A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

Medical device packages may be configured to be easily openable in dark locations such as but not limited to cardiac catheter labs and surgical suites. Medical device packages may be configured to be more easily opened by including features that help to instruct a user where to grasp the medical device package, present a grip feature to quickly separate and grasp the two layers to be separated and provide texture on the grip to improve grip and control of the packaging and the sterile product within the packaging during transfer to a sterile surgical field or user, for example. In some cases, medical device packages may be configured to facilitate cooperation between a user opening the package outside of a sterile field and a user within the sterile field accepting the medical device disposed within the medical device package.

Underwater communication systems, underwater speakers, underwater microphone assemblies and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, an underwater speaker includes a housing, a transducer member coupled with the housing and positioned to contact a body of water, wherein the transducer member is configured to vibrate to generate sound pressure waves within the body of water which comprise content which is audible to humans within the body of water, and an exciter coupled with the transducer member and configured to impart forces to the transducer member to cause the vibration of the transducer member to generate the sound pressure waves in the body of water as result of a received electrical signal which comprises the content.

A power pack removably loadable into a housing of a surgical instrument having a motor having a motor shaft, a rotatable disc operably connected to the motor shaft, a drive mechanism operably connected to the rotatable disc, and an engagement member linearly movable by the drive mechanism. The engagement member is configured to removably engage an axially movable member in the housing of the surgical instrument, wherein actuation of the motor causes linear movement of the engagement member to effect movement of the axially movable member in an axial direction.

A power pack removably loadable into a housing of a surgical instrument having a motor having a motor shaft, a rotatable disc operably connected to the motor shaft, a drive mechanism operably connected to the rotatable disc, and an engagement member linearly movable by the drive mechanism. The engagement member is configured to removably engage an axially movable member in the housing of the surgical instrument, wherein actuation of the motor causes linear movement of the engagement member to effect movement of the axially movable member in an axial direction.

A surgical fastener applier including a housing containing a compartment, an elongated member extending distally from the housing, first and second jaws and a firing mechanism positioned within the housing. The firing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. A cover on the housing is openable to access the compartment. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having a motor and an engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism within the compartment when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism from the first position to the second firing position.

A hand-held electromechanical surgical device is configured to selectively connect with a surgical accessory. The surgical device includes a power-pack, an outer shell housing, and a gasket. The power-pack is configured to selectively control a surgical accessory. The outer shell housing includes a distal half-section and a proximal half-section, the distal half-section and the proximal half-section together defining a cavity configured to selectively encase substantially the entire power-pack therein. The gasket is located between the distal half-section and the proximal half-section of the outer shell housing. The gasket is configured to create a seal between the distal half-section and the proximal half-section and to provide a sterile barrier between the power-pack and an outside environment outside the outer shell housing.

A coating device is provided which allows for coating the surface of devices and tools in direct/indirect contact with the patient in medical and dental areas. Also provided are a coating method that is performed with the coating device and a method for removing the protective cover from the coated devices.

The invention provides a sterilizable pouch having at least one wall formed of a flexible film and including an opening formed therein for providing communication to an interior space of the package. A breathable material is disposed on an outer surface of the wall covering the opening. The breathable material is joined to the outer surface of the wall with a continuous heat seal. A heat resistant material is positioned between the breathable material an outer surface of the wall.