A control circuit of a surgical device is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The first circuit portion communicates with a surgical generator over a conductor pair to receive a control signal to determine a state of the at least one switch.

Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.

Ultrasonic surgical instruments

A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise and end effector first and second tissue engaging surfaces that are slanted with respect to a transection plane. The end effector may, for example, have an electrode defining a V-shaped cross sectional profile. The end effector may comprise a plurality of raised surfaces that are received by a plurality of indentions when the end effector is in the closed position. The end effector may comprise a cutting member having a plurality of bands. A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector. The end effector may comprise a cammed compression surface. The end effector may comprise an electrode comprising a tapered tissue contacting surface. Some surgical instruments may comprise an overload member.

Surgical instrument with jaw member

Various embodiments described herein are directed to ultrasonic blades. For example, an ultrasonic blade may comprise a proximally positioned straight section extending along a longitudinal axis and a distally positioned curved section coupled to the straight section and curved away from the longitudinal axis. The curved section may define a radius of curvature and subtend a first angle. A point of tangency between the curved section and the straight section may be positioned at either a node of the ultrasonic blade or an anti-node of the ultrasonic blade.

Surgical instruments with articulating shafts

A surgical stapling assembly is configured to be used to form a tissue seal having an arcuate portion. The surgical stapling assembly comprises an end-effector extending from the distal end of the shaft. The end-effector comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a first face at least partially surrounding the aperture, a staple cavity defined in the first face, a staple removably positioned within the staple cavity, and a first electrode positioned one of on and proximate to the first face. The second portion comprises a second face, an anvil pocket defined in the second face, and a second electrode positioned one of on and proximate to the second face, and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode each comprise an arcuate portion. The first electrode has a different polarity than the second electrode.

Surgical instruments with electrodes

Absorbent structures comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and discrete particles of a water insoluble hydrogel are disclosed. The fiber/hydrogel ratios range from about 30:70 to about 98:2. The absorbent structures have a density of from about 0.15 g/cm 3 to about 1 g/cm 3 . The structures are flexible, and have superior absorption capacities for water and body fluids.

High-density absorbent structures

Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 60 to 100 % by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30 x 10-7 cm3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Absorbent members for body fluids having good wet integrity and relatively high concentrations of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer

Relatively thin, collapsed, i.e. unexpanded, polymeric foam materials that, upon contact with aqueous body fluids, expand and absorb such fluids, are disclosed. A process for consistently obtaining such relatively thin, collapsed polymeric foam materials by polymerizing a specific type of water-in-oil emulsion, commonly known as High Internal Phase Emulsions or "HIPE", is also disclosed.

Thin-until-wet absorbent foam materials for aqueous body fluids and process for making same

The present invention relates to improved hydrogel-forming polymer compositions which can be used as absorbents in absorbent structures and absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. Such hydrogel-forming polymer compositions are substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized polymers which are prepared from unsaturated polymerizable, acid group-containing monomers and cross-linking agents. These hydrogel-forming polymer materials, upon imbibing fluids, form hydrogels. Such polymer materials have relatively high gel volume and relatively high gel strength as measured by shear modulus of the hydrogel which forms therefrom. Such polymer materials also contain relatively low levels of extractable polymer material which can be extracted therefrom by contact with synthetic urine. Preferred hydrogel-forming polymers having these characteristics can be prepared by polymerizing the acid group-containing monomers in their free acid form at relatively low monomer concentrations, preferably using relatively low polymerization temperatures. Absorbent structures and absorbent articles containing these dried hydrogel-forming polymer materials are also disclosed.

Hydrogel-forming polymer compositions for use in absorbent structures

Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Stephen Allen Goldman

Papers

High-density absorbent structures

Absorbent members for body fluids having good wet integrity and relatively high concentrations of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer

Thin-until-wet absorbent foam materials for aqueous body fluids and process for making same

Hydrogel-forming polymer compositions for use in absorbent structures

Absorbent foams made from high internal phase emulsions useful for acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids