Abstract: Devices for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue include a sheath and a staple push rod. The sheath has a distal end configured to be pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the sheath and is slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to abut a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. The stakes are biased to assume a bow-like shape such that an intermediate portion of a staple extends tautly between the first stake and the second stake when the stakes are extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for driving a drill rod having a drive means with a rotary drive and a vibration drive for driving an output shaft in a rotating and axially vibrating manner and an adapter means which is coupled with the output shaft and comprises an outer adapter for connecting an outer rod and an inner adapter for connecting an inner rod. The outer adapter is adapted to transmit the rotational movement and the axially vibrating movement of the output shaft to the outer rod. The inner adapter is supported in an axially displaceable and spring-mounted manner in the outer adapter. The invention further relates to a method for operating a drive device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hanking a cable are disclosed. A hanked cable may be formed by winding the cable around two or more mandrels attached to support members of a winding fixture. At least one of the mandrels can be removeably attached to the winding fixture to facilitate clamping the cable between the mandrel and the support member. The distance between mandrels may be varied by including, in the winding fixture, an adjustable stage for adjusting the relative positions of the mandrels. Once the cable is wound into a hanked configuration, it may be wrapped with a semi-rigid wrapping member to help retain the hanked shape.

Abstract: A palletizer for depositing a preformed layer (13) of objects (14) on a pallet (15). The palletizer includes a conveyor, equipped with an advancement mechanism (16, M1), which advances the preformed layer of objects and is designed to impart kinetic energy to the preformed layer (13) of objects, a layer depositing tool (12) designed to deposit the preformed layer (13) of objects onto the pallet (15), and a transfer mechanism for transferring the preformed layer (13) of objects and designed so that the entirety of the preformed layer (13) of objects leaves the conveyor and arrives on the layer depositing tool (12). The transfer mechanism includes the advancement mechanism (16, M1). The conveyor is a conveyor-launcher (11) designed for launching the preformed layers (13) of objects, and the transfer mechanism includes the advancement mechanism of the conveyor-launcher and the kinetic energy imparted by the conveyor-launcher (11).

Abstract: A portable power tool has at least one actuating element and at least one tool holding unit. A center axis of the at least one tool holding unit is configured to extend at least through a vicinity of the at least one actuating element.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly can comprise a handle including an electric motor, a shaft assembly including a drive member, and a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises, one, a rotatable output shaft operably coupled with the electric motor and the drive member and, two, a wire coil wound around the output shaft which is positioned in the magnetic field. The wire coil is rotated within the magnetic field when the output shaft is rotated about a longitudinal axis which induces a current in the wire coil. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a strain gauge mounted to the output shaft configured to detect strain created within the output shaft and, in addition, a circuit mounted to the output shaft, wherein the circuit and/or the strain gauge is powered by the current induced in the wire coil.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus for progressively stapling and forming an incision in body tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion and a tool assembly supported on the body portion. The apparatus further includes an input cam member slidable within the body portion, a drum member rotatably supported within the body portion, and an output cam member slidable within the body portion. The drum member is coupled to the input cam member such that linear movement of the input cam member effects rotatable movement of the drum member. The output cam member is coupled to the drum member such that rotatable movement of the drum member effects linear movement of the output cam member. Linear movement of the input cam member effects movement of an anvil in relation to a cartridge between unclamped and clamped positions.

Abstract: Impact tool and method for a hammer device that includes impact tool housing and tubular piston structured and arranged for axial displacement in impact tool housing via pressure medium. Tubular piston has essentially radial pressure surfaces structured and arranged on opposite portions of tubular piston to be acted on with pressure medium. Grooves are formed in impact tool housing that are structured and arranged for a reversal of a direction of a pressure medium impingement on pressure surfaces and discharge or recirculation of medium. Grooves include a control recess formed in tubular piston and at least two control grooves for a shift of pressure medium impingement on pressure surfaces that are arranged axially offset in impact tool housing. A controller is structured and arranged to alternatively activate one of the at least two control grooves via connection channels.

Abstract: An anvil assembly includes a circular anvil head that supports a crush ring, an anvil cap that supports an o-ring, and a circular anvil buttress member. The cap connects to the head and is movable relative to the head between approximated and unapproximated positions. The crush ring is spaced from the cap when the cap is in the approximated position and movable into engagement with the cap to move the cap to the unapproximated position. The buttress member includes a body portion and an extension portion. The body portion is supported on the head and the extension portion is secureable between the o-ring and the head when the cap is in the approximated position. The extension portion is releasable from between the o-ring and the head when the cap is disposed in the unapproximated position so that the body portion separates from the head.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for producing bags filled with a flowable particulate material from a continuous tube of flexible material. The apparatus includes a one-way valve application station having a valve applicator mechanism and a cutting and heating mechanism configured for movement with the bag through the apparatus. The valve applicator mechanism holds a one-way valve for insertion within the bag as the bag is moved through the apparatus. The cutting and heating mechanism is configured to be moved in unison with the valve applicator mechanism to cooperate with it to cut a vent hole in the bag at the valve and to weld the valve to the bag. Then the valve applicator mechanism and the cutting and heating mechanism are moved to apply another one-way valve to another filled bag and the bag with the valve secured thereto is sealed. The resulting sealed bag is suitable for stable palletization.

Abstract: A firing assembly for a surgical stapler includes a shell, a pressure chamber arranged in the shell to accommodates fluid, an ejector rod located below the shell to provide an actuated force and press the fluid in the pressure chamber, a number of piston holes communicating with the pressure chamber, a number of pistons received in the piston holes and a number of firing portions actuated by the pistons. The firing action of the stapler is gentle and the stapling effect for the anastomosed tissues is uniform.

Abstract: The head of a stapler for mucosectomy comprises an external goblet-shaped body (1) wherein an internal goblet-shaped body (2) is concentrically and slidingly located, at the edge of which a circular blade (3) is fixed. The internal goblet-shaped body (2) is provided with a central hole (5) wherein a rod (6) is slidingly inserted, at the end (7) of which an anvil (8; 8?) is fixed. One or more annular grooves (11), which are parallel and suitably spaced one from the other, are formed on the lateral surface of the rod (6) perpendicularly to the axis thereof. Said grooves (11) are intended to receive a portion of mucosa (9a) which is included in a purse string suture as the mucosa is tied around the rod (6). By retracting the rod (6) in the central hole (5) of the stem (2a) of the Internal goblet-shaped body (2) the mucosa to be removed is carried into the internal goblet-shaped body (2).

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The deck can comprise features for controlling the flow of tissue relative thereto. In some instances, the features can support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A cutting tool mechanism 11 for providing a cutting, abrading or grinding action is disclosed. The mechanism 11 has an inner circular part 17 having teeth 19 extending radially outwardly, a surrounding circular part 25 having inner teeth 27 extending radially inwardly. The circular parts 17 and 25 co-operate by engagement their teeth 19 and 27. Rotation of one circular part causes the other to move constrained by the engagement of the teeth in an orbital, oscillatory or impact motion. An input coupling 81 is provided for transmission of rotary motion, and an output coupling 37 is provided to transmit said orbital, oscillatory or impact motion to a blade 13. In further embodiments, the surrounding circular part 25 can be provided with outwardly extending teeth and surrounded by a further outer circular part with inwardly extending teeth, to cooperate with the outwardly extending teeth, to provide more complex orbital, oscillatory or impact motion.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotary hammer comprising an electric motor having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the hammer spindle and the tool holder. A single switching arrangement activates and deactivates the hammer mechanism and the rotary drive mechanism for the tool holder. The switching arrangement has a cam portion acting on a coupling part to activate and deactivate the hammer drive mechanism, and acting on a slider part to engage and disengage a coupling sleeve with a drive sleeve to thereby activate and deactivate the rotary drive mechanism of the hammer spindle. The switching arrangement comprises a gear train disposed between the switching element and the cam portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handheld power tool having an impact block and an impact block return device. The impact block has a plurality of continuous teeth arranged along a lengthwise direction of the impact block. The impact block return device comprises a gearwheel engaged with the teeth of the impact block; a ratchet wheel rotating simultaneously with the gearwheel; and a clamping member operated in a first state and a second state, the clamping member contacting the ratchet wheel in the first state and the clamping member being separated from the ratchet wheel in the second state; wherein the impact block only can do a single-directional movement when the clamping member contacts the ratchet wheel in the first state. The present invention can improve stability of the retraction process of the impact block (e.g., a firing pin).

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument includes an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is configured to be articulated with respect to the body portion, namely, the articulating tool assembly is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for adjusting a tissue gap of an end effector of a surgical device. In general, a surgical device can be configured to have an adjustable gap of space between a cartridge jaw and an anvil of the device's end effector when the end effector is in a closed position. The end effector can be configured to removably seat a cartridge therein. The cartridge can be configured to define the gap of space between the cartridge jaw and the anvil when the end effector is in the closed position.

Abstract: A driving tool includes a first cylinder that generates compressed air by reciprocating movement of a first piston slidably disposed therein. A longitudinal direction of the first cylinder intersects a longitudinal direction of a second cylinder and extends alongside a magazine that feeds fasteners onto an axis of movement of a driving part of a second piston. The first piston reciprocally slides in a direction that extends alongside the magazine. A tool handle is disposed on the side of the first cylinder that is opposite from the magazine in the direction of the axis of movement.