Abstract: An apparatus for holding and driving a rotary cutting surgical instrument with a needle guiding stage of a stereotactic mammography biopsy system is disclosed. The system includes a rotary cutting surgical instrument having a housing with a mechanism for securing the housing to a needle guiding stage of the stereotactic mammography biopsy system. The apparatus further includes a position encoder and controller for determining the resistance experienced by the rotary cutting instrument and for controlling the rotation of the instrument in response to the resistance.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus for obtaining mammography images with optimal beam collimation is disclosed. Proportional control of collimator element position based upon compression paddle position and dimension inputs is provided to obtain optimal collimation of the X-ray beam for a desired imaging technique and compressed breast thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying at least one surgical fastener to body tissue, having a frame and a tubular member connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. The tubular member has a generally longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. At least one surgical fastener is supported by the tubular member, and a mechanism is provided for advancing the at least one surgical fastener distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue. An articulating structure is included for pivotally rotating the distal end portion to predetermined angles with respect to the generally longitudinal axis, where the articulating structure includes a rotatable mechanism rotatable about an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery, preferably with surgical mesh. The apparatus includes a staple storage cartridge supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end of the endoscopic section. An elongated pusher system extends from the frame to the endoscopic section and individually advances the staples distally. A pair of legs project distally from the pusher plate to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation of the staple. A trigger system actuates the pusher. An anvil structure having rounded anvil legs to match the configuration of the staples provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. The staple storage cartridge may be pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic section from 0.degree. to about 20.degree., 45.degree.

Abstract: A plunger homing mechanism for use in automated chromatography. A plunger cap holder holds the plunger cap of a syringe within a housing. The housing is biased with an isolation spring within a casing. The casing is raised and lowered to move the syringe plunger held within the housing. When the casing is lowered and the plunger hits bottom, the relative movement between the housing and the casing is detected by a sensor. The casing movement is then caused to stop. This permits the detection of a home or reference position for the accurate and precise withdrawal of a sample to be analyzed. Additionally, damage to the syringe from over driving the plunger rod is prevented.

Abstract: A belt tensioning apparatus using a spring to provide the proper tension in a belt. A belt/pulley assembly is disclosed with one pulley slidably mounted on a bracket. A spring compressed to a fixed distance to provide a known force is attached to the bracket by a screw. The bracket, being initially free to move, transfers the force to the belt/pulley assembly for providing the optimum tension in the belt/pulley assembly. Once the proper tension in the belt is obtained, the bracket can be securely fixed, preventing movement between the pulleys in the assembly. Re-tensioning, when necessary, is accomplished easily by simply loosening and resecuring the bracket.