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 method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing apparatus for a steering wheel (10) having an airbag assembly (16) attached to the steering wheel (10). The air bag assembly (16) is attached to a reaction plate (18) which is resiliently attached to an absorber plate (22) with elastomeric members (26). Attachment by the elastomeric members (26) is such that a predetermined resiliency of the elastomeric members (26) is not affected. This provides a consistent and repeatable apparatus for attachment, ensuring proper and efficient operation of the airbag as a mass damper.