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: Securing communications from a process plant to a remote system includes a data diode disposed there between that allows data to egress from the plant but prevents ingress of data into the plant and its associated systems. Process plant data from the secure communications is then analyzed to detect conditions occurring at process plant entities in the process plant using various machine learning techniques. When the process plant entity is a valve, the mode of operation for the valve is determined and a different analysis is applied for each mode in which a valve operates. Additionally, the process plant data for each valve is compared to other valves in the same process plant, enterprise, industry, etc. Accordingly, the health of each of the valves is ranked relative to each other and the process plant data for each valve is displayed in a side-by-side comparison.

Abstract: Securing communications from a process plant to a remote system includes a data diode disposed therebetween that allows data to egress from the plant but prevents ingress of data into the plant and its associated systems. Data is secured across the data diode by securely provisioning a sending device at the plant end of the diode to a receiving device at the remote system end. The sending and receiving devices share secret key material that is recurrently updated. To ensure fidelity of communications across the unidirectional data diode, the sending device recurrently provides context information that is descriptive of data sources of the plant. Additionally, data transmitted from plant data sources to the sending device of the data diode may be secured using a respective security mechanism/technique, and data transmitted from the receiving device of the data diode to the remote system may be secured using a respective security mechanism/technique.

Abstract: Securing communications from a process plant to a remote system includes a data diode disposed therebetween that allows data to egress from the plant but prevents ingress of data into the plant and its associated systems. Data is secured across the data diode by securely provisioning a sending device at the plant end of the diode to a receiving device at the remote system end. The sending and receiving devices share secret key material that is recurrently updated. To ensure fidelity of communications across the unidirectional data diode, the sending device recurrently provides context information that is descriptive of data sources of the plant. Additionally, data transmitted from plant data sources to the sending device of the data diode may be secured using a respective security mechanism/technique, and data transmitted from the receiving device of the data diode to the remote system may be secured using a respective security mechanism/technique.

Abstract: Securing communications from a process plant to a remote system includes a data diode disposed there between that allows data to egress from the plant but prevents ingress of data into the plant and its associated systems. Process plant data from the secure communications is then analyzed to detect conditions occurring at process plant entities in the process plant using various machine learning techniques. When the process plant entity is a valve, the mode of operation for the valve is determined and a different analysis is applied for each mode in which a valve operates. Additionally, the process plant data for each valve is compared to other valves in the same process plant, enterprise, industry, etc. Accordingly, the health of each of the valves is ranked relative to each other and the process plant data for each valve is displayed in a side-by-side comparison.

Abstract: A structure and associated method to control a flow of data on a semiconductor device. A transmitter, receiver and transmission line are formed within the semiconductor device. The transmitter, receiver, and transmission line are adapted to control data transfer between a first core and a second core within the semiconductor device. The transmitter is adapted to send a signal over the transmission line to the receiver adapted to receive the signal. The receiver is further adapted to create an impedance mismatch to indicate that the second core is unable to transfer the data. The transmitter is adapted to detect the impedance mismatch.