Abstract: A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument includes a handle housing and a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle housing. The shaft assembly includes an elongate body configured to translate from a distal position to a proximal position in response to an insertion of a surgical loading unit into a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a cam plate configured to convert rotational motion into an articulation of an end effector of the surgical loading unit. When the elongate body is in the distal position, the elongate body is configured to prevent rotation of the cam plate.

Abstract: The technology described herein generally relates to an automated packaging apparatus, system and method that packages loose particles into a conical container as well as the final folded packages. More specifically, loose plant matter, such as crumbled dried leaves, are supplied to successive paper cones. The apparatus uses a packing method to accurately fill the cones, pack the crumbled leaves into the cones, and close the wide top portion of the cone into a precise shape.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a stapling assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly and extending along a central axis, and an anvil configured to selectively couple with the stapling assembly to compress a tissue and form staples in the tissue. The stapling assembly includes a housing assembly that includes a proximal housing and a distal housing. The proximal housing is secured to the shaft assembly and is separable from the distal housing to thereby releasably couple the distal housing with the shaft assembly. The stapling assembly further includes a deck member having an annular array of staple openings configured to receive a plurality of staples, and a knife member at least partially disposed within the housing assembly.

Abstract: An impact wrench for tightening and loosening nuts and screws on a track has a vibration decoupling device which serves for vibration decoupling of at least one handle from an electrically operated impact screwing mechanism.

Abstract: This application provides a driving switching mechanism for a stapling instrument. An actuation driving assembly includes a driving sleeve for driving an end effector to perform a closing action and a knife bar driving rod for driving the end effector to perform a stapling action. A handle driving assembly includes a driving handle and a knife bar driving assembly which includes a knife driving member and a handle driving connecting member. The handle driving connecting member is connected to a handle driving portion. The knife driving member is movably connected to the handle driving connecting member, and is movable relative to the handle driving connecting member to a driving position or a driving disengagement position. When the knife driving member is in the driving position, the knife driving member and the knife bar driving rod are engaged as the handle driving portion moves toward a second position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an inflation and sealing machine and in particular to a method for modifying one or more parameters of the machine. The method includes identifying a configuration of a supply material to be used with the inflation and sealing machine, such as by receiving a user input, automatically detecting characteristics of the material, and/or receiving data such as from a sensor regarding the characteristics of the material. Once the configuration of the supply material is identified, the method includes receiving a selection of a prestored recipe according to a configuration of the supply material, where the recipe determines or sets the value for one or more operating parameters of the machine.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body including a tissue-facing surface, a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot comprises a first portion configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough and a second portion configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap welded to the anvil body, wherein the anvil cap comprises a welded portion and a non-welded portion, wherein the non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein the non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of the width of the second portion.

Abstract: A packaging unit for packaging pharmaceuticals into a pouch includes packaging equipment operable to form the pouch, a track configured to direct the pharmaceuticals toward the packaging equipment, and a receptacle coupled to the track upstream of the packaging equipment to receive the pharmaceuticals from the track. The receptacle includes a plunger. The pouch is formed around the plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

Abstract: A staple instrument system comprising a cartridge body and an antenna is disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging unit and method for packaging pharmaceuticals into pouches. The packaging unit includes a dispensing area to receive cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals and packaging equipment in communication with the dispensing area. The packaging unit also includes a control system coupled to the packaging equipment to control operation of the packaging equipment and a chute connecting the dispensing area to the packaging equipment. The chute includes a plurality of tracks, each track corresponding to one of the cassettes supported on the dispensing area. The packaging unit includes a receptacle supported by the packaging equipment between the chute and a feed stock roll. The plurality of tracks converge to direct the pharmaceuticals that are dispensed from the cassettes into the receptacle and the receptacle directs the pharmaceuticals received from the plurality of tracks as a group into the pouches formed by the feed stock roll.

Abstract: A method for obviating spline crash in a surgical stapler that utilizes a motor of the surgical stapler includes oscillating an anvil retainer of the surgical stapler in a first oscillation pattern, oscillating the anvil retainer in a second oscillation pattern that is different from the first oscillation pattern after the first oscillation pattern, and retracting the anvil retainer until an anvil of the surgical stapler is in a clamped position relative to a shell assembly after the second oscillation pattern. Oscillating the anvil retainer in the first oscillation pattern includes oscillating the anvil retainer in a longitudinal direction between extension and retraction with the motor such that the anvil moves towards and away from the shell assembly. Oscillating the anvil retainer in the second oscillation pattern includes moving the anvil towards and away from the shell assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device has an elongated body and a removable loading unit and a securing structure for securing the loading unit onto the elongated body. A guiding ramp guides the movement of the loading unit as it is mounted onto the loading portion. The locking structure has a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and enabling firing rod to engage the loading unit. The locking unit has a second position for allowing the loading unit to be disengaged and removed from the device.

Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include a jaw assembly with one jaw defining a reload support capable of receiving and firing multiple disposable reload cartridges in a single surgical procedure. The reload cartridge can be protected by a reload cover engageable therewith. The reload cover can include snap features configured to prevent manual removal of the reload cover from the reload cartridge before proper positioning and installation in the reload support. The reload cover can desirably maintain a plurality of staples within staple pockets in the reload cartridge and can maintain a staple deployment mechanism in an unfired position.

Abstract: A loading unit for a surgical stapling apparatus includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge assembly, and a surgical buttress assembly associated with the anvil or the staple cartridge assembly. Each of the anvil and staple cartridge assemblies has a tissue facing surface defining a central longitudinal slot therethrough. The surgical buttress assembly includes a buttress material positioned on the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly and a buttress frame supporting the buttress material. The buttress frame is movable from an undeployed position in which the buttress frame retains the buttress material within the boundaries of the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly to a deployed position in which the buttress frame extends the buttress material laterally outwardly from the anvil or staple cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A hand-held machine tool, in particular a sanding machine, including a rod-type handle element for the user to grip and a processing head which is moveably mounted on the handle element by means of a joint assembly. The processing head has an electric drive motor for driving a tool holder provided for holding a processing tool and a speed-reducing gearbox between the drive motor and the tool holder, the gearbox being designed to achieve a reduction in speed of an output of the drive motor relative to a speed of the tool holder. The drive motor is a brushless motor and a power supply system for the drive motor is arranged at a distance from the drive motor on the handle element, the power supply system being connected to the drive motor by means of a cable arrangement.

Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a head unit removably coupled to the housing, the head unit including a body, an input member movable relative to the body, and a draw rod to which at least one of a punch or a die is attachable. The draw rod is configured to move axially relative to the body in response to movement of the input member relative to the body. A quick-release mechanism removably couples the body to the housing and includes radially inward-extending locking members on one of the housing or the head unit and a plurality of radially outward-extending locking members on the other of the housing or the head unit engageable with the radially inward-extending locking members to lock the head unit to the housing.

Abstract: A packaging unit and method for packaging pharmaceuticals into pouches. The packaging unit includes a dispensing area to receive cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals and packaging equipment in communication with the dispensing area. The packaging unit also includes a control system coupled to the packaging equipment to control operation of the packaging equipment and a chute connecting the dispensing area to the packaging equipment. The chute includes a plurality of tracks, each track corresponding to one of the cassettes supported on the dispensing area. The packaging unit includes a receptacle supported by the packaging equipment between the chute and a feed stock roll. The plurality of tracks converge to direct the pharmaceuticals that are dispensed from the cassettes into the receptacle and the receptacle directs the pharmaceuticals received from the plurality of tracks as a group into the pouches formed by the feed stock roll.