Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100262467 | System and Method for Automatic Configuration and Management of Home Network Devices Using a Hierarchical Index Model - A system for automatically installing and managing devices in a home network implements automated configuration and maintenance of devices and peripherals. A service platform facilitates automated discovery and deployment of home networks and devices that interact with the network. The system includes a monitoring and learning processes for automatic issue detection and alerting. Activity of users and devices within the home are monitored, usage patterns are learned and applied back to the system to improve the digital performance of the home. This system leverages data center, service node, and agent software in the devices to access a knowledge base storing data regarding home entities. A hierarchical index model is used to assign intelligence levels to these entities based on certain parameters. The indices are used to direct alert messages, take an action, and implement a targeted facility for providing communications from network managers or service providers. | 10-14-2010 |
20140012945 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HOME NETWORK DEVICES USING A HIERARCHICAL INDEX MODEL - A system for automatically installing and managing devices in a home network implements automated configuration and maintenance of devices and peripherals. A service platform facilitates automated discovery and deployment of home networks and devices that interact with the network. The system includes a monitoring and learning processes for automatic issue detection and alerting. Activity of users and devices within the home are monitored, usage patterns are learned and applied back to the system to improve the digital performance of the home. This system leverages data center, service node, and agent software in the devices to access a knowledge base storing data regarding home entities. A hierarchical index model is used to assign intelligence levels to these entities based on certain parameters. The indices are used to direct alert messages, take an action, and implement a targeted facility for providing communications from network managers or service providers. | 01-09-2014 |
20140201340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HOME NETWORK DEVICES - Embodiments of a method and system for automatically installing and managing consumer devices in a home network environment are described. A system implements automated configuration and maintenance of devices and their peripherals that connect to the home network, in particular the establishment of a distributed system that serves as a service platform which facilitates automated discovery and initial and ongoing deployment of a home networks and the devices that may interact with or connect to their network automatically or through manual means. An embodiment is directed to a distributed system and method for facilitated automatic configuration, maintenance, and diagnostics of a local area network that in parallel provides for the interoperability of connected intelligent independent computing devices using physical layer, network layer and application layer programmatic interfaces. This distributed system provides a generalized aggregated interface that is a programmatic resource for representing a continuous and historic reference of a local network and connected devices. | 07-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100032254 | Magnetorheological Damper System - A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces. | 02-11-2010 |
20110272254 | Variable Compliance Wheel - A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion. | 11-10-2011 |
20140110024 | Variable Compliance Wheel - A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion. | 04-24-2014 |
20140138195 | Magnetorheological Damper System - A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces. | 05-22-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080219049 | ELECTRICALLY ALTERABLE NON-VOLATILE MEMORY WITH N-BITS PER CELL - An electrically alterable, non-volatile memory cell has more than two memory states that can be programmed selectively. Programming of the cell can be performed without actually reading the memory state of the cell during the programming operation. A plurality of the memory cells are preferably arranged in a matrix of rows and columns disposed substantially in a rectangle, with a plurality of word lines coupled with memory gate electrodes intersecting a first side of the rectangle substantially perpendicularly, a plurality of bit lines coupled with memory drain-source current paths intersecting a second side of the rectangle substantially perpendicularly (the second side also substantially perpendicularly intersecting the first side), a row select circuit being disposed at the first side for coupling with the word lines, and peripheral circuitry including a column select circuit and a sense circuit being disposed at the second side. | 09-11-2008 |
20080239829 | MEMORY APPARATUS INCLUDING PROGRAMMABLE NON-VOLATILE MULTI-BIT MEMORY CELL, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEMARCATING MEMORY STATES OF THE CELL - Memory states of a multi-bit memory cell are demarcated by generating read reference signals having levels that constitute boundaries of the memory states. The read reference signals may be dependent upon the levels of programming reference signals used for controlling the programming of the memory cell. The memory cell can thus be programmed without reading out its memory state during the programming process, with programming margins being assured by the dependence of the read reference signals on the programming reference signals. Both sets of reference signals may be generated by reference cells which track variations in the operating characteristics of the memory cell with changes in conditions, such as temperature and system voltages, to enhance the reliability of memory programming and readout. | 10-02-2008 |
20120008411 | MEMORY APPARATUS INCLUDING PROGRAMMABLE NON-VOLATILE MULTI-BIT MEMORY CELL, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEMARCATING MEMORY STATES OF THE CELL - Memory states of a multi-bit memory cell are demarcated by generating read reference signals having levels that constitute boundaries of the memory states. The read reference signals may be dependent upon the levels of programming reference signals used for controlling the programming of the memory cell. The memory cell can thus be programmed without reading out its memory state during the programming process, with programming margins being assured by the dependence of the read reference signals on the programming reference signals. Both sets of reference signals may be generated by reference cells which track variations in the operating characteristics of the memory cell with changes in conditions, such as temperature and system voltages, to enhance the reliability of memory programming and readout. | 01-12-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090079883 | Audio Video System with Embedded Wireless Host and Wireless Speakers - An audio video system is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host and without audio amplifier functionality. The system further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable unidirectional or bidirectional communications with the WAM host. Each wireless speaker includes an amplifier that may be matched to a driver of the speaker to optimize the frequency response of the driver. | 03-26-2009 |
20090081948 | Methods and Systems to Provide Automatic Configuration of Wireless Speakers - An apparatus is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable bi-directional communications with the WAM host. The apparatus further includes a wireless input/output device or a plurality of wireless input/output devices embedded in speakers to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host in order to automatically configure the plurality of wireless speakers to optimize audio parameters of the wireless speakers. The automatic configuration includes determining a location for each speaker in order to identify each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting time delay parameters for each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting volume parameters for each speaker. | 03-26-2009 |
20090175216 | Mesh Networking for Wireless Communications - A method for optimizing wireless communications in a mesh network is described. The method includes transmitting a data stream from a wireless module (WM) host to a plurality of WM devices in the mesh network. The method further includes sending status messages from the WM devices to the WM host and the other WM devices. The WM devices are configured to transmit help requests and respond to help requests based on at least one WM device needing help receiving the data stream. The method further includes generating a WM host link quality map at the WM host with the WM host link quality map being dynamically updated upon receiving status messages from the WM devices. | 07-09-2009 |
20140119561 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION OF WIRELESS SPEAKERS - An apparatus is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable bi-directional communications with the WAM host. The apparatus further includes a wireless input/output device or a plurality of wireless input/output devices embedded in speakers to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host in order to automatically configure the plurality of wireless speakers to optimize audio parameters of the wireless speakers. The automatic configuration includes determining a location for each speaker in order to identify each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting time delay parameters for each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting volume parameters for each speaker. | 05-01-2014 |
20140177680 | WIRELESS LINK TO TRANSMIT DIGITAL AUDIO DATA BETWEEN DEVICES IN A MANNER CONTROLLED DYNAMICALLY TO ADAPT TO VARIABLE WIRELESS ERROR RATES - A communication system including a host transceiver, one or many device transceivers, and a wireless or wired link, in which encoded digital audio data and optionally also other auxiliary data are transmitted and received between the host transceiver and one or many device transceivers. The wireless link can but need not be a Certified Wireless USB (“CWUSB”) link, which utilizes WiMedia Ultra-Wideband (“UWB”) radio technology. For certain embodiments, packets of encoded audio data are transmitted from a host to a device or multiple devices over the wireless link utilizing a variety of data packet transfer methods, with the host adapting its algorithms dynamically to provide the digital audio content over a changing wireless error rate environment. The host intelligently controls the method of data transmission, including data encoding format, synchronization, latency, and transmission rate, in response to data transfer error information it detects or receives from each individual device in the system. Other embodiments are devices that employ audio-data-specific error concealment methods. Other embodiments concern host and device management of graceful muting and restart of audio on a device-by-device basis. | 06-26-2014 |
20140266638 | INPUT STREAM CONVERSION AND PROGRAMMABLE VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR +5V POWER SIGNAL - A grand central architecture for an all-in-one consumer electronics (CE) media device may include a single IR/RF/Microphone handheld remote control for controlling and/or displaying information for all CE devices of a user(s) in concert with the all-in-one CE media device (e.g., a media player) operative for playback of one or more media formats including but not limited to optical discs, audio and/or video, images, music, files, streaming media content, stored media content, and other content. The all-in-one CE media device may include an enable/disable +5V power signal triggered by an enable input for a HDMI interface that may bridge HDMI source devices and sink devices. The all-in-one CE media device may wirelessly communicate RF signals to one or more speakers/transducers that either include their own dedicated internal or external power amplifiers, and may wirelessly communicate with one or more microphones and/or speakers and apply algorithms for optimizing audio quality. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270695 | GRAND CENTRAL ARCHITECTURE - A grand central architecture for an all-in-one consumer electronics (CE) media device may include a single IR/RF/Microphone handheld remote control for controlling and/or displaying information for all CE devices of a user(s) in concert with the all-in-one CE media device (e.g., a media player) operative for playback of one or more media formats including but not limited to optical discs, audio and/or video, images, music, files, streaming media content, stored media content, and other content. The all-in-one CE media device does not include internal and/or dedicated power amplifiers to drive speakers or other types of transducers. The all-in-one CE media device may wirelessly communicate RF signals to one or more speakers/transducers that either include their own dedicated internal power amplifiers or are connected with an external power amplifier. The all-in-one CE media device may wirelessly communicate with one or more microphones and/or speakers and apply algorithms for optimizing audio quality. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270696 | MEDIA DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED STORAGE AND CHARGING FOR AN ACCESSORY DEVICE AND A UNIVERSAL REMOTE WITH BI-DIRECTIONAL RF AND UNI-DIRECTIONAL IR - An all-in-one consumer electronics (CE) media device may include a single IR/RF/Microphone handheld remote control for controlling and/or displaying information for all CE devices of a user(s) in concert with the all-in-one CE media device operative for playback of one or more media formats including but not limited to optical discs, audio and/or video, images, music, files, streaming media content, stored media content, and other content. The remote may be docked in the all-in-one CE media device and may have its power source recharged while docked. The remote may communicate with CE devices and/or Legacy devices using bi-directional RF and/or uni-directional IR signals. The all-in-one CE media device may wirelessly communicate RF signals to one or more speakers/transducers that are coupled with their own dedicated amplifiers (e.g., internal and/or external), and may wirelessly communicate with one or more microphones and/or speakers and apply algorithms for optimizing audio quality. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130318156 | DYNAMIC INFORMATION STREAMS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK PLATFORM - The techniques, methods and systems described herein facilitate the automated discovery and presentation of content created, published or otherwise made public by “experts” and key influencers on particular topics. As such, users that may be interested in particular topics but may not know who to connect with in order to receive the most pertinent information can receive highly-relevant information. Embodiments of the invention use topics of interest identified by the user and/or automatically identifies topics based on previous postings, communication, contacts, etc. Individuals, companies, organizations and other entities that have been recognized as highly influential in those topics are identified and, without explicit actions by the user, adds content generated by the influential entities to the user's content data feed. | 11-28-2013 |
20140040377 | DYNAMIC INFORMATION STREAMS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK PLATFORM - The techniques, methods and systems described herein facilitate the automated discovery and presentation of content created, published or otherwise made public by “experts” and key influencers on particular topics. As such, users that may be interested in particular topics but may not know who to connect with in order to receive the most pertinent information can receive highly-relevant information. Embodiments of the invention use topics of interest identified by the user and/or automatically identifies topics based on previous postings, communication, contacts, etc. Individuals, companies, organizations and other entities that have been recognized as highly influential in those topics are identified and, without explicit actions by the user, adds content generated by the influential entities to the user's content data feed. | 02-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090019441 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF APPLICATIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and computer program include receiving a request string, and mapping the received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. The received request string may be in the form of a JSP, a servlet, and remote Enterprise Java Bean calls. A user may be prompted to create rules for mapping of a received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. | 01-15-2009 |
20090070462 | SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF APPLICATIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT - A system and computer program for monitoring the performance of applications running on a server in a distributed computing environment includes prompting the user to select information for monitoring, monitoring application performance in accordance with the selected information, and making the monitored performance information available to the user. | 03-12-2009 |
20110276594 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF APPLICATIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and computer program include receiving a request string, and mapping the received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. The received request string may be in the form of a JSP, a servlet, and remote Enterprise Java Bean calls. A user may be prompted to create rules for mapping of a received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. | 11-10-2011 |
20150234816 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF APPLICATIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and computer program include receiving a request string, and mapping the received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. The received request string may be in the form of a JSP, a servlet, and remote Enterprise Java Bean calls. A user may be prompted to create rules for mapping of a received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. | 08-20-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110251612 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENTS WITH CAM-ACTUATED JAWS - Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members. | 10-13-2011 |
20110282339 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND END EFFECTORS THEREFOR - Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue. | 11-17-2011 |
20110306963 | ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT EMPLOYING AN ELECTRODE - An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein at least one of the electrodes can comprise a conductive material positioned within a non-conductive, or high-resistance, material. In use, current flowing through the conductive material can heat the conductive material and cause it to evaporate and leave behind the non-conductive material. In such circumstances, the current flowing through the electrode may cease or may be substantially reduced. | 12-15-2011 |
20110306965 | ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT EMPLOYING MULTIPLE POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT ELECTRODES - An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein one or both of the first and second jaws can include a plurality of electrodes each comprised of a positive temperature coefficient material having a different switching temperature. The electrical resistances of the electrodes can increase significantly once the temperature of the electrodes exceed their switching temperatures and, owing to the increased electrical resistance, the flow of current through the electrodes can be reduced and/or prevented. In various circumstances, the different switching temperatures of the electrodes can allow some of the electrodes to switch off before the other electrodes. | 12-15-2011 |
20110306966 | ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT EMPLOYING A PLURALITY OF ELECTRODES - An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed to capture tissue therebetween. The second jaw can comprise a first electrode and a second electrode while the first jaw can comprise an opposing electrode positioned opposite the first electrode and the second electrode when the jaws are in their closed position. The first and second electrodes can be independently and/or sequentially operated in order to conduct current between the first and second electrodes and opposing electrode in order to draw the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws toward the center of the first and second jaws and weld the tissue. In various other embodiments, other firing sequences of the electrodes are contemplated. During and/or after such tissue welding processes, a cutting member can be advanced to cut the tissue. | 12-15-2011 |
20110306968 | HEAT MANAGEMENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR CONTROLLING HEAT DISSIPATION FROM ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed. | 12-15-2011 |
20120010616 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR - An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector. | 01-12-2012 |
20120022526 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke is regulated by at least one biasing member, such as a spring, for example. | 01-26-2012 |
20120101488 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MAGNETIC CLAMPING FORCE - A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, the end effector comprising first and second opposing jaw members, wherein at least one of the first and second jaw members are moveable such that the first and second jaw members are transitionable between open and closed positions. The first jaw member may comprise a permanent magnet. The second jaw member may also comprise a magnet (e.g., permanent or soft). The magnetic motive force between the magnets of the first and second jaw members may attract each other to thereby reduce the external force required to transition the first and second jaw members to the closed position. In addition, the magnets may be configured to repeal each other to thereby aid in opening the jaw members. | 04-26-2012 |
20140148806 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND END EFFECTORS THEREFOR - An end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw movable relative to the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and an approximated configuration to clamp tissue therebetween. The end effector may also include a camming assembly movable along a curved path. The camming assembly includes a first camming member which includes a first distal camming portion, a first proximal camming portion, and a first flexible portion extending between the first distal camming portion and the first proximal camming portion. The camming assembly includes a second camming member and a connector at least partially disposed between the first camming member and the second camming member, wherein the camming assembly is movable relative to the end effector to exert a camming force against the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration. | 05-29-2014 |
20140194874 | ELECTROSURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH INDEPENDENT CLOSURE FEATURE AND BLADE - An apparatus includes a body, an end effector, and outer beam, and an inner beam. The body comprises an actuator. The end effector is in communication with the body and has a first jaw and a second jaw. The outer beam is able to advance within the end effector such that the outer beam closes the second jaw toward the first jaw. The advancement of the outer beam is controlled mainly by the actuator. The inner beam is also able to advance within the end effector such that the inner beam transects tissue. The actuator is operable to control the advancement of the inner beam in at least two stages. The actuator advances the inner beam and the outer beam together in a first state. The actuator advances the inner beam while the outer beam remains stationary in a second stage. | 07-10-2014 |
20140343550 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENTS WITH CAM-ACTUATED JAWS - Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members. | 11-20-2014 |
20150196352 | HEAT MANAGEMENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR CONTROLLING HEAT DISSIPATION FROM ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed. | 07-16-2015 |