Abstract: A scleral depressor assembly includes a scleral depressor, an optical fiber, and a reflector. The scleral depressor includes an elongate body and a head disposed at a distal end of the elongate body. The scleral depressor defines an internal lumen extending through the elongate body and terminating within the head. The optical fiber is disposed within the lumen and includes a distal end positioned within the head. The optical fiber distal end includes a beveled end face that is obliquely oriented with respect to a central axis of the internal lumen. The reflector is disposed at the distal end of the optical fiber and is configured to reflect light emitted from the optical fiber distal end along a light path out of the scleral depressor head in a direction that is approximately orthogonal to the central axis of the internal lumen.

Abstract: A scleral depressor assembly includes a scleral depressor, an optical fiber, and a reflector. The scleral depressor includes an elongate body and a head disposed at a distal end of the elongate body. The scleral depressor defines an internal lumen extending through the elongate body and terminating within the head. The optical fiber is disposed within the lumen and includes a distal end positioned within the head. The optical fiber distal end includes a beveled end face that is obliquely oriented with respect to a central axis of the internal lumen. The reflector is disposed at the distal end of the optical fiber and is configured to reflect light emitted from the optical fiber distal end along a light path out of the scleral depressor head in a direction that is approximately orthogonal to the central axis of the internal lumen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally includes a handle having a first end a second end, a trocar disposed adjacent the first end of the handle, a plurality of cannulas disposed on the trocar simultaneously, and a drive system. The drive system is disposed for forward movement of the cannulas in a longitudinal direction away from the first end of the handle.

Abstract: An irrigating cannula includes a hub having an inner passage and a side port extending through the hub and connecting to the inner passage. The inner passage is configured to receive an instrument, and a fluid passage is defined between the hub and the instrument. The fluid passage is configured to deliver a fluid through an incision in a body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally includes a handle having a first end a second end, a trocar disposed adjacent the first end of the handle, a plurality of cannulas disposed on the trocar simultaneously, and a drive system. The drive system is disposed for forward movement of the cannulas in a longitudinal direction away from the first end of the handle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally includes a handle having a first end a second end, a trocar disposed adjacent the first end of the handle, cannulas disposed on the trocar, and a drive system. The drive system is disposed for forward movement of the cannulas in a longitudinal direction away from the second end of the handle.

Abstract: An irrigating cannula includes a hub having an inner passage and a side port extending through the hub and connecting to the inner passage. The inner passage is configured to receive an instrument, and a fluid passage is defined between the hub and the instrument. The fluid passage is configured to deliver a fluid through an incision in a body.

Abstract: An illuminated surgical device includes a shaft and an optical fiber. The shaft includes a body having a central bore defined therein, and a passage extending through the shaft body to the central bore of the shaft. The shaft is configured for at least partial insertion into a human body. The optical fiber extends at least partially through the bore of the shaft such that light emitted from the optical fiber passes through the passage and is directed radially outward from the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle having a cam-actuated system is disclosed. The surgical instrument handle includes a rotating member that defines a cam-actuating surface operatively engaged with a locking member, which is fixedly engaged to a reciprocating member for moving the reciprocating member between a retracted and extended positions. The cam-actuating surface of the rotating member is configured to permit the locking member to slide along the cam-actuating surface such that the tangential angle along the point of contact between the locking member and the cam-actuating surface is maintained at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally comprises a trocar, a magnet, and a magnetizable cannula. The trocar has a first end and a second end. The magnetizable cannula has a central opening sized to receive the trocar. The magnet is positioned adjacent the second end of the trocar and its magnetic field releasably secures the magnetizable cannula in a position adjacent the second end of the trocar.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deoxygenating ophthalmic fluid are disclosed. The systems include an infusion system having a valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of gas, a first outlet in fluid communication with a container of ophthalmic fluid, and a second outlet in fluid communication with an infusion line of the system. The valve directs gas into the fluid disposed in the container to deoxygenate the fluid, and the deoxygenated fluid is then injected into the eye.

Abstract: An engine drive electric generator apparatus converts the reciprocating movements of a pushrod of an internal combustion engine to electricity. Each generator apparatus has an electric coil surrounding a combustion engine pushrod, and a magnet on the pushrod that reciprocates with the pushrod through the coil. The relative reciprocating movement between the magnet and coil generates an electric current in the coil that is communicated with a battery of the vehicle to charge the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and its method of operation hydraulically convert the relative movements between a vehicle wheel and a body of the vehicle to electricity, and use the electricity to recharge a battery of the vehicle. A generator is provided on the vehicle and a hydraulic motor is provided on the vehicle to rotate an input shaft of the generator. A double acting piston and cylinder assembly is operatively connected to each wheel of the vehicle, and each double acting piston and cylinder assembly is connected through a hydraulic circuit to the hydraulic motor. Movements of the vehicle wheels during operation of the vehicle cause reciprocating movements of each piston in each double acting piston and cylinder assembly. The reciprocating movements of the pistons pump liquid to the hydraulic motor and draw liquid from the hydraulic motor to cause operation of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and its method of operation convert relative movements between a vehicle wheel and a body of the vehicle to electricity that is used to recharge a battery of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a generator provided on the vehicle and a linear motion to rotary motion converter that is connected between a wheel of the vehicle and an armature of the generator. Reciprocating movements of the wheel relative to the vehicle body are converted by the motion converter to rotations of the armature in the generator which produces electricity for recharging the battery of the vehicle.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus is provided with a reinforcement material holder, where the holder positions a sheet of reinforcement material adjacent body tissue that is sutured by a plurality of surgical staples dispensed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope has an elongate, narrow tube with at least three distinct interior bores. A first of the bores is provided to accommodate surgical devices typically provided in endoscopes. The second and third bores of the flexible tube mount a flexible suture holder and a flexible grasper in the interior of the tube. The suture holder and the grasper are movable through their respective bores relative to the endoscope tube. A distal end portion of the suture holder is curved, whereby extending the suture holder from the endoscope tube and extending the grasper from the endoscope tube will cause a distal end of the suture holder to curve to a position where it intersects with the distal end of the grasper. A length of suture is removably mounted to the distal end of the suture holder. With the suture holder and the grasper moved to their extended positions relative to the endoscope tube, the surgical grasper is in position to grasp and remove the length of suture from the distal end of the suture holder.

Abstract: A method of repairing a patient's ventral hernia involves the steps of joining the patient's left and right rectus sheaths on opposite sides of the hernia, thereby closing the hernia, and cutting through the joined sheaths thereby forming one sheath interior containing the left and right rectus muscles. Next, a piece of surgical mesh is positioned in the joined rectus sheath interior and is sutured over the area of the closed hernia to further reinforce the closure. Additionally, sutures joining the left and right rectus sheaths are reinforced with reinforcing material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that is employed in closing a surgical incision made deep into body tissue holds a length of suture and a pair of needles secured to the opposite ends of the suture. The instrument is configured for insertion of the instrument into a body tissue incision, for deploying the needles and suture through body tissue on opposite sides of the incision, and for then withdrawing the needles and suture ends from the incision to tie a knot in the suture ends and thereby close the incision.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture provide for wireless communications of brain signals from electrode implants to an external receiver for analysis of the brain signals. The analyzed brain signals are used to locate abnormal brain activity in a subject, such as epileptic seizure foci, or to localize task-specific brain activity.