Abstract: An ultrasonic medical treatment device has a casing, an elongate probe, a transducer assembly, a sheath and at least one electrode member. The probe is mounted to and extends from the casing and has an axis and a free end serving as an operative tip. The transducer assembly is mounted to the casing and is operatively connected to the probe for generating vibrations of at least one ultrasonic frequency in the probe. The sheath surrounds the probe. The electrode member is connectable to an RF voltage source and is mounted at least indirectly to the casing so as to permit relative motion between the electrode member and the probe.

Abstract: A fingerprint capture or processing apparatus incorporates a casing defining a sealable chamber, a first support in said chamber for holding a source of a chemical fingerprint fixative agent, a second support in said chamber for holding an article to be tested for fingerprints, a filtration system connected to said chamber for removing contaminants from air in said chamber, and an air circulation assembly operatively connected to said casing for circulating air from said chamber and through said filtration system. Preferably, the air circulation assembly is a closed system, ensuring that no contaminants will be spilled to the ambient atmosphere prior to complete cleansing of the air inside the casing. A humidity control device may be connected to the air circulation assembly for modifying a humidity level in the chamber to a predetermined relative humidity, thus optimizing effectiveness of the chemical fingerprint fixation agent.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dissection and coagulation system for surgical use is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic instrument, a control module, and a pedal actuator. The ultrasonic actuator has a housing and an elongated body portion extending from the housing. An ultrasonic transducer supported within the housing is operatively connected to a cutting blade by a vibration coupler. The vibration coupler conducts high frequency vibration from the ultrasonic transducer to the cutting blade. The cutting blade has a cutting surface which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and, thus, with respect to the axis of vibration. A clamp member having a tissue contact surface is positioned adjacent to the blade member and is movable from an open position in which the tissue contact surface is spaced form the cutting surface to a clamped position in which the tissue contact surface is in close juxtaposed alignment with the cutting surface to clamp tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dissection and coagulation system for surgical use is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic instrument, a control module, and a pedal actuator. The ultrasonic actuator has a housing and an elongated body portion extending from the housing. An ultrasonic transducer supported within the housing is operatively connected to a cutting blade by a vibration coupler. The vibration coupler conducts high frequency vibration from the ultrasonic transducer to the cutting blade. The cutting blade has a cutting surface which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and, thus, with respect to the axis of vibration. A clamp member having a tissue contact surface is positioned adjacent to the blade member and is movable from an open position in which the tissue contact surface is in close juxtaposed alignment with the cutting surface to clamp tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dissection and coagulation system for surgical use is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic instrument, a control module, and a pedal actuator. The ultrasonic actuator has a housing and an elongated body portion extending from the housing. An ultrasonic transducer supported within the housing is operatively connected to a cutting blade by a vibration coupler. The vibration coupler conducts high frequency vibration from the ultrasonic transducer to the cutting blade. The cutting blade has a cutting surface which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and, thus, with respect to the axis of vibration. A clamp member having a tissue contact surface is positioned adjacent to the blade member and is movable from an open position in which the tissue contact surface is spaced form the cutting surface to a clamped position in which the tissue contact surface is in close juxtaposed alignment with the cutting surface to clamp tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A handle assembly of a medical instrument has a handle with an axis extending from a proximal end of the instrument toward a distal end thereof; and an electrical circuit incorporated at least partially in the handle for controlling an application of an action to a patient via the medical instrument. The circuit has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact each projecting from a surface of the handle. The electrical contacts are spaced from one another. An actuator ring is slidably disposed on the handle and surrounding the same for motion in alternately opposite directions along the handle under the control of an operator. A bridging electrical contact is disposed on the ring for conductively connecting the first and second electrical contacts at a first predetermined longitudinal position of the ring along the handle, thereby closing the circuit at that position of the ring, and for opening the circuit at another longitudinal position of the ring along the handle.