Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: A tracked skate runner provides a low-profile substitute for a wheel with exceptionally low rolling resistance on rough or soft terrain. The runner includes a skate frame and rollers that bear against an endless track of hinged links devoid of pinch points that can get jammed with ground debris. The skate frame provides a channel with sidewalls and a top dirt shield. The sidewalls fit closely with the links of the track to seal out dirt, and the top dirt shield protects the rollers from dirt that shakes off the top recirculating portion of the track.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for indicating that a cartridge has been fired includes an end effector receiving a cartridge having at least one of a knife and a plurality of staples, a shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly has a handle housing, a firing member configured to selectively actuate from a first position to a second position as a firing stroke, and a feedback generator operatively connected to the firing member. The firing member is configured to actuate the cartridge from an unfired cartridge position to a fired cartridge position when the firing member is actuated. The feedback generator is configured to communicate an audible sound and a visual indicia to an operator indicative of the firing member completing the firing stroke for actuating the cartridge to the fired cartridge position.

Abstract: A tracked skate runner provides a low-profile substitute for a wheel with exceptionally low rolling resistance on rough or soft terrain. The runner includes a skate frame and rollers that bear against an endless track of hinged links devoid of pinch points that can get jammed with ground debris. The skate frame provides a channel with sidewalls and a top dirt shield. The sidewalls fit closely with the links of the track to seal out dirt, and the top dirt shield protects the rollers from dirt that shakes off the top recirculating portion of the track.

Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: Example energy-storage implementations are provided. One example implementation involves a device that has a gap extending between a first side of the device and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side is to overlap a first cell and a second cell. The device includes a first contact to couple with the first cell and a second contact to couple with the second cell. The device also includes a flexure having a curved edge adjacent to the gap. The curved edge extends from a first end positioned to overlap with the first cell to a second end positioned to overlap with the second cell. A curvature of the curved edge flexibly changes in response to a motion of the first contact.

Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for indicating that a cartridge has been fired includes an end effector receiving a cartridge having at least one of a knife and a plurality of staples, a shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly has a handle housing, a firing member configured to selectively actuate from a first position to a second position as a firing stroke, and a feedback generator operatively connected to the firing member. The firing member is configured to actuate the cartridge from an unfired cartridge position to a fired cartridge position when the firing member is actuated. The feedback generator is configured to communicate an audible sound and a visual indicia to an operator indicative of the firing member completing the firing stroke for actuating the cartridge to the fired cartridge position.

Abstract: To overcome the restriction on the number of handsets or portable parts that can be rung at any one time using the DECT protocol, the ULE B-field paging mechanism is used as a replacement for the DECT indirect link establishment scheme. ULE B-field paging is used to indicate the presence of an incoming call to multiple handsets, or handset groups. Also, the ULE Connectionless, (connectionless), downlink may be used to indicate other information. This information would include but not be limited to Caller ID, pending address book changes, and SMS message pending.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling operation of a LDC network within a DECT system having a modified protocol, comprising an A-field with an identity of a FP shared by both the DECT system and the LDC network, B-fields with unique sync patterns for the DECT system and the LDC network, respectively; and separate dummy bearers for transmission by the FP for the DECT system and the LDC network, respectively, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling operation of a LDC network within a DECT system having a modified protocol, comprising an A-field with an identity of a FP shared by both the DECT system and the LDC network, B-fields with unique sync patterns for the DECT system and the LDC network, respectively; and separate dummy bearers for transmission by the FP for the DECT system and the LDC network, respectively, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A push-paddle has a buoyant wedge-shaped push-block attached to the bottom end of a pole. When pressed into the water wedge-end first, the push-block provides high drag and buoyant force for the user to push against and propel a watercraft using a punting-like motion. At the end of the power stroke, the wedge slips easily and quickly up out of the water allowing the user to recoil the push-paddle through the air.

Abstract: A skateboard for use on pavement, ice or snow using a single narrow-footprint wheel, ice-blade or ski-runner attached to each foot, thus requiring the rider to dynamically balance the board. The skateboard is capable of self-propulsion at considerable speed on the flat or uphill by using an undulating motion. It can also lean up to 30 degrees and has a steering circle of only two feet. The board's construction comprises a front footboard, a rear footboard, and a strut which connects the two footboards and resists bending and extension. Each footboard includes a footpad, an attachment (i.e. a wheel, blade or ski), and a pivot joint connecting to the strut. The axis of this joint is aligned perpendicular to the footpad which allows the rider to steer each footboard independently by torsionally rotating the lower leg.

Abstract: A system for transferring a customer's account information from one account to a new account is described. The system utilizes a switch kit application and associated system that can determine services at the old account and facilitate the transfer of these services to the new account.

Abstract: A skateboard for use on pavement, ice or snow using a single narrow-footprint wheel, ice-blade or ski-runner attached to each foot, thus requiring the rider to dynamically balance the board. The skateboard is capable of self-propulsion at considerable speed on the flat or uphill by using an undulating motion. It can also lean up to 30 degrees and has a steering circle of only two feet. The board's construction comprises a front footboard, a rear footboard, and a strut which connects the two footboards and resists bending and extension. Each footboard includes a footpad, an attachment (i.e. a wheel, blade or ski), and a pivot joint connecting to the strut. The axis of this joint is aligned perpendicular to the footpad which allows the rider to steer each footboard independently by torsionally rotating the lower leg.