Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a repeatable open and close mode, a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a third rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include an articulation mechanism including a ball screw to selectively articulate the jaw assembly relative to an elongate shaft.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a search query, where the search query includes one or more terms; identifying one or more locations associated with the one or more terms prior to execution of the search query; providing the one or more locations as query suggestions; receiving a selection of a location; and in response to the selection, determining that the selected location references a hotel and providing a hotel search results interface, the hotel search results interface including a first region displaying one or more hotel listings, where the hotels listings include hotels located within a geographic region containing the selected hotel, and a second region, where the second region is configured to present one or more user selected hotels from the one or more hotel listings.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for information retrieval. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an input specifying one or more hotel search parameters; obtaining hotel search results responsive to the input; presenting the hotel search results in a first region of a hotel search results interface; receiving a user selected hotel from among the hotel search results; and presenting the user selected hotel in a second region of the hotel search results interface.

Abstract: A liquid light guide for surgical instrumentation, includes a flexible elongated tube having opposed tube portions, a transmissive member positioned within each tube end portion of the elongated tube to enclose an interior portion of the elongated tube and a light transmissive medium filling the interior portion of the elongated tube. A sealing mechanism including at least one annular groove in the light transmissive plug and at least one corresponding groove in the surrounding light source cap and endoscope adapter forms a fluid tight seal between each tube end portion and the light transmissive plug to prevent leakage of the fluid from the tube. The light guide is contemplated to be used with an endoscope and is cost-effective to manufacture. Methods of making and using the disposable light guide also are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for positioning a surgical instrument having an elongated portion, the device comprising a housing having an opening therethrough to receive the elongated instrument portion and an actuation member mounted to said housing and movable between a first position and a second position. The actuation member overlaps a portion of said opening in said second position to prevent movement of the elongated portion of the instrument. The actuation member may be movable along a plane parallel, perpendicular or lateral to a longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument.