ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED END EFFECTOR

The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.

Surgical stapling systems and staple cartridges for deploying surgical staples with tissue compression features

A surgical staple having at least one projection formed thereon. In various embodiments, the projection is formed on a crown of the surgical staple. In one various embodiment, the projection surrounds, or is positioned adjacent to, at least one deformable member of the surgical staple. In one embodiment, the projection can apply an increased compressive force or pressure to soft tissue surrounding the deformable member prior to the deformable members puncturing a hole in the soft tissue. As a result of the increased compressive force or pressure on the tissue, after staple deployment, blood flow proximate deformable member puncture holes can be reduced.

Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure

An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom for treating tissue. A longitudinal axis is defined through the shaft. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A rotating assembly operably coupled to the shaft is configured to rotate the shaft and the end effector about the longitudinal axis. A drive assembly is configured to selectively and releasably engage the rotating assembly. Engagement of the rotating assembly with the drive assembly couples the rotating assembly to the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction when the rotating assembly is rotated. And, disengagement of the rotating assembly from the drive assembly uncouples the rotating assembly from the shaft such that the shaft is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis when the rotating assembly is rotated.

Polarity correcting device

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a device for correcting the polarity of electricity in a circuit. In direct current circuits, a positive voltage received from a power source will exit the device at a predetermined output regardless of which input of the device received the positive voltage. In alternating current circuits, one or more currents received from a hot output(s) of a power source will be connected to a predetermined output(s) of the device regardless of which input(s) received the current(s).

Systems and methods for dynamically improving user intelligibility of synthesized speech in a work environment

Method and apparatus that dynamically adjusts operational parameters of a text-to-speech engine in a speech-based system. A voice engine or other application of a device provides a mechanism to alter the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine. In response to one or more environmental conditions, the adjustable operational parameters of the text-to-speech engine are modified to increase the intelligibility of synthesized speech.

Low cost anvil assembly for a circular stapler

An anvil assembly for a circular stapling instrument is provided. The anvil assembly includes a one-piece, polymer anvil and a staple-forming surface. The one-piece, polymer anvil comprises an anvil base surface and an anvil shaft extending from the anvil base surface. The staple-forming surface is attached to the anvil base surface.

ELECTRIC HAND-HELD GROOMING TOOL

An electric hand-held grooming tool is provided, which has a body portion, including a neck portion and an attachment portion, and attachments that are structured to releasably couple to the attachment portion of the body portion. The body portion houses a motor that operates to provide rotary motion to the attachments. The body portion further includes an on/off control for actuating the device and a plurality of speed controls for changing the rotational speed of the motor and thus the attachments coupled thereto. When actuated, the motor of the device rotates the various attachments about their respective axis of rotation such that a user can place the rotating attachments against her skin to treat dry or callused skin surfaces. The motor may also be configured to provide a vibrating motion in addition to the rotational motion.

Personal health device

An active pulse blood constituent monitor is disclosed. A sensor configured to provide an artificial excitation to a portion of the patient at a known frequency provides additional information in determining the physiological condition of the patient.

Light emitting device and system providing white light with various color temperatures

In a light emitting device and system providing white light with various color temperatures are provided, a light emitting device includes a light emitting element (LED) that is operated by a driving bias and emits first light, and a phosphor layer including a phosphor that partially wavelength-converts first light and emits second light, thereby emitting white light using the first light and the second light, wherein the phosphor has a maximum conversion efficiency at a first level of the driving bias, and the LED has a maximum conversion efficiency at a second level of the driving bias, the first level being different from the first level.

High throughput cyclical epitaxial deposition and etch process

Methods of selective formation leave high quality epitaxial material using a repeated deposition and selective etch process. During the deposition process, an inert carrier gas is provided with a silicon-containing source without hydrogen carrier gas. After depositing silicon-containing material, an inert carrier gas is provided with an etchant to selectively etch deposited material without hydrogen. The deposition and etch processes can be repeated until a desired thickness of silicon-containing material is achieved. Using the processes described within, it is possible to maintain temperature and pressure conditions, as well as inert carrier gas flow rates, to provide for increased throughput. The inert flow can be constant, or etch rates can be increased by reducing inert flow for the etch phases of the cycles.