Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression ace, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.

Abstract: A surgical compression gauge instrument comprising a compression gauge jaw member and an anvil jaw member for measuring a reactionary force from tissue captured and compressed to a predetermined gap distance between the two jaw members is disclosed herein. The compression gauge jaw member comprises a force gauge assembly for measuring the tissue reactionary force, and a spacer assembly for holding the two jaw members at a predetermined gap distance, which comprises an adjustable spacer member and a stopper for providing a positive stop to the adjustable spacer member. The spacer assembly is configured to selectively adjust the gap distance between the two jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical compression gauge instrument comprising a compression gauge jaw member and an anvil jaw member for measuring a reactionary force from tissue captured and compressed to a predetermined gap distance between the two jaw members is disclosed herein. The compression gauge jaw member comprises a force gauge assembly for measuring the tissue reactionary force, and a gap sensor for generating an electrical signal indicative of the gap distance between the two jaw members.

Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge jaw member of a surgical compression gauge instrument to compress tissue to a predetermined thickness and measure reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body configured to be releasably mounted in the cartridge jaw member; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head supported by the cartridge jaw member. The compression head is configured and disposed to be able to transfer the reactionary load from tissue to the force transducer, and a spacer member disposed between the two jaw members comprising the end effector of the surgical compression gauge instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing a mechanical property of tissue under compression is disclosed herein comprising a handle; an elongated shaft distally disposed to the handle; an end effector distally disposed to the elongated shaft and comprising a first and a second jaw member pivotally engaged with each other to open and close when operated by the handle; a force gauge assembly comprising a compression head and a force transducer; an adjustable spacer assembly disposed on the first jaw member proximally to the force gauge assembly and comprising an adjustable spacer member and a spacer base; a control mechanism supported by the elongated shaft and disposed adjacent to the handle for producing an actuation force for controlling the adjustable spacer assembly; and at least one control link operably coupled with the control mechanism and the spacer base, and configured to transmit the actuation force.

Abstract: A surgical brace device for use in a surgical procedure including surgical stapling operations on bodily organ to protect the stapled tissue against damaging effects of physiological motion of the organ is disclosed herein. The surgical brace device comprises a pair of splint members of a predetermined rigidity profile, configured to be disposed on either side of the stapled tissue and dimensioned to span at least a portion of the width thereof; a strut member fixedly joined with the pair of splint members at one ends thereof; and a tie member configured to traverse the tissue of the organ disposed at a predetermined distance from the plurality of strut members to interconnect the pair of splint members and anchor the surgical brace device thereto.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for assessing a mechanical property of tissue under compression is disclosed herein comprising a handle; an elongated shaft distally disposed to the handle; an end effector distally disposed to the elongated shaft and comprising a first and a second jaw member pivotally engaged with each other to open and close when operated by the handle; a force gauge assembly comprising a compression head and a force transducer; an adjustable spacer assembly disposed on the first jaw member proximally to the force gauge assembly and comprising an adjustable spacer member and a spacer base; a control mechanism supported by the elongated shaft and disposed adjacent to the handle for producing an actuation force for controlling the adjustable spacer assembly; and at least one control link operably coupled with the control mechanism and the spacer base, and configured to transmit the actuation force.

Abstract: A surgical compression gauge instrument comprising a compression gauge jaw member and an anvil jaw member for measuring a reactionary force from tissue captured and compressed to a predetermined gap distance between the two jaw members is disclosed herein. The compression gauge jaw member comprises a force gauge assembly for measuring the tissue reactionary force, and a gap sensor for generating an electrical signal indicative of the gap distance between the two jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical compression gauge instrument comprising a compression gauge jaw member and an anvil jaw member for measuring a reactionary force from tissue captured and compressed to a predetermined gap distance between the two jaw members is disclosed herein. The compression gauge jaw member comprises a force gauge assembly for measuring the tissue reactionary force, and a spacer assembly for holding the two jaw members at a predetermined gap distance, which comprises an adjustable spacer member and a stopper for providing a positive stop to the adjustable spacer member. The spacer assembly is configured to selectively adjust the gap distance between the two jaw members.

Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression ace, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.

Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member comprising an end effector of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue supporting surface, wherein the cartridge body is configured to be releasably mounted in the cartridge bay; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression face, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body positioned between the proximal end and the distal end thereof, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, where

Abstract: A surgical brace device for use in a surgical procedure including surgical stapling operations on bodily organ to protect the stapled tissue against damaging effects of physiological motion of the organ is disclosed herein. The surgical brace device comprises a pair of splint members of a predetermined rigidity profile, configured to be disposed on either side of the stapled tissue and dimensioned to span at least a portion of the width thereof; a strut member fixedly joined with the pair of splint members at one ends thereof; and a tie member configured to traverse the tissue of the organ disposed at a predetermined distance from the plurality of strut members to interconnect the pair of splint members and anchor the surgical brace device thereto.

Abstract: A surgical brace device for use in a surgical procedure including surgical stapling operations on bodily organ to protect the stapled tissue against damaging effects of physiological motion of the organ is disclosed herein. The surgical brace device comprises a pair of splint members of a predetermined rigidity profile, configured to be disposed on either side of the stapled tissue and dimensioned to span at least a portion of the width thereof; a strut member fixedly joined with the pair of splint members at one ends thereof; and a tie member configured to traverse the tissue of the organ disposed at a predetermined distance from the plurality of strut members to interconnect the pair of splint members and anchor the surgical brace device thereto.

Abstract: A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member comprising an end effector of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue supporting surface, wherein the cartridge body is configured to be releasably mounted in the cartridge bay; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression face, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body positioned between the proximal end and the distal end thereof, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, where

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a surgical brace device for deployment across a line of stapled tissue of an organ comprises: a first splint member and a second splint member having a first end and a second end, and configured to be disposed on either side of the surgically stapled tissue; at least one strut member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of the strut member is fixedly joined with said first end of said first splint member and said second end of the strut member is fixedly joined with said first end of said second splint member and wherein said first splint member and said second splint member is dimensioned to span at least a portion of the width of said line of stapled tissue and a predetermined portion of said undisturbed tissue of said organ adjacent thereto; and a tie member configured to traverse the tissue of said organ disposed at a predetermined distance from said at least one strut member to interconnect and keep said first splint member and sa

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument with an auxiliary tissue compression means for stapling a tissue with a plurality of staples comprises; a handle, an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end extending therefrom, operatively coupled to said handle, and an elongate end effector having a proximal end attached to said distal end of said shaft, a distal end extending therefrom; said end effector comprising a first jaw member having an anvil thereon and a second jaw member, opposing said first jaw member, having a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples therein and a cartridge bay configured to releasably receive said staple cartridge, and a compression bladder disposed between cartridge bay and said staple cartridge or driving at least a portion of said staple cartridge toward said first jaw member; said jaw members movable with respect to each other from an open position, wherein said jaw members are spaced apart, to a closed position wherein said jaw members are in close approximation to one an

Abstract: A method for positron emission imaging is described. A portion of an imaging subject containing a radiopharmaceutical labeled with positron emitting radionuclide is disposed between and in close proximity with a pair of gamma detectors in opposing positional relationship. Pairs of coincidence gamma rays emitted from positron annihilation events are recorded by the pair of gamma detectors. The gamma detectors are scanned over and across an area of interest of the imaging subject while their position information is recorded. The recorded gamma ray events at each scan interval are used to represent two dimensional image of positron emitting radionuclide distribution within the imaging subject.

Abstract: An inflatable artificial muscle for manipulating a flexible elongated instrument such as a medical endoscope that advantageously utilizes fluid pressure to facilitate insertion into a tortuous passage and maneuver of the instrument is described herein. The inflatable artificial muscle comprises a hollow cylinder-like bladder with a lumen or a plurality of such bladders joined end to end for receiving an elongated instrument. The bladder volume is divided into a plurality of chambers of varying configurations, which are in fluid communications with one another. There is provided a plurality of supply tubes for supplying and evacuating a pressurizing fluid to and from the bladder. The inflatable artificial muscle is activated by inflating the bladder with a pressurizing fluid to a predetermined internal pressure. The artificial muscle of the present invention is capable of straightening a portion of an elongated instrument in a bent configuration, which is enclosed within the lumen thereof.

Abstract: An inflatable actuation device that advantageously utilizes fluid pressure to actuate a portion of the shaft of a flexible elongated instrument for performing medical and industrial procedure in a tortuous passage and method of use are described herein. The inflatable actuation device allows an operator to actively manipulate a portion of the elongated instrument shaft within the passage, which facilitate the insertion of the instrument, for example, a medical endoscope into the passage. The present inflatable actuation device comprises an annular bladder, which can be expanded and collapsed, with a lumen to receive the elongated instrument. The inflatable actuation device is activated by inflating the annular bladder with pressurizing fluid supplied from a pressurizing fluid supply controller outside the passage.

Abstract: An actuation device for an endoscope, the actuation device includes a tubular sheath configured to be provided around a shaft of the endoscope. An actuation bladder that is configured to be inflated and collapsed is provided between the tubular sheath and the shaft of the endoscope. The actuation device is configured to receive and manipulate the shaft of the endoscope.