Circular stapler buttress

A buttress for use with circular surgical staplers that does not require adhesive to securely fasten the buttress to the stapler. Following cutting and stapling by the circular stapler, the buttress has an adaptive opening through its central region with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the stapler anvil. Because of relief features built into the buttress, the stapler anvil may be pulled through the buttress material without causing permanent alteration to the buttress. These relief features may be provided regardless of whether the buttress is made of inelastic or elastic materials. The buttress is generally circular in shape with an outer diameter sized to coincide with the outer diameter of the stapler body staple compression surface and the outer diameter of the anvil compression surface of a circular stapler with which it is used. Prior to surgical use, the buttress is attached to the stapler with disruptable portions extending from outer perimetal areas of the buttress.

Circular stapler buttress

A buttress for use with circular surgical staplers that does not require adhesive to securely fasten the buttress to the stapler and that self-aligns onto the stapler. Following cutting and stapling by the circular stapler, the buttress has an adaptive opening through its central region with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the stapler anvil. Because of relief features built into the buttress, the stapler anvil may be pulled through the buttress material without causing permanent alteration to the buttress. These relief features may be provided regardless of whether the buttress is made of inelastic or elastic materials. The buttress is generally circular in shape with an outer diameter sized to coincide with the outer diameter of the stapler body staple compression surface and the outer diameter of the anvil compression surface of a circular stapler with which it is used. Prior to surgical use, the buttress is provided with a generally circular hole in the central region that is sized to closely fit the central shaft of a circular stapler with which it is used.

Air flow-producing device, such as a vacuum cleaner or a blower

Electrical components and vacuums. In some aspects, the invention provides an electrical component including a housing defining a passageway, a motor supported by the housing, the motor being selectively electrically connectable with a power source, a fan connected to the motor and operable to generate an airflow through the passageway, an electrical circuit supported by the housing, the electrical circuit being selectively electrically connectable with the power source, and a power-tool battery electrically connectable with the electrical circuit such that power is selectively transferred between the battery and the electrical circuit, the battery being connectable to the housing. In some aspects, the invention provides a vacuum.

Removable battery pack for a portable electric power tool

The present invention discloses a battery pack having an elastic bumper mounted externally to a plastic housing of the battery pack. The plastic housing includes a floor, a circumferential wall expanding upward from an outer peripheral edge of the floor and a cap. The floor, wall, and cap collectively define an enclosed internal cavity wherein a plurality of battery cells are mounted for providing power to the power tool. The elastic bumper serves as a cushion in the event of an impact load exerted on the battery pack or exerted on the battery pack and the associated power tool, if the battery pack or the assembled power tool and battery pack are dropped in an orientation in which the battery pack strikes a hard surface.

Method and device for supplying electric energy power to an appliance

The invention concerns a portable device for electric power supply comprising: connection means (8) for connecting an appliance (1) to be powered; and a power supply circuit (6; 16) supplying in output a supply voltage for the appliance when the circuit is selectively connected to a mains supply or to a low-voltage electric power source. It may also comprise a battery (10). In that case, the circuit (6, 16) can charge the power storage means when the circuit is connected to an appropriate electric power source, the connection means ensuring power supply to the appliance (1) from the power storage means (10).

Method and system for controlling a vehicle

Apparatus for sensing a potential rollover situation involving a vehicle including an inertial reference unit including three accelerometers and three gyroscopes which provide data on vehicle motion, vehicle control devices arranged to affect control of the vehicle and a processor coupled to the inertial reference unit and the vehicle control devices. The processor includes an algorithm arranged to receive data from the inertial reference unit and control the vehicle control devices to apply the throttle, brakes and steering to prevent the rollover, optionally in consideration of the position of the vehicle as provided by a map database or location determining system.

Method and apparatus for tissue oximetry

In accordance with the invention, the oxygenation of blood-profused tissue is measured by shining light into the profused tissue and analyzing the light reflected within the tissue. The light is reflected by cell walls in the tissue and is partially absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood. Since the extent of absorption is sensitive to the extent of hemoglobin oxygenation, measurement and processing of the reflected light provides a measure of the oxygenation of the blood. In one embodiment, the method is applied to measure the oxygenation of blood within the tympanic membrane (ear drum).

Remotely activated mitral annuloplasty system and methods

Disclosed are implants and methods for remote remodeling of a mitral valve annulus. The implant comprises a body transformable from a flexible configuration for navigation to a treatment site, to a remodeling configuration for, in one application, applying pressure to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. On board electronics allow post deployment adjustment of the implant.

DOCUMENT SIMILARITY DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

A document similarity detection and classification system is presented. The system employs a case-based method of classifying electronically distributed documents in which content chunks of an unclassified document are compared to the sets of content chunks comprising each of a set of previously classified sample documents in order to determine a highest level of resemblance between an unclassified document and any of a set of previously classified documents. The sample documents have been manually reviewed and annotated to distinguish document classifications and to distinguish significant content chunks from insignificant content chunks. These annotations are used in the similarity comparison process. If a significant resemblance level exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected, the classification of the most significantly resembling sample document is assigned to the unclassified document. Sample documents may be acquired to build and maintain a repository of sample documents by detecting unclassified documents that are similar to other unclassified documents and subjecting at least some similar documents to a manual review and classification process. In a preferred embodiment the invention may be used to classify email messages in support of a message filtering or classification objective.

Implantable device as organ valve replacement

An implantable device for use in a human and/or animal body for replacement of an organ valve. The device has an elongate main body having a first end and a second end provided with openings, and a membrane element provided with at least one opening. The device has, in a first operating state (primary form), a large ratio of length to transverse extent along an axis, and, in a second operating state (secondary form), a smaller ratio of length to transverse extent along an axis. The device is reversibly convertible from the secondary form into the primary form by application of force against elastic material forces. At least one of the two ends of the main body has an outwardly protruding anchoring portion for anchoring the device in the organ and/or a vessel.