Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, and a waveguide grounding feature. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm movable between an open position and a closed position. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis, an acoustic waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade, a distal shaft portion extending along a distal axis, and an articulation section interposed between the proximal shaft portion and the distal shaft portion. The articulation section can deflect the distal shaft portion and the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration. The waveguide grounding feature inhibits the ultrasonic blade from shifting relative to the clamp arm along the distal axis as the end effector is driven between the straight configuration and the articulated configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, a carrier, and a support structure. Shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The carrier is configured to translate the end effector along the longitudinal axis. The carrier includes a carriage, an actuation driver, and an actuation assembly. The actuation driver is configured to rotate along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The actuation assembly is operatively coupled with the actuation driver and the carriage. The support structure includes a supporting portion. The supporting portion is configured to reduce torsional forces exerted on the carriage as the actuation assembly transfers the rotation of the actuation driver into translation of a portion of the shaft assembly to actuate the end effector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a non-clamping force applied against one of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive housing, a spline, a carriage, an elongate shaft assembly, an end effector, and an activating mechanism. The at least one spline includes a drive gear rotatable with the spline. The elongate shaft assembly extends from the carriage. The activating mechanism includes a barrel cam extending along a rotational axis and having a first cam profile radially extending about the rotational axis. The barrel cam is operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear is configured to actuate the activating mechanism to move at least a portion of the end effector. The first cam profile defines a plurality of slopes relative to the rotational axis such that the first cam profile is configured to drive movement of the end effector or the elongate shaft assembly at different rates according to the plurality of slopes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis proximally extending from the end effector and an ultrasonic transducer assembly proximally extending from an acoustic waveguide in communication with the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes a housing proximally projecting from the shaft assembly such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is positioned within the housing and a carrier moveably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis. The carrier collectively moves the ultrasonic transducer assembly, the acoustic waveguide, and the end effector relative to the housing from a proximal, retracted position to a distal, extended position, for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: A minimally invasive dilation device includes a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about a center and a dilating member positioned between the arms. A stylus may occupy the center. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. The dilating member may be a tube, wherein upon insertion of the tube, the arms are pushed radially outward. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the dilating member may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system.

Abstract: A customer loyalty rewards program random enhanced reward distribution system and method may comprise a server (304) receiving an indication that a user is a qualified participant because the user is one of a recipient of customer loyalty rewards program currency and qualified to be such a recipient. The server (304) may be configured to provide the user with a representation of a game (1400), via a communication network (290). The server (304) may be configured to receive, via the communication network (290), from the user, an indication that the user participates (1402) using the representation of the game (1400). The server (304) may determine whether the user is an enhanced reward recipient. The server (304) may be configured to determine whether the user is an enhanced reward recipient by selecting a position in a results array (100) predetermined to contain the indication (104) of whether the user is an enhanced reward recipient.

Abstract: A central administration tool or manager supports entry or selection of attribute data or datum (e.g., an attribute value) associated with at least one of a resource and a user. The entered or selected attribute data is arranged into a data structure (e.g., a file) for transmission over a communications network. The data structure is transmitted over the communications network to a directory interface. The transmitted data structure is processed to be compatible with interpretation by a directory services system. The directory services system is invoked consistent with the contents of the data structure (e.g., the file) and the previous processing of the data structure. Resources (e.g., applications) that are under the control of the directory services are managed consistent with the contents of the data structure.

Abstract: A central administration tool or manager supports entry or selection of attribute data or datum (e.g., an attribute value) associated with at least one of a resource and a user. The entered or selected attribute data is arranged into a data structure (e.g., a file) for transmission over a communications network. The data structure is transmitted over the communications network to a directory interface. The transmitted data structure is processed to be compatible with interpretation by a directory services system. The directory services system is invoked consistent with the contents of the data structure (e.g., the file) and the previous processing of the data structure. Resources (e.g., applications) that are under the control of the directory services are managed consistent with the contents of the data structure.

Abstract: A snap-in glass carrier engageable with a window regulator assembly for snap fitting a movable door glass with a glass retention hole to the glass carrier is disclosed. The glass carrier may comprise a glass carrier base and a spring finger. The spring finger may extend in a cantilevered fashion from the base and include a barb spaced from the base and engaged with the retention hole. The spring finger may also include a spring finger neck adjacent to the base and connecting to the base at an attachment location, with the spring finger neck being tapered and having a curvature configured to align the attachment location directly under an edge of the glass when the glass is mounted to the glass carrier. The snap-in glass carrier may also include saber-toothed ribs under the barb and a support bridge for the spring finger.

Abstract: A central administration tool or manager supports entry or selection of attribute data or datum (e.g., an attribute value) associated with at least one of a resource and a user. The entered or selected attribute data is arranged into a data structure (e.g., a file) for transmission over a communications network. The data structure is transmitted over the communications network to a directory interface. The transmitted data structure is processed to be compatible with interpretation by a directory services system. The directory services system is invoked consistent with the contents of the data structure (e.g., the file) and the previous processing of the data structure. Resources (e.g., applications) that are under the control of the directory services are managed consistent with the contents of the data structure.