Surgical stapling instrument with a firing member return mechanism

A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and/or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and/or cutting member relative to the end effector.

Surgical apparatus including surgical buttress

A surgical buttress includes a body portion and a band disposed on each of the distal and proximal ends thereof. The surgical buttress is configured to attach to an end effector of a surgical stapling apparatus. The body portion, having perforations disposed thereon, overlies the working surface of one of the first or second jaws of the end effector. A resilient portion extends transversely beyond the side edges of the first or second jaws. Each band remains attached to the end effector following the firing thereof. The proximal band is removably attachable to a hook feature disposed on one of the first or second jaws of the end effector. The surgical buttress can be made from suitable degradable or non-degradable materials. One embodiment contemplates a detachable and disposable single use loading unit. A method of attaching the surgical buttress to a surgical apparatus is also envisioned.

Surgical cutting and sealing instrument with reduced firing force

A surgical instrument is provided that can comprise and end effector including two jaws and a cutting member configured to move between the jaws. In at least one embodiment, one or both of the jaws may be flexible, such that a jaw is configured to flex when gripping tissue. Further, at least one of the jaws may include a thin cross-sectional area such that the jaw flexes when gripping tissue. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, one or more compression elements may extend from the cutting member and may be configured to cause the jaws to close when the cutting member is advanced. The compression elements may comprise a roller and/or a low-friction material. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, one or both of the jaws may be precurved, away from the cutting member's longitudinal axis. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the overall force required to advance the cutting member and/or close the jaws may be reduced.

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.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, HANDLE FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM

A surgical instrument (4), a handle (2) for use with the surgical instrument and a surgical instrument system are described. The surgical instrument and handle comprise complementary features to ensure a secure connection between the instrument and handle. hi one embodiment the instrument comprises an outer shaft (12), an inner shaft (14) and an operative portion. The outer shaft comprises opposed flat surfaces (16) allowing it to be engaged by the handle on the flat surfaces. The inner shaft comprises a latch surface (26) at its proximal end for engaging a latch mechanism in the handle. In other embodiments a radial bore (18) is provided in the outer shaft of the instrument. This can be engaged by an elongated member in the handle.

Three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same

Three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. The three-dimensional semiconductor devices include an electrode structure with sequentially-stacked electrodes disposed on a substrate, semiconductor patterns penetrating the electrode structure, and memory elements including a first pattern and a second pattern interposed between the semiconductor patterns and the electrode structure, the first pattern vertically extending to cross the electrodes and the second pattern horizontally extending to cross the semiconductor patterns.

CARDLESS ATM TRANSACTION METHOD AND SYSTEM

A method and system are provided for conducting automatic teller machine (ATM) transactions without the use of an ATM card, using a mobile user device. The mobile user device communicates with an ATM, a provider interface or a network. The ATM communicates with the mobile user device through a contact or contactless means, which may include communication through any wireless connection such as RFID, Bluetooth™ or other near field communication means, or through a USB port or other means of contact. A mobile user device may provide transaction information or authentication information to an ATM or to an authentication system in communication with an ATM. The transaction may be associated with the user's ATM account or another account. The mobile user device may generate a dynamic value which may be used as a password, an authentication value, an account identifier or a transaction identifier.

Multiple-wavelength physiological monitor

A physiological monitor for determining blood oxygen saturation of a medical patient includes a sensor, a signal processor and a display. The sensor includes at least three light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength. The sensor also includes a detector, where the detector is adapted to receive light from the three light emitting diodes after being attenuated by tissue. The detector generates an output signal based at least in part upon the received light. The signal processor determines blood oxygen saturation based at least upon the output signal, and the display provides an indication of the blood oxygen saturation.

Physiological parameter confidence measure

Confidence in a physiological parameter is measured from physiological data responsive to the intensity of multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after tissue attenuation. The physiological parameter is estimated based upon the physiological data. Reference data clusters are stored according to known values of the physiological parameter. At least one of the data clusters is selected according to the estimated physiological parameter. The confidence measure is determined from a comparison of the selected data clusters and the physiological data.

Gas sampling line

A gas sampling line having a channel for conducting respiratory gases from a patient respiratory interface to a gas monitor, the gas sampling line comprising, i.a., a gas sampling tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide. Use of a tube comprised of a polyether block amide material, the polyether segments of which comprise polyethyleneoxide, for sampling of respiratory gases; and a method for sampling of respiratory gases, the method comprising conducting respiratory gases through such a tube. A gas analysis system for analyzing respiratory gases, comprising a gas sampling line as defined above and a gas monitor connectable to the gas sampling line.