Abstract: A cannula for a surgical system may include a magnet located in a position to be sensed by the surgical system in a mounted position of the cannula to the surgical system. At least one of a presence of the magnet and a polarity of the magnet is sensed in the mounted position of the cannula to provide identification information relating to the cannula. Exemplary embodiments further encompass a patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system, the patient side cart including a base, a main column, and an arm connected to the main column. The arm may include a mount to receive a cannula and a reader to sense a magnet of an identification device in the cannula so as to receive identification information relating to a mounted cannula.

Abstract: A cannula sterile adaptor for a surgical system includes a first portion comprising a rigid material and a second portion comprising a compliant material. one of the first portion and the second portion comprises a depression arranged to receive a clamping arm of a cannula mount of the surgical system.

Abstract: A cannula mount for a surgical system may include a body having an aperture to receive a portion of a cannula. The cannula mount may further include a pivotable clamping arm to engage the portion of the cannula received in the aperture. The clamping arm may include a cam follower surface. The cannula mount may further include a block moveable between a first position and a second position. The block may include a cam surface. The cam surface of the block may engage the cam follower surface of the clamping arm in the first position to actuate the clamping arm to a closed position in which the clamping arm engages the portion of the cannula received in the aperture. The clamping arm may be permitted to move to an open position in which the clamping arm does not engage the cannula when the block is in the second position.

Abstract: A cannula for a surgical system may include a magnet located in a position to be sensed by the surgical system in a mounted position of the cannula to the surgical system. At least one of a presence of the magnet and a polarity of the magnet is sensed in the mounted position of the cannula to provide identification information relating to the cannula. Exemplary embodiments further encompass a patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system, the patient side cart including a base, a main column, and an arm connected to the main column. The arm may include a mount to receive a cannula and a reader to sense a magnet of an identification device in the cannula so as to receive identification information relating to a mounted cannula.

Abstract: Implementations relate to a foot controller. In some implementations, a controller includes a stationary portion and a cradle member configured to receive a foot of a user. The cradle member is moveable to a plurality of positions along paths, the positions including one or more of a left position, a right position, a front position, or a back position. One or more of the paths have a component direction along a left-right axis of the controller and one or more of the paths have a component direction along a forward-back axis of the controller. One or more sensors sense the cradle member at a particular position, output sensor signals indicative of the particular position, and cause activation of a selected function provided by a system based on the sensed particular position.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a link of a manipulator arm and a telescoping cannula mount assembly. The link includes a curved end. The telescoping cannula mount assembly is positioned in the curved end of the link. The telescoping cannula mount assembly includes a curved cannula mount arm. In a first state, the curved cannula mount arm is parked within the curved end of the link. In a second state, the curved cannula mount arm extends from the curved end of the link and is locked in an extended position. The telescoping cannula mount assembly also includes a mechanical arm retraction system. The mechanical arm retraction system couples the curved cannula mount arm to the curved end of the link. The mechanical arm retraction system is configured to automatically move the curved cannula mount arm from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: A cannula mount for a surgical system may include a body having an aperture to receive a portion of a cannula. The cannula mount may further include a pivotable clamping arm to engage the portion of the cannula received in the aperture. The clamping arm may include a cam follower surface. The cannula mount may further include a block moveable between a first position and a second position. The block may include a cam surface. The cam surface of the block may engage the cam follower surface of the clamping arm in the first position to actuate the clamping arm to a closed position in which the clamping arm engages the portion of the cannula received in the aperture. The clamping arm may be permitted to move to an open position in which the clamping arm does not engage the cannula when the block is in the second position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing an array assay are provided. Embodiments of the subject array assay devices include (1) a base, (2) a cover, and (3) a clamping member for holding the cover to the base, wherein when the cover is operatively held to the base about a structure that includes an array assembly spaced-apart from a backing element, the array assembly and the backing element are deflected to substantially the same curvature. Embodiments of the subject methods include contacting a sample with a backing element and placing the backing element supported sample in contact with an array assembly to form a structure that includes the backing element and array assembly. The structure is then held together using a subject array assay device and the array substrate and the backing element are deflected to substantially the same curvature.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing an array assay are provided. Embodiments of the subject array assay devices include (1) a base, (2) a cover, and (3) a clamping member for holding the cover to the base, wherein when the cover is operatively held to the base about a structure that includes an array assembly spaced-apart from a backing element, the array assembly and the backing element are deflected to substantially the same curvature. Embodiments of the subject methods include contacting a sample with a backing element and placing the backing element supported sample in contact with an array assembly to form a structure that includes the backing element and array assembly. The structure is then held together using a subject array assay device and the array substrate and the backing element are deflected to substantially the same curvature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cleaning and priming a droplet dispensing device having a plurality of nozzles aligned in at least one row. A dispensing surface of the dispensing device comprising the nozzles is sealingly engaged to form a chamber adjacent the dispensing surface. A wash fluid is introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber. A priming vacuum is applied individually, and preferably, simultaneously, to at least a portion of the plurality of the nozzles. Optionally, a wash fluid is subsequently introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber to rinse the dispensing surface.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an addressable array of chemical probes at respective feature locations on a substrate surface. The method may use a deposition apparatus with a substrate unit which includes the substrate and with a drop deposition unit which includes a drop deposition head. Such an apparatus when operated according to a target drive pattern based on nominal operating parameters of the apparatus provides the probes on the substrate surface in the target array pattern. The method may include depositing at least one drop from the head unit onto the substrate surface. A fiducial on the substrate unit is optionally viewed from a sensor. A deposited drop on the substrate surface is viewed from a sensor. An actual position of the viewed deposited drop may be determined relative to a fiducial on the substrate unit, based on the views of the fiducial and deposited drop. An error is determined based on any difference between the actual and target positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making array hybridization chambers with uniform sample volumes. The apparatus employs a spacer to define a hybridization chamber of uniform volume between a slide, substrate, and gasket after the slide, substrate, spacer and gasket have been contacted. The spacer is non deformable or partially deformable and will only allow the adjacent gasket to a similar height or volume. Methods of making the hybridization apparatus and chambers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an addressable array of chemical probes at respective feature locations on a substrate surface. The method may use a deposition apparatus with a substrate unit which includes the substrate and with a drop deposition unit which includes a drop deposition head. Such an apparatus when operated according to a target drive pattern based on nominal operating parameters of the apparatus provides the probes on the substrate surface in the target array pattern. The method may include depositing at least one drop from the head unit onto the substrate surface. A fiducial on the substrate unit is optionally viewed from a sensor. A deposited drop on the substrate surface is viewed from a sensor. An actual position of the viewed deposited drop may be determined relative to a fiducial on the substrate unit, based on the views of the fiducial and deposited drop. An error is determined based on any difference between the actual and target positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cleaning and priming a droplet dispensing device having a plurality of nozzles aligned in at least one row. A dispensing surface of the dispensing device comprising the nozzles is sealingly engaged to form a chamber adjacent the dispensing surface. A wash fluid is introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber. A priming vacuum is applied individually, and preferably, simultaneously, to at least a portion of the plurality of the nozzles. Optionally, a wash fluid is subsequently introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber to rinse the dispensing surface.

Abstract: A fitment comprising a pouring spout having a peripheral flange at one end and a closure at a second end is attached to a paperboard carton formed with a hole in a side panel. The carton is moved intermittently along a conveyor, such as that used in a filling machine. An arm having a spud oscillates about a horizontal axis parallel to the conveyor. The arm is pivoted to down position as the carton reaches the fitment attaching station so that the fitment enters the open end of the carton with the spud aligned with the carton hole. The arm is mounted on a first carriage which reciprocates horizontally in a first direction to project the closure through the hole until the flange abuts the inside of the carton panel. An ultrasonic welding horn is mounted on a second carriage which reciprocates in alignment with the first carriage in a second direction opposite the first direction. The horn welds the fitment flange to the inside of the carton panel.

Abstract: A liquid distributor having a pair of variable displacement pumps driven by a single electric motor, the rotation speed of which is determined by a voltage from a controller in response to a predetermined ground speed and application rate which mixes a chemical with water in a desired proportion and delivers a solution to be directed into an open furrow just prior to the furrow being covered with dirt.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for skinning fish, particularly tuna fish, which comprises passing a precooked and cooled fish along conveyor belt means and the like while a series of rotating brushes above one side of and adjacent to the belly and back of the fish scrape the skin from those parts of the fish, passing the fish on the conveyor belt to a wheel around which the belt passes while a second belt contacts the opposite side of the fish and also passes around the wheel to hold the fish intact on the wheel until the fish is half way around the wheel and is turned over, depositing the turned over fish onto a third conveyor belt that receives the fish with the unscraped side thereof in the upper position, subjecting the unscraped side of the fish, and optionally, the belly and back thereof, to the rotating brushes to remove substantially all of the skin from the fish, and simultaneously spraying streams of water on the fish passing thereunder and the belts while removing skin from the fish and reducing deposit o