Abstract: A knotless suture anchor for deployment in a preformed bone hole to secure soft tissue to bone. The suture anchor comprises a hollow outer member and a hollow inner member longitudinally movable within the outer member. Suture is directed along a tortuous path distally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members, transversely across an eyelet situated at the distal end of the inner member and proximally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members. A suture-locking mechanism engaged the suture-locking mechanism by moving the inner member proximally relative to the outer member is provided along the tortuous path to crimp the suture by placing the anchor in a suture locked configuration. The inner member is provided with radially outwardly extending prongs which pass through slots in the outer member in order to engage bone surrounding the bone hole.

Abstract: A surgical clip applicator for applying surgical clips to body tissue includes an elongated ram housing that has proximal and distal ends and at least partially encloses a ram. A trigger housing includes a trigger that has an open position and a closed position. The trigger housing is mounted to the proximal end of the ram housing. The ram extends partially into the trigger housing and is operatively connected to the trigger. The trigger is spaced a first distance from the trigger housing in the open position and spaced a second distance from the trigger housing in the closed position. The first distance being larger than the second distance. A cartridge is removably mounted into the ram housing. The cartridge includes a plurality of the surgical clips. A retaining mechanism retains the trigger with respect to the trigger housing between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A signal processing technique for estimating the frequency of a pulsatile signal (including but not limited to pulse oximetry signals) is disclosed. Each of the functions contained within a pre-selected set of functions is compared to the input signal at many different time-shifts, and the function/time-shift combination that best matches the input signal is selected. The frequency of the best-matching function is then used as the best estimate of the frequency of the input signal. Optionally, once a function has been selected, the rising portion of the selected function can be correlated in time to the rising portion of the input signal. Improved results can then be obtained by basing the oxygen saturation level calculations on samples taken from the rising portion of the input signal.

Abstract: Electrically conductive adhesive hydrogels formed from a composition which generally includes a monomer, an initiator, an organic solvent, and a cross-linking agent are suitable for use as skin contact adhesives and, particularly, suitable for use as an electrical interface for disposable medical devices. The present hydrogels provide for reduced skin irritation and/or malodor properties, hydrate a subject's skin, readily wet around a subject's skin surface hair, and protect against burning of a subject upon or due to electrical stimulation through the hydrogel.