Surgical stapling instruments

A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector movable relative to the shaft, a locking mechanism configured to engage the shaft and/or end effector to fix the relative relationship between the shaft and end effector, and a closure system configured to close the end effector and engage the locking mechanism to prevent it from becoming unlocked. The instrument can further include a firing drive comprising a trigger, a firing member, and a pawl, where the pawl is rotatable between a first position in which the pawl is disengaged from the firing member and a second position in which the trigger can advance the pawl and firing member toward the end effector. The instrument can also include a reel, a band, where the band can be wound around the reel to retract the firing member, and a return mechanism for selectively engaging the trigger with the firing member and the reel.

Surgical stapling apparatus having articulation mechanism

An articulation mechanism for use with a surgical apparatus having an articulating tool assembly is described. The articulation mechanism includes a rotatable shaft which is fixedly secured to a disk defining a spiral groove or slot. A linearly movable translation member is provided and includes a pin which is received within the spiral groove such that rotation of the disk effects linear translation of the translation member. The configuration of the spiral groove can be selected to provide any desired ratio of angular rotation of the disk to linear advancement of the translation member. As such, the configuration of the spiral slot can be selected to provide a uniform rate of articulation of the tool assembly of the surgical apparatus or a variable rate of articulation.

SHEATH FOR GASTROSTOMA, SHEATHED DILATOR, SHEATH FOR GASTROSTOMA WITH INSERTION AID, GASTROSTOMY CATHETER KIT, AND METHOD OF SPLITTING SHEATH FOR GASTROSTOMA

The present invention provides a sheath for gastrostoma (1), a sheathed dilator, a gastrostomy catheter kit and a method of splitting a sheath for gastrostoma. The sheath for gastrostoma (1) includes a sheath body (11) in which a gastrostomy catheter (2) is inserted and a handle (12). The sheath for gastrostoma (1) lowers the insertion resistance of a gastrostomy catheter when inserted in a fistula before insertion of the gastrostomy catheter in the fistula for replacement in the patient's body. According to the invention, a sheath for gastrostoma, a sheathed dilator, a sheath for gastrostoma with insertion aid, a gastrostomy catheter kit and a method of splitting a sheath for gastrostoma which can lower the insertion resistance during placement of a catheter in the patient's body, facilitate air supply control of an endoscope and stabilize endoscopic visual field during surgery are provided.

Controlling power consumption of a mobile device based on gesture recognition

In an embodiment, a mobile device includes a sensor processor system, an application processor system and a power management controller that controls power being applied to the application processor system. The sensor processor system monitors sensors connected to the mobile device. The sensor processor system detects a pre-defined gestures and an environmental condition or event based on the monitoring. The pre-defined gesture corresponds to one or more actions initiated by a user of the mobile device (e.g., the user jogs with the mobile device, places the mobile device in his/her pocket or backpack, etc.). The sensor processor system selects a power profile to be applied to the application processor system based on the detection, and instructs the power management controller to apply the selected power profile to the application processor system.

Powered tack applier

The present disclosure is directed to a fastener applying surgical fastener applier for ensuring proper seating of a fastener within tissue. The surgical fastener applier includes an actuation mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine loading along an axis and to allow movement of the drive mechanism.

Input device and method with pressure-sensitive layer

Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. Specifically, the devices and methods facilitate input using a pressure-sensitive layer whose electrical admittivity changes in response to pressure applied to a touch surface. An input device is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor electrodes including a set of primary sensor electrodes and a set of secondary sensor electrodes. Each primary sensor electrode is electrically coupled to at least one secondary sensor electrode to form a set of electrical admittances. In one embodiment, the pressure-sensitive layer is located between the sensor electrodes and the touch surface, such that changes in the admittivity of the pressure-sensitive layer in response to pressure on the touch surface cause corresponding changes in the admittances between the primary and secondary sensor electrodes.

Motor controller and electric tool having the same

A motor controller comprises a processor selectively outputting an on-signal to either one of an upper arm switching element and a lower arm switching element based upon a detected position by the position sensor, gate drivers inputting a driving voltage to the gates of the switching elements by shifting a level of the on-signal from the processor to the upper arm switching element and a bootstrap capacitor configured to be charged while the upper arm switching element is turned off and to behave as a voltage supply for the gate driver while the upper arm switching element is turned on. The processor is configured to reduce a set duty ratio when the set duty ratio is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (e.g. 80 percents) and a rotational position of the motor does not change for a first predetermined time. This motor controller can prevent the switching element from a burnout even if the motor is locked.

Synergetic functionalized spiral-in-tubular bone scaffolds

An integrated scaffold for bone tissue engineering has a tubular outer shell and a spiral scaffold made of a porous sheet. The spiral scaffold is formed such that the porous sheet defines a series of spiral coils with gaps of controlled width between the coils to provide an open geometry for enhanced cell growth. The spiral scaffold resides within the bore of the shell and is integrated with the shell to fix the geometry of the spiral scaffold. Nanofibers may be deposited on the porous sheet to enhance cell penetration into the spiral scaffold. The spiral scaffold may have alternating layers of polymer and ceramic on the porous sheet that have been built up using a layer-by-layer method. The spiral scaffold may be seeded with cells by growing a cell sheet and placing the cell sheet on the porous sheet before it is rolled.

Contextual voice commands

Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing contextual voice commands. On a device, a data item in a first context is displayed. On the device, a physical input selecting the displayed data item in the first context is received. On the device, a voice input that relates the selected data item to an operation in a second context is received. The operation is performed on the selected data item in the second context.

Tissue tension detection system

An apparatus for indicating the amount of tension applied to separate internal organ sections includes a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, and a fastener applier. The fastener applier is supported on the shaft. The fastener applier includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is positionable between first and second positions relative to the cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly include a tissue detection device positioned to contact separate internal organ sections to generate a signal indicative of an amount of tension between the organ sections as the anvil assembly moves between the first and second positions. The tissue detection device is operably coupled to a gauge configured and dimensioned to generate an output based upon the signal. The output indicates the amount of tension between the organ sections.