A method of fabricating an ultrasonic medical device is presented. The method includes machining a surgical tool from a flat metal stock, contacting a face of a first transducer with a first face of the surgical tool, and contacting a face of a second transducer with an opposing face of the surgical tool opposite the first transducer. The first and second transducers are configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal portion of the surgical tool. Upon activation, the first transducer and the second transducer are configured to induce a standing wave in the surgical tool and the induced standing wave comprises a node at a node location in the surgical tool and an antinode at an antinode location in the surgical tool.

One aspect relates to an engine including a working system, having a first piston-cylinder system, comprising a working piston and a working cylinder. The working piston divides the working cylinder into a first working cylinder portion and a second working cylinder portion, a valve system, having a first valve connection and a valve element. The valve system and the working system are connected in a gas conducting manner, the first valve connection can be connected to a negative pressure source, and the valve element is movably arranged in the valve system such that, in a first valve position, the valve element connects the first valve connection to the first working cylinder portion, and, in a second valve position, connects the first valve connection to the second working cylinder portion in a gas conducting manner.

A surgical instrument employs a mass-spring system to drive the periodic reversal of the rotational direction of a bone dissection head. The instrument comprises a housing, a harmonic oscillator contained in the housing, an output member at least partially received in the housing and configured to be driven by the harmonic oscillator to reversibly rotate about a longitudinal axis in alternating directions, a dissection head having an attachment portion configured to be selectively driven in alternating rotational directions by the output member to remove material from a target bone, and a controller operable to initiate and stop the harmonic oscillator.

A medical, motor-operated or hand-operated or operable instrument includes a number of bearings for supporting a shaft for applying torque to a tool, of which bearings at least two selected or selectable bearings form a bearing pair. A distance sleeve axially spaces apart the bearings of the bearing pair. The instrument includes a component located at least partly radially inside the distance sleeve. The component is or can be rotationally coupled to at least one of the two bearings to rotate together with a rotating part of the at least one of the two bearings, or to form a rotating part of the at least one of the two bearings. At least one permanent magnet is fastened or formed on or in the component. A coil is arranged on or in the distance sleeve.

Surgical instruments with ultrasonic cutting and sensing capabilities, as well as related systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including a housing; an ultrasonic transducer contained in the housing and capable of acting as an ultrasonic receiver; an output member at least partially received in the housing and configured to be driven by the ultrasonic transducer; a dissection head having an attachment portion configured to be selectively driven by the ultrasonic transducer; and a controller operable to initiate and stop the ultrasonic transducer according to an alternating duty cycle.

A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool. Next, inserting the selected interspinous spinal implant into the opened gap with an insertion tool, and then compressing first and second elongated components of the interspinous spinal implant onto first and second opposite sides of the first and second spinous processes with a compressor tool, respectively. Finally, locking the interspinous spinal implant onto the first and second spinous processes of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras with a locking driver.

Disclosed herein are techniques for preparation of a bone structure wherein a robotically controlled cutting bur is utilized for both milling the entry point at the outer cortical region and cannulation of the cancellous bone region for receipt of an implant. A robotic manipulator supports and moves the cutting bur and one or more controllers analyze measurements from sensors and, in response, control the robotic manipulator and/or the cutting bur for purposes such as landmark detection to determine entry point, avoiding tool skiving at entry point, and avoidance of cortical wall breach during cannulation. Also described are techniques for managing feed rate, rotational cutting speed, or mode of operation depending on operational conditions surrounding various stages of cannulation. A control interface is also provided to enable the user to manage or adjust cutting bur operation and feed rate.

A surgical system for transecting osseous tissue includes an ultrasonic waveform generator, a control unit, an ultrasonic instrument assembly including a electromechanical transducer and an ultrasonic blade, and a robotic system. The ultrasonic instrument assembly is attached to the robotic arm. The surgical system is configured so that the robotic arm moves the ultrasonic blade at a constant forward feed speed through the bone during a cutting operation and so that the forward motion is reduced, and preferably halted automatically upon a reduction in load per unit time or applied power, as monitored by a pickup or sensor.

Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver is operable to insert an intraosseous device into a bone and associated bone marrow. The powered driver may include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end; a drive shaft having a first end disposed within the housing; a motor disposed within the housing and rotatably engaged with the drive shaft; a power supply to supply power to the motor; and a trigger assembly to activate the motor to rotate the drive shaft. A light may be connected to the power supply and operable to illuminate an insertion site for the intraosseous device.

A surgical drill for use with a drill bit. The drill includes a handpiece with a motor and a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is a sliding rack adjacent a first end and a second end with a stop adjacent the drill bit. An actuator is mounted to the handpiece and a plunger is coupled to the actuator. A sensor asserts a signal when the drill bit penetrates bone. When the sensor asserts the signal indicting the drill bit penetrated bone, the actuator moves the plunger into engagement with the rack to prevent further insertion of the drill bit.