Abstract: An electronic book device is disclosed having: a housing supporting a touch-sensitive display screen; a memory disposed within the housing, the memory including an electronic book application; and a processor disposed within the housing, the processor in electronic communication with the memory and with the touch-sensitive display screen; wherein the electronic book application functions to produce and virtually display the book page in the touch-sensitive display screen, the book page including an interactive region therein, the electronic book application responding to a touch in the interactive region by causing the storing of an audio file in or the retrieving of an audio file from the memory.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member to simultaneously rotate and translate the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that tissue is located within the outer member, engaging the tissue with an inner member, and simultaneously rotating and translating the inner member to cut the tissue. A tangential cutting force is applied to the tissue with the inner member to mechanically cut the tissue. The inner member is mechanically driven to undergo simultaneous rotation and translation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member to simultaneously rotate and translate the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that tissue is located within the outer member, engaging the tissue with an inner member, and simultaneously rotating and translating the inner member to cut the tissue. A tangential cutting force is applied to the tissue with the inner member to mechanically cut the tissue. The inner member is mechanically driven to undergo simultaneous rotation and translation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member. The drive may include a drive member having a helical groove and being attached to the cutting member. Furthermore, the drive may include an inner drive hub coupled to the drive member such that the drive member rotates with the inner drive hub while being free to translate relative to the inner drive hub. The drive simultaneously rotates and translates the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member to simultaneously rotate and translate the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that tissue is located within the outer member, engaging the tissue with an inner member, and simultaneously rotating and translating the inner member to cut the tissue. A tangential cutting force is applied to the tissue with the inner member to mechanically cut the tissue. The inner member is mechanically driven to undergo simultaneous rotation and translation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.

Abstract: One surgical device includes a first member and a second member defining a lumen for receiving the first member. The first member is configured to be movable relative to the second member to cut tissue. An electrical connector is physically and electrically coupled to the second member, to electrically couple the second member to a source of electricity. A tension device holds a distal region of the first member in electrical contact with a distal region of the second member. The first member includes a blade used both to cut tissue mechanically, and to coagulate cut tissue. The blade is electrically conductive and serves as an active electrode in a bipolar arrangement with a return electrode. Electrical energy is transferred to the blade through a point contact at a distal tip of the first and second members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member. The drive may include a drive member having a helical groove and being attached to the cutting member. Furthermore, the drive may include an inner drive hub coupled to the drive member such that the drive member rotates with the inner drive hub while being free to translate relative to the inner drive hub. The drive simultaneously rotates and translates the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting member with an implement for cutting tissue, and a drive coupled to the cutting member to simultaneously rotate and translate the cutting member in response to a force applied to the drive. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that tissue is located within the outer member, engaging the tissue with an inner member, and simultaneously rotating and translating the inner member to cut the tissue. A tangential cutting force is applied to the tissue with the inner member to mechanically cut the tissue. The inner member is mechanically driven to undergo simultaneous rotation and translation.

Abstract: A surgical blade includes an elongate outer tubular member and an elongate inner member movably received within the outer member. The inner member has a distal cutter positionable adjacent a distal opening in the outer member. A coating of copper or alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements is on a portion of the outer surface of the inner member, the inner surface of the outer member, or both. The outer and inner members are formed from stainless steel, e.g, soft stainless steel. A method of cutting tissue, e.g., hard tissue such as bone, includes providing a surgical blade having an inner member and/or an outer member coated with copper or alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements, placing the surgical blade against the tissue, and driving the inner member to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument, disposed generally along a rotational axis, includes a member extending from a base. The member is rotatable to transmit torque from the base to a cutter carried at the distal end of the member. The cutter defines one cutting edge oriented in a right-handed direction, and another cutting edge oriented in a left-handed direction. The right-handed and left-handed cutting edges can be, e.g., defined by a symmetrical revolved surface, forward-swept, symmetrical, or separated by an uninterrupted circumferential band of material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a first member extending distally from a proximal end and having an opening in a distal region for admitting tissue, and a second member disposed within the first member for moving a cutting implement and causing it to cut tissue that is exposed to the implement through the opening. A knob is attached to the proximal end of the first member and is mounted in rotatable engagement with a hub of the instrument to rotate the first member and selectively change a rotational orientation of the opening with respect to the hub. The knob is axially movable with respect to the hub to a locked position in which the knob nonrotatably engages the hub.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising inner and outer tubular members has a coating of tin-nickel alloy on the outer surface of the inner tubular member and/or the inner surface of the outer tubular member to provide an elongate bearing surface between the tubular members.