Abstract: The present invention is a novel fire-resistant material used for the manufacturing of pipe collars as passive fire protection. The technological process consists of two phases. The first phase involves mixing poly (vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers (VC-co-VAc) or a modified poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer (VC-co-VAc) with expandable graphite and plasticizers/modifiers such as: diisononyl phthalate—DINP, dioctyl adipate—DOA, 1-hexadecene or methyl esters of soybean fatty acids (MBS), azodicarbonamide (ADC), tri-p-cresyl phosphate, tri-m-cresyl phosphate or tri-o-cresyl phosphate, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and polyacrylate or poly(vinylacetate) emulsion. The second phase considers shaping the resulting mixture in a temperature-controlled press to make various samples, which are further tested. The samples had different dimensions: 4-6 mm thickness, 70-400 mm width and 240-500 mm length.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to cut tissue includes an outer member and an inner member at least partially received within the outer member. The outer member includes a cutting window near a distal end thereof. A driving assembly is coupled to the inner member and configured to cause the inner member to rotate around and move along a longitudinal axis of the outer member. A controller is configured to control the driving assembly to control at least one of an angular position, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration of the inner member according a plurality of piecewise continuous profiles. The initial and final angular velocities of the inner member are zero, and the inner member cuts tissue extending into the cutting window.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handpiece including a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to the handpiece. The motor actuates the end effector assembly. A temperature measurement assembly is in the housing. The temperature measurement assembly measures a temperature of the motor. The temperature measurement assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including an orifice extending through the PCB. An infrared (IR) sensor is on the PCB. The IR sensor transmits IR light to a temperature measurement location of the motor through the orifice of the PCB. The IR sensor detects IR light reflected from the temperature measurement location of the motor to determine a temperature of the temperature measurement location of the motor.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a limited-use component configured to perform a surgical operation, where the limited-use component can be used for a pre-determined number of uses, and a reusable component operationally coupled to the limited-use component. The limited-use component includes a body forming a pocket and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed within the pocket. The reusable component includes an RFID tag transceiver configured to read operating parameters from a memory of the RFID tag of the limited-use component. The operating parameters are erased from the memory when the limited-use component has been used for the pre-determined number of uses.

Abstract: A collection system for collecting outflow from a hysteroscopic surgical procedure includes a surgical drape configured to collect liquid, a collection vessel, a vacuum source, a drape line, a vacuum line, and a filter assembly. The drape line is connected between the surgical drape and the collection vessel. A liquid flow path is defined from the surgical drape, through the drape line, and to the collection vessel. The vacuum line is connected between the vacuum source and the collection vessel. The vacuum source is configured to establish suction to draw liquid from the surgical drape along the liquid flow path. The filter assembly is disposed along the along the liquid flow path and includes a hydrophilic membrane configured to permit passage of liquid along the liquid flow path and impede passage of air along the liquid flow path.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to cut tissue includes an outer member and an inner member at least partially received within the outer member. The outer member includes a cutting window near a distal end thereof. A driving assembly is coupled to the inner member and configured to cause the inner member to rotate around and move along a longitudinal axis of the outer member. A controller is configured to control the driving assembly to control at least one of an angular position, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration of the inner member according a plurality of piecewise continuous profiles. The initial and final angular velocities of the inner member are zero, and the inner member cuts tissue extending into the cutting window.

Abstract: An arterial blood pressure apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus has a force transfer element for applying unidirectional force to a body part of the subject and a pressure sensor for generating a signal based on the unidirectional force. Multiple degrees of force may be applied simultaneously or serially. The apparatus also has a second sensor for generating a signal associated with blood volume within a blood vessel of the body part and a processor for inferring arterial blood pressure from the force sensor signal and the second sensor. The apparatus may take the form of a glove or a wand.