Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for approximating tissue. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope. In general, the device can include a flexible shaft having an implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a distal end thereof and a handle for operating the implantable tissue fastener applier disposed at a proximal end thereof. A variety of implantable tissue fasteners can be used with the tissue fastener applier device including single and multi-anchor embodiments.

Abstract: An earpiece assembly for use by police, fire and military personal is disclosed. The earpiece assembly can have an earpiece configured to fit substantially within the conchae of an ear and an ear insert adjustable attached to the earpiece. The ear insert extends into the ear canal and can bring sound from a two-way radio close to the eardrum so as to facilitate better hearing. The distance that the stem extends into an ear canal can be varied so as to enhance sound delivery to the eardrum. An earplug embodiment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radio system for use by police officers, firemen, soldiers and the like is disclosed. The radio system has a portable two-way radio, a microphone, a speaker, and a cable. The microphone can have a housing, a microphone transducer disposed within the housing, and a buffer disposed intermediate the microphone transducer and the housing. The speaker can have a housing formed of a substantially rigid material and a speaker transducer disposed within the housing. The cable can facilitate electrical communication between the portable two-way radio and the microphone and between the portable two-way radio and the speaker. The speaker and the microphone are configured so as to provide better and more reliable performance.

Abstract: An earpiece suitable for use with two-way radios is configured to be captured at least partially within the conchae of an ear. The earpiece is configured for use in either ear. The earpiece is particularly suited for use by police and security personnel because it reduces costs associated with the manufacture, purchase, and inventory thereof, while allowing both the radio and ambient sound to be readily heard through both ears.

Abstract: Methods and devices for fastening tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue fastener is provided and includes a male fastening member having a base plate with at least one post extending therefrom and having a tissue-piercing tip. A protective member is coupled to the male fastening member and is movable between an open position in which the tissue-piercing tip is enclosed within the protective member such that the tissue-piercing tip is prevented from penetrating tissue, and a compressed position in which the tissue-piercing tip is exposed to penetrate tissue. A female fastening member is configured to mate to the male fastening member and to engage tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical fastener for fastening tissue. The fastener includes a first piece having a needle, a second piece having an opening sized for receiving the needle, and a lock for holding the needle of the first piece in the opening of the second piece. At least a portion of the first piece, the second piece and/or the lock comprises a bio-absorbable material so the fastener becomes unfastened from the tissue over time.

Abstract: A push-to-talk switch can have a diaphragm that is supported about a periphery thereof and can have a thicker portion which defines a button. A bezel can be configured so as to guide a user's finger to the button. A magnetic switch can be used to provide the momentary contact required for radio transmissions. Thus, a push-to-talk switch that has enhanced reliability is provided. More particularly, the push-to-talk switch of the present invention is more likely to operate properly regardless of how the button thereof is pushed and is less likely to fail during operation.

Abstract: A push-to-talk switch can have a switch that does not produce an audible sound when actuated. For example, the push-to-talk switch can comprise a membrane switch or a capacitive switch that produces less than 0 dB(A) of wideband sound when actuated. The switch can be actuated by pushing a diaphragm. Sound damping material can be used to mitigate audibility of the switch. Because the push-to-talk switch is substantially silent, it can be used in applications such as covert operations and battle situations where the sound of actuating the switch could have life threatening consequences.

Abstract: A cable assembly for personal electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music players is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the conchae of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the conchae. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the personal electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music player.

Abstract: An system for detecting contraband, particularly explosives or other energetic materials. The system includes a source of ionizing radiation that irradiates an item under inspection. The radiation stimulates the emission of RF energy from objects within the item under inspection. The characteristics of the emitted RF energy reveals information about the material composition of the objects. The system detects this emitted RF energy and comparers it to a signature of RF emissions from contraband objects. Apparatus to detect and analyze RF emissions may be constructed as a stand-alone unit or may be incorporated into an imaging system in which the ionizing radiation is used to form an image of the item under inspection. Similarly, the RF analysis may be used, in the first instance, to determine whether an object contains a contraband item or may be used as a second level analysis to clear alarms generated by analysis of images formed by the imaging system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end. The instrument also includes a cartridge housing and an anvil. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another, and the cartridge housing includes a knife adapted for cutting tissue by moving between the cartridge housing and the anvil. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for selective actuation. The instrument also includes a tissue retention feature having an upper member and a lower member maintaining tissue between the cartridge housing and the anvil during treatment, wherein the upper and lower members respectively include channels associated with the knife for guiding it between the cartridge housing and the anvil.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement communication link within which a hearing aid speaker is connected, whereby to supply loud and clear audio messages over a full range of frequencies from a receiver/transmitter (e.g., a 2-way radio) directly to the ear of the user in order to overcome the adverse effects of loud background noises and/or a hearing impairment of the user. The hearing aid speaker is electrically connected to an electrical receptacle by an electrical cable having a pair of conductors running between the hearing aid speaker and the receptacle. The hearing aid speaker is acoustically coupled to an ear piece to be received in the user's ear by way of acoustic tubing. The electric cable has a coiled section to be stretched and provide strain relief to the conductors running through the cable. The acoustic tubing has a gentle bend to run behind and over the top of the user's ear to better hold the ear piece therein.

Abstract: A flexible ear insert to be comfortably and inconspicuously carried in the ear of a wearer, particularly law enforcement and security personnel. The flexible ear insert has a central air space surrounded by an arcuate band and a linear bridge. A canal tube having a sound channel running therethrough projects outwardly from the bridge of the ear insert to deliver audio messages from an audio source to the ear canal of the wearer. By virtue of the central air space, the arcuate band can be collapsed inwardly to cause the ear insert to conform to the shape of the wearer's ear and thereby create a reliable fit. The central air space also enables nearby sounds from the wearer's surroundings to be delivered to the wearer's ear drum at the same time that the audio messages are being delivered thereto from the audio source via the sound channel through the canal tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for making balls of butter includes a conveyor and a dispensing head mounted above the conveyor for delivering pieces of butter to the conveyor. Two roller bar assemblies are mounted above the conveyor, and crank arms rotate each of the roller bar assemblies in a plane which extends generally parallel to the conveyor. As the butter pieces are moved by the conveyor past the roller bar assemblies, the roller bars roll the butter on the conveyor and form the butter into balls. The balls of butter may be delivered to a freeze tunnel for freezing before packaging.

Abstract: A trocar including a cannula with a tubular sleeve having a stepped region thereon is disclosed. The stepped region has a plurality of discrete steps. Each step has a step floor and a step support base tapering radially inwardly from the step floor to an adjacent step floor. When the trocar is inserted through the body wall, and the stepped region of the sleeve of the cannula contacts the body wall, the force required to inadvertently pull the cannula out of the body wall when surgical instruments are withdrawn from the cannula increases. Thus, the tubular sleeve of the cannula increases the retention force of the cannula during surgery. The retention force is increased without appreciably affecting the force required to insert the trocar through the body wall. Additionally, these benefits are achieved without using helical threads or externally mounted stability devices, which add cost, complexity and increased risk of causing unwanted tissue trauma.

Abstract: A reducer seal which fits within the cannula handle of the trocar. Contained on the reducer seal there is a seal retainer. Contained on the seal retainer there is a track and movable on the track there is a slide. The reducer track is attached to the trocar housing. The reducer seal retainer is attached to the slide and holds the reducer seal in place. The reducer slide then snaps onto the reducer track. In an "open" position the reducer slide is held away from an opening in the reducer. Detents on the reducer track hold the reducer in this position. Transverse motion moves the reducer into an active or "closed" position. The reducer seal slides into frictional engagement on the sealing surface of the reducer track. The reducer has a smaller diameter opening than the trocar cannula.

Abstract: A retractable obturator trocar with a puncturing tip is provided. Preferably the obturator includes a safety shield covering the puncturing tip in an unarmed position and permitting the tip to extend distally from the safety shield in an armed position. The obturator preferably includes a spool retracting mechanism which causes the distally extended obturator to retract into the safety shield when a force is applied to the puncturing tip. The obturator may also be manually disengaged. The safety shield and obturator preferably extend out of the distal end of the cannula whether the trocar is armed or unarmed.