20454 results about "Instrumentation" patented technology

The invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a transluminal procedure. The apparatus, comprising, for example, a housing having a guide lumen and a seal proximal to a distal end of the housing that extends across and completely seals the guide lumen; a fixation element in the housing and adapted to secure the distal end of the housing to tissue; and a channel extending through the side wall of the housing having an outlet in communication with the lumen distal of the seal. Methods are also provided. For example, a method includes, performing a transluminal procedure by: securing a datum and position indicator to a wall of a target lumen; forming an opening in the wall; advancing an instrument through the opening; and tracking the advancement of the instrument using the datum and position indicator.

An electrosurgical medical device and method for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue that carries the electrosurgical components in a disposable cartridge. The instrument also can carry a blade member in a disposable cartridge, thus making the instrument system inexpensive to use. In another embodiment, the electrical leads of the cartridge have a surface coating of a thermochromic material to provide the physician with a visual indicator of operational parameters when applying energy to tissue.

A qualifying connection for an instrument attaches to a source of electrosurgery energy to and the instrument and has first and second parts coupled to the instrument and the source, respectively. Optical couplings on the connection transmit invisible energy to identify the instrument and are proximate on the first and second parts. A light modifier on the first part is proximal to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths so infrared transmitters encode signals and non contact coded proximity detectors on the second part are the coupled detectors. Non contact coded proximity detectors respond to modified infrared light establishing an Nth bit identification code. An infrared light supply in the source pass from the transmitters across the communicating couplings for encoding signals by modification of the infrared light with a light modifier. Mechanical attachments include conjugating male and female portions physically extending between the parts for mating engagement. The attachments juxtaposition the parts when the attachments geometrically conjugate to geographically positioning the couplings proximate for communicating. The attachments have one or more conductors for delivery of high frequency energy from the source to the instrument. A cable fits between the first part of the connection and the instrument and has electrical conductors for carrying energy passing through the first part of the connection from the source to the instrument. An identifying circuit couples to the second part and responds to invisible light optically communicated across the couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable to the source.

The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.

A temperature monitoring device and/or method which control the tissue temperature at the end-effector of a therapeutic ultrasonic cutting and coagulating instrument as the tissue is being heated with ultrasonic vibrations from the end-effector. One or more temperature sensors are located at the end-effector, preferably on a clamping member. The temperature sensors measure the temperature of the tissue engaged by the end-effector either directly or indirectly. An alternate method and apparatus provides an electrical tissue impedance measure in combination with an ultrasonic cutting and coagulating instrument to provide active feedback control of an ultrasonic generator.

An electrosurgical system has an electrosurgical generator and a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, the generator being arranged to perform a treatment cycle in which radio frequency energy is delivered to the instrument as an amplitude-modulated radio frequency power signal in the form of a succession of pulses characterized by periods of a least 100 milliseconds between successive pulses and by a predetermined pulse mark-to-space ratio. Energy delivery between pulses is substantially zero and the mark-to-space ratio is typically 1:4 or less. Each burst is of sufficiently high power to form vapor bubbles within tissue being treated and the time between successive pulses is sufficiently long to permit condensation of the vapor. The treatment cycles may each include an initial period and a subsequent period, the pulse duty cycle being increased or energy being delivered continuously in the subsequent period in order that tissue coagulation can be achieved quickly despite increasing tissue impedance.

An apparatus and system are disclosed for indicating relative positions of elements in a surgical apparatus. The indicating elements can include electrical circuitry that provides means for activating visual, audible or tactile indicators, thereby alerting the user that an event has occured with respect to the instrument.

An identification type instrument assembly detachably connected to a main body of a medical apparatus for use in diagnosis and treatment. The instrument assembly is provided with identification signal output means for actively outputting unique self-identification signals prepared in advance under a predetermined procedure, and the connected instrument assembly can be specified in the main body by the identification signals outputted from the identification signal output means when the instrument assembly is connected to the main body.

An electrosurgical system comprises a generator and an instrument including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating spacer separating the first and second electrodes. The generator repeatedly measures a characteristic of the radio frequency output such as the impedance between the first and second electrodes. The generator analyses the impedance measurements, and interrupts the radio frequency signal when the rate of change of the impedance is such as to indicate the onset of a “flare-out”. In this way, the power is reduced before the flare-out leads to permanent damage or failure of the instrument.

A medical instrument has a set of opposing jaws that can be articulated, both left and right, from centerline. The instrument has a proper bend radius and support for the jaw actuation member and cutter driving member. The bendable support for the drive members comprises tightly wound coil springs. Another embodiment of the invention controls the degree of articulation at the handle of the laparoscopic instrument. A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent motion of the wrist while the user performs other operations on the device. The locking mechanism also includes an indexing feature with which the user can index and choose the necessary amount of angle between preset angles.

A cutting instrument including a metal blade has a recess formed therein and a semiconductor substrate affixed to the blade in the recess. The semiconductor substrate includes at least one sensor formed thereon. The sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate may comprise at least one or an array of a strain sensors, pressure sensors, nerve sensors, temperature sensors, density sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The cutting instrument may also further include a handle wherein the blade is affixed to the handle and the semiconductor substrate is electrically coupled to the handle. The handle may then be coupled, either physically or by wireless transmission, to a computer that is adapted to display information to a person using the cutting instrument based on signals generated by one or more of the sensors formed on the semiconductor substrate. The computer or handle may also be adapted to store data based on the signals generated by one or more of the sensors. A method of making said cutting instrument includes the steps of at least one sensor being formed on a semiconductor wafer and a layer of photoresist being applied on a top side of the semiconductor wafer according to a pattern that matches the defined shape of the semiconductor substrate. The portion of the semiconductor wafer not covered by the photoresist is removed and thereafter the photoresist is removed from the semiconductor wafer, thereby leaving the semiconductor substrate having a defined shape and at least one sensor formed thereon. The semiconductor substrate having a defined shape and at least one sensor formed thereon is then affixed to a metal blade in a recess formed in said blade.

Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic of therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube, a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The overtube may be removable from the handle, and have a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the handle. The overtube may be selectively stiffened to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.

The invention is directed to a remote center positioner used to support an instrument and provide a center of spherical rotation, remote from any bearings or mechanical supports, at a desired location of the instrument. The remote center positioner is particularly useful in laparoscopic surgery to constrain a surgical instrument to move around a fixed center of rotation remote from any bearings or mechanical supports and coincident with an entry incision in the abdominal wall.

In a method of determining the focus of a lithographic apparatus used in a lithographic process on a substrate, the lithographic process is used to form a structure on the substrate, the structure having at least one feature which has an asymmetry in the printed profile which varies as a function of the focus of the lithographic apparatus on the substrate. A first image of the periodic structure is formed and detected while illuminating the structure with a first beam of radiation. The first image is formed using a first part of non-zero order diffracted radiation. A second image of the periodic structure is foamed and detected while illuminating the structure with a second beam of radiation. The second image is formed using a second part of the non-zero order diffracted radiation which is symmetrically opposite to the first part in a diffraction spectrum. The ratio of the intensities of the measured first and second portions of the spectra is determined and used to determine the asymmetry in the profile of the periodic structure and/or to provide an indication of the focus on the substrate. In the same instrument, an intensity variation across the detected portion is determined as a measure of process-induced variation across the structure. A region of the structure with unwanted process variation can be identified and excluded from a measurement of the structure.

Surgical accessories are presented in vivo and used by surgical tools in the surgical site to perform additional tasks without the need to remove the tools from the surgical site for tool change or instrument loading. Examples of in vivo accessories include fastening accessories such as surgical clips for use with a clip applier, single working member accessories such as a blade which can be grasped and manipulated by a grasping tool for cutting, sheath accessories that fit over working members of a tool, flow tubes for providing suction or introducing a fluid into the surgical site, and a retraction member resiliently biased to retract a tissue to expose an area in the surgical site for treatment. The accessories can be introduced into the surgical site by a dedicated accessory introducer, or can be supported on the body of a surgical tool inserted into the surgical site and be manipulated using another surgical tool in the surgical site. The accessory introducer can be resiliently biased to bias the accessories toward a predetermined position in the surgical site.

A sensor has a connector adapted to electrically communicate with a physiological measurement instrument. A breakable conductor incorporated by the sensor transitions from a continuity state to a discontinuity state as the result of sensor wear. An isolation and communications element (ICE) has an instrument port and an electrically isolated loop port. The instrument port is in communications with the connector and the loop port is in communications with the breakable conductor. The ICE generates a control output responsive to the discontinuity state to render the sensor inoperable.

An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.

An interface cable is configured to connect a host instrument to a physiological sensor. The interface cable has an ID signal input from the sensor and a LED drive signal input from the host instrument sensor port. The interface cable also has a data signal output to the host instrument sensor port. The LED drive signal and the data signal provide an encrypted handshake to and from the host instrument. The handshake is responsive to the ID signal so as to enable normal operation of the host instrument and the sensor.

A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.

Systems and methods of utilizing communications networks and multivariate analysis to predict or recommend optimal products from a predefined population of commercially available products are disclosed. The recommendations are based on intelligence contained in processing elements and subjective and/or objective product information received from consumers or input to the systems as part of their initial setup. The output of the systems comprise sets of products that they predict the consumer will prefer and/or perform well for the problem or concern identified by the consumer. The performance and preference predictions are a function of consumer problems and product responsiveness patterns. Objective product information is generally obtained with diagnostic instruments. Data measured with the diagnostic instruments may be communicated to the data processing portions of the invention via the Internet. The outputs of the data processing portion of the system may be presented to consumers via the Internet as well.

An instrument and method are provided for sealing and joining or hemostatically dividing tissue, which is particularly suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The instrument makes use of the controlled application of a combination of heat and pressure to seal adjacent tissues, to join adjacent tissues, or to anastomose tissues, whereby tissue is heated for an optimal time and at an optimal temperature under optimal pressure to maximize tissue seal strength while minimizing collateral tissue damage. The instrument of the present invention is lightweight and therefore portable, and is particularly useful in field conditions where a source of external power may not be readily available.

A surgical instrument having a remotely controllable user interface, and a firing drive configured to generate a rotary firing motion upon a first actuation of the remotely controllable user interface and a rotary refraction motion upon an other actuation of remotely controllable user interface. The instrument includes a first drive member, wherein remotely controllable user interface is selectively engageable with the first drive member, and a second drive member, wherein the remotely controllable user interface is selectively engageable with the second drive member. The instrument also includes an elongate shaft assembly operably engaged with the first drive member and the second drive member. The instrument further includes an end effector coupled to the elongate shaft assembly. The end effector includes an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein, and an anvil movably coupled to the elongate channel. The end effector also includes a cutting member operably supported within the elongate channel, wherein the cutting member is operably engaged with the elongate shaft assembly. The instrument is such that when the remotely controllable user interface operates the first drive member, the first actuation advances the cutting member a first distance, wherein, when the remotely controllable user interface operates the second drive member, the other actuation retracts the cutting member a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

A fixation device for use in association with ALIF procedures includes a couple of spaced plates having integral spikes on facing surfaces thereof for pressing into spinal processes of adjacent vertebrae. One of the plates has a spherical socket which captures a spherical head end of a post whose other end is received through an aperture in the other plate. The socket mounting is arranged to enable the post to pivot therein for at least two degrees of freedom to a limited extent, enabling angulation between the two plates so as to accommodate the different thicknesses and orientations of the spinal processes on adjacent vertebrae. The reception of the post in the second plate enables adjustment of spacing between the plates to accommodate effective installation of the assembly on the spinal processes by a compression instrument, and permanent reliable maintenance of that spacing following removal of the compression instrument. The cross-sectional configuration of the post and a receiver aperture in the plate inhibits rotation of the plate relative to the post about the post axis, and a set screw in the apertured plate engages a flat on the post fixing the inter-plate space as adjusted.

A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

A method and system may be used to design and control the manufacture of a surgical guide for implanting a prosthetic component. The system includes a bone surface image generator, a surgical guide image generator, and a surgical guide image converter. The bone surface image generator receives three dimensional bone anatomical data for a patient's bone and generates a bone surface image. The surgical guide image generator generates a surgical guide image from the bone surface image and an image of a prosthesis imposed on the bone surface image. The supporting structure of the generated surgical guide image conforms to the surface features of the three dimensional bone surface image. The surgical guide image is converted by surgical guide image converter into control data for operating a machine to form a surgical guide that corresponds to the surgical guide image.

A rotatable surgical instrument having a protective hood with articulating bendable distal end is provided to improve and enable various orthopedic surgical procedures such as arthroscopy. The protective hood surrounds the surgical tool bit exposing only a portion of the tool bit for removing bone or soft tissue material and protects the nerve from the surgical tool bit. The protective hood can be controllably rotated from the instrument's hand piece to control the orientation of the attack angle of the surgical tool bit. Additionally, the bending of the distal end of the instrument can be controlled from the hand piece.

Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical instrument that combines end-effector geometry to best affect the multiple functions of a shears-type configuration. The shape of the blade is characterized by a radiused cut offset by some distance to form a curved geometry. The cut creates a curved surface with multiple asymmetries causing multiple imbalances within the blade. Imbalance due to the curve of the instrument is corrected by a non-functional asymmetry proximal to the functional asymmetry. Imbalance due to the asymmetric cross-section of the blade is corrected by the appropriate selection of the volume and location of material removed from a functional asymmetry. The shape of the blade in one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by two radiused cuts offset by some distance to form a curved and potentially tapered geometry. These two cuts create curved surfaces including a concave surface and a convex surface. The length of the radiused cuts affects, in part, the acoustic balancing of the transverse motion induced by the curved shape.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for use within an image-guided surgical navigation system for the storage and measurement of trajectories for surgical instruments. An icon representing the real-time trajectory of a tracked instrument is overlaid on one or more pre-acquired images of the patient. At the surgeon's command, the navigation system can store multiple trajectories of the instrument and create a static icon representing each saved trajectory for display. The surgeon may also measure a planar angle between any two trajectories. The angle is computed in the plane of the image, and therefore will be computed separately for each image displayed. Furthermore, the surgeon has the option of computing and displaying the three-dimensional distance between two points defined by any two trajectories.

A remote control flexible instrument system, employing a shaft which supports a tool, is described in which the has proximal and distal ends with at least a portion thereof extending through a lumen of the human body so as to locate the shaft at an internal target site. A master station including an input device provides control of the instrument situated at a slave station. The master station can control at least one degree-of-freedom of the flexible instrument. A controller intercouples the master and slave stations and is operated in accordance with a computer algorithm that receives a command from the input device for controlling at least one degree-of-freedom of the catheter so as to respond in accordance with action at the input device. The flexible instrument further comprises a controlled flexible segment along the shaft, for controlled bending at the flexible segment to guide the shaft and to dispose the tool at an operative site.

In an electronic apparatus having a user identification function or in a user identification method, an electronic apparatus and an electronic instrument having stored therein user personal information communicate in wireless with each other so as to enable the electronic apparatus to automatically identify the electronic apparatus user. If the electronic apparatus identifies a plurality of possible users, the electronic apparatus automatically selects the user by executing specific user identification processing.