Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing water management capabilities of a fuel cell are disclosed. The methods include changing the surface energy of a fuel cell element by depositing, via physical vapor deposition, a thin film on the surface of the fuel cell element. Sputtering and evaporation can be employed as the physical vapor deposition technique.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two retaining members (70, 71) configured as a flange connecting two legs (20) and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include either a sharp book (23) or a blunt skin insertion element at the end of the leg adapted for percing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Alternatively, the retaining members may include topical engagement elements for engaging portions of the interdermal needles which are located above the skin surface. A contracting mechanism such as a screw (82) may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue comprising a cartridge containing a plurality of fasteners, an anvil positioned opposite the cartridge, and a locking mechanism to prevent re-approximation of the cartridge towards the anvil when the cartridge is withdrawn from the anvil after the fasteners are fired. The locking mechanism comprises a leaf spring clip with a distal hook for engaging a slot on the anvil support arm. The clip is moved distally when the staples are fired, and the hook engages the slot when the fastener holding cartridge is moved to the open position to release the body tissue.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical staples or fasteners to tissue having a controlled closure mechanism to approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The controlled closure mechanism consists of a catch member having a resilient material secured thereto which engages a pivotable lance member which freezes the rotation of the catch member at an infinite number of desired locations along its path of rotation. Controlling the position of the catch member controls the distance between the jaw members of the stapling or fastening device.