Abstract: An illuminated surgical retractor including an outer housing forming a handle and a blade extending from the handle, an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source, wherein the outer housing houses therein one or more ferromagnetic components, and wherein the outer housing includes an exterior surface and an inner surface and wherein predetermined portions of one or more of the exterior surface and the inner surface of the outer housing have a shielding material applied thereto to prevent interference of the one or more ferromagnetic components housed within the outer housing with magnetic and electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a handle and a blade extending at an angle from the handle, an illumination assembly having a plurality of direct light sources provided on the blade, and a cover configured to enclose the illumination assembly, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding in position to a respective light source of the illumination assembly when the cover is attached to the blade.

Abstract: An illuminated suction device comprising a suction tube having a proximal end and a distal tip at a distal end thereof, an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source mounted on a flexible circuit and configured to emit light toward a target area external to the distal tip of the suction tube, and at least one heat sinking member extending along a portion of the suction tube, wherein the at least one light source mounted on the flexible circuit is mechanically and thermally connected to the at least one heat sinking member.

Abstract: A portable dual-blade retractor comprising a handle having a first end and a second end, a first blade extending from the first end of the handle, a second blade extending from the second end of the handle, and an illumination assembly including (a) one or more first direct light sources provided on the first blade and (b) one or more second direct light sources provided on the second blade, wherein the first and second direct light sources are individually controlled.

Abstract: A dual-blade retractor comprising a handle having a first end and a second end, a first blade extending from the first end of the handle, a second blade extending from the second end of the handle, and an illumination assembly including (a) one or more first direct light sources provided on the first blade and (b) one or more second direct light sources provided on the second blade, wherein the dual-blade retractor is configured to house therein an internal power source for supplying energy to the one or more first and second direct light sources.

Abstract: An illuminated medical device including an outer housing including a handle, an operative portion extending from the outer housing, and an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source oriented to emit light radially away from the operative portion of the medical device at least one reflector configured to reflect light from the at least one direct light source toward a target area external to the outer housing, wherein the at least one direct light source is positioned so as to maintain an air gap between the operative portion and the at least one direct light source.

Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vascular target, the hydrodissector comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof; at least one port provided at the tip and configured to be coupled to a fluid supply and to eject fluid from the at least one port into the space between the vascular target and surrounding tissues to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, the at least one port being sized to provide sufficient pressure and velocity to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, wherein the length of the shaft is configured for insertion into an incision to atraumatically hydrodissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, and wherein the shaft is configured to releasably couple with one or more hook-shaped attachments configured to lift the vascular target after the vascular target is dissected from the surrounding tissues.

Abstract: A dual-blade retractor comprising a handle having a first end and a second end, a first blade extending from the first end of the handle, a second blade extending from the second end of the handle, and an illumination assembly including (a) one or more first direct light sources provided on the first blade and (b) one or more second direct light sources provided on the second blade, wherein the dual-blade retractor is configured to house therein an internal power source for supplying energy to the one or more first and second direct light sources.

Abstract: An illuminated medical device including an outer housing including a handle, an operative portion extending from the outer housing, and an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source oriented to emit light radially away from the operative portion of the medical device at least one reflector configured to reflect light from the at least one direct light source toward a target area external to the outer housing, wherein the at least one direct light source is positioned so as to maintain an air gap between the operative portion and the at least one direct light source.

Abstract: A dual-blade retractor comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end, a first blade extending from the first end of the handle, a second blade extending from the second end of the handle, and an illumination assembly including one or more first light sources provided on the first blade and one or more second light sources provided on the second blade, wherein the dual-blade retractor is configured to house therein an internal power source for supplying energy to the one or more first and second light sources.

Abstract: An illuminated medical device comprising an outer housing, and an illumination assembly comprising at least one direct light source oriented to emit light radially away from a central axis of the medical device and at least one reflector configured to reflect light from the at least one direct light source toward a target area external to the outer housing.

Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vascular target, the hydrodissector comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof; at least one port provided at the tip and configured to be coupled to a fluid supply and to eject fluid from the at least one port into the space between the vascular target and surrounding tissues to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, the at least one port being sized to provide sufficient pressure and velocity to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, wherein the length of the shaft is configured for insertion into an incision to atraumatically hydrodissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, and wherein the shaft is configured to releasably couple with one or more hook-shaped attachments configured to lift the vascular target after the vascular target is dissected from the surrounding tissues.

Abstract: A method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having two laterally disposed wheels positioned along a central axis is described. The method includes measuring a force applied by a user to the hand truck, where the measured force comprising a direction and a magnitude, and providing torque to each wheel to cause each wheel to rotate in a respective direction as a function of the measured magnitude and direction. The amount of torque provided to each wheel in response to the force from the user is such that the magnitude of measured force applied by the user is not greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a handle and a blade extending at an angle from the handle, an illumination assembly having a plurality of direct light sources provided on the blade, and a cover configured to enclose the illumination assembly, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding in position to a respective light source of the illumination assembly when the cover is attached to the blade.

Abstract: In a method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having a system configured to provide torque to ground contacting elements, the method includes, repeatedly measuring a force applied by a user to the vehicle; determining a direction and a magnitude of the measured force; determining a respective amount of torque to apply to each of the ground contacting elements as a function of the determined direction and magnitude; and providing the respective determined amount of torque to each of the ground contacting elements.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a handle and a blade extending at an angle from the handle, an illumination assembly having a plurality of direct light sources provided on the blade, and a cover configured to enclose the illumination assembly, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding in position to a respective light source of the illumination assembly when the cover is attached to the blade.

Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vein, the hydrodissector comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof, at least one port configured to be coupled to a fluid supply for supplying fluid at a substantially constant pressure, and provided at the distal end of the shaft, and an image capturing assembly configured to provide direct visualization of the vein during hydrodissection. A minimally invasive method for dissecting a greater saphenous vein (GSV) from surrounding tissues using the hydrodissector is also described.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a handle and a blade extending at an angle from the handle, an illumination assembly having a plurality of direct light sources provided on the blade, and a cover configured to enclose the illumination assembly, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding in position to a respective light source of the illumination assembly when the cover is attached to the blade.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a handle and a blade extending at an angle from the handle; an illumination assembly having a plurality of direct light sources provided on the blade, at least one of the light sources being angled differently relative to the blade than another one of the light sources; and a cover configured to enclose the illumination assembly, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of openings, each opening corresponding in position to a respective light source of the illumination assembly when the cover is attached to the blade.