Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cartridge body having cavities defined therein forming a pattern of openings in the deck of the cartridge body. The pattern can include longitudinally-repeating clusters of cavity ends. The assembly can also include fasteners removably positioned in the cavities. The pattern of openings can comprise openings on a first side of the cartridge body comprising inner openings each defining an inner proximal-to-distal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, outer openings each defining an outer proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an outer angle, and intermediate openings each defining an intermediate proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an intermediate angle, wherein the intermediate angle is different than the outer angle.

Abstract: There is provided a phase locked loop, PLL, that sets gain automatically. The PLL comprises a frequency discriminator for providing a first signal that represents the difference between a first frequency and a second frequency. The PLL also comprises a comparator coupled to the frequency discriminator for receiving the first signal and providing a second signal based on information from the first signal. The second signal is representative of a gain setting for the phase locked loop to set.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit 11 comprises an amplifier 12, an indicator of desired power 15, a power control circuit 14 and a power measuring circuit 13. The amplifier 12 amplifies an input signal to produce an output signal, and has an input for controlling a supply current I and an input for receiving a supply voltage V and supply current I, for driving the amplifier. The power control circuit calculates and applies values of both a supply voltage V and a supply current I, according to any one of a plurality of desired power levels, in order to operate the amplifier with maximum efficiency over a wide range of power levels. The power control circuit may further comprise a power control loop whereby adjustment of the output power can also be effected according to a measurement of output power and a desired level of output power.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit 11 comprises an amplifier 12, an indicator of desired power 15, a power control circuit 14 and a power measuring circuit 13. The amplifier 12 amplifies an input signal to produce an output signal, and has an input for controlling a supply current I and an input for receiving a supply voltage V and supply current I, for driving the amplifier. The power control circuit calculates and applies values of both a supply voltage V and a supply current I, according to any one of a plurality of desired power levels, in order to operate the amplifier with maximum efficiency over a wide range of power levels. The power control circuit may further comprise a power control loop whereby adjustment of the output power can also be effected according to a measurement of output power and a desired level of output power.