Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body such as a handle assembly and an acoustic transmission assembly. The acoustic transmission assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector. A mounting ring is positioned on a horn of the transducer. A rotatable drum is positioned distal to the mounting ring. Piezoelectric components of the transducer are positioned proximal to the mounting ring. Electrical conduits extend from the drum to the piezoelectric components and are routed over or through the mounting ring. The drum is coupled with a power source through a slip ring assembly to selectively activate the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide upon application of thermal energy to the waveguide or the surgical tool.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide may have a distal end that is sized to be inserted into a cavity in a proximal end of the surgical tool and then selectively expanded to retain the distal end within the cavity to couple the surgical tool to the waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide upon application of thermal energy to the waveguide or the surgical tool.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making same, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site. The optical fiber includes: a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate the distal end of the optical fiber, a layer of cladding radially surrounding the core from the core proximal portion to a designated point adjacent the core distal portion; a sleeve radially surrounding the cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, a tip diffuser positioned at the distal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making such optical fiber, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a diffuser portion positionable at a treatment site.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for the efficacious thermal treatment of lumen such as varicose veins during laser surgery is provided. An energy delivery device comprising a diffusing optical fiber with a light-emitting section and a memory device having data programmed therein is also provided. The optical fiber includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a treatment site. An energy generator is connected to the optical fiber and to a positioning device. The optical fiber engages positioning device so that the positioning device can moveably position the light-emitting section of the optical fiber. Consequently, the optical fiber can be inserted directly into an appropriate position within a varicose portion of a vein or other lumen for thermal treatment of the vein.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for the efficacious thermal treatment of lumen such as varicose veins during laser surgery is provided. The method includes inserting an optical fiber into a lumen at a treatment site which has at least two treatment segments. The light-emitting section of the optical fiber is aligned with a first treatment segment within the treatment site. Energy is emitted into the lumen at the first treatment segment and a temperature of the lumen is measured at the first treatment segment. The energy delivered to the treatment segment can be adjusted in response to the temperature measurement. The light-emitting section is moved to at least a second treatment segment within the lumen and energy is emitted into the lumen at the second treatment segment. During treatment at the second treatment segment, the temperature of the lumen is measured at the second treatment segment.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making same, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site. The optical fiber includes: a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate the distal end of the optical fiber; a layer of cladding radially surrounding the core from the core proximal portion to a point adjacent the core distal portion; a sleeve radially surrounding the cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, a tip diffuser radially surrounding the core distal portion including light-scattering material molded with substantially the same type of material utilized for the sleeve, wherein the light-scattering material fluoresces in a temperature dependent manner upon being stimulated by light.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making such optical fiber, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a diffuser portion positionable at a treatment site.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use with a laser device including a source of light energy, as well as a method of making same, where the optical fiber has a proximal end in communication with the light source and a distal end positionable at a treatment site. The optical fiber includes: a core having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal face proximate the distal end of the optical fiber, a layer of cladding radially surrounding the core from the core proximal portion to a designated point adjacent the core distal portion; a sleeve radially surrounding the cladding layer composed essentially of a predetermined type of material; and, a tip diffuser positioned at the distal end of the optical fiber.