A foot controller for a microsurgical system that includes a body, a switch disposed on the body, and a switch guard coupled to the body and disposed in a spaced relationship to an outer surface of the switch. The method includes the steps of: forming a Ti1xHfxN layer on a substrate, wherein x is in a range from 0 to 0. Both network-side termination nodes have a link failure detector receiving the monitoring signal. Methods and apparatus are presented herein to enhance the acoustic quality of a wideband-to-narrowband converted signal. The center pivot plate is provided with an upright wall as a receiving portion for aiding the positioning of the bearing member by receiving the bearing member, more specifically, the collar when assembling the swing arm to the center pivot plate and the plate member.