Abstract: A data communication gateway for a construction machine communication system, including a first, a second, and a third data interface arranged to be mutually interconnected. The first interface is arranged to be connected to a private network of a construction machine, the second interface is arranged to be connected to an attachment network, and the third interface is arranged to be connected to an auxiliary network. A message format table configured in the gateway ECU is indicative of a message formatting relative to a standard message format of the construction machine communication system. The gateway ECU is arranged to receive a message on a source interface out of the first, second, and third interfaces, translate a data content of the message based on the message format table, and forward a message comprising the translated data content onto a destination interface out of the first, second, and third interfaces.

Abstract: A breast milk expression apparatus includes at least one compression pad disposable about a breast of a user and configured for radial displacement relative to the breast. The apparatus includes a compression unit coupled to the at least one pad, configured to cyclically displace the at least one pad radially inwardly to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, permitting the breast to expand and decompress.

Abstract: A breast milk expression apparatus includes at least one compression pad disposable about a breast of a user and configured for radial displacement relative to the breast. The apparatus includes a compression unit coupled to the at least one pad, configured to cyclically displace the at least one pad radially inwardly to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, permitting the breast to expand and decompress.

Abstract: A breast milk expression apparatus for manipulating a breast of a user includes an outer shell, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner pads coupled to the outer shell. The pads are configured to engage the breast of the user and configured for radial displacement. The breast milk expression apparatus further includes a compression unit coupled to the plurality of pads. The compression unit is configured to cyclically displace the pads radially inwardly against the breast to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, to permit displacement of the pads radially outwardly from the breast as the breast decompresses.

Abstract: A breast milk expression apparatus for manipulating a breast of a user includes an outer shell, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner pads coupled to the outer shell. The pads are configured to engage the breast of the user and configured for radial displacement. The breast milk expression apparatus further includes a compression unit coupled to the plurality of pads. The compression unit is configured to cyclically displace the pads radially inwardly against the breast to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, to permit displacement of the pads radially outwardly from the breast as the breast decompresses.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible, locking insertion device includes a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. A device locks the handle to and unlocks the handle from the instrument, which is at least partly disposed within the hollow body. A device transitions the hollow body between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition. A method for operating a torque-transmitting, locking insertion device includes placing the instrument at least partly within the hollow body and locking the handle to and unlocking the handle from the instrument. The hollow body is transitioned between a relatively flexible condition and a relatively stiff condition.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part. The receiving portion has a communication connection. A handle connected to the end effector actuates the end effector. The handle has a controller electrically connected to the communication connection for authenticating the interchangeable part when placed at the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably connected to the receiving portion and has an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection when placed at the receiving portion. The encryption device authenticates the interchangeable part when queried by the electric controller.

Abstract: An OTC surgical device includes a handle having therein a compression controller and thereat an end effector, which has an electrically controlled tissue-compressor coupled to the controller and powered thereby to selectively control tissue compression. A mechanical binary-output electrical switch is disposed in-line with the compressor to place a compressing force directed upon the compressed tissue proportionally upon the switch. The switch has two switching states initiated and changed only by mechanical movement. The switch includes a biasing device retaining the switch in a first switching state until a force imparted thereupon overcomes the bias force to change to the second switching state. A switching-state-status output provides information identifying a current state and communicates with the compression controller to selectively control compression of tissue based upon the information. With appropriate feedback, the controller can keep the tissue at OTC while the surgical procedure is carried out.

Abstract: A method for effecting a tissue-compressing surgery at a user-selected compression force provides an electrical switch having switching states changed solely by mechanical movements. The switch is mechanically coupled with an adjustable biasing device retaining the switch in one state until a force greater than the bias device is imparted to the switch. The switch is in line with a tissue-compressing device to place a proportional amount of compression force on the switch as imparted upon the tissue. The biasing device is set to a desired state-changing tissue compression force so that the switch changes its state when the force on the switch is at least the desired force. Tissue compresses until a force imparted on the switch at least equals the desired state-changing tissue compression force and, at such time, the switching state changes and, thereafter, a surgical procedure is carried out on the compressed tissue.

Abstract: A method of conducting an economic transaction includes the steps of wirelessly receiving a card-transmitted signal, where the card-transmitted signal includes user account information and an indicator of an amount of elapsed time between a recognition of a vibration applied to a wirelessly-transmitting credit or debit card and a transmission of the card-transmitted signal from the card. The method further includes determining a last detected vibration at a point-of-sale device, calculating an amount of time elapsed since the identification of the last detected vibration, and comparing the amount of time elapsed since the identification of the last detected vibration with the amount of elapsed time between a recognition of a vibration applied to a card and a transmission of the card-transmitted signal from the card.

Abstract: An anti-tangling device includes a headphone cord having a distal end, a male signal plug at the distal end, a proximal end, and at least one earphone at the proximal end. Each of the plug and the earphone has first or second parts of a two-part connection device. The two-part connection device removably secures the plug and the earphone to one another. In an embodiment, the plug is the first part and the earphone has a plug-in portion as the second part. The plug-in portion defines a female port shaped to removably secure the plug therein and, when secured, forms a continuous loop with the cord, the plug, and the earphone. The plug-in portion can be integral with or removably attached to the earphone. The first and second parts can be a magnet and a magnetized piece, a hook-and-loop type fastener, or parts of a press-fit snap fastener.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having an actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated. An electric motor has a rated operating voltage and is operationally connected to the end effector to operate the actuation assembly. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and selectively powers the motor to actuate the actuation assembly at least 1 and less than 16 times during a clinical life of at least one of the end effector, the motor, or the power supply. The power supply has a battery cell with a critical current rate. When activated to power the motor and actuate the actuation assembly, the power supply operates the battery cell at a super-critical current rate during a non-zero super-critical pulse discharge period lasting less than approximately 16 seconds. The power supply operates the motor above the rated operating voltage during the super-critical pulse discharge period.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, an electric motor operationally connected to the end effector to operate the at least one actuation assembly, and a power supply electrically connected to the motor and selectively powering the motor to actuate the actuation assembly. The power supply has a battery cell with a critical current rate and, when activated to power the motor and actuate the actuation assembly, operates the cell at a super-critical current rate or at an average current rate above the critical current rate. The power supply selectively powers the motor to actuate the assembly less than 16 times during a clinical life of at least one of the end effector, the motor, and the power supply. When actuated, the assembly operates only between 0.5 seconds and 16 seconds in duration.

Abstract: An electrically operated surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly effecting a surgical procedure when actuated and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the assembly. A part of the assembly moves between start and fully actuated positions. The handle has a self-contained power supply and a drive assembly disposed entirely within the handle. The drive assembly has an electrically powered motor and a controller electrically connected to the power supply and to the motor. The controller selectively operates the motor. A transmission mechanically connects the motor to the moving part and selectively displaces the moving part anywhere between the start and fully extended positions when the motor is operated. A manual release is mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the start position independent of motor operation.

Abstract: An automatically releasing instrument holder includes a grip to be held by an operator for guiding an instrument, an actuator to be activated by the operator and a biasing device exerting a force. A clamp is moved by the actuator toward the instrument against the force of the biasing device and is moved by the biasing device away from the instrument upon releasing the actuator. A method for operating the instrument holder is also provided.

Abstract: A method of conducting an economic transaction includes the steps of wirelessly receiving a card-transmitted signal, where the card-transmitted signal includes user account information and an indicator of an amount of elapsed time between a recognition of a vibration applied to a wirelessly-transmitting credit or debit card and a transmission of the card-transmitted signal from the card. The method further includes determining a last detected vibration at a point-of-sale device, calculating an amount of time elapsed since the identification of the last detected vibration, and comparing the amount of time elapsed since the identification of the last detected vibration with the amount of elapsed time between a recognition of a vibration applied to a card and a transmission of the card-transmitted signal from the card.

Abstract: An anti-tangling device includes a headphone cord having a distal end, a male signal plug at the distal end, a proximal end, and at least one earphone at the proximal end. Each of the plug and the earphone has first or second parts of a two-part connection device. The two-part connection device removably secures the plug and the earphone to one another. In an embodiment, the plug is the first part and the earphone has a plug-in portion as the second part. The plug-in portion defines a female port shaped to removably secure the plug therein and, when secured, forms a continuous loop with the cord, the plug, and the earphone. The plug-in portion can be integral with or removably attached to the earphone. The first and second parts can be a magnet and a magnetized piece, a hook-and-loop type fastener, or parts of a press-fit snap fastener.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting identification system for a medical tubing system, including a tubing assembly having upstream and downstream tubing portions removably connected to one another in a mechanically coupled state and a mechanically uncoupled state. The mechanically coupled state is a reliable fluid tight connection of the upstream and downstream portions for fluids passing there through from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A two-part encrypted identification assembly has a first part connected to the upstream portion and a second part connected to the downstream portion. The first and second parts are electrically connected only through one lead and ground and are electrically connected to one another only in the mechanically coupled state. Also provided are methods for identification, anti-piracy, and inventory.

Abstract: An electrically operated surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly effecting a surgical procedure when actuated and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the assembly. A part of the assembly moves between start and fully actuated positions. The handle has a self-contained power supply and a drive assembly disposed entirely within the handle. The drive assembly has an electrically powered motor and a controller electrically connected to the power supply and to the motor. The controller selectively operates the motor. A transmission mechanically connects the motor to the moving part and selectively displaces the moving part anywhere between the start and fully extended positions when the motor is operated. A manual release is mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the start position independent of motor operation.