Abstract: A needle camera adaptor includes a tube-shaped body having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen that extends along the longitudinal axis. A centrally-located lateral access opening is formed in an outer wall of the tube-shaped body. A needle securing channel is formed in the outer wall and extends between the lateral access opening and the distal end of the tube-shaped body. A curved suture needle is disposed within the needle securing channel. The needle securing channel and the curved suture needle extend along an axis that defines an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis of the needle camera adaptor. A visualization device, facing distally, is positioned within the lumen at the proximal end of the tube-shaped body. The lateral access opening, the needle securing channel, and the curved suture needle are located within a field of view of the visualization device.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: A needle camera adaptor includes a tube-shaped body having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen that extends along the longitudinal axis. A centrally-located lateral access opening is formed in an outer wall of the tube-shaped body. A needle securing channel is formed in the outer wall and extends between the lateral access opening and the distal end of the tube-shaped body. A curved suture needle is disposed within the needle securing channel. The needle securing channel and the curved suture needle extend along an axis that defines an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis of the needle camera adaptor. A visualization device, facing distally, is positioned within the lumen at the proximal end of the tube-shaped body. The lateral access opening, the needle securing channel, and the curved suture needle are located within a field of view of the visualization device.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having an anvil including a plurality of staple forming pockets for forming staples. The staple forming pockets include first and second staple forming cups configured to receive first and second legs of a staple respectively. The first staple forming cup within each staple forming pocket has a different depth from the second staple forming cup within that staple forming pocket.

Abstract: Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

Abstract: A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprises a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component. A socket is configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprises a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint. At least one biasing member is in the joint assembly. A clamp clamps the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another.

Abstract: A device that is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the digestive tract of a human is disclosed. The device may be placed through a method such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The device includes a gastrostomy style structure that provides fluid communication with the external environment of the patient with the internal contents of the stomach. The device is produced with a series of slotted collection channels that preferentially, when connected to a source of negative relative pressure, directs a significant volume of the high calorie fluidic components of the chyme out of the digestive tract, preventing exposure to the absorptive tissues of the digestive tract when simple sugars and carbohydrates are consumed.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor for producing a bi-directional rotational output. A casing is connected to the motor at a proximal end, the casing having an inner cavity defining a joint surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity of the casing and actuated by the motor for rotation. A sliding tube assembly has a sliding tube in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation in an axial direction relative to the casing. A pair of traveling nuts is connected to the sliding tube assembly for moving with the sliding tube in the axial direction, the traveling nuts being operatively engaged to the threaded shaft for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube, the traveling nuts being on opposite sides of a member of the sliding tube assembly connecting the traveling nuts to the sliding tube.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having an anvil including a plurality of staple forming pockets for forming staples. The staple forming pockets include first and second staple forming cups configured to receive first and second legs of a staple respectively. The first staple forming cup within each staple forming pocket has a different depth from the second staple forming cup within that staple forming pocket.

Abstract: A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprises a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component. A socket is configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprises a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint. At least one biasing member is in the joint assembly. A clamp clamps the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another.

Abstract: A device that is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the digestive tract of a human is disclosed. The device may be placed through a method such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The device includes a gastrostomy style structure that provides fluid communication with the external environment of the patient with the internal contents of the stomach. The device is produced with a series of slotted collection channels that preferentially, when connected to a source of negative relative pressure, directs a significant volume of the high calorie fluidic components of the chyme out of the digestive tract, preventing exposure to the absorptive tissues of the digestive tract when simple sugars and carbohydrates are consumed.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor having an output. An end block is connected to a casing and to the motor and has a counterbore at a distal end with a bearing seated and retained in the counterbore. A coupling assembly couples the output shaft of the motor to a threaded shaft for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A sliding tube is in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor having an output shaft. A casing of the motor has an inner cavity with a counterbore seat surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity. A bearing is received in the counterbore seat surface. A coupling assembly has a first coupling component receiving the rotational output from the motor, and a second coupling component coupled to the first coupling component for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A sliding tube is sliding arrangement with the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing. A traveling nut is in the sliding tube for moving therewith for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube. An integral driven assembly unit comprising the bearing, the threaded shaft, the traveling nut and the sliding tube interconnected to one another so as to be removable by pulling out the integral driven assembly as a whole from the inner cavity of the casing via the proximal end.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor for producing a bi-directional rotational output. A casing is connected to the motor at a proximal end, the casing having an inner cavity defining a joint surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity of the casing and actuated by the motor for rotation. A sliding tube assembly has a sliding tube in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation in an axial direction relative to the casing. A pair of traveling nuts is connected to the sliding tube assembly for moving with the sliding tube in the axial direction, the traveling nuts being operatively engaged to the threaded shaft for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube, the traveling nuts being on opposite sides of a member of the sliding tube assembly connecting the traveling nuts to the sliding tube.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a motor having an output shaft. A casing of the motor has an inner cavity defining a joint surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity of the casing, and a bearing within the inner cavity. A coupling assembly couples the output shaft to the threaded shaft, and has a first coupling component receiving the rotational output from the motor, and a second coupling component coupled to the first coupling component for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A substantial portion of a coupling is in an axial section of the linear actuator delimited by a proximal and distal surface of the bearing. A sliding tube is within the inner cavity and translates relative to the casing. A traveling nut is connected to the sliding tube for moving therewith for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the securement of tissue and in particular for placement of a tongue base suspension fiber for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The system incorporates disposable connectors with releasable needles to facilitate the placement of fibers with minimal increase in suture site dilation or trauma.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor having an output. An end block is connected to a casing and to the motor and has a counterbore at a distal end with a bearing seated and retained in the counterbore. A coupling assembly couples the output shaft of the motor to a threaded shaft for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A sliding tube is in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor having an output shaft. A casing of the motor has an inner cavity with a counterbore seat surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity. A bearing is received in the counterbore seat surface. A coupling assembly has a first coupling component receiving the rotational output from the motor, and a second coupling component coupled to the first coupling component for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A sliding tube is sliding arrangement with the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing. A traveling nut is in the sliding tube for moving therewith for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube. An integral driven assembly unit comprising the bearing, the threaded shaft, the traveling nut and the sliding tube interconnected to one another so as to be removable by pulling out the integral driven assembly as a whole from the inner cavity of the casing via the proximal end.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a motor having an output shaft. A casing of the motor has an inner cavity defining a joint surface. A threaded shaft is within the inner cavity of the casing, and a bearing within the inner cavity. A coupling assembly couples the output shaft to the threaded shaft, and has a first coupling component receiving the rotational output from the motor, and a second coupling component coupled to the first coupling component for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A substantial portion of a coupling is in an axial section of the linear actuator delimited by a proximal and distal surface of the bearing. A sliding tube is within the inner cavity and translates relative to the casing. A traveling nut is connected to the sliding tube for moving therewith for converting a rotational motion of the threaded shaft into a translation of the sliding tube.