Abstract: A surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and a wrist that interposes the end effector and the distal end. The wrist including a proximal clevis included at the distal end, a pair of pivot discs rotatably coupled to the proximal clevis and providing a centerline extending through a center of each pivot disc, a distal wrist axle extending through the pair of pivot discs and along a pivot axis that is eccentric to the centerline, a distal plurality of pulleys mounted to the distal wrist axle, and a proximal plurality of pulleys mounted to the proximal clevis at a proximal wrist axle and offset from the distal plurality of pulleys. Rotation of the pair of pivot discs moves the distal wrist axle and thereby adjusts a distance between the proximal and distal pluralities of pulleys.

Abstract: A method of replacing cables in a cable-driven surgical tool includes accessing a cable system of the cable-driven surgical tool, the cable-driven surgical tool including a shaft and an end effector operatively coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The cable system comprises distal and proximal cable portions extending within the shaft and adjoined by a releasable interconnect, the distal cable portion being operatively coupled to the end effector. The distal and proximal cable portions are disconnectable at the releasable interconnect, wherein the distal cable portion exhibits a first diameter and the proximal cable portion exhibits a second diameter greater than the distal cable portion. The distal cable portion is then removed and replaced with a replacement distal cable portion mated to the proximal cable portion.

Abstract: A method of replacing cables in a cable-driven surgical tool includes accessing a cable system of the cable-driven surgical tool, the cable-driven surgical tool including a shaft and an end effector operatively coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The cable system comprises distal and proximal cable portions extending within the shaft and adjoined by a releasable interconnect, the distal cable portion being operatively coupled to the end effector. The distal and proximal cable portions are disconnectable at the releasable interconnect, wherein the distal cable portion exhibits a first diameter and the proximal cable portion exhibits a second diameter greater than the distal cable portion. The distal cable portion is then removed and replaced with a replacement distal cable portion mated to the proximal cable portion.

Abstract: Interposing a releasable interconnect between distal and proximal cable portions of a cable within a cable-driven surgical tool may facilitate cable replacement. Cable-driven surgical tools may comprise: an elongate shaft defining a lumen that extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the elongate shaft, an end effector operably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a plurality of cable systems extending within the lumen and operably engaging the end effector. Each cable system comprises a distal cable portion and a proximal cable portion that are adjoined by a releasable interconnect.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing that houses drive cable capstans operatively coupled to corresponding drive inputs, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. A plurality of drive cables extend between the drive housing and the end effector, and each drive cable is associated with a corresponding one of drive cable capstans. A manual release assembly is coupled to the drive housing and includes a release lever that is manually movable between a stowed position, where the drive cable capstans are operatively coupled to the drive inputs, to an actuated position, where the drive cable capstans are disengaged from the plurality of drive inputs. Moving the release lever to the actuated position also rotates the drive cable capstans to manually articulate the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing that houses drive cable capstans operatively coupled to corresponding drive inputs, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. A plurality of drive cables extend between the drive housing and the end effector, and each drive cable is associated with a corresponding one of drive cable capstans. A manual release assembly is coupled to the drive housing and includes a release lever that is manually movable between a stowed position, where the drive cable capstans are operatively coupled to the drive inputs, to an actuated position, where the drive cable capstans are disengaged from the plurality of drive inputs. Moving the release lever to the actuated position also rotates the drive cable capstans to manually articulate the end effector.

Abstract: Interposing a releasable interconnect between distal and proximal cable portions of a cable within a cable-driven surgical tool may facilitate cable replacement. Cable-driven surgical tools may comprise: an elongate shaft defining a lumen that extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the elongate shaft, an end effector operably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a plurality of cable systems extending within the lumen and operably engaging the end effector. Each cable system comprises a distal cable portion and a proximal cable portion that are adjoined by a releasable interconnect.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A portable beverage container (e.g., an insulated, double-walled bottle) is disclosed. The container includes a lid pivotably connected to it by a hinge. The lid is arranged to be automatically pivoted open by the spring assembly when a catch on the lid is released so that the lid opens in a controlled, non-jarring manner. The spring assembly comprises an elastomeric member and a contact surface (e.g., a recess in a cap of the bottle). The elastomeric member is arranged to cooperate with the contact surface whereupon the elastomeric member operates bi-modally to effect the automatic opening of the lid.

Abstract: A central vacuum connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure. The central vacuum system includes a housing having a first housing member and a second housing member secured to the first housing member. Together the first housing member and the second housing member at least partially define a collection chamber. A vacuum motor is supported by the housing and is operable to move debris from the interior portion into the collection chamber. An adapter extends into the collection chamber for supporting a bag. At least one of the bag and the adapter are accessible through an opening defined in one of the first housing member and the second housing member.

Abstract: A stroller including two rear legs, two arms, wherein a first one of the arms is pivotally connected to a first one of the rear legs by a first latch mechanism and a second one of the arms is pivotally connected to a second one of the rear legs by a second latch mechanism, each of the latch mechanisms being adapted to releasably lock an associated one of the arms in a position with respect to an associated one of the rear legs, a handlebar portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the handlebar portion is pivotally connected to a first one of the arms and the second end of the handlebar portion is pivotally connected to a second one of the arms, and a single release mechanism positioned on the handlebar portion, wherein the single release mechanism is connected to each of the first and second latch mechanisms and is adapted to release the first and second latch mechanisms to allow pivotal movement of the arms relative to the rear legs.