Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first support structure, a first electrical contact supported by the first support structure, and a first sealing surface. The shaft assembly includes a second support structure, a second electrical contact supported by the second support structure, and a second sealing surface. When the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly, the first and second electrical contacts electrically couple to establish an electrical connection therebetween, and the first and second sealing surfaces sealingly engage to block fluid from reaching the electrical connection. At least one of the first or second sealing surfaces is movable relative to the respective support structure to facilitate the sealing engagement.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first electrical contact and a first sealing portion. The shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact and a second sealing portion. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly. The first and second sealing portions are configured to sealingly engage one another when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection.

Abstract: A cartridge may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a wick housing disposed inside the cartridge housing, a heating element, and a wicking element. The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion disposed at least partially inside the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts that form an electric coupling with receptacle contacts in the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing and proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.

Abstract: A method, operable by a service registry in a service orientated architecture system, for providing a service within the system. A service request is received from a service requester in the system. The status of the service is checked as registered in the service registry. In response to the service not having a registered service endpoint or a property of the service falling below a defined threshold, a request is sent to service providers or subsequent service registries to provide a new service and according to the defined threshold. In response to a service provider providing the new service according to the defined standard, the service registry is updated with the new service and responding to the service requester that the service is available. The embodiments allow both direct interaction between the requester and provider or indirect interaction via a service management layer.

Abstract: A method, operable by a service registry in a service orientated architecture system, for providing a service within the system. A service request is received from a service requester in the system. The status of the service is checked as registered in the service registry. In response to the service not having a registered service endpoint or a property of the service falling below a defined threshold, a request is sent to service providers or subsequent service registries to provide a new service and according to the defined threshold. In response to a service provider providing the new service according to the defined standard, the service registry is updated with the new service and responding to the service requester that the service is available. The embodiments allow both direct interaction between the requester and provider or indirect interaction via a service management layer.

Abstract: A method, operable by a service registry in a service orientated architecture system, for providing a service within the system. A service request is received from a service requester in the system. The status of the service is checked as registered in the service registry. In response to the service not having a registered service endpoint or a property of the service falling below a defined threshold, a request is sent to service providers or subsequent service registries to provide a new service and according to the defined threshold. In response to a service provider providing the new service according to the defined standard, the service registry is updated with the new service and responding to the service requester that the service is available. The embodiments allow both direct interaction between the requester and provider or indirect interaction via a service management layer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first electrical contact and a first sealing portion. The shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact and a second sealing portion. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly. The first and second sealing portions are configured to sealingly engage one another when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first support structure, a first electrical contact supported by the first support structure, and a first sealing surface. The shaft assembly includes a second support structure, a second electrical contact supported by the second support structure, and a second sealing surface. When the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly, the first and second electrical contacts electrically couple to establish an electrical connection therebetween, and the first and second sealing surfaces sealingly engage to block fluid from reaching the electrical connection. At least one of the first or second sealing surfaces is movable relative to the respective support structure to facilitate the sealing engagement.

Abstract: A multi-joint fixture including a proximal base unit, one or more arms serially connected by electromagnetically lockable ball joints, and a distal hub. The ball joints unlock when not powered. A centering mechanism biases the ball joints toward a neutral position. A control system activates the electromagnetic brake with a high-then-low voltage profile. A headpiece attaches to the hub and holds a drape that covers the fixture. A connector connects a surgical device to the headpiece. A switch on the hub can be actuated via actuators on the headpiece or connector.

Abstract: A multi-joint fixture including a proximal base unit, one or more arms serially connected by electromagnetically lockable ball joints, and a distal hub. The ball joints unlock when not powered. A centering mechanism biases the ball joints toward a neutral position. A control system activates the electromagnetic brake with a high-then-low voltage profile. A headpiece attaches to the hub and holds a drape that covers the fixture. A connector connects a surgical device to the headpiece. A switch on the hub can be actuated via actuators on the headpiece or connector.

Abstract: A surgical drape with a functional interface for engaging surgical instruments, including a flexible, tube-like sleeve for creating a sterile barrier around a non-sterile holding arm. The drape is open at a proximal end, and has a hub at a distal end for connection to a distal end of the holding arm. The hub has sterile external surfaces that allow surgical instruments to be easily removably attached in a variety of directions and orientations, providing sufficient mechanical strength to transmit forces from the instruments to the holding arm. The hub includes an externally accessible, sterile actuator for actuating an electronic circuit local to the holding arm on the non-sterile side of the barrier.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching a medical device to an OR table rail, including two closable clamp jaws that close to an extreme position that leaves inadequate room for the rail. A handle actuates the jaws apart, and a spring biases them together through a range of jaw positions. A lock member is biased to swing through a range of lock positions in which it progressively engages and locks the jaw mechanism through its range of jaw positions. A pair of bars carries the medical device on the clamp, and allows it to be adjustably positioned with respect to the rail.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching a medical device to an OR table rail, including two closable clamp jaws that close to an extreme position that leaves inadequate room for the rail. A handle actuates the jaws apart, and a spring biases them together through a range of jaw positions. A lock member is biased to swing through a range of lock positions in which it progressively engages and locks the jaw mechanism through its range of jaw positions. A pair of bars carries the medical device on the clamp, and allows it to be adjustably positioned with respect to the rail.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching a medical device to an OR table rail, including two closable clamp jaws that close to an extreme position that leaves inadequate room for the rail. A handle actuates the jaws apart, and a spring biases them together through a range of jaw positions. A lock member is biased to swing through a range of lock positions in which it progressively engages and locks the jaw mechanism through its range of jaw positions. A pair of bars carries the medical device on the clamp, and allows it to be adjustably positioned with respect to the rail.

Abstract: A device for securing a necktie to the front of a wearer's garment comprises a bar, sized to pass through a button hole and be retained behind it; a ring sized to allow the bar to pass therethrough; and a flexible connecting means joining the ring and the bar, the connecting means having a length sufficient to secure the necktie to the garment front, yet allow the secured necktie to move a distance away from the garment front; and the connecting means being of thickness sufficient to allow its passage though the button hole without interfering with the function of the button closure. The device is used in a method of securing the necktie to the garment's front, which comprises passing the ring between the necktie label and the posterior face, and moving the bar through the ring to encircle the label, and inserting the bar through the buttonhole.

Abstract: A hand tool having a handle assembly with a bearing mechanism providing for continual axial loading to be applied while a torque is applied via an attached lever arm. The lever arm is mounted to the handle assembly proximate a junction of the handle assembly and a drive shaft, and is constructed to fold into the handle assembly when not in use. Alternatively, the screwdriver handle grip can freely rotate about the drive shaft as an axial load is applied, and a folding crank is used to drive the shaft. The screwdriver functions traditionally when its lever arm is folded into the handle assembly.

Abstract: A multi-joint fixture including a proximal base unit, one or more arms serially connected by electromagnetically lockable ball joints, and a distal hub. The ball joints unlock when not powered. A centering mechanism biases the ball joints toward a neutral position. A control system activates the electromagnetic brake with a high-then-low voltage profile. A headpiece attaches to the hub and holds a drape that covers the fixture. A connector connects a surgical device to the headpiece. A switch on the hub can be actuated via actuators on the headpiece or connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of the present invention include encapsulating the antibiotic in fine particles of bioabsorbable polymer which will yield a constant dissolution of the antibiotic over a predefined dosing period (such as a 7-10 day period), with residual antibiotic being thereafter delivered only until the bioabsorable polymer is resorbed; and delivering the fine particle powder to the surgical site as an aerosol spray. It is preferable that the antibiotic and the polymer be thermostable so that the exothermic reaction of bone cement does not degrade the polymer or the antibiotic. A suitable antibiotic for this purpose is an aminoglycoside. One apparatus according to the invention include a porous delivery tube which is dimensioned to fit comfortable in a bone canal and which is coupled to a aerosol canister containing the antibiotic powder of the invention.