Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide and an end effector. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector may be coupled to the distal end of the waveguide. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto. The blade may comprise one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: A nested trigger assembly for a surgical instrument may generally comprise a first trigger and a second trigger, wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are movable together on a first stroke of the nested trigger assembly, wherein the second trigger is configured to be biased away from the first trigger after the first stroke and before a second stroke, and wherein the second trigger is configured to be moved toward to the first trigger during the second stroke. A surgical instrument may generally comprise a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end, wherein the handle comprises a gripping portion, and a nested trigger assembly extending from the handle. The nested trigger assemble may comprise one of a separable trigger assembly and a divisible trigger assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include ultrasonic blades comprising various grasping features, devices configured to prevent ingress of surgical matter, e.g., fluid and tissue, in the space between an ultrasonic blade and an inner or outer tube distal of the distal seal, alternate closure mechanisms for ultrasonic devices, ultrasonic transducer rotation limiters to limit the rotation of an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer rotation systems to provide unlimited continuous rotation of an ultrasonic device, integrated ultrasonic instrument electrically connected to provide RF spot coagulation with an ultrasonic (RF) generator, and coated ultrasonic/RF blades.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.

Abstract: A device for determining the bearing of a vehicle using Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) and Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) data. The device includes a means to communicate with the vehicle such as a transmitter, receiver, and antenna. The device also includes a processor configured to receive the IRU and TCAS data from the vehicle via the communication means and then generate a bearing value using the received data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.