Surgical stapling device with dissecting tip

A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.

High efficiency power converter

A high efficiency power converter comprises a boost converter for converting an input voltage to a first voltage on a first output, a buck converter for converting the input voltage to a second voltage on a second output, a linear regulator for converting the first voltage to a third voltage on the second output when the second voltage is lower than a first threshold, and a voltage detector for detecting the input voltage for preventing a reverse current flowing from the second output to the buck converter when the input voltage is lower than a second threshold.

Fixed content distributed data storage using permutation ring encoding

A file protection scheme for fixed content in a distributed data archive uses computations that leverage permutation operators of a cyclic code. In an illustrative embodiment, an N+K coding technique is described for use to protect data that is being distributed in a redundant array of independent nodes (RAIN). The data itself may be of any type, and it may also include system metadata. According to the invention, the data to be distributed is encoded by a dispersal operation that uses a group of permutation ring operators. In a preferred embodiment, the dispersal operation is carried out using a matrix of the form [IN—C] where IN is an n×n identity sub-matrix and C is a k×n sub-matrix of code blocks. The identity sub-matrix is used to preserve the data blocks intact. The sub-matrix C preferably comprises a set of permutation ring operators that are used to generate the code blocks. The operators are preferably superpositions that are selected from a group ring of a permutation group with base ring Z2.

Integrated business systems for web based telecommunications management

The specification discloses a method of doing business over the public Internet, particularly, a method which enables access to legacy management tools used by a telecommunications enterprise in the management of the enterprise business to the enterprise customer, to enable the customer to more effectively manage the business conducted by the customer through the enterprise, this access being provided over the public Internet. This method of doing business is accomplished with one or more secure web servers which manage one or more secure client sessions over the Internet, each web server supporting secure communications with the client workstation; a web page backplane application capable of launching one or more management tool applications used by the enterprise. Each of the management tool applications provide a customer interface integrated within said web page which enables interactive Web/Internet based communications with the web servers; each web server supports communication of messages entered via the integrated customer interface to one or more remote enterprise management tool application servers which interact with the enterprise management tool applications to provide associated management capabilities to the customer.

Sharing social network information

Social network information may be shared across online service providers. Thus, one online service provider M that maintains a membership separate from a second online service provider N may nevertheless use the social network maintained by the second online service provider N to tailor content and/or services based on such social network information.

Monitoring a physiological analytes

Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring blood glucose values.

Analyte sensor, and associated system and method employing a catalytic agent

An analyte sensor for use in connection with a biofluid is described. The analyte sensor may comprise any suitable interface between the biofluid and a derivative of the biofluid and any suitable transducer of information concerning an analyte. At least one catalytic agent is provided in a locale or vicinity of the interface. The catalytic agent, such as a proteinaceous agent or a non-proteinaceous, organic-metal agent, is sufficient to catalyze the degradation of reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species that may be present in the vicinity of the interface. An analyte-sensing kit and a method of sensing an analyte are also described.

Method, system, and computer program product for the processing of self-monitoring blood glucose(SMBG)data to enhance diabetic self-management

A method, system, and computer program product related to the maintenance of optimal control of diabetes, and is directed to predicting the long-term exposure to hyperglycemia, and the long-term and short-term risks of severe or moderate hypoglycemia in diabetics, based on blood blucose readings collected by a self-monitoring blood glucose device. The method, system, and computer program product pertain directly to the enhancement of existing home blood glucose monitoring devices, by introducing an intelligent data interpretation component capable of predicting both HbA1c and periods of increased risk of hypoglycemia, and to the enhancement of emerging continuous monitoring devices by the same features. With these predictions the diabetic can take steps to prevent the adverse consequences associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Heart valve annulus device and method of using same

A heart valve implant has a body sized and configured to rest near or within a heart valve annulus. A plurality of spaced-apart retainers extend outwardly from the body to contact tissue near or within the heart valve annulus. The retainers are sized and configured to secure the body to the heart valve annulus. The implant can be secured, e.g., without the use of sutures.

Method and device for catheter based repair of cardiac valves

Disclosed is a system and method for catheter-based repair of cardiac valves, including transcatheter-mitral-valve-cerclage annuloplasty and transcatheter-mitral-valve reapposition. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes: a guiding cathether; one or more secondary catheters, such as a valve-manipulation catheter and one or more optional suture-clip-pledget assemblies; and/or a canalization-needle catheter. Imaging methods and devices can be used to assist the operator of the system in determining the placement and orientation of the system within a subject's body. One exemplary imaging method is real-time magnetic-resonance imaging.