A pressure sensing apparatus comprises an elongate first sensor device in a beam configuration supported at at least one longitudinal end by a rigid support structure and having a deflectable portion. A chamber is disposed adjacent a first, internally-facing, face of the first sensor device. An envelope hermetically seals the first sensor device and the chamber from an ambient environment external to the pressure sensing apparatus. The envelope comprises a flexible membrane disposed over and coupled to a second, externally-facing, face of the first sensor device and extending along at least one or two sides of the first sensor device and the chamber. The sensor device may be a surface acoustic wave device coupled to an RF antenna.

The present invention relates to a male contraception apparatus for obtaining a time-limited sterility of a male mammalian individual. The apparatus comprises a restriction device adapted to restrict the lumen of a vas deferens of the mammalian, and a controller operable to control the restriction device to restrict the lumen of the vas deferens during a controlled period to prevent sperms from reaching the urethra of the mammalian. The apparatus further comprises an implantable constriction device configured to gently constrict at least one portion of a tissue wall of the vas deferens to restrict the lumen of the vas deferens such that the flow of sperms in the vas deferens is restricted, and a stimulation device configured to stimulate the constricted wall portion of the tissue wall.

An endoscopic instrument for use with a trocar, said endoscopic instrument comprising an elongate shaft body having a proximal end and a distal end; an end effector assembly at said distal end operable by manipulation of actuator mechanism at said proximal end; a substrate core having a first surface and a second surface; at least one sensing element on said first surface, said at least one sensing element located adjacent to said distal end; an electronics module for receiving sensed signals from said at least one sensing element, said electronics module located adjacent to said proximal end; a first conductive layer residing on said first surface, said first conductive layer having first solder mask coated thereon; a second conductive layer residing on said second surface, second conductive layer having a second solder mask coated thereon, and wherein said second conductive layer coupled to said at least one sensing element relays said sensed signals from said at least one sensing element to said electronics module and said a first conductive layer is grounded.

A method of controlling the temperature of an ultrasonic blade includes applying a power level to an ultrasonic transducer to achieve a desired temperature at an ultrasonic blade coupled to the transducer via an ultrasonic waveguide, inferring a temperature of the blade based on a voltage V.sub.g(t) signal and a current I.sub.g(t) signal applied to the transducer, comparing the inferred temperature of the blade to a predetermined temperature; and adjusting the power level to the transducer based on the comparison. In some aspects, the method includes measuring a phase angle φ between the voltage V.sub.g(t) and the current I.sub.g(t) and inferring the temperature of the blade from the phase angle φ. In some aspects, the method includes measuring an impedance Z.sub.g(t) equal to a ratio of the voltage V.sub.g(t) to the current I.sub.g(t) and inferring the temperature of the blade from the impedance Z.sub.g(t).

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for properly using and locating object retention wands via the use of at least one sensor located on or in the wand body for determining when the wand is capable of properly scanning a target area. In one form, a proximity sensor is used. In another form a motion sensor is used. In still other forms, both a proximity sensor and motion sensor are used. In some forms, the wand system further includes an indicator for indicating whether the wand is within proper read range, speed and/or orientation of a target area so as to confirm proper use of the wand to locate retained objects before concluding a procedure. In other forms one or more of a user interface, scanner and network interface may also be used with the system. Further systems, methods and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

An intelligent surgical tool control system, comprising a tool management system; an indicating means to indicate at least one surgical event; a communicable database for storing, for each item of interest, its identity, its present 3D position and at least one previous 3D position; and at least one processor to identify, from a surgical event, an output surgical procedure. The tool management system can comprise a maneuvering mechanism to maneuver a surgical tool in at least two dimensions; and a controller to control at least one of activation and deactivation of a surgical tool and articulation of a surgical tool. The indicating means can indicate a surgical event selected from movement of a moving element and presence of an item of interest, where movement is determinable if the current 3D position of the moving element is substantially different from a previous 3D position of the same.

In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

Systems, methods and devices for surgical procedurelization via a modular energy system are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the systems, methods and devices include an energy module, a header module communicably coupled to the energy module, and a display screen capable of rendering a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be configured to display a plurality of steps that correspond with actions performed by a user while operating the modular energy system. In some aspects, the steps displayed are steps of a predetermined procedural checklist corresponding with a mental model followed by the user while performing a surgical procedure. In some aspects, the steps displayed are steps of an output verification process.

Mitigating a user interface display function of a modular energy system includes receiving formatted video data at a video data converter circuit, providing differential video signaling data to the display from the video data converter circuit, providing a copy of the differential video signaling data to a processor, and determining that the differential video signaling data is changing over time. Mitigating erroneous outputs from an isolated interface includes receiving a state of a first switch of a first footswitch coupled to a first comparator and a reference voltage coupled to the first comparator, receiving the state of the first switch coupled to the first duplicate comparator and the reference voltage coupled to the first duplicate comparator, comparing the output of the first comparator with the output of the first duplicate comparator, and determining activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.