Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing an adjustable flow resistor. The adjustable flow resistor can include a chamber into which fluid is introduced, having an input end and an output end. A flow modifier can be situated within the chamber, between the input end and the output end, to modify a flow rate of the fluid. An adjustable resistance member can be positioned to interact with the flow modifier within the chamber to controllably modify the constant flow rate out of the adjustable flow resistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exhausting air from a flow pathway are provided. The systems can include a flow resistor having an input coupled to a fluid source and an outlet to output a fluid at an output flow rate, the flow resistor including an adjustable flow channel for modifying the output flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow resistor; and a priming device having an elongated portion, the elongated portion being substantially rigid axially and configured for insertion through the outlet of the flow resistor to engage the flow resistor and adjust the output flow rate to allow air to be exhausted from the flow pathway through the flow resistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing flow along a pathway are provided herein. The system and method can include a pump for providing a fluid flow along the pathway, a flow regulator in fluid communication at its input end with the pump and designed to maintain flow therethrough at a substantially constant flow rate, and the pathway being in fluid communication with an output of the flow resistor for directing fluid flow to a destination at the substantially constant flow rate.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure provides an independent passive variable resistor that can be interposed between a fluid reservoir at an inlet pressure and receptacle at an outlet pressure. The resistor can adjust resistance to the pressure difference from the input to the output so that the flow rate through it is a constant rate. The resistor can include a moveable element and a biasing mechanism located in a chamber to create a flow channel. Each side of the moveable element is exposed to the inlet and outlet pressures and moves within the flow channel to modify the resistance of the flow through the chamber in response to the pressures. The balance of these forces determines the position moveable element, which interacts with the fluid channel to determine the flow resistance through variable resistor. The biasing mechanism can provide the necessary pressure to establish equilibrium flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure provides an independent passive variable resistor that can be interposed between a fluid reservoir at an inlet pressure and receptacle at an outlet pressure. The resistor can adjust resistance to the pressure difference from the input to the output so that the flow rate through it is a constant rate. The resistor can include a moveable element and a biasing mechanism located in a chamber to create a flow channel. Each side of the moveable element is exposed to the inlet and outlet pressures and moves within the flow channel to modify the resistance of the flow through the chamber in response to the pressures. The balance of these forces determines the position moveable element, which interacts with the fluid channel to determine the flow resistance through variable resistor. The biasing mechanism can provide the necessary pressure to establish equilibrium flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure provides an independent passive variable resistor that can be interposed between a fluid reservoir at an inlet pressure and receptacle at an outlet pressure. The resistor can adjust resistance to the pressure difference from the input to the output so that the flow rate through it is a constant rate. The resistor can include a moveable element and a biasing mechanism located in a chamber to create a flow channel. Each side of the moveable element is exposed to the inlet and outlet pressures and moves within the flow channel to modify the resistance of the flow through the chamber in response to the pressures. The balance of these forces determines the position moveable element, which interacts with the fluid channel to determine the flow resistance through variable resistor. The biasing mechanism can provide the necessary pressure to establish equilibrium flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.

Abstract: A removable tip attachable to an instrument handpiece, including a back hub at a proximal end of a tip body and having back hub screw threads configured to threadedly engage outer tube threads of an outer tube of the handpiece, an end effector at a distal end of the tip body, and a yoke at the proximal end of the tip body and having yoke screw threads configured to engage shaft screw threads of an inner shaft of the handpiece, the yoke configured to move within the backhub to actuate the end effector, wherein the yoke screw threads engage with the inner shaft screw threads before the back hub screw threads engage the outer tube threads upon attachment of the tip to the handpiece, and the distance between a proximalmost point of the yoke and a beginning of the back hub screw threads is between 0.533? and 0.608?.

Abstract: A bipolar scissor for cutting and coagulating tissue includes a first blade having a first cutting edge and a first shearing blade surface and a second blade having a second cutting edge and a second shearing blade surface. Additionally, one of the first and second blades may include a non-conductive material having an embedded electrode.

Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.

Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.

Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.

Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.

Abstract: An instrument tip includes a wire retention chamber extending in a width direction of the tip and open at the sides of a tip, the wire retention chamber configured to removably retain a wire therein, and a wire retention slot extending from the outermost side of the tip to the wire retention chamber and in an oblique direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tip, the wire retention slot in open communication with the wire retention chamber, wherein the wire retention chamber has a diameter greater than a diameter of the wire retention slot.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.

Abstract: A medical device may include a tube having a first end and a second end, in which the first end can engage an instrument tip, an inner shaft disposed in the tube, a shaft end connected to the inner shaft and which can move lengthwise relative to the tube, a first abutment surface to abut a first shaft end stop of the shaft end, and a second abutment surface to abut a second shaft end stop of the shaft end generally opposite the first shaft end stop of the shaft end, in which the shaft end can slidably move along a length constrained by the abutment of the first shaft end stop against the first abutment surface and the second shaft end stop against the second abutment surface, and in which either one or both of the first abutment surface or the second abutment surface is positionally adjustable relative to the tube.