Staple drive assembly

A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.

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 retraction mechanism

A retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. The retraction mechanism includes a motor, a first speed reducing mechanism, a clutch mechanism incorporating a second speed reducing mechanism, and a shaft. The first speed reducing mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The second speed reducing mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. In addition, the clutch mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first speed reducing mechanism. The shaft is configured to rotate upon activation of the motor the second speed reducing mechanism is in the locked state. The rotation of the shaft retracts a firing drive of the hand held surgical apparatus.

Self-Powered Ablation Catheter for Renal Denervation

An ablation catheter includes a flexible shaft having length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery. An electrode arrangement is provided at the distal end of the shaft. A handle unit includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and is coupled to the catheter. A battery and one or both of a high frequency AC generator and ultrasound generator are provided in the housing. The battery serves as the sole source of power for the generator. The generator is configured to generate energy sufficient to ablate perivascular renal nerve tissue using energy stored in the battery. The catheter may be disposable and the housing re-usable. Both the catheter and the housing may be disposable.

Method of fabricating epitaxial structures

A method of fabricating epitaxial structures including applying an etch stop to one side of a substrate and then growing at least one epitaxial layer on a first side of said substrate, flipping the substrate, growing a second etch stop and at least one epitaxial layer on a second side of the substrate, applying a carrier medium to the ultimate epitaxial layer on each side, dividing the substrate into two parts generally along an epitaxial plane to create separate epitaxial structures, removing any residual substrate and removing the etch stop.

Blood pressure measurement method

A blood pressure measurement system that non-invasively determines an individual's blood pressure can include a noninvasive blood pressure sensor having an optical sensor and a motion sensor. The optical sensor can provide a photoplethysmograph signal obtained from a patient to a processor. The motion sensor can provide a motion signal to the processor responsive to motion of the patient. In one embodiment, the processor calculates or estimates the blood pressure of the patient based on the photoplethysmograph signal and the motion signal. Advantageously, the system can obtain this blood pressure measurement without an occlusive cuff, thereby reducing patient discomfort. In other implementations, the processor calculates a blood pressure-related parameter from the photoplethysmograph and motion signal. The processor can occasionally trigger an occlusive cuff measurement as this parameter changes, thereby reducing the frequency of occlusive cuff measurements.

Method of forming conformal film having si-N bonds on high-aspect ratio pattern

A method of forming a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds on a substrate having a patterned surface includes: introducing a reactant gas into a reaction space; introducing a silicon precursor in pulses of less than 5-second duration into the reaction space; applying a first RF power to the reaction space during the pulse of the silicon precursor; applying a second RF power to the reaction space during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse, wherein an average intensity of the second RF power during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse is greater than that of the first RF power during the pulse of the silicon precursor; and repeating the cycle to form a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds with a desired thickness on the patterned surface of the substrate.

Showerhead electrode

A showerhead electrode, a gasket set and an assembly thereof in plasma reaction chamber for etching semiconductor substrates are provided with improved a gas injection hole pattern, positioning accuracy and reduced warping, which leads to enhanced uniformity of plasma processing rate. A method of assembling the inner electrode and gasket set to a supporting member includes simultaneous engagement of cam locks.

Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.

Dynamic and static bipolar electrical sealing and cutting device

An end effector assembly includes opposed jaws moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw includes an electrically conductive surface adapted to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue disposed between the jaws. A static bipolar cutting portion including at least one electrically conductive cutting element and at least one insulating element having a first configuration is disposed on at least one of the jaws. The static cutting portion is configured to electrically cut tissue disposed between the jaws upon activation of the cutting element and at least one of an opposing sealing surface and an opposing cutting element. A dynamic cutting portion including at least one electrically conductive cutting element and at least one insulating element having a second configuration is disposed on at least one of the jaws. The dynamic cutting portion electrically transects tissue during movement relative to tissue.