Source: http://www.google.ca/patents/US9730697
Timestamp: 2018-01-23 06:28:21
Document Index: 263340804

Matched Legal Cases: ['§120', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100', 'art 1100']

Patent US9730697 - Surgical cutting and fastening instrument with apparatus for determining ... - Google Patents
In various embodiments, a fastener cartridge is disclosed. The fastener cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners, a longitudinal knife slot defined in the cartridge body, and a circuit comprising a plurality of frangible resistors extending across the longitudinal knife...http://www.google.ca/patents/US9730697?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US9730697 - Surgical cutting and fastening instrument with apparatus for determining cartridge and firing motion status
Publication number US9730697 B2
Application number US 14/694,485
Filing date 23 Apr 2015
Publication number 14694485, 694485, US 9730697 B2, US 9730697B2, US-B2-9730697, US9730697 B2, US9730697B2
Non-Patent Citations (47), Classifications (19), Legal Events (3)
US 9730697 B2
In various embodiments, a fastener cartridge is disclosed. The fastener cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners, a longitudinal knife slot defined in the cartridge body, and a circuit comprising a plurality of frangible resistors extending across the longitudinal knife slot. The plurality of frangible resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the circuit comprises a first resistance when the first resistor and the second resistor are intact, wherein the circuit comprises a second resistance when the first resistor is split and the second resistor is intact, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.
1. A fastener cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners;
a longitudinal knife slot defined in said cartridge body; and
a circuit comprising a plurality of frangible resistors extending across said longitudinal knife slot, wherein said plurality of frangible resistors comprises:
a second resistor, wherein said circuit comprises a first resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are intact, wherein said circuit comprises a second resistance when said first resistor is split and said second resistor is intact, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.
2. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said circuit comprises a third resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are split, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.
3. The fastener cartridge of claim 2, wherein said plurality of frangible resistors further comprises a third resistor, wherein said circuit comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said third resistor is intact, wherein said circuit comprises a fourth resistance when said first resistor, said second resistor, and said third resistor are split, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.
4. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first resistor comprises a proximal resistor, and wherein said second resistor comprises a distal resistor.
5. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises an outer surface, and wherein said circuit is mounted to said outer surface.
6. The fastener cartridge of claim 5, wherein said circuit is adhered to said outer surface.
7. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
a firing member slot defined at least partially through said cartridge body; and
a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors extending at least partially across said firing member slot, wherein said plurality of resistors comprises:
a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are intact, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said first resistor is split and said second resistor is intact, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.
8. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are split, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.
9. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein said plurality of resistors further comprises a third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said third resistor is intact, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a fourth resistance when said first resistor, said second resistor, and said third resistor are split, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.
10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said first resistor comprises a proximal resistor, and wherein said second resistor comprises a distal resistor.
11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said cartridge body comprises an outer surface, and wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said outer surface.
12. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 11, wherein said firing member position sensor is adhered to said outer surface.
13. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
a movable firing member;
a first jaw comprising a forming surface; and
a second jaw, comprising:
a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein said movable firing member is configured to move relative to said fastener cartridge; and
a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors, wherein said plurality of resistors comprises:
a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to said first resistor and said second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said first resistor and proximal to said second resistor, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.
14. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 13, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.
15. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 13, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said second jaw.
16. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 13, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said fastener cartridge.
17. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to said first resistor and said second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said movable firing member is positioned intermediate said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance, wherein said movable firing member is configured to sequentially sever said plurality of resistors.
18. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 17, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises a firing member slot, and wherein said firing member position sensor at least partially overlies said firing member slot.
19. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to said first resistor and said second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said movable firing member is positioned intermediate said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance; and
a third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a fourth resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said third resistor, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.
20. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to said first resistor and said second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said movable firing member is positioned intermediate said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said first jaw.
This application is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/372,205, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING CARTRIDGE AND FIRING MOTION STATUS, filed Feb. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat No. 9,044,230, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
In various embodiments, a fastener cartridge is disclosed comprising a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners, a longitudinal knife slot defined in the cartridge body, and a circuit comprising a plurality of frangible resistors extending across the longitudinal knife slot. The plurality of frangible resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the circuit comprises a first resistance when the first resistor and the second resistor are intact, wherein the circuit comprises a second resistance when the first resistor is split and the second resistor is intact, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.
In various embodiments, a fastener cartridge assembly is disclosed comprising a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners, a firing member slot defined at least partially through the cartridge body, and a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors extending at least partially across the firing member slot. The plurality of resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when the first resistor and the second resistor are intact, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when the first resistor is split and the second resistor is intact, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling assembly is disclosed comprising a movable firing member, a first jaw comprising a forming surface, and a second jaw. The second jaw comprises a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein the movable firing member is configured to move relative to the fastener cartridge, and a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors. The plurality of resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when the movable firing member is positioned proximal to the first resistor and the second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when the movable firing member is positioned distal to the first resistor and proximal to the second resistor, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance.
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling assembly is disclosed comprising a movable firing member, a first jaw comprising a forming surface, and a second jaw. The second jaw comprises a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein the movable firing member is configured to move relative to the fastener cartridge, and a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors. The plurality of resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when the movable firing member is positioned proximal to the first resistor and the second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when the movable firing member is positioned intermediate the first resistor and the second resistor, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance, wherein the movable firing member is configured to sequentially sever the plurality of resistors.
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling assembly is disclosed comprising a movable firing member, a first jaw comprising a forming surface, and a second jaw. The second jaw comprises a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein the movable firing member is configured to move relative to the fastener cartridge, and a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors. The plurality of resistors comprises a first resistor, a second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when the movable firing member is positioned proximal to the first resistor and the second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when the movable firing member is positioned intermediate the first resistor and the second resistor, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when the movable firing member is positioned distal to the first resistor and the second resistor, and wherein the third resistance is different than the first resistance and different than the second resistance, and a third resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises the first resistance, the second resistance, and the third resistance when the movable firing member is positioned proximal to third resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a fourth resistance when the movable firing member is positioned distal to the third resistor, and wherein the fourth resistance is different than the first resistance, different than the second resistance, and different than the third resistance.
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling assembly is disclosed comprising a movable firing member, a first jaw comprising a forming surface, and a second jaw. The second jaw comprises a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein the movable firing member is configured to move relative to the fastener cartridge, and a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors. The plurality of resistors comprises a first resistor and a second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when the movable firing member is positioned proximal to the first resistor and the second resistor, wherein the firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when the movable firing member is positioned intermediate the first resistor and the second resistor, and wherein the second resistance is different than the first resistance, wherein the firing member position sensor is mounted to the first jaw.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,272, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0290856, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH FORCE-FEED CAPABILITIES;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/949,099, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,185, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,498, now U.S. Pat No. 7,766,210, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH USER FEEDBACK SYSTEM;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/344,024, now U.S. Patent No. 8,186,555, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH MECHANICAL CLOSURE SYSTEM;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,321, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,563, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175951, entitled GEARING SELECTOR FOR A POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING STAPLING INSTRUMENT;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,546, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175950, entitled DISPOSABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE HAVING AN ANVIL WITH TISSUE LOCATOR FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT AND MODULAR END EFFECTOR SYSTEM THEREFOR;
U.S. patent application Ser .No. 13/118,194, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,992,422, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED ENDOSCOPIC ACCESSORY CHANNEL;
U. S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,253, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,983, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,278, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,237,891, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,190, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,179,912, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED MOTORIZED SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,263, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0295295, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,246, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,770, entitled ROBOTICALLY-DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH E-BEAM DRIVER;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/372,195, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0292367, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED END EFFECTOR.
In the illustrated embodiment, the end effector 12 is configured to act as an endocutter for clamping, severing and stapling tissue, however, in other embodiments different techniques for fastening or sealing the severed tissue may be used. For example, end effectors that use RF energy or adhesives to fasten the severed tissue may also be used. U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,680, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,270, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE WITH RECESSED AND/OR OFFSET ELECTRODES, which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties, disclose cutting instruments that use RF energy to fasten the severed tissue. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/267,811, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,783 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/267,383, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,557, which are also incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties, disclose cutting instruments that use adhesives to fasten the severed tissue.
The handle 6 of the instrument 10 may include a closure trigger 18 and a firing trigger 20 for actuating the end effector 12. It will be appreciated that instruments having end effectors directed to different surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggers or other suitable controls for operating the end effector 12. The end effector 12 is shown separated from the handle 6 by a preferably elongate shaft 8. In one embodiment, a clinician or operator of the instrument 10 may articulate the end effector 12 relative to the shaft 8 by utilizing the articulation control 16, as described in more detail in pending U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, issued Mar. 2, 2010, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIGS. 3-6 show embodiments of a rotary-driven end effector 12 and shaft 8 according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the end effector 12 according to various embodiments. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the end effector 12 may include, in addition to the previously-mentioned channel 22 and anvil 24, a cutting instrument 32, a sled 33, a staple cartridge 34 that is removably seated in the channel 22, and a helical screw shaft 36. The cutting instrument 32 may be, for example, a knife. The anvil 24 may be pivotably opened and closed at pivot pins 25 connected to the proximate end of the channel 22. The anvil 24 may also include a tab 27 at its proximate end that is inserted into a component of the mechanical closure system (described further below) to open and close the anvil 24. When the closure trigger 18 is actuated, that is, drawn in by a user of the instrument 10, the anvil 24 may pivot about the pivot pins 25 into the clamped or closed position. If clamping of the end effector 12 is satisfactory, the operator may actuate the firing trigger 20, which, as explained in more detail below, causes the knife 32 and sled 33 to travel longitudinally along the channel 22, thereby cutting tissue clamped within the end effector 12. The movement of the sled 33 along the channel 22 causes the staples (not shown) of the staple cartridge 34 to be driven through the severed tissue and against the closed anvil 24, which turns the staples to fasten the severed tissue. In various embodiments, the sled 33 may be an integral component of the cartridge 34. U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, provides more details about such two-stroke cutting and fastening instruments. The sled 33 may be part of the cartridge 34, such that when the knife 32 retracts following the cutting operation, the sled 33 does not retract.
where Ra is the resistance in resistor 154 a, Rb is the resistance in resistor 154 b, Rc is the resistance in resistor 154 c, and Rz is the resistance in the most distal resistor 154 z in the resistive member 152. Resistance can be measured in ohms (Ω). In an alternative embodiment, the resistors 154 a, 154 b, 154 c, . . . , 154 z can be arranged in a series configuration such that the equivalent resistance (REq) of the resistive member 152 can be computed according to:
1/R Eq=1/R a+1/R b+1/R c + . . . +R z.
In another embodiment, the signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the memory device 160. Various wireless communication embodiments are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,259 filed on May 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,253, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Referring to FIG. 12, to wirelessly transmit the signal, the resistive member 152 may comprise a conductive element 170 that acts as a transmitting antenna. The conductive element 170 may both transmit signals from the resistive member 152 and receive power from a power source, such as a battery, external or internal to the surgical instrument 10. The conductive element 170 of the resistive member 152 is preferably insulated from the electrically conductive outer shaft 8 of the instrument 10.
FIG. 15 depicts one version of a master controller 1001 that may be used in connection with a robotic arm slave cart 1100 of the type depicted in FIG. 16. Master controller 1001 and robotic arm slave cart 1100, as well as their respective components and control systems are collectively referred to herein as a robotic system 1000. Examples of such systems and devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 7,524,320, issued Apr. 28, 2009, entitled MECHANICAL ACTUATOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOLS, which has been herein incorporated by reference. Thus, various details of such devices will not be described in detail herein beyond that which may be necessary to understand various embodiments and forms of the present invention. As is known, the master controller 1001 generally includes a control system (generally represented as 1003 in FIG. 15) which are grasped by the surgeon and manipulated in space while the surgeon views the procedure via a stereo display 1002. The master controllers 1001 generally comprise manual input devices which preferably move with multiple degrees of freedom, and which often further have an actuatable handle for actuating tools (for example, for closing grasping jaws, applying an electrical potential to an electrode, or the like). Various robotic controller arrangements and surgical tool arrangements are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat No. 9,072,535 , the full disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
As can be seen in FIG. 16, in one form, the robotic arm cart 1100 is configured to actuate a plurality of surgical tools, generally designated as 1200. Various robotic surgery systems and methods employing master controller and robotic arm cart arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,368, entitled MULTI-COMPONENT TELEPRESENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In various forms, the robotic arm cart 1100 includes a base 1102 from which, in the illustrated embodiment, three surgical tools 1200 are supported. In various forms, the surgical tools 1200 are each supported by a series of manually articulatable linkages, generally referred to as set-up joints 1104, and a robotic manipulator 1106. These structures are herein illustrated with protective covers extending over much of the robotic linkage. These protective covers may be optional, and may be limited in size or entirely eliminated in some embodiments to minimize the inertia that is encountered by the servo mechanisms used to manipulate such devices, to limit the volume of moving components so as to avoid collisions, and to limit the overall weight of the cart 1100. Cart 1100 will generally have dimensions suitable for transporting the cart 1100 between operating rooms. The cart 1100 may be configured to typically fit through standard operating room doors and onto standard hospital elevators. In various forms, the cart 1100 would preferably have a weight and include a wheel (or other transportation) system that allows the cart 1100 to be positioned adjacent an operating table by a single attendant.
An alternative set-up joint structure is illustrated in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, a surgical tool 1200 is supported by an alternative manipulator structure 1106′ between two tissue manipulation tools. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate a wide variety of alternative robotic structures, including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,193, entitled AUTOMATED ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM FOR OPTIMAL POSITIONING, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, while the data communication between a robotic component and the processor of the robotic surgical system is primarily described herein with reference to communication between the surgical tool 1200 and the master controller 1001, it should be understood that similar communication may take place between circuitry of a manipulator, a set-up joint, an endoscope or other image capture device, or the like, and the processor of the robotic surgical system for component compatibility verification, component-type identification, component calibration (such as off-set or the like) communication, confirmation of coupling of the component to the robotic surgical system, or the like.
2 "Indian Standard: Automotive Vehicles™Brakes and Braking Systems (IS 11852-1:2001)", Mar. 1, 2001.
3 Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, Automotive Full Bridge Mosfet Driver, A3941-DS, Rev. 5, 21 pages, http://www.allegronnicro.com/˜/media/Files/Datasheets/A3941-Datasheet.ashx?la=en.
16 Covidien Brochure, "Endo GIA™ Reloads with Tri-Staple Tm Technology and Endo GIA™ Ultra Universal Staplers," (2010), 2 pages.
23 Data Sheet of LM4F230H5QR, 2007.
24 Datasheet for Panasonic TK Relays Ultra Low Profile 2 A Polarized Relay, Copyright Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (Known of at least as early as Aug. 17, 2010), 5 pages.
25 Disclosed Anonymously, "Motor-Driven Surgical Stapler Improvements," Research Disclosure Database No. 526041, Published: Feb. 2008.
26 Ebara, "Carbohydrate-Derived Hydrogels and Microgels," Engineered Carbohydrate-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications: Polymers, Surfaes, Dendrimers, Nanoparticles, and Hydrogels, Edited by Ravin Narain, 2011, pp. 337-345.
27 Fast, Versatile Blackfin Processors Handle Advanced RFID Reader Applications; Analog Dialogue: vol. 40-Sep. 2006; http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/40-09/rfid.pdf; Wayback Machine to Feb. 15, 2012.
28 Hoffman, "Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 43 (2002) pp. 3-12.
29 Hoffman, "Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 54 (2002) pp. 3-12.
30 http://ninpgan.net/publications/51-100/89.pdf; 2004, Ning Pan, On Uniqueness of Fibrous Materials, Design & Nature II. Eds: Colins, M. and Brebbia, C. WIT Press, Boston, 493-504.
31 International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US2013/023721, dated Aug. 19, 2014 (8 pages).
32 International Search Report for PCT/US2013/023721, dated Sep. 20, 2013 (6 pages).
33 Jeong et al., "Thermosensitive Sol-Gel Reversible Hydrogels," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 54 (2002) pp. 37-51.
34 Matsuda, "Thermodynamics of Formation of Porous Polymeric Membrane from Solutions," Polymer Journal, vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 435-444 (1991).
35 Miyata et al., "Biomolecule-Sensitive Hydrogels," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 54 (2002) pp. 79-98.
36 Patrick J. Sweeney: "RFID for Dummies", Mar. 11, 2010, pp. 365-365, XP055150775, ISBN: 978-1-11-805447-5, Retrieved from the Internet: URL: books.google.de/books?isbn=1118054474 [retrieved on Nov. 4, 2014]-book not attached.
37 Peppas, "Physiologically Responsive Hydrogels," Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, vol. 6 (Jul. 1991) pp. 241-246.
38 Peppas, Editor "Hydrogels in Medicine and Pharmacy," vol. I, Fundamentals, CRC Press, 1986.
39 Pitt et al., "Attachment of Hyaluronan to Metallic Surfaces," J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 68A: pp. 95-106, 2004.
40 Qiu et al., "Environment-Sensitive Hydrogels for Drug Delivery," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 53 (2001) pp. 321-339.
41 Schellhammer et al., "Poly-Lactic-Acid for Coating of Endovascular Stents: Preliminary Results in Canine Experimental AV-Fistulae," Mat.-wiss. u. Werkstofftech., 32, pp. 193-199 (2001).
42 Seils et al., Covidien Summary: Clinical Study "UCONN Biodynamics: Final Report on Results," (2 pages).
43 Serial Communication Protocol; Michael Lemmon Feb. 1, 2009; http://www3.nd.edu/˜lemmon/courses/ee224/web-manual/web-manual/lab12/node2.html; Wayback Machine to Apr. 29, 2012.
44 Solorio et al., "Gelatin Microspheres Crosslinked with Genipin for Local Delivery of Growth Factors," J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. (2010), 4(7): pp. 514-523.
45 The Sodem Aseptic Battery Transfer Kit, Sodem Systems, (2000), 3 pages.
46 Van Meer et al., "A Disposable Plastic Compact Wrist for Smart Minimally Invasive Surgical Tools," LAAS/CNRS (Aug. 2005).
47 Young, "Microcellular foams via phase separation," Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A 4(3), (May/Jun. 1986).
International Classification A61B17/00, A61B17/10, A61B17/068, A61B34/00, A61B34/30, A61B17/29, A61B90/00, A61B17/072
Cooperative Classification A61B17/068, A61B2090/0811, A61B17/07207, A61B34/76, A61B2017/00685, A61B2017/00128, A61B34/30, A61B2017/07285, A61B2017/2903, A61B17/105, A61B2017/00398
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MORGAN, JEROME R.;SHELTON, FREDERICK E., IV;SIGNING DATES FROM 20150521 TO 20150529;REEL/FRAME:036139/0251