Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector that includes jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a control circuit, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to determine an impedance signal based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes, detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the determined impedance signal, determine a position of the detected media based on the received signals, and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a top arm and a bottom arm each having a handle end and a tip end opposite the handle end. The top arm and the bottom arm are rotatably connected at the handle ends for relative movement from an open position to a closed position. The apparatus also includes a top plate disposed on the top arm adjacent the top arm's tip end and having a top main surface, and a bottom plate disposed on the bottom arm adjacent the bottom arm's tip end and having a bottom main surface that, in the closed position, contacts the top main surface, the top main surface and the bottom main surface complementarily curve as they extend away from the handle end towards the tip end.

Abstract: Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device.

Abstract: Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device.

Abstract: Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.

Abstract: Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device.

Abstract: An audible alert device includes a pulse width modulated signal generator. The audible alert device and method for manufacturing the audible alert device also provides resonant frequency and decibel peaking capabilities. Resonant frequency and decibel peaking routines may conducted at the time of manufacture, upon startup of the alarm or during operation of the alarm. The audible alert device may be programmed during a manufacturing step to exhibit a selected operation mode so that one circuit may be manufactured and programmed to operate in any of a number of operation modes or device configurations. A programming station allows an audible alert device to be programmed during a manufacturing step to exhibit a selected operation mode. Programming may occur by connection of the audible alert device to the programming device by one or more audible alert device power conductors.

Abstract: An audible alert device includes a pulse width modulated signal generator. The audible alert device and method for manufacturing the audible alert device also provides resonant frequency and decibel peaking capabilities. Resonant frequency and decibel peaking routines may conducted at the time of manufacture, upon startup of the alarm or during operation of the alarm. The audible alert device may be programmed during a manufacturing step to exhibit a selected operation mode so that one circuit may be manufactured and programmed to operate in any of a number of operation modes or device configurations. A programming station allows an audible alert device to be programmed during a manufacturing step to exhibit a selected operation mode. Programming may occur by connection of the audible alert device to the programming device by one or more audible alert device power conductors.

Abstract: The subject invention is a multiple access newspaper receptacle, which comprises, in general, a longitudinally extending housing with a corresponding internally disposed hollow chamber, having a dual entry access to said hollow chamber. First, there is a hinged door for entrance from the front of the box, with a second access door on back, or front of said newspaper tubular member. Each door is hinged to the tubular member and each door has integrally constructed therein a shaft member the ends of which are pivotally mounted into the tubular member, with one door being adapted to pivot from the bottom inside of the housing and the other door being adapted to be pivoted from the upper inside of the housing.