Explore the 5,294 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 36th week of 2011, including 3,537 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
Structure for attachment of buttress material to anvils and cartridges of surgical stapler
A surgical stapler is provided having a pair of jaws including a staple cartridge and an anvil. Buttress material is releasably secured to at least one of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The buttress material includes a tab to releasably and frictionally engage the at least one of the staple cartridge and the anvil.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Surgical stapling apparatus
A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes: a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein the surgical buttress secured to the anvil assembly is secured by at least one anchor; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions. The anvil assembly has pairs of side recesses, at least one of which is a keyhole-shaped, or has an enlarged head portion.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP, TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP.
Rotary knife cutting systems
A rotary cutting system for use with a surgical stapling device. The rotary cutting system generally includes a knife blade and a mainspring for imparting rotary motion to the circular knife blade. A hammer member is provided and is configured and adapted to engage the knife blade.
Published: 2011-09-08
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND ADJUSTING POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION OF A SURGICAL DEVICE
A system and method including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis is presented. The instrument further includes a handle member configured to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate member, the handle member operatively associated with a rotation mechanism. The instrument also includes an end effector configured to be attached to the distal end of the elongate member, the end effector operatively associated with an articulation mechanism and configured to be pivotable throughout a plurality of directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. A software algorithm is used to identify, track, and control directional movement of the end effector in accordance with rotational movement of the elongate member.
Published: 2011-09-08
SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INTEGRATED WIRELESS CAMERA
A surgical instrument including an integrated wireless camera includes a handle assembly housing control circuitry. An elongated shaft extends from the handle assembly and includes an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof. An image sensor assembly is disposed toward the distal end of the elongated shaft and is electrically coupled to the control circuitry. The image sensor assembly is configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal and communicate the electrical signal to the control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to process the signal and wirelessly transmit the processed signal to a wireless receiver positioned remote of the surgical instrument.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: SALESFORCE.COM, INC..
System, method and computer program product for performing one or more actions utilizing a uniform resource locator
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for performing one or more actions utilizing a uniform resource locator. These mechanisms and methods for performing one or more actions utilizing a uniform resource locator can enable improved overall URL usage, more efficient search engine URL results, improved URL comprehension by users, etc.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Internally pressurized medical devices
There are provided pressurized surgical instruments for use in pressurized surgical environments. The pressurized surgical instruments include pressurizing systems for maintaining a neutral or positive pressure flow within the surgical instrument during use. The pressurizing systems include a primary sensor for detecting the pressure of the surgical environment and a pressurizing mechanism for balancing the pressure of the surgical instrument with the surgical environment. The pressurizing mechanism includes a controller to receive and compare the signal sent from the primary sensor to the ambient or internal instrument pressure and a pressure delivery system to provide positive pressure to the interior of the surgical instrument in response to a signal received from the controller. The sources of pressure for the pressure delivery systems may be external or self contained within the surgical instrument.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: CERCACOR LABORATORIES, INC., MASIMO LABORATORIES, INC..
Spot check monitor credit system
A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: Covidien LP.
System and method for transferring power to intrabody instruments
A system and method for transferring power includes a power transmitting unit for transmitting power and a power receiving unit for receiving power from the power transmitting unit. The power transmitting unit may be positioned outside a human body and the power receiving unit is located on an intrabody instrument adapted to be movable from the outside of the human body to inside the human body. The intrabody instrument may be a medical instrument connected to or incorporated within a robotic arm. The power transmitting unit may wirelessly transfer power to the power receiving unit in a continuous, non-interrupted manner.
Published: 2011-09-08 Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION.
Reprocessing of a physiological sensor
Because reprocessing or refurbishing of physiological sensors reuses large portions of an existing sensor, the material costs for refurbishing sensors is significantly lower than the material costs for making an entirely new sensor. Typically, existing reprocessors replace only the adhesive portion of an adhesive physiological sensor and reuse the sensing components. However, re-using the sensing components can reduce the reliability of the refurbished sensor and/or reduce the number of sensors eligible for refurbishing due to out-of-specification sensor components. It is therefore desirable to provide a process for refurbishing physiological sensors that replaces the sensing components of the sensor. While sensing components are replaced, generally, sensor cable and/or patient monitor attachments are retained, resulting in cost savings over producing new sensors.