Abstract: An orthopaedic system includes an insert defining an anterior-posterior centerline and including: a medial half on one side of the centerline and defining a medial shape, the medial half having a medial articular surface defining a medial dwell region; and a lateral half on an opposite side of the centerline and defining a lateral shape that differs from the medial shape, the lateral half having a lateral articular surface. A femoral component includes a medial condylar portion bearing on the medial articular surface and a lateral condylar portion bearing on the lateral articular surface. The insert is configured to substantially limit anterior-posterior translation of the femoral component and define a pivot axis that extends through the medial dwell region. The insert is configured such that rotation of the lateral articular surface follows an arcuate path about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A process comprising (a) providing used tire feedstock; (b) gasifying the used tire feedstock to produce a gaseous stream, where the gaseous stream includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide; (c) biosynthetically converting at least a portion of the carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide within the gaseous stream to produce a first product stream; (d) converting at least a portion of the first product stream to a second product stream, where the second product stream includes acetaldehyde and hydrogen; (e) routing a portion of the hydrogen within the second product stream to said step of biosynthetically converting at least a portion of the carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide within the gaseous stream; and (f) converting at least a portion acetaldehyde to butadiene monomer.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first half having a first elongate member and a surface with staple forming pockets. The stapler also includes a second half for releasably coupling with the first half and including a second elongate member having a distal portion for deploying staples. The elongate members are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis when the halves are releasably coupled. The stapler further includes a latching member for selectively clamping the halves in a clamped state. The stapler also includes a detent member extending laterally from one of the halves toward the other. The stapler further includes a shoulder member positioned on the other of the halves and configured to selectively engage the detent member in response to rotation of the first elongate member away from the second elongate member to an open state in which the elongate members assume a maximum angular orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second elongate members having first and second stapling surfaces and being configured to releasably couple together. A clamp member is movable from a first position to a second position to approximate the stapling surfaces for clamping tissue. A latch member is transitionable from an unlatched state to a latched state to releasably retain the clamp member in the second position. A firing assembly is actuatable from a home position to fire staples into the clamped tissue. The latch member is transitionable from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is in the home position. The latch member is inhibited from transitioning from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is displaced from the home position.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue, the shaft assembly is in communication with the end effector and a portion of the shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The interface assembly is in communication with the shaft assembly. The interface assembly comprises a housing portion, a shaft cartridge, and a base portion. The housing portion can engage the shaft cartridge. The shaft cartridge is able to rotate and articulate the end effector, and the shaft assembly extends from the shaft cartridge. The base portion and the housing portion are able to enclose the shaft cartridge.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is coupled with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a translating member extending through the shaft assembly. The interface assembly is operable to engage the shaft assembly and comprises a plurality of drive shafts and a rack. One of the drive shafts is operable to drive the rack along a path that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. A plurality of racks may be used to rotate the shaft assembly, articulate the shaft assembly, and/or drive the translating member through the shaft assembly to thereby actuate the end effector.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes cartridge receiving assembly, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The cartridge receiving assembly is operable to receive a needle driving cartridge. The shaft assembly includes a first actuation member that is operable to actuate the cartridge receiving assembly to thereby drive a needle from a needle driving cartridge received in the cartridge receiving assembly. The interface assembly includes a base and a plurality of drive shafts extending upwardly from the base. The drive shafts extend along respective axes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The drive shafts are rotatable independently relative to each other. A first drive shaft of the plurality of drive shafts is operable to drive the first actuation member. The interface assembly is configured to couple with a robotic control system.