Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, an airborne wireless service area includes: an airborne fleet, comprised of a plurality of aircraft, wherein the airborne fleet is configured to transmit a plurality of first beams at a first radio frequency (RF), wherein the plurality of first beams are characterized by corresponding first frequency band, channel, bandwidth, transmission format, uneven angular field intensity distribution, and boundaries, wherein neighboring first beams have an overlap region, and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is different between the neighboring first beams: frequency band, channel, or transmission format; and a plurality of first communication cells defined by respective boundaries of the plurality of first beams, wherein each of the first communication cells are characterized by their size, shape, and position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument includes a stapling head assembly that receives a plurality of staples. The staples are configured with features that allow the staples to expand after deployment so that an anastomosis created by the instrument can increase in size after forming. In some versions the staples expand automatically after deployment, and in other versions the staples expand in response to tissue forces imparted upon the staples after deployment. In some versions the staples are configured to be deployed in various patterns that promote expandability of the circular staple line.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a remote device configured to receive an emergency communication from a subscriber device, a Public-Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) switch, and a remote access device connected to the remote device and the PSTN switch. The remote device is configured to forward the emergency communication to the remote access device when the remote device is in Emergency Standalone (“ESA”) mode. The remote access device is configured to form a connection between the remote device and the PSTN switch such that the emergency communication is sent to the PSTN switch. The PSTN switch is configured route the emergency communication to an emergency service application.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a remote device configured to receive an emergency communication from a subscriber device, a Public-Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) switch, and a remote access device connected to the remote device and the PSTN switch. The remote device is configured to forward the emergency communication to the remote access device when the remote device is in Emergency Standalone (“ESA”) mode. The remote access device is configured to form a connection between the remote device and the PSTN switch such that the emergency communication is sent to the PSTN switch. The PSTN switch is configured route the emergency communication to an emergency service application.