Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator arranged to supply radio frequency (RF) energy to fuse tissue is provided. The generator is arranged to supply RF energy through a removably coupled electrosurgical instrument to fuse tissue grasped by the instrument. The generator monitors a phase angle of the supplied RF energy and adjusts or terminates the supplied RF energy based on the monitored phase angle in comparison to predetermined thresholds and conditions to optimally fuse the tissue. The electrosurgical instrument conducts radio frequency energy to fuse tissue captured between the jaws and a blade to mechanically cut tissue between the jaws. A conductive post positioned on the jaw adjacent to the blade.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: Biomarkers for the treatment of pathological conditions associated with the PI3K pathway, such as cancer, and methods of using inhibitors of upstream components of the PI3K pathway, such as PI3K-? inhibitors or AKT inhibitors, are described. In particular, there are described biomarkers for patient selection in the treatment of cancer, as well as methods of therapeutic treatment, diagnostic kits and methods of detection, wherein cancers that possess a mutation in an upstream component of the PI3K pathway (such as the PIK3CA gene and/or the AKT gene), and a wild-type MAP3K1 gene and MAP2K4 gene, are more likely to respond favourably to treatment with inhibitors of upstream components of the PI3K pathway.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator arranged to supply radio frequency (RF) energy to fuse tissue is provided. The generator is arranged to supply RF energy through a removably coupled electrosurgical instrument to fuse tissue grasped by the instrument. The generator monitors a phase angle of the supplied RF energy and adjusts or terminates the supplied RF energy based on the monitored phase angle in comparison to predetermined thresholds and conditions to optimally fuse the tissue. The electrosurgical instrument conducts radio frequency energy to fuse tissue captured between the jaws and a blade to mechanically cut tissue between the jaws. A conductive post positioned on the jaw adjacent to the blade.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: Biomarkers for the treatment of pathological conditions associated with the PI3K pathway, such as cancer, and methods of using inhibitors of upstream components of the PI3K pathway, such as PI3K-? inhibitors or AKT inhibitors, are described. In particular, there are described biomarkers for patient selection in the treatment of cancer, as well as methods of therapeutic treatment, diagnostic kits and methods of detection, wherein cancers that possess a mutation in an upstream component of the PI3K pathway (such as the PIK3CA gene and/or the AKT gene), and a wild-type MAP3K1 gene and MAP2K4 gene, are more likely to respond favourably to treatment with inhibitors of upstream components of the PI3K pathway.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: To provide greater efficiency in connecting and establishing communicational equipment, the communicational system type can be automatically detected and the communicational equipment can configure itself in accordance with the automatically detected communicational type. Additionally, to accommodate dynamic reconfiguration, or changes to the communicational type after an initial configuration, the communicational type can be automatically monitored and the communicationally equipment automatically reconfigured if changes are detected. Different sets of comparator circuitry can be utilized to compare the voltages observed at known inputs to known thresholds of different communicational types to automatically detect the communicational type being utilized by existing equipment to which the newly-connected equipment is communicationally coupled.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.