Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: A system and method for forming acoustic beams is disclosed. One embodiment is an acoustic system configured to generate a plurality of beams non-orthogonal to a transducer array simultaneously with a vertical acoustic beam orthogonal to the array. The acoustic system includes a plurality of transducer elements arranged to form a two-dimensional array and electrically connected into rows in a first dimension and columns in a second dimension.

Abstract: A carpeted, automotive vehicle, load floor including a compression-molded composite panel is provided. A cover of the load floor covers a storage area of the vehicle and is pivotally connected to the composite panel. A substantially continuous carpet layer is bonded to the top surface of the panel and the top surface of the cover to at least partially form the carpeted load floor having a carpeted cover. A living hinge allows the carpeted cover to pivot between different use positions including open and closed positions. A decorative, noise-management covering layer is bonded to the bottom surface of the cover to reduce the level of undesirable noise in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in the closed position and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the bottom of the cover in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.

Abstract: A hip distractor includes a pair of distractor members and a support configured to be fastened to a surgical table. The support includes at least two mounts for coupling to a pair of joints that couple the distractor members to the support. Another hip distractor includes a pair of distractor assemblies that are configured to apply a distraction load to a patient. Each of the assemblies includes a joint for coupling the corresponding assembly to a surgical table. The joint permits vertical and horizontal angular adjustment of the corresponding assembly. A method of distracting a hip includes coupling a patient's legs to a pair of distractor assemblies and simultaneously adjusting a vertical angle and a horizontal angle of at least one of the distractor assemblies.

Abstract: A flow guide directs a fluid flow across a surface of a device, for example a lens surface of an endoscope, in a controlled manner to facilitate flow attachment to the surface. Embodiments include features that impart a non-uniform velocity profile and/or include guide surfaces for facilitating flow attachment and/or coverage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a distractor assembly adapted to couple to a leg and capable of providing a distraction load on the leg in both supine and lateral positions of the leg. The assembly is coupled to a surgical table by a ball joint or a universal joint. A method includes coupling a leg to a distractor assembly, positioning the leg in one of a distraction mode and a femoral acetabular impingement mode, and repositioning the leg in the other of the modes without the need for accessing a draped pelvis/thigh region.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates a vacuum syringe in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide vacuum assistance in prolapsing tissue and retracting tissue samples.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The housing includes a nose having a neck and a base that defines a diameter greater than that of the neck. A rotation knob has a distal end defining a first aperture and a proximal end defining a second aperture, the apertures cooperating to define a lumen extending through the rotation knob that is configured to receive the shaft. The first aperture defines a diameter that generally approximates a diameter of the shaft. The rotation knob is transitionable between an at-rest position and a flexed position. In the flexed position, the second aperture is expanded to permit passage of the base of the nose into an interior of the rotation knob. In the at-rest position, the second aperture generally approximates the diameter of the neck to rotatably engage the rotation knob about the nose with the shaft extending therethrough.

Abstract: A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user's manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.

Abstract: Provided is a system for sampling and pretreating biological fluid. It comprises: a piercing unit having at a lower portion a capillary tip which is to be inserted into skin to a predetermined depth to take biological fluid therethrough; a dropper, connected to an upper portion of the piercing unit, having an injection tube at an upper portion thereof, the injection tube communicating with the capillary tip; and a reagent container, designed to accommodate the piercing unit therein in an airtight manner so as to seal an outer circumference of the piercing unit, functioning to contain a reagent for treating the biological fluid of the capillary tip of the piercing unit. The system allows even a novice to sample and pretreat biological fluid with high accuracy without the use of expensive precision devices. The system employs fewer expendable supplies, thus providing higher convenience for the user.

Abstract: The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area.

Abstract: An antibiotic delivery system including an intramedullary stem that is adapted to be removably mounted into a medullary canal of a bone. The stem includes a body having an inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of liquid-borne antibiotic and a plurality of outlets disposed along the stem. A channel extends between the inlet and the plurality of outlets for delivering a fluid-borne antibiotic from the inlet to the plurality of outlets so as to distribute the antibiotic along the medullary canal in a controlled fashion. A method of treating an infected joint during a two-stage re-implantation of an orthopedic implant is also disclosed.

Abstract: An airtight cosmetic container in which an inner container (200) and an inner cover (300) can be airtightly sealed without using a separate rubber seal while compensating for a diameter deviation caused by a molding error of the inner cover (300). The inner container (200) includes a packing case (220) in which a cosmetic tray is installed, and which includes inner and outer elastic sidewalls (222, 223) that form a seal groove (221) therebetween, so a sealing rib (320) of the inner cover (300) is inserted into the seal groove (221), with inner and outer curved protrusions (222a, 223a) protruding toward each other on opposed surfaces of the inner and outer elastic sidewalls so as to come into elastic close contact with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the sealing rib (320) inserted in the seal groove (221), thereby realizing an airtight sealing effect.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.

Abstract: An installation tool that is useful for the efficient and effective placement of an article, such as an artificial disc, between adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The installation tool can be provided as a kit having modular components which allow the surgeon to select from among a variety of components to assemble an installation tool that is optimized for its intended use. The installation tool of the invention generally includes a pair of opposed levers, each of which has a proximal handle portion and a distal portion. A fulcrum is disposed between the two levers to enable proper operation of the tool. The tool further includes a pusher block that is positioned between the two levers and is selectively movable between an initial location distal of the fulcrum and a final location adjacent the distal end of the levers. The pusher block includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending at least partially therethrough.

Abstract: A carpenter bee trap having at least one entrance hole, at least one plenum section connecting the at least one entrance hole to at least one receptacle adapter coupling, and least one removable receptacle attached to at least one receptacle adapter coupling, the at least one removable receptacle made of a material that admits ambient light to a greater extent than the material forming the plenum such that insects entering the trap follow a path of increasing intensity of ambient light that leads them to the receptacle. In one embodiment, existing carpenter bee nests are treated with a disclosed insecticide gel. The insecticide gel consists of a thixotropic, injectable, non-hardening, non-volatile gel blended with a pyrethroid insecticide, in effect converting the bee nest into a trap.