Abstract: A surgical instrument for the presence and/or location of a foreign body is disclosed. The surgical instrument is hand-held. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes transducers adapted for emitting and/or receiving signals. In such embodiments, the surgical instrument utilizes pulse-echo measurements to determine characteristics and/or location of the foreign body. In other embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a measurement circuit for detecting the presence and/or location of a foreign body by a change in the characteristics of the measurement circuit. The surgical instrument may be utilized to determine such things as the size of a foreign body, the orientation of a foreign body with respect to patient anatomy and/or another foreign body, and whether the foreign body has been completely removed.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a request assembly for a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. The conscious sedation system includes a controller which generates a request for a predetermined response from a patient and which analyses at least a response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. The response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly audibly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller and includes a non-ear-canal-contacting speaker. The response assembly senses the response and communicates the response to the controller.

Abstract: An implantable pedometer for measuring the amount of joint use is disclosed. The implantable pedometer includes a sensor adapted for detecting indicators of joint usage. A counter is configured for storing count data corresponding to the number of indicators detected by the sensor and a telemetry circuit is configured for transmitting the count data outside of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for surgery which includes an ultrasonic hand piece having a end-effector, a console having a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the hand piece, and a memory disposed in the end-effector. The generator console sends a drive current to drive the hand piece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the blade. As the generator console reads the memory, the hand piece is authenticated for use with the generator console if a copyrighted data string is present in the memory. In a particular embodiment, the data string is an encrypted code, where the hand piece is authenticated for use with the console by decoding a corresponding encryption algorithm resident in the generator console and providing a responding data pattern.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a cannula and response testing assemblage for a conscious sedation system. In one embodiment, a controller generates a request for a predetermined response from a patient and analyses at least a response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. A cannula is disposable on the face of the patient for monitoring the breathing of the patient. A request assembly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller. A response assembly senses the response and communicates the response to the controller. At least a part of at least one of the request and response assemblies is supported by the cannula. In another embodiment, the cannula itself is used as the response assembly wherein the response is a breathing response of the patient to the request.

Abstract: A method for detecting transverse mode vibrations in an ultrasonic hand piece/blade is achieved by monitoring the power delivered to the hand piece/blade to determine whether it increases as expected when power levels applied to the hand piece/blade are changed. While the blade is being held in midair, the power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a first power level. Using the value obtained at the first power level, the expected power at a second power level is calculated and used to set a pass/fail threshold level for an actual measured power. Alternatively, the threshold is set for the impedance is set. Next, the actual power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a level 5 power setting. A determination is made whether the hand piece/blade exhibits transverse mode behavior based on whether the actual measured power exceeds the established pass/fail threshold level.

Abstract: A conscious sedation system and a request assembly for a response testing apparatus for a conscious sedation system. The conscious sedation system includes a controller which generates a request for a predetermined response from a patient and which analyses at least a response made by the patient to the request to determine a level of sedation of the patient. The response testing apparatus includes a request assembly and a response assembly. The request assembly audibly communicates to the patient the request generated by the controller and includes a non-ear-canal-contacting speaker. The response assembly senses the response and communicates the response to the controller.

Abstract: The ability of an ultrasonic system to sweep and lock onto a resonance frequency of a blade subjected to a heavy load at startup is improved by applying a high drive voltage or a high drive current while systematically increasing the level of the applied signal. Increasing the drive signal to the hand piece results in an improved and more pronounced “impedance spectrum.” That is, under load, the increased drive signal causes the maximum phase margin to become higher and the minimum/maximum impedance magnitude to become more pronounced. Increasing the excitation drive signal to the hand piece/blade at startup significantly alleviates the limiting factors associated with ultrasonic generators, which results in an increase of the maximum load capability at startup.

Abstract: A method for calculating the capacitance of a transducer (C0) without knowing the exact resonance frequency of a transducer/blade combination is achieved by sweeping across a broad frequency range which contains resonant and non-resonant frequencies where C0 can be measured. A pre-defined frequency range is set independently of the resonance frequency of a specific transducer/blade combination. C0 of the transducer/blade is measured at several different frequencies within the pre-defined frequency range to ensure that invalid C0 measurements are disregarded, and the temperature of the transducer is calculated based on valid C0 measurements. The determined transducer temperature, based on C0 measurements, can be used to optimize performance and/or provide a safety shutdown mechanism for the generator.

Abstract: Various circuit configurations for use in switch assembly used in a surgical hand piece system are provided. The circuit configuration provide a number of functions such as permitting the presence and direction of conductivity to be detected. The circuit configurations also provide a means for detecting and measuring the degree of influence of debris which is located between the conductive members of the handpiece. In addition, the circuit configurations also provide a means for identifying the type of switch end cap which is attached to the handpiece. The handpiece body and the switch mechanism are electrically connected to one another in such a manner that permits the switch end cap to be freely rotated about the handpiece body and reduces the number of conductive members needed to communicate the status of each switch.

Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for implementing surgical procedures which includes an ultrasonic surgical hand piece having an end-effector, a console having a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the hand piece, an electrical connection connecting the hand piece and the console, and a memory, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), disposed in the electrical connection. The console sends a drive current to drive the hand piece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the blade. The console reads the memory and authenticates the hand piece for use with the console if particular or proprietary data are present in the memory. Moreover, to prevent errors in operating the hand piece, the memory can store certain diagnostic information which the console can utilize in determining whether the operation of the hand piece should be handicapped or disabled. Furthermore, the memory can be used to reprogram the console, if needed.

Abstract: Described is a fingertip electrosurgical device useful for tissue grasping and tissue cutting, coagulating, welding and ablating in open and laparoscopic surgery applications. The electrosurgical medical device has a finger cuff assembly that attaches to the distal end of a surgeon's finger. An electrode is attached to, or is intrinsically part of, the finger cuff assembly. This electrode is connected to at least one electrically conductive wire that is adapted to transmit electric current to the electrode. The electrode may take any number of shapes depending upon the surgical procedure. Generally, two finger cuff assemblies are used in an opposable relationship to facilitate energy transfer or tissue grasping functions performed by the surgeon.

Abstract: According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch.

Abstract: Various circuit configurations for use in switch assembly used in a surgical hand piece system are provided. The circuit configuration provide a number of functions such as permitting the presence and direction of conductivity to be detected. The circuit configurations also provide a way to detect and measure the degree of influence of debris which is located between the conductive members of the handpiece. In addition, the circuit configurations also provide a way to identify the type of switch end cap which is attached to the handpiece. The handpiece body and the switch mechanism are electrically connected to one another in such a manner that permits the switch end cap to be freely rotated about the handpiece body and reduces the number of conductive members needed to communicate the status of each switch.

Abstract: Various circuit configurations for use in switch assembly used in a surgical hand piece system are provided. The circuit configuration provide a number of functions such as permitting the presence and direction of conductivity to be detected. The circuit configurations also provide a means for detecting and measuring the degree of influence of debris which is located between the conductive members of the handpiece. In addition, the circuit configurations also provide a means for identifying the type of switch end cap which is attached to the handpiece. The handpiece body and the switch mechanism are electrically connected to one another in such a manner that permits the switch end cap to be freely rotated about the handpiece body and reduces the number of conductive members needed to communicate the status of each switch.

Abstract: A method for detecting transverse mode vibrations in an ultrasonic hand piece/blade is achieved by monitoring the power delivered to the hand piece/blade to determine whether it increases as expected when power levels applied to the hand piece/blade are changed. While the blade is being held in midair, the power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a first power level. Using the value obtained at the first power level, the expected power at a second power level is calculated and used to set a pass/fail threshold level for an actual measured power. Alternatively, the threshold is set for the impedance is set. Next, the actual power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a level 5 power setting. A determination is made whether the hand piece/blade exhibits transverse mode behavior based on whether the actual measured power exceeds the established pass/fail threshold level.

Abstract: A method for detecting transverse mode vibrations in an ultrasonic hand piece/blade is achieved by monitoring the power delivered to the hand piece/blade to determine whether it increases as expected when power levels applied to the hand piece/blade are changed. While the blade is being held in midair, the power delivered to the hand piece/blade and /or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a first power level. Using the value obtained at the first power level, the expected power at a second power level is calculated and used to set a pass/fail threshold level for an actual measured power. Alternatively, the threshold is set for the impedance is set. Next, the actual power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a level 5 power setting. A determination is made whether the hand piece/blade exhibits transverse mode behavior based on whether the actual measured power exceeds the established pass/fail threshold level.