Abstract: A specimen retrieval system is disclosed. The specimen retrieval system includes a first hollow tube including one or more cutting elements on a first end of the first hollow tube, a first gear on a second end of the first hollow tube, a second hollow tube movable relative to the first hollow tube a second gear on a first end of the second hollow tube, a rack coupled to the first gear and the second gear, and a first actuator coupled to the rack. A second end of the second hollow tube may include cutting elements. The specimen retrieval system also includes a rack coupled to the first gear on the first hollow tube and the second gear on the second hollow tube. The specimen retrieval system may also include a geared tenaculum disposed inside the first hollow tube, and a second actuator coupled to the geared tenaculum.

Abstract: A dock for a surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The dock for a surgical equipment holder includes a base having a central arm mount and a lower clamping jaw. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes an upper clamp jaw movably coupled to the base. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central docking arm coupled to the central arm mount and a central ball cup coupled to the to the central docking arm. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central attachment nut coupled to the central ball cup. The central attachment nut may include an extendable moment arm, and the dock may also include a ball coupled between the central ball cup and the central attachment nut and a surgical equipment holder attached to the ball.

Abstract: A low cost IC solution is disclosed to provide Super CMOS microelectronics macros. Hereinafter, the Super CMOS or Schottky CMOS all refer to SCMOS. The SCMOS device solutions with a niche circuit element, the complementary low threshold Schottky barrier diode pairs (SBD) made by selected metal barrier contacts (Co/Ti) to P— and N—Si beds of the CMOS transistors. A DTL like new circuit topology and designed wide contents of broad product libraries, which used the integrated SBD and transistors (BJT, CMOS, and Flash versions) as basic components. The macros include diodes that are selectively attached to the diffusion bed of the transistors, configuring them to form generic logic gates, memory cores, and analog functional blocks from simple to the complicated, from discrete components to all grades of VLSI chips. Solar photon voltaic electricity conversion and bio-lab-on-a-chip are two newly extended fields of the SCMOS IC applications.

Abstract: A surgical rib retractor has a housing and a body pivotably coupled to the housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position. The retractor also has a first arm unit coupled to the housing and configured to atraumatically receive tissue. The first arm unit has a first arm, a first strut movable relative to the first arm in a first plane defined by the first arm, and a first frame attached to the first strut. The retractor also has a second arm unit coupled to the body and configured to atraumatically receive tissue. The second arm unit has a second arm, a second strut movable relative to the second arm in a second plane defined by the second arm, wherein the second plane is not parallel to the first plane when the body is in the closed position, and a second frame attached to the second strut.

Abstract: A rotation adapter for a minimally invasive surgical apparatus is disclosed. The rotation adapter has a proximal journal and a distal journal. The rotation adapter also has a rotation index coupled between the proximal and distal journals. The rotation adapter further has an actuator input wherein the actuator input comprises a keyed slot and an effector output.

Abstract: A surgical clamp jaw is disclosed, having an inner profile and a deflection control profile opposite the inner profile. In one embodiment, the inner profile has a first substantially concave profile in an unclamped position and a second substantially flat profile in a clamped position. In one embodiment, the deflection control profile has one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces, at least one set of which is not contacting each other when the inner profile is in the unclamped position and which is contacting each other when the inner profile is in the clamped position. In one embodiment, the surgical clamp jaw defines one or more flexion assistance voids, wherein at least one of the one or more flexion assistance voids is in contact with a gap between one of the one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A cassette is disclosed for use in a prosthetic suturing device. The cassette has a base. The base has a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, and at least one retention latch. The cassette also has a cover coupled to the base. The cover has at least one retention latch. The cover also defines one or more ferrule holders. The cassette further has one or more needles guided by the base and the cover. A surgical suturing device is also disclosed for use with a cassette. The suturing device has a cassette receiver and one or more needle drivers, each needle driver having a needle receiver positioned within the cassette receiver.

Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

Abstract: A surgical snare assembly is disclosed. The surgical snare assembly has a suture fastener having an entrance and an exit. The surgical snare assembly also has first and second suture engaging loops. The surgical snare assembly further has first and second handles configured such that: a) movement of the first handle a first distance away from the suture fastener causes the first suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the exit to the entrance; and b) movement of the second handle a second distance away from the suture fastener causes the second suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing separate loops of suture with a coaxial mechanical fastener. Separate loops of suture extend from opposite ends of the mechanical fastener. A wire snare facilitates pulling the suture through the fastener. A suturing instrument provides for the infusion of pressurized physiologic solutions into the left ventricle so that the proper replacement suture length can be demonstrated real time prior to crimping the fastener. The instrument incorporates a slotted release site so that the fastener and suture can be released from the device tip once the fastener is secured. A method of securing suture coming from cardiac valve leaflets and or other structures like papillary muscles permits a more atraumatic orientation of the fastener coaxial with the suture strands.

Abstract: A method of screening for a substance that acts on a cell mass includes producing a cell mass by three-dimensional culture of primary cancer cells using a tumor tissue, adding a test substance to the cell mass, and evaluating an action of the test substance on the cell mass. The cell mass is produced by culturing cells obtained from the tumor tissue in a medium containing a 5% v/v or less extracellular matrix on a substantially low-adhesive cell culture substrate and producing the cell mass of the primary cancer cells.

Abstract: A modular surgical apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is a modular incision apparatus. The modular incision apparatus may be used in a minimally invasive surgery. The modular incision apparatus includes a base having a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, a proximal opening, and at least one slide guide. The modular incision apparatus includes visual and cleaning access to the blade. The modular incision apparatus is suitable for safely, efficiently, and accurately making small incisions during surgical procedures. The modular incision apparatus provides a means of making small incisions of controlled depth, while reducing the chances of inadvertent exposure of surgical staff to sharp instrument.

Abstract: An illuminated display device that includes a hinge post, a support post positioned in a laterally spaced relationship to the hinge post, and at least one support arm pivotably coupled to the hinge post and movable between a first position and an second position. The at least one support arm is configured to engage with the support post when moved to the first position. The illuminated display device further includes a display assembly supported by the at least one support arm and configured to support at least one display screen.

Abstract: A wearable physical shield is disclosed. The shield includes a visor; a flexible extension coupled to the visor, and a collar coupled to the flexible extension. The visor can include a visor cavity, and the flexible extension can include a flexible extension cavity, wherein a seal is located between the visor cavity and the flexible extension cavity, such that the seal at least partially restricts movement of air between the visor cavity and the flexible extension cavity. The collar is configured to be placed around a neck of a person with a single hand for moving the collar from an open position to a closed position, where first and second arms of the collar are closed around the neck of the person.

Abstract: A surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The surgical equipment holder includes a first arm pivotable relative to a base, a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm and an end effector pivotable relative to the second arm. The surgical equipment holder may also include features on the first arm and the second arm configured to allow enhanced cleanability of the surgical instrument holder. The surgical equipment holder also includes a lever configured to actuate between a locked and unlocked position by use of a single hand by an operator. The end effector of the surgical equipment holder is configured to support and finely adjust the position of any number of surgical accessories during surgical procedures.

Abstract: Integrated circuits described herein implement multiplexer (MUX) gate system. An integrated circuit includes a plurality of inputs coupled with a first stage of the integrated circuit. The first stage includes a plurality of first Schottky diodes and a plurality of N-type transistors. Each input is coupled with a respective first Schottky diode and N-type transistor. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of outputs of the first stage coupled with a second stage of the integrated circuit. The second stage includes a plurality of second Schottky diodes and a plurality of P-type transistors. Each output coupled with a respective second Schottky diode and P-type transistor. The integrated circuit further includes a plurality of outputs of the second stage coupled with a set of transistors including a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor, and an output of the set of transistors coupled with an output of the MUX gate system.

Abstract: A tissue manipulation device including a securing member pivotably coupled to a handle portion and is pivotably displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A distal end of a wire is coupled to an end effector of the tissue manipulation device, and the proximal end of the wire is removably coupled to an engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the engaged position and is disengaged from the engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the disengaged position. When the securing member is in the engaged position, the wire couples the securing member and the end effector such that when the securing member is displaced from a first securing member position to a second securing member position, the end effector is displaced from a undeployed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: The torque enhancing apparatus including a first socket and a second socket coupled to the first socket, including an extendable moment arm. The torque enhancing apparatus includes a ball pivotably and captively held between the first socket and the second socket. The torque enhancing apparatus may include one or more extendable moment arms. The extendable moment arm or arms are configured such that they provide a mechanical advantage for moving the first socket and the second socket relative to one another. The torque enhancing apparatus may include a first socket, a second socket coupled to the first socket including four extendable moment arms. The torque enhancing apparatus including a ball pivotably held between the first socket and the second socket.