Valleylab, Inc.

Aquintel, Inc.

Electroscope, Inc.

Other

David W Newton

Thierry G Vancaillie

Robert K Mitchiner

Roger C Odell

Don R Boyle

Robert C Steinway

Paul H Emerling

William G Paterson

Steven Kendall Walton

Frederic Latimer Way

Frederic M Hulett, Iii

Richard T Svopa, Jr

John J Laviolette

James Richard Gannoe

Christopher Ovens

John M Adan

Frank A Alford

John M Gibilisco

A composite wood product adapted for burning includes a compacted mixture of lignosulfonate, wood particles, and ground corn. A method of manufacturing the composite wood product includes: (i) providing and mixing the lignosulfonate, the wood particles, and the ground corn to form a mixture having a moisture content from about 6 wt. % to about 18 wt. %; compacting the mixture at high pressure; and drying the mixture to obtain an optimum moisture level for burning. The composite wood product may be provided in a kit that includes log-shaped pieces and starter pieces.

Composite wood products and methods of manufacture

An electrosurgical instrument having a safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures designed to receive a plurality of electrosurgical instrument inserts. The electrosurgical inserts are designed so as to provide quick and easy attachment to the electrosurgical apparatus while still providing enhanced resistance to rotation forces encountered during an electrosurgical procedure, and to distribute actuation forces occurring during use. The safety shield includes a crimped portion for transferring forces that occur during operation of an articulating instrument inserted therein to a handle assembly of the electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument has a seal that reduces or prevents electrical current from flowing between the active electrode and shield assemblies. The electrosurgical instrument further includes a connector assembly for receiving a mating cable connector and providing a fail-safe interconnection therewith. A second preferred embodiment of the electrosurgical instrument is adapted to be removably connected with a replaceable shield/connector assembly through which the instrument is inserted. Furthermore, position of the shield with respect to the electrosurgical instrument can easily be accomplished.

Electrosurgical apparatus for laparoscopic and like procedures

A gravity driven steerable wheeled vehicle for recreational use, most particularly on surfaces such as pavement, artificial hard-pack turf, mountain slopes, dirt roads, grass and hard-packed snow. The vehicle has at least three (3) but preferably four (4) wheels which may or may not be on independent axles one from the other and which may or may not be each independently shock suspended. There is also a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle and a driver compartment portion for containing a driver of the vehicle in a prone face-down and face-forward position. The vehicle is steerable by the driver from the prone face-down and face-forward position. The vehicle may further have braking system for slowing or stopping the vehicle and a harness apparatus for harnessing the driver onto and into the vehicle.

Gravity driven steerable wheeled vehicle

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorption rate and tissue loss rate in a patient during a surgical procedure. The monitor estimates fluid source flow rates and waste fluid flow rates based on weight changes per unit time or direct reading fluid flow rate meters. Tissue loss flow rates are estimated based on tissue concentration measurable in waste irrigation fluid using an optical comparator, and are used to correct waste fluid flow rates. Correct waste fluid flow rates are used in turn to obtain estimated fluid absorption rates.

Method of surgical fluid analysis

Surgical fluid and tissue loss monitor

A safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures where the shield surrounds the active electrode and extends from a trocar or the like to the field of view of the surgical procedure. The shield is connected to the return lead via a low impedance path which includes monitor circuitry for determining whether the shield current is associated with an abnormal condition. The shield may also serve as a structural element of the instrument and be connected to the instrument body so that the instrument is maintained at or near patient potential. Moreover, a unitary connector is provided whereby connection to the active electrode and shield may be made by a single connector. Attached to the connector is a cable in which both the active and shield conductors are contained for at least a distance sufficient to minimize clutter in the operative site. Articulatable instruments incorporating the above features are also disclosed where different implementations are utilized to absorb the longitudinal reactive forces generated upon articulation of the tips. An adjustable insulating sheath for use with the articulatable instruments is also utilized so that the tips can be exposed more or less depending upon the particular surgical application.

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorbed by a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The monitor comprises means for weighing fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, means are provided for weighing fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, and the surgical drapes. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, computing means maintain totals of fluid administered and fluid collected even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied. Optional verticality compensation means and anti-rotation devices are included.

Surgical fluid monitor

A safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures where the shield surrounds the active electrode and extends from a trocar or the like to the field of view of the surgical procedure. The shield is connected to the return lead via a low impedance path which includes monitor circuitry for determining whether the shield current is associated with an abnormal condition.

An electrosurgical generating system and method including an electrosurgical generator; and a handpiece including an active electrode connected to the electrosurgical generator for applying electrosurgical current from the generator to a patient, the handpiece having switches disposed thereat for changing the level of the output power delivered from said generator to said patient whereby the change may be effected from the sterile field of a surgical procedure. The above switches together with cut and coagulation mode switches disposed at the handpiece are so connected as to minimize the number of wires needed to connect the handpiece to the generator. Decoding circuitry for determining the status of the switches is also disclosed.

Apparatus for changing the output power level of an electrosurgical

A return electrode monitoring system for use with a split patient return electrode having two, electrically isolated electrode elements adapted for contacting a patient, the system comprising means responsive to the impedance between the two electrode elements for producing a signal which is a function of the impedance; means for establishing a desired range having an upper limit and a lower limit for the impedance when the patient is in contact with the electrode elements; determining means responsive to the signal for determining whether the impedance is within the desired range; and adjusting means for adjusting the upper limit to adapt the system to the particular impedance of the patient in response to the particular impedance occurring within the desired range.

Adaptive, return electrode monitoring system

A return electrode monitoring system for use with a patient return electrode adapted for contacting a patient, the return electrode having two, spaced apart conductors attached thereto for connecting the electrode to a generator of electrosurgical current which passes through the electrode, the system comprising means for applying a monitoring current through the conductors to the electrode; detecting means responsive to the monitoring current for producing a signal which is a function of the impedance between the two conductors, the detecting means including means for substantially eliminating any effect the electrosurgical current might have on the production of the signal when the generator is operational and the patient is in contact with the electrode; means for establishing a desired range having at least an upper limit for the impedance; and determining means responsive to the signal for determining whether the impedance is within the desired range.

Return electrode monitoring system for use during electrosurgical

An improved liquid pumping system wherein gas within the pump may be detected to indicate an error in desired flow rate or displaced volume. The system may be shut down if excessive gas is detected in the pump. Further, the flow rate may be corrected to the desired rate.

Liquid pumping system having means for detecting gas in the pump

A safety monitoring circuit for use in an electrosurgical unit is disclosed. The circuit is useful to indicate a fault in the return path between an RF source and a patient electrode in contact with a patient to prevent electrical burns to the patient that can occur due to improper patient contact with the patient electrode or a break in the return path. The circuit includes a current sensor connected in series in the return path to the RF source, which sensor provides an output indicative of the sensed current that is coupled through a DC amplifier to a comparator, the comparator providing an output only if a predetermined threshold is exceeded. When a comparator output is provided, a timer is triggered to energize, for a predetermined period of time, an alarm to indicate a sensed fault and/or actuate disabling circuitry to terminate application of electrical energy to the active electrode utilized in electrosurgery for cutting or coagulation.

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

David W Newton