A method and device handle having a slide assembly are disclosed for controlling rotational speed of a catheter assembly under various rotational loads. The method includes setting a first current limit in a processor, activating the catheter assembly to rotate, calculating a current value in rotational period of a first current limit, updating a second current limit from the first current limit, and wherein the second current limit is lower than the first current limit.

A tool for implementing a correction plan in an external fixation frame having a plurality of adjustment elements or screws, for example, generally includes a driver, a motor, a controller, and a processor. The driver is adapted to engage and rotate each of the screws. The motor is coupled the driver and adapted to rotate the driver. The controller is connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The controller may determine whether the tool is engaged with a strut and which strut is engaged, and may determine how much the strut has rotated, taking into account intentional or unintentional manual rotation of the tool. The tool may also include features to help ensure proper engagement between the drive and the strut. Variations may be provided in which similar functionality is provided with manual rotation of a motorless tool.

A power driven in-line disposable torque-limiting device having a gearless clutch assembly with a first clutch element affixed to the cylindrical body, a second clutch element engaged with a shaft for rotation together with the shaft, one or more bearing elements disposed between the first clutch element and the second clutch element, and a compressive element configured to apply force across the clutch elements. The first clutch element and second clutch element exert compressive force, shearing force, or both on the one or more bearing elements to provide clutch functionality at predetermined torque limits.

A flex clipper provides a feature to help the cutting blade set float more effortlessly by adjusting automatically to the contours of a client's head to prevent getting stuck and causing cuts and irritation to the scalp. The hair clippers preferably also uses a self-contained motor-driven adjustment mechanism to adjust the relative position of the stationary and reciprocating blades of a common type of blade set. Two momentary switches operable by the thumb of the hand holding the clipper afford a barber total automatic adjustment with the clipper itself in an on or off condition.

Various torque-limiting screwdriver devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body, a motor that is configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver, and a processor configured to control operation of the screwdriver. The screwdriver can have torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be switched between manual operation by a user, and automated operation by a motor within the screwdriver. In some embodiments, the screwdriver can be attached to a robotic arm.

A medical driver can include a handle coupled to a drive shaft. The drive shaft can couple with an access assembly for drilling into bone, and can be displaced relative to the handle from a rotationally restricted state, in which the drive shaft is rotationally restricted relative to the handle, to a drilling state, in which the drive shaft is freely rotatable in at least one direction relative to the handle. The medical driver can further include a mechanical energy-storage device coupled to the drive shaft that can automatically rotate the drive shaft relative to the handle upon transition of the drive shaft to the drilling state. A biasing element can be coupled to the handle and to the drive shaft to provide a bias to maintain the drive shaft in the rotationally restricted state. When distal movement of the drive shaft is opposed, application of a distally directed force on the handle in an amount sufficient to overcome the bias of the biasing element can transition the drive shaft to the drilling state to automatically permit the energy-storage device to rotate the drive shaft relative to the handle.

Various torque-limiting surgical driver devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The surgical driver can include a body, a motor that is configured to rotate a drill bit engaged with the surgical driver, and a processor configured to control operation of the surgical driver. The surgical driver can have torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to a drill bit and reducing or stopping rotation of the drill bit when certain torque-limiting criteria are met.

A tool driver for use in robotic surgery includes a base configured to couple to a distal end of a robotic arm, and a tool carriage slidingly engaged with the base and configured to receive a surgical tool. In one variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of linear axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. In another variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of rotary axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. Various sensors, such as a capacitive load cell for measuring axial load, a position sensor for measuring linear position of the guide based on the rotational positions of gears in a gear transmission, and/or a capacitive torque sensor based on differential capacitance, may be included in the tool driver.

A device for safely approaching vertebral disc space utilizing stereotactic guidance, clearing material from the disc space, a device for expanding the disc space, stereotactic methods for implant planning and monitoring articulating instrument end effectors and a device for implantation into the disc space for the purpose of fusion or disc replacement.

A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.