Abstract: A tissue stabilizer including an elongated arm, a collet, and a head-link assembly. The collet is disposed at a distal end of the arm. The head-link assembly includes a tube and a spreading mechanism. The tube forms an intermediate section and opposing arms each terminating at a tip. The spreading mechanism can adjust a lateral distance between the tips, and includes first and second articulating members each having a leg and a collet interface body. The first member further includes a female hinge feature, whereas the second member includes a male hinge feature differing from the female hinge feature. The legs of are mounted to discrete regions of the tube, and the male hinge feature is pivotably coupled to the female hinge feature. Automatic spreading of a lateral distance between the tips occurs in response to a compressive force applied to the collet interface bodies.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: A tissue stabilizer including an elongated arm, a collet, and a head-link assembly. The collet is disposed at a distal end of the arm. The head-link assembly includes a tube and a spreading mechanism. The tube forms an intermediate section and opposing arms each terminating at a tip. The spreading mechanism can adjust a lateral distance between the tips, and includes first and second articulating members each having a leg and a collet interface body. The first member further includes a female hinge feature, whereas the second member includes a male hinge feature differing from the female hinge feature. The legs of are mounted to discrete regions of the tube, and the male hinge feature is pivotably coupled to the female hinge feature. Automatic spreading of a lateral distance between the tips occurs in response to a compressive force applied to the collet interface bodies.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method and a controller for a DC-DC converter, such as a synchronous Buck converter, which exploits the principle of capacitor charge balance to allow the converter to recover from a positive and/or negative load current step in the shortest achievable time, with the lowest possible voltage undershoot/overshoot. The control method may be implemented by either an analog or a digital circuit. The controller may be integrated with existing controller schemes (such as voltage-mode controllers) to provide superior dynamic performance during large-signal transient conditions while providing stable operation during steady state conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.

Abstract: An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.

Abstract: An endostapler delivery system includes a biasing mechanism to offset or counter forces generated by a stapling device and therefore prevent the stapling device from moving during the firing of the staple. The delivery system includes a catheter having at least one lumen extending there through for receiving the stapling device. The biasing mechanism is an expandable biasing cage having a dome or semi-circular expanded shape provided at the distal portion of the catheter. When expanded, the biasing cage does not block or occlude a vessel, thereby allowing blood flow to continue during the stapling procedure. The biasing cage may include a plurality of ribbons or strands that extend generally parallel to the blood flow when expanded in situ, a mesh or braided structure, or a plurality of ribbons or strands that extend generally parallel to the blood flow when expanded in situ and a mesh or braided structure placed over the plurality of ribbons.

Abstract: An endostapler delivery system includes a biasing mechanism to offset or counter forces generated by a stapling device and therefore prevent the stapling device from moving during the firing of the staple. The delivery system includes a catheter having at least one lumen extending there through for receiving the stapling device. The biasing mechanism is an expandable biasing cage having a dome or semi-circular expanded shape provided at the distal portion of the catheter. When expanded, the biasing cage does not block or occlude a vessel, thereby allowing blood flow to continue during the stapling procedure. The endostapler delivery system further includes a steering wire that can be used to bend the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A surgical fastener clip for proximating tissue, the clip providing an undeflected state in which the clip comprises a center portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The center portion has a perimeter defining a circle-like shape. The legs project outwardly relative to the perimeter from a point of departure to a tip. Extension of each of the legs relative to the perimeter defines an identical wind direction that is either clockwise or counterclockwise. The clip optionally includes a linear cross-member extending across the perimeter. The surgical clip can be formed by a wire that is partially wound onto itself in a spiral-like fashion, with the center portion and the legs being co-planar in the undeflected state. During use, the clip is rotated, drawing tissue into the center portion. Systems incorporating the clip are also provided.

Abstract: Delayed resistance nasal devices include an airflow resistor that is configured to normally have a higher resistance to exhalation than inhalation, but the higher resistance to exhalation may be suspended, or delayed by activation of an airflow resistor bypass. Activation of an airflow resistor bypass bypasses or decreases the effect of the airflow resistor on nasal airflow through the nasal device, decreasing the resistance to exhalation. Methods of decreasing, suspending, or delaying the onset of the inhibition of the exhalation through such nasal respiratory devices are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium vanadium phosphate material comprising mixing water, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, V2O3 and a source of carbon to produce a first slurry; wet blending the first slurry; spray drying the wet blended slurry to form a precursor composition; milling the precursor composition to obtain a milled precursor composition; compacting the milled precursor to obtain a compacted precursor; pre-baking the compacted precursor composition to obtain a precursor composition with low moisture content; and calcining the precursor composition with low moisture content at a time and temperature sufficient to produce a lithium vanadium phosphate. The lithium vanadium phosphate so produced can optionally be further milled to obtain the desired particle size. The electrochemically active lithium vanadium phosphate so produced is useful in making electrodes and batteries and more specifically is useful in producing cathode materials for electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method and a controller for a DC-DC converter, such as a synchronous Buck converter, which exploits the principle of capacitor charge balance to allow the converter to recover from a positive and/or negative load current step in the shortest achievable time, with the lowest possible voltage undershoot/overshoot. The control method may be implemented by either an analog or a digital circuit. The controller may be integrated with existing controller schemes (such as voltage-mode controllers) to provide superior dynamic performance during large-signal transient conditions while providing stable operation during steady state conditions.

Abstract: A surgical connection apparatus including a plurality of delivery assemblies, a housing assembly, and a drive mechanism. The delivery assemblies each include an outer member, an inner member, and optionally a retention member. The inner member is disposed within the outer member, terminates at a distal tip and forms an internal passage that is open at a window. The delivery assemblies releasably retain a self-closing clip. The housing assembly maintains the delivery assemblies in a generally circular arrangement. The drive mechanism operates to transition the delivery assembly in releasing a self-closing clip from the corresponding delivery assembly. With this construction, a plurality of self-closing clips can be simultaneously deployed in a manner effectuating, for example, an end-to-side anastomosis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel tensioning handle and method of placing tension on a section of a vessel being harvested. The handle can include a housing, a bobbin assembly, a vessel tensioning tape, and a tensioning device member. The tensioning device member can be coupled to a cannula that is coupled to the vessel. The method can include using the vessel tensioning tape to place tension on the section of the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel.