Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. The clamping mechanism includes a pivotal clamp arm, which cooperates with the end-effector for gripping tissue. The clamp arm is provided with a clamp tissue pad that has at least one raised portion to achieve the desired cutting and coagulation effect on the tissue.

Abstract: Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.

Abstract: A computer based method, system and apparatus of authentication which compares a first number associated with a user with a second number, wherein the second number is a mathematical function of at least two predetermined digits within the user's identification number, preferably a Social Security Number. A computer based method, system and apparatus for authenticating a user's identification number, which compares a first code associated with a user with a second code, wherein said second code is an alphabetic translation of at least two predetermined digits within the user's identification number.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including a voice recognition system performing a method of processing “return to sender” mailpieces using voice recognition. The operator obtains a “return to sender” mailpiece and determines a sender address segment for identification. The sender address segment is spoken by the operator to the recognition system. The voice recognition software interprets the information and communicates it to recipient matching software. The software narrows the potential sender matches in the mailpiece sorting apparatus addressee database. If a match is made, the operator is prompted to place the mailpiece onto mailpiece sorting apparatus which sends the mailpiece to the proper sort bin based on the identification performed by the matching software.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including a voice recognition system and a method of processing reject mailpieces using voice recognition. Mailpieces that OCR cannot read and determine the recipient for (“rejects”) are processed. The operator obtains a reject and determines the proper address segment for the recipient information. The proper address segment is spoken by the operator to the recognition system. The voice recognition software interprets the information and communicates it to recipient matching software. The software narrows the potential recipient matches in the mailpiece sorting apparatus addressee database. If a match is made, the operator is prompted to place the mailpiece onto mailpiece sorting apparatus which sends the mailpiece to the proper sort bin based on addressee identification performed by the matching software. The present invention may also calculate statistical information regarding reject mailpieces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in a general aspect, system including a mail sorting apparatus which generally comprises a feeder, a line scan camera, an in-line printer, a control system which may be the microprocessor based personal computer system, at least one addressee database and sort plan, a mailpiece transporter, a bin module with compartments or sort bins for receiving mailpieces. This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a mail sorting apparatus to address sort internal mailings (business to employee mail). The foregoing is accomplished by addressing and sorting employee mailpieces in one process by using information from one or more databases of the mail sorting apparatus, including the addressee database and sort plan, and an in-line printer for printing employee and/or delivery information on the employee mailpiece. Thus, the method of the present invention provides a less costly, simplified way to prepare internal mailings.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus including a voice recognition system performing a method of processing “return to sender” mailpieces using voice recognition. The operator obtains a “return to sender” mailpiece and determines a sender address segment for identification. The sender address segment is spoken by the operator to the recognition system. The voice recognition software interprets the information and communicates it to recipient matching software. The software narrows the potential sender matches in the mailpiece sorting apparatus addressee database. If a match is made, the operator is prompted to place the mailpiece onto mailpiece sorting apparatus which sends the mailpiece to the proper sort bin based on the identification performed by the matching software.

Abstract: An adhesive dispenser includes a dispenser body having a reservoir containing an adhesive, and a tip. The tip has a guide member that extends in a first direction away from the body and is shaped to fit within a groove of a grooved flooring plank. The guide member has opposing top and bottom surfaces and opposing end surfaces. An orifice is in communication with a conduit that opens into said reservoir. An elongated channel intersects the top surface of the guide member and extends in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The elongated channel has a sidewall and the orifice includes an opening that is at least partially formed in the sidewall. A method of applying adhesive into the groove of a grooved flooring plank includes the steps of inserting the guide member into the groove of a grooved flooring plank, and expelling adhesive from the reservoir though the orifice.

Abstract: A hinge assembly which has a limited number of stable positions and in which the hinge automatically moves to the closest of such stable positions is disclosed. The movement of the hinge is accomplished in one illustrative embodiment by positioning the protrusion on one of a pair of ramps inclined opposite to one another and toward the adjacent recess so that the parts of the hinge rotate relative to one another, moving the protrusion into the adjacent recess. The protrusion is pressed against the ramps and the grooves by a connecting portion that joins the arm portions and is flexed when the hinge parts are assembled so as to bias the arm portions toward one another.

Abstract: An electrosurgical hemostatic instrument is provided in which the coagulation status of tissue engaged by two elements delivering an electrosurgical energy to tissue may be observed, and in which damage from thermal spread may be minimized. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a bipolar endoscopic clamping, coagulation and cutting device. The coagulation may be observed by exposed electrode tips at the distal end of the instrument, an open knife slot which permits the escape of vapor, plume, steam or smoke from the coagulation process, windows located in the first or second element through which coagulating tissue may be observed, indentation in one of the elements which exposes a tissue contacting surface of the other element; a temperature indication strip located on the distal end of the instrument, or a current indicator located on the instrument.