Abstract: A device and method for determining key registration settings in a stenographic device, includes providing a plurality of keys making up a standard stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position, a depressed position, and a range of depression positions between the resting position and the depressed position, receiving information indicating a depression depth of a key on the standard stenographic keyboard, and a processor communicatively coupled to a display and the plurality of keys, the processor operable to cause the display to graphically show, for at least one of the keys, a depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions.

Abstract: A variably flexible insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument and a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument. A device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. Tendons within the hollow body maintain the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions. A method for variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument, includes providing a hollow body having inner and outer sleeves defining a space therebetween in which tendons are disposed. Suction is applied to create a vacuum in the space for frictionally locking the tendons in place between the sleeves in a relatively stiff condition of the hollow body. The vacuum is relieved to release the tendons in a relatively flexible condition of the hollow body.

Abstract: A configurable table (100) includes a first table portion (102) and a second table portion (104). The first table portion includes a first upper region (106) and a first plurality of leg members disposed perpendicular to the first upper region. The second table portion includes a second upper region (108) and a second plurality of leg members disposed perpendicular to the second upper region. At least one leg member from each of the first and second pluralities of leg members are matched to each other. One of each two matched leg members includes a channeled portion along the length of the leg member. The other matched leg member includes a mating portion such that the channeled portion and the mating portion mate with each other. A method of configuring a table into two separate tables, and vice versa, is provided.

Abstract: A method and device for treating a Chronic Total Occlusion provides a controllable stiffness catheter with a shaft having a stiffness sheath and an access lumen. The device has a stiffness device in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the temperature, a temperature-changing device in thermal contact with the stiffness device, the temperature-changing device changing a temperature of the stiffness device below and above the temperature, and a power controller electrically connected to the stiffness device and selectively supplying power to the temperature-changing device to change a stiffness of the stiffness device between the stiff and soft states. A guidewire is moved to a treatment site and the catheter moves along the guidewire up to CTO in its soft state. The catheter stiffens without straightening and, in the stiff state, the catheter or the guidewire is projecting through the CTO.

Abstract: A chassis system and a suspension module for vehicles having wheel subsystems incorporates a lateral torsion bar and a co-axial enveloping damper unit, featuring active-adaptive suspension characteristics. Pre-fabricated suspension modules are situated inside respective box-structures, connected via wheelbase and track members, allowing the storage of heavy elements (e.g., batteries or fuel-cells) at the chassis. The robust and self-carrying chassis is enhanced, using upper body members, in terms of structural rigidity, for a given wheelbase, achieving high impact-energy absorbtion. The suspension arms incorporate upper and lower members, articulation, connect internally or externally to the suspension module, and transmit drive and brake forces to the wheels.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a clevis and first and second jaws mutually rotatable between open and closed positions. The jaws are proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of a control shaft of the instrument. The jaws hold first and second parts of a fastener, respectively. The first part includes a base having upstanding tissue piercing posts, and the second part includes another base defining apertures for receiving the posts, as well as a portion movable relative to the second base. When the upstanding posts are inserted into the apertures, the movable portion can be moved into a second configuration to lock the parts of the fastener together. The instrument is adapted to move the second part into the second configuration. A method for using the apparatus and fastener are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for locating a relevant product via a computer network includes receiving, at a client terminal, a search topic from a user and one or more attributes associated with the topic and assigning a rating to at least one of the attributes. A server is used to locate, at one or more information locations, at least two separate instances of the topic and at least two information fields, each field related to one of the instances the topic. Content in each of at least two of the information fields is associated with at least one of the attributes and the content in each of the at least two information fields associated with an attribute is compared against each other. A score to the content of each compared instance of content is assigned based on the comparing. The attributes are prioritized and the located instances of the topic are ranked based on the prioritizing and the score of content associated with the topic.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transoral invagination and fundoplication of the stomach to the esophagus includes a clip applier having sharp toothed jaws for grasping and damaging the fundus prior to applying the clip. The clip applier has an overall diameter of less than 7 mm. The clip applier jaws are coupled to a pull wire via a linkage which increases the mechanical advantage and thus permits greater grasping force. A plurality of clip designs are also provided.

Abstract: A medical method includes sliding two substantially straight unconnected arms over a fold of body tissue such that a first arm contacts a first portion of the fold and a second arm contacts a second portion. Then, each arm is bent completely through the fold such that both of the arms compress the portions of the fold into contact with each other. Another method includes releasably coupling first and second substantially linear arms to a bridge, each of the arms having a substantially straight sliding portion and a bendable piercing portion. The arms are slid over opposing sides of two body tissue layers, the first arm sliding over the first layer and the second over the second layer. While the sliding portions of the arms remain substantially straight, each piercing portion is bent completely through the adjacent layer and halfway through the other layer to compress the two layers together.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having an actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated. An electric motor has a rated operating voltage and is operationally connected to the end effector to operate the actuation assembly. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and selectively powers the motor to actuate the actuation assembly at least 1 and less than 16 times during a clinical life of at least one of the end effector, the motor, or the power supply. The power supply has a battery cell with a critical current rate. When activated to power the motor and actuate the actuation assembly, the power supply operates the battery cell at a super-critical current rate during a non-zero super-critical pulse discharge period lasting less than approximately 16 seconds. The power supply operates the motor above the rated operating voltage during the super-critical pulse discharge period.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical end effector, including providing a control shaft having a longitudinal axis with a distal end effector assembly at least partially actuated by a displacement of an actuating part along the longitudinal axis and providing the control shaft with a proximal handle connector having a rotating link operable to connect the control shaft to a control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. An end effector two-function control device is fixed rotationally to at least part of the control shaft to couple rotation of the two-function control device, the control shaft, and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally to the actuating part to couple longitudinal movement of the two-function control device and the actuating part with respect to the control shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, an electric motor operationally connected to the end effector to operate the at least one actuation assembly, and a power supply electrically connected to the motor and selectively powering the motor to actuate the actuation assembly. The power supply has a battery cell with a critical current rate and, when activated to power the motor and actuate the actuation assembly, operates the cell at a super-critical current rate or at an average current rate above the critical current rate. The power supply selectively powers the motor to actuate the assembly less than 16 times during a clinical life of at least one of the end effector, the motor, and the power supply. When actuated, the assembly operates only between 0.5 seconds and 16 seconds in duration.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a throat includes inserting a device into the mouth and throat of a user where the device has a curved light-collecting face, a first side wall attached to the light-collecting face, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, attached to and extending away from the light-collecting face and converging toward the first side wall, an upper wall attached to the light-collecting face, a lower wall opposing the upper wall and attached to the light-collecting face, where the lower wall includes a first portion converging toward a first portion of the upper wall and a light emitter coupled to the first side wall, the second side wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall.

Abstract: A firearm suppressor includes a unitary, hollow outer can and a monolithic extruded baffle. The outer can has an interior-threaded proximal end and a radially closed distal end with a longitudinal bore opening the interior of the can to the environment. The monolithic extruded baffle has a proximal end having outer circumferential threads shaped to secure removably inside the proximal end of the outer can and defines a proximal longitudinal bore shaped to receive at least a portion of the firearm barrel and removably secure thereto a distal end defining a distal longitudinal bore with a diameter sufficient to permit a projectile to pass therethrough. The baffle has central baffle walls disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. Each baffle wall has a longitudinal bore axially aligned with the proximal longitudinal bore and the distal longitudinal bore.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a metal gasket material plate with which exfoliation of the coating or blister can be prevented even if it is used in the presence of an electrolyte aqueous solution and which can be manufactured through a process without use of hexavalent chromium in consideration of the environment, etc. The present, invention relates to a metal gasket material plate comprising a metal plate 1 having a rubber layer 4 on one side or both sides thereof through an adhesive layer 3, wherein a rust-resistant pigment is added to both of said adhesive layer 3 and said rubber layer 4.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible, corrugated insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument and a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument. A vacuum-activated device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. A corrugated tube transmits torque from the proximal end toward the distal end. A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition.