Abstract: A fragrance system for a room, building or other environment, the system including (a) a stand or other form of base and (b) one or more portable fragrance objects, each portable fragrance object providing a fragrance and configured to rest on the stand or base. The stand or base includes one or more fans or other air movement system arranged to release fragrance from one or more of the fragrance objects.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to coupling a furniture accessory to a furniture apparatus. One embodiment provides a method of electrically coupling at least one electrical contact on a furniture accessory to at least one electrical contact on a furniture apparatus. The method may comprise positioning a portion of an elongate body, coupled to the furniture apparatus, in a space between at least two retaining bodies of a retainer coupled to the furniture accessory such that the at least two retaining bodies contact an exterior surface of the elongate body on at least the portion of the elongate body and retain at least the portion of the elongate body in the space. Positioning the portion of the elongate body in the space may comprise electrically coupling at least one electrical contact of the furniture accessory with at least one electrical contact of the furniture apparatus.

Abstract: A fragrance system for a room, building or other environment, the system including (a) a stand or other form of base and (b) one or more portable fragrance objects, each portable fragrance object providing a fragrance and configured to rest on the stand or base. The stand or base includes one or more fans or other air movement system arranged to release fragrance from one or more of the fragrance objects.

Abstract: Knockdown brackets for use with furniture. An example bracket assembly includes a bracket defining a groove to receive a tongue. A clip including a catch is carried at an end of the bracket. The catch is biased into a movement path of the tongue within the groove. A lever is carried by the clip. The lever is structured to move the catch to a released position in which the catch is out of the movement path of the tongue.

Abstract: A titanium alloy comprising an elevated level of oxygen is disclosed. The alloy may have 5.5 to 6.75 weight percent of aluminum, 3.5 to 4.5 weight percent of vanadium, 0.21 to 0.30 weight percent of oxygen, and up to 0.40% of weight percent of iron. The alloy may also have a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 130,000 psi, a minimum tensile yield strength of 120,000 psi, and a minimum ductility of 10% elongation. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing components having the aforementioned alloy.

Abstract: A retractor having an elongate portion with first and second parts each with adjacent pivotally connected segments pivotable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the second configurations the adjacent segments abut each other to inhibit further movement, at least one of the parts including a control whereby a force required to move the first part from the first configuration towards the second configuration is less than the force required to move the second part from the first configuration towards the second configuration, and an actuator arranged to urge the first and second parts from the first to the second configurations at the same time.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an elongate portion arranged, in use, to be inserted through a restricted opening into a body, the elongate portion being movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration in which two parts of the instrument that are spaced from each other in the first configuration at least partially cross each other in the second configuration.

Abstract: A titanium alloy comprising an elevated level of oxygen is disclosed. The alloy may have 5.5 to 6.75 weight percent of aluminum, 3.5 to 4.5 weight percent of vanadium, 0.21 to 0.30 weight percent of oxygen, and up to 0.40% of weight percent of iron. The alloy may also have a minimum ultimate tensile strength of 130,000 psi, a minimum tensile yield strength of 120,000 psi, and a minimum ductility of 10% elongation. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing components having the aforementioned alloy.

Abstract: A surgical positioning assembly for use with a surgical instrument which has an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis, for example a minimally invasive surgical instrument. The positioning assembly comprises: a base member comprising a skin contact surface, wherein the base member defines an opening for the elongated shaft; a rotating assembly configured to rotate relative to the base member about a rotation point located below the skin contact surface wherein the rotating assembly defines an opening for the elongated shaft; and a locking mechanism for locking the position of the positioning assembly on the elongated shaft and for locking the orientation of the rotating assembly relative to the base member.

Abstract: A handle for a surgical instrument used in keyhole, endoscopic, and laparoscopic surgery, having a pivoting or articulated end portion and a mechanism for indexing the pivoting movement of the end portion. The indexing mechanism allows adjustment of the angle of the end portion for improved control and tactile feedback to the user. The handle also has a mechanism for locking and unlocking movement of the end portion whereby the end portion can be pivoted or articulated to a desired angle and the locking mechanism moved to a position to prevent movement of the end portion, thus holding it at the desired angle to achieve the improved control and tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: A retractor having an elongate portion with first and second parts each with adjacent pivotally connected segments pivotable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the second configurations the adjacent segments abut each other to inhibit further movement, at least one of the parts including a control whereby a force required to move the first part from the first configuration towards the second configuration is less than the force required to move the second part from the first configuration towards the second configuration, and an actuator arranged to urge the first and second parts from the first to the second configurations at the same time.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an elongate portion arranged, in use, to be inserted through a restricted opening into a body, the elongate portion being movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration in which two parts of the instrument that are spaced from each other in the first configuration at least partially cross each other in the second configuration.

Abstract: An instrument including an elongate portion having a first part movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration and a second part, at a different elongate extent along the elongate portion than the first part, movable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration, at least one of the parts including a control whereby a force required to move the first part from the first configuration towards the second configuration is less than the force required to move the second part from the first configuration towards the second configuration. A method of using the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having a first part moveable from a first configuration to a second, different configuration, the instrument including a stiffener extending across the region that the first part is moveable from the first to the second configuration, the stiffener being moveable from a first position in which movement between the first and second configurations is inhibited and a second position in which movement between the first and second configurations is permitted. A method of using an endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing simultaneous use of at least two surgical instruments through a single incision. The apparatus includes a first part having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface engages an incision and holds the incision in an open position. The inner surface defines a passageway through the first part from the proximal to the distal ends. The apparatus also includes a second part attached to the proximal end of the first part for sealing the proximal end of the first part and having at least two ports for receiving a surgical instrument. At least one of the ports includes a ball joint to allow articulation of the port relative to the second part. The ball joint allows the orientation of the port and the surgical instrument within it to be moved easily relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (4), a handle (2) for use with the surgical instrument and a surgical instrument system are described. The surgical instrument and handle comprise complementary features to ensure a secure connection between the instrument and handle. hi one embodiment the instrument comprises an outer shaft (12), an inner shaft (14) and an operative portion. The outer shaft comprises opposed flat surfaces (16) allowing it to be engaged by the handle on the flat surfaces. The inner shaft comprises a latch surface (26) at its proximal end for engaging a latch mechanism in the handle. In other embodiments a radial bore (18) is provided in the outer shaft of the instrument. This can be engaged by an elongated member in the handle.

Abstract: A handle (3) for a surgical instrument, and in particular a handle for use with keyhole surgery, endoscopic and laparoscopic instruments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a handle for a surgical instrument comprising one part with a pivoting or articulated end portion (4b), and a means for indexing the pivoting movement of the end portion. The indexing means allows adjustment of the angle of the end portion together with improved control and tactile feedback to the user. In another aspect, the present invention provides a handle for a surgical instrument comprising one part with a pivoting or articulated end portion, and a means for locking the movement of the end portion. The locking means can be moved between locked and unlocked positions. The end portion can be pivoted or articulated to a desired angle and the locking means moved to a position to prevent movement of the end portion holding it at the desired angle. This improves control and tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus and a method of displaying an image therewith is disclosed. The light emitting apparatus includes a spine and a rib. The rib is attached to the spine and includes a plurality of alternating nodes and connection links. At least one of the connection links is thinner in cross-section than at least one of the nodes. The light emitting apparatus then further includes a connector to attach multiple light emitting apparatuses together. The light emitting apparatus further includes a plurality of pixels, in which the pixels are configured to receive a data signal and power.

Abstract: A light-emitting display driver architecture and a method of supplying power and data thereto are disclosed. The driver architecture includes a wire interface with a host controller electrically connected thereto. Further, first and second pixel nodes are connected to the wire interface in parallel. The first and second pixel nodes each include a communication unit, a control unit, a driver, and a light-emitting element. A data signal and a power signal is then transmitted from the host controller through the wire interface, in which data is extracted from the data signal for the first pixel node based upon a fixed unique ID corresponding to the first pixel node.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus and a method of displaying an image therewith is disclosed. The light emitting apparatus includes a spine and a rib. The rib is attached to the spine and includes a plurality of alternating nodes and connection links. At least one of the connection links is thinner in cross-section than at least one of the nodes. The light emitting apparatus then further includes a connector to attach multiple light emitting apparatuses together. The light emitting apparatus further includes a plurality of pixels, in which the pixels are configured to receive a data signal and power.