Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: Provided are rechargeable batteries, positive electrodes, and methods for manufacturing rechargeable batteries and positive electrodes. A rechargeable battery as disclosed includes a zinc metal negative electrode, an electrolyte having a pH between ˜4 and ˜6, and a positive electrode. The positive electrode includes a current collector and a primer coating layer applied to the current collector to form a primer-coated current collector for protecting the current collector from the electrolyte. The primer coating layer includes a binder and a conductive filler. The positive electrode further includes a positive electrode composite layer applied to the primer coating layer. The positive electrode composite layer includes a hydrophilic binder, a conductive additive, and a material that undergoes reversible faradaic reactions with zinc ions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: Separators for zinc metal batteries, zinc metal batteries, and methods of fabricating a separator for use in a zinc metal battery are provided. The separator includes a hydrophilic membrane having a first side for facing a negative electrode when arranged in the zinc metal battery and a second side for facing a positive electrode when arranged in the zinc metal battery. The hydrophilic membrane includes a plurality of pores traversing the hydrophilic membrane from the first side to the second side enabling flow of zinc cations between the negative electrode and the positive electrode through the separator. Each of the pores may have a pore size ranging from about 0.1 to 1.3 ?m.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using a zinc negative electrode and systems thereof are described. A zinc electroplated electrode including a layer of zinc metal bonded to a surface of an electrically conductive current collector is fabricated by an electroplating process using a zinc electroplating system. The zinc electroplating system includes: a zinc metal anode, a cathode including the current collector for plating zinc thereon, and an electrolyte bath comprising zinc ions. The electroplating process bonds the zinc metal to the surface of the current collector to create the electroplated zinc electrode. The electroplated zinc electrode is used as a negative electrode in a zinc metal cell. The zinc metal cell may be a primary cell or a secondary cell.

Abstract: A protected zinc electrode, rechargeable cell, and methods of fabricating and operating the protected zinc electrode are provided. The protected zinc electrode includes a zinc electrode including an electrode active material including bulk zinc metal. The protected zinc electrode also includes a protective structure in physical continuity with the bulk zinc metal. The protective structure includes one or more layers. Each layer includes a solid-electrolyte component forming a continuous Zn2+ ion-conducting network throughout the layer.

Abstract: Layered electrode materials, positive electrodes, rechargeable zinc batteries, and methods are provided. A layered electrode material for use in a rechargeable zinc battery includes a plurality of active metal slab layers in a layered configuration. The active metal slab layer includes a plurality of redox active metal centers and a closely-packed anionic sublattice. A plurality of interlamellar spaces separate adjacent active metal slab layers in the layered configuration. The interlamellar space includes at least one pillar species. The layered electrode material has a combined average metal oxidation state in a range of +3 to +4 in an initial charged state. The layered electrode material accepts solvated zinc cations via intercalation into the interlamellar space upon reduction.

Abstract: Provided is a secondary electrochemical cell for storing and delivery electrical energy and method of forming same. The secondary electrochemical cell includes: a thin film zinc metal negative electrode comprising a negative electrode current collector and a zinc metal layer applied to the negative electrode current collector; a thin film positive electrode comprising a positive electrode current collector and an active material layer applied to the positive electrode current collector, wherein the active material layer electrochemically reacts reversibly with Zn2+ cations; an aqueous electrolyte ionically coupling the negative electrode to the positive electrode; and a thin separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the separator is wetted by the aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: Zinc metal negative electrodes and aqueous electrolytes can be used in a rechargeable battery. The electrolyte can include zinc sulfate dissolved in water with a pH in the range of 0-7, and at least one additive for increasing ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, and/or buffering the pH of the electrolyte, and/or controlling morphology of a stripped/plated surface of the negative electrode. The electrolyte can decrease the likelihood of internal short circuits caused by volumetric expansion of the negative electrode and morphology changes after repeated cycling and penetration of zinc metal through a separator to a positive electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a rechargeable Zn battery based on layered/tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides, with/without the presence of neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules inserted into the interlayers/tunnels, of nano/microparticle morphology as robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode, that are coupled with a metallic Zn negative electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode may include electronically conducting additives and one or more binders along with the Zn2+ intercalation material: the negative electrode is Zn metal in any form; the aqueous electrolyte is of pH 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a rechargeable Zn battery based on layered/tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides, with/without the presence of neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules inserted into the interlayers/tunnels, of nano/microparticle morphology as robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode, that are coupled with a metallic Zn negative electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode may include electronically conducting additives and one or more binders along with the Zn2+ intercalation material; the negative electrode is Zn metal in any form; the aqueous electrolyte is of pH 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a rechargeable Zn battery based on layered/tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides, with/without the presence of neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules inserted into the interlayers/tunnels, of nano/microparticle morphology as robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode, that are coupled with a metallic Zn negative electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode may include electronically conducting additives and one or more binders along with the Zn2+ intercalation material: the negative electrode is Zn metal in any form; the aqueous electrolyte is of pH 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to facilitate passage of lacerated ends of a tendon back into and/or through an associated sheath. The method is often necessary to complete repair when lacerated ends of a tendon retract from the associated laceration site in the sheath. The method includes applying respective elastomeric tubes over lacerated ends of the tendon. Each elastomeric tube is preferably made of thin, elastic rubber. The elastomeric tube also prevents fraying and catching of the respective lacerated end during passage into and through the sheath. Multiple threads are preferably engaged with the elastomeric tube. An applicator is provided to slide a respective elastomeric tube over each lacerated end of the tendon. Each elastomeric tube is placed over the respective lacerated end of the tendon by pulling on the associated threads. After the tube is applied, the applicator is removed.

Abstract: A suture repair system is provided for releasably holding the lacerated end of a tendon, ligament, and similar types of body tissues and precisely guiding placement of one or more sutures therein. The suture repair system preferably provides one or more suture guide paths for placing respective sutures having a selected configuration in the lacerated end. The system preferably includes a single use, disposable holder or clamp assembly. The clamp assembly may also be used as a guide to accurately trim, when necessary, the lacerated end. Once suture placement is completed the clamp assembly may be removed and may be discarded.

Abstract: The base support mount for heat pumps and the like machinery is comprised of a top cap portion which contains a depressed area for accepting a protrusion from the bottom of a machine, a hollow central column portion and a ribbed base portion. The top cap, central column and ribbed base portions are separable and thereby permit the central column to be manufactured in various lengths and further allows the different length columns to be interchangeable with the top cap and ribbed base portions. This interchangeability permits the base support mount of the present invention to be easily manufactured in differing heights for supporting heat pumps and the like machinery.