Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures includes a pair of surgical instruments coupled to a pair of robotic arms with end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled such that the end effectors movement corresponds differently, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effector, so that the handles can be moved to a more comfortable position. The system may include a robotically controlled endoscope allowing the surgeon to remotely view a surgical site. The surgeon may manipulate handles and move end effectors to perform a cardiac procedure.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures. This system includes one or more robotic arms that can be attached to the operating table. The robotic arms can be controlled by input devices such as handles and a foot pedal to perform a minimally medical procedure.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon. The input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effector, so that the handles can be moved to a more comfortable position.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissues. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A collapsible basket-type article carrier has end walls joined at the ends of opposing side walls. A portion of the side wall is cut-away to form bands for engaging articles. Riser panels extend inwardly of the end walls. A handle structure extends between the end walls and riser panels. A center cell partition extends from each respective side wall to the handle structure. The corner formed at each intersection of the carton's side and end walls is bevelled. In like manner, the corner formed at each intersection of a band of the center cell and the side wall portion thereof is bevelled. Support tabs join either the riser panels or end walls to the bottom wall of the carrier. The bottom wall of the carrier is bifurcated. Bottles are loadable upwardly through the open bottom of the carrier. In collapsed condition the carrier has a shearable nick members strategically located upon cut lines between the side wall and center cell at the bevelled corner tabs.

Abstract: A method for adhesively bonding opposed paperboard surfaces to each other to form a strengthened bond in a paperboard product and paperboard products formed thereof, comprising the steps of (A) applying a green-strength adhesive to at least a portion of the first paperboard surface; (B) applying a styrene-butadiene latex adhesive or a modified styrene-butadiene latex adhesive as a strengthening adhesive to at least a portion of either the first or the second paperboard surface such that the green-strength adhesive is substantially offset from the strengthening adhesive when the first and second paperboard surfaces are positioned in an opposed relationship; (C) orienting the first and second paperboard surfaces such that they are opposed to each other: and (D) contacting the first and second surfaces together to form the strengthened bond.

Abstract: A composite carrier (10) has a handle structure (20) with a hand-gripping portion (22, 23) in upright relation to an attached article-engaging panel structure (24, 25). In one embodiment of the handle structure (20) the panel structure is a pair of panels (22, 23) formed from flexible sheet material. Each sheet (22, 24) has at least one deformable aperture (31) for engaging the neck of an article (31). In an alternate embodiment of the handle structure (40) the panel structure is a panel (44) attached in generally perpendicular relation to the hand-gripping portion. The generally horizontal panel has at least one neck-receiving aperture (46). Each neck-receiving aperture (46) has at least one foldably attached tab (48) extending inwardly into the aperture for engaging the flanged neck of an article such as the crown of a bottle. The second part of the composite carrier (10) is a tubular, wrap-around type carton (30) having top, side and bottom walls.

Abstract: A collapsible basket-type article carrier has end walls joined at the ends of opposing side walls. A portion of the side wall is cut-away to form bands for engaging articles. Riser panels extend inwardly of the end walls. A handle structure extends between the end walls and riser panels. A center cell partition extends from each respective side wall to the handle structure. The corner formed at each intersection of the carton's side and end walls is bevelled. In like manner, the corner formed at each intersection of a band of the center cell and the side wall portion thereof is bevelled. Support tabs join either the riser panels or end walls to the bottom wall of the carrier. The bottom wall of the carrier is bifurcated. Bottles are loadable upwardly through the open bottom of the carrier. In collapsed condition the carrier has a shearable nick members strategically located upon cut lines between the side wall and center cell at the bevelled corner tabs.

Abstract: A method for adhesively bonding opposed paperboard surfaces to each other to form a strengthened bond in a paperboard product and paperboard products formed thereof, comprising the steps of (A) applying a green-strength adhesive to at least a portion of the first paperboard surface; (B) applying a styrene-butadiene latex adhesive or a modified styrene-butadiene latex adhesive as a strengthening adhesive to at least a portion of either the first or the second paperboard surface such that the green-strength adhesive is substantially offset from the strengthening adhesive when the first and second paperboard surfaces are positioned in an opposed relationship; (C) orienting the first and second paperboard surfaces such that they are opposed to each other; and (D) contacting the first and second surfaces together to form the strengthened bond.

Abstract: A multiple compartment, separable container includes a common top wall, with outer side walls connected to each side edge of the top wall. A bottom wall is connected to each outer side wall, with an inner side and a lap panel connected in turn. Each lap panel is secured in underlying fashion to the top wall, with the inner side walls in face-to-face relationship. A beveled end panel is connected to each end of the inner side walls. A minor end panel is connected to each of the beveled end panels. Lower end panels are connected to the bottom walls, with an upper end panel connected to each end of the top wall. A web structure interconnects each minor end panel with the adjacent end panels and lap panels. A tear strip defined by a pair of parallel, perforated tear lines extends across the top wall and across each upper end panel. Each tear line overlies one lap panel between the free edge of the lap panel and the connections between the lap panel and web structures.