Surgical stapling instrument incorporating a multistroke firing mechanism having a rotary slip-clutch transmission

A surgical stapling and severing instrument particularly suited to endoscopic procedures incorporates a handle that produces separate closing and firing motions to actuate an end effector. In particular, the handle produces multiple firing strokes in order to reduce the required amount of force required to fire (i.e., staple and sever) the end effector.

Surgical stapling apparatus

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Robotic tool with monopolar electro-surgical scissors

The present invention provides robotic surgical instruments and systems that include electrosurgical cutting/shearing tools and methods of performing a robotic surgical procedure. The surgical instruments can advantageously be used in robotically controlled minimally invasive surgical operations. A surgical instrument generally comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An end effector, for performing a surgical operation such as cutting, shearing, grasping, engaging, or contacting tissue adjacent a surgical site, is coupleable to a distal end of the shaft. Preferably, the end effector comprises a pair of scissor-like blades for cooperatively shearing the tissue. A conductor electrically communicating with at least one blade delivers electrical energy to tissue engaged by the blades. An interface coupled to the proximal end of the shaft and removably connectable to the robotic surgical system is also included.

Stapling apparatus having a curved anvil and driver

Stapler, in particular for hemorrhoidal use, includes a body, an elongate, fixed jaw part connected to the body and including a curved anvil defining staple-forming pockets and a curved portion defining an opening bound on lateral and longitudinal sides, an actuating jaw part including a curved staple driver and optionally a cutting knife, a trigger coupled to the body for actuating the actuating jaw part and an adjustment mechanism for moving the actuating jaw part to vary a longitudinal dimension of the opening defined between a staple cartridge and the anvil. When the actuating jaw part is actuated by the trigger, the staple driver forces staple blanks in the staple cartridge into staple-forming pockets of the anvil to form staples in tissue retained in the opening, while the cutting knife, when present, amputates the tissue.

Surgical implant alloy

The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in the tissue of a patient. The surgical implant can include a electrical insulator for reducing the conductivity of the implant. The surgical implant can be in the form of a staple, and insulator can be in the form of an anodized surface layer.

Operation of a computer with touch screen interface

A touch screen computer executes an application. A method of operating the touch screen computer in response to a user is provided. A virtual input device is provided on the touch screen. The virtual input device comprises a plurality of virtual keys. It is detected that a user has touched the touch screen to nominally activate at least one virtual key, and a behavior of the user with respect to touch is determined. The determined behavior is processed and a predetermined characteristic is associated with the nominally-activated at least one virtual key. A reaction to the nominal activation is determined based at least in part on a result of processing the determined behavior.

Wireless communication

Described is a sensor unit having a measured signal receiver, which registers a measured signal, an A/D converter for digitizing the measured signal, a transceiver device for wireless data communication to an environmental device, and a processor. The processor is a control processor for activating the measured signal receiver, the A/D converter, and the transceiver device. The digitized measured signal is transmitted directly via the transceiver device to the environmental device, without the complex and performance-intensive and therefore costly analysis occurring in the sensor unit.

Connector device for a controllable instrument

A connector assembly for controllable articles is described herein. The connector assembly engages force transmission elements used to transmit force from one or more force generators with the force transmission elements used to manipulate a controllable article. Additionally, the connector assembly provides organization thereby simplifying the process of connecting a plurality of elements, usually with a quick, single movement.

Surgical implant

The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in tissue. The implant can include an electrical insulator, such as in the form of a film, coating, or surface layer, for reducing the conductivity of the implant. The surgical implant can include a electrical insulator for reducing the conductivity of the implant. By way of example, the surgical implant can be in the form of a staple, and insulator can be in the form of an anodized surface layer.

Accessory system for vehicle

An accessory system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a display screen that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing. The display screen is slidably mounted at the casing and slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing. The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event. The accessory system may include an accessory module, which may comprise multiple sub-modules that may be selected to provide the desired accessory content to the accessory module.