Abstract: A GFCI circuit for a 120/240 volt application employs a microcontroller to trip the circuit when voltage is too high or too low, in addition to tripping the circuit on a ground fault as indicated by a ground fault logic component. The microcontroller also permanently prevents circuit operation if an EOL condition is sensed, such as the failure of the power relay to trip during test or failure of the ground fault logic component to signal a ground fault during test.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body during a surgical operation to provide a relatively motionless surgical field, such as during a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The devices include tissue stabilizers which engage and provide stabilization to a targeted area of tissue and further have the ability to engage and manipulate some portion of tissue within or adjacent the targeted area to improve the surgical presentation of that portion of tissue. The tissue stabilizer typically has one or more stabilizer feet which have a first foot portion configured to provide stabilization to the targeted tissue and a second foot portion moveable relative to the first foot portion for manipulating a portion of tissue to improve the surgical presentation.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system has call management decisions made based on the exact geographic location of the mobile unit. These call management decisions include billing and taxing decisions, cell site selection, frequency selection and even cellular system selection. The decisions are continuously updated during a call whereby decisions can be made and changed regardless of where a call originated. Cell site location, and even cellular system selection, can be made in a specific manner to best serve the needs of the mobile user, the cellular system as well as the public. It is even possible for a cellular system to locate one or more of its cell sites in the geographic area served by another cellular system. In some cases, cellular systems might even share cell sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining body tissues with adhesive sutures includes a suture needle has first and second longitudinally spaced needle ends, the first needle end having a needle point. A suture filament has first and second longitudinally spaced filament ends, the first filament end being attached to the second needle end. A filament sheath has first and second sheath ends and defines a tubular sheath void. At least a portion of the suture filament is enclosed within the sheath void. The first sheath end is attached to the second needle end. An adhesive source is connectable to the second filament end and the second sheath end. The adhesive source is adapted to selectively provide an adhesive to the sheath void. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A biopsy punch for removing a biopsy sample from a biopsy area of a patient includes a handle and a tubular blade. The handle is adapted for gripping by a user. The tubular blade extends around a longitudinal axis and has first and second longitudinally spaced blade ends separated by a blade body. The tubular blade is operatively coupled to the handle, has a cutting edge at the second blade end, has a plurality of openings located in the blade body and allowing the user to view the biopsy area for positioning the cutting edge in the biopsy area, and has at least one retainer prong extending toward the longitudinal axis and operative to engage the severed sample to assist in retaining the severed sample in the blade body. The tubular blade is adapted to sever at least a portion of the biopsy sample from the biopsy area and retain the severed sample in the blade body. A method of using the biopsy punch is also described.

Abstract: A heart retractor links lifting of the heart and regional immobilization which stops one part of the heart from moving to allow expeditious suturing while permitting other parts of the heart to continue to function whereby coronary surgery can be performed on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the heart retractor of the present invention. The retractor includes a plurality of flexible arms and a plurality of rigid arms as well as a surgery target immobilizing element. One form of the retractor can be sued in minimally invasive surgery, while other forms of the retractor can accommodate variations in heart size and paracardial spacing.

Abstract: A sectionable cassette for use in a process for harvesting and handling tissue samples for biopsy analysis is disclosed. In the procedure, a tissue biopsy sample is placed on a tissue trapping and supporting material that can withstand tissue preparation procedures and which can be cut with a microtome. The tissue is immobilized on the material and the material and the tissue are held in the cassette and are subjected to a process for replacing tissue fluids with wax, and then the tissue and the supporting material are sliced for mounting on slides using a microtome. Harvesting devices and containers using the filter material are disclosed. An automated process is also disclosed. One embodiment has the tissue trapping and supporting material porous and another embodiment includes a tissue supporting material that is not easily microtomed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for excising tissue (208) and closing a wound (156) that results from excision of the tissue (208) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes structure (14) defining an aperture (34) into which tissue (208) to be excised is exposed and a cutting member (96). The apparatus (10) also includes an adhesive bandage (140) for closing the wound (156). The adhesive bandage (140) is secured relative to a lower surface (20) of the structure (14) in a location for contacting skin (154) adjacent to the tissue (208) to be excised. The apparatus (10) further includes a device (150) that is actuatable for closing the wound (156) with the adhesive bandage (140) and actuators (108 and 182) for moving the cutting member (96) relative to the structure (14) for excising the tissue (208) exposed in the aperture (34) and for actuating the device (150).

Abstract: A cassette for transporting tissue including a first flat reference porous structure for supporting the tissue, and a second porous structure having a compression resistance. The first flat reference porous structure and the second porous structure can be positioned into an abutting, contacting or non-contacting position for securing the tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A GFCI circuit for a 120/240 volt application employs a window comparator to trip the circuit when voltage is too high or too low, in addition to a current sensing transformer tripping the circuit on a ground fault. The tripping relay drops out before the circuit does, so that if insufficient voltage exists to operate the circuit, the relay will have first opened the line to the loads.

Abstract: A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

Abstract: A device for excising tissue and closing a wound that results from excision of the tissue includes structure defining an aperture into which tissue to be excised is exposed. The device also includes a cutting member for excising the tissue, a closure member for closing the wound, and an actuatable drive member associated with the structure. The drive member is actuatable to move the cutting member relative to the aperture for excising the tissue that is exposed in the aperture and for closing the wound with the closure member.

Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.

Abstract: A device for occluding a hollow anatomical structure includes a clamp having at least first and second clamping portions adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the anatomical structure. At least one of the first and second clamping portions is movable toward the other from an open position to a clamping or closed position to occlude the anatomical structure. The clamp has an annular shape configured to surround the hollow anatomical structure in the open position and a flattened shape in the clamping position configured to occlude the hollow interior of the anatomical structure. The clamp is preferably covered with fabric to promote tissue ingrowth. A clamp delivery and actuation device is provided for allowing the clamp to be applied in either an open surgical procedure or a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.

Abstract: An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

Abstract: A heart retractor links lifting of the heart and regional immobilization which stops one part of the heart from moving to allow expeditious suturing while permitting other parts of the heart to continue to function whereby coronary surgery can be performed on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the heart retractor of the present invention. The retractor includes a plurality of flexible arms and a plurality of rigid arms as well as a surgery target immobilizing element. One form of the retractor can be used in minimally invasive surgery, while other forms of the retractor can accommodate variations in heart size and paracardial spacing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the “V” to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.

Abstract: A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system has call management decisions made based on the exact geographic location of the mobile unit. These call management decisions include billing and taxing decisions, cell site selection, frequency selection and even cellular system selection. The decisions are continuously updated during a call whereby decisions can be made and changed regardless of where a call originated. Cell site location, and even cellular system selection, can be made in a specific manner to best serve the needs of the mobile user, the cellular system as well as the public. It is even possible for a cellular system to locate one or more of its cell sites in the geographic area served by another cellular system. In some cases, cellular systems might even share cell sites.