Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapling device comprising a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating. The method comprises contacting a first authentication key protruding from a surgical staple cartridge in actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout into an intermediate position, contacting a second authentication key protruding from the surgical stapling cartridge distal to the first authentication key into other actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout from the intermediate position into an unlocked position, and operating the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: A sliding panel deadbolt lock assembly that is associated with a sliding panel that transitions between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary panel that is coupled to the sliding panel. A sliding panel lock assembly includes a pin that transitions between an engaged position and a retracted position. A first magnetic field sensing device is positioned at the retracted position of the pin when the pin is in the retracted position to enable the sliding panel to transition from the closed position. The first magnetic field sensing device detects a magnetic field generated by a first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin. The first magnetic field sensing device positioned at the retracted position of the pin is aligned with the first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin when the pin is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A sliding panel deadbolt lock assembly that is associated with a sliding panel that transitions between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary panel that is coupled to the sliding panel. A sliding panel lock assembly includes a pin that transitions between an engaged position and a retracted position. A first magnetic field sensing device is positioned at the retracted position of the pin when the pin is in the retracted position to enable the sliding panel to transition from the closed position. The first magnetic field sensing device detects a magnetic field generated by a first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin. The first magnetic field sensing device positioned at the retracted position of the pin is aligned with the first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin when the pin is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A sliding panel deadbolt lock assembly that is associated with a sliding panel that transitions between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary panel that is coupled to the sliding panel. A sliding panel lock assembly includes a pin that transitions between an engaged position and a retracted position. A first magnetic field sensing device is positioned at the retracted position of the pin when the pin is in the retracted position to enable the sliding panel to transition from the closed position. The first magnetic field sensing device detects a magnetic field generated by a first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin. The first magnetic field sensing device positioned at the retracted position of the pin is aligned with the first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin when the pin is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A sliding panel deadbolt lock assembly that is associated with a sliding panel that transitions between an open position and a closed position relative to a stationary panel that is coupled to the sliding panel. A sliding panel lock assembly includes a pin that transitions between an engaged position and a retracted position. A first magnetic field sensing device is positioned at the retracted position of the pin when the pin is in the retracted position to enable the sliding panel to transition from the closed position. The first magnetic field sensing device detects a magnetic field generated by a first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin. The first magnetic field sensing device positioned at the retracted position of the pin is aligned with the first magnetic field generating device positioned on the pin when the pin is in the retracted position.

Abstract: In a process for forming low-density foamed articles, a blend of foamable thermoplastic material and physical foaming agent concentrate is mixed and melted and expanded to form an extruded foam article.

Abstract: A continuous cell line of megakaryocytic origin is disclosed. This novel continuous cell line has been established in athymic nude mice. The cells of the established cell line monophenotypic for megakaryocytes is characterized as having multilobed nuclei and granular cytoplasm and being reactive for Factor VIII antigen, glycoprotein IIB-IIIa complex antigen and platelet peroxidase. The established cell line of this invention generates in isolatable quantities platelet-like factor IV, FGF-like, .beta.-thromboglobulin-like and TGF-.beta.-like growth factors. Methods for cultivating the established cell line, in a nude animal and isolating and purifying the proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter using superconducting interferometers connected in parallel, each interferometer being identical. The coupling of the analog signal to each successive interferometer is increased in the ratio of 1:2:4:8:16:32:, etc. The application of a pulsed power supply to the parallel connected interferometer generates output voltages on the interferometers. The output voltages are a Gray Code representation of the analog signal.