Explore the 7,581 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 34th week of 2014, including 5,362 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
Surgical instrument having a power control circuit
A powered surgical instrument for cutting and fastening tissue comprises an end effector having first and second jaw members that move relatively between open and closed positions. A control circuit comprises a relay, a firing switch having first and second firing switch positions, and a clamp device that can take first and second states. The clamp device takes a second state when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the clamp device activates the relay. Upon activation of the relay, the firing switch is connected to provide power from a power supply to drive a drive system of the instrument when the firing switch is in a second firing switch position.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
A shaft assembly is provided for interconnecting at least one rotatable drive shaft of a hand-held electromechanical surgical device, and an end effector actuatable by an axial drive force. The shaft assembly includes a flexible drive cable rotatably supported in an outer tube, the flexible drive cable includes a proximal end operatively connected to a respective rotatable drive shaft of the hand-held surgical device. The flexible drive cable being off set a radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the outer tube. The shaft assembly includes an articulation rod at least partially slidably supported in the outer tube, and an articulation link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the articulation rod and a distal end pivotally connected to a distal neck housing. The articulation rod being off set a radial distance from the central longitudinal axis of the outer tube.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: Covidien LP.
Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
An electromechanical surgical device includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function, the end effector including an input drive axle projecting therefrom; and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft; a proximal neck housing supported at a distal end of an outer tube; a distal neck housing pivotally connected to the proximal neck housing; a pivot pin interconnecting the proximal neck housing and the distal neck housing; and a gear train supported in the proximal neck housing, on the pivot pin, and in the distal neck housing. The gear train includes a proximal gear; an intermediate gear; a distal gear; and a pair of output gears, wherein each output gear defines a coupling socket each configured to selectively receive the drive axle of the end effector.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: TITAN MEDICAL INC..
Apparatus and method for controlling an end-effector assembly
An apparatus for controlling an end-effector assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a elongated element configured to engage the end-effector assembly and a drive assembly. A first motion transfer mechanism is disposed at an end of the elongated element. The first motion transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a rotational motion of the elongated element to a motion of the end-effector assembly. A second motion transfer mechanism is disposed at the second end of the elongated element. The second motion transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a motion of the drive assembly to the rotational motion of the elongated element.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION.
Control module for a motorized surgical tool, the module including a trigger sensor, a motor rotor sensor and a control circuit that are sealed from the ambient environment
A control module for a motorized powered surgical tool. The module includes a trigger sensor, a motor rotor position sensor and control circuit. The trigger sensor and motor rotor position sensor output their signals by monitoring magnetic fields associated with, respectively the trigger and the motor rotor. Based on signals from the trigger sensor and the motor rotor position sensor, the control circuit selectively applies energization signals to the windings of the motor. The module includes a shell that separates the trigger sensor, the motor rotor position sensor and the control circuit from the motor. The shell is formed from material that both shields the components within the shell from affects of the ambient environment and that allows the magnetic fields to be detected by the sensors.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.
On-board tool tracking system and methods of computer assisted surgery
A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery utilizing an on tool tracking system. The various improvements relate generally to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled using the OTT device. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure including the rate of and type of data processed depending upon a CAS mode.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V..
IMPRINT MOLD AND METHOD FOR MAKING USING SIDEWALL SPACER LINE DOUBLING
A method for making an imprint mold uses sidewall spacer line doubling, but without the need to transfer the sidewall spacer patterns into the mold substrate. A base layer is deposited on the mold substrate, followed by deposition and patterning of a mandrel layer into stripes with tops and sidewalls. A layer of spacer material is deposited on the tops and sidewalls of the mandrel stripes and on the base layer between the mandrel stripes. The spacer material on the tops of the mandrel stripes and on the base layer between the mandrel stripes is then removed. The mandrel stripes are then etched away, leaving stripes of sidewall spacer material on the base layer. The resulting mold is a substrate with pillars of sidewall spacer material patterned as stripes and extending from the substrate, with the sidewall spacers serving as the mold features for imprinting.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE BROAD INSTITUTE, INC..
CRISPR-Cas nickase systems, methods and compositions for sequence manipulation in eukaryotes
The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for selecting specific cells by introducing precise mutations utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC..
Optical redirection adapter
An optical redirection adapter for an electronic device having a camera includes a housing and an optical element. The optical element is attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the adapter is attached the electronic device, the optical element is positioned in the camera's field of view. The optical element reflects light in the camera's field of view from a redirection angle that is offset from the camera's field of view. The optical redirection adapter facilitates ergonomically sound use of the camera.
Published: 2014-08-21 Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC., HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC..
Optical reader having an imager
There is described a device having a two dimensional imager. The device having a two dimensional image sensor can be a hand held device. Imaging optics can be provided for focusing light reflected from a target onto the two dimensional imager. An image including imaging data can be obtained utilizing the hand held device.