Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments are provided. In general, a surgical device can include one or more actuation shafts configured to facilitate actuation of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can include four actuation shafts, two actuation shafts to facilitate articulation of the device, one actuation shaft to facilitate opening and closing of jaws at a distal end of the device, and one actuation shaft to facilitate moving a cutting element of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more actuation shafts can include a distal elongate member and a proximal elongate member having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the distal elongate member. The proximal elongate member can be rigid, and the distal elongate member can be flexible.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: Adsorbed gaseous species and elements in a carbon (C) powder and a graphite crucible are reduced by way of a vacuum and an elevated temperature sufficient to cause reduction. A wall and at least one end of an interior of the crucible is lined with C powder purified in the above manner. An Si+C mixture is formed with C powder purified in the above manner and Si powder or granules. The lined crucible is charged with the Si+C mixture. Adsorbed gaseous species and elements are reduced from the Si+C mixture and the crucible by way of a vacuum and an elevated temperature that is sufficient to cause reduction but which does not exceed the melting point of Si. Thereafter, by way of a vacuum and an elevated temperature, the Si+C mixture is caused to react and form polycrystalline SiC.

Abstract: A motorized treadmill exercising device comprising a generally planar frame equipped with a planar slider bed and head and tail rollers journalled respectively at the head and tail ends of the frame, over which an endless plastic belt is trained.

Abstract: A generally rectangular open topped vessel with vertical walls around the periphery of a floor consisting of two integrally formed levels, the lower level being at one end providing a footwell and having a drain therein. Near the end of one side wall, in the area where the footwell is located, is a door opening. This door opening has a ferromagnetic faced door stop around the edge. A door is hingedly attached to the edge of the opening such that it swings horizontally inward towards the nearest adjacent end wall. The door has a flange along its two vertical edges and along its bottom horizontal edge. Mounted concentrically on the flange are two magnetic gaskets such that when the door is closed the gakets force a water tight seal with the ferromagnetic plate on the door stop. A second drain is located in the surface of the bottom door stop such that when the door is closed water in the vessel cannot reach the drain due to the sealing of the outer gasket.