A viscoelastic material comprises a unique adhesive and cohesive thermoset viscoelastic polymer coated onto a flexible substrate. The polymer can be formed by curing an uncured polymer mix derived from a thermosetting reaction media of a carefully balanced ratio of isocyanate prepolymer, polyether diols, polyether triols and organic plasticizers. The viscoelastic material can exhibit viscoelastic, adhesive, cohesive, releasability, cleansability and antimicrobial properties. In some aspects, the viscoelastic material can be fabricated into a personal protective article. In one embodiment, the personal protective article is a footwear cover.

A medical probe support device provides one or more support arms and corresponding receptacles for receiving medical imaging components, such as scanners, rendering screens and needles, and supports the components in a fixed but adjustable position to free the hands of the scan operator or technician during the scan. Each of the support arms has a balance of rigidity and resilience to support the imaging components in a set position and allow repositioning of the imaging components by exerting a slight repositioning force to overcome the rigidity. The support arm is an elongated, flexible member with a proximate end attached to the imaging component and a distal end secured to a fixture. The proximate end is responsive to temporary repositioning during a scan procedure, and the receptacle may have an adjacent needle guide for inserting a needle relative to the scan device for monitoring needle advancement.

Methods for treating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, an adjunct material, when secured to tissue, can receive at least one physiological element released from the tissue during healing progression of the tissue, and can exhibit first and second stiffnesses in compression that are approximately constant during first and second time periods from contact with the tissue, with the second stiffness decreasing with time as a function of at least one of oxidation, enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, and change of pH resulting from interaction with the at least one physiological element. In another embodiment, the adjunct can receive a unit volume of fluid that causes first and second portions of the adjunct to expand according to first and second expansion behaviors that differ from one another to apply different pressures to the tissue.

A retainer system for use with staple cartridges configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be attached to the staple cartridge by retention features. The system includes a tool that moves the retention features between a first state wherein the retention features prevent the retainer from being attached to the staple cartridge to a second state where the retainer may be coupled to the staple cartridge by the retention features.

A retainer system for use with staple cartridges configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be attached to the staple cartridge by retention features. The system includes a tool that moves the retention features between a first state wherein the retention features prevent the retainer from being attached to the staple cartridge to a second state where the retainer may be coupled to the staple cartridge by the retention features.

A deactivator element for use with a staple cartridge is disclosed. The deactivator element is configured to be removably supported on the staple cartridge in a deactivator position. When the deactivator element is supported on a staple cartridge in the deactivator portion and the staple cartridge is seated in a surgical stapling device, a cam surface on the deactivator element defeats a lockout in the surgical stapling device.

A deactivator element for use with a staple cartridge is disclosed. The deactivator element is configured to be removably supported on the staple cartridge in a deactivator position. When the deactivator element is supported on a staple cartridge in the deactivator portion and the staple cartridge is seated in a surgical stapling device, a cam surface on the deactivator element defeats a lockout in the surgical stapling device.

An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.

A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.

A receiving sleeve of a tool set includes a hollow body having an end face with an insertion opening for inserting a tool. The hollow body defines a longitudinal central axis and includes a plurality of inner clamping elements spaced apart in a circumferential direction. The clamping elements have punctiform or linear engagement sections at their free, radially inward protruding end portions. The engagement sections make force-fit and/or form-fit contact with the tool for holding the tool within the receiving sleeve at a radial distance from the hollow body. An inner side of the hollow body has circumferentially spaced rigid protrusions that extend axially in rib-like fashion. The inner clamping elements radially protrude further toward the longitudinal central axis of the hollow body than the rigid protrusions.