Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: Yarn 10 is fed from a package 11 to a point of knitting 12 on a knitting machine along a substantially closed path defined by tubing 13. Adjacent to a positive feeding device 14, the tubing 13 includes a section 15 which can be closed for initial blowing of the yarn through the tube, and opened to allow threading of the yarn 10 around the feeding device 14. This facilitates initial feeding of the yarn to the knitting machine, and also helps in the control of loose fly or lint generated from the yarn 10. The section 15 includes a tensioning device (30, not shown) for the yarn.

Abstract: The invention provides a yarn creel apparatus for the control of loose fly or lint formed when yarn is drawn from packages or cones (12) for use in a textile machine. The apparatus comprises a casing (10) within which the cones (12) are arranged on bobbin pins (11), air conduction means in the form of fans (17) to draw air into the casing from the surrounding atmosphere through at least one inlet comprising a filter panel (15) and then generally downwardly over the yarn cones to at least one outlet comprising filter panel(s) (16). The casing also houses yarn guide tubes (14) to guide yarn from the cones (12) upwardly within the casing tubes continuing through the casing wall to lead the yarns away from the apparatus. A self-cleaning version of the apparatus is also disclosed in which the filter panels (15,16) are replaced by an endless band of filter material (18) which is driven by rollers (21) past suction cleaning heads (22,23).

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of loose lint or fly released by textile yarns which are in contact with yarn guides, feeding and tensioning devices and the like during their travel from bobbins to textile machines. According to the invention, creels or yarn feed devices are enclosed within a housing (2, 12, 76, 94) which is divided into a plurality of compartments (A, B, C: A', B', C': A", B") at least one of which is traversed by a yarn (Y) during its travel, air circulating means (38, 58, 78, 108) to circulate air in a continuous path through the compartments, and a partition (32, 66, 88, 106) provided between two adjacent compartments comprising a filter screen capable of trapping fly or lint carried by air passing therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn handling arrangement in which the yarn is subjected to conditioning in a humid atmosphere before and as it is drawn off for use in a textile machine. The apparatus described in an example consists of an enclosure comprising a housing, in one compartment whereof are a plurality of pairs of bobbins on support rods, another compartment being defined by a sleeve member which is kept constantly moist by a water distributing device. A flow of air is arranged to fill the sleeve member and to escape therefrom through slots provided at levels corresponding to each of the levels at which the bobbins are supported.

Abstract: The invention comprises a textile machine arrangement comprising a multiplicity of yarn sources adapted to supply yarn for each feed station on said machine, said yarn sources being located adjacent to the machine, and a yarn feed mechanism adapted to draw the yarns from the sources and feed them at a desired rate and tension along a path towards the appropriate feed stations, characterized in that said yarn sources (2) are located in at least one group arranged to one side of the machine (4), and that the yarn feed mechanism includes a rotatable elongate roller device (8) provided with a plurality of cylindrical path-defining surface portions (21) each rotatable simultaneously and co-axially with its neighboring surface portion (21), so that each yarn is fed to one only of the portions (21) and the yarn path of each yarn (Y) includes a region in which the yarn partakes of travel in a helical manner about a portion (21) of the cylindrical surface of the roller device (8).

Abstract: The invention provides a yarn bobbin support apparatus for supporting bobbins feeding yarn to a textile machine, comprising a frame assembly a plurality of bobbin support stations arranged on said assembly, means to support at least one bobbin in a selected orientation at each of said stations, said plurality of stations comprising a first group in which the bobbins are supported in a horizontal or near-horizontal orientation and a second group of said stations in which the bobbins are supported in a vertical or near-vertical orientation. Yarn guides may be provided to regulate directional changes of the yarn paths, more guides being provided for the yarns from the first group of stations than for the yarns from the second group.

Abstract: Yarn Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2 being supplied to a textile machine is led over a pair of spaced hooks 24 on a support member 22 and is contacted between the hooks by a pivotable member 12 when in an inoperative position (shown in broken lines). In the event of breakage of yarn, the member 12 pivots into an operative position (shown in full lines) and operates a proximity switch 18 to halt operation of the textile machine. In the event of snatching, the increased tension in the yarn lifts the support member 22 off a magnetic block 26, again causing the member 22 to pivot to its operative position and thereby halt operation of the textile machine. After the snatch has passed, a weight 27 which the support member 22 engages after initial lifting thereof returns the support member 22 to its original position under gravity and the yarn forces the pivotable member 12 back into its inoperative position so that operation of the textile machine can recommence.