Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

Abstract: A combination cooking appliance controls a radiant heating element provided in an oven cavity, both a blower and a convection heating element provided in an air plenum, and microwave energy sources to provide for numerous potential operating modes. The present invention is particularly concerned with the manner in which the various cooking components are configured and flexibly controlled to provide for short cook cycles in a variety of operational modes.

Abstract: A combination cooking appliance controls a radiant heating element provided in an oven cavity, both a blower and a convection heating element provided in an air plenum, and microwave energy sources to provide for numerous potential operating modes. The present invention is particularly concerned with the manner in which the various cooking components are configured and flexibly controlled to provide for short cook cycles in a variety of operational modes.

Abstract: A seal-less immersible mixing system for agitating materials contained within a storage tank. The mixing system utilizes an induction motor to drive a drive shaft having an impeller. The mixing system also includes a plurality of magnetic non-contact bearings circumferentially located around a portion of the drive shaft. The magnetic bearings reduce periodic service requirements typically required of existing mixing systems using contact bearings. Elimination of mechanical seals further reduces periodic service requirements of existing mixing systems utilizing mechanical seals.

Abstract: A computer system for entering, processing and recording sales of items is provided, which is especially suitable for use in retail sales, particularly quick service restaurants. The system includes a plurality of programmable POS registers for entering and tabulating customer orders, an off-line processor for programming the programmable POS registers, shared memory for recording data entered and tabulated by the programmable POS registers, and a communication structure for networking a plurality of programmable POS registers, the off-line processor and the shared memory. In one embodiment, the system includes an access control system for enabling access to the POS registers, the off-line processor or the shared memory if operation of those are authorized.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a power supply including a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the primary winding having a plurality of input connections and a secondary winding being coupled to a magnetron. The microwave oven includes a circuit the magnitude of a line voltage supplied to the microwave oven and, in response thereto, for coupling the line voltage to a corresponding one of the input connections to regulate the voltage provided across the secondary winding to the same voltage level regardless of the magnitude of the line voltage.

Abstract: A commercial microwave oven having a plurality of operator actuable switches each of which is dedicated to activating the microwave oven for a corresponding programmed time period. These operator actuable switches are located on a switchboard, and a front faceplate has graphic keypads indicating where to push to activate the respective switches. Also located on the switchboard are operator actuable switches used to reprogram the time periods, but these reprogramming switches are hidden because they do not have corresponding keypads on the faceplate. Accordingly, access to the reprogramming feature is limited to those who have been appropriately instructed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for altering computational constants stored in an EAROM of a microwave oven microcomputer. In the normal or operational mode, the microwave oven control panel is used by the operator to enter control data for the microwave oven. After a mode determining signal is applied to the microcomputer by grounding one of its specified ports, new computational constants can be entered through the control panel and stored in the EAROM so as to alter the operating characteristics of the oven.

Abstract: A method for controlling a microwave oven with a microcomputer wherein a first time period corresponding to the time required to raise the temperature of a weighed food body from refrigerator temperature to room temperature and a second time period corresponding to the time required to cook the food body from an initial room temperature are calculated and stored. The microcomputer then sequentially controls the magnetron through cycles in accordance with the first and second time periods, respectively. Rather than being erased after completion of the first cycle, the first time period remains stored in the microcomputer and can be activated by the operator to provide a small incremental amount of heat to the food body after it has been cooked. Also, the operator can adjust the number of heat units per weight units used in the calculation of the cooking cycle so as to provide a food body that is cooked less or more than medium doneness.