210809results about "Machines/engines" patented technology

A surgical instrument having a remotely controllable user interface, and a firing drive configured to generate a rotary firing motion upon a first actuation of the remotely controllable user interface and a rotary refraction motion upon an other actuation of remotely controllable user interface. The instrument is such that when the remotely controllable user interface operates a first drive member, the first actuation advances a cutting member a first distance, wherein, when the remotely controllable user interface operates a second drive member, the other actuation retracts the cutting member a second distance, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

Various universal ports for installation into a colon are disclosed. Various embodiments include expandable port bodies that may employ selectively deployable tissue-engaging barbs for securing the port in position within the colon. Some embodiments also employ tissue cutting members that may be deployed to sever the colon. Some embodiments also employ a flexible sleeve that may extend from the port out through the anus to provide a passageway for passing surgical instruments and into and out of the rectum and also for removing severed specimens therefrom.

A novel capture device apparatus comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient and (b) a control unit. The capture device portion comprises one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators that open and close the one or more apertures based on control signals sent from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of capturing a specimen within a patient's body of provided. The method comprises (a) providing a capture device apparatus like that above, (b) inserting at least a portion of the capture device portion of the apparatus into the patient such that the capture device portion is adjacent the specimen; and (c) closing the one or more apertures using the control unit, thereby capturing the specimen.

An electromechanical surgical system is provided including a hand-held surgical instrument; an end effector; and a shaft assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical device. The shaft assembly includes a transmission housing; an outer tubular body; a distal neck housing for interconnecting a rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a rotation receiving member supported in the end effector, wherein the distal neck housing includes at least one gear system configured to convert a rotational input of the rotatable drive member into at least two output forces to the end effector; and an articulating neck assembly interconnecting the tubular body and the distal neck housing. The articulating neck assembly enables off-axis articulation of the distal neck assembly, and wherein the rotatable drive member extends through the articulating neck assembly.

A drive shaft for a wind turbine is shaped so as to allow for increased bending of the shaft, while being suitable for transferring torque in a wind turbine system. An example of such a shaping is a drive shaft having a helical rib defined on the surface of the shaft. A wind turbine incorporating such a shaft, and a method of manufacture of such a shaft are also described.

A grinding apparatus for use with an endoscope for viewing and blending defects on a turbine engine blade is provided. In one preferred embodiment air pulses from an air supply cause a grinding head on the end of a grinding tool to reciprocate at a predetermined speed. The position of the grinding head is fixed via the operator via a trigger on the grinding tool which articulates an outer portion of a support tube of the grinding tool. In another preferred embodiment, fluid is used to reciprocate the grinding head.

The present invention provides an acoustic vibration analyzing apparatus for carrying out acoustic vibration analysis by picking up data of sounds generated due to rotation of a plurality of gears and data of the number of revolutions of a gear selected from a plurality of gears when a transmission of a vehicle having the plurality of gears operates. The acoustic vibration analyzing apparatus comprises an acoustic vibration calculation portion for analyzing acoustic data in terms of frequency, an order calculation portion for calculating an order in compliance with the specifications of a plurality of gears, a speed calculation portion for calculating the speed of a vehicle, and a display unit for displaying acoustic pressure levels with the order and vehicle speed associated therewith.

An air cleaner includes a housing having first and second opposite ends. A media pack is preferably oriented within the interior volume of the housing. In preferred embodiments, the media pack will have a first and second opposite flow face and be constructed and arranged for air to flow into the media pack through the first flow face, and for air to exit the media pack through the second flow face. The air cleaner will include a seal member forming a seal between the media pack and the housing. In preferred constructions, a secondary filter element is oriented within the interior volume of the housing. In some preferred embodiments, the housing is constructed and arranged as a resonator. Certain embodiments include a seal construction that engages the secondary filter element. Methods of filtering systems, servicing filtration systems, and constructing filter arrangements and housings will use filter elements and constructions as characterized above.

Guided wave radar (GWR) pulses are launched onto an electromagnetic guide wire using a compact launcher that includes an impedance matching element. The impedance matching element produces reflections that cancel launcher reflections. Short range echoes can be accurately detected after impedance matching. GWR operation in small tanks and in tanks containing low dielectric constant materials, such as propane, can be enhanced with the compact impedance-matched launcher.

An end effector for a surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes an anvil assembly and a surgical buttress. The anvil assembly includes an anvil body and an anvil plate. The anvil plate includes a bottom surface that defines a plurality of staple forming pockets. The anvil body and the anvil plate are selectively connectable. The surgical buttress includes a buttress body and a plurality of arms extending from the body. The arms are disposable between a top surface of the anvil plate and a bottom surface of the anvil body to support the buttress body against the bottom surface of the anvil plate when the anvil plate and the anvil body are connected to one another.

The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.

A filter pack includes a filter construction and a sealing system for sealing the construction within a duct or housing. The filter construction has first and second opposite flow faces and is configured for a straight-through flow. The sealing system includes a frame construction and a compressible seal member. The compressible seal member is molded around a portion of the frame construction. The compressible seal member is sufficiently compressible to form a radial seal between and against the frame construction and a surface of a housing when the filter pack is inserted within the housing.

An electromechanical surgical system is provided including a hand-held surgical instrument; an end effector; and a shaft assembly for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical device. The shaft assembly includes a transmission housing; an outer tubular body; a distal neck housing for interconnecting a rotatable drive member of the surgical instrument and a rotation receiving member supported in the end effector, wherein the distal neck housing includes at least one gear system configured to convert a rotational input of the rotatable drive member into at least two output forces to the end effector; and an articulating neck assembly interconnecting the tubular body and the distal neck housing. The articulating neck assembly enables off-axis articulation of the distal neck assembly, and wherein the rotatable drive member extends through the articulating neck assembly.

This application describes completely in many unique ways and detail all the devices to reduce a vehicle's speed and / or reduce a machines RPMs and / or stop any piece of equipment's as well as guide it if mobile through automated controls. First to slow it down, and guide it and / or control it if necessary (i.e., other pieces of equipment). Secondly it discusses how to stop any piece of equipment completely. And thirdly, the invention secures it in a safe stationary position either entirely or any number of specific moving parts. Many of these systems are initially here described to slow, reduce speed, steer, stop and / or secure equipment functions. However, they also can be used to increase a piece of equipment's functions. In other words their variations are completely capable to serve any remote or automated controls on a vehicle in the future to provide full robotics systems, e.g., for automated transportation systems, automated manufacturing, etc., either through individually isolated remote control systems and / or interfaced with other off-board systems through communication links, gateway computers, computer networks and the world wide web for inexpensive long distance monitoring and remote control. The invention focuses on the automobile industry but as has always been maintained throughout all these applications these devices and systems are designed to control every piece of equipment. The invention includes various accountable protocols and commercial developments to control speed, brake and steering for an automobile shut down to be performed through automation to a safe controlled secured deactivated state to be considered as a basis for a standard in aggressive vehicle remote control and / or to control and guide a vehicle and / or piece of equipment through many different automated systems.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline, a front region, a crotch region, and a back region. The absorbent article has a main portion, a side portion, and a waist portion. The waist portion has a belt portion that has a front belt portion having elastomeric material and a back belt portion having elastomeric material. The front belt portion has a first elastic section and a second elastic section, each section having force zones. The back belt portion has a third elastic section and a fourth elastic section, each section having force zones. The force zones in the portions alternate between a high force zone and a low force zone in at least one belt portion.

A method of maintaining electronic medical records, comprising the steps of receiving a medical transaction record, encrypted with an encryption key relating to a patient association of the file, accessing the encrypted medical transaction record according to a patient association; and further encrypting the encrypted accessed medical transaction record with an encryption key associated with an intended recipient of the medical record. The system and method according to the present invention presents a new business model for the creation, maintenance, transmission, and use of medical records, allowing financial burdens to be reallocated, for example more optimally or equitably, to decrease overall societal cost, or simply to provide a successful business model for a database proprietor. Secure entrusted medical records are held in trust by an independent third party on behalf of the patient, serving the medical community at large. Separately encrypted record elements may be aggregated as an information polymer.

Disclosed is a bubbler assembly. The bubbler assembly includes a vessel configured to contain a liquid source material and its vapor. It also includes a carrier gas supply line, a downstream end of which discharges in a lower portion of the vessel, and a gas outlet line, an upstream end of which is in fluid communication with an upper portion of the vessel. The gas outlet line includes a constriction. The bubbler assembly further includes a pressurizing gas supply line, a downstream end of which discharges in either the upper portion of the vessel or in the gas outlet line at a point upstream of the constriction.

A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.