Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector, a firing drive, and a mechanical closure system. The end effector includes a first jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position, a staple cartridge including staples removably stored therein, and a cutting member movable toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke. The firing drive includes a drive shaft operable to move the cutting member through the staple firing stroke, a gear drive train operably coupled to the drive shaft, an electric motor configured to actuate the gear drive train, and a firing trigger actuatable to actuate the electric motor. The mechanical closure system includes a closure member movable distally to close the second jaw during a closure stroke and a closure trigger rotatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position to advance the closure member through the closure stroke.

Abstract: A syringe containing a high water content product and for use in a drug infusion system is provided. The syringe includes a plunger carrying front and rear o-rings made of a diene rubber compound such as chlorobutyl rubber or bromobutyl rubber to impart very low gas permeability characteristics to the o-rings. The plunger may be molded as a single part or in two parts. If molded as one part with radially-engaging mold portions, the seal glands in the plunger may include parting lines from the mold. If molded as two parts with axially-engaging mold portions, the front seal gland may include a sealing surface and under cut that has no parting line. The orings may be surface treated with a lubricant to improve sealing where the molding process gives rise to parting lines in the seal glands.

Abstract: A syringe containing a high water content product and for use in a drug infusion system is provided. The syringe includes a plunger carrying front and rear o-rings made of a diene rubber compound such as chlorobutyl rubber or bromobutyl rubber to impart very low gas permeability characteristics to the o-rings. The plunger may be molded as a single part or in two parts. If molded as one part with radially-engaging mold portions, the seal glands in the plunger may include parting lines from the mold. If molded as two parts with axially-engaging mold portions, the front seal gland may include a sealing surface and under cut that has no parting line. The o-rings may be surface treated with a lubricant to improve sealing where the molding process gives rise to parting lines in the seal glands.

Abstract: A syringe containing a high water content product and for use in a drug infusion system is provided. The syringe includes a plunger carrying front and rear o-rings made of a diene rubber compound such as chlorobutyl rubber or bromobutyl rubber to impart very low gas permeability characteristics to the o-rings. The plunger may be molded as a single part or in two parts. If molded as one part with radially-engaging mold portions, the seal glands in the plunger may include parting lines from the mold. If molded as two parts with axially-engaging mold portions, the front seal gland may include a sealing surface and under cut that has no parting line. The o-rings may be surface treated with a lubricant to improve sealing where the molding process gives rise to parting lines in the seal glands.

Abstract: A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is coaxial with and slideably coupled to the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector. A suture needle includes a suture needle body and a suture needle tip, the suture needle body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is thicker than the second portion, and the first portion is configured to mate with a needle spacer that enables actuation of a suture needle passer device.

Abstract: A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is within the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly independently of the shaft, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle body, a shaft, an end effector, an operation mechanism, and an articulation mechanism. The end effector is connected to a shaft end. The operation mechanism includes a rod and an actuator. The rod is coupled to the end effector. Movement of the actuator relative to the handle body transfers a force onto the rod in a longitudinal direction to operate the end effector. The articulation mechanism includes a deflection assembly, first and second collar assemblies, first and second cables, a linkage, and an articulation actuator. The first and second collar assemblies are slidably disposed over the rod. The cables extend between the collar assemblies and the deflection assembly. Movement of the articulation actuator drives the first and second collar assemblies in opposite directions to cause a longitudinal deflection in the deflection assembly.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy device including a housing and an interrupter valve assembly. The housing is sized for handling by a patient and defines a patient breathing passage extending from a patient end and through which a patient inhales and exhales air. The interrupter valve assembly is carried by the housing and includes a control port, a valve body, and a drive mechanism. Expiratory airflow is released from the patient breathing passage through the control port. The valve body is sized to at least partially obstruct fluid flow through the control port. The drive mechanism moves the valve body relative to the control port in response to the expiratory airflow such that the valve body repeatedly transitions between a position of maximum obstruction and a position of minimum obstruction relative to the control port to create an oscillatory positive expiratory pressure effect.

Abstract: A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is within the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly independently of the shaft, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy device including a housing and an interrupter valve assembly. The housing includes a patient inlet, an exhaust outlet, a chamber, and a supply inlet. The interrupter valve assembly is associated with the housing and includes a control port fluidly connecting the patient inlet and the first chamber, and a valve body adapted to selectively obstruct fluid flow through the control port. In a passive mode, positive fluid flow to the supply inlet does not occur, and the interrupter valve assembly interacts with exhaled air create an oscillatory PEP effect. In an active mode, fluid flow to the supply inlet occurs and the interrupter valve assembly operates to create a CHFO effect. The respiratory device can serve as a passive oscillatory PEP device, and when connected to a positive pressure source, as an active device.

Abstract: A respiratory therapy device including a housing and an interrupter valve assembly. The housing includes a patient inlet, an exhaust outlet, a chamber, and a supply inlet. The interrupter valve assembly is associated with the housing and includes a control port fluidly connecting the patient inlet and the first chamber, and a valve body adapted to selectively obstruct fluid flow through the control port. In a passive mode, positive fluid flow to the supply inlet does not occur, and the interrupter valve assembly interacts with exhaled air create an oscillatory PEP effect. In an active mode, fluid flow to the supply inlet occurs and the interrupter valve assembly operates to create a CHFO effect. The respiratory device can serve as a passive oscillatory PEP device, and when connected to a positive pressure source, as an active device.

Abstract: An injection device for hands-free, transdermal injection of a liquid medicament, configured for easy handling and for manipulation by the use of the hand or fingers of the medical technician The device includes a housing having a base for attachment of the housing to the skin of a patient, an injection needle, and a reservoir for containing a vaccine. The device also has a means for expressing the vaccine from the reservoir through the injection needle that includes a mechanical force means for storing potential energy and exerting a mechanical force, and a hydraulic force means for transmitting the mechanical force into a hydraulic force. The hydraulic force is exerted onto the vaccine in the reservoir, thereby pressurizing and passing the vaccine through the injection needle. The mechanical force means is typically a mechanical spring, and the hydraulic force means is typically a closed hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument. The instrument also includes a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector. The instrument also includes a handle comprising a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, a closure trigger for causing the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector when the closure trigger is retracted, and a firing trigger separate from the closure trigger for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. The instrument further comprises means for articulating the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument. The instrument also includes a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector. The instrument also includes a handle comprising a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, a closure trigger for causing the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector when the closure trigger is retracted, and a firing trigger separate from the closure trigger for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. The instrument further comprises means for articulating the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic and laparoscopic insertion through a cannula of a trocar into an insufflated body cavity or lumen includes a bending member in an elongate shaft that acts to rotate an end effector about an articulation pivot joint. A proximally directed camming surface (e.g., gear segment, cam recess) aft of a pivotal attachment of the end effector to a proximal frame ground of the elongate shaft interacts with a bending member whose proximal end is ground to the proximal frame ground. Differential fluidic actuators or mechanical cam bars deflect a distal end (e.g., rack, cam point) of the bending member to effect articulation. Thereby, the end effector may act upon tissue that would otherwise be obscured, such as behind an organ. The articulated end effector also advantageously allows an endoscope to be positioned behind the end effector without being blocked by the instrument shaft.