Abstract: A foot controller for a microsurgical system that includes a body, a switch disposed on the body, and a switch guard coupled to the body and disposed in a spaced relationship to an outer surface of the switch.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: A self-centering connection is provided. This self-centering connection includes a first substrate, a first connector assembly, a first number of alignment guides, a second substrate, a second connector assembly, a second number of alignment guides, and a number of free-floating compression fastener systems. The first connecting assembly is mounted on the first substrate. The first alignment guides are amounted on both the first and second substrate. The second connector assembly is mounted on the second substrate. The free-floating compression fastener system mechanically couples the first substrate to the second substrate wherein tolerances of the free-floating compression fastener system allow the first substrate to float relative to the second substrate in an XY in a first plane. The compression load of the compression fastener system allows the first substrate to float in a Z axis relative to the second substrate.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: A footswitch assembly with a position memory includes adjustable mounting mechanisms. A first adjustable mounting mechanism moves the heel cup portion on the treadle pedal assembly to a predetermined position to accommodate the length of a user's foot. A second adjustable mounting mechanism moves the side wing assembly to predetermined position to accommodate the width of a user's foot. A third adjustable mounting mechanism adjusts the force needed to move the treadle pedal assembly.

Abstract: A footswitch assembly with a position memory includes adjustable mounting mechanisms. A first adjustable mounting mechanism moves the heel cup portion on the treadle pedal assembly to a predetermined position to accommodate the length of a user's foot. A second adjustable mounting mechanism moves the side wing assembly to predetermined position to accommodate the width of a user's foot. A third adjustable mounting mechanism adjusts the force needed to move the treadle pedal assembly.

Abstract: A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Abstract: An ergonomic footswitch having a substantially planar tiltable treadle positioned on a base enables up and down or pitch movement of the footswitch around an axis of rotation located on the horizontal rotational axis of an operator's ankle. This arrangement reduces fatigue in the operator's leg and ankle and also permits the operator to vary the speed of an instrument or vary an operational parameter of the instrument via both the up and down motion of the treadle.

Abstract: A footswitch having a tiltable treadle includes a rotatable heel cup for providing a second proportional control input based on the rotational movement of the rotatable heel cup.

Abstract: An improved footswitch is disclosed. The footswitch may have an adjustable length treadle to accommodate different size feet. The footswitch may also have a treadle having a slidable plate that facilitates the actuation of a side switch.

Abstract: Art abstract and method for X-ray tomography is disclosed. The apparatus moves the X-ray source in a complex motion with a simple mechanism that is both low cost and reliable. The patient must be positioned such that a straight line between the X-ray source and the film will always pass through the object to be X-rayed, regardless of the position of the X-ray source and the X-ray film which are in operative relationship to each other.

Abstract: A pick and place machine has two pairs of centering jaws slidably mounted in rectilinear slots of a shift plate, with each jaw pair being driven by a pair of scissor links respectively pivoted to a pair of nuts mounted on a dual reverse threaded shaft.