Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, and an impulse assembly coupled to the motor to receive torque therefrom. The impulse assembly includes a cylinder at least partially forming a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, an anvil positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a hammer positioned at least partially within the chamber. The hammer includes a first side facing the anvil and a second side opposite the first side. The impulse assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the hammer towards the anvil, and a valve movable between a first position that permits a first fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the second side to the first side, and a second position that permits a second fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the first side to the second side.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a fastening device may include a coupling body having (1) a portion configured to couple to a distal end of a medical device, (2) a cartridge holder, and (3) an anvil pivotably coupled to the cartridge holder. The cartridge holder and the anvil may extend distally from the portion and may be configured to extend distally of a distalmost face of the medical device when the portion is coupled to the distal end of the medical device. A flexible member may be configured to extend through a channel of the medical device. A fastener cartridge may be coupled to a distal end of the flexible member, including at least one fastener, and may be configured for releasable coupling to the cartridge holder.

Abstract: The Overhead Drill and Anchor Press is a single mobile mechanism designed for installation of anchors into a construction surface which is overhead and out of reach of the installer. The overhead drill and anchor press may include a mast, a turret assembly, a controller, and at least one drill. The overhead drill and anchor press can execute the anchor installation sequence automatically or manually with a controller by moving the drill position to drill the hole and set the anchor. The controller may be equipped with a digital display of the turret mounted camera for monitoring the process from the ground. The entire assembly may be manually pushed between target.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle is for use with a power tool having a housing that includes a first notch and a second notch. The auxiliary handle includes a shaft, a first clamp coupled to the shaft and having a first protrusion configured to engage the first notch, and a second clamp arranged on the shaft and having a second protrusion configured to engage the second notch. When the first protrusion of the first clamp engages the first notch, the second clamp is movable along the shaft between a first position, in which the second protrusion engages the second notch, and a second position, in which the second protrusion is disengaged from the second notch. The auxiliary handle also includes a grip coupled to the shaft. When the grip is rotated relative to the second clamp, the second clamp is moved from the second position toward the first position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a loading unit having a staple cartridge having a cartridge distance and a plurality of staples and an anvil to form the plurality of staples upon firing. The surgical stapler also includes a shaft assembly coupled to the load unit. The shaft assembly includes a drive shaft longitudinally movable within the shaft assembly and configured to actuate the loading unit. The surgical stapler further includes a handle assembly having a power source and a motor coupled to the power source and configured to move the drive shaft longitudinally. The handle assembly also includes a distance setting interface including a plurality of switches each of which corresponds to a travel distance that the motor moves the drive shaft, the travel distance corresponding to the cartridge distance.

Abstract: A system and method for folding a discrete absorbent sanitary product includes conveying a product in a machine direction along a main conveyor, folding the product at a first folding station, and later folding the absorbent sanitary product at a second folding station. The product is folded at each of the first and second folding stations by engaging the product with a first drum and rotating the absorbent sanitary product in a first rotational direction, contacting the product with one or more folding fingers traveling in the machine direction, engaging the product with a rotating member adjacent to the first drum and downstream therefrom in the machine direction, the rotating member rotating in the first rotational direction, and folding the product over the one or more folding fingers via rotation of the rotating member in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A standardized shipping tray is disclosed for use in an order fulfillment system. The standardized shipping tray includes a bottom panel that includes raised portions that assist to inhibit rolling on an object within along the bottom panel, and at least two flexible side panels that are adapted to fold inward under a force of a wrapping.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a motor-driven impact mechanism and monostable operating button. A locking switch for the monostable operating button has a sliding direction, an actuating knob, a catch and a sliding block, wherein the actuating knob is able to be moved by the user in the sliding direction from a releasing position to a locking position. The catch is pivotable in a pivoting direction perpendicular to the switching direction between a first position and a second position. The catch is disengaged from the operating button 6 in the first position and the catch engages in the operating button in the second position, arresting the operating button in the pressed position. The catch has, on a side facing in the pivoting direction, a slotted-guide face that is inclined with respect to the sliding direction. The sliding block bears on the slotted-guide face.

Abstract: A capsule closure device is for closing two-piece capsules each having a capsule upper portion and a capsule lower portion. The capsule closure device includes a capsule upper portion receiving member and a capsule lower portion receiving member. The capsule upper portion receiving member has a receiving hole and an introduction hole which is arranged coaxially relative to the receiving hole. The capsule upper portion receiving member has at the inner side thereof between the receiving hole and the introduction hole a support shoulder for supporting the capsule upper portion. The capsule upper portion receiving member has at the inner side thereof at the introduction hole at least one ventilation hole.

Abstract: A loading unit removably loadable into a surgical instrument positioned within a body of a patient having an elongated member, first and second jaws at a distal portion and a firing mechanism movable within the elongated member to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. The loading unit is insertable into a proximal opening of the instrument and through a lumen in the shaft of the instrument while the instrument is positioned in the body of the patient. The first and second jaws extend distally of the shaft of the instrument and the loading unit is actuable by the instrument. A surgical instrument to receive the loading unit and a method for reloading the instrument are also provided.

Abstract: A bead feeder serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageway connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads. A plurality of openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways each of which has an outer exit end. A metering plate is connected to rotate about the same vertical axis as the bead supply wheel, and metering plate has a plurality of equally spaced apart openings directly below the outer ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost beads in the passageways.

Abstract: Methods for resetting a fuse in a surgical instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides devices for loading a surgical bolster material. In accordance with some forms, the device includes a tray defining a guide channel for receipt of a bolster material. The guide channel may be configured to align and/or direct the device onto which the bolster material is to be loaded onto the bolster material.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus for reorienting and transferring inventory items to a packaging device includes a support member and a packaging conveyor. The support member receives an inventory item and reorients the item to a rejection orientation or a packaging orientation. The item is moved onto the packaging conveyor in the packaging orientation and is transported to the packaging device.

Abstract: An inflatable protective packaging unit and associated inflation systems are disclosed. The unit can include an inflatable component that includes overlaid flexible plies connected to each other to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The inflatable component can define an inflation region in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to allow fluid from the inflation region into the fluid chamber. The unit can further include a receiver separably attached to the inflatable component at the inflation region and configured to direct fluid into the inflation region. The inflation system can be configured to discretely engage the inflatable protective packaging unit and provide fluid for inflation. Once inflated, the system may eject the unit, and cause the inflatable component to separate from the receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure, such as a laparoscopic appendectomy using a stapler apparatus including a reusable handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, a disposable end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the reusable handle carrying one or more staples. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. A Doppler sensor, a cutting element, and, optionally, a thermal element are also provided on the end effector. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue. The Doppler sensor is used to confirm that blood flow has discontinued in the stapled tissue, and the cutting element is actuated to sever the stapled tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can define a path having linear and/or curved portions. In various embodiments, the path can include a curved portion having a first portion that extends away from the shaft axis and a second portion that extends toward the axis. In one embodiment, the path can include a curved portion defined by an arc corresponding to an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A hand-actuated earth auger of the type used to drill water wells, for taking soil samples, or other similar purposes is disclosed. It consists of a spiral or bladed earth drill, extended with one stem rod consisting of one or more stem segments, and one tee handle mounted on a handle collar. The handle collar can be clamped at any height along the stem rod, while the tee handle can be attached to the handle collar in two configurations, resulting in two different heights of the handle. These features allow the operator to lift the auger out of the ground by doing a seated calf raise in two quick increments, corresponding to the two configurations of the tee handle. It also allows the stem rod to be assembled of fewer, but longer stem segments, thus saving on cost.