A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

A compact, decorative and multi-functional portable power charger and cable apparatus includes a portable charger unit with a housing where the housing encloses an internal rechargeable battery unit for connecting to and recharging one or more electronic devices, and a charging cable extending from the charger housing and in operative communication with the rechargeable battery. At least the charger housing is surrounded by an aesthetic feature, which can comprise a tasseled fitting, a puffball, a luggage tag, or a doll or teddy bear to hide the charger unit. Electrical fittings including power connection interfaces for connecting the charger and cable apparatus with at least one electronic device, or an external power source, or both, can be provided on the charging cable and also hidden by the aesthetic feature. The power charger and cable apparatus can be attached to a fashion accessory, such as a purse, a bag, luggage or clothing.

Provided herein are improved apparatuses and methods for protecting polarity sensitive loads in DC power circuits that include a power source, a relay coupled to the power source, and a polarity sensitive load coupled to the relay. A diode can be coupled between the power source and the relay. When the power source provides a DC voltage of a desired polarity, the diode can block a current from flowing to a coil of the relay. Consequently, the relay can provide a current path to the polarity sensitive load. When the power source provides a DC voltage of an incorrect or reverse polarity, the diode can allow a current to flow to the coil of the relay. In turn, the coil of the relay can be energized, causing the relay to disrupt the current path provided to the load, thereby protecting the polarity sensitive load from the reverse polarity condition.

Provided herein are improved apparatuses and methods for protecting polarity sensitive loads in DC power circuits that include a power source, a relay coupled to the power source, and a polarity sensitive load coupled to the relay. A diode can be coupled between the power source and the relay. When the power source provides a DC voltage of a desired polarity, the diode can block a current from flowing to a coil of the relay. Consequently, the relay can provide a current path to the polarity sensitive load. When the power source provides a DC voltage of an incorrect or reverse polarity, the diode can allow a current to flow to the coil of the relay. In turn, the coil of the relay can be energized, causing the relay to disrupt the current path provided to the load, thereby protecting the polarity sensitive load from the reverse polarity condition.

An apparatus for providing protection to an electric circuit includes a P-channel MOSFET; a freewheeling diode coupled to a drain of the P-channel MOSFET and coupled to a load; and a charge pump coupled to a gate of the P-channel MOSEFT. In a normal operating mode, the charge pump receives a voltage from a voltage regulator, and is configured to multiply and reverses the polarity of the voltage to supply to the gate of the MOSFET. In a reverse battery operating mode, the charge pump receives no voltage from the voltage regulator to supply to the gate of the MOSFET causing the MOSFET to deactivate such that when the MOSFET deactivates, current is prevented from flowing through the freewheeling diode to protect the freewheeling diode.

A load driving device includes a lockout circuit unit (70) that, when a battery is connected in reverse to a drive circuit unit (10), autonomously decreases a gate-source voltage of an anti-reverse connection relay (41, 42) down to a voltage that interrupts conduction between a source electrode and a drain electrode.

A load driving device includes a lockout circuit unit (70) that, when a battery is connected in reverse to a drive circuit unit (10), autonomously decreases a gate-source voltage of an anti-reverse connection relay (41, 42) down to a voltage that interrupts conduction between a source electrode and a drain electrode.

An output driver (1) comprises a driver transistor (MP0) having a gate node (GMP0) to apply a gate control voltage (GCV) and a gate control circuit (30) to control the gate node (GMP0) of the driver transistor (MP0). The output driver (1) is configured to be operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode, the variable resistance of the current path of the driver transistor (MP0) being lower in the first operation mode than in the second operation mode. The gate control circuit (30) comprises a controllable resistor (RC), the controllable resistor (RC) being disposed between the gate node (GMP0) of the driver transistor (MP0) and an output node (QP) of the output driver (1), and a resistance of the controllable resistor (RC) being dependent on operating the output driver in the first or second operation mode.

An output driver (1) comprises a driver transistor (MP0) having a gate node (GMP0) to apply a gate control voltage (GCV) and a gate control circuit (30) to control the gate node (GMP0) of the driver transistor (MP0). The output driver (1) is configured to be operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode, the variable resistance of the current path of the driver transistor (MP0) being lower in the first operation mode than in the second operation mode. The gate control circuit (30) comprises a controllable resistor (RC), the controllable resistor (RC) being disposed between the gate node (GMP0) of the driver transistor (MP0) and an output node (QP) of the output driver (1), and a resistance of the controllable resistor (RC) being dependent on operating the output driver in the first or second operation mode.