Abstract: A surgical fastener for securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes a first leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first insertion tip at the distal end of the first leg, and a second leg including a distal end, a proximal end, and a second insertion tip at the distal end of the second leg. A bridge connects the proximal ends of the first and second legs for forming a closed end of the surgical fastener. The first insertion tip has a first insertion tool seating surface, and the second insertion tip has a second insertion tool seating surface. The first insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the first leg than the proximal end of the first leg, and the second insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the second leg than the proximal end of the second leg. The first and second legs extend along respective longitudinal axes, and the first and second insertion tips are skewed outwardly relative to the respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A firing system for an applicator instrument adapted to dispense surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed within the elongated shaft, a firing rod release engageable with the firing rod for preventing distal movement of the firing rod during at least one stage of a firing cycle, a trigger mounted to the housing, and a firing spring having a first end connected with the firing rod and a second end adapted for being sequentially coupled and decoupled from the trigger during the firing cycle. The firing cycle includes an initial stage in which the trigger is open and decoupled from the energy storing element, and the firing spring is at least partially compressed, and a piloting stage during which the firing rod release is disengaged from the firing rod for enabling distal movement of the firing rod.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal end coupled with the housing and a distal end remote therefrom, and a firing system for dispensing surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. The firing system includes a firing rod disposed in the elongated shaft, the firing system having a firing cycle with a first stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a first rate of speed and a second stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a second rate of speed that is greater than the first rate of speed.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed inside the elongated shaft and being movable within a first plane between a retracted position and an extended position, an advancer disposed inside the elongated shaft and being moveable within a second plane between a retracted position and an extended position, and a staging assembly located adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and being adapted to align surgical fasteners with a distal end of the firing rod. The staging assembly is held below the second plane by the advancer when the advancer is in the extended position and the staging assembly is adapted to move into at least partial alignment with the distal end of the firing rod when the advancer is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A device for treating a target, such as cleaning a window. The device has a handle and head, mounted in pivotal relationship to each other. When the head is placed in sliding, contacting relationship with the target surface the handle can pivot relative to the head for the ergonomic convenience of the user.

Abstract: A device for treating a target, such as cleaning a window. The device has a handle and head, mounted in pivotal relationship to each other. When the head is placed in sliding, contacting relationship with the target surface the handle can pivot relative to the head for the ergonomic convenience of the user.

Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic to a targeted location within a body. More particularly, methods and devices are provided for controlling the rate of passage of an orally administered pill through a body, as well as for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic within the pill at a specific location within the body. Various types of devices, generally referred to herein as “catchers,” are provided that can actively catch a pill as it passes through a body. The catcher can hold the pill at a specific location within the body until a predetermined event occurs, such as partial or complete administration of a therapeutic within the pill. The catcher can then release the pill upon command and/or upon the occurrence of the predetermined event to allow the pill to pass out of the body. In other embodiments, various types of pills are provided that can actively engage a catcher and remain engaged with the catcher until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal end coupled with the housing and a distal end remote therefrom, and a firing system for dispensing surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. The firing system includes a firing rod disposed in the elongated shaft, the firing system having a firing cycle with a first stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a first rate of speed and a second stage for advancing the firing rod toward the distal end of the elongated shaft at a second rate of speed that is greater than the first rate of speed.

Abstract: A firing system for an applicator instrument adapted to dispense surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed within the elongated shaft, a firing rod release engageable with the firing rod for preventing distal movement of the firing rod during at least one stage of a firing cycle, a trigger mounted to the housing, and a firing spring having a first end connected with the firing rod and a second end adapted for being sequentially coupled and decoupled from the trigger during the firing cycle. The firing cycle includes an initial stage in which the trigger is open and decoupled from the energy storing element, and the firing spring is at least partially compressed, and a piloting stage during which the firing rod release is disengaged from the firing rod for enabling distal movement of the firing rod.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing rod disposed inside the elongated shaft and being movable within a first plane between a retracted position and an extended position, an advancer disposed inside the elongated shaft and being moveable within a second plane between a retracted position and an extended position, and a staging assembly located adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and being adapted to align surgical fasteners with a distal end of the firing rod. The staging assembly is held below the second plane by the advancer when the advancer is in the extended position and the staging assembly is adapted to move into at least partial alignment with the distal end of the firing rod when the advancer is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for securing a prosthetic device to tissue includes a first leg having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first insertion tip at the distal end of the first leg, and a second leg including a distal end, a proximal end, and a second insertion tip at the distal end of the second leg. A bridge connects the proximal ends of the first and second legs for forming a closed end of the surgical fastener. The first insertion tip has a first insertion tool seating surface, and the second insertion tip has a second insertion tool seating surface. The first insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the first leg than the proximal end of the first leg, and the second insertion tool seating surface is closer to the distal end of the second leg than the proximal end of the second leg. The first and second legs extend along respective longitudinal axes, and the first and second insertion tips are skewed outwardly relative to the respective longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A product shelf unit specially adapted for yogurt cups and the like, includes a metal base bracket that attaches to a horizontal rectangular bar. A plastic tray is slidably received on the base bracket which has two elongated walls which slide within the hollow interior of elongated walls in the tray. The base bracket includes lateral projections that engage stop members in the tray which keep the tray in a rearward position. The front end of the tray is lifted up, allowing it to slide forwardly for restocking.

Abstract: A product shelf unit specially adapted for yogurt cups and the like, includes a metal base bracket that attaches to a horizontal rectangular bar. A plastic tray is slidably received on the base bracket which has two elongated walls which slide within the hollow interior of elongated walls in the tray. The base bracket includes lateral projections that engage stop members in the tray which keep the tray in a rearward position. The front end of the tray is lifted up, allowing it to slide forwardly for restocking.

Abstract: A method for processing dealership vehicle information is provided, including the step of receiving and storing in one step vehicle data for a dealership. A method is also provided for determining adjusted gross profit on a vehicle based on interest assistance variables.

Abstract: A unique data label is affixed to each tracked asset and a unique data label for each location in the enterprise, both real and virtual locations. Location history data of the asset is related to other asset data in a relational data base. Assets typically include system components down to the least repairable/replaceable unit (LRU). The data label, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is a code label using a code that ensures each label is unique to the asset or location to which it is attached. Here the word location is an inclusive term. It includes the geographical location and the identity of the building in which the asset is housed. Location also includes the identity of the system of which a component is a part and, if relevant, location within the system. It includes also any real or virtual location of interest for subsequent analysis and is ultimately defined by the nature of the system being tracked.

Abstract: An anti-theft locking device for the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle has rigid flat upper and lower plates, a rectangular lockbox open at both a front end and a front portion of its top and having a first pair of opposing inside ledges to receive the lower plate, and a shorter handled box that can fit into the lockbox and is open at a rear end but has a front end wall that includes an opening for the pedal arm. The handled box has a second pair of opposing inside ledges to receive the upper plate. After the plates are inserted into the lockbox and the handled box, the device is positioned around the pedal with the pedal spaced between the lower and upper plates and the pedal arm extending out of the front end of the lockbox. The handled box, perched above the lockbox in an open position, is then lowered into a closed position until the upper plate presses against the top of the pedal and the handled box is subsumed within the lockbox.

Abstract: A resilient clip assembly for securing paired wires is formed by a plurality of similarly oriented U-shaped clips that are held together by a pair of parallel, spaced filaments which are secured to a top crown surface of each clip through a tongue member. The filament is elastically deformable such that each filament is compressed and retained within an opening after the tongue is depressed downwardly onto the filament, thus preventing the filament from extracting itself from the clip. No part of the filament or tongue extends into the wire-receiving cavity of the clip.