Blunt tissue dissection surgical instrument jaw designs

A forceps for use in surgery for dissecting tissue includes a pair of jaw members movable from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position. The jaw members each have an outer housing extending along the length thereof to a distal end of the jaw members. The outer housing of one of the jaw members includes a textured surface at a distal end configured to interface with and dissect tissue during the movement of the jaw members from the closed to open positions. A dissecting tip may be selectively extendable from a channel defined in one of the jaw members to engage and separate tissue when in the extended position.

System and method for preventing reprocessing of a powered surgical instrument

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a microcontroller coupled to a memory, the microcontroller is configured to control the surgical instrument and a usage counter stored in the memory that is incremented when the surgical instrument is activated, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to prevent actuation of the surgical instrument when the usage counter is above a predetermined threshold.

Automatic transmission for a power tool

A transmission assembly for a power tool comprises a first transmission path comprising a high speed transmission path and a second transmission path comprising a low speed transmission path. Driven gears of each transmission path are permanently driven during operation of the transmission. A controller is provided for engaging or disengaging the high speed transmission path in response to monitored operating current of an electric motor providing a driving torque to an input of the transmission. When disengaged, a driven gear of the high speed transmission path continues to be driven, but the driven gear is disengaged from an output of the transmission. Consequently, under these circumstances, the low speed transmission path is the ‘active’ transmission path providing a low speed, high torque drive to the transmission output. A clutch enables the low speed transmission path to operate at a lower speed than an output of the transmission assembly when the high speed transmission path is engaged and is providing a high speed, low torque drive to the transmission output.

Formation of silicon oxide using non-carbon flowable CVD processes

A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method may include the steps of mixing a carbon-free silicon-and-nitrogen containing precursor with a radical precursor, and depositing a silicon-and-nitrogen containing layer on a substrate. The silicon-and-nitrogen containing layer is then converted to the silicon oxide layer.

Expandable intervertebral implant

An expandable intervertebral implant (20) is provided for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae. The expandable intervertebral implant includes a pair of outer sleeve portions (30A, 30B) and an inner core (50) disposed between the outer sleeve portions. Movement of the inner core relative to the outer sleeve portions causes the outers sleeve portions to deflect away from each other, thereby engaging the expandable intervertebral implant with the vertebrae and adjusting the height of the intervertebral space.

Apparatus and method of processing images based on an adjusted value of an image processing parameter

An apparatus and method of processing images is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of a first image from a plurality of images stored at a memory device and displaying the first image. The method also includes receiving image modification data to modify processing of the first image displayed and providing an adjusted value of an image processing parameter to an image processor. The adjusted value of the image processing parameter is determined based at least in part on the image modification data.

Light emitting diode package and fabrication method thereof

An LED package and a fabrication method therefor. The LED package includes first and second lead frames made of heat and electric conductors, each of the lead frames comprising a planar base and extensions extending in opposed directions and upward directions from the base. The package also includes a package body made of a resin and configured to surround the extensions of the first and second lead frames to fix the first and second lead frames while exposing underside surfaces of the first and second lead frames. The LED package further includes a light emitting diode chip disposed on an upper surface of the base of the first lead frame and electrically connected to the bases of the first and second lead frames, and a transparent encapsulant for encapsulating the light emitting diode chip.

Methods and compositions for long fragment read sequencing

The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for long fragment read sequencing. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for preparing long fragments of genomic DNA, for processing genomic DNA for long fragment read sequencing methods, as well as software and algorithms for processing and analyzing sequence data.

Soldier system wireless power and data transmission

An inductively coupled power and data transmission system include a main power source, apparel having an electrical conductor in electrical communication with the main power source, the apparel having a first inductively couplable power and data transmission sub-system to regulate power to the primary coil or coils and transmission of power and data by the primary coil or coils and reception of data by the primary coil or coils, and an independent device having a second inductively couplable power and data transmission sub-system so as to regulate reception of power and data by the secondary coil or coils and transmission of data from a secondary processor by the secondary coil or coils. The first and second primary coils transfer said power and data during inductive coupling, at electromagnetic radiation frequencies, between the first primary coil or coils and the secondary coil or coils.

Systems, methods, and devices having stretchable integrated circuitry for sensing and delivering therapy

System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a the brain, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy. Further, the invention enables the incorporation of both sensing and therapeutic devices on the same substrate allowing for faster treatment of diseased tissue and fewer devices to perform the same procedure.