Methods and systems are disclosed for accessing and treating the interior of the facet joint for vertebral distraction and immobilization. The systems include a number of tools that facilitate access to the facet joint, distraction of the articulating decortication of the articulating surfaces, and delivery of implants and agents into the facet joint for fusion.

Methods and systems are disclosed for accessing and treating the interior of the facet joint for vertebral distraction and immobilization. The systems include a number of tools that facilitate access to the facet joint, distraction of the articulating decortication of the articulating surfaces, and delivery of implants and agents into the facet joint for fusion.

A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency. The control circuit controls the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the inferred temperature.

A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency. The control circuit controls the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the inferred temperature.

An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical system defined by a resonant frequency and further include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. The device may be composed of two or more components, one of which is reusable and one of which is disposable. A method of detecting a proper installation of the components may include determining a spectroscopy signature of the blade coupled to the transducer, comparing the signature to a reference signature, determining an installation state of the components based on the comparison, and controlling a delivery of power to the transducer based on the comparison. The method may include enabling an operation of the device when the installation state of components is proper. The method may further include disabling the device when the installation state is not proper and generating a warning. The warning may be visible, audible, or tactile.

An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical system defined by a resonant frequency and further include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. The device may be composed of two or more components, one of which is reusable and one of which is disposable. A method of detecting a proper installation of the components may include determining a spectroscopy signature of the blade coupled to the transducer, comparing the signature to a reference signature, determining an installation state of the components based on the comparison, and controlling a delivery of power to the transducer based on the comparison. The method may include enabling an operation of the device when the installation state of components is proper. The method may further include disabling the device when the installation state is not proper and generating a warning. The warning may be visible, audible, or tactile.

Surgical lighting must balance various needs of a user: the light must be bright, but not too thermally hot; directed at a target, but not shining elsewhere; be robust, yet compact. Often much of these myriad needs must be accomplished by ever small illumination elements placed into devices requiring ever lower profiles. However, current surgical illumination options require the use of bulky lighting elements if the desire target is to be illuminated or, conversely, use weaker lighting elements for sleeker designs.

Surgical lighting must balance various needs of a user: the light must be bright, but not too thermally hot; directed at a target, but not shining elsewhere; be robust, yet compact. Often much of these myriad needs must be accomplished by ever small illumination elements placed into devices requiring ever lower profiles. However, current surgical illumination options require the use of bulky lighting elements if the desire target is to be illuminated or, conversely, use weaker lighting elements for sleeker designs.

Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated and contained within the containment bag and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable for easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided that enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.

A microsurgical device and methods of its use can be used for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A dual-blade device can be used for cutting the trabecular meshwork (“TM”) in the eye. The device tip provides entry into the Schlemm's canal via its size (i.e., for example, 0.2-0.3 mm width) and configuration where a ramp elevates the TM away from the outer wall of the Schlemm's canal and guides the TM to first and second lateral elements for creating first and second incisions through the TM. The dimensions and configuration of the blade is such that an entire strip of TM is removed without leaving TM leaflets behind and without causing collateral damage to adjacent tissues.