Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Abstract: A cooking system for cooking food including a housing having a hollow interior and a cooking container receivable within said hollow interior. The cooking container has an upper end and a feature formed at the upper end. At least one heating element is associated with the feature and a fluid source is arranged to deliver fluid to said feature.

Abstract: A clamp for a surgical retractor system. The clamp has a tapered conically shaped washer against and through which clamping force is applied to place the clamp in a clamped position. The clamping force is applied by a cam head connected to a central shaft. A locking pin connects the cam head to the shaft. Apertures are provided in the clamp for receiving rod ends of a surgical retractor. Such apertures are circular and are positioned to be closer to the top and bottom edges of the clamp portion of the clamp than to the end edge of the clamp portion.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: In an aspect, data characterizing a plurality of measurements of a rate of energy supplied to an igniter of a smoke unit and of a temperature of a region proximate the igniter, acquired during a predetermined period of time of igniter activation, can be received. A maximum time of igniter activation can be determined based on an average rate of energy supplied to the igniter and an average temperature of the region proximate the igniter. Whether a total length of time, during which the igniter is activated and during a subsequent period of time, exceeds the maximum time of activation can be determined, and the igniter can be deactivated in response to determining that the total length of the time exceeds the determined maximum time of activation.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior and a container disposable within the hollow interior and including a bottom surface. The container defines a container cavity for receiving food to be cooked. A support body is positionable within the hollow interior to support food. The support body is disposable within the container cavity. The container cavity includes a clearance area between a bottom of the support body and the bottom surface of the container. A heating element operably coupled to the support body.

Abstract: In an aspect, data characterizing an instruction for an activation of an igniter and an operating mode of a smoke generator that includes the igniter can be received. A first amount of energy required for an ignition of a fuel source by the igniter can be determined based on the operating mode characterized by the received data. The igniter can be caused to activate based on the received data. A second amount of energy, output by the igniter over a period of time during which the igniter is activated, can be determined. A determination of whether the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy can be made. The igniter can be caused to deactivate in response to a determination that the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy. Related systems, apparatus, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Cooking devices, cooking systems, and smoke assemblies for use therewith are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking system is provided and includes a housing and a smoke assembly. The housing can have a lower base portion and an upper lid portion that together define a hollow cooking chamber. The smoke assembly can be coupled to the upper lid portion, and can be in fluid communication with the hollow cooking chamber. The smoke assembly can generate smoke during cooking operations in order to impart smoke flavor onto a food product disposed within the hollow cooking chamber.

Abstract: Cooking devices, cooking systems, and smoke assemblies for use therewith are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking system is provided and includes a housing and a smoke assembly. The housing can have a lower base portion and an upper lid portion that together define a hollow cooking chamber. The smoke assembly can be coupled to the upper lid portion, and can be in fluid communication with the hollow cooking chamber. The smoke assembly can generate smoke during cooking operations in order to impart smoke flavor onto a food product disposed within the hollow cooking chamber.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior and food is receivable within said hollow interior. A heating element is associated with the housing and a support body supports food within the hollow interior. The support body includes a body having a plurality of diffuser ribs. A plurality of channels is formed between the plurality of diffuser rib and at least one of the plurality of diffuser ribs and the plurality of channels is operable to deflect a relatively downward flowing fluid relatively horizontally across said support body.

Abstract: A cooking system including a housing having a hollow interior and food being receivable within said hollow interior. A support body supports food within the hollow interior and a heating element is positioned to heat the hollow interior and the support body. A temperature sensor is operable to monitor a temperature of the support body. The temperature sensor is located remotely from said heating element.

Abstract: In an aspect, data characterizing an instruction for an activation of an igniter and an operating mode of a smoke generator that includes the igniter can be received. A first amount of energy required for an ignition of a fuel source by the igniter can be determined based on the operating mode characterized by the received data. The igniter can be caused to activate based on the received data. A second amount of energy, output by the igniter over a period of time during which the igniter is activated, can be determined. A determination of whether the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy can be made. The igniter can be caused to deactivate in response to a determination that the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy. Related systems, apparatus, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food, a controller configured to operate the cooking system in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, a first temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the conductive cooking mode, and a second temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the convective cooking mode. The controller is configured to receive an initial user input that initiates at least one of the conductive cooking mode and the convective cooking mode and switch between operation of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor following the initial user input and without further user input.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: A surgical adaptor comprises a first member is attachable to a first surgical instrument having a projection that defines an axis, A second member is attachable to a second surgical instrument such that the second surgical instrument is movable in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the axis. Surgical systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A side-load connector comprises a housing, a port into which an attachment post of a retractor blade is loaded, a sidewall opening, a retaining fork between a housing upper surface and a housing lower surface, and a slider. The port passes through the housing upper surface and the housing lower surface. The sidewall opening passes through a housing sidewall and permits lateral passage of the attachment post through the housing sidewall to the port. The retaining fork includes a front tine and a back tine. The slider is coupled to the retaining fork and configured to slide the retaining fork between a closed position in which the front tine and the back tine engage the loaded attachment post and an opened position in which the front tine does not engage the loaded attachment post.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.