Abstract: An identification system such as a system used to identify livestock and track ongoing livestock activities or data is provided.

Abstract: A printed device is provided with an image printed thereon, having a relatively high durability and/or resolution. A printer and method are also provided to produce a high durability image by treating an item to be printed with plasma. In particular, a printer is provided that is configured to convey a plurality of individuated items through a plasma treatment stage to prepare the surfaces of the item for printing. More specifically such printer may use a non-continuous ink jet printing assembly such as a drop on demand printing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical image management system and method that uses a central data management system to centrally manage the storage and transmission of electronic records containing medical images between remotely located facilities. A polling system is provided with remotely located workstations or local workstations so that the remote or local workstations may request queued data to be delivered that is awaiting delivery in the central database management system. The remotely located workstation or local image workstation communicates with a remotely located central data management system via a remote interface over the internet. The central database management system maintains and update any changes in the IP address of a remote or local workstation, in a look up table. The central data management system may also, in addition, push data when received to the last known IP address in the look up table.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular packaging, especially for dry food stuff, which contains the product in a plastic tube that is closed by welding, whereby the packaging comprises a tearing aid which is located in the area of a weld seam. The packaging is also provided with a label whose side facing the weld seam is configured as a curved tearing edge which is suited for intercepting a tear, said tear starting from the tearing aid, and for guiding the same to the edge of the packaging.

Abstract: A method and system for removing body vessels from a patient is provided. An embodiment of the method includes a method for harvesting a vessel for subsequent use in a grafting procedure, such as, for example, saphenous vein graft harvesting for a coronary bypass surgical operation. A quantity of a solution is infused into tissue surrounding the portion of the vessel to be removed. An external device is used to apply an energy field to the tissue to loosen the intercellular connections between the tissue and the vessel to be removed. One such device is an ultrasonic instrument having an ultrasonic transducer comprised of a composite of ultrasonic crystal transducers. Once the energy field has been applied, the portion of the vessel to be removed is separated from surrounding tissue and tributary vessels are ligated. The portion of the vessel is then transected and removed from the body.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A functional device resides within the patient's stomach and is secured to the stomach wall by an attachment device. The functional device may be a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or may be a therapeutic delivery device. The functional device in one embodiment provides a device, system and method for gastric electrical stimulation where stimulating electrodes are secured to the wall of the stomach by the attachment device or otherwise. A preferred device includes: at least one stimulating electrode in electrical contact with the stomach wall; an electronics unit containing the electronic circuitry of the device; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to the stomach wall. The functional devices may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices seal off the branch port of a bifurcated endoluminal prosthesis to transform the bifurcated prosthesis to a single-lumen prosthesis. These methods and devices are available for fallback procedures when the deployment of a bifurcated endoluminal prosthesis is found to be impracticable. By effectively sealing off the second branch port, the attending physician is able to completely isolate an aneurysm or other disease of the vasculature. Where it is necessary and/or desirable to provide fluid communication between the trunk lumen and the second branch lumen, a separate passage may be provided between the first and second branches of the body lumen system.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within a tubular cover. The prosthesis is carried within a plurality of elongate, relatively hard runners, and is restrained in a radially compressed configuration by the cover. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the cover. The runners may optionally remain disposed about the prosthesis to be retracted separately, or, alternatively, the runners retract proximally with the cover as the prosthesis slides over the hard runner surfaces.

Abstract: An acetabular trial insert is provided in which the appropriate anteversion angle of the acetabular cup of a hip prosthesis may be determined automatically by placing an inner cup within an outer cup and providing a mechanism which will hold the inner cup in position after the trial has been reduced and the hip rotated through an intended range of motion.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a universal hand piece such as a stationary handle or a slap hammer with a universal quick release connector which attaches and detaches to various instruments used in a knee prosthesis implantation surgical procedure. Instrument end pieces to which the hand piece may attach may include, for example, punches, inserters, extractors, impactors, or other instruments in which use of a hand piece is desired.

Abstract: A modular femoral trial system is provided having femoral trial bases of various sizes and adapters which may be used to convert the base from a cruciate retaining trial to a cruciate sacrificing trial or a trial for an implant with increased built in stability.

Abstract: A quick-release alignment handle system is provided including a quick release alignment handle with an attachable, releasable locking mechanism for attaching the handle to a tibial tray trial component of a surgical instrument system for implanting artificial knees.

Abstract: An acetabular cup system is provided in which an insert or liner may be selected from a plurality of types of inserts to be used with an acetabular shell. One insert may be oriented after it is removably inserted into the acetabular shell. After an orientation is selected, it may be permanently fixed by pins. The other insert includes a snap-in ring that allows the insert to be snapped into position with the shell after its orientation is selected. The snap-in insert and ring are removable from the shell using a device for removing such snap-in insert and ring.

Abstract: A patellar component is provided for fixation to a patella and a total knee arthroplasty surgical procedure in which multiple surfaces are provided on an outer ring on the inferior surface of the patellar component to provide multi-directional load bearing surfaces available to resist loosening of the patellar component and which requires minimal bone removal for implantation.

Abstract: A clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: An improved femoral locating device and system is provided including an angularly adjustable locking alignment portion for appropriately aligning the posterior end of the locator. Another feature of the system provides a cutting block moveable from distal to proximal or proximal to distal to alter the thickness of the cut and holding it securely once the thickness of the cut is determined. Finally, another feature of the system includes the ability to raise and lower the cutting block without changing the valgus angle.

Abstract: A median ridge referencing system and method of use in prosthetic knee implantation surgery is provided. The median ridge referencing system comprises a patella clamp including a guide sleeve having a length and a lumen extending through the length and a referencing device comprising a stop ring and stop plug. The ring may be coupled to the guide sleeve at a plurality of locations along the length of the guide sleeve. The stop plug is removably coupled to the stop ring, and extends into lumen of the guide sleeve until it reaches the bone. The stop ring is then coupled to the guide sleeve and the stop plug is removed. A reamer is inserted into the lumen of the guide sleeve and used to ream the patella until the reamer's stop reaches the top of the stop ring. When the reamer reaches the top of the stop ring, the patella has been reamed to the proper depth for insertion of the patella prosthesis.

Abstract: A clip, clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: A device is provided for sensing the firing of a staple cartridge inserted into an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. The stapling instrument includes a magnetic sensing device arranged to sense the advancement of a knife or staple driver.

Abstract: A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit.