Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion, and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.

Abstract: A tow kit is disclosed having a thimble slider engaged with a plurality of tethers. The thimble slider may have a generally C-shaped body with a back portion and opposing end portions. The thimble slider may also have a channel formed within outer surfaces of the back and opposing end portions, and an elongated separator connected to an inner surface of the back portion and extending in a direction generally orthogonal to the back portion to define two portions. A tether can engage the channel to equally distribute weight applied to the two ends of the tether. A sling can engage the inner surface of the back portion. At least one other tether can engage the sling.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.

Abstract: This document provides polymer compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings. For example, methods and materials related to polymer compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings as well as methods and materials for making and using such compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings are provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and 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 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 instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation assembly.

Abstract: This document provides polymer compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings. For example, methods and materials related to polymer compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings as well as methods and materials for making and using such compositions (e.g., biopolymer compositions) and coatings are provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and 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 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 instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation assembly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model can be presented in a two-dimensional digital canvas on a computer display. User input directed at the three-dimensional model in the two-dimensional canvas can be received. The three-dimensional model can be manipulated in response to the user input. A two-dimensional view of the three-dimensional model can be displayed. Corresponding data structures for the model, the canvas, and the two-dimensional objects in the data structure can be maintained and updated. One or more additional techniques can also be utilized in a computer system, such as continuous user-controlled model rotation in a two-dimensional canvas; viewport autofit and non-autofit modes; rotating the model around a camera look-at point; ghosting outside the viewport; normalizing modeling units and values; preset buttons with on-button previews; user-defined view presets; and/or two-dimensional image substitution.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model can be presented in a two-dimensional digital canvas on a computer display. User input directed at the three-dimensional model in the two-dimensional canvas can be received. The three-dimensional model can be manipulated in response to the user input. A two-dimensional view of the three-dimensional model can be displayed. Corresponding data structures for the model, the canvas, and the two-dimensional objects in the data structure can be maintained and updated. One or more additional techniques can also be utilized in a computer system, such as continuous user-controlled model rotation in a two-dimensional canvas; viewport autofit and non-autofit modes; rotating the model around a camera look-at point; ghosting outside the viewport; normalizing modeling units and values; preset buttons with on-button previews; user-defined view presets; and/or two-dimensional image substitution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing two independent dissimilar attitude solutions, two independent dissimilar inertial solutions or both from one improved navigation device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an avionics system comprises: an inertial navigation device configured to produce a first set of attitude solutions; an attitude heading and reference unit configured to produce a primary set of attitude solutions and a secondary set of attitude solutions; and a display device configured to receive the first set of attitude solutions, the primary set of attitude solutions and the secondary set of attitude solutions, wherein if the first set of attitude solutions and the primary set of attitude solutions are yielding different results, then the display device is configured to determine whether the first set of attitude solutions or the primary set of attitude solutions is correct by determining differences between the attitude solutions and determining which difference is below a threshold.

Abstract: An electrode assembly may include an electrode support made of a first electrically insulative material and an electrode on the electrode support, the electrode having a working surface extending generally transverse to a thickness of the electrode. The electrode assembly may further include an insulative spacer retained in the electrode and made of a second electrically insulative material. The second electrically insulative material may be different from the first electrically insulative material. The insulative spacer of the electrode assembly may have a body portion extending into the thickness of the electrode, and a head portion protruding beyond the working surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A tow kit is disclosed having a thimble slider engaged with a plurality of tethers. The thimble slider may have a generally C-shaped body with a back portion and opposing end portions. The thimble slider may also have a channel formed within outer surfaces of the back and opposing end portions, and an elongated separator connected to an inner surface of the back portion and extending in a direction generally orthogonal to the back portion to define two portions. A tether can engage the channel to equally distribute weight applied to the two ends of the tether. A sling can engage the inner surface of the back portion. At least one other tether can engage the sling.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion, and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.

Abstract: A hydroponics apparatus includes a plurality of rails, a plurality of chambers formed beneath the plurality of rails, a plurality of pod inserts disposed on the upper surfaces of the plurality of rails, a plurality of air lines, and a plurality of hoses. The upper surface of each of the plurality of rails is angled upward relative to a horizontal plane. Each of the plurality of pod inserts is configured to receive a plant. Each of the plurality of air lines is disposed in a rail of the plurality of rails, and the plurality of air lines are configured to transport air through the plurality of chambers. Each of the plurality of hoses is disposed in a rail of the plurality of rails and includes a plurality of atomization sprayers. The plurality of atomization sprayers are configured to spray a solution within the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for content driven selection of a rendering engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for or content driven selection of a rendering engine can include retrieving content for display in a content browser executing in memory by a processor of a host computer, mapping at least one directive embedded in the retrieved content to a target rendering engine, selecting the target rendering engine for rendering the content, and passing the content to the selected target rendering engine. In this regard, in an aspect of the embodiment, multiple directives embedded in the retrieved content can be mapped, each to one of a selection of different target rendering engines, and a most often mapped one of the target rendering engines can be selected for rendering the content.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying a patient, said apparatus comprising: a medical device for implantation into the patient; an optical identifier affixed to the device; wherein at least a portion of the optical identifier is radiopaque, whereby to generate a scannable X-ray image of the optical identifier when the medical device is imaged using X-ray.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion, and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing, an elongated member, an end effector, and a staple formation circuit. The elongated member extends from the housing. The end effector is disposed on an end of the elongated member and has first and second jaws. The first jaw includes a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples. Each of the staples has first and second legs. The second jaw has a plurality of staple forming pockets. The staple formation circuit may be disposed on the second jaw. The staple formation circuit communicates a signal to a controller coupled to the staple formation circuit. The signal is representative of one or more of a formation, a malformation, and a nonformation of one or both of the first and second legs of one or more of the staples within one or more of the staple forming pockets.

Abstract: There are provided pressurized surgical instruments for use in pressurized surgical environments. The pressurized surgical instruments include pressurizing systems for maintaining a neutral or positive pressure flow within the surgical instrument during use. The pressurizing systems include a primary sensor for detecting the pressure of the surgical environment and a pressurizing mechanism for balancing the pressure of the surgical instrument with the surgical environment. The pressurizing mechanism includes a controller to receive and compare the signal sent from the primary sensor to the ambient or internal instrument pressure and a pressure delivery system to provide positive pressure to the interior of the surgical instrument in response to a signal received from the controller. The sources of pressure for the pressure delivery systems may be external or self contained within the surgical instrument.