| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090032533 | Flow switch and container - A flow switch assembly which includes a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably engaged relative each other. The upper and lower body portions define a chamber. The housing includes an inlet and outlet to the chamber. A valve member seated in the chamber of the valve housing for movement between an open position establishing at least one passage between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position wherein the at least one passage between the inlet and the outlet is non-established. Interactive cam elements are associated with at least one of the upper body portion and the lower body portion, and associated with the valve member, are provided for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to the lower body portion. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090105535 | Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue - An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher. The trigger system is provided with perceptible tactile sensing means to indicate when the legs of the staple being advanced are exposed so as to be visible to the user for positioning and orientation purposes. Anvil means provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. Projecting distally of the cartridge support system is a pair of legs which are dimensioned and configured to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation outside of the plane of the staple. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090308908 | APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURGICAL FASTENERS TO BODY TISSUE - An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher. The trigger system is provided with perceptible tactile sensing means to indicate when the legs of the staple being advanced are exposed so as to be visible to the user for positioning and orientation purposes. Anvil means provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. Projecting distally of the cartridge support system is a pair of legs which are dimensioned and configured to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation outside of the plane of the staple. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090314820 | APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SURGICAL FASTENERS TO BODY TISSUE - An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher. The trigger system is provided with perceptible tactile sensing means to indicate when the legs of the staple being advanced are exposed so as to be visible to the user for positioning and orientation purposes. Anvil means provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. Projecting distally of the cartridge support system is a pair of legs which are dimensioned and configured to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation outside of the plane of the staple. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100207046 | ROTATING VALVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MULTI-LUMEN SPHERICAL VALVE - A valve assembly that includes a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, the upper and lower body portions defining an internal chamber for accommodating a valve member and a central axis for the valve, the housing having axially aligned inlet and outlet ports formed in the upper and lower body portions, respectively. The valve assembly also includes a generally spherical valve member seated within the internal chamber of the valve housing and having first and second bores extending therethrough, the first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and the second bore having a second longitudinal axis offset relative to the first longitudinal axis, the valve member mounted for movement between a first position wherein the first bore of the valve member is axially aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing and the second bore of the valve member is axially misaligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing, and a second position wherein the second bore of the valve member is axially aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing and the first bore of the valve member is axially misaligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing. The valve assembly also includes a camming mechanism for moving the valve member between the first position and the second position, including cam surfaces formed on the exterior surface of the valve member and a cam pin formed on the interior surface of the upper body portion of the housing, wherein the cam surfaces formed on the exterior surface of the valve member are defined by a pair of arcuate cam lobes formed at angles to one another. | 08-19-2010 |