Abstract: A bioplastic collapsible dispensing tube may include a collapsible tube having walls that include a bioplastic material; a distal end of the tube that is sealed; a proximal end of the tube, opposite the distal end, that has an opening; a nozzle on the opening; and a closure for the nozzle; wherein, when the closure is opened and the tube is collapsed, flowable material inside the tube is urged out of the nozzle; and the bioplastic material includes a bio resin selected from the group consisting of PEF, PBF, PTF, GPE, GPET, PLA, PDLA, PLLA, PHA, and PHBH. A method may include forming a tube and filling the tube with flowable material from the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical end effector configured for interchangeable use in connection with a hand-held surgical system and a robotically-controlled surgical system is disclosed. The surgical end effector comgrises a cartridge mounting gortion, a firing member, an anvil, and an end effector shaft assembly configured to be interchangeably attachable to a proximal shaft gortion grotruding from one of the hand-held surgical system or the robotically-controlled surgical system such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the groximal shaft gortion about multigle axes that are transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by the proximal shaft gortion.

Abstract: A fastener driver includes a drive blade movable from a retracted position to a driven position for driving a fastener into a work piece. The fastener driver further includes a gas spring mechanism for driving the drive blade from the retracted position to the driven position. The gas spring mechanism is moveable between a retracted state and a driven state. The fastener driver further includes a first return mechanism for moving the drive blade from the driven position toward the retracted position, and a second return mechanism for returning the gas spring mechanism toward the retracted state separately from movement of the drive blade.

Abstract: A packaging machine having at least a pair of independently driven conveyors on which packages are adapted to be carried though the machine for processing, a micro-controller having a memory in which is stored a computer program containing computer readable instructions, a database/look-up table containing data correlating package sizing parameters with optimal speed profiles at which the machine can run effectively, at least one motor that drives each conveyor, and a motor controller that is electronically linked to the micro-controller for purposes of adjusting the speed at which the motor runs based upon the speed profile of the package.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes a pair of jaws. One of the jaws has a greater thickness than the other. On the thicker jaw is a placement tip that is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted when tissue is clamped between the jaws. The placement tip extends distally from the distal end of the jaw to which it is attached. The placement tip can have a variety of shapes. The placement tip is made of a material having a lower stiffness than the material of the jaw from which the placement tip extends.

Abstract: Accurate and repeatable portioning of polycrystalline silicon chunks without excessive generation of fines is accomplished by separating silicon chunks into a multiplicity of weighed portions and combining at least four portions which together closely match a target weight into a plastic shipment bag which is then closed.

Abstract: A heat shrink tunnel with width adjustment includes a pair of opposing side wall assemblies, each including an outer wall and an inner perforated wall defining a plenum therebetween. The opposing side walls define a product path with the side wall assemblies being movable toward and away from each other. A heater/blower assembly disposed in each of the opposing side walls and has an outlet directed into the product path. A shroud extends over the side wall assemblies and an open top space between the side all assemblies. The side wall assemblies extend upwardly toward an inside of the shroud so as to define a small gap between tops of the side wall assemblies and the inside of the shroud. The shroud has a bottom wall. A conveyor is configured to convey items through the heat shrink tunnel. A tunnel includes a side wall assembly width adjusting assembly to move the side walls toward and away from one another by actuation of a single actuator.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector and a shaft assembly that operably interfaces with the surgical end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first shaft actuator and a second shaft actuator that operably interface with the surgical end effector. A first drive system is configured to selectively apply axial actuation motions to the first shaft actuator. A clutch assembly that is supported in the shaft assembly is movable between an engaged position wherein the clutch assembly converts axial actuation motion of the first drive system to a rotary actuation motion that is applied to the second shaft actuator and a disengaged position wherein the axial actuation motion of the first drive system is not applied to the second shaft actuator.

Abstract: An evacuation station has a first chamber, a second chamber, and a dividing wall separating the first and second chambers. The dividing wall has a gap fluidly coupling the first and second chambers. The second chamber is fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. A package is made from a film and is arranged in the evacuation station. An inner volume of the package is in fluid communication with an inner volume of the second chamber via the open end. A control unit controls a pressure differential between a first internal pressure in the first chamber and a second internal pressure in the second chamber to cause aspiration of gas from the inner volume of the package.

Abstract: A work tool includes a motor, a driving mechanism, a body housing and a handle. The driving mechanism is configured to perform an operation of linearly reciprocating the tool accessory along a driving axis extending in a front-rear direction. The handle includes a grip part extending substantially in an up-down direction, and a battery-mounting part provided on a lower side of the grip part. An upper end portion of the handle is connected to a rear end portion of the body housing via an elastic member so as to be movable relative to the body housing. A lower end portion of the handle is connected to the rear end portion of the body housing so as to be rotatable relative to the body housing, around a rotation axis extending in a left-right direction. The rotation axis is located on a lower side of the battery-mounting part.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling the display of a knife position of a surgical cutting instrument according to the position of a displacement member. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position to drive a cutting member between an unfired position and a fire position, a sensor configured to detect a position of the displacement member and provide a signal indicative thereof and a display. The surgical instrument determines whether the knife is retracting and then only begins decrementing the displayed knife position once the displacement member has retracted from the distal or second position of its firing stroke by a particular distance.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member. A motor is coupled to the displacement member and a control circuit. A position sensor is coupled to the control circuit and a timer circuit to measure elapsed time. The control circuit is configured to determine a position of the displacement member, determine an error between directed and actual velocity and adjust the directed velocity based on the error in comparison to one or more thresholds. The control circuit also is configured to adjust the rate of change of the directed velocity based on the one or more thresholds. The control circuit also is configured to determine a zone in which the displacement member is located and set the directed velocity based on the zone in which the displacement member is located.

Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a firing system configured to cut tissue only after the tissue has been stapled.

Abstract: An anvil assembly having a sliding sleeve is provided. The anvil assembly includes an anvil center rod assembly, a head assembly pivotally secured to the anvil center rod assembly, and a sleeve member slidably disposed about the anvil center rod assembly. The sleeve member is configured to slide relative to the anvil center rod assembly as the head assembly pivots relative to the anvil center rod assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position, the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging individual medication doses in blister bags includes a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, at least one guide and collection arrangement for picking up the medication doses and passing them on, or conducting them, to a packaging station, the packaging station forming a strand of connected blister bags from packaging material. Also included is a labeling and printing station for applying data to the packaging material, an optical detection device that optically detects characteristics of the individual blister bags of the strand, an evaluation device that compares the characteristics detected for an individual blister bag with reference characteristics, and a storage station that stores the strand of the blister bags in an ordered manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical work apparatus including an apparatus housing having an electric motor for driving a work tool, a control unit for putting the electric motor into operation, a handle housing having at least one handle for guiding the work apparatus, and a receiving cavity, realized in the handle housing, having an insertion opening for a battery pack for operating the electric motor. For the purpose of decoupling the battery pack in respect of vibration, the handle housing, together with the receiving cavity for the battery pack, is decoupled from the apparatus housing via one and the same antivibration element. A vibration gap is realized between the apparatus housing and the handle housing, wherein the antivibration element at least partly bridges the vibration gap.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a surgical instrument and related methods are disclosed. Upper and lower elongated members are configured to engage each other at a first interlock and a second interlock, the first interlock distal of the second interlock. The clamping mechanism is movable between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration. In the first configuration, the elongated members are approximated towards each other and the first and second interlocks are not engaged. In the second configuration, the distal portion of the elongated members are moved away from each other, the first interlock is engaged, and the second interlock is not engaged. In the third configuration, the distal portions of the elongated members are moved away from each other relatively, the proximal portions of the elongated members are moved away from each other relatively, the first interlock is engaged, and the second interlock is engaged.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member.