Abstract:
A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.
Abstract:
A portable computer searches for preprogrammed wireless stations when it boots, and if it does not recognize any, stops booting the O.S. so that data cannot be accessed. In this way, should the portable computer be stolen and removed from its intended vicinity, data on the computer cannot be accessed by the thief.
Abstract:
A surgical system is provided and includes an intelligent surgical device having a drive motor supported in the housing and being in electrical communication with the power source; and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a feedback system for monitoring a condition of the surgical device during a use thereof and for changing an operative parameter of the surgical device when a change in the monitored condition occurs. The surgical system includes a non-intelligent loading unit for selective connection to the housing of the surgical device and which is actuatable by the drive motor, the loading unit having a first and a second condition. During operation, the drive motor actuates the loading unit from the first condition to the second condition; and when the loading unit achieves the second condition, a change in the at least one monitored condition occurs and an operative parameter of the surgical device is changed.
Abstract:
A surgical device is provided that includes a jaw portion, having a first jaw in opposed correspondence with a second jaw, the second jaw including a surgical member. The surgical device may include a shaft portion coupled to a proximal end of the jaw portion and at least one motor configured to rotate the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, to move the jaw portion relative to the shaft portion, move the first jaw relative to the second jaw and move the surgical member within the second jaw. The surgical member may be prevented from moving within the second jaw unless the first jaw is in a closed position relative to the second jaw. Advantageously, the surgical member may be, e.g., a cutting element and/or a stapling element, disposed within one of the jaws.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a transport package which efficiently maintains payload temperature within a predetermined temperature range during delivery through regions having ambient temperatures outside the desired range. The transport package is used for transporting temperature sensitive materials and thermally protecting the materials from cold and hot ambient temperatures in a manner that does not require a power source or other mechanical devices. Aspects of the invention relate to a temperature maintaining packaging system having an outer container, thermal insulation materials and two or more different phase change materials.
Abstract:
A package and method of use for packaging temperature sensitive payloads during transport through environments having extreme temperatures. The package includes a segmented, flexible panel containing a plurality of phase change material segments. A pair of such panels may be used, with each panel being separately thermally preconditioned as a function of anticipated ambient temperature during transport. The panels may be formed by retaining phase change material segments between a pair of flexible sheets.
Abstract:
A circuit for use with a stator winding of a rotating or linear electrical machine, the stator winding having a number of coils linked by the same number of points of common coupling, includes an electronic commutator circuit having the same number of switching stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second main dc lines. Each switching stage includes first and second reverse blocking semiconductor power devices. A voltage clamping circuit includes the same number of clamping stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second auxiliary dc lines. Each clamping stage includes first and second diodes and first and second capacitors common to the various clamping stages. A dc to dc converter selectively discharges the first and second capacitors to the first and second main dc lines.
Abstract:
A hand trowel having a flat blade, a handle, an angled stem, and a bucket hook which has a length dimension of approximately one-and-one-half inches and extends beyond the attachment point of one end of the stem to the blade. Thus, the trowel can be stored in a substantially vertical, secure and fixed position on the lip of a bucket, preventing the handle from coming into contact with the contents of the bucket, or the contents being inadvertently spilled onto the work area. It also has a larger blade than is typically used for semi-fluid masonry products, to carry more product at a time to the working area, as well as act as a counterweight for the handle to keep the tool from falling out of bucket when it is moved. Thus, the present invention allows the operator to work more efficiently, and maintain a cleaner, less cluttered working area.
Abstract:
A client/server computer system having personalizable views of database data. The personalizable views programmed in client profiles which are customized for each client in the client/server computer system. The client/server computer system featuring a translator for converting client application database input and output requests into native database commands. The translator also supporting processing functions on data both retrieved from the database and stored to the database according to each individual client profile. The client/server computer system also supporting a hierarchy of preprogrammable group profiles which may be assigned to a group of clients. The client/server system also providing a security function for database data without modifying either the client applications executing on each client terminal or the native database.
Abstract:
A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes. A compiler option provides for the generation of debugger hooks for each statement that has been affected by modified declarations, which may be used with a suitably equipped debugger or other run-time analysis tool.