Abstract: The present disclosure relates to patient support systems, such as hospital beds, and particularly to reconfigurable patient support systems movable among a number of different positions. The present disclosure further relates to control algorithms and interfaces for use in patient support systems.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A positioning device is provided for delivering or guiding a surgical device into a lumen of a body vessel to a position adjacent target tissue. The device includes a housing, an elongate sleeve, and a source of pressurized fluid. The sleeve has a first end coupled to a delivery side of the housing, a second end positioned on a return side of the housing, and an inverted distal portion positioned between the first and second ends. One second end of the sleeve can be furled about a support member supported on the housing. A distal portion of the sleeve defines a cavity that communicates with a pressure chamber within the housing. When pressurized fluid is directed into the pressure chamber, the pressurized fluid flows into the cavity of the distal portion of the sleeve to advance the sleeve away from the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, an actuator operably coupled to the housing, an actuation assembly, and a sensor module. The actuation assembly extends through the housing and the shaft and includes a distal end operably coupled to the end effector or a component associated therewith, a proximal end operably coupled to the actuator, and a spring. Actuation of the actuator manipulates the end effector or deploys the component relative thereto. The sensor module is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a property of the spring indicative of an amount the spring has been compressed. The sensor module is further configured, based upon the sensed property, to determine a condition of the end effector or the relative position of the component.

Abstract: An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system includes first and second jaw members each including an outer jaw housing, a tissue-treating plate, and a longitudinally-extending channel therethrough. At least one of the first or second jaw members is pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A cutting mechanism is configured to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The cutting mechanism may include an activation member coupled to a knife and configured to advance the knife transversely between the jaw members, a heat-activated elongated sheet configured to un-roll to advance a cutting edge thereof transversely between the jaw members, or a clutch and spring mechanism configured to deploy a knife longitudinally between the jaw members.

Abstract: A method of sharpening a cutting edge of a knife of a surgical instrument includes manipulating an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument such that first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly are disposed in a spaced-apart position, retaining the first and second jaw members in the spaced-apart position, advancing a knife of the surgical instrument to an extended position wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members, retaining the knife in the extended position, and sharpening a cutting edge of the knife.

Abstract: A surgical energy system includes a first and second surgical instruments and a generator including a universal interface. The first surgical instrument includes a first instrument connector having one or more instrument couplers disposed in a first instrument coupler configuration. The second surgical instrument includes a second instrument connector having one or more instrument couplers disposed in a second instrument coupler configuration. The first and second instrument coupler configurations are different. The generator includes a universal interface including generator couplers arranged to provide generator coupler configurations at the universal interface. Each generator coupler configuration accommodates one of the first and second instrument coupler configurations in order to electronically couple the generator to a respective one of the first and second surgical instruments.

Abstract: An access device configured for accommodating passage of an instrument with a curved end effector includes a housing assembly and a cannula member extending from the housing. The cannula member includes a length and a plurality of rigid portions alternating with a plurality of flexible portions. The cannula member is configured to maintain a circular cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the outside and to flex to an oblong cross-sectional profile when a force is applied to the cannula member from the inside.

Abstract: A hardfacing metal composition and method of restoring worn work string tubing by application of a hardfacing metal to the worn regions of the work string tubing.

Abstract: A hardfacing metal composition and method of restoring worn work string tubing by application of a hardfacing metal to the worn regions of the work string tubing.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the inactivation of infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity. The method comprises a coupling adapter for facilitating the transmission of non-ultraviolet sterilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) substantially axially along an optical element into the catheter body. Through delivery of the sterilizing EMR to particular areas of highest infection, the present disclosure is able to inactivate the major sources of infection in catheters.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the inactivation of infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity. The method comprises a coupling adapter for facilitating the transmission of non-ultraviolet sterilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) substantially axially along an optical element into the catheter body. Through delivery of the sterilizing EMR to particular areas of highest infection, the present disclosure is able to inactivate the major sources of infection in catheters.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, an actuator operably coupled to the housing, an actuation assembly, and a sensor module. The actuation assembly extends through the housing and the shaft and includes a distal end operably coupled to the end effector or a component associated therewith, a proximal end operably coupled to the actuator, and a spring. Actuation of the actuator manipulates the end effector or deploys the component relative thereto. The sensor module is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a property of the spring indicative of an amount the spring has been compressed. The sensor module is further configured, based upon the sensed property, to determine a condition of the end effector or the relative position of the component.

Abstract: An end effector assembly configured for use with a surgical instrument or surgical system includes first and second jaw members each including an outer jaw housing, a tissue-treating plate, and a longitudinally-extending channel therethrough. At least one of the first or second jaw members is pivotable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A cutting mechanism is configured to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The cutting mechanism may include an activation member coupled to a knife and configured to advance the knife transversely between the jaw members, a heat-activated elongated sheet configured to un-roll to advance a cutting edge thereof transversely between the jaw members, or a clutch and spring mechanism configured to deploy a knife longitudinally between the jaw members.

Abstract: An embodiment is a system including a first wireless charging pad coupled to a wireless charging system and an energy source, the first wireless charging pad being configured to transmit an energy by a magnetic field. The system further includes a second wireless charging pad coupled to a second system, the second wireless charging pad configured to receive at least a portion of the energy from the first wireless charging system for operating the second system. Further embodiments include a least one of an electronic compass configured to provide alignment data of the first and second wireless charging pads, and an interface configured to receive the alignment data and affect an alignment of the first and second wireless charging pads.

Abstract: A medical device assembly is provided for removable insertion into a catheter with a lumen. The medical device assembly comprises an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source for providing non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having an intensity sufficient to inactivate one or more infectious agents and/or to stimulate healthy cell growth causing a healing effect, and a removable EMR conduction system at least partially insertable into and removable from the lumen of the catheter. The EMR conduction system has at least one optical element providing axial propagation of the therapeutic EMR through an insertable elongate body. The elongate body may have an exterior surface between a coupling end and a distal end tip that has at least one modified portion permitting the radial emission of therapeutic EMR from the elongate body proximate the modified portion. Such modified portion may be gradient along the exterior surface.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.