Abstract: A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes a primer and trigger coupled to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism is coupled to the trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Inventors:
Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusible suture for joining portions of tissue. The suture includes an elongate electrical conductor. The conductor extends between opposite ends of the suture and has sufficient flexibility to permit segments of the conductor to overlap, thereby forming a loop sized for joining portions of tissue. The overlapped segments of the conductor are heated upon application of an electrical current to the conductor. The suture further includes a coating that at least partially covers the conductor and extends over at least one of the segments of the conductor. The coating softens when its temperature is at and above a softening temperature so that the overlapping segments of the coating coalesce. The softening temperature is lower than a melting temperature of the conductor. The coating returns to a non-softened state when its temperature falls below a hardening temperature, thereby forming a bond between the overlapped segments of the conductor.
Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of venous stasis includes an elongated intraluminal member shaped and dimensioned for passage through vessels of a subject. The intraluminal member includes a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit extends from proximate the proximal end of the intraluminal member to proximate the distal end of the intraluminal member. The conduit is shaped and dimensioned for fluid communication between the proximal end of the intraluminal member and the distal end of the intraluminal member. The distal end of the intraluminal member includes disruption means proximate thereto for ablating a predetermined vessel wall. A method is also provided for the treatment of venous stasis. The method is achieved by advancing an elongated intraluminal member through a vein to a treatment site, activating the intraluminal member for ablation of the treatment site and injecting sclerosant into the vein at the treatment site.
Abstract: A tissue conveyor includes a conveyor body having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a handle allowing for operator control of an end effector located at the distal end. The end effector includes a grasper assembly composed of a first jaw bar and a second jaw bar connected by a support base to define a cavity into which tissue is drawn. A first conveyor member is positioned upon the first jaw bar for movement along an internal surface of the first jaw bar and a second conveyor member is positioned upon the second jaw bar for movement along an internal surface of the second jaw bar.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 1, 2008
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark S. Zeiner, Michael J. Stokes, Jason L. Harris
Abstract: A surgical instrument including an elongate member having opposite ends, and a clevis attached to one end of the opposite ends. The clevis has a pair of spaced arms. The instrument includes a pin extending between the spaced arms of the clevis, and a pair of end effectors. Each of the end effectors has a pivot hole adapted for receiving the pin extending between the spaced arms of the clevis for pivotal movement relative to the clevis and a control arm for pivoting the respective end effector about the pin. The control arm includes an actuation hole and a tang adjacent the actuation hole. The instrument includes an actuator wire extending longitudinally to a laterally extending end received within the actuation hole. A portion of the longitudinally extending wire adjacent the laterally extending end and actuation hole is engaged by the tang to maintain the wire in the actuation hole.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for alerting a colostomate or medical attendant to the presence of fecal matter. The device includes a hollow plug detachably securable to a flexible port positioned about the stoma. The port carries an alarm circuit which is triggered when fecal matter enters the plug lumen which will alert the colostomate to an impending episode. The signal may be vibratory, audible or visible and may be transmitted to a remote location. The device includes an inflatable air cuff which, when inflated, presents a physical barrier to the passage of fecal matter. Gas may pass through filters in the tube. The method involves positioning the device in the stoma, inflating the cuff and generating an alarm when matter is sensed.
Abstract: A brush includes a head section having a scrubbing area and a handle section coupled to and extending from the head section. The handle section includes a proximal segment, a distal segment coupled to the head section, and a recess segment positioned between the proximal segment and the distal segment. The recess segment includes a recess having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The recess includes a center point between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The proximal segment extends from a free end of the handle section to the center point and the distal segment extends from the center point to the head section. The weight of the proximal segment of the handle section balances the combined weight of the distal segment of the handle section and head section when the recess is placed on a dividing wall of a double sink.
Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and a vacuum chamber surrounding the suture housing. The vacuum chamber is coupled to a vacuum line of the endoscope and includes a mechanism for adjusting the maximum amount of tissue that can be drawn into the vacuum chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Inventors:
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes
Abstract: This invention relates to an ink cartridge which has at least one ink container which has an ink outlet with an ink outlet opening which extends from the inside to the outside, in the ink outlet opening a differential pressure valve is mounted which includes a valve seat and a valve body which can move relative to it, the valve seat has a continuous valve opening which has a peripheral sealing surface outside, a spring means is attached between the movable valve body and the stationary ink outlet, the valve body is pressed by the spring means with a predetermined closing force to form a seal from the outside against the sealing surface of the valve seat, and can be moved against the closing force to the outside from the sealing surface. In order to form an ink cartridge with a differential pressure valve which works more reliably, the invention proposes that the valve seat be made deformable so that the sealing surface can be moved relative to the ink outlet opening.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 22, 2007
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Artech GmbH Design + Production in Plastic
Abstract: A tissue-separating catheter assembly comprises a rotatable shaft, having a distal shaft portion, and a tissue separator device extending along the shaft. The tissue separator device has a distal separator part at the distal shaft portion movable between a retracted state, towards the distal shaft portion, and an outwardly extending, operational state, away from the distal shaft portion. A localization device is movable to a radially expanded state. An expandable tubular element is movable so that its outer end is generally axially aligned with the localization device so to capture a separated tissue section therebetween to aid removal of the separated tissue section from the patient.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 15, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Artemis Medical, Inc.
Inventors:
George A. Morrison, Robert J. Laird, Eric L. Buehlmann, Christine P. Ventura
Abstract: An embodiment of an overall approximately rectangular rotary mower blade, affixed to a powered support shaft, where the support shaft rotates the blade tines on a rotational plane parallel to the vegetation to be cut, where the blade employs aerodynamic tines preceding the main cutting edge. Features of the aerodynamic tines improve cutting, mulching, and safety of mower operation.
Abstract: A keychain includes a key ring and a housing member coupled to the key ring. The housing member includes a body member and a cover member shaped and dimensioned to slide over the body member to substantially cover the body member. The body member includes at least one pocket shaped and dimensioned for receiving a digital memory card. The body member includes a plurality of sidewalls, a front wall and an end wall. The at least one pocket is formed in one of the plurality of sidewalls and extends into a central portion of the body member. A body stop member is formed along at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, the body stop member is shaped and dimensioned for engaging a cover stop member formed along the cover member so as to provide a frictional engagement preventing inadvertent removal of the cover member when the cover member is positioned over the body member.
Abstract: A tool for use in the treatment of a formation penetrated by a well bore. The tool comprises a tubular core having at least one opening therein for the discharge of pressurized fluid from within the core, first and second axially spaced apart seals disposed on the core for seals between the core and the well bore, the opening in the core being located between the first and second seals, and a third seal disposed downhole relative to the first and second seals for sealing between the tool and the well bore, the third seal protecting the first and second seals from pressure in the well bore below the tool.
Abstract: A transillumination device can use an adapter to make it more appropriate for neonatal and pediatric application. The adapter attaches to the bottom of the transillumination device and covers the illumination source. An aperture in the adapter allows part of the light generated by the illumination source through the adapter and blocks the remaining light. The reduces light enhances the transillumination device's ability for viewing pediatric patients.
Abstract: In order to produce an adhesive binding for bookbinding, in which the sheets, in letter paper format, are perforated on the folding edge, folded, provided with adhesive on the folding edge and assembled to form a book block, the perforating process is carried out on the folding edge in such a manner that two interrupted perforation lines are punched, these perforation lines being parallel at a short distance from one another, offset in a longitudinal direction and forming a widened folding edge. The punch locations of both perforation lines are, along the folding edge, offset by the length of one perforating tooth. The sheets, which are folded on the folding edge and which are assembled and squeezed to form a book block, are provided with the application of adhesive on surfaces, which are formed by the double perforating and which are assigned to one another, between full locations of one perforation line and full locations of the other perforation line.
Abstract: Automatic mechanical winding device for the driving spring of a mechanical clockwork of a wristwatch with an eccentric mass that can be swiveled on a joint, said mass having a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of the joint, with gear means for converting the swivel or rotary motion of the eccentric mass into a motion that winds the driving spring.
Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and a collapsible vacuum chamber containing the suture housing. The vacuum chamber is shaped and dimensioned for coupling to a vacuum line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 16, 2010
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael J. Stokes, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Ortiz
Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, and a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue. The suture housing has an open position and a closed position, and the needle can be removed from the suture housing when in the open position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2010
Assignee:
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael J. Stokes, Mark S. Zeiner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Mark S. Ortiz