An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.

A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

A method of ultrasonic sealing includes activating an ultrasonic blade temperature sensing, measuring a first resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system that includes a transducer coupled to the blade via a waveguide, making a first comparison between the measured first resonant frequency and a first predetermined resonant frequency, and adjusting a power level applied to the transducer based on the first comparison. The first predetermined frequency may correspond to an optimal tissue coagulation temperature. The method may further include measuring a second resonant frequency of the system, making a second comparison between the measured second frequency and a second predetermined frequency, and adjusting the power level based on the second comparison. The second predetermined frequency may correspond a melting point temperature of a clamp arm pad. An ultrasonic instrument and a generator may implement the method.

Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclsoed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as

[00001]$Z_g(t)=\frac{V_g\left(t\right)}{I_g\left(t\right)}.$

The control circuit receivs a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

An ablation catheter system configured with a compact force sensor at a distal end for detection of contact forces exerted on an end effector. The force sensor includes fiber optics operatively coupled with reflecting members on a structural member. In one embodiment, the optical fibers and reflecting members cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member due to contact force. In another embodiment, a change in the intensity of the reflected light is detected to measure the deformation. The measured deformations are then used to compute a contact force vector. In some embodiments, the force sensor is configured to passively compensate for temperature changes that otherwise lead to erroneous force indications. In other embodiments, the system actively compensates for errant force indications caused by temperature changes by measuring certain local temperatures of the structural member.

A device for the drying of tooth or bone surfaces includes a radiation source for irradiating the tooth or bone surface to be dried, a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor.

A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical instrument using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a surgical instrument, analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the surgical instrument, and adjusting the operation of the surgical instrument to improve the operation of the surgical instrument.

An ultrasound cardiac stimulation system includes: a system for measuring the heart electrical activity; a system for generating a beam of focussed ultrasound signals focussed on a targeted zone, the signals being calibrated to generate electrical stimulation in a zone of the heart, the beam generation being synchronised with a first selected time of the electrocardiogram, the generation of the beam corresponding to a pulse with a duration of less than 80 ms; a system for locating the targeted zone coupled with a system for positioning the system for generating the focussed beam to control the beam of focussed ultrasound signals in the targeted zone, the location system being synchronised with the system for generating the beam of focussed signals; a single monitoring system following in real time a temperature and tissue deformation in the targeted zone, the monitoring system taking measurements in synchronisation with the rhythm of the electrocardiogram.

A method for characterizing a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device is disclosed. The ultrasonic device including an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency. The electromechanical ultrasonic system further including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. The method including applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; measuring, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, an impedance value of the ultrasonic transducer; comparing, by the control circuit, the impedance value to a reference impedance value stored in the memory; classifying, by the control circuit, the impedance value based on the comparison; characterizing, by the control circuit, the state of the electromechanical ultrasonic system based on the classification of the impedance value; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the characterization of the state of the end effector.

Methods of treating tumors by administering compounds to a patient are provided. Compounds such as pro drugs, e.g., 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), may be administered to the patient orally, by injection, intravenously, or topically, which then accumulate preferentially as compounds such as protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in tumor cells. After such accumulation, compounds such as PpIX are then activated in various aspects to treat tumors cells, thereby treating cancer. Cancers such as glioblastoma may be treated.