Abstract: A scrub body, a scrub anchoring system, and a method for securing and releasing a tube coupler into and from a scrub body are provided. The scrub body can comprise two portions, or regions, within a single, unibody sponge-like material or as two similar or dissimilar layers within the sponge-like material. The scrub body includes an anchoring pocket extending into the scrub body between the portions, regions or layers, to accommodate a tube coupler releasably secured inside the anchoring pocket. The scrub body with anchoring pocket can be discarded when worn out while the more expensive tube coupler can be readily removed from the anchoring pocket and re-inserted into a new scrub body to provide the same low-flow liquid releasing tube into a new scrub body.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a robotic surgical instrument includes a plurality of rotatable but longitudinally fixed lead screws extending between first and second base plates, a collar threaded about each lead screws and configured to translate therealong in response to rotation of the corresponding lead screw, an articulation cable coupled to each collar and defining or having a threaded shaft, and a threaded nipple threaded about each of the threaded shafts. Each threaded nipple is engaged with one of the collars to thereby engage each of the articulation cables with a corresponding one of the collars such that longitudinal translation of the corresponding collar pushes or pulls the corresponding articulation cable. Each threaded nipple is configured for further threading or unthreading about the corresponding threaded shaft to vary a pre-tension on the corresponding articulation cable.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a robotic surgical instrument includes a plurality of rotatable but longitudinally fixed lead screws extending between first and second base plates, a collar threaded about each lead screws and configured to translate therealong in response to rotation of the corresponding lead screw, an articulation cable coupled to each collar and defining or having a threaded shaft, and a threaded nipple threaded about each of the threaded shafts. Each threaded nipple is engaged with one of the collars to thereby engage each of the articulation cables with a corresponding one of the collars such that longitudinal translation of the corresponding collar pushes or pulls the corresponding articulation cable. Each threaded nipple is configured for further threading or unthreading about the corresponding threaded shaft to vary a pre-tension on the corresponding articulation cable.

Abstract: A scrub body, a scrub anchoring system, and a method for securing and releasing a tube coupler into and from a scrub body are provided. The scrub body can comprise two portions, or regions, within a single, unibody sponge-like material or as two similar or dissimilar layers within the sponge-like material. The scrub body includes an anchoring pocket extending into the scrub body between the portions, regions or layers, to accommodate a tube coupler releasably secured inside the anchoring pocket. The scrub body with anchoring pocket can be discarded when worn out while the more expensive tube coupler can be readily removed from the anchoring pocket and re-inserted into a new scrub body to provide the same low-flow liquid releasing tube into a new scrub body.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a robotic surgical instrument includes a plurality of rotatable but longitudinally fixed lead screws extending between first and second base plates, a collar threaded about each lead screws and configured to translate therealong in response to rotation of the corresponding lead screw, an articulation cable coupled to each collar and defining or having a threaded shaft, and a threaded nipple threaded about each of the threaded shafts. Each threaded nipple is engaged with one of the collars to thereby engage each of the articulation cables with a corresponding one of the collars such that longitudinal translation of the corresponding collar pushes or pulls the corresponding articulation cable. Each threaded nipple is configured for further threading or unthreading about the corresponding threaded shaft to vary a pre-tension on the corresponding articulation cable.

Abstract: An aseptic system and filling head wherein the container is presterilized and has a rupturable membrane over the inlet which membrane is broken by the filling machine prior to filling. The membrane may be a laminate which is broken by pressure of the product with which the container is to be filled. In that case the outermost layer of the laminate is dissolved prior to the filling step to weaken the membrane. Alternatively the membrane may be pierced by a reciprocating tool which also functions as a valve member in the filling head or by a fixed blade arranged around the outlet nozzle of the filling head.

Abstract: A container for use in aseptic packaging which contains a resilient plug to seal the container. The plug is attached to the periphery of the inlet opening by resilient straps which allow the plug to be pushed into the opening to close it and which allow the plug to be displaced to open the container by pressure of product flow into the container.

Abstract: A method and system for aseptic filling of containers. The flexible containers (1) are presterilized and a rupturable membrane (41) covers the inlet to the container. The filling head (20) includes a recess (46) below the outlet valve (24) and this recess is closed by the rupturable membrane (41) when the container inlet is aligned with the filling head. After alignment sterilizing fluid is introduced into the recess to sterilize the outer surface of the membrane and the internal surfaces of the recess. Following sterilization the valve membrane (22) moves towards the rupturable membrane (41) allowing the piercing tool (25) to rupture said membrane. The outlet valve (24) of the filling head is opened and the liquid is allowed to flow into the container. Subsequent to completion of the filling cycle the inlet to the container is sealed and the sealed and filled container (1) is then removed from the filling head (20).