Abstract: Color measurement using compact devices is described herein. A color measurement device can include a diffraction grating that receives light reflected from a surface whose color is being measured. The diffraction grating is responsive to a control signal to split selected components from the reflected light and to admit the components in sequence to a sensor. The components can correspond to a selected wavelength or frequency of the reflected light. The sensor measures the energy or power level of each of the admitted components. The device can support determining a spectral representation of the color of the surface by generating output signals representing the various energy or power levels of each component of the light reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus provides for the secure attachment of multiple fasteners into the gastric wall, the fasteners being linked with a flexible member in a manner permitting the reduction of the effective size of an individual's stomach. The apparatus includes an applicator head including a proximal end and a distal end. The applicator head of the gastric reduction apparatus includes a cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving tissue. A fastener attachment mechanism is positioned within the cavity for access to tissue that is pulled within the cavity and the fastener attachment mechanism includes a plurality of fasteners.

Abstract: Methods for mapping color data having at least one color associated therewith to an output device based on an input device profile and an output device profile, each profile having a tone curve and a color matrix, are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving color data from an input device and determining whether the color data is in a linear space. If it is determined that the color data is not in a linear space, the method further includes applying the tone curve of the input device profile to the color data to convert it into a linear space. The method further includes converting the color(s) associated with the color data from the input linear space to an output linear space by applying the color matrix of the input device profile and the inverse color matrix of the output device profile to create color-converted image data.

Abstract: A color management system is provided for mapping color data from a source device gamut to a destination device gamut using information regarding a gamut shape for the source device and the destination device. The color management system includes a gamut shape determining component that is capable of determining the information regarding the gamut shape for the source device and the destination device. The color management system also includes a gamut mapping model association component that is capable of determining a gamut mapping model based on the information regarding the gamut shape for the source device and the destination device. The color management system further includes a gamut mapping model invoking component that is capable of invoking the gamut mapping model and applying gamut mapping algorithms of the gamut mapping model to map the color data from the source device gamut to the destination device gamut.

Abstract: A method for gastric reduction surgery includes the step of applying at least one clamp to the stomach in a manner forming a gastric pouch. The clamp includes a clamp body shaped and dimensioned to create a gastric pouch with a standard size from approximately 15 cc to approximately 30 cc.

Abstract: A gastric reduction apparatus that facilitates the creation of a transoral linear passageway through the stomach includes an elongated body including a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated body is generally sinusoidal shaped with at least one tissue engaging surface oriented such that a needle will pass therethrough. The elongated body also includes at least one needle passing channel respectively formed adjacent the at least one tissue engaging surface. The at least one needle passing channel generally passes through the center of the sinusoidal waveforms defined by the at least one tissue engaging surface such that a needle will pass entirely through stomach tissue contacting the tissue engaging surface of the elongated body. The elongated body further includes a suture passing channel.

Abstract: A fastener is used during endoscopic procedures in which a suture is used in creating a predefined pouch through tissue apposition within the stomach. The fastener includes a fastener body having a tissue anchor for selectively securing the fastener body to tissue. The fastener body also includes a connection aperture shaped and dimensioned for passage of a suture therethrough.

Abstract: Optimized color codecs and methods of compressing and decompressing color images using programmable color space parameters are provided. In accordance with one method of encoding a color image, input data comprising input image pixel data and color space parameters is provided. The input image pixel data is compressed based on the color space parameter data. The color space parameter data is then appended to the compressed image pixel data. In accordance with one method of decoding a compressed color image, compressed data is provided that comprises compressed image pixel data and color space parameters. The color space parameters are separated from the compressed image pixel data. The compressed image pixel data is then decompressed based on the color space parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing consistent chromatic adaptation to a workflow comprising a number of International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles is provided. In accordance with an exemplary method of the present invention, the profiles within the workflow that require chromatic adaptation are identified. A control profile, whose chromatic adaptation method will be applied to the other profiles identified as requiring chromatic adaptation, is also identified. The chromatic adaptation method of the control profile is determined. The color data of the each profile identified as requiring chromatic adaptation is then converted using the chromatic adaptation method of the control profile such that all profiles requiring chromatic adaptation have been chromatically adapted using the same method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of securely providing extensible third-party plug-ins to user computers. The system enables third-parties to authenticate themselves to user computers before a user computer is allowed to load the plug-ins. The system also creates separate processes that are spawned from a main process in order to securely execute the third-party plug-ins. Security is further enhanced by assigning a privilege level to the separate process that is lower than the main process.

Abstract: A method for suture lacing includes providing a suture with a needle attached thereto, inserting the needle and suture into an organ through a passageway, throwing a single stitch through a first tissue member, throwing a single stitch through an opposed and spaced apart second tissue member, repeating the preceding step at least once, bringing the first and second tissue members in contact by tensioning the suture, whereby suture drag is minimized during the tensioning and even tissue compression substantially achieved, and securing the suture.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a handle attached thereto and the distal end has a suturing body attached thereto. The handle is operatively connected to the suturing body. The suturing body includes a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue. A mechanism is provided for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, and a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue. The suture housing has an open position and a closed position, and the needle can be removed from the suture housing when in the open position.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus for performing a surgical procedure with a body cavity includes a flexible member having a distal end attached to a suturing body for insertion of the suturing body through an orifice and into a body cavity. The suturing body includes a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of the suture to tissue. A non-visible spectrum sensing member is associated with the suturing body for communicating a parameter of the procedure to a visual display.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus shaped and dimensioned for passage through an orifice in the body includes a scope attachment member coupled to an endoscopic instrument, and a connection member attaching the scope attachment member to the endoscopic instrument. The connection member has an insertion orientation sized for passage through the orifice and a deployed orientation too large to pass though the orifice. When the connection member is in its insertion orientation the endoscopic instrument is positioned closely adjacent an exterior of an endoscope for low profile insertion of the endoscopic instrument through an orifice, and when the connection is in its deployed orientation the endoscopic instrument is spaced from the endoscope to improve visibility.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and a collapsible vacuum chamber containing the suture housing. The vacuum chamber is shaped and dimensioned for coupling to a vacuum line.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, and a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue. The drive assembly includes a friction camming member that moves along the suture housing under the control of the drive mechanism, wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the friction camming member to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about the arcuate path.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, a handle, an elongated flexible member having a distal end attached to the suture housing and a proximal end attached to the handle, and a mechanism for releasing and reattaching the handle to the flexible member.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A steering assembly for use with a trolley including a carriage and at least one castor wheel (3) swivel-mounted about a vertical axis, the steering assembly including: co-operating wheel blocking members (131, 23) mounted respectively to the carriage and the castor wheel; and actuation means (150, 152) for causing the selective engagement of the co-operating wheel blocking members (131, 23) so as to prevent swivelling of the castor wheel (3).