Abstract: Instrument handles isolate the functions of supporting the instrument and actuating controls on the instrument. An instrument handle may be grasped and supported by the less dexterous digits and palm of a human hand, and controls mounted on the instrument handle may be actuated by the more dexterous digits. The instrument handle may couple to an end effector so that the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain in a comfortable position when the end effector is positioned to act effectively on a selected portion of a workpiece, such as a surgical site.

Abstract: Methods of and a system for providing a visual representation of force information in a robotic surgical system. A real position of a surgical end effector is determined. A projected position of the surgical end effector if no force were applied against the end effector is also determined. Images representing the real and projected positions are output superimposed on a display. The offset between the two images provides a visual indication of a force applied to the end effector or to the kinematic chain that supports the end effector. In addition, tissue deformation information is determined and displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp.

Abstract: The tool reduces or stops the flow of liquid or gas through a conduit and includes a crimping section, comprised of a first and second crimping member pivotally engaged with each other, and a handle section, comprised of a first and second handle member pivotally connected to each other. Each crimping member has a blunt section extending partially along an edge thereof. The first and second handle members are connected to the first and second crimping members. The conduit is crimped by applying a force to the handle members causing the handle members and the crimping members to pivot in a direction opposite each other so that the blunt sections of crimping members crimp a conduit placed therebetween thereby reducing or stopping the flow of the liquid or gas flowing through the conduit. The tool may also hold objects and be locked via separate locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool.

Abstract: A hand tool for gripping a workpiece can include a first lever having a first handle and a first jaw and a second lever having a second handle and a second jaw. A locking assembly can include a pivoting lever, a locking pin and a blocking member. The pivoting lever can be pivotally coupled to the second lever. The blocking member can be coupled to the first lever. The pivoting lever can be movable between an unlocked position, wherein the first and second jaw move relative to each other and a locked position, wherein the first and second jaws are fixed relative to each other. In the locked position, the locking pin can be wedged against a contact surface of the blocking member precluding relative motion of the blocking member and the pivoting lever.

Abstract: Locking and releasing apparatus for operating a medical device includes a handle and a lever member coupled to the handle for grasping engagement by an operator. The lever member is moveable in opposite directions relative to the handle. A locking and release mechanism operably connects the lever member to a force transmitting member for operating the medical device at a location distant from the handle. The locking and release mechanism locks movement of the force transmitting member in one direction after movement of the lever member in a locking direction. The locking and release mechanism releases movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction after opposite movement of the lever member in a releasing direction. The lever member operates the locking and release mechanism for releasing the movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction substantially upon changing movement of the lever member from the locking to the releasing direction.

Abstract: A wire stripper has a pair of elongated frames pivotably joined together by a pivot pin and defining handles and jaws. The handles are covered by sleeves which include thumb wells which cover the ends of the pivot pin. A mechanical interlock is provided between the handles and the sleeves. The sleeves have slots for receiving the handles. The slots are offset so the front and rear surfaces of opposite sleeves are coplanar. The sleeves have a core and cushion grip overmolded on the core. A molding projection on the core allows precise placement of the core in a mold during formation of the cushion grip. A spring biases the frames to an open position. A locking member can be set by a sliding motion toward the handle end to hold the handles in a closed position. A curved shoulder on the edge of a handle wipes across a screw hole opening in the opposite jaw to provide a screw cutting function with a slicing action.

Abstract: A bottle cap remover is activated by inserting a bottle into an orifice. A detector adjacent the orifice detects the presence of the bottle and causes a linear actuator to drive a gripping device away from the top of the bottle where the cap is located. As the gripping device is moving away from the bottle cap, cam members direct hooked members of the gripping device around the bottle cap so that it is pulled off of and away from the bottle as the linear actuator drives the gripping device away from the bottle top. Once the bottle cap is removed, the linear actuator recycles to ready the bottle cap remover for the next bottle cap.

Abstract: A surgical handheld instrument which is used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure such as a laparoscopic surgical procedure comprises a handle body and an elongated shaft connected to the handle body at a proximal end of the shaft. An end effector such as a pair of movable jaws are located at the distal end of the shaft. An actuation handle member is movably connected to the handle body and is operatively connected to the end effector for actuating movement of the end effector. Thus, upon movement of the handle actuation member, the end effector, such as movable jaw elements, can be opened or closed. The handle body also includes a locking tab, having a Z-shaped configuration wherein one end of the locking tab has a hole therethrough. An arcuate locking rod having a smooth, uniform surface is connected at one end to the handle actuation member and is insertable at its opposite end through the hole of the locking tab such that the arcuate locking rod is in movable contact with the locking tab.

Abstract: A device for venting a container having a bung includes a saddle assembly curable to a container and having a support extending therefrom. A first arm is rotatably secured to the support, and the first arm extends in a first direction. A second arm has a first end portion drivingly engaged with the first arm, so that rotation of the first arm causes rotation of the second arm. A second end portion of the first arm is positionable proximate the bung of the container. A socket is operably associated and rotatable with the second end portion and is drivingly engageable with the bung, so that rotation of the socket causes corresponding rotation of the bung for thereby venting the container.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument having an internally disposed locking mechanism located within a barrel portion of a handle assembly. The instrument includes a handle assembly having a pivoting handle and a stationary handle, a barrel portion to which an elongated body assembly is secured, and a locking mechanism for releasably positioning a tool mechanism located at the distal end of the body assembly. In one embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a trigger, a brake and a latch spring. In another embodiment the locking mechanism comprises a latch spring and a locking block. A rotational knob and locking member may also be provided to position the body assembly at various orientations to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The opener/closure of the present disclosure relates to devices permitting the opening or closing of twist cap containers. It comprises a rectangular housing in which a pair of cap gripping jaws are slidably mounted for movement toward and away from each other, and in which the jaws are interconnected by a cable in a manner whereby movement of one jaw in one direction is effective to move the other jaw in the opposite direction, whereby when moved toward each other both cooperate to grip a container twist cap either for loosening or tightening the cap to open or close its container. A standard positions the container below the housing by a strap tightly holding it securely against rotation as the jaws grip the cap, and the housing is manually rotated to loosen or tighten the cap on the container.

Abstract: A tool is provided for use in applying support stockings and other types of socks to an individual's feet and legs. The tool includes a tongue positioned between side rails which are connected to handles that can be manipulated to cause lateral movement of the side rails and stretching of the stocking. The tongue is moveable laterally when the side rails are pivoted inwardly to facilitate application of the stocking to the tool. The tongue includes an extension which is engaged by the handles to cause centering of the tongue between the side rails when they are pivoted laterally outward.

Abstract: A lid starter (20) is disclosed having a pair of belts (24, 26) to enclose respectively a lid (34) and a container (22) for starting an overtightened lid from the container. A first end of the lid belt is spring (66) biased to cooperate with a motor (76) coupled to pull the belt second end in applying torque to the lid. Rotatable arms (40, 124, 126) facilitate receiving the lid and container within the belts.

Abstract: There is described a stopper remover for automatically removing a stopper in a container, the remover comprising first mechanism for gripping the container against rotation, second mechanism for gripping the stopper, and a drive for rotating the second mechanism about an axis while the second mechanism grips a stopper. The remover features an engaging assembly for frictionally engaging a stopper while the rotating drive rotates in only one direction, the engaging assembly comprising an annular ring and extending from the inside of the ring, a plurality of spikes terminating in points disposed generally in an annular surface inside of the ring and constructed to engage a stopper, the spikes being mounted on the ring so as to be non-radially aligned. The result is that the spikes positively grip the stopper only if the ring is rotated in the one direction, and slip off the stopper when the rotating drive rotates in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Abstract: An improved bottle opening machine for smoothly removing crown caps from bottle necks of empty bottles contained in bottle cases which are being conveyed on a conveyance system in a single file, in which the cap removing is carried out by the steps of engaging of cap removing sections on rotary discs with the crown caps on the bottle necks in an area where the circular movement path of the cap removing sections and the linear movement path of the bottle necks mutually converge in the tangential direction, removing of the crown caps from the bottle necks under the influence of a moment which is produced as the former is separated from the latter as the rotary discs are rotated, and releasing of the removed crown caps from the cap removing sections with the aid of cap releasing mechanisms. To ensure that the cap removing sections are positioned correctly with corresponding bottle necks, at least a synchronizing means is rotatably mounted on the frame structure.

Abstract: An ampoule cutter has a pair of shells into which the tip of an ampoule may be inserted. When inserted, the neck of the ampoule is received within the V-notch of a blade carried within the cutter. The ampoule may be rotated to score the neck of the ampoule and then snapped off.

Abstract: A stopper extractor includes a housing having an open end and a closed end and a side-facing cutout on one side of the housing wall with a grip disposed for axial movement within the housing. The grip has an inwardly disposed circular flange, a side-facing cutout and an axial extension which passes through the closed housing end. The side-facing cutouts are sized to allow the enlarged head of a stopper to be inserted laterally into the grip. A crescent shaped cam is pivotally mounted to the extension and bears against the outer surface of the closed end. A handle is used to pivot the cam which pulls the grip axially upwardly. A spring, between the grip and the housing, biases the grip axially toward the open housing end. The extractor is mounted over the stopper with the open end against the container and the grip lip under the lower edge of the cork head. Rocking the handle pivots the cam to raise the grip.

Abstract: A device for controllably removing a bottle stopper from a bottle containing a liquid and natural high pressure gas, such as a sparkling wine, in which the stopper is conventionally held in place, at least in part, by a wire hood. There is a clamp for gripping the bottle adjacent the pouring lip, but free of the wire hood. There is also a clamp for gripping the stopper, which clamp will permit a loosening of the wire hood. There is a handle for applying an axial turning movement to the gripping device to torsionally remove the stopper from the bottle opening, which removal is under control and at no time will permit an uncontrolled discharge of the stopper.

Abstract: A tool for opening containers having either tearaway tab and closure panel structures or inwardly pivoting closure panel structures is disclosed, the tool having an elongated body with a hook member at one end, a first projecting member with a generally convex projecting end surface lying on a longitudinal line with the hook member, and a second projecting member having a second generally convex projecting end surface on a longitudinal line with the first convex surface, the two projecting members having a gap therebetween.

Abstract: An inexpensive adjustable pinch clamp or valve for use on flexible conduits carrying a fluid having an adjustable locking cam to maintain a selected closure of the conduit.