Abstract: Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).

Abstract: The appliance includes an appliance body/handle and an interface assembly for receiving a detachable workpiece. The body/handle includes a signal-generating assembly with electrical connections to the appliance body interface. The signal-generating assembly is controlled by a microprocessor, which generates signals adapted to control and operate the workpiece which is attached to the appliance. A plurality of workpieces are included which are individually adapted for treating various spot skin irregularities. The appliance further includes a system for identifying the workpiece attached, so that appropriate operating signals can be generated and provided to the attached workpiece.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a mechanical lockout. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer. The actuation assembly includes an activation lever that is configured to move from a first activation position toward the longitudinal axis to a second activation position. The activation lever is oriented obliquely relative the longitudinal axis in the second activation position. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation lever is operable to trigger ultrasonic activation of the ultrasonic blade by moving to the second activation position. The mechanical lockout is operable to selectively restrict movement of the first activation lever to the second activation position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment instrument includes a vibration transmitting member transmitting ultrasonic vibration toward a first gripper and formed as one piece, and a second gripper movable between a spaced position where the second gripper is spaced apart from the first gripper and a closed position where the second gripper is put in close to the first gripper. The ultrasonic treatment instrument includes an interlocking actuator increasing, by moving the first gripper in interlock with a movement of the second gripper to the spaced position, a spacing distance between the first gripper and the second gripper in accordance with a movement of the first gripper.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hand held powered surgical devices, loading unit detection assemblies, surgical adapters and/or adapter assemblies for use between and for interconnecting the powered surgical device or handle assembly and an end effector for clamping, cutting, stapling and/or sealing tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a handle assembly or other kind of body configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft assembly having an acoustic waveguide and an ultrasonic blade, and a removable clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to selectively couple with and decouple from the shaft assembly and/or handle assembly of the ultrasonic instrument. The clamp arm may include a coupler or other coupling feature configured to selectively couple the clamp arm with the shaft assembly and/or the handle assembly. The ultrasonic instrument may further comprise a guidance system configured to position and/or orient the clamp arm relative to the ultrasonic instrument.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from tissue surrounding such object in a patient's vasculature system. Specifically, the surgical device includes a handle, an elongate sheath and a circular cutting blade that extends from the distal end of the sheath upon actuating the handle. The circular cutting blade is configured to engage the tissue surrounding an implanted lead and cut such tissue in a coring fashion as the surgical device translates along the length of the lead, thereby allowing the lead, as well as any tissue remaining attached to the lead, to enter the device's elongate shaft. The surgical device has a barrel cam cylinder in the handle assembly that imparts rotation of the blade and a separate cam mechanism in the tip of outer sheath assembly that imparts and controls the extension and retraction of the blade.

Abstract: A tool for surgical operation using ultrasonic waves is provided. The tool includes a transducer generating ultrasonic waves, a cylindrical bar-shaped transmitting rod for transmitting the ultrasonic waves, an end effector for cutting a surgical site using the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting rod, extended from one end of the transmitting rod, in which a part of the circular cross-sectional area thereof is flatly formed from the point corresponding to a second vibration node so as to allow gain step to start at the second vibration node, a rod cover for encompassing the transmitting rod using, as connection points, a plurality of vibration nodes formed when ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the transmitting rod, and a jaw for holding the surgical site while engaged with the end effector, is combined to one end of the rod cover in a pivotable manner, and is positioned to face the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a wetting member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade that is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The wetting member is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The wetting member is configured to be spaced away from the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The wetting member is configured to contact the ultrasonic blade in the second position and thereby apply a cooling fluid to the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue is provided that includes an elongate sheath and an ultrasonic blade. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic blade is positioned within a sheath such that movement of the sheath relative to the blade results in the dissection and/or coagulation of tissue therebetween. In another embodiment, an ultrasonic blade is positioned within a sheath such that movement of the blade relative to the sheath results in the dissection and/or coagulation of tissue therebetween. The size and shape of distal ends of the blade and sheath determine the size and shape of the tissue being cut and/or removed from a body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument for cutting a tissue of a patient includes an end effector projecting from a shaft assembly, which has an acoustic waveguide configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a first clamp pad. The clamp arm is coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to selectively move relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position and toward an ultrasonic blade to a closed position. The clamp arm further includes an abutment configured to engage a portion of the shaft assembly in the closed position thereby inhibiting further movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The first clamp pad thus remains offset from the ultrasonic blade to prevent the first clamp pad from direct contact with the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A driving device includes an output voltage decomposing unit which decomposes an output voltage applied to an ultrasonic transducer into a basic and harmonic components; an output current decomposing unit which decomposes an output current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer into a basic and harmonic components; a capacitor current calculator which calculates a basic and harmonic components of a capacitor current, based on the basic and harmonic components of the output voltage; a driving current calculator which calculates a basic and harmonic components of a driving current based on the basic and harmonic components of the output current and the capacitor current, a driving current summing unit which sums up the basic and harmonic components of the driving current, and a constant current controller which generates constant current control data.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. In accordance with the method, a generator is configured to generate at least one time varying electrical signal having a resonant frequency, monitor the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal, compare the resonant frequency to a threshold frequency, and trigger a first response of the generator when the resonant frequency crosses the threshold frequency.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic probe, a curved portion gravity center of a probe curved portion located on a first perpendicular direction side with respect to a longitudinal axis. A boundary position between a probe relay portion and a probe main body portion is located on a distal side with respect to a reference antinode position which is located most distally among antinode positions of a longitudinal vibration located on a proximal direction side with respect to the probe curved portion. By a cross-section changing portion located at the boundary position, a cross section gravity center in a cross section of the probe relay portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is away from the longitudinal axis toward a second perpendicular direction opposite to the first perpendicular direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a sleeve. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is configured to move toward the ultrasonic blade. The sleeve extends along at least part of the length of an outer portion of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm. The sleeve is configured to prevent tissue from contacting a portion of the ultrasonic blade or clamp arm covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, a waveguide extending distally from the housing, an end effector coupled to the distal end of the waveguide, an ultrasonic transducer retained within the housing, and a controller. The ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the proximal end of the waveguide and configured to produce mechanical motion for transmission along the waveguide to the end effector. The controller is configured to control an amplitude of the mechanical motion of the ultrasonic transducer in accordance with at least one amplitude value. The at least one amplitude value is adjusted according to an age of the ultrasonic transducer to compensate for aging of the ultrasonic transducer. Methods for controlling the amplitude of the mechanical motion of an ultrasonic transducer to compensate for aging of the ultrasonic transducer are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a hand-held device for dermaplaning is disclosed that includes a blade with a safety cage forming an assembly removably mounted to a housing. The dermaplaning device is configured to limit the depth that the blade can penetrate the skin which makes the device safe for use by non-professionals. The dermaplaning device is electrically powered to cause the blade to vibrate at a predetermined frequency. Various embodiments of the hand-held dermaplaning device are disclosed for vibrating the blade. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the blade includes a safety guard for limiting the amount of penetration of the blade into the facial skin to enable the device to be safely used by non-professionals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a handle assembly or other kind of body configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer and a shaft assembly having an acoustic waveguide and an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic instrument further comprises an actuation assembly disposed within the handle assembly. The actuation assembly includes a plurality of buttons disposed about the handle assembly in an angularly spaced array. Each button may be depressed independently of the rest to thereby actuate a switch assembly such that power is provided to the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic waveguide, and the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly is operable to convert radial movement of the buttons into longitudinal, transverse, and/or pivotal movement that actuates the switch assembly.

Abstract: A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transmission rod which is connected to a blade or end effector by a balance portion, which includes first and second balance asymmetries designed to compensate for the imbalances induced by the blade.

Abstract: A gripping unit includes a supporting section in which at least its entire surface is made of an insulating material, and a swing section swingable about a swing axis relative to the supporting section. The swing section includes a jaw-side facing surface opposed to a treatment section, and a jaw-side electrode section functioning as an electrode when high-frequency energy is transmitted. The support member covers the swing section from a distal direction, both of width directions, and an open direction of the jaw, and the swing section is externally exposed only on the jaw-side facing surface.

Abstract: A drive device includes a driven body provided on an opening of a case, and a polymer actuator which is bent and deformed in a height direction and movably supports the driven body in the height direction. A first conductive portion is provided on the case side, a second conductive portion is provided on the driven body side, and the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion configure a plurality of contact portions. When the driven body is raised by the polymer actuator, the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion come into contact with each other by the plurality of contact portions, and thus, the raised state of the driven body is detected.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter system and a method for operating an ultrasonic catheter at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature or tissue are disclosed. The ultrasound catheter system comprises a catheter having at least one ultrasonic element and a control system configured to generate power parameters that drive the at least one ultrasonic element to generate ultrasonic energy. The control system is configured to vary at least one of the power parameters and at least one physiological parameter by repeatedly cycling the power parameter and the physiological parameter through two set of values.

Abstract: A method of operating a medical device comprises connecting a secondary battery pack to the medical device. The secondary battery pack includes a processor configured to emulate at least one electrical characteristic of a primary battery pack that has at least one different electrical characteristic than the secondary battery pack. The method further comprises receiving an interrogation input from the medical device with the processor of the secondary battery pack. The method further comprises sending a response output to the interrogation from the processor to the medical device. The response output emulates an expected response output associated with the at least one different electrical characteristic of the primary battery pack. The method further comprises initiating an operational profile associated with the medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasonic surgical instrument (100) and ultrasonic surgical system; the ultrasonic surgical instrument (100) includes a waveguide (1) rotatable around an axis and in threaded connection with a transducer (200); a force transmission mechanism is in fixed connection with the waveguide (1), which has at least one stress surface (41); a rotatable mechanism includes a pushing mechanism and a rotatable driving mechanism having at least one force applying surface (51), the applying surface (51) and the stress surface (41) are not perpendicular to the axis, and can be engaged with each other; the pushing mechanism provides a pushing force the rotatable driving mechanism towards the force transmission mechanism, and the rotatable driving mechanism can overcome the pushing force when interaction force between the applying surface (51) and the stress surface (41) is in excess of a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an energy treatment apparatus, maximum source electric power of source electric power output from an electric power source is defined, first energy is generated by supplying first driving electric power to a first energy generator due to the source electric power, and second energy is generated by supplying second driving electric power to a second energy generator due to the source electric power. A controller keep the sum of the first driving electric power and the second driving electric power that are supplied per unit time less than or equal to the maximum source electric power of the electric power source continuously with time.

Abstract: A treatment device includes a probe having a treatment portion to treat a biological tissue by using the ultrasonic vibration generated in an ultrasonic transducer; an action portion being able to be close to and away from the treatment portion and including a pressing portion that presses the biological tissue to the treatment portion; and a vibration damping portion disposed in a part of the pressing portion in a state of facing the treatment portion, moving following the treatment portion to which the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted when abutting on the treatment portion in a state where the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the treatment portion, and prevented from being grinded by the treatment portion to which the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.

Abstract: An end effector of a surgical instrument may generally comprise a blade, and a clamp arm assembly comprising a clamp arm movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the blade, and at least one camming member rotationally attached to the clamp arm, wherein the at least one camming member is configured to rotate relative to the blade as the clamp arm moves from the open position to the closed position.

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: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. A generator may generate at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal may be monitored against a first set of logic conditions. When an ultrasonic impedance of the surgical instrument exceeds a threshold impedance, a resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal may be stored as a baseline frequency. A first response of the generator may be triggered upon the occurrence of either the first set of logic conditions being met or the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal differing from the baseline frequency by a baseline deviation threshold.

Abstract: A grasping treatment apparatus includes an ultrasonic control section stopping an output of a vibration generating electric power or outputting the vibration generating electric power in a second ultrasonic output mode where incision performance provided by an ultrasonic vibration in a treatment section becomes smaller than that in a first ultrasonic output mode before a peak detection point. The grasping treatment apparatus includes a high-frequency control section outputting a high-frequency electric power in a second high-frequency output mode where incision performance provided by a high-frequency current flowing between a probe electrode portion and a jaw electrode portion becomes higher than that in a first high-frequency output mode before the peak detection point.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for managing liquid flow associated with a tissue site that involves using reduced pressure to control fluid flow. In one instance, an apparatus includes a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with a reduced-pressure source. The valves are movable between an open position and a closed position and are operable to change flow status (open to closed or vice versa) based on a presence of reduced pressure. At least one of the first valve or the second valve is in the closed position to obstruct a flow of a liquid while the other is in the open position. The apparatus also includes a reservoir fluidly coupled to the first valve and the second valve. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes a fiber, a first actuator that is provided laterally of the fiber to swing the fiber, a second actuator that is arranged at a position opposite to the first actuator with the fiber intervened in between to swing the fiber, and a driver unit that outputs, to the first actuator, a first drive signal having either a first waveform such that a minimum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a positive voltage value as a center, is not less than zero, or a second waveform such that a maximum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a negative voltage value as a center, is not more than zero, and configured to output, to the second actuator, a second drive signal having the same waveform as the first drive signal and different phase from the first drive signal.

Abstract: A treatment device includes a longitudinal probe, a distal end portion, a sheath, a fixed handle, a movable handle, a jaw side through hole portion that is provided in the movable handle and formed between a finger placing portion and a jaw, a sheath side through hole portion that is provided in the sheath and provided at a position at which the sheath side through hole portion does not overlap with the hollow portion; and an opening/closing axis member. The opening/closing axis member is inserted in the jaw side through hole portion and the sheath side through hole portion to openably and closably attach the movable handle to the fixed handle.

Abstract: A grasping treatment device includes a first sheath section, a second sheath section including a bending cylindrical section, and a rotating transmitting portion configured to rotate to allow a grasping section and the first sheath section to rotate in one of periaxial directions of a longitudinal axis with respect to the second sheath section. The grasping treatment device includes an opening/closing transmitting portion configured to move a movable portion of the first sheath section toward a proximal direction with respect to a probe fixed portion by being pulled toward the proximal direction, and an acting force transmitting portion configured to transmit an acting force from the probe fixed portion to the bending cylindrical section, the acting force being configured to act on the probe fixed portion from the movable portion toward the proximal direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing. A shaft is supported on the housing and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft supports a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe includes proximal and distal ends. The distal end has an active blade thereon configured to effect tissue when the jaw member is in the clamping configuration. The proximal end has at least one mating feature thereon. A rotating assembly operably supported on the housing is configured to rotate the shaft. The rotating assembly includes a torque adapter that is engageable with the at least one mating feature to selectively and releasably couple the probe to the housing.

Abstract: A probe which is configured to treat a bone by ultrasonic vibration, includes: a treatment section which is arranged on a distal end side of a vibration transmitting section, to which the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through the vibration transmitting section. The treatment section includes: a cutting blade that includes a treatment surface, and cuts and treats the bone by the treatment surface; a protrusion that is provided at a position different from the cutting blade, protrudes in a direction different from the protruding direction of the treatment surface of the cutting blade, marks the bone, and defines a position of the bone to be treated with the cutting blade; and a regulation surface that is formed at a position where the protrusion is provided, and regulates entrance of the protrusion into the bone beyond a predetermined level.

Abstract: The ablation systems, ablation probes, and corresponding methods according to the present disclosure reduce or eliminate energy radiating from an ablation probe into the environment. Some ablation probes include a retractable sheath that shields at least the radiating portion of the ablation probe. The retractable sheath and/or the ablation probe may include conduits through which a fluid may flow to shield the radiating portion and to drive the retractable sheath to an extended state. Other ablation probes include apertures defined in the probe walls through which the fluid can flow to expand a balloon surrounding the radiating portion. Yet other ablation probes include a thermal indicator to indicate the temperature of the ablation probe to a user. The ablation systems include fluid circuits and associated mechanical controls for varying the contents and/or flow rate of the fluid provided to the radiating portion of the ablation probe.

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: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure is provided. The surgical procedure may be a phacoemulsification procedure but other procedures may employ the techniques disclosed. The design includes sensing, within the surgical site, for a material change in fluid flow relative to a predetermined threshold. Upon sensing the fluid flow materially differs from the predetermined threshold, the design temporarily increases aspiration vacuum pressure to the surgical site above a predetermined upper threshold toward a maximum vacuum level. The design applies electrically generated disruptive energy, including but not limited to laser and/or relatively low power ultrasonic energy, to the surgical site from a first point in time measured from when aspiration vacuum pressure is above the predetermined upper threshold to a second point in time where pressure falls below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a handpiece configured to generate vibratory energy, and a generator coupled to the handpiece. The generator includes a processing device and a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processing device to perform functions including receiving a pressure signal from the handpiece. The pressure signal is indicative of a pressure between the handpiece and a surgical implement. The functions further include determining the pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement, comparing the pressure to a predetermined pressure range, and transmitting a control signal to the handpiece when the pressure is within the predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic surgical clamping instruments and, more particularly, to a curved clamp arm for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments that have an ultrasonically actuated blade that, in one case, is ultrasonically actuated to have motion in substantially a single plane. The curved clamp arm opens and closes with respect to the blade and also has a plane of curvature that is parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the closed position, and not parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. An example method of determining a capacitance capability of an electrical lead for an ultrasound device includes discharging stored capacitance of the electrical lead; applying power to the electrical lead; during applying power to the electrical lead, counting clock cycles from a microprocessor; comparing a electrical lead voltage to a reference voltage; stopping counting clock cycles when the electrical lead voltage passes the reference voltage; and processing a number of counted clock cycles, in response to stopping the counting clock cycles to determine a capacitance of the electrical lead.

Abstract: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Ultrasound catheter devices generally include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include catheter bodies and ultrasound transmission members with increasing distal flexibility, guidewire tubes allowing contact between a guidewire and an ultrasound transmission member, distal heads with improved guidewire lumens, and torquable proximal housings for enhancing disruption of blood vessel occlusions.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for performing a procedure on multiple adjacent segments of a body surface. The methods generally involve positioning a locator device on a body surface to delineate a first body surface segment. A first portion of the locator device may be moved while leaving a second portion of the locator device in place as a reference. The second portion of the locator may then be moved to reform the locator device and delineate a second segment of the body surface. Locator devices comprising two detachable portions are also described.

Abstract: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Ultrasound catheter devices generally include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include catheter bodies and ultrasound transmission members with increasing distal flexibility, guidewire tubes allowing contact between a guidewire and an ultrasound transmission member, distal heads with improved guidewire lumens, and torquable proximal housings for enhancing disruption of blood vessel occlusions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handpiece having a user input feature and a user feedback feature. A shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece. An end effector is disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an active feature responsive to actuation of the user input feature. The active feature is operable to operate on tissue in response to actuation of the user input feature. The user feedback feature is operable to provide feedback to the user that indicates information relating to operation of the end effector. The feedback may include haptic, visual, and/or auditory feedback.

Abstract: A sonotrode for an ultrasonic surgical instrument has a shaft and an instrument head at a distal end of the shaft. The instrument head is equipped with a cutting structure for the treatment of bones. The shaft has a helical cut-out. The helical cut-out is provided with a transversely running shoulder. A method produces a sonotrode and a surgical instrument having such a sonotrode. As a result of the shoulder in the helical cut-out, the torsional vibration of the instrument head is amplified such that bone material can be ablated in a particularly effective fashion.