Abstract: A patient support includes a bladder layer with a plurality of bladders, a pneumatic supply system, and a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with pneumatic supply system. The tubes are coupled to and guided by the bladder layer so that the tubes and bladder layer may remain in close registry when being handled, for example, either during the assembly process or cleaning process.

Abstract: A cover for a mattress for supporting a patient is adapted to provide a generally smooth top surface over the mattress while still accommodating the movement of portions of the mattress or changes in thickness of the mattress, for example, when turning the patient.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes a plurality of cushioning layers arranged such that their supporting surfaces when unloaded are generally arranged in a plane, and with each cushioning layer interlocked with each adjacent cushioning layer wherein each cushioning layer provides lateral and longitudinal support to each of its adjacent cushion layer.

Abstract: A patient support includes a bladder layer with a plurality of bladders, a pneumatic supply system, and a plurality of tubes in fluid communication with pneumatic supply system. The tubes are coupled to and guided by the bladder layer so that the tubes and bladder layer may remain in close registry when being handled, for example, either during the assembly process or cleaning process.

Abstract: A cover for a mattress for supporting a patient is adapted to provide a generally smooth top surface over the mattress while still accommodating the movement of portions of the mattress or changes in thickness of the mattress, for example, when turning the patient.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes a plurality of cushioning layers arranged such that their supporting surfaces when unloaded are generally arranged in a plane, and with each cushioning layer interlocked with each adjacent cushioning layer wherein each cushioning layer provides lateral and longitudinal support to each of its adjacent cushion layer.

Abstract: A core biopsy device comprises a cutting cannula provided at a distal end with a helical excising blade. The cutting cannula can be rotated within a tissue mass so that the helical excising blade can excise a biopsy sample from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An adjustable coaxial needle assembly for placement into a tissue mass prior to a biopsy procedure comprises a guide cannula assembly, a stylet, and a throw calibrator. The stylet is selectively coaxially received by the guide cannula, which is in turn coaxially received by the throw calibrator. The effective length of the guide cannula can be selectively adjusted by moving the throw calibrator relative to the guide cannula to adjust the distance between an open distal end of the guide cannula and a the throw calibrator.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing, a stylet carriage having a strike, a cannula carriage having a strike, and a cocking element comprising a catch carried by a resilient shaft that extends along an operational axis of the biopsy device. To arm the biopsy device, the cocking element is moved in a first arming stroke such that the catch engages the strike on the cannula carriage to deflect the resilient shaft from the operational axis such that the catch clears the strike on the stylet.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing, a stylet carriage having a strike, a cannula carriage having a strike, and a cocking element comprising a catch carried by a resilient shaft that extends along an operational axis of the biopsy device. To arm the biopsy device, the cocking element is moved in a first arming stroke such that the catch engages the strike on the cannula carriage to deflect the resilient shaft from the operational axis such that the catch clears the strike on the stylet.

Abstract: An adjustable coaxial needle assembly for placement into a tissue mass prior to a biopsy procedure comprises a guide cannula assembly, a stylet, and a throw calibrator. The stylet is selectively coaxially received by the guide cannula, which is in turn coaxially received by the throw calibrator. The effective length of the guide cannula can be selectively adjusted by moving the throw calibrator relative to the guide cannula to adjust the distance between an open distal end of the guide cannula and a the throw calibrator.

Abstract: A core biopsy device comprises a cutting cannula provided at a distal end with a helical excising blade. The cutting cannula can be rotated within a tissue mass so that the helical excising blade can excise a biopsy sample from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a housing carrying a stylet is telescoping register with a coring cannula and a specimen length adjuster operably coupled to the stylet to move the stylet relative to the coring cannula to set the size of the biopsy sample to be collected. The coring cannula is moved over the stylet and rotated relative to the stylet to excise the biopsy sample from surrounding tissue. A trigger assembly is provided that includes a release button on opposing sides of the housing as well as a rear trigger button that enables a user to comfortably actuate the biopsy device using any of the three trigger buttons.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue is disclosed. The clip applier includes an elongated housing having proximate and distal ends. This housing also defines a feed surface for the surgical clips. The clip applier also includes first and second jaws extending from the distal end of the housing. The jaws open and close to apply the surgical clips to the body tissue of the patient. A driver is disposed within the housing to advance the surgical clips from the feed surface to the jaws. The clip applier of the present invention incorporates a backing surface extending from the distal end of the housing and extending along the jaws. Accordingly, the backing surface bears against the jaws by constantly applying a force such that the housing is always pre-loaded against the jaws. As such, the jaws are maintained in proper alignment with the feed surface and the surgical clips can be advanced from the feed surface to the jaws without a misfeed.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue is disclosed. The clip applier includes an elongated housing having proximate and distal ends. This housing also defines a feed surface for the surgical clips. The clip applier also includes first and second jaws extending from the distal end of the housing. The jaws open and close to apply the surgical clips to the body tissue of the patient. A driver is disposed within the housing to advance the surgical clips from the feed surface to the jaws. The clip applier of the present invention incorporates a backing surface extending from the distal end of the housing and extending along the jaws. Accordingly, the backing surface bears against the jaws by constantly applying a force such that the housing is always pre-loaded against the jaws. As such, the jaws are maintained in proper alignment with the feed surface and the surgical clips can be advanced from the feed surface to the jaws without a misfeed.

Abstract: This invention provides surgical instruments having improved lockout mechanisms. The surgical instruments are of the type which have an operating mechanism for repeatedly performing a surgical procedure and a control mechanism for manipulating the instrument between a neutral position and a ready position for performing the surgical procedure. The instruments comprise a passive lockout assembly and an active lockout assembly. The passive lockout assembly includes a key which is operatively connected to the control mechanism. The key immobilizes the operating mechanism unless the instrument is in the ready position. The active lockout assembly includes a plunger operatively connected to a manually operable switch. The plunger immobilizes the operating mechanism unless the switch is operated and reengages the operating mechanism each time the instrument is used.