Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller; a first motor; and a second motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly, and a distal end portion; a first actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the first motor; and a second actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the second motor. The surgical device further includes an end effector configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly. The end effector is coupled to the first actuation assembly that articulates the end effector about an articulation axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The end effector also includes a flexible drive beam coupled to the second actuation assembly and movable axially by the second actuation assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller; a first motor; and a second motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly, and a distal end portion; a first actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the first motor; and a second actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the second motor. The surgical device further includes an end effector configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly. The end effector is coupled to the first actuation assembly that articulates the end effector about an articulation axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The end effector also includes a flexible drive beam coupled to the second actuation assembly and movable axially by the second actuation assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly including a jaw assembly and an impedance assembly. The jaw assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The tool assembly supports an impedance assembly for measuring the impedance of tissue grasped within the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device also includes a specimen bag adhered to both the anvil assembly and the elongated support channel of the cartridge assembly. The specimen bag includes a drawstring within a drawstring housing. Once the surgical stapling device is inserted into a patient's body and the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are open, a tissue specimen is placed into the specimen bag. The anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are then closed on the tissue specimen and the surgical stapling device is fired. The specimen bag then separates from the surgical stapling device and both the surgical stapling device and the specimen bag are removed from the patient.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is adapted to enhance cell migration towards a wound site when staples are placed in tissue. In order to enhance cell migration, the staple cartridge is adapted to create an electrical potential within the tissue in the area of a wound or cut line. In embodiments, the electrical potential is created within the tissue by using staples in spaced rows formed of dissimilar metals having different anodic indexes to create a voltage gradient in the tissue to enhance cell migration toward the cut line.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly including a jaw assembly and an impedance assembly. The jaw assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The tool assembly supports an impedance assembly for measuring the impedance of tissue grasped within the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is adapted to enhance cell migration towards a wound site when staples are placed in tissue. In order to enhance cell migration, the staple cartridge is adapted to create an electrical potential within the tissue in the area of a wound or cut line. In embodiments, the electrical potential is created within the tissue by using staples in spaced rows formed of dissimilar metals having different anodic indexes to create a voltage gradient in the tissue to enhance cell migration toward the cut line.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device also includes a specimen bag adhered to both the anvil assembly and the elongated support channel of the cartridge assembly. The specimen bag includes a drawstring within a drawstring housing. Once the surgical stapling device is inserted into a patient's body and the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are open, a tissue specimen is placed into the specimen bag. The anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly are then closed on the tissue specimen and the surgical stapling device is fired. The specimen bag then separates from the surgical stapling device and both the surgical stapling device and the specimen bag are removed from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller; a first motor; and a second motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly, and a distal end portion; a first actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the first motor; and a second actuation assembly disposed within the tubular housing and coupled to the second motor. The surgical device further includes an end effector configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly. The end effector is coupled to the first actuation assembly that articulates the end effector about an articulation axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The end effector also includes a flexible drive beam coupled to the second actuation assembly and movable axially by the second actuation assembly.

Abstract: A portable seat assembly for safely securing an occupant such as a child within a vehicle is provided. The portable seat assembly readily converts between an expanded state and a collapsed state. In the expanded state, the portable seat assembly can secure the occupant in the vehicle. In the collapsed state, the portable seat assembly is readily carried and/or stowed by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for one or more electrochromic elements used in an outside electrochromic (OEC) mirror used in automobiles or other vehicular applications, to control the glare of both IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). An ambient light senor (129) and glare sensor (133) operate to determine a glare level used to control both IEC and OEC electrochromic elements. The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be controlled so as to account for various factors such as tinted glass characteristics in the vehicle.

Abstract: A microphone includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides. The microphone transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which with the circuit produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A healthcare decision support system simulates effects of a change in a number of patients. A repository includes patient specific clinical and non-clinical data, comprising multiple medical record attributes of multiple patients. A simulation processor receives data representing multiple factors for adjusting a value representing number of patients in corresponding multiple associated subsets of the multiple patients. An individual subset comprises patients having a particular medical record attribute of a particular type. A calculation processor identifies patients common to different particular subsets, and calculates a change in a value representing number of patients common to the different particular subsets by calculating a product of factors associated with the different particular subsets.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of electrochromic elements, for example, used in automobiles, to control the glare of the IEC elements used as a rearview mirror (20) as well as the OEC elements (24, 26) used as sideview mirrors (24, 26). The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be customized to account for various factors such as the type of curvature as well as the size, vehicle glass characteristics, such as tinting, operating temperature and shape.

Abstract: A sense transistor is placed in a current path between a reference voltage source and ground. The base terminal of the sense transistor is coupled to the base terminal of an amplifying transistor. Thus, current in the sense transistor corresponds to signal power output by the amplifying transistor. The sense current causes a sense voltage at the collector terminal of the sense transistor. This sense voltage is applied to one input of an error amplifier. The other error amplifier input receives a power control voltage. The error amplifier output is routed back to the base terminal of the amplifying transistor in a negative feedback loop, thereby keeping the power of the signal output by the amplifying transistor at a constant level. In some embodiments the error amplifier output is made independent of changes in the reference voltage. Multiple pairs of corresponding amplifying and sense transistors can be used.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Abstract: A method of assessing risk of an individual for a disease is disclosed. A level of a marker for the disease is detected, and the risk of disease is computed from a statistical analysis of the marker level distributions for tested normal and diseased populations, using multivariate distributions. The computed risk is compared to thresholds to triage the individual into a normal, borderline, or elevated risk group, and a course of action based on the risk group is determined. Memory storing a program for execution on a data processing system, as well as a computer system comprising said memory is also disclosed, the memory comprising a receiver for signals representative of levels of a marker for the disease; a central processing unit for computing risk of disease from one or more levels of the marker, and for comparing the computed risk to thresholds to triage the individual; and storage medium for the marker levels for subsequent computations of risk of disease.