Medical device adapter with wrist mechanism

A surgical device adapter for coupling an end effector to a surgical device includes: a proximal joint housing that is couplable to the surgical device; a middle joint housing that is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the proximal joint housing; and a distal joint housing that is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the middle joint housing. The middle joint housing is pivotable about a first pivot axis defined between the proximal joint housing and the middle joint housing. The distal joint housing is couplable to the end effector and pivotable about a second pivot axis defined between the middle joint housing and the distal joint housing, the second pivot axis being transverse to the first pivot axis.

Hybrid adjunct materials for use in surgical stapling

Implantable materials for use with end effectors like surgical stapling devices, and methods associated with the operation of such end effectors, are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a staple cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body and a hybrid adjunct material. The cartridge body has a plurality of staple cavities configured to seat staples therein. The hybrid adjunct material is releasably retained on the cartridge body and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of the staples in the cartridge body. The material includes a biologic tissue membrane, a synthetic substrate layer, and at least one compressible elastic member configured to compress when a compressive force is applied thereto, and to provide a spring back force when the compressive force is removed. Other implants, devices, and methods for surgical stapling are also provided.

SEALING MATERIALS FOR USE IN SURGICAL STAPLING

Implantable materials for use with end effectors like surgical stapling devices, and methods associated with the operation of such end effectors, are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue reinforcement material is releasably retained on a portion of a surgical stapler end effector for delivery to tissue upon deployment of staples. The tissue reinforcement material comprises a plurality of fibers having an arrangement configured to compress and seal around a fastener component inserted therethrough. Other implants, devices, and methods for surgical stapling are also provided.

Shaft for an electro-mechanical surgical device

A shaft being, e.g., flexible, that includes an elongated outer sheath, at least one drive shaft disposed within the outer sheath and a ring non-rotatably mounted on the at least one rotatable drive shaft and at least one light source mounted within the shaft, such that, upon rotation of the at least one rotatable drive shaft, the ring alternately blocks and allows light from the light source to be detected. The shaft may also include a moisture sensor disposed within the outer sheath of the shaft and configured to detect moisture within the outer sheath. The shaft may include couplings that connect a distal end of the outer sheath to a surgical attachment and a proximal end of the outer sheath to a remote power console.

Method for forming conformal carbon films, structures conformal carbon film, and system of forming same

Methods of forming carbon films, structures and devices including the carbon films, and systems for forming the carbon films are disclosed. A method includes depositing a metal carbide film using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Metal from the metal carbide film is removed from the metal carbide film to form a carbon film. Because the films are formed using ALD, the films can be relatively conformal and can have relatively uniform thickness over the surface of a substrate.

System for configuring indicia readers using NFC technology

A near-field-communication (NFC) system includes an NFC-enabled indicia reader and a second NFC-enabled device. The NFC-enabled indicia reader is configured to receive software-configuration data from another NFC-enabled device. The NFC system is configured to update the NFC-enabled indicia reader with the software-configuration data of the second-NFC enabled device when the indicia reader is positioned in proximity to the second NFC-enabled device.

SELF-CHECKOUT SHOPPING SYSTEM

A self-checkout shopping system improves the retail shopping experience, permitting the self-serve customer to perform checkout tasks that are typically performed at the retailer's checkout area as the customer is selecting items for purchase. The system includes a mobile computer device and an indicia reader. The customer uses the mobile computer device to scan items selected for purchase. The item numbers are then compiled onto a list of acquired merchandise. When the customer has finished shopping, the system transmits the list of acquired merchandise, and any additional information such as customer financial information, to a point-of-sale terminal to facilitate the customer's payment for the merchandise.

Multiple wavelength sensor emitters

A physiological sensor has light emitting sources, each activated by addressing at least one row and at least one column of an electrical grid. The light emitting sources are capable of transmitting light of multiple wavelengths and a detector is responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by body tissue.

Load balancing logical units in an active/passive storage system

An approach is provided in which a storage system includes a first storage controller, a second storage controller, and multiple logical units. The storage system determines that a controller traffic load ratio between the first storage controller and the second storage controller has reached a threshold. In turn, the storage system selects one of the logical units and changes a preferred controller ownership of the selected logical unit from the first storage controller to the second storage controller to balance the controller traffic load ratio.

Etching of semiconductor structures that include titanium-based layers

Two-step process sequences uniformly etch both tungsten-based and titanium-based structures on a substrate. A sequence of wet etches using peroxide and heated nitric acid uniformly recesses a metal stack that includes W, TiN, and TiAl. W, TiN and TiC are uniformly recessed by a peroxide etch at ˜25 C followed by an acid solution with a very small amount of added peroxide at ˜60 C. TiC is etched without etching trench oxides or other metals in a work-function metal stack by either (1) highly-dilute of ultra-dilute HF at 25-35 C, (2) dilute HCl at 25-60 C, (3) dilute NH4OH at 25-60 C, or (4) solution (2) or (3) with small amounts of peroxide. Other metals in the stack may then be plasma-etched without being blocked by TiC residues.