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.

Cartridge for applying varying amounts of tissue compression

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Surgical clip applicator

A surgical clip applicator for applying surgical clips to body tissue includes an elongated ram housing that has proximal and distal ends and at least partially encloses a ram. A trigger housing includes a trigger that has an open position and a closed position. The trigger housing is mounted to the proximal end of the ram housing. The ram extends partially into the trigger housing and is operatively connected to the trigger. The trigger is spaced a first distance from the trigger housing in the open position and spaced a second distance from the trigger housing in the closed position. The first distance being larger than the second distance. A cartridge is removably mounted into the ram housing. The cartridge includes a plurality of the surgical clips. A retaining mechanism retains the trigger with respect to the trigger housing between the open and closed positions. Mounting the cartridge into the distal end of the ram housing urges at least a portion of the ram into the housing to set the trigger in the open position.

Surgical stapler with firing lock mechanism

A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.

Cellular phone with special sensor functions

Specific ambient and user behaviour sensing systems and methods are presented to improve friendliness and usability of electronic handheld devices, in particular cellular phones, PDAs, multimedia players and similar.

Jaw closure detection system

A jaw angle detection system for an end effector assembly includes a first electrical contact that connects to a first jaw member and connects to a generator. A sensor connects to a second jaw member (or an actuator) and connects to the generator, and configured to move relative to the first electrical contact upon movement of the second jaw member (or the actuator) when the first and second jaw members are moved to close about tissue disposed therebetween. Information relating to the position of the sensor relative to the first electrical contact is relayed back to the generator to determine an angle between the first and second jaw members.

Methods of implanting an injection port

A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED PROPERTY INSURANCE INSPECTION

Methods and systems for automated property insurance inspection include a remote inspection device having video inspection equipment capable of providing video images of property for use by an insurance company. The images may be used for expediting claim processing, inspecting damage in hazardous or hard to reach places, loss avoidance/risk control, fraud detection, detecting changes in risk profile, underwriting, rating, and quoting on new accounts and renewals, and prospecting new customers. The inspections may be performed on the exterior or interior of the property, and may be performed periodically, on-demand or continuously.

ERGONOMIC STAPLER AND METHOD FOR SETTING STAPLES

A stapler having ergonomic benefits includes a housing situated along a principal axis. The housing is conformed to include a handle and a head with a staple discharge opening spaced apart from the handle along the principal axis. A generally planar knife is within the head and oriented in parallel to a plane defined by an intersection of the principal axis and a normal axis. A magazine includes a sole at the staple discharge opening. The sole receives at least one first strip of staples. The first strip of staples is aligned such that the bight of a first staple within the strip of staples is parallel to the principal axis and the first strip is aligned with a lateral axis orthogonal to both of the principal and normal axes.

Electrosurgical stapling apparatus

An electrosurgical stapling apparatus is provided which uses thermogenic energy as well as surgical fasteners or staples for strengthening tissue, providing hemostasis, tissue joining or welding. The thermogenic energy also strengthens tissue in proximity to a staple line and knife cut line and provides hemostasis along the staple and cut lines formed by the staples and a knife blade during surgical stapling. The use of thermogenic energy provides short-term hemostasis and sealing, and reduces or prevents staple line and cut line bleeding, while the stapling features provide short and long-term tissue strength and hemostasis. The stapling apparatus further substantially reduces or prevents knife cut line bleeding by energizing a knife blade for cauterizing tissue while it is being cut. In one embodiment, energy is applied to the anvil to energize the staples as they make contact with the anvil.