Abstract: Systems and methods for processing signals from sensors associated with disposable products are provided. Signals indicative of disposable product consumption and an available quantity of disposable products can be processed. Data associated with the signals can be communicated to an assessment module. The data can include location information associated with the disposable product consumption and available quantity of disposable products. The assessment module can estimate disposable product usage for different locations based on the data. The assessment module can provide notifications of inventory status for the different locations based on the estimated disposable product usage.

Abstract: A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having an outer surface, the system including a computer and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer. The system also includes a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, and an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.

Abstract: A leakage assessment system for use with an absorbent article having an outer surface, the system including a computer and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device adapted to sense wetness in the absorbent article, wherein the signaling device is in electronic communication with the computer. The system also includes a wetness detection mat in electronic communication with the computer, and an image capture device configured to continuously detect an absorbent article wearer position, wherein the image capture device is in electronic communication with the computer, wherein the computer is configured to electronically record wetness incidents using the signaling device, the wetness detection mat, and the wearer position captured by the image capture device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing signals from sensors associated with disposable products are provided. Signals indicative of disposable product consumption and an available quantity of disposable products can be processed. Data associated with the signals can be communicated to an assessment module. The data can include location information associated with the disposable product consumption and available quantity of disposable products. The assessment module can estimate disposable product usage for different locations based on the data. The assessment module can provide notifications of inventory status for the different locations based on the estimated disposable product usage.

Abstract: A vascular closure device used in closing openings in vessel walls while permitting post-operative flow through the vessel includes a housing, at least two tissue engaging members, and at least two jaw members. The tissue engaging members engage tissue portions on opposite sides of the vessel opening and move tissue to a desired, predetermined position. The jaw members are adapted, in an open position, for positioning about the tissue portions in the predetermined position, and in a closed position, to at least partially draw the tissue together to an at least partially approximated condition. An attachment member is associated with at least one of the jaw members and arranged to contact the tissue. In one embodiment, the attachment member is adapted for connection to an energy source whereby energy is transmitted through the attachment member to thermally fuse the tissue engaged by the jaw members to substantially close the opening.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.

Abstract: An arterial closure device for use following coronary catherization procedures to close arterial access openings through the arterial wall while permitting post operative flow through the artery includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, first and second arterial tissue everting members mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second arterial tissue everting members are dimensioned for at least partial positioning within the arterial access opening in the arterial wall and are deployable in at least a radial outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing to engage respective opposed arterial tissue portions on opposed sides of the opening and move the tissue arterial portions to an everted condition thereof.

Abstract: A fastener applying device for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue is provided. The fastener applying device includes an approximation mechanism having a single actuator to perform fast closure and incremental approximation of a cartridge carrier and anvil. The cartridge carrier and anvil can be approximated into a multiplicity of predetermined firing enabled positions. An adjustment member is operably associated with a firing mechanism of the device to vary the maximum stroke of a pusher bar. The adjustment member facilitates ejection of multiple size fasteners from the device.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for applying staples or fasteners to tissue to form a circular anastomosis having an adjustable closure mechanism to rapidly approximate the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism provides for rapid approximation during an initial movement and for fine adjustment of the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly upon subsequent movement of the closure mechanism. The closure mechanism consists of an advancing mechanism which operates in a two stage advancement, such that initial movement of the advancing mechanism moves the anvil member a greater distance than a subsequent movement of the advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of a retaining mechanism and a linkage structure which is actuable to linearly urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance towards each other.

Abstract: A fastener applying device for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue is provided. The fastener applying device includes an approximation mechanism having a single actuator to perform fast closure and incremental approximation of a cartridge carrier and anvil. The cartridge carrier and anvil can be approximated into a multiplicity of predetermined firing enabled positions. An adjustment member is operably associated with a firing mechanism of the device to vary the maximum stroke of a pusher bar. The adjustment member facilitates ejection of multiple size fasteners from the device.

Abstract: An anvil assembly for a surgical fastening instrument is disclosed. The anvil is constructed to pivot relative to an anvil shaft to facilitate movement of the anvil and instrument during use. The anvil also has an improved surface for severing structures and a sloped surface for guiding a knife during use.

Abstract: A surgical stapling or fastening instrument for applying surgical fasteners to tissue having an adjustable closure mechanism to linearly approximate the distance between the jaw members of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism consists of a retaining mechanism and a linkage structure which is actuable to linearly urge the jaw members towards each other. A coupling arrangement is also provided which permits firing of the staples or fasteners only when the jaw members are approximated a predetermined distance towards each other.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for applying staples or fasteners to tissue to form a circular anastomosis having an adjustable closure mechanism to rapidly approximate the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism provides for rapid approximation during an initial movement and for fine adjustment of the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly upon subsequent movement of the closure mechanism. The closure mechanism consists of an advancing mechanism which operates in a two stage advancement, such that initial movement of the advancing mechanism moves the anvil member a greater distance than a subsequent movement of the advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A novel surgical instrument suitable for insertion and assembly of surgical fasteners, such as multi-ring compression devices, for circular anastomosis of tubular or hollow organ tissue sections, including a body having means to support and align the rings, means for clamping the rings around the free ends of the tissue sections, means for coring away excess clamped tissue and the centers of the rings, separate means for releasing the clamped rings from the instrument and dwell means to delay releasing the rings until after the coring operation is complete. The dwell means consists of an external cup containing separate and coaxial elements for the coring means and the releasing means which are provided with a series of recesses and a plurality of shifter keys to separate the operation of coring from the separate operation of releasing the assembled multi-ring compression device from the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for applying staples or fasteners to tissue to form a circular anastomosis having an adjustable closure mechanism to rapidly approximate the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly of the instrument. The adjustable closure mechanism provides for rapid approximation during an initial movement and for fine adjustment of the distance between the anvil member and the fastener assembly upon subsequent movement of the closure mechanism. The closure mechanism consists of an advancing mechanism which operates in a two stage advancement, such that initial movement of the advancing mechanism moves the anvil member a greater distance than a subsequent movement of the advancing mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for attaching two portions of cutaneous body tissue includes a pair of opposed elongated members having jaws which have tissue gripping members thereon at one end and which are movable toward each other to a closed position to engage two body tissue portions positioned within the members to move the body tissue portions into close approximation. Manually gripping systems of several alternative configurations are provided to actuate a mechanical transmission system to close the jaws. In a preferred embodiment, a fork is movable from a first position to a second position by manually operable devices to move the jaws toward each other. A pair of cam faces is located adjacent the opposite ends of the jaws. As the fork moves to its second position, the tines of the fork engage against the cam faces to move the opposed jaws to their closed position.

Abstract: A novel surgical instrument suitable for insertion and assembly of multi-ring compression devices for circular anastomosis of tubular tissue sections including a body having means to support and align the rings, means for clamping the rings around the free ends of the tissue sections, means for coring away excess clamped tissue and the centers of the rings, separate means for releasing the clamped rings from the instrument and dwell means to delay releasing the rings until after the coring operation is complete. The dwell means consists of an external cap containing separate and coaxial elements for the coring means and the releasing means which are provided with a series of recesses and a plurality of shifter keys to separate the operation of coring from the separate operation of releasing the assembled multi-ring compression device from the instrument.