Abstract: A switch of a device having a longitudinal axis, and comprising a switching element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, a hollow body defining an interior cavity in which the switching element is movably disposed to define a switch-making position at a first longitudinal position and a switch-breaking position at a second longitudinal position, a biasing element imparting a variable longitudinal bias to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the switch-making position and the switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the longitudinal bias causing the switching element to move to the other of the switch-making position and the switch-breaking position, and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining a switch-making state when the switching element is in the switch-making position and a switch-breaking state when the switching element is in the switch-breaking position.

Abstract: A medical device includes a control handle having an articulation joint actuator, a surgical end effector, and a passive articulating joint connecting the end effector to the control handle. The articulation joint actuator, when unactuated, holds the passive articulation joint and, thereby, the end effector, in a substantially fixed articulation position, and, when actuated, releases the passive articulation joint into a freely articulating state to permit free articulation of the end effector with respect to the control handle dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector. A method for operating the end effector includes retaining the passive articulation joint in a stable position with an articulation lock and actuating a release of the articulation lock to unlock the passive articulation joint and, thereby, permit articulating motion of the end effector through the passive articulation joint dependent upon the external forces acting upon the end effector.

Abstract: An OTC surgical device includes a handle having therein a compression controller and thereat an end effector, which has an electrically controlled tissue-compressor coupled to the controller and powered thereby to selectively control tissue compression. A mechanical binary-output electrical switch is disposed in-line with the compressor to place a compressing force directed upon the compressed tissue proportionally upon the switch. The switch has two switching states initiated and changed only by mechanical movement. The switch includes a biasing device retaining the switch in a first switching state until a force imparted thereupon overcomes the bias force to change to the second switching state. A switching-state-status output provides information identifying a current state and communicates with the compression controller to selectively control compression of tissue based upon the information. With appropriate feedback, the controller can keep the tissue at OTC while the surgical procedure is carried out.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having an actuator effecting a surgical procedure when actuated, an electric motor operating the actuator, and a power supply actuating the actuator when power is supplied to the motor. The power supply has a battery cell with a given rated power for an operating period of over 15 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of over 300 seconds. The motor and power supply are configured to utilize the battery cell at a power greater than the given rated power. The motor characteristics are selected to utilize the battery cell for periods of operation of less than 16 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of less than 300 seconds. A one-handed handle contains all of the power supply, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, an actuator coupled to the end effector and actuating it, a handle coupled to the end effector and having an electric motor disposed therein actuating the actuator when supplied with power, and a post-termination braking circuit including a power supply switch at the handle. The switch has a break-before-make configuration, a power-supplying state in which power is supplied to the motor, and a power-removed state in which power is not supplied to the motor. The braking circuit short-circuits power to the motor when the switch is in the power-removed state. A method for post-termination braking of the motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field to counteract inertia-induced over-stroke of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power.

Abstract: Degeneration of shale caused by oxygen in aqueous drilling, fracturing and completion fluids is minimized by introducing imidazolines modified so that they will be attracted efficiently to pyrites in the shale, thereby forming a protective coating on the pyrites. Inhibiting oxidation of the pyrites sharply reduces physical degradation of the shale, and the generation of undesirable oxides, in the presence of drilling, fracturing and completion fluids carrying oxygen. The imidazoline is an ionic salt of a monocarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device.

Abstract: Electrical surgical device comprising a handle shaped to be held within one hand, the handle having a self-contained power source, at least part of an end effector control assembly connected to the power source, a switch connected to the power source and operable to selectively power the end effector control assembly with the power source, and an articulation control device, wherein both the switch and the articulation control device are operated with the one hand holding the handle; an articulating connection operated by the articulation control device; and a surgical end effector connected to the handle by the articulating connection such that articulation of the surgical end effector is controlled by operation of the articulation control device and operatively connected to the end effector control assembly such that, upon operation of the end effector control assembly, the surgical end effector is operable to carry out at least one surgical procedure.

Abstract: Electrically operated surgical instrument, comprising a handle having a power supply; a drive assembly having an electrical motor, a controller electrically connected to the power supply and motor, and a drive part selectively moved by the motor between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position; and a control assembly operably connected to the motor to control a rotation of the motor; an end effector having a tissue-cutting assembly comprising: a blade connected to the drive part to move between opposing compression surfaces over the course of a blade stroke to cut tissue compressed between the compression surfaces, the blade stroke being comprised of the drive part advancing the blade towards the tissue to an extended position and retreating proximally to a retracted position, the control assembly being operable to selectively cause the motor to automatically retreat the drive part to place the blade in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical device includes the steps of rotatably freely connecting an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic surgical handle body, the ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal coupling end, substantially simultaneously removably coupling an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body and removably inserting an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of a cordless, rotatably free ultrasonic transducer into the ultrasonic surgical handle body opposite the proximal coupling end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and rotating the ultrasonic waveguide with respect to the ultrasonic transducer to fixedly couple the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A battery assembly for use in a number of battery-powered, cordless ultrasonic surgical instruments with handles having a battery chamber and coupled to different ultrasonic waveguide types, comprises a housing having an exterior shape formed to removably connect with the battery chamber of the handles. The housing has at least one energy storage cell operable to power an ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly of the surgical instruments. The ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly is operable to dynamically produce a resonant wave along an ultrasonic waveguide. A battery/handle interface has a plurality of connectors shaped to mate with a plurality of corresponding connectors within the battery chamber of the handles. A voltage-control circuit communicatively couples with and provides power to the ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly, detects which one of the ultrasonic waveguide types is coupled to the handle connected to the housing, and provides an output in response to the detected waveguide type.

Abstract: An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor.

Abstract: A medical device and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device includes a tubular member, a shaft disposed within the tubular member, and an end effector coupled to the shaft. A first handle and a second handle may be coupled to the shaft. A tubular sheath extension may be disposed between the first handle and the second handle.

Abstract: A surgical device, comprising a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, and a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition, wherein the force required to sustain the first operational condition is less than the force required to enter the first operational condition and the force required to enter the second operational condition is greater than the force required to sustain the first operational condition.

Abstract: Method for operating a self-powered surgical device, comprising providing a handle with a self-contained power supply and control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the two operational conditions different from the first operational condition, the two-stage switch having a variable resistance such that the first stage occurs when a first depression force is applied to the switch, the second stage occurs when a second depression force greater than the first depression force is applied to the switch, and a holding force lower than the second depression force is required to maintain the switch in the second stage.

Abstract: A self-powered surgical device, comprising a handle having a self-contained power supply and a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device; and a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition, the two-stage switch having a variable resistance such that the first stage occurs when a first depression force is applied to the switch, the second stage occurs when a second depression force greater than the first depression force is applied to the switch, and a holding force lower than at least the second depression force is required to maintain the switch in the second stage.

Abstract: A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device.

Abstract: Method for operating a surgical device, comprising providing a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition, wherein the force required to sustain the first operational condition is less than the force required to enter the first operational condition and the force required to enter the second operational condition is greater than the force required to sustain the first operational condition.

Abstract: A firearm suppressor includes a hollow outer can having an interior-threaded proximal end and a radially closed distal end with a bore, a barrel nut having a barrel bore and an outer-threaded distal threading to the can, and a baffle. The baffle has an intermediate wall with a bore and extends outward to the can interior to prevent fluid passing across other than through the bore. A proximal baffle wall has a bore aligned with the other bores and is shaped to secure to the barrel and extends outward not as far as the outer can interior to permit fluid passage. The baffle is shorter than the can's interior length to have the can, the nut, and the baffle define a plenum extending from the proximal end portion to the nut so that the proximal baffle wall directs fluid from the barrel backwards as a muzzle brake.