Abstract: A multi-axis machine, with numerical control on each axis, is used to drive the tool and workpiece movements necessary to machining complex airfoil geometry. Tooling is typically made of a metal such as brass or other low cost material and rotates during machining. The tooling may be any shape(cylindrical, conical) and size depending on application. A DC power (continuous or pulsed) is used to provide voltage across the tool and workpiece. A medium such as water, de-ionized water, or electrolyte (such as sodium nitrite) is provided between the tool and workpiece. Workpiece metal is removed in a controlled manner by high intensity thermal erosion.

Abstract: A ring or inverted-cup shaped cutting element is used as a tool electrode for electromachining to rough machine the airfoils on blisks to near net shape. The cutting element is rotated and positioned with respect to the blisk by a CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) drive arrangement.

Abstract: A multi-axis machine, with numerical control on each axis, is used to drive the tool and workpiece movements necessary to machining complex airfoil geometry. Tooling is typically made of a metal such as brass or other low cost material and rotates during machining. The tooling may be any shape(cylindrical, conical) and size depending on application. A DC power (continuous or pulsed) is used to provide voltage across the tool and workpiece. A medium such as water, de-ionized water, or electrolyte (such as sodium nitrite) is provided between the tool and workpiece. Workpiece metal is removed in a controlled manner by high intensity thermal erosion.

Abstract: A ring or inverted-cup shaped cutting element is used as a tool electrode for electromachining to rough machine the airfoils on blisks to near net shape. The cutting element is rotated and positioned with respect to the blisk by a CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) drive arrangement.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: An improved fluid management system for irrigation of a body cavity and in particular for use in arthroscopic surgery having a pressurized fluid circuit for supplying irrigation fluid and a vacuum fluid circuit for withdrawing waste fluid from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment there is an uninterrupted fluid supply comprised of a plurality of sterile solution saline bags with an automatic spiker to perforate the bags. The system is processor controlled with numerous safety and design features to automate arthroscopy to the highest degree possible. Some of the features include the monitoring and tracking of cavity pressure and flow rates to predetermined pressure and flow rates, tracking cavity to mean blood pressure, overpressure protection, a plurality of pressure and flow rate baseline settings, monitoring, setting and controlling saline supply, and specialized functions for providing pressure and flow rates for typical surgical procedures such as lavage, clear view, and burr/shaver.

Abstract: A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and/or aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece having a housing with an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console, an inlet coupling, a pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container and a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet coupling and the pump inlet consisting of an open channel formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channel fluid-tight.

Abstract: A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and/or aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece having a housing with an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console, an inlet coupling, a pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container and a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet coupling and the pump inlet consisting of an open channel formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channel fluid-tight.