Proximal loaded disposable loading unit for surgical stapler

A loading unit removably loadable into a surgical instrument positioned within a body of a patient having an elongated member, first and second jaws at a distal portion and a firing mechanism movable within the elongated member to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. The loading unit is insertable into a proximal opening of the instrument and through a lumen in the shaft of the instrument while the instrument is positioned in the body of the patient. The first and second jaws extend distally of the shaft of the instrument and the loading unit is actuable by the instrument. A surgical instrument to receive the loading unit and a method for reloading the instrument are also provided.

Method and system for guiding user positioning of a robot

A system and process is provided for dynamically positioning or repositioning a robot in a surgical context based on workspace and task requirements, manipulator requirements, or user preferences to execute a surgical plan. The system and method accurately determines and indicates an optimal position for a robot with respect to a patient's anatomy before or during a surgical procedure. Optimal positions for a robot are intuitively indicated to a user, surgical procedures can illustratively include surgery to the knee joint, hip joint, spine, shoulder joint, elbow joint, ankle joint, jaw, a tumor site, joints of the hand or foot, and other appropriate surgical sites.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULATNG NERVES OR OTHER TISSUE

According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.

Antenna structure with circularly polarized antenna beam

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point and an aperture. A cable comprising a conductorless core is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitter is coupled to the cable and facilitates a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. The first electromagnetic waves are guided by the conductorless core and propagate along the conductorless core without requiring an electrical return path, and the first electromagnetic waves generate free-space wireless signals from the aperture of the antenna in accordance with a circularly polarized antenna beam pattern.

Method and apparatus for guiding an electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can be configured for generating an electromagnetic wave and coupling the electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. The system can also be configured to receive an electromagnetic waves form the transmission medium with a reduced loss of radiation of the electromagnetic wave into free space. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Antenna structure with hollow-boresight antenna beam

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dielectric antenna having a longitudinal axis, a feed point and an aperture. A cable comprising a core is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitter, coupled to the cable, facilitates a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the dielectric antenna, the first electromagnetic waves guided by the core. The first electromagnetic waves propagate along the core without requiring an electrical return path, and the first electromagnetic waves generate free-space wireless signals from the aperture of the antenna in accordance with a hollow-boresight antenna beam pattern.

Antenna structure with doped antenna body

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dielectric antenna having a body of first dielectric material doped with particles of a second dielectric material. A cable comprising a dielectric core is coupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitter, coupled to the cable, facilitates a transmission of electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves are guided by the dielectric core to the feed point of the dielectric antenna, without requiring an electrical return path.

Multi-arm dielectric coupling system and methods for use therewith

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a dielectric coupler includes a neck portion configured to receive a first electromagnetic waves from a hollow waveguide. A plurality of arms is configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of arms each end at differing azimuthal orientations relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A splitter portion is configured to split the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of arms.

Multimode antenna system and methods for use therewith

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes an antenna having a feed point and an aperture. A feedline is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transceiver is coupled to feedline, the MIMO transceiver facilitating a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the antenna, wherein the first electromagnetic waves are guided by the feedline, wherein the first electromagnetic waves propagate along the feedline via a plurality of guided wave modes without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey first data in accordance with one or more MIMO techniques and wherein the first electromagnetic waves generate first free-space wireless signals at the aperture of the antenna in accordance with the one or more MIMO techniques.

Dielectric coupling system with mode control and methods for use therewith

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a coupling system includes a plurality of dielectric couplers configured to generate, responsive to first electromagnetic waves received via a hollow waveguide, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each have an end at differing azimuthal orientations relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A controller is configured to control a generation of the first electromagnetic waves in accordance with a first set of phases, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a first selected wave mode.