Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a pair of jaws, at least one electrode supported by one of the pair of jaws, and a sheet of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene positioned in covering relation to at least a portion of the at least one electrode. The sheet may have a porosity of between thirty and ninety percent. The sheet may have a plurality of pores with an average diameter of between 0.2 and 1.0 micrometers.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device includes a pedal assembly, the pedal assembly including at least one pedal member configured to receive a force exerted thereon by a user, the at least one pedal member configured to rotate in an elliptical pedal path when the force is exerted thereon; a drivetrain assembly operatively coupled to the pedal assembly; and a resistance assembly operatively coupled to the drivetrain assembly, the drivetrain assembly configured to transfer the motive power generated by the user from the pedal assembly to the resistance assembly, and the resistance assembly configured to provide a resistance force to oppose a rotational movement of one or more components of the resistance assembly. In some embodiments, the elliptical exercise device is configured to accommodate a user in a generally supine position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a proximal handle portion, an elongated tubular body portion extending distally from the proximal handle portion, and a jaw assembly operatively associated with a distal end of the body portion and including a pair of cooperating jaw members mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position, each jaw member having a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surfaces of the jaw members define a vessel sealing gap therebetween when the jaw members are in the closed position, and wherein the vessel sealing gap has a height that varies along an axial extent of the jaw assembly between a proximal end portion of the jaw assembly and a distal end portion of the jaw assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a first shaft with a tang positioned along an intermediate portion to provide a pivot point that is offset from the longitudinal axis. A second shaft is pivotally coupled to the tang of the first shaft using a slot that accepts the tang of the first shaft. The second shaft is formed from three portions, each of which extends along a different longitudinal axis so that the jaws of the device will be closed when the second shaft abuts a stop of the first shaft.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device includes a pedal assembly, the pedal assembly including at least one pedal member configured to receive a force exerted thereon by a user, the at least one pedal member configured to rotate in an elliptical pedal path when the force is exerted thereon; a drivetrain assembly operatively coupled to the pedal assembly; and a resistance assembly operatively coupled to the drivetrain assembly, the drivetrain assembly configured to transfer the motive power generated by the user from the pedal assembly to the resistance assembly, and the resistance assembly configured to provide a resistance force to oppose a rotational movement of one or more components of the resistance assembly. In some embodiments, the elliptical exercise device is configured to accommodate a user in a generally supine position, and the device is configured to be utilized with a medical imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pumps, particularly a compact, linear, positive displacement pump that can be used in several applications including medical and non-medical devices. In particular, the invention is related to linear, positive displacement compression blood pumps (either intracorporeal or extracorporeal) that provide systemic circulatory stability by maintaining a steady average blood pressure. In some embodiments, the invention relates to perfusion pumps, infusion pumps, pumps used for ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenators) and bioreactor pumps.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil additive into an oil passing through a filter, the method including the steps of: filling a first cavity of an additive cartridge with an additive; locating the additive cartridge within a housing of the filter, the additive cartridge being located within a flow path through the filter, the additive cartridge having a second cavity without any additive disposed therein, the second cavity defining a first fluid path through the additive cartridge and the oil must pass through the second cavity in order to exit the filter; and metering the additive through an opening in the additive cartridge, the opening providing a second fluid path into the additive cartridge.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil additive into an oil passing through a filter, the method comprising: filling a first cavity of an additive cartridge with an additive; locating the additive cartridge within a housing of the filter, the additive cartridge being located within a flow path through the filter, the additive cartridge having a second cavity without any additive disposed therein, the second cavity defining a first fluid path through the additive cartridge and the oil must pass through the second cavity in order to exit the filter; and metering the additive through an opening in the additive cartridge, the opening providing a second fluid path into the additive cartridge.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil additive into an oil passing through a filter, the method comprising: filling a first cavity of an additive cartridge with an additive; locating the additive cartridge within a housing of the filter, the additive cartridge being located within a flow path through the filter, the additive cartridge having a second cavity without any additive disposed therein, the second cavity defining a first fluid path through the additive cartridge and the oil must pass through the second cavity in order to exit the filter; and metering the additive through an opening in the additive cartridge, the opening providing a second fluid path into the additive cartridge.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil additive into an oil passing through a filter, the method comprising: filling a first cavity of an additive cartridge with an additive; locating the additive cartridge within a housing of the filter, the additive cartridge being located within a flow path through the filter, the additive cartridge having a second cavity without any additive disposed therein, the second cavity defining a first fluid path through the additive cartridge and the oil must pass through the second cavity in order to exit the filter; and metering the additive through an opening in the additive cartridge, the opening providing a second fluid path into the additive cartridge.

Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a filter element and an additive cartridge, for gradually dispensing an oil additive over time. The additive cartridge has a beneficial oil-conditioning agent contained therein. Placement of the cartridge allows for fluid filtration through the filter element before fluid communication with the additive of the additive cartridge. An additive dispersing member is also described.

Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a mechanical filter element and a central additive cartridge, for gradually dispensing an oil additive over time. The additive cartridge has a beneficial oil-conditioning agent contained therein. The additive may be provided as a solid block within a storage chamber of the cartridge, or may be a plurality of pellets. Central placement of the cartridge allows for fluid filtration through the mechanical filter element before the additive is added thereto, reducing the likelihood that the additive will be filtered out prematurely upon its initial release. An additive cartridge for installation in an oil filter is also described, including a baffle portion and a storage chamber. Alternative exemplary embodiments of the additive cartridge may include a cylindrical shell, a basket which is operatively attached to an oil filter center tube, or a porous center tube.

Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a filter element and an additive cartridge, for gradually dispensing an oil additive over time. The additive cartridge has a beneficial oil-conditioning agent contained therein. Placement of the cartridge allows for fluid filtration through the filter element before fluid communication with the additive of the additive cartridge. An additive dispersing member is also described.

Abstract: A closed battery container having walls defining an interior which is subjected to one of a first and a second pressure, the first pressure much lower than the second pressure. The closed container includes a highly rigid panel at least partially forming one of the container walls, the panel having an interior surface exposed to the interior of the container, and an opposite, exterior surface. One of the interior and exterior panel surfaces is provided with a groove having substantially parallel first and second groove segments, the first and second groove segments laterally spaced, and a third groove segment extending between the first and second groove segments. The panel has a first portion which lies on one side of the third groove segment, and a second portion which lies on the opposite side of the third groove segment, the first and second panel portions integrally connected across the third groove segment at the first container interior pressure, whereby the panel is in an unruptured state.

Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a mechanical filter element and a central additive cartridge, for gradually dispensing an oil additive over time. The additive cartridge has a beneficial oil-conditioning agent contained therein. The additive may be provided as a solid block within a storage chamber of the cartridge, or may be a plurality of pellets. Central placement of the cartridge allows for fluid filtration through the mechanical filter element before the additive is added thereto, reducing the likelihood that the additive will be filtered out prematurely upon its initial release. An additive cartridge for installation in an oil filter is also described, including a baffle portion and a storage chamber. Alternative exemplary embodiments of the additive cartridge may include a cylindrical shell, a basket which is operatively attached to an oil filter center tube, or a porous center tube.