Abstract: Method and apparatuses for providing access to a body cavity of a living animal through an access port inserted in an incision made in a wall of the body cavity are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a cap configured to attach to the access port, the cap including an opening configured to permit insertion of a medical instrument through the cap and access port into the body cavity, and a tubular sleeve including a distal end sealingly connected at the opening and extending outwardly therefrom, the sleeve including a proximal end configured to receive and provide a seal with the medical instrument when received. The apparatus also includes a closure disposed to temporarily seal the sleeve prior to insertion of the medical instrument through the opening in the cap.

Abstract: A device for configuring a virtualized network function, configured for use in a virtualized communication network, is disclosed. The device is configured to receive a request to configure the virtualized network function. The device is also configured to obtain at least one parameter for implementing an elementary component of the virtualized network function in a virtualized communication network, to be added to a basic virtualized network function. The device is also configured to compose the virtualized network function from at least one elementary component and from the parameter for implementing the at least one obtained elementary component.

Abstract: A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an apparatus for operating the robotic control system comprising a master apparatus (64) in communication with an input device (58, 60) having a handle (102) and a slave system (54, 74) having a tool (66, 67) having an end effector (73) whose position and orientation is determined in response to a current position and current orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and orientation in response to a current position and orientation of the handle. The method involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a disablement criterion.

Abstract: A coupler apparatus for coupling electrical signals between an actuator and an end effector is disclosed. The end effector is disposed at a distal end of an elongate articulated positioner and used to position the end effector for performing surgical operations. The articulated positioner has a central lumen and the apparatus includes an elongate body sized to be slidingly received within the central lumen of the articulated positioner, at least a portion of the body being operable to flex during movement of the articulated positioner. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the body, and a plurality of proximal electrical contacts disposed at a proximal end of the body for removably connecting each of the electrical conductors to respective electrical signal lines at the actuator.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages. Each linkage is associated with one of the control links and extends between the control link and the respective actuator and is operable to transmit drive forces between the actuator and the control link.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump pressure plate alignment system and components that include a chassis, a sensor module, and a pressure plate in various embodiments. The pressure plate has a first end pivotally mounted to the chassis of the control module for pivotal retention and a second end selectively mounted to chassis of the control module. The pressure plate, hooks or rail contain recessed or projection features configured for receipt of the complementary features of the sensor module. Additional alignment features can include a retaining component incorporated with the hook, a guide feature on the outer surface of the pressure plate, and a kickstand feature attached to the rail.

Abstract: An end effector apparatus for a surgical instrument is disclosed including a housing having a first jaw mounted on a revolute joint and providing a first electrical conduction path between the housing and the first jaw. A second jaw is mounted on a revolute joint within the housing and is insulated from the housing, the jaws each having a manipulating portion and a lever arm. A yoke is received within the housing and mechanically coupled to the lever arms and to a control link and is moveable in response to movements of the control link to cause opening and closing of the jaws, the yoke being electrically insulated from the housing and the first jaw. A second electrical conduction path is provided between the control link and the second jaw. The electrical conduction paths facilitate conduction of an electrocauterization current through tissue grasped between the jaws.

Abstract: An end effector apparatus for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first jaw mounted on a first revolute joint, the first jaw having a manipulating portion extending forwardly from the first revolute joint and a lever arm projecting rearwardly from the first revolute joint. The apparatus also includes a second jaw having a manipulating portion generally opposing the manipulating portion of the first jaw, and a coupler having an actuation end disposed overlapping the lever arm of the first jaw, the first and second jaws being laterally spaced apart to provide clearance for the actuation end of the coupler. The apparatus further includes a linkage extending rearwardly between the actuation end of the coupler and the lever arm of the first jaw, the linkage being operable to cause opening and closing movements of the first jaw about the first revolute joint in response to reciprocating movement of the coupler.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump pressure plate alignment system and components that include a chassis, a sensor module, and a pressure plate in various embodiments. The pressure plate has a first end pivotally mounted to the chassis of the control module for pivotal retention and a second end selectively mounted to the chassis of the control module. The pressure plate, hooks or rail contain recessed or projection features configured for receipt of the complementary features of the sensor module. Additional alignment features can include a retaining component incorporated with the hook, a guide feature on the outer surface of the pressure plate, and a kickstand feature attached to the rail.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages. Each linkage is associated with one of the control links and extends between the control link and the respective actuator and is operable to transmit drive forces between the actuator and the control link.

Abstract: A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an apparatus for operating the robotic control system comprising a master apparatus (64) in communication with an input device (58, 60) having a handle (102) and a slave system (54, 74) having a tool (66, 67) having an end effector (73) whose position and orientation is determined in response to a current position and current orientation of the handle. The method involves producing a desired end effector position and orientation in response to a current position and orientation of the handle. The method involves causing the input device to provide haptic feedback that impedes translational movement of the handle, while permitting rotational movement of the handle and preventing movement of the end effector, when a rotational alignment difference between the handle and the end effector meets a disablement criterion.

Abstract: A device for configuring a virtualized network function, configured for use in a virtualized communication network, is disclosed. The device is configured to receive a request to configure the virtualized network function. The device is also configured to obtain at least one parameter for implementing an elementary component of the virtualized network function in a virtualized communication network, to be added to a basic virtualized network function. The device is also configured to compose the virtualized network function from at least one elementary component and from the parameter for implementing the at least one obtained elementary component.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to pressure plate for attachment to an infusion pump, where the pressure plate includes a tubing support surface at least partially surrounded by a raised perimeter support. The pressure plate includes a plurality of guide structures extending from the raised perimeter support that define a passageway for an infusion pump tube. Additionally an attachable flow stop assembly is included that includes an attachable occlusion arch and an attachable flow stop arm. The attachable occlusion arch includes a plurality of tab structures that couple to the raised perimeter support. The occlusion arch further includes an aperture configured to surround an infusion pump tube threaded therethrough. The attachable flow stop arm is operatively coupled to the raised perimeter support adjacent the attachable occlusion arch in a spring-biased fashion such that the aperture in the occlusion arch may be selectively occluded by the flow stop arm.

Abstract: A drug or fluid delivery device includes a pump having a control module. A cassette is removably mounted to the control module. A reservoir is contained within the cassette, and contains a fluid to be delivered to a patient. A protrusion extends from an interior surface of the cassette, creating and maintaining a crease in the reservoir as the fluid is emptied therefrom, thereby creating a fluid path along which the fluid travels to reduce occurrences of the reservoir deleteriously sealing off pockets of fluid as the reservoir is emptied.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages. Each linkage is associated with one of the control links and extends between the control link and the respective actuator and is operable to transmit drive forces between the actuator and the control link.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages. Each linkage is associated with one of the control links and extends between the control link and the respective actuator and is operable to transmit drive forces between the actuator and the control link.

Abstract: A drug or fluid delivery device includes a pump having a control module. A cassette is removably mounted to the control module. A reservoir is contained within the cassette, and contains a fluid to be delivered to a patient. A protrusion extends from an interior surface of the cassette, creating and maintaining a crease in the reservoir as the fluid is emptied therefrom, thereby creating a fluid path along which the fluid travels to reduce occurrences of the reservoir deleteriously sealing off pockets of fluid as the reservoir is emptied.

Abstract: A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages. Each linkage is associated with one of the control links and extends between the control link and the respective actuator and is operable to transmit drive forces between the actuator and the control link.

Abstract: An articulated tool positioning apparatus comprising a base member, an intermediate member, an end member and a first tool holder arranged in succession, each of the base member, intermediate member, end member and tool holder having a respective central opening. A first plurality of coupled guides id positioned between the base member and the intermediate member and a second plurality of coupled guides is positioned between the intermediate member and the end member. A third plurality of coupled guides is diposed between the end member and the tool holder. The base member, intermediate member, end member, first tool holder and first second and third pluralities of coupled guides all have a central opening and guide openings or securing points for securing pluralities of flexible control links to the base member or to an object separated from the base member.

Abstract: A drug delivery system has a fluid store that has a first tubing having an outlet fitted with a connector of a given configuration that prevents the connector from being coupled to a conventional counterpart connector. The system further has a tube retaining device that has a catheter extending out of one of its ends and an inlet connector at its other end that has a configuration complementary to the configuration of the outlet connector of the first tubing, so that the first tubing may be matingly connected to the tube retaining device to establish a through fluid path from the first tubing to the catheter. A one-way valve may be provided to the tubing to prevent fluid from flowing backwards into the tubing. The tubing can be selectively occluded and opened to regulate the flow of fluid from the tubing to the catheter.