart, the bag is compacted. Air in the bag is discharged through a one-way valve fitted to the bag. The one way valve may be attached to a cartridge that is inserted into the bag opening. The air discharged from the bag is filtered prior to discharge into the ambient environment. The filter may be built into the one-way valve.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar and to which a blade head is mounted. Distal from the proximal end of the blade bar, the sides of the bar taper outwardly. These outer taper sides facilitate the coupling of the blade bar to the complementary saw used to actuate the blade.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar shaped to be coupled to a sagittal saw. At least one drive rod extends through the bar. The drive rod is moveable within the blade bar. A blade crown, located outside the distal end opening of the blade bar is connected to the drive rod. The actuation of the drive rod by the saw results in the oscillation of the blade crown. Proximal to the distal end of the blade bar, the bar is formed with secondary openings. When the drive rod and blade crown are actuated, tissue entrained in the blade bar is discharged from the secondary openings.

Abstract: In a method of assembling a surgical saw blade assembly with an blade bar that contains an oscillating head, the blade bar is formed from opposed plates. One of the plates is punch stamped to define a boss around which blade head pivots. The plates are secured to one another in a series of steps in which spaced apart sections of the plates are welded together.

Abstract: A solid medical waste collection system for collecting solid medical waste. The system includes a mobile cart with a bag for storing the waste. A pre-detection apparatus detects metal-containing objects prior to placing them inside the bag to reduce costs to the facility in which the cart is employed. The system may also include a bag-tensioning mechanism for securing the bag to the cart.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar shaped to be coupled to a sagittal saw. At least one drive rod extends through the bar. The drive rod is moveable within the blade bar. A blade crown, located outside the distal end opening of the blade bar is connected to the drive rod. The actuation of the drive rod by the saw results in the oscillation of the blade crown. Proximal to the distal end of the blade bar, the bar is formed with secondary openings. When the drive rod and blade crown are actuated, tissue entrained in the blade bar is discharged from the secondary openings.

Abstract: A cart (32) for holding waste generated in a medical procedure that includes a frame for holding a bag (42) for receiving the waste and a sensor assembly (65, 66) for determining if metal waste is placed in the bag.