Showing papers by "Kevin L. Houser published in 1999"
Patent•
05 Mar 1999TL;DR: In this paper, an ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator was configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector.
Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus (120) is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector (150). Selective articulation positioning of the end-effector is achieved by the provision of an articulating mechanism incorporated into the clamp coagulator apparatus (120). The arrangement permits an elongated portion of the apparatus (120) to be selectively articulately positioned with respect to an apparatus housing.
903 citations
Patent•
29 Mar 1999TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a method and apparatus to detect or diagnose surgical instruments, which includes a receptacle assembly configured to receive a plug assembly of the surgical instrument and at least one switching device is coupled to the receptacle.
Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus to detect or
identify surgical instruments. One apparatus includes apparatus to detect a
surgical apparatus comprising a receptacle assembly configured to receive a
plug assembly of the surgical apparatus. At least one switching device is
coupled to the receptacle assembly. Circuitry is responsive to the switching
device to detect the state of the switching device. One method in accordance
with the present invention comprising the steps of sensing the condition of a
switch and inserting a connector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument into a
connector of a generator unit. The method also includes the steps of sensing the
condition of a switch after the connector is inserted and determining whether to
provide power to the ultrasonic surgical apparatus.
56 citations
Patent•
25 Mar 1999TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument identification method includes a surgical device detecting device provided with a receptacle assembly formed to receive a plug assembly of a surgeon's instrument, and at least one switch device is combined with the receptacle.
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect and identify a connected surgical instrument. SOLUTION: A surgical instrument identifying method includes a surgical device detecting device provided with a receptacle assembly formed to receive a plug assembly 142 of a surgical device. At least one switch device is combined with the receptacle assembly. A circuit responds to the switch device so as to detect the state of the switch device. The method includes stages of sensing the state of a switch and inserting a connector of an ultrasonosurgical instrument into a connector of a generator unit, and stages of sensing the state of the switch after the insertion of the connector and discriminating whether to supply electric power to an ultrasonosurgical device.
3 citations