Explore the 7,773 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 40th week of 2011, including 5,260 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
Surgical stapling apparatus with locking mechanism
The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: Smart Medical Devices, Inc..
Depth controllable and measurable medical driver devices and methods of use
Disclosed is a medical driving device having a first motor coupled to a region of a first drive shaft; a second motor coupled to a second drive shaft; a coupler coupled to the second drive shaft and interchangeably connected to a working tool; a tool guide assembly comprising a tool guide surrounding the working tool and a surface guide having a distal region configured to couple to the tool guide and a proximal region configured to couple to the first motor, wherein the first motor causes axial motion of the tool guide assembly to a retracted state and drives a length of the working tool into a target region of a bone; a torque sensor configured to sense torque in at least the second motor by continuously measuring current used to drive the second motor; and programmable electronics package to keep RPMs constant. Related methods, systems, and/or articles are described.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: Online News Link LLC.
Information distribution and processing system
An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a receiving apparatus. The remote site contains a first set of digital data. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site. The associated linking reference is used by the remote site to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: LIN ENGINEERING.
H-BRIDGE DRIVE CIRCUIT FOR STEP MOTOR CONTROL
A drive circuit for step motors with bifilar windings is provided in which both parallel and series winding configurations for the stator coils are selectable by a motor controller based on the motor speed. For low speeds a series configuration is selected, while for higher speeds a parallel configuration is selected. Dynamic torque is optimized by the selection for more efficient motor operation with less drive current.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: SALESFORCE.COM, INC..
System, method and computer program product for performing one or more actions based on a determined access permissions for a plurality of users
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for performing one or more actions based on determined access permissions for a plurality of users. These mechanisms and methods for performing one or more actions based on determined access permissions for a plurality of users can enable improved data collection and analysis, enhanced client knowledge of system access, etc.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP.
Surgical instrument
A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. The surgical instrument includes an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector operably couples to the elongated portion. A first pivoting member pivotably couples to a distal end of the elongated portion. The first pivoting member defines a first pivot axis intersecting the longitudinal axis when the first pivoting member is rotated. A distal mounting assembly pivotably couples to the first pivoting member and operably couples to the end effector. The distal mounting assembly defines a second pivot axis intersecting the first pivot axis and the longitudinal axis when the proximal mounting assembly is rotated.
Published: 2011-10-06
Radioactive therapeutic fastening instrument
An instrument used for brachytherapy delivery in the treatment of cancer by radiation therapy including a handle having first and second handle actuators; an end effector; and an instrument shaft that connects the handle with the end effector. The end effector has first and second adjacent disposed staple mechanisms that each retain a set of staples. The first mechanism is for holding standard staples in a first array, and dispensing the standard staples under control of the corresponding first handle actuator. The second mechanism is for holding radioactive source staples in a second array, and dispensing said radioactive source staples under control of the corresponding second handle actuator. A holder is for receiving the first and second mechanisms in a substantially parallel array so that the standard staples close the incision at a surgical margin while the source staples are secured adjacent thereto.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC..
Uplink control data transmission
Methods and systems for transmitting uplink control information and feedback are disclosed for carrier aggregation systems. A user equipment device may be configured to transmit uplink control information and other feedback for several downlink component carriers using one or more uplink component carriers. The user equipment device may be configured to transmit such data using a physical uplink control channel rather than a physical uplink shared channel. The user equipment device may be configured to determine the uplink control information and feedback data that is to be transmitted, the physical uplink control channel resources to be used to transmit the uplink control information and feedback data, and how the uplink control information and feedback data may be transmitted over the physical uplink control channel.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Surgical device having a rotatable jaw portion
A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may be, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.
Published: 2011-10-06 Assignee: Medtronic, Inc..
Transcatheter valve with torsion spring fixation and related systems and methods
Described is a prosthetic valve, comprising: an expandable stent including an inner lumen and having a first and a second end; and a spring attached to the first end of the expandable stent; wherein the expandable stent and the spring can expand radially to a desired diametric configuration in order to anchor the prosthetic valve at an implantation position in a body lumen. Related systems and methods.