Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft, a sleeve, a suture, and a cartridge. The sleeve is disposed about the shaft and defines first and second sleeve arms movable between a retracted position, wherein the sleeve arms extend along the shaft, and a deployed position, wherein the sleeve arms extend outwardly from the shaft. The cartridge includes a base and first and second cartridge arms. The base is configured for releasable coupling with the shaft and defining a pocket configured to retain an intermediate portion of the suture. The first and second cartridge arms are configured for positioning adjacent the respective first and second sleeve arms and are configured to move in conjunction with the respective first and second sleeve arms between the retracted and deployed positions. The first and second cartridge arms are configured to retain first and second ends of the suture, respectively.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a primary ejector, and an auxiliary ejector. The chassis includes a frame and a cab disposed at one end of the frame. The body includes a hopper portion and a storage portion. The width of the storage portion is greater than the width of the hopper portion. The auxiliary ejector has a width equal to the difference between the width of the storage portion and the width of the hopper portion. The primary ejector is selectively repositionable within the hopper portion and the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein or eject refuse therefrom. The auxiliary ejector is selectively repositionable within the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein and eject refuse therefrom in tandem with the primary ejector.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval pouch (pouch) is provided. The pouch including a closed bottom portion, an open upper portion and an elongated tube operably coupled to an interior wall of the pouch. The elongated tube has a plurality of openings positioned along a length thereof. A suture accessible at a proximal end of the pouch is positioned within the elongated tube and extends past a distal end thereof. The suture is movable within the elongated tube and relative to the pouch. The suture has either a needle or a loop at a distal end thereof for attaching to tissue and subsequently drawing the tissue into the pouch when the suture is pulled. One or more reinforced tabs are operably disposed on the pouch. The reinforced tab(s) is/are configured to be grasped by a user to provide a counter pull force as the suture is being pulled through the elongated tube.

Abstract: A surgical access port and method for achieving triangulation is disclosed, the surgical access port comprising a housing and an articulation structure. The housing is comprised of a cylindrical member having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis. The articulation structure is comprised of at least two lumens, each of the at least two tubular members disposed in a respective lumen, at least two rotating members disposed along each of the at least two tubular members, an actuating member, and a rigid member connecting each rotating member to each tubular member. The tubular members are configured to receive instruments for use in minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical obturator includes providing an injection mold including a mold cavity defining an outer surface of the optical obturator and a core pin centrally positioned within the mold cavity. The core pin defines an inner surface of the optical obturator. In particular, the core pin may be cantilevered to the injection mold. The method further includes injecting a first material between the core pin and the mold cavity to form the tubular shaft and injecting a second material between a distal portion of the core pin and a distal portion of the mold cavity to form the optical tip.

Abstract: A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.

Abstract: A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for inhibiting the Pin1 protein, and the treatment of disorders characterized by elevated Pin1 levels.

Abstract: A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft, a sleeve, a suture, and a cartridge. The sleeve is disposed about the shaft and defines first and second sleeve arms movable between a retracted position, wherein the sleeve arms extend along the shaft, and a deployed position, wherein the sleeve arms extend outwardly from the shaft. The cartridge includes a base and first and second cartridge arms. The base is configured for releasable coupling with the shaft and defining a pocket configured to retain an intermediate portion of the suture. The first and second cartridge arms are configured for positioning adjacent the respective first and second sleeve arms and are configured to move in conjunction with the respective first and second sleeve arms between the retracted and deployed positions. The first and second cartridge arms are configured to retain first and second ends of the suture, respectively.

Abstract: A wound closure system includes a suture member and a suture grasper. The suture member includes a suture and a retention member engaged to an end of the suture. The retention member is at least partially flexible and defines a central opening. The suture grasper includes a needle defining a distal portion configured for insertion through the central opening of the retention member to retrieve the retention member from an internal surgical site. The distal portion of the needle defines a distally-facing feature configured to at least partially flex the retention member upon insertion of the distal portion into the central opening to permit passage of the distal portion therethrough and a proximally-facing feature configured to inhibit proximal withdrawal of the distal portion through the central opening of the retention member.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval pouch (pouch) is provided. The pouch including a closed bottom portion, an open upper portion and an elongated tube operably coupled to an interior wall of the pouch. The elongated tube has a plurality of openings positioned along a length thereof. A suture accessible at a proximal end of the pouch is positioned within the elongated tube and extends past a distal end thereof. The suture is movable within the elongated tube and relative to the pouch. The suture has either a needle or a loop at a distal end thereof for attaching to tissue and subsequently drawing the tissue into the pouch when the suture is pulled. One or more reinforced tabs are operably disposed on the pouch. The reinforced tab(s) is/are configured to be grasped by a user to provide a counter pull force as the suture is being pulled through the elongated tube.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval pouch (pouch) is provided. The pouch including a closed bottom portion, an open upper portion and an elongated tube operably coupled to an interior wall of the pouch. The elongated tube has a plurality of openings positioned along a length thereof. A suture accessible at a proximal end of the pouch is positioned within the elongated tube and extends past a distal end thereof. The suture is movable within the elongated tube and relative to the pouch. The suture has either a needle or a loop at a distal end thereof for attaching to tissue and subsequently drawing the tissue into the pouch when the suture is pulled. One or more reinforced tabs are operably disposed on the pouch. The reinforced tab(s) is/are configured to be grasped by a user to provide a counter pull force as the suture is being pulled through the elongated tube.

Abstract: A method of tracking the location of a hernia defect is disclosed, the method including providing a display device, a camera adapted to transmit an image to the display device, a marking surface disposed on the display device and a marker adapted to alter the marking surface when applied to the marking surface. The method includes receiving an image of a hernia defect from the camera and displaying the received image on the display device and marking the shape and position of the hernia defect on the marking surface by applying the marker to the marking surface. Alternatively the display device may be marked by executing by the processor a computer program to mark the shape and position of the hernia defect on the display device.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval pouch (pouch) is provided. The pouch including a closed bottom portion, an open upper portion and an elongated tube operably coupled to an interior wall of the pouch. The elongated tube has a plurality of openings positioned along a length thereof. A suture accessible at a proximal end of the pouch is positioned within the elongated tube and extends past a distal end thereof. The suture is movable within the elongated tube and relative to the pouch. The suture has either a needle or a loop at a distal end thereof for attaching to tissue and subsequently drawing the tissue into the pouch when the suture is pulled. One or more reinforced tabs are operably disposed on the pouch. The reinforced tab(s) is/are configured to be grasped by a user to provide a counter pull force as the suture is being pulled through the elongated tube.

Abstract: A surgical access port and method for achieving triangulation is disclosed, the surgical access port comprising a housing and an articulation structure. The housing is comprised of a cylindrical member having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis. The articulation structure is comprised of at least two lumens, each of the at least two tubular members disposed in a respective lumen, at least two rotating members disposed along each of the at least two tubular members, an actuating member, and a rigid member connecting each rotating member to each tubular member. The tubular members are configured to receive instruments for use in minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided including a reusable handle assembly having a controller and a reusable cannula assembly configured to be operatively connected to and steerable by the reusable handle assembly. The surgical system also includes a rail mechanism configured to cooperate with a port inserted through an incision, the rail mechanism mechanically attached to a stable platform. A plurality of surgical instruments are configured to be inserted through the reusable handle assembly and configured to advance a length of the reusable cannula assembly, such that the plurality of surgical instruments are engaged with at least one trigger mechanism of the reusable handle assembly. The handle assembly, the cannula assembly, and the plurality of surgical instruments are modular components configured to be releasably coupled to each other. The reusable cannula assembly slidably engages the rail mechanism to extend through the port and into the incision.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided including a reusable handle assembly having a controller and a reusable cannula assembly configured to be operatively connected to and steerable by the reusable handle assembly. Additionally, the surgical system includes a plurality of surgical instruments configured to be inserted through the reusable handle assembly and configured to advance a length of the reusable cannula assembly, such that the plurality of surgical instruments are engaged with at least one trigger mechanism of the reusable handle assembly. The handle assembly, the cannula assembly, and the plurality of surgical instruments are modular components configured to be releasably or removably coupled or interconnected to each other.