Explore the 7,857 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 38th week of 2017, including 5,991 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
Stapler with cable-driven advanceable clamping element and dual distal pulleys
A surgical instrument comprising: a jaw assembly; a slider beam; first and second distal jaw-mounted coaxial pulleys rotatably mounted to a distal portion of the second assembly; a two degree of freedom wrist that includes first and second pitch axis pulleys rotatable about a pitch axis and that includes a yaw pulley rotatable about a yaw axis; a first cable that is secured to the slider beam, that wraps about the first distal jaw-mounted pulley and that extends parallel to the jaw assembly to opposite sides of the first pitch axis pulley; a second cable that is secured to the slider beam, that wraps about the second distal jaw-mounted pulley and that extends parallel to the second jaw assembly to opposite sides of the second pitch axis pulley; and at least one yaw cable wrapped about at least a portion of the yaw pulley.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: Ethicon LLC.
Surgical instrument assembly
A surgical instrument assembly comprising a shaft assembly and an end effector is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises a firing system and a closure system comprising a closing cam. The firing system comprises a first camming member and a second camming member. The closure system is separate and distinct from the firing system. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a cartridge body, and a metal staple matrix. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw when a closing motion is applied to the second jaw by the closure cam during a closing stroke. The first jaw is configured to be engaged by the first camming member and the second jaw is configured to be engaged by the second camming member during a staple firing stroke. The metal staple matrix comprises a plurality of staples and a metal staple-connecting member interconnecting the staples.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc., Intuitive Surgical Operations.
Stapler with cable-driven advanceable clamping element and distal pulley
A surgical tool is provided comprising: a jaw assembly that includes a first and second elongated jaws each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first jaw is mounted to be rotatable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position; first parallel side edges secured to the first jaw that extend parallel to a longitudinal first axis of the first jaw; second parallel side edges secured to the second jaw that extend parallel to a longitudinal second axis of second jaw; a slider beam that includes a cross-beam portion sized to slidably fit between the first parallel side edges and between the second parallel side edges, a first transverse beam configured to slidably engage surfaces of the first parallel side edges facing away from the second jaw, and a second transverse beam configured to slidably engage surfaces of the second parallel side edges facing away from the first jaw; a pulley rotatably mounted to the distal end of the first jaw; and a first slider cable secured to one side of the first transverse beam, the first slider cable extending about the pulley and past another side of the first transverse beam to the proximal end of the first jaw.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
Method for recording probe movement and determining an extent of matter removed
A method and system for determining an extent of matter removed from a targeted anatomical structure are disclosed. The method includes acquiring an initial representation of a targeted anatomical structure and then removing matter from the targeted anatomical structure. An instrument is then navigated within the targeted anatomical structure. The instrument includes a tracking array, and a relative position of the instrument within the targeted anatomical structure is determined by the tracking array. The method includes recording the relative position of the instrument within the targeted anatomical structure to determine a final representation of the targeted anatomical structure. Finally, the method includes determining an extent of matter removed from the targeted anatomical structure by comparing the initial representation of the targeted anatomical structure with the final representation of the targeted anatomical structure. Indicators are provided to convey the extent of matter remaining within the targeted anatomical structure.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: ETHICON, INC..
Temporary fixation tools for use with circular anastomotic staplers
The present invention relates to circular anastomosis stapler and kits comprising reinforcing buttress materials and fixation tools that are slidably installed on the anvil shaft of such staplers which provides a temporary mechanical fixation of a reinforcing buttress to the anvil surface of a circular stapler during the insertion of the anvil into the tubular tissue. When the anvil, loaded with the buttress, is in the desired location, the fixation tool is pulled back along the anvil shaft and removed. The shaft is then connected to the stapling head and the stapling is performed. The present invention also relates to methods for using the kits and devices therein.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: TEGO INC..
Operating systems for an RFID tag
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a wireless computing device, comprising an antenna; an analog block for receiving and transmitting an RF signal through the antenna, wherein the energy from the received RF signal provides power to the wireless computing device; and a data processing and controller block for data management, wherein the data processing and controller block comprises: (i) a first program memory adapted to store a first set of instructions comprising a system call adapted to perform at least one function, and (ii) a second program memory adapted to store a second set of instructions comprising an instruction to call the system call, wherein the data processing and controller block is adapted to execute the first set of instructions and the second set of instructions, wherein the antenna, analog block, and data processing and controller block are mounted on a single substrate.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: REMOT3.IT, INC..
Managing network connected devices
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing Internet of Things (IoT) network-connected devices.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation.
Semiconductor memory device having a stepped structure and contact wirings formed thereon
A semiconductor storage device includes a substrate, a stack of first insulating layers and conductive layers that are alternately formed on the substrate in a memory region and a peripheral region and electrically insulated from each other, a second insulating layer covering the stack of the first insulating layers and the conductive layers in the peripheral region, and a plurality of contact wirings formed in the peripheral region, each contact wiring extending from an upper surface of the second insulating layer towards the substrate and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the conductive layers. In the peripheral region, each conductive layer has an extended portion that covers side and upper surfaces of an end portion of a first insulating layer that is formed immediately thereabove, and each contact wiring is in direct contact with the extended portion of the corresponding conductive layer.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University.
Transition metal dichalcogenide alloy and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a transition metal dichalcogenide alloy and a method of manufacturing the same. A method of manufacturing a transition metal dichalcogenide alloy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a step of depositing transition metal dichalcogenide on a substrate using atomic layer deposition (ALD); and a step of forming a transition metal dichalcogenide alloy by thermally treating the transition metal dichalcogenide with a sulfur compound.
Published: 2017-09-21 Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V..
Aligned carbon nanotubes
Methods of forming carbon nanotubes and structures and devices including carbon nanotubes are disclosed. Methods of forming the carbon nanotubes include patterning a surface of a substrate with polymeric material, removing portions of the polymeric material to form exposed substrate surface sections, and forming the carbon nanotubes on the exposed substrate sections.