Power module for use with a surgical instrument

A surgical instrument, in at least one form, includes an end effector and a power module. The power module may include a first motion conversion assembly. The first motion conversion assembly includes a first rotary drive and a first axial drive operably coupled to the first rotary drive. The power module may further include a second motion conversion assembly which may include a second rotary drive and a second axial drive operably coupled to the second rotary drive. The power module may further include a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion to actuate the end effector and a transmission assembly configured to selectively engage the motor with the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive, wherein the motor is concentrically arranged with the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive.

Automated end effector component reloading system for use with a robotic system

A robotic system for replacing a spent end effector component with a replacement end effector component is disclosed. The robotic system comprises a surgical end effector comprising an attachment portion. The robotic system further comprises an extraction system comprising a rotary extractor. The rotary extractor is configured to release the spent end effector component from the attachment portion of the surgical end effector when the spent end effector component in the surgical end effector is moved into engagement with the rotary extractor as the rotary extractor is rotated.

Surgical stapling apparatus with interlockable firing system

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.

Surgical instrument with safety mechanism

A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a safety mechanism, an elongated body portion and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle, an approximation mechanism, and a firing trigger. A lever of the safety mechanism is movable between a first position where the firing trigger is prevented from being actuated, and a second position where the firing trigger is able to be actuated. A first jaw member of the head portion is movable in relation to a second jaw member of the head portion between spaced and approximated positions. Movement of the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member from the approximated position towards the spaced position causes the lever of the safety mechanism to move from its second position to its first position.

Active voltage controller for an electric motor

A method for controlling an electric motor. A desired speed is identified for the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. A voltage is identified to cause the electric motor to turn at the desired speed. The voltage is applied to the electric motor and actively controlled during operation of the electric motor.

System and method for displaying anatomy and devices on a movable display

An image display system is provided comprised of a virtual window system that creates a visual coherency between the patient's anatomical images and the actual patient by aligning the image on the display to the patient and then presenting the image to the user in a way that feels as if the user is looking directly into the patient through the display. The image shown within the image display system is dependent upon the position of the image display apparatus and the position of the user so that the display orientation of the image may be biased slightly toward the user to improve ergonomics and usability.

Online advertising associated with electronic mapping systems

Various methods, systems and apparatus for displaying online advertising content associated with a point-of-interest (“POI”) in a digital mapping system, are disclosed. One such method may include detecting a change in the zoom level of an electronic map displayed on a computing device (e.g. desktop/laptop, smart phone, etc. operation on Windows®, Linux®, Mac OS®, iOS®, Android®, etc.) determining if the new zoom-level is at a pre-determined zoom level (e.g. at maximum zoom), identifying a POI on the map, retrieving advertisement content associated with the POI (“POI advertisement content”) and displaying the POI advertisement content. A POI may be a specific point of interest; or, an entire geographic region of a map displayed at a high zoom level. The method may further include detecting a change in the zoom, or pan, of the digital map while POI advertisement content is displayed, and removing or repositioning the POI advertisement content in response.

Surgical fastener applying apparatus

A surgical fastener applying apparatus (10) including a cartridge supporting section (200), an anvil supporting section (100) having a longitudinal axis and including a distal anvil portion (104) and a proximal handle portion (102), including a first longitudinally extending slot (109) extending therealong. A clamping lever (300) having a proximal portion and a distal portion is movable from an undamped position to a clamped position to releasably secure the anvil supporting section in close approximation with the cartridge supporting section. A firing assembly (500) includes a firing knob (552), the firing knob movable within the longitudinally extending slot from a first proximal position to a second distal position to fire fasteners (402) supported in the cartridge supporting section.

Remote distributed antenna system

A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.

Apparatus and method for maintaining a message thread with opt-in permanence for entries

A server has a processor and a memory storing a message thread module with instructions executed by the processor to maintain a message thread between users of client devices. Message thread state changes are queued at the server. The message thread is revised based upon the message thread state changes to form shared message thread state. The shared message thread state is stored. The shared message thread state is supplied in response to a request for the message thread from a user.