Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dielectric layer of a printed circuit board prepared by dispersing short fibers in a dielectric polymer resin; and impregnating the resin having the short fibers dispersed therein in a fabric-shaped material, and a printed circuit board including the same. The dielectric polymer resin is reinforced with the short fibers and is impregnated in the fabric-shaped material, thereby making it possible to prepare the dielectric layer having excellent strength and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Accordingly, the printed circuit board including the dielectric layer may maintain strength and rigidity thereof at the same level as that of strength and rigidity of the printed circuit board according to the related art, even through a thickness thereof becomes thin.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a catheter having an elongated shaft with a plurality of flexible segments spaced apart along the catheter, and a drive unit coupled to the catheter. The catheter may have a plurality of cables respectively terminating at the flexible segments, in which case, the drive unit will be coupled to the plurality of cables. The robotic medical system further comprises a user interface remote from the drive unit and configured for generating at least one command, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to independently bend the flexible segments (e.g., three flexible segments).

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a catheter having an elongated shaft with a plurality of flexible segments spaced apart along the catheter, and a drive unit coupled to the catheter. The catheter may have a plurality of cables respectively terminating at the flexible segments, in which case, the drive unit will be coupled to the plurality of cables. The robotic medical system further comprises a user interface remote from the drive unit and configured for generating at least one command, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to independently bend the flexible segments (e.g., three flexible segments).

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool, a proximal motion member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the handle, actuation means extending between the distal and proximal motion members for coupling motion of the proximal motion member to the distal motion member for controlling the positioning of the tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position and having locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile terminal capable of being slid in two directions. The mobile terminal includes a front body, a rear body, and a slide module configured to allow the front body to be slid along a lengthwise direction and widthwise direction with respect to the rear body. The slide module includes a cover plate having an area to cover a whole rear side of the front body; a middle plate having a pair of guide rails on a front side thereof, a slide plate on a rear side thereof, and a first keypad disposed on a region that is not occupied by the pair of guide rails and the slide plate, the pair of guide rails being configured to allow the cover plate to be slid along the lengthwise direction; and a guide plate coupled to the rear body, and configured to allow the slide plate slid along the widthwise direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool, a proximal motion member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the handle, actuation means extending between the distal and proximal motion members for coupling motion of the proximal motion member to the distal motion member for controlling the positioning of the tool, a rotation knob disposed adjacent the control handle and rotatable relative to the control handle for causing a corresponding rotation of the instrument shaft and tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position and having locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends; a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft; a control handle coupled from the proximal end of the instrument shaft; a distal bendable member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool; a proximal bendable member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the control handle; actuation means extending between the distal and proximal bendable members for coupling motion of the proximal bendable member to the distal bendable member for controlling the positioning of the tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position. The locking mechanism includes a ball and socket arrangement disposed about the proximal bendable member and a locking member for locking the ball and socket arrangement and having locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool, a proximal motion member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the handle, actuation means extending between the distal and proximal motion members for coupling motion of the proximal motion member to the distal motion member for controlling the positioning of the tool, a rotation knob disposed adjacent the control handle and rotatable relative to the control handle for causing a corresponding rotation of the instrument shaft and tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position and having locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system having an instrument member or shaft with a distal portion positionable through an incision of a patient to an internal site and for operation by a surgeon from outside the patient. A tool is carried at the distal end of the instrument shaft controlled by the surgeon in performing a procedure at an operative site of the patient. At least first and second turnable members are spacedly disposed along the instrument shaft distal portion, both disposed within the internal site, and each controlled from outside the patient for providing at least respective first and second degrees of freedom of control of the tool. The turnable members may be either a pivot joint or a bendable section.

Abstract: A conductive plate connects the electrode terminals between batteries of a battery pack and prevents a change in thickness of the battery pack due to swelling of a battery during charging by forming an expansion unit in a conductive plate electrically connecting batteries of the battery pack in which at least two batteries are stacked.

Abstract: A conductive plate connects the electrode terminals between batteries of a battery pack and prevents a change in thickness of the battery pack due to swelling of a battery during charging by forming an expansion unit in a conductive plate electrically connecting batteries of the battery pack in which at least two batteries are stacked.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly comprises an elongated shaft, a tool carried by the distal end of the elongated shaft for performing a medical procedure on a patient, a plurality of controllably bendable sections spaced along the elongated shaft and disposed proximal to the tool, a plurality of actuation elements extending within the elongated shaft for respectively actuating the controllably bendable sections, and an instrument coupler mounted to the proximal end of the elongated shaft, with the instrument coupler configured for coupling an electromechanical drive to the actuation elements. A robotic medical system comprises the previously described medical instrument assembly, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the plurality of actuating elements of the medical instrument assembly, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to moves the actuating elements to actuate the controllably bendable sections.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises introducing a medical instrument into a patient (e.g., percutaneously), conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to actuate the tool located on the medical instrument to secure a stent to an anatomical vessel (e.g., a blood vessel, such as an abdominal aorta). The tool may be a sewing tool that is controlled to stitch the stent to the anatomical vessel. In one method, the control signals are conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A secondary battery and a method for making the secondary battery, which are capable of preventing separation between a metal plating layer and a flexible printed circuit board, and improving adhering force between a battery pack and the flexible printed circuit board, through a structure of a metal plating layer and protective layer of the flexible printed circuit board. The secondary battery includes an insulation layer with a first and second surface, a first line pattern layer formed on the first surface of the insulation layer, a first protective layer formed on the insulation layer and the first line pattern layer to define a first opening that exposes a portion of the first line pattern layer, and a first metal plating layer formed in the first opening. The first protective layer contacts the first line pattern layer and a side surface of the first metal plating layer.

Abstract: A method for protecting a battery cell from high-temperature swelling, the method includes: sensing a temperature and a voltage of the battery cell; determining whether the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds a reference temperature; determining whether the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds a reference voltage, when the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds the reference temperature; and self-discharging the battery cell in a charge/discharge/standby mode when the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds the reference voltage.

Abstract: A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion.

Abstract: A medical system and an integrated drape assembly for a medical system is provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument that carries a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, a drive unit configured for controlling the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom, a coupling mechanism through which the surgical instrument is operably coupled to the drive unit, and an integrated drape assembly having a drape insert through which the coupling mechanism is coupled to the surgical instrument, a sterile drape covering the coupling mechanism. The drape assembly may comprise a coupling element mounted within the drape insert. The coupling element may be configured for coupling a driver element of the medical system to a driven element of the medical system.