Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a closure tube configured to at least partially surround the anvil and the staple cartridge channel to hold the anvil in a closed position. The closure tube can extend around the anvil a greater distance than the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and, in addition, an articulation joint pivotably connecting the end effector to the shaft. The articulation joint can further comprise a floating guide member which can guidably support a knife bar extending into the end effector and, at the same time, move independently of the end effector and the shaft to provide such support.

Self-steering endoscopic device

An endoscopic device including mechanisms to facilitate insertion of the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensing assembly configured for determining the position of the distal end of the device relative to a lumen. The device may further including a steering mechanism configured to direct the distal end of the device. A controller may be operably connected to the sensing assembly and the steering mechanism. The controller may be incorporated into the endoscopic device. Alternately, the controller may be positioned remote of the endoscopic device.

AVENANTHRAMIDE-CONTAINING COMPOSITIONS

Methods and compositions for treating or preventing a skin condition, an inflammation, an irritation or an allergy associated with an ectoparasitic infection or infestation on an animal. The methods involve applying to the skin of the animal a pharmaceutical composition that contains a therapeutically effective amount of one or more than one avenanthramide, an optional ecto and/or endo-parasiticidal agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier

Method of charging and using an aseptic battery assembly with a removable battery pack

A battery assembly with a housing that contains a removable battery pack. The housing, which is sterilzable, has a head designed to couple to a power consuming device. The battery pack, which is not sterlizable, contains at least one rechargeable cell. The battery pack has a head dimensioned to fit the same charger socket that can receive a sterlizable battery. The battery pack has contacts that abut charger contacts. The housing has internal contacts. Collectively, the housing and battery pack are shaped so that, when the battery pack seats in the housing, the battery pack contacts abut the housing internal contacts. The housing internal contacts are connected to the housing external contacts for supply power to the power consuming device. A cover selectively holds the battery pack in the housing chamber.

Wireless energy transfer converters

Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power converter that includes at least one receiving magnetic resonator configured to capture electrical energy received wirelessly through a first oscillating magnetic field characterized by a first plurality of parameters, and at least one transferring magnetic resonator configured to generate a second oscillating magnetic field characterized by a second plurality of parameters different from the first plurality of parameters, wherein the electrical energy from the at least one receiving magnetic resonator is used to energize the at least one transferring magnetic resonator to generate the second oscillating magnetic field.

Post treatment methods for oxide layers on semiconductor devices

Methods and apparatus for post treating an oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the oxide layer is formed by thermal oxidation or plasma oxidation and treated with a plasma comprising helium. The helium-containing plasma may also include hydrogen, neon, argon and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, a SiO2 oxide layer is formed on a silicon substrate and treated with a plasma to improve the interface between the silicon substrate and the SiO2 oxide layer.

Antibodies to human programmed death receptor PD-1

Antibodies which block the binding of human Programmed Death Receptor 1 (hPD-1) to its ligands (hPD-L1 or hPD-L2) and their variable region sequences are disclosed. A method of increasing the activity (or reducing downmodulation) of an immune response through the PD-I pathway is also disclosed.

Enhanced scavenging of residual fluorine radicals using silicon coating on process chamber walls

Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for substrate processing includes a process chamber having a chamber body defining an inner volume; and a silicon containing coating disposed on an interior surface of the chamber body, wherein an outer surface of the silicon containing coating is at least 35 percent silicon (Si) by atom. In some embodiments, a method for forming a silicon containing coating in a process chamber includes providing a first process gas comprising a silicon containing gas to an inner volume of the process chamber; and forming a silicon containing coating on an interior surface of the process chamber, wherein an outer surface of the silicon containing coating is at least 35 percent silicon.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROWING A THIN FILM ONTO A SUBSTRATE

An apparatus and method of growing a thin film onto a substrate comprises placing a substrate in a reaction chamber and subjecting the substrate to surface reactions of a plurality of vapor-phase reactants according to the ALD method. Non-fully closing valves are placed into the reactant feed conduit and backsuction conduit of an ALD system. The non-fully closed valves are operated such that one valve is open and the other valve is closed during the purge or pulse cycle of the ALD process.