Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anvil for a surgical stapling device. Various methods include forming an anvil body from a first material and a deformable anvil tip from a second material and attaching the deformable anvil tip to a distal end of the anvil body with a deformable second attachment member. Other methods include molding a deformable anvil tip to a distal end of an anvil body.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapling device comprising a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating. The method comprises contacting a first authentication key protruding from a surgical staple cartridge in actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout into an intermediate position, contacting a second authentication key protruding from the surgical stapling cartridge distal to the first authentication key into other actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout from the intermediate position into an unlocked position, and operating the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: In a first respect this invention is a container, comprising: a cylindrical, hollow body capped on both ends by a base and a top; a conduit that bisects the top and extends into the interior of the container; and a perforated housing that encompasses the portion of the conduit that extends into the interior of the container. In another broad respect, this invention is a removable splash guard, comprising: a housing having a top and bottom that define an internal space; a lower tube that bisects the bottom, wherein the lower tube has a upper portion which is angled; an upper tube that bisects the top, wherein a portion of the second tube that extends into the internal space contains at least one hole; and a partition interposed between the upper and lower tubes that serves to block movement of a chemical from the lower tube to the opening at the inboard end of the upper tube.

Abstract: A dimming circuit (10) for use with an illuminated dual display (12) of an aircraft instrument is provided. A voltage divider (14) divides a variable supply voltage, V.sub.S, produces an input voltage, V.sub.IN, and applies V.sub.IN to one input of a switch (16). A threshold voltage circuit (15) receives the V.sub.S voltage and produces a reference voltage, V.sub.REF, and a lower magnitude supply voltage, V'.sub.S. A reference comparator (OA3) compares the V.sub.REF and V'.sub.S voltages and produces a threshold voltage, V.sub.T. The V.sub.T voltage is applied to a second input of the switch (16). A first comparator (OA1) in the switch (16) produces a low output voltage when the V.sub.T voltage exceeds the V.sub.IN voltage and causes a first lamp (L1) to brightly illuminate a first indicia (24). A second comparator (OA2) in the switch (16) produces a low output voltage when the V.sub.T voltage is less than the V.sub.IN voltage, which causes a second lamp (L2) to dimly illuminate a second indicia (26).