Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a non-clamping force applied against one of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive housing, a spline, a carriage, an elongate shaft assembly, an end effector, and an activating mechanism. The at least one spline includes a drive gear rotatable with the spline. The elongate shaft assembly extends from the carriage. The activating mechanism includes a barrel cam extending along a rotational axis and having a first cam profile radially extending about the rotational axis. The barrel cam is operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear is configured to actuate the activating mechanism to move at least a portion of the end effector. The first cam profile defines a plurality of slopes relative to the rotational axis such that the first cam profile is configured to drive movement of the end effector or the elongate shaft assembly at different rates according to the plurality of slopes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis proximally extending from the end effector and an ultrasonic transducer assembly proximally extending from an acoustic waveguide in communication with the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes a housing proximally projecting from the shaft assembly such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is positioned within the housing and a carrier moveably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis. The carrier collectively moves the ultrasonic transducer assembly, the acoustic waveguide, and the end effector relative to the housing from a proximal, retracted position to a distal, extended position, for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: A multi-port injection system for injecting fluid into a plurality of fluid injection ports during a plurality of fluid injection cycles. The system provides highly accurate measurement of the volume of fluid injected into each injection port during each fluid injection cycle. The system generally includes a fluid holding tank, measuring tubes, a pump, a plurality of port valves coupled to the fluid injection ports, a fluid return valve, volume sensors, and a control unit. During a fluid injection cycle the control unit causes a portion of fluid to be pumped from a measuring tube to a port valve. After each fluid injection cycle, the control unit causes the fluid return valve to return the portion of fluid that was not injected to the measuring tube before the volume of fluid injected is measured.

Abstract: A continuous fluid metering system for continuously dispensing a fluid for injection and for accurately measuring the fluid dispensed. The system generally includes one or more fill valves for transferring fluid from an additive tank to first and second measuring tubes, one or more injection valves for directing fluid dispensed by the measuring tubes to an injection point such as an oil well, a pump, and first and second sensors that indicate the volume of fluid dispensed by the first and second measuring tubes as it is dispensed. The system also includes a control unit that controls the injection and fill valves to cause the fluid dispensed from the first and second measuring tubes to be alternately and continuously and directed to the injection point, and the first and second measuring tubes to be alternately and repeatedly refilled without substantial interrupting the flow of fluid to the injection point.

Abstract: A fluid metering system for accurately measuring and dosing one or more fluids. The fluid metering system generally includes a closed loop feedback system that monitors the volume of liquid chemical input into a system over a period of time. Based on the measured amount of chemical input into a system over a period of time, the system calculates whether or not an adjustment is required for the next input of chemical. The various embodiments utilize a measuring tube that is filled with a liquid chemical. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of the chemical in the measuring tube when filled and after emptied to calculate the total volume of chemical input into the system.

Abstract: A fluid metering system for accurately measuring and dosing one or more fluids. The fluid metering system generally includes a closed loop feedback system that monitors the volume of liquid chemical input into a system over a period of time. Based on the measured amount of chemical input into a system over a period of time, the system calculates whether or not an adjustment is required for the next input of chemical. The various embodiments utilize a measuring tube that is filled with a liquid chemical. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of the chemical in the measuring tube when filled and after emptied to calculate the total volume of chemical input into the system.

Abstract: A fluid metering system for accurately and consistently mixing two or more fluids together. The fluid metering system generally includes a closed loop feedback system that monitors the flow rate of the water and the volume of liquid chemical added to the water over a period of time. Based on the measured amount of chemical added to the water over a period of time, the system calculates whether or not an adjustment is required for the next addition of chemical to the water. The present invention utilizes a measuring tube that is filled with a chemical wherein a pressure sensor measures the pressure of the chemical in the measuring tube when filled and after being emptied to calculate the total volume of chemical added to the water.

Abstract: A fluid metering system for accurately and consistently mixing two or more fluids together. The fluid metering system generally includes a closed loop feedback system that monitors the flow rate of the water and the volume of liquid chemical added to the water over a period of time. Based on the measured amount of chemical added to the water over a period of time, the system calculates whether or not an adjustment is required for the next addition of chemical to the water. The present invention utilizes a measuring tube that is filled with a chemical wherein a pressure sensor measures the pressure of the chemical in the measuring tube when filled and after being emptied to calculate the total volume of chemical added to the water.

Abstract: A gun bore cleaning system for efficiently cleaning a bore of a gun. The gun bore cleaning system includes a cord having a plurality of receiver openings for removably receiving a corresponding plurality of swabs. The cord is extendable into the bore of a gun for cleaning the bore in a reciprocating manner. A brush may also be removably attached to the cord, wherein the brush has a plurality of radially extending bristles. The swabs and the brush may also be non-removably attached to the cord.

Abstract: A sustained release composite is made from a three-dimensional piece of calcium silicate having a xontolite structure and in which are fibers of textile glass and borosilicate glass, and an active agent. The active agent can be a fire starting material, a fragrance, or a masking fragrance.

Abstract: A gun bore cleaning system for efficiently cleaning a bore of a gun. The gun bore cleaning system includes a cleaning member having a spiral groove and a length of cord positionable within the spiral groove. The cord is extended through a bore of a gun with the cleaning member cleaning the bore of the gun.

Abstract: An elongate material dispenser system for providing a positive locking structure for retaining a disposable spool regardless of the physical state of the spool's cardboard core. The elongate material dispenser system includes a handle member having a handle shoulder, a handle shank having a first prong and a second prong extending from the handle member, an end member having an end shoulder, a tongue member having a plurality of first teeth and a plurality of second teeth, a first cross member having a first positive member, and a second cross member having a second positive member. The first positive member and the second positive member catchably engage the second teeth within the tongue member. The resilient prongs retain the first positive member and the second positive member in engagement with the second teeth regardless of the physical state of the core.

Abstract: A material dispenser system for allowing convenient unloading, loading and dispensing of a spool of elongate material. The material dispenser system includes a plurality of prongs formed for rotatably receiving a spool of material, a main body receiving the prongs, and a handle attached to the main body. The prongs are comprised of a resilient material for allowing the distal portions thereof to be forcibly contracted thereby allowing the spool of material to be unloaded and a replacement spool to be loaded. The prongs each have a flanged portion that extends outwardly thereby retaining the spool positioned upon the prongs.

Abstract: A material dispenser system for efficiently dispensing elongate material. The material dispenser system includes a first prong and a second prong resiliently connected by a base in a substantially U-shaped structure. The prongs each have a shoulder and a jaw that receive a spool between thereof. To load a spool, the user compresses the handles of the prongs thereby allowing insertion of the distal portions of the prongs through the core of the spool. To dispense material from the spool, the user compresses the handles of the prongs thereby allowing free rotation of the spool upon the prongs. If the user desires tension within the elongate material being dispenses, the handles are allowed to expand slightly so that the prongs frictionally engage the core of the spool. When it is desired not to have elongate material dispensed, the user allows the prongs to expand outwardly thereby frictionally engaging the core of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus with line level for conveniently storing and providing access to a line level within a material dispenser. The material dispensing apparatus with line level includes a shoulder having a receiver cavity, a first catch member and a second catch member attached to the shoulder within the receiver cavity, and a line level having a first nub and a second nub at opposing ends thereof. The nubs are catchably received within the catch members when the line level is positioned within the receiver cavity. An alternative embodiment utilizes the hooks of the line level to engage members extending inwardly from the receiver cavity.

Abstract: A material dispensing system for allowing convenient replacement of a spool of elongate material. The material dispensing system includes a tubular main body formed for receiving a spool of material, a handle attached to the tubular main body, and a set of retaining prongs positioned within the main body for selectively retaining the spool of material upon the main body. The retaining prongs are comprised of a resilient material for allowing the distal portions thereof to be forcibly contracted thereby allowing the spool of material to be unloaded and a replacement spool to be loaded. The retaining prongs have a flanged portion that extend outwardly and have a total width greater than an inner diameter of the spool of material.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus with line level for conveniently storing and providing access to a line level within a material dispenser. The material dispensing apparatus with line level includes a handle structure formed for removably receiving the line level. The handle structure is preferably comprised of a handle post structure having a receiver slot for receiving the line level within. A plurality of first nubs extend inwardly from the walls of the receiver slot to selectively retain the line level within the receiver slot. A handle cover is removably attachable about the handle post structure for enclosing the handle post structure during usage of the material dispenser structure.

Abstract: A material dispensing system for allowing convenient replacement of a spool of elongate material. The material dispensing system includes a tubular main body formed for receiving a spool of material, a handle attached to the tubular main body, and a set of retaining prongs positioned within the main body for selectively retaining the spool of material upon the main body. The retaining prongs are comprised of a resilient material for allowing the distal portions thereof to be forcibly contracted thereby allowing the spool of material to be unloaded and a replacement spool to be loaded. The retaining prongs have a flanged portion that extend outwardly and have a total width greater than an inner diameter of the spool of material.

Abstract: A tool holder system for conveniently supporting one or more tools upon a pegboard structure or a wall. The tool holder system includes a support structure having a plurality of receiver openings formed for receiving a tool, a plurality of recessed portions formed into a rear portion of the support structure, a plurality of fastener slots for securing the support structure to a wall, and a clip member formed to catchably engage within said recessed portions for securing the support structure to a pegboard. The clip member is comprised of a body, an upper hook and a lower hook wherein the hooks catchably engage apertures within the pegboard. The lower hook includes a lip for catchably engaging one of the apertures within the pegboard thereby preventing accidental removal of the clip member. Each clip member further includes an upper slot for receiving a portion of the support structure and a lower slot for receiving a lower cross member within the recessed portions.