Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245841 | Method for Operating an Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimal Tissue Compression - A method for effecting a tissue-compressing surgery at a user-selected compression force provides an electrical switch having switching states changed solely by mechanical movements. The switch is mechanically coupled with an adjustable biasing device retaining the switch in one state until a force greater than the bias device is imparted to the switch. The switch is in line with a tissue-compressing device to place a proportional amount of compression force on the switch as imparted upon the tissue. The biasing device is set to a desired state-changing tissue compression force so that the switch changes its state when the force on the switch is at least the desired force. Tissue compresses until a force imparted on the switch at least equals the desired state-changing tissue compression force and, at such time, the switching state changes and, thereafter, a surgical procedure is carried out on the compressed tissue. | 10-09-2008 |
20080251569 | Optimal Tissue Compression Electrical Surgical Instrument - An OTC surgical device includes a handle having therein a compression controller and thereat an end effector, which has an electrically controlled tissue-compressor coupled to the controller and powered thereby to selectively control tissue compression. A mechanical binary-output electrical switch is disposed in-line with the compressor to place a compressing force directed upon the compressed tissue proportionally upon the switch. The switch has two switching states initiated and changed only by mechanical movement. The switch includes a biasing device retaining the switch in a first switching state until a force imparted thereupon overcomes the bias force to change to the second switching state. A switching-state-status output provides information identifying a current state and communicates with the compression controller to selectively control compression of tissue based upon the information. With appropriate feedback, the controller can keep the tissue at OTC while the surgical procedure is carried out. | 10-16-2008 |
20080277447 | Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device - A medical device includes a control handle, an end effector, and a passive articulating joint connecting the end effector to the handle. The handle has a stapling actuator, an articulation joint actuator different from the stapling actuator, and a body through which the stapling and articulation joint actuators traverse. The end effector has an anvil, a stapler cartridge with staples, and an anvil-cartridge control device connected thereto and to the stapling actuator and staples when the stapling actuator is actuated. The stapling actuator passes through the articulating joint and flexes correspondingly to articulation of the articulating joint. The articulation joint actuator, when unactuated, holds the articulation joint and, thereby, the end effector, in a substantially fixed articulation position, and, when actuated, releases the articulation joint into its freely articulating state to permit free articulation of the end effector dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector. | 11-13-2008 |
20090057369 | Electrically Self-Powered Surgical Instrument With Manual Release - An electrically operated surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly effecting a surgical procedure when actuated and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the assembly. A part of the assembly moves between start and fully actuated positions. The handle has a self-contained power supply and a drive assembly disposed entirely within the handle. The drive assembly has an electrically powered motor and a controller electrically connected to the power supply and to the motor. The controller selectively operates the motor. A transmission mechanically connects the motor to the moving part and selectively displaces the moving part anywhere between the start and fully extended positions when the motor is operated. A manual release is mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the start position independent of motor operation. | 03-05-2009 |
20090137878 | Flexible, Selectively Rotatable Tissue Retractor and Method for Using the Retractor - A retractor for manipulating an object, the retractor includes a retractor body with proximal and distal ends, a retraction device with a head connected at the distal end of the retractor body and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape, the memory shape of the needles including a portion with an arcuate shape housed, at least partially, within the head. The retractor further includes an actuation device connected to the proximal end of the retractor body and operatively connected to the needles, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moving the needles out of the head and withdrawing the needles into the head and a rotation joint allowing the distal end of the retractor body and the retraction device to rotate independent of the proximal end of the retractor body. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138003 | Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle. The battery has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly generating an output radio-frequency signal and a first selectively removable connector part. The surgical handle has a first handle body portion with a bipolar cautery and cutting end effector. The end effector has jaws with bipolar contacts and a cutting blade disposed between the jaws. The handle has a second body portion connected to the first body portion, defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery, and a second selectively removable connector part operable to removably hold the first connector part thereto. The second connector part has conductors electrically connecting the RF assembly to the bipolar contacts for supplying the radio-frequency signal to the bipolar contacts when the first and second connector parts are removably secured together. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138006 | CORDLESS POWER-ASSISTED MEDICAL CAUTERIZATION AND CUTTING DEVICE - A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle operable to removably hold the battery thereto. The handle has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly and a surgical bipolar end effector having jaws and a cutting blade therebetween. The signal-generation assembly selectively supplies radio-frequency signal to the end effector when powered for electrocautery of tissue between the jaws. The handle defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery. A motor assembly is disposed in the handle and is electrically connected to the battery and/or the signal-generation assembly and is powered and controlled thereby. The motor assembly physically couples to the blade and/or at least one jaw for moving the blade/jaw(s). The second connector part electrically connects the battery to the signal-generation assembly and/or the motor assembly when the battery is removably disposed in the compartment. | 05-28-2009 |
20090143797 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes a reusable cordless ultrasonic transducer and a disposable handle body that defines a battery-holding compartment therewithin, having an ultrasonic surgical waveguide, and operable to removably couple the transducer to the waveguide, the transducer being removably couplable to the handle body. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143798 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical waveguide driving assembly for attachment to a surgical ultrasonic instrument handle with a cordless power source therein includes a reusable cordless ultrasonic transducer that has an ultrasonic waveguide couple at which the transducer is operable to excite a waveguide attached thereto and a power input disposed to substantially simultaneously connect the waveguide couple to a waveguide and the power input to a power source located within the handle. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143799 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body defining a battery-holding compartment shaped to receive a battery therein and operable to couple a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic transducer therethrough. The body has a transducer dock exposed to the environment and interchangeably housing the transducer and a waveguide attachment dock shaped to align and attach the proximal end of the waveguide to the transducer and hold them at the body when the respectively docked at the transducer and attachment docks. A disposable driving-wave generation circuit in the handle body electrically contacts the battery and the transducer when the battery and the transducer are disposed respectively in the battery-holding compartment and the transducer dock. The circuit generates an output waveform sufficient to cause ultrasonic movement along the waveguide by exciting the transducer when the transducer is coupled to the waveguide. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143800 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly for connection to an ultrasonic surgical handle includes a reusable exterior body defining an internal compartment and having a connection operable to removably secure the body in a body-holding compartment within the ultrasonic surgical handle, a reusable cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly disposed in the compartment and having an output couple removably attachable to an ultrasonic waveguide and operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide, and a reusable and rechargeable battery disposed in the compartment and electrically connected to and powering the assembly. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143801 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body that has a first handle body portion defining a handgrip and a second handle body portion connected to the first handle body portion, where the second handle body portion has a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and having a first couple operable to connect an ultrasonic waveguide thereto and an aseptically sealable powered-ultrasonic-motion-generator assembly dock shaped to connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to an assembly within the assembly dock through the second handle body portion. The disposable ultrasonic surgical handle also includes a disposable compartment door movably connected to the second handle body portion to selectively expose the assembly dock to the environment, where the handle has an open position exposing the assembly dock to the environment and permitting entry and removal of the powered-ultrasonic-motion-generator assembly respectively into and from the assembly dock and a closed position aseptically sealing the assembly dock from the environment. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143802 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes a disposable ultrasonic waveguide, a reusable exterior body, and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly removably disposed in the body and operable to generate ultrasonic movement of the waveguide when connected thereto. The assembly also includes a reusable and rechargeable battery disposed in the body, a disposable handle having both a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and operably connecting the waveguide thereto and an aseptically sealable assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to connect the waveguide in the attachment dock to the assembly through the handle when the assembly is disposed in the assembly dock. The assembly further includes a disposable compartment door that is movably connected to the handle to selectively expose the assembly dock to the environment and has an open position, permitting entry and removal of the assembly respectively into and from the assembly dock, and a closed position, aseptically sealing the assembly dock from the environment. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143803 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic waveguide and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly that has a selectively removable securing connector and an output couple operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the waveguide is connected thereto. The assembly also includes a removable battery and a surgical handle that has a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment, aseptically removably holding therein the battery and electrically connecting the battery therein to the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly. A second handle body portion is connected to the first handle body portion and has a waveguide attachment dock that is exposed to the environment and has a first couple operable to connect the waveguide thereto and an ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly dock that is exposed to the environment and shaped to removably secure the second handle body portion to the securing connector and connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to the output couple through the second handle body portion. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143804 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic assembly that is removably connectable to an ultrasonic waveguide of an ultrasonic surgical handle includes a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly having an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic transducer electrically coupled to the generator and having an output couple, a shell housing therein the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly and having a securing connection shaped to removably connect to the ultrasonic surgical handle. The output couple is operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the securing connection is connected to the ultrasonic surgical handle and the waveguide is connected to the output couple. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143805 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly includes a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment shaped to receive the battery therein, a second handle body portion connected to the first handle body portion, and an electrical couple. The second handle body portion has a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the waveguide attachment dock to the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly through the second handle body portion. The electrical couple is operable to connect a battery within the battery-holding compartment to the ultrasonic-movement-generator-assembly when the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly is docked at the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly dock. | 06-04-2009 |
20090171354 | Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - A cordless surgical device includes a modular battery, a radio-frequency signal generating assembly, a surgical handle and an interchangeable circuit casing. The RF signal generating assembly includes RF-signal-generating circuitry, a voltage-control circuit and an external output. The voltage circuit is configured to control an output of the RF-signal-generating circuitry. The handle is configured to support a bipolar end effector having jaws with bipolar contacts and a cutting blade disposed between the jaws. The handle includes leads operable to receive RF signals from the external output and defines an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment configured to hold the battery. The circuit casing is configured to house the RF signal generating assembly and includes a securing connection adapted to couple the external output of the RF signal generating assembly to the leads. The external output is operable to impart RF signals to the handle when the circuit casing connects to the handle. | 07-02-2009 |
20090240245 | Method for Powering a Surgical Instrument - A method for powering an electrosurgical instrument includes the steps of inserting a removable battery assembly into an electrosurgical instrument and activating the power control circuit to power the electrosurgical instrument. The removable battery assembly includes a power control circuit powered by at least one energy storage cell, a radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly communicatively coupled to the power control circuit and operable to selectively produce a radio-frequency signal, and a battery assembly/instrument interface operably coupled to the radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly. The battery assembly/instrument interface includes a first plurality of connectors removably connectable with at least one corresponding connector coupled to the electrosurgical instrument, at least one of the first plurality of connectors being operable to supply the radio-frequency signal to the electrosurgical instrument. | 09-24-2009 |
20090299280 | Catheter with Controllable Stiffness and Method for Operating a Selective Stiffening Catheter - A method and device for treating a Chronic Total Occlusion provides a controllable stiffness catheter with a shaft having a stiffness sheath and an access lumen. The device has a stiffness device in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the temperature, a temperature-changing device in thermal contact with the stiffness device, the temperature-changing device changing a temperature of the stiffness device below and above the temperature, and a power controller electrically connected to the stiffness device and selectively supplying power to the temperature-changing device to change a stiffness of the stiffness device between the stiff and soft states. A guidewire is moved to a treatment site and the catheter moves along the guidewire up to CTO in its soft state. The catheter stiffens without straightening and, in the stiff state, the catheter or the guidewire is projecting through the CTO. | 12-03-2009 |
20090327715 | System and Method for Cryptographic Identification of Interchangeable Parts - An anti-counterfeiting identification system for a medical tubing system, including a tubing assembly having upstream and downstream tubing portions removably connected to one another in a mechanically coupled state and a mechanically uncoupled state. The mechanically coupled state is a reliable fluid tight connection of the upstream and downstream portions for fluids passing there through from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A two-part encrypted identification assembly has a first part connected to the upstream portion and a second part connected to the downstream portion. The first and second parts are electrically connected only through one lead and ground and are electrically connected to one another only in the mechanically coupled state. Also provided are methods for identification, anti-piracy, and inventory. | 12-31-2009 |
20100000074 | Method of Assembling a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical assembly includes the steps of substantially simultaneously removably coupling an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to an ultrasonic surgical handle body and removably inserting an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of a rotatably free ultrasonic transducer into the ultrasonic surgical handle body. An ultrasonic waveguide is inserted into the ultrasonic surgical handle body opposite the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end. The ultrasonic waveguide is rotated with respect to the ultrasonic transducer to fixedly couple the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004668 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device and Method - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a removable battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body with a portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment. The ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock is shaped to substantially simultaneously selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body, place an end of the ultrasonic transducer within the transducer attachment dock, and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the at least two battery contacts. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004669 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device and Method - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body having a power supply portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the battery contacts, and a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock and electrically couple the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly when the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly is secured to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock. The battery can be removable. | 01-07-2010 |
20100030248 | Medical Ultrasonic Cauterization and Cutting Device and Method - An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a first jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the shaft terminating at the proximal end of the first jaw and the first jaw has an internal trough running from and through the proximal end of the first jaw and terminating at a point prior to the distal end of the first jaw and a surface having a plurality of teeth on either side of the trough and at the distal end of the first jaw. A second jaw has a surface facing the surface of the first jaw and having a plurality of teeth thereat. An ultrasonic waveguide extends beyond the shaft and is slidably engagable with the trough, where the ultrasonic waveguide has a distal end, a proximal end, a top surface portion, and a tissue compressing surface upwardly sloping from the distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide to the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, at least one of the tissue compressing surface and the top surface portion forming a cutting surface and wherein the jaws are operable to compress tissue therebetween and the ultrasonic waveguide is operable to slide within the trough to further compress and cut the compressed tissue as the ultrasonic waveguide moves in a direction from the proximal end of the first jaw to the distal end of the first jaw. | 02-04-2010 |
20100096431 | ACTIVE BRAKING ELECTRICAL SURGICAL IINSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR BRAKING SUCH AN INSTRUMENT - An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor. | 04-22-2010 |
20100127040 | Method for Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device with Dual Actuating Control Knob - A method for operating a surgical end effector, including providing a control shaft having a longitudinal axis with a distal end effector assembly at least partially actuated by a displacement of an actuating part along the longitudinal axis and providing the control shaft with a proximal handle connector having a rotating link operable to connect the control shaft to a control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. An end effector two-function control device is fixed rotationally to at least part of the control shaft to couple rotation of the two-function control device, the control shaft, and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally to the actuating part to couple longitudinal movement of the two-function control device and the actuating part with respect to the control shaft. | 05-27-2010 |
20100230465 | Methods for Cryptographic Identification of Interchangeable Parts for Surgical Instruments - A method for encrypted authentication of interchangeable parts of a surgical instrument includes providing a surgical end effector at a distal end of a handle of the surgical instrument and electrically connecting an authentication controller within the handle to a receiving portion of the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably placed at the receiving portion. The interchangeable part is authenticated with the authentication controller when the interchangeable part is seated in the end effector. | 09-16-2010 |
20100258611 | Electrical Surgical Stapling Instrument with Tissue Compressive Force Control - A surgical stapling instrument includes a handle having a stapler-closing device. A surgical stapling end effector is connected to the handle and has a pair of opposing stapling surfaces. At least one of the stapling surfaces is operable to move with respect to the other of the stapling surfaces upon actuation of the stapler-closing device to apply a compressive force to tissue therebetween. At least one variable member is operable to receive the compressive force applied to the tissue and to exhibit at least one of mechanical and electrical change associated with the received compressive force. The change influences a surgical procedure on the compressed tissue. | 10-14-2010 |
20100280510 | Method for Operating a Selective Stiffening Catheter - A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device. | 11-04-2010 |
20110009890 | Method of Switching a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for operating an ultrasonic, self-powered surgical device, includes the steps of connecting a self-contained power supply to a surgical device handle, providing a control circuit within at least one of the handle and the power supply, the control circuit being operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition. | 01-13-2011 |
20110054506 | Two-Stage Switch for Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic, self-powered surgical device includes a handle, a self-contained power supply associated with the handle, and a control circuit disposed within the handle and/or the power supply. The control circuit is operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device. A two-stage switch is electrically connected to the control circuit and effects the at least two operational conditions of the surgical device. A first stage of the switch effects a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effects a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition. | 03-03-2011 |
20110071360 | Tissue Retractor and Method for Using the Retractor - A retractor for manipulating an object includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a retraction device with a head connected to the distal end of the body, a connector movably disposed in the body, and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are connected to the connector and each have a distal tip. The memory shape of the needles include a portion with an arcuate shape biasing the needles in a memory direction out and away from the head and toward the body to position the distal tip of each of the needles closer to the body when the needles are fully extended out of the head than when the needles are only partially extended out of the head. An actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and operatively connected to the connector through the body, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moves the connector to selectively extend the needles out of the head in different directions and withdraw the needles into the head. | 03-24-2011 |
20110082444 | Zero-Pressure Balloon Catheter and Method for Using the Catheter - A safety catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion with a distal end having a given outer diameter and a distal tip portion having an outer diameter less than the given outer diameter. A hollow balloon is disposed at a junction of the proximal shaft portion and the distal tip portion. The balloon has a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion and a proximal leg removably secured to the proximal shaft portion. | 04-07-2011 |
20110130628 | Method for Transmitting Torque and Variably Flexing a Corrugated Insertion Device - A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, an outer jacket and an inner sleeve, maintaining the hollow body in relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with wires disposed at least partly between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve and being free of at least one of the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube disposed between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, and applying suction to create a vacuum between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition, with a transitioning device for frictionally locking the wires and the corrugated tube in place. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130630 | Method for Transmitting Torque and Variably Flexing a Corrugated Insertion Device - A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition, maintaining the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with tendons disposed within the hollow body, and individually adjusting at least some of the tendons in length for steering a distal end of the hollow body. | 06-02-2011 |
20110167619 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional current into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a measurement circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, a variable power source operable to supply current through a set of connection points to the parallel configuration and thereby create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer, and a current controller operable to regulate the motional current by varying an output of the variable power source, thereby maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 07-14-2011 |
20110167620 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly having a shell and an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit housed within the shell, an ultrasonic transducer having a proximal end and an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end, an ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal end for receiving ultrasonic movement thereat, and a handle body having a waveguide attachment dock operable to accept the waveguide therein, an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly dock operable to selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly thereto, and a transducer attachment dock operable to substantially simultaneously selectively removably and rotatably freely couple the ultrasonic transducer to the handle body rotationally independent of the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly and axially align the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end opposite the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock. | 07-14-2011 |
20110167621 | Method of Assembling a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical device includes the steps of providing a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide at an ultrasonic surgical handle body, removably coupling an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly having a ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body, mechanically coupling an ultrasonic transducer rotationally freely and substantially longitudinally fixedly to the ultrasonic surgical handle body to place an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer opposite and adjacent the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and rotating the waveguide and the ultrasonic transducer with respect to one another to removably fixedly couple the waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple the ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172660 | Battery-Powered Electrosurgical Forceps With Multi-Turn Selectable-Ratio Transformer - An electrocautery surgical device includes a battery power source and radio-frequency signal generating circuitry electrically coupled to the battery power source and operable to deliver power to an electrosurgical forceps. The radio-frequency signal generating circuitry includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding includes first and second primary sub-windings. At least one switching component is electrically coupled to the first and second primary sub-windings and is operable to switch between engaging the first primary sub-winding and engaging the second primary sub-winding such that a current flows through the first and/or second primary sub-windings. The first and second primary sub-windings have a different number of turns such that the radio-frequency signal generating circuitry produces a different impedance value depending on which one of the first and second primary sub-windings is engaged. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172689 | Method of Maintaining Constant Movement of a Cutting Blade on an Ultrasonic Waveguide - A method of maintaining a constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide includes providing an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional current into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a measurement circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, and a variable power source operable to supply current through a set of connection points to the parallel configuration and thereby create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer. Current is supplied through a set of connection points of the parallel configuration with the variable power source to, thereby, create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer and the motional current is regulated with a current controller by varying an output of the power source, thereby maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 07-14-2011 |
20110178542 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a motional feedback circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the transducer, a variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration, a voltage meter operable to determine a feedback voltage measured from the motional feedback circuit, and a voltage controller operable to vary an output of the power source based upon the measured feedback voltage, resulting in a substantially constant feedback voltage and maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 07-21-2011 |
20110184445 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal end for receiving ultrasonic movement thereat, an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly having a shell, an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit housed within the shell, and an ultrasonic transducer having a proximal end disposed within the shell and an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end, and a handle body having a waveguide attachment dock operable to accept the waveguide therein, an assembly dock shaped to removably secure at least a portion of the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly thereat, the assembly dock operable to selectively removably secure at least the shell thereat and to position the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer co-axially opposite the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock. | 07-28-2011 |
20110186377 | FIREARM SILENCER AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AND FASTENING A SILENCER ONTO A FIREARM - A firearm suppressor includes a unitary, hollow outer can and a monolithic extruded baffle. The outer can has an interior-threaded proximal end and a radially closed distal end with a longitudinal bore opening the interior of the can to the environment. The monolithic extruded baffle has a proximal end having outer circumferential threads shaped to secure removably inside the proximal end of the outer can and defines a proximal longitudinal bore shaped to receive at least a portion of the firearm barrel and removably secure thereto a distal end defining a distal longitudinal bore with a diameter sufficient to permit a projectile to pass therethrough. The baffle has central baffle walls disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. Each baffle wall has a longitudinal bore axially aligned with the proximal longitudinal bore and the distal longitudinal bore. | 08-04-2011 |
20110190800 | Method of Maintaining Constant Movement of a Cutting Blade of an Ultrasonic Waveguide - A method of maintaining constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a motional feedback circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, and a variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration. A feedback voltage measured from the motional feedback circuit is determined and an output of the power source is varied based upon the measured feedback voltage to result in a substantially constant feedback voltage and, thereby, maintain a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 08-04-2011 |
20110210156 | Electrically Self-Powered Surgical Instrument With Manual Release - A method for operating a surgical instrument includes mechanically coupling a manual release to a transmission of a surgical instrument having a self-contained power supply disposed entirely within a handle thereof. The transmission translates movement of an electrically powered motor inside the handle to movement of a part of a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The part is operable to move anywhere between a start position and a fully actuated position. The method further includes selectively interrupting the transmission with the manual release to move the part towards the start position independent of motor operation. | 09-01-2011 |
20110251632 | Method of Powering a Surgical Instrument - A method for powering electrically powered surgical instruments includes removably inserting a cordless battery assembly into a handle thereof, the instrument handles having a battery chamber and different types. The battery assembly comprises an energy cell powering a signal generation assembly of the instruments. A battery/handle interface has connectors mating with connectors within the chamber. A voltage-control circuit is operable to communicate with and power the signal generation assembly, detect which handle type is connected to the battery assembly, and provide different outputs in response to a detection of the handle types. As the battery assembly is inserted, connectors of the battery/handle interface are coupled with connectors within the battery chamber to communicatively couple the voltage-control circuit to the signal generation assembly and provide power thereto. The connected handle is detected and dependent upon the detected handle type a different one of the outputs are provided. | 10-13-2011 |
20110257650 | Battery Assembly for Battery-Powered Surgical Instruments - A battery assembly is used in battery-powered surgical instruments with handles having a battery chamber and different handle types. The battery assembly includes a housing having an exterior shape formed to removably connect with the battery chamber of the handles and a voltage-control circuit. The housing has at least one energy storage cell operable to power a signal generation assembly of the surgical instruments and a battery/handle interface having a plurality of connectors shaped to mate with a plurality of corresponding connectors within the battery chamber of the handles. The voltage-control circuit is operable to communicatively couple with and provide power to the signal generation assembly, detect which one of the handle types is connected to the housing, provide a first output in response to a detection of a first handle type, and provide at least a second output in response to a detection of a second handle type. | 10-20-2011 |
20120022523 | Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimized Power Supply and Drive - A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector operable to effect a surgical procedure when powered, an electric motor operationally connected to the end effector, and a power supply electrically connected to and selectively powering the motor to operate the end effector, the power supply having at least one battery cell with a critical current rate and having a switch that when activated to power the motor, operates the at least one battery cell at a super-critical current rate. | 01-26-2012 |
20120046692 | Adjustable Compression Staple and Method for Stapling with Adjustable Compression - A method for applying and maintaining optimal tissue compression with a staple includes piercing tissue with deformable distal ends of staple legs, each distal end defining a stapling point shaped to pierce material, the two staple legs coupled to each other at base ends thereof by a bridge and together forming a substantially U-shaped staple body. The two staple legs enter the tissue until the tissue applies a compressive force to a compression device disposed at least partly between the two staple legs. The compression device has a compression surface movably disposed between the two staple legs and a compression resistor that is connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and operable to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force. The two staple legs are deformed to maintain the compressive force between the tissue and the compression device. | 02-23-2012 |
20120071796 | Battery-Powered Hand-Held Ultrasonic Surgical Cautery Cutting Device - A battery-powered, modular surgical device includes an electrically powered surgical instrument operable to surgically interface with human tissue and a handle assembly connected to the surgical instrument. The handle assembly has a removable hand grip and a handle body. The hand grip is shaped to permit handling of the surgical device by one hand of an operator, has an upper portion and a cordless internal battery assembly that powers the surgical instrument. The internal battery assembly has at least one energy storage cell. The handle body is operable to removably connect at least the upper portion of the hand grip thereto and create an aseptic seal around at least a portion of the hand grip when connected thereto and electrically couple the internal battery assembly of the hand grip to the surgical instrument and thereby power the surgical instrument for interfacing surgically with the human tissue. | 03-22-2012 |
20120080475 | Method for Operating a Surgial Stapling and Cutting Device - A method for operating a surgical end effector of a medical device includes the steps of operably associating a passive articulation joint with a surgical end effector to allow articulation of the end effector, retaining the passive articulation joint in a still position with an articulation lock, releasing the articulation lock to free the passive articulation joint from its still position thereby permitting the end effector to articulate through the passive articulation joint dependent upon forces that are external to the device and are applied to the end effector, and passively articulating the end effector into a desired articulated position by pressing a portion of the end effector against a feature of the environment. | 04-05-2012 |
20120095491 | Variably Flexible Insertion Device and Method for Variably Flexing an Insertion Device - A variably flexible insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument and a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument. A device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. Tendons within the hollow body maintain the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions. A method for variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument, includes providing a hollow body having inner and outer sleeves defining a space therebetween in which tendons are disposed. Suction is applied to create a vacuum in the space for frictionally locking the tendons in place between the sleeves in a relatively stiff condition of the hollow body. The vacuum is relieved to release the tendons in a relatively flexible condition of the hollow body. | 04-19-2012 |
20120157995 | Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - An end effector assembly for a forceps includes jaws, a cutting assembly, and at least one cam assembly. At least one jaw is moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions for grasping tissue. At least one jaw includes a control trough that extends therealong. The pivot has first and second pivot bosses defining a pivot hole therebetween. The cutting assembly includes a blade and blade control portion, and defines a longitudinal axis through the blade and the control portion. The control portion slidably translates through the pivot hole defined between the pivot bosses to allow selective advancement thereof through the trough. The blade is disposed distally of the pivot and extends farther from the axis than an outer surface of the control portion. The cam assembly is coupled to the moveable jaw and is actuatable to move the movable jaw between the positions. | 06-21-2012 |
20120221031 | Method of Maintaining Constant Movement of a Cutting Blade of an Ultrasonic Waveguide - A method of maintaining a constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide includes providing an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional current into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a measurement circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, and a variable power source operable to supply current through a set of connection points to the parallel configuration and thereby create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer. Current is supplied through a set of connection points of the parallel configuration with the variable power source to, thereby, create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer and the motional current is regulated with a current controller by varying an output of the power source, thereby maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 08-30-2012 |
20120261066 | Sealed Device and Method of Sealing - A method for creating a sealed device includes the steps of providing a structure comprised of at least two adjacent parts forming an enclosure and having a contact surface therebetween. At least one part of the structure is comprised of a material that appears substantially opaque to the naked eye and is substantially transparent to light. A light-curable adhesive is applied at the contact surface, and light is transmitted to cure the light-curable adhesive to form a hermetic seal at the contact surface between the at least two adjacent parts. | 10-18-2012 |
20120277780 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional current into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a measurement circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, a variable power source operable to supply current through a set of connection points to the parallel configuration and thereby create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer, and a current controller operable to regulate the motional current by varying an output of the variable power source, thereby maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. | 11-01-2012 |
20120279798 | Firearm Silencer and Methods for Manufacturing and Fastening a Silencer Onto a Firearm - A firearm suppressor includes a hollow outer can having an interior-threaded proximal end and a radially closed distal end with a bore, a barrel nut having a barrel bore and an outer-threaded distal threading to the can, and a baffle. The baffle has an intermediate wall with a bore and extends outward to the can interior to prevent fluid passing across other than through the bore. A proximal baffle wall has a bore aligned with the other bores and is shaped to secure to the barrel and extends outward not as far as the outer can interior to permit fluid passage. The baffle is shorter than the can's interior length to have the can, the nut, and the baffle define a plenum extending from the proximal end portion to the nut so that the proximal baffle wall directs fluid from the barrel backwards as a muzzle brake. | 11-08-2012 |
20120286020 | Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device - A medical device, comprising a pistol-shaped handle, a laparoscopic shaft extending from the handle having a distal end and defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector connected to the distal end of the shaft, a surgical procedure actuator operable to carry out a surgical procedure on tissue at the end effector, and a rotating knob at the handle that is rotatable with respect to the shaft about the shaft axis and is operable to actuate the surgical procedure actuator and effect the surgical procedure. | 11-15-2012 |
20130015232 | Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimized Power Supply and Drive - A hand-held, electrically powered and controlled surgical stapler/cutter includes a handle shaped to fit in one hand of a user and a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The handle contains therein a selectively actuated, self-contained electric power supply having at least one battery cell, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly electrically connected to the power supply. The surgical end effector is operatively connected to each of the anvil control assembly and the stapler/cutter control assembly. The stapler/cutter control assembly staples and cuts tissue disposed at the surgical end effector when powered by the power supply. | 01-17-2013 |
20130018226 | Method for Variably Flexing and Steering an Insertion Device - A method for variably flexing and steering an insertion device that receives an instrument, which comprises providing a hollow body having tendons disposed therewithin and a distal end, changing a condition of the hollow body by selectively applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body to place the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition and relieving the vacuum to place the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition, maintaining the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with the tendons, the vacuum created by the applied suction frictionally locking the tendons in place in the relatively stiff condition, and individually adjusting at least one of the tendons in length to steer the distal end of the hollow body. | 01-17-2013 |
20130020373 | Method for Operating an Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimal Tissue Compression - A method of configuring a surgical instrument having a surgical tissue-compressing device including opposing compression surfaces with a tissue-compression-measuring mechanism, the method comprising providing a switching element having first and second switching states changed solely by mechanical movements, mechanically coupling the switching element with a biasing element retaining the switching element in one of the first and second switching states until a pre-determined force is imparted to the switching element, the pre-determined force being an amount of force proportional to an optimal tissue compression force of compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces, and positioning the switching element in line with the surgical tissue-compressing device to cause the pre-determined force, proportional to a force placed upon compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces, to be placed upon the switching element. | 01-24-2013 |
20130046290 | Two-Stage Switch for Surgical Device - A surgical device, comprising a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, and a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition, wherein the force required to sustain the first operational condition is less than the force required to enter the first operational condition and the force required to enter the second operational condition is greater than the force required to sustain the first operational condition. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046291 | Method of Switching a Surgical Device - Method for operating a surgical device, comprising providing a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition, wherein the force required to sustain the first operational condition is less than the force required to enter the first operational condition and the force required to enter the second operational condition is greater than the force required to sustain the first operational condition. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046321 | Two-Stage Switch for Surgical Device - A self-powered surgical device, comprising a handle having a self-contained power supply and a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device; and a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition, the two-stage switch having a variable resistance such that the first stage occurs when a first depression force is applied to the switch, the second stage occurs when a second depression force greater than the first depression force is applied to the switch, and a holding force lower than at least the second depression force is required to maintain the switch in the second stage. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046322 | Method of Switching a Surgical Device - Method for operating a self-powered surgical device, comprising providing a handle with a self-contained power supply and control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the two operational conditions different from the first operational condition, the two-stage switch having a variable resistance such that the first stage occurs when a first depression force is applied to the switch, the second stage occurs when a second depression force greater than the first depression force is applied to the switch, and a holding force lower than the second depression force is required to maintain the switch in the second stage. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046373 | Actively Controllable Stent, Stent Graft, Heart Valve and Method of Controlling Same - Sealable and repositionable implant devices are provided with features that increase the ability of implants such as endovascular grafts and valves to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and/or with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant. A surgical implant includes an implant body and a selectively adjustable assembly attached to the implant body, the assembly having adjustable elements and being operable to cause a configuration change in a portion of the implant body and, thereby, permit implantation of the implant body within an anatomic orifice to effect a seal therein under normal physiological conditions. | 02-21-2013 |
20130098964 | Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device - A medical device comprises a control handle and a surgical end effector connected to the control handle through a passive articulating connection. A medical device end effector connection assembly comprises a passive articulation joint for connecting an end effector to a control handle. In a medical device having an end effector connected to a control handle, an end effector connection assembly comprises a passive articulation joint connecting the end effector to the control handle. A medical device comprises a control handle and a surgical end effector passively articulated with respect to the control handle. A medical device comprises a control handle having a first portion of a passive articulation joint and a surgical end effector having a second portion of the passive articulation joint, the first and second portions of the passive articulation joint connecting the end effector to the control handle. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103005 | Zero-Pressure Balloon Catheter and Method for Using the Catheter - A safety catheter includes a shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion having a proximal end, a distal tip portion defining a junction with the proximal shaft portion, a fluid drain lumen, and a balloon inflation lumen. The fluid drain lumen defines a distal fluid drain opening at the distal tip portion distal of the junction and a proximal fluid drain opening adjacent the proximal end and fluidically connected to the distal fluid drain opening. A hollow zero-pressure balloon is disposed at the junction and has an interior fluidly connected to the balloon inflation lumen, a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion, and a proximal leg temporarily secured to the proximal shaft portion. | 04-25-2013 |
20130126580 | ELECTRICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH OPTIMAL TISSUE COMPRESSION - A surgical device, comprising a tissue compression device having a pair of opposing compression surfaces, a mechanical binary-output electrical switch having open and closed electrical switching states initiated and changed solely by mechanical movements, and an adjustable biasing device mechanically coupled to the switch and retaining the switch in one of the switching states until a force at least as great as a force imposed by the biasing device is imparted to the switch, wherein the switch is disposed in line with the tissue compression device to cause a proportional amount of force that is placed upon compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces to be placed upon the switch, and the biasing device is set to an amount of force that is proportional to an optimal tissue compression force of the compressed tissue when disposed between the opposing compression surfaces. | 05-23-2013 |
20130166017 | Actively Controllable Stent, Stent Graft, Heart Valve and Method of Controlling Same - Sealable and repositionable implant devices are provided to increase the ability of endovascular grafts and valves to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant. A surgical implant includes a self-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape. The stent has a wall with a portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a thickness greater than the first. The second portion defines a key-hole shaped longitudinal drive orifice. The implant includes a selectively adjustable assembly having adjustable elements and being operable to force a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent. The adjustable elements have a part rotatably disposed within the longitudinal drive orifice. | 06-27-2013 |
20130221061 | ACTIVE BRAKING ELECTRICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR BRAKING SUCH AN INSTRUMENT - An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor. | 08-29-2013 |
20130237965 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter. | 09-12-2013 |
20130239402 | Method of Assembling a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical device includes the steps of rotatably freely connecting an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic surgical handle body, the ultrasonic waveguide having a proximal coupling end, substantially simultaneously removably coupling an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to the ultrasonic surgical handle body and removably inserting an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of a cordless, rotatably free ultrasonic transducer into the ultrasonic surgical handle body opposite the proximal coupling end of the ultrasonic waveguide, and rotating the ultrasonic waveguide with respect to the ultrasonic transducer to fixedly couple the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer. | 09-19-2013 |
20130245657 | Battery Assembly for Battery-Powered Surgical Instruments - A battery assembly for use in a number of battery-powered, cordless ultrasonic surgical instruments with handles having a battery chamber and coupled to different ultrasonic waveguide types, comprises a housing having an exterior shape formed to removably connect with the battery chamber of the handles. The housing has at least one energy storage cell operable to power an ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly of the surgical instruments. The ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly is operable to dynamically produce a resonant wave along an ultrasonic waveguide. A battery/handle interface has a plurality of connectors shaped to mate with a plurality of corresponding connectors within the battery chamber of the handles. A voltage-control circuit communicatively couples with and provides power to the ultrasonic-signal-generation assembly, detects which one of the ultrasonic waveguide types is coupled to the handle connected to the housing, and provides an output in response to the detected waveguide type. | 09-19-2013 |
20130248581 | Electrical Surgical Instrument with Knife Return - Electrically operated surgical instrument, comprising a handle having a power supply; a drive assembly having an electrical motor, a controller electrically connected to the power supply and motor, and a drive part selectively moved by the motor between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position; and a control assembly operably connected to the motor to control a rotation of the motor; an end effector having a tissue-cutting assembly comprising: a blade connected to the drive part to move between opposing compression surfaces over the course of a blade stroke to cut tissue compressed between the compression surfaces, the blade stroke being comprised of the drive part advancing the blade towards the tissue to an extended position and retreating proximally to a retracted position, the control assembly being operable to selectively cause the motor to automatically retreat the drive part to place the blade in the retracted position. | 09-26-2013 |
20130256370 | Electrical Surgical Instrument with One-Handed Operation - Electrical surgical device comprising a handle shaped to be held within one hand, the handle having a self-contained power source, at least part of an end effector control assembly connected to the power source, a switch connected to the power source and operable to selectively power the end effector control assembly with the power source, and an articulation control device, wherein both the switch and the articulation control device are operated with the one hand holding the handle; an articulating connection operated by the articulation control device; and a surgical end effector connected to the handle by the articulating connection such that articulation of the surgical end effector is controlled by operation of the articulation control device and operatively connected to the end effector control assembly such that, upon operation of the end effector control assembly, the surgical end effector is operable to carry out at least one surgical procedure. | 10-03-2013 |
20130274739 | Methods for Operating a Selective Stiffening Catheter - A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device. | 10-17-2013 |
20130284789 | ACTIVE BRAKING ELECTRICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR BRAKING SUCH AN INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument includes an end effector, an actuator coupled to the end effector and actuating it, a handle coupled to the end effector and having an electric motor disposed therein actuating the actuator when supplied with power, and a post-termination braking circuit including a power supply switch at the handle. The switch has a break-before-make configuration, a power-supplying state in which power is supplied to the motor, and a power-removed state in which power is not supplied to the motor. The braking circuit short-circuits power to the motor when the switch is in the power-removed state. A method for post-termination braking of the motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field to counteract inertia-induced over-stroke of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power. | 10-31-2013 |
20130341165 | Two-Stage Switch for Surgical Device - A surgical device control assembly includes a control device operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of a surgical device and a button operatively connected to the control device. The button has a button-actuation direction in which the button actuates, an unactuated position at a rest point of the button, a first actuated position at first distance from the rest point in the button-actuation direction, and a second actuated position at a second distance further from the rest point in the button-actuation direction than the first distance. The first actuated position effects a first of the at least two operational conditions. The second actuated position effects a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition. | 12-26-2013 |
20140012085 | Variably Flexible Insertion Device and Method for Variably Flexing an Insertion Device - A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible device, comprising a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end, a torque-transmitting element operable to transmit torque from the proximal end towards the distal end of the hollow body, and a steering element operable to steer the distal end of the hollow body. | 01-09-2014 |
20140142625 | Adjustable Compression Staple and Method for Stapling With Adjustable Compression - A substantially U-shaped staple has a bridge, legs, and an internally disposed compression device with a bias portion having a compression surface movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force. | 05-22-2014 |
20140148848 | Adjustable Compression Staple and Method for Stapling With Adjustable Compression - A method for applying and maintaining compression with a staple includes piercing a material with deformable ends of staple legs. The legs enter the material until the material applies a pre-set compressive force within a pre-defined compression range to a compression device disposed at least partly between the legs. The compression device has a compression resistor connected to a compression surface. The compression surface is movably disposed with respect to the bridge. Movement of the compression surface towards the bridge is resisted with a force imparted by the compression resistor. The legs are deformed to maintain at least some of the compressive force between the material and the compression device. Forces greater than the pre-set force are absorbed with the compression resistor. The pre-set compressive force to the material is maintained within the pre-defined compression range throughout a state change of the material. | 05-29-2014 |
20140175149 | Electrically Self-Powered Surgical Instrument With Manual Release - A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, a part of the actuation assembly being movable between a first position and second position, and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the actuation assembly, the handle having a power supply disposed within the handle, a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanism that selectively interrupts the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor. | 06-26-2014 |
20140188101 | Radio Frequency Generator and Method for a Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - A circuit for generating a radio-frequency signal for a surgical device is disclosed. The circuit has a voltage regulator that supplies direct current (DC) voltage, a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, and a MOSFET driver. The MOSFET driver receives the DC voltage supplied from the voltage regulator and has a local oscillator. The local oscillator switches the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET on and off at a frequency generated by the local oscillator. The circuit further includes a transformer connected to the first and second MOSFETs, having a center tap and a main voltage applied at the center tap, and providing an alternating current (AC) output. | 07-03-2014 |
20140236202 | Method for Operating a Two-Stage Switch for Surgical Device - In a surgical device having a control device and a button operatively connected to the control device, the control device operative to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, a method for operating the surgical device comprising pressing a single actuation member of the button to a first depressed position to thereby effect a first of the at least two operational conditions and pressing the actuation member in substantially the same direction to a second depressed position to thereby effect a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition. | 08-21-2014 |
20140276042 | INTEGRATED CATHETER AND POWERED INJECTOR SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMING RADIAL ANGIOGRAPHY - An integrated catheter and powered injector system includes a pump housed in a self-contained unit, a contrast media supply removably connected to the pump by a fluid supply line, an extension line removably connecting an arterial catheter to the pump, and a control device sending user control signals to the pump. The pump comprises a motorized pump drive sub-system operating the pump, and a battery electrically connected to and powering the pump drive sub-system. In response to signals received from the control device, the pump drive sub-system drives the pump to draw contrast media fluid from the supply into the pump through the fluid supply line and inject the contrast media fluid from the output of the pump through the extension line and into the arterial catheter at a controlled flow rate and/or pressure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140296962 | Actively Controllable Stent, Stent Graft, Heart Valve and Method of Controlling Same - A method for implanting a stent includes contracting a self-expanding/forcibly-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires. The stent has a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent occurs. The contracted stent is inserted into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted. The drive wires are rotated with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent into the native annulus. While rotating the drive wires, a torque applied to the drive wires is determined with the delivery system. Rotation of the drive wires is stopped based upon a value of the determined torque. | 10-02-2014 |
20140371768 | Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimal Tissue Compression - A surgical instrument comprising a tissue-compressing device comprising opposing compression surfaces, a switching element having first and second switching states changed solely by mechanical movements, a biasing element mechanically coupled to the switching element, the biasing element retaining the switching element in one of the first and second switching states until a pre-determined force is imparted to the switching element, wherein the pre-determined force is an amount of force proportional to an optimal tissue compression force of compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces and the switching element is positioned in line with the tissue-compressing device to cause a force, proportional to a force placed upon compressed tissue disposed between the opposing compression surfaces, to be imparted to the switching element. | 12-18-2014 |