Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus is provided with a reinforcement material holder, where the holder positions a sheet of reinforcement material adjacent body tissue that is sutured by a plurality of surgical staples dispensed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of repairing a patient's ventral hernia involves the steps of joining the patient's left and right rectus sheaths on opposite sides of the hernia, thereby closing the hernia, and cutting through the joined sheaths thereby forming one sheath interior containing the left and right rectus muscles. Next, a piece of surgical mesh is positioned in the joined rectus sheath interior and is sutured over the area of the closed hernia to further reinforce the closure. Additionally, sutures joining the left and right rectus sheaths are reinforced with reinforcing material.

Abstract: An engine drive electric generator apparatus converts the reciprocating movements of a pushrod of an internal combustion engine to electricity. Each generator apparatus has an electric coil surrounding a combustion engine pushrod, and a magnet on the pushrod that reciprocates with the pushrod through the coil. The relative reciprocating movement between the magnet and coil generates an electric current in the coil that is communicated with a battery of the vehicle to charge the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and its method of operation convert relative movements between a vehicle wheel and a body of the vehicle to electricity that is used to recharge a battery of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a generator provided on the vehicle and a linear motion to rotary motion converter that is connected between a wheel of the vehicle and an armature of the generator. Reciprocating movements of the wheel relative to the vehicle body are converted by the motion converter to rotations of the armature in the generator which produces electricity for recharging the battery of the vehicle.