Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sleeve, a seal, and an anchor assembly. The sleeve is flexible and non-permeable and is configured to fit in a duodenum. The seal is positioned at the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the stomach mucosa, the pylorus, or the duodenum mucosa. The anchor assembly comprises a pair of atraumatic anchor ends and a resilient member positioned between the anchor ends. At least a portion of the resilient member extends along at least a portion of the length of the sleeve. The resilient member is configured to bias the anchor ends generally toward each other, to thereby substantially anchor the sleeve in the duodenum. The sleeve is configured to prevent chyme from contacting the mucosa of the duodenum; and to prevent enzymes excreted in the duodenum from mixing with chyme in the duodenum.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical tool includes a first jaw that defines an aperture, a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, and a spacer pin received within the aperture and protruding from an upper surface of the first jaw. The spacer pin is adjustable within the aperture to define a jaw gap between the first and second jaws when the second jaw is moved to a closed position and engages the spacer pin, and the spacer pin is secured within the aperture to set the jaw gap.

Abstract: An articulable wrist for an end effector includes a first linkage rotatably coupled to a second linkage at a first articulation joint, a flexible member extending at least partially through a central channel cooperatively defined by the first and second linkages, and a first pair of roller supports arranged at the first articulation joint and laterally offset from each other, each roller support extending parallel to a first pivot axis extending through the first articulation joint. A drive cable extends through a first axially-extending conduit defined in the flexible member and through a gap defined between the first pair of roller supports. The drive cable is supported at the first articulation joint by the first pair of roller supports during articulation and the first pair of roller supports prevents a centerline of the drive cable from moving past the first pivot axis during actuation of the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector includes a distal clevis, an axle mounted to the distal clevis, a first jaw holder and corresponding first jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle, and a second jaw holder and corresponding second jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle. A sleeve axle has a first end, a second end, and a central passageway that extends between the first and second ends. The axle is received within the central passageway and the sleeve axle is rotatable relative to the axle.

Abstract: A suture needle having a bendable region includes an elongated body having a proximal section, a distal section, and a bendable region located between the proximal and distal sections. The bendable region has a reduced cross-section and/or is made of a superelastic material that is more flexible than the proximal and distal sections of the elongated body for enabling the suture needle to transform from a first configuration having a larger dimension to a second configuration having a smaller dimension. When in the first configuration, the suture needle is larger than an inner diameter of an elongated conduit of a trocar. In order to pass the suture needle through the elongated conduit of the trocar, the elongated body is bent at the bendable region so that the suture needle is smaller than the inner diameter of the elongated conduit of the trocar.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system may include particle trend analysis. The surgical visualization system may include a field programable gate array (FPGA) that is configured to transform sensor information of backscattered laser light into real-time information of particle movement (e.g., blood cells) in a portion of a surgical field. The system may communicate the real-time information to a processor that is remote to the FPGA for aggregation and analysis. The surgical visualization system may display both a metric representing a present state of moving particles and an aggregated state of the moving particles. The system may display both the rate of particle movement and the acceleration for use by the surgeon.

Abstract: Novel, lubricious coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The coatings provide improved lubricity and durability, and are readily applied in coating processes. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such coatings. The catalyst provides for rapid curing, while inhibiting cross-linking at ambient temperatures, thereby improving the production pot life of the coatings.

Abstract: A non-hazardous cleaning solution/process has been developed to remove oxide residues from the surface of blackened needles. Low concentrations of citric acid solution are mixed with blackened needles and treated in an ultrasonic tank for short period of time (<5 minutes). The oxide residues are substantially removed. Quite surprisingly and unexpectedly, the penetration performance of the cleaned needles are greatly improved by up to 50% over other tested cleaning solutions.

Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a tool driver, and a drive housing inductively coupled to the tool driver when mounted to the tool driver and generating a magnetic field, the drive housing including one or more component parts made of or including a magnetically responsive material.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and a wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end. The wrist including a proximal clevis included at the distal end, a pair of pivot discs rotatably coupled to the proximal clevis and providing a centerline extending through a center of each pivot disc, a distal wrist axle extending through the pair of pivot discs and along a pivot axis that is eccentric to the centerline, a distal plurality of pulleys mounted to the distal wrist axle, and a proximal plurality of pulleys mounted to the proximal clevis at a proximal wrist axle and offset from the distal plurality of pulleys. Rotation of the pair of pivot discs moves the distal wrist axle and thereby adjusts a distance between the proximal and distal pluralities of pulleys.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly includes a needle made of a superelastic alloy, such as Nitinol, including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a sharpened tip, a suture having a free end juxtaposed with the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle, and a connector disposed between the needle and the suture. The connector includes a first end attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle and a second end attached to the free end of the suture. The connector is made of a material, such as stainless steel, having less elasticity and greater plasticity than the superelastic alloy of the needle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to agents and devices for promoting hemostasis and, more particularly, to bioresorbable hemostatic pads or patches releasably supported on non-resorbable scaffolds for ease of delivery in the field. A sealant and/or hemostat delivery device comprises a resorbable hemostatic pad having a wound facing side and an opposite back side, with a hemostatic and/or wound sealing agent disposed on the wound facing side; a non-resorbable scaffold having an attachment zone on said scaffold; wherein said hemostatic pad is releasably attached with the back side to the attachment zone. The bond between the scaffold and the resorbable hemostatic pad or wound dressing is either (i) severed prior to removal of the scaffold or (ii) is weakened due to the adhesive bonding them together being moisture-deactivated, or (iii) is released by mechanical disentanglement.

Abstract: The invention relates to syringes for storing and mixing components.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are generally provided for treating metabolic disorders, e.g., obesity. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a biological sample from the subject, evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of a genetic indicator, wherein the genetic indicator is selected from a single nucleotide polymorphism and a level of gene expression, and performing a first metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is present, or performing an alternative second metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is absent. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a sample including deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) from the subject, evaluating the DNA for an absence or presence of one or more genetic indicators and performing a first metabolic procedure or an alternative second metabolic procedure based on the absence or presence of the genetic indicator(s). Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A method and device for anchoring a length of self-retaining suture. The method of anchoring includes providing for an assembly having a length of self-retaining suture and a suture insertion device. The length of suture includes at least a portion of the length having a plurality of retainers thereon extending in a first direction. The insertion device has a length and a recess to receive a portion of the suture length. The method further includes placing a portion of the suture length in the recess and inserting the device into the body of a mammal until the recess reaches a predetermined location thereby forming an insertion pathway. The method further includes retrieving the insertion device from the body by moving the insertion device in a direction substantially opposed to the insertion pathway.

Abstract: A reconfigurable suture needle includes an elongated body having a curved proximal section and a curved distal section. A joint interconnects a distal end of the curved proximal section and a proximal end of the curved distal section. The joint enables the curved proximal section and the curved distal section to rotate relative to one another between a first configuration having a higher profile and a second configuration having a lower profile. Each of the curved proximal and distal sections of the elongated body defines about one-quarter of a circle. The elongated body has a semi-circular shape when in the first configuration and a wave shape when in the second configuration. The elongated body is rotated into the smaller profile for passing through a cannula and, after passing through the cannula, rotated back into the higher profile for use as a suturing needle.

Abstract: A novel in vitro system and method for predicting the in vivo behavior, such as absorption time or mechanical strength retention, of biodegradable polymeric implants and medical devices. Data from this in vitro method are correlated to in vivo absorption data, allowing for the prediction of accurate in vivo behaviors, such as absorption times. The system uses a novel bypass loop to maintain the integrity of pH measuring devices to improve the reproducibility of data collected during in vitro testing.

Abstract: A needle sheath includes a tubular shaft having a chamfered edge at a distal end thereof. A stop flange is secured to a proximal end of the tubular shaft. A needle relief slot is formed in a bottom side of the tubular shaft. The needle relief slot has a length that extends along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. A needle point slot formed in a top side of the tubular shaft. The needle point slot has a length that extends along an axis that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft and the needle relief slot axis. A suture needle is disposed within the tubular shaft of the needle sheath. The suture needle has a curved body that passes through the needle relief slot and a needle point captured within the needle point slot.