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BHS in your area
Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire are part of the BHS West Midlands area along with Warwickshire and Staffordshire. The West Midlands Regional Manager is Andrea Jackman: Tel: 02476 840722, firstname.lastname@example.com
Gloucestershire is part of BHS South West, which comprisesAvon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. The South West Regional Manager is Julie Garbutt: Tel:01749 880152, firstname.lastname@example.com
Powys is included in BHS Wales area. National Manager for BHS Wales is Jan Roche: Tel: 02476 840729, firstname.lastname@example.com
To see the current BHS Herefordshire committee members, visit: www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area/west-midlands/herefordshire/herefordshire-committee
BHS Access Officer, Bodenham area Herefordshire – Shelley Renwick. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Welfare Issues – If you have personally seen a horse(s) that you are concerned about, please contact the Welfare team on 02476 840517 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
For more information, see the BHS website: www.bhs.org.uk/welfare-and-care/reporting-horses-in-distress
BHS West Midlands – www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area/west-midlands
BHS Wales – Website: www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area/wales
BHS South West – http://www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area/south-west
British Horse Society website: www.bhs.org.uk
British Horse Society in your Area: www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area


text: The Professional Choice for Performance and Reliability With the new USB 3.0 5Gb/s interface and up to 3TB, the LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk is the ideal tool for creative professionals who need both fast speeds and large storage capacity. It features 7200 rpm drives with a minimum of 32MB cache for the best performance and seek times, so it can handle the most resource-intensive applications. Best of all, it can achieve speeds up to 130MB/s in USB 3.0.

subset: commoncrawl


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Potomac The 14th annual Fall for the Book Festival celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Color Purple with a visit by novelist Alice Walker and presents four authors — Michael Chabon, Neil Gaiman, Rita Dove, and Katherine Boo — with the festival's 2012 awards. These authors and nearly 125 others will appear Sept. 26-30 at George Mason University and at venues throughout Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland.
A full schedule of events is available at the festival's website: www.fallforthebook.org.
Fall for the Book is Northern Virginia's oldest and largest festival of literature and the arts, and in recent years the festival has expanded from its base at George Mason University's Fairfax campus to host events at select venues throughout Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. All events are free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of sponsors including the Fairfax County Public Library, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, and George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Office of University Life, in partnership with other business and organizations.
7:30 p.m. at The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda Brodeur, author of Natural Causes and Other Latitudes, winner of the 2007 Akron Poetry Prize, and Deulen, author of The Riots, winner of the AWP Award for Creative Nonfiction, and the poetry collection Lovely Asunder share selections from their work. Sponsored by The Writer's Center.


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Defendant enters plea after five days of trial
Atlanta–Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr., announces the GUILTY PLEA of 23-year-old CHRISTIAN KAHF.
In October of 2017, standing in front of his fraternity brothers on the campus of Georgia Tech University, Christian Kahf, the defendant, said,
"I am a monster. I am a rapist and a pedophile."
Fraternity brothers who were in the room during Kahf's admission said the defendant became very emotional and abruptly left after making this statement. Members of the fraternity called Georgia Tech Police to make the department aware of Kahf's confession. 15 of the fraternity brothers who spoke to police said they believed Khaf was referring to actual events in his past. Two of them told police that before Khaf made that statement to the group he admitted to acting inappropriately with a 7-year-old girl. Georgia Tech Police Officer J. Gibbons interviewed Kahf after speaking to his fraternity brothers. At the time, the defendant denied raping anyone but did provide the names of his current girlfriend and ex-girlfriend.
Officer Gibbons contacted Kahf's ex-girlfriend who said the defendant had raped her at least seven times over the course of their relationship. The victim said she never reported the rapes to the police because she was afraid they would not believe her. Kahf's ex-girlfriend said she was a deeply religious woman who was saving her virginity for the man she married. The victim said in May of 2014 she was studying abroad in France when Kahf came to visit her. The victim said one night while she was sleeping she awoke to a pain her lower pelvic area and abdomen. She realized Kahf was having sex with her and when she told him to stop he refused and told her to stay quiet. The next morning, the victim confronted Kahf about the rape, and he admitted to having sex with her that night. As a result of her religious beliefs and her devotion to marrying the man she lost her virginity to, the victim remained in a relationship with the defendant. No charges were ever filed in this incident.
On January 29, 2016, the victim and her friends went club-hopping in Atlanta for her 21st birthday. They took shots at each club, so Kahf was their designated driver. The party made its way back to Kahf's fraternity on Georgia Tech's campus. Early in the morning on January 30, 2016, found a place to sleep in the house. Kahf said she didn't have any memories of the night, but when she awoke the next morning she felt like she had sex. The victim confronted Kahf and he admitted that he had sex with her.
On November 16, 2017, Kahf and his ex-girlfriend, the victim, in this case, met on the Georgia Tech campus. The victim was wearing a digital voice recorder and there were a number of undercover officers waiting nearby. When Kahf's ex-girlfriend confronted him about having sex with her the night of her 21st birthday, Kahf said,
"What happened was not consensual that night. I raped you more than once, and I wish I never had."
Kahf went on to admit that he raped the victim multiple times during their relationship when she was unconscious. Five days later, Kahf was arrested and was held in the Fulton County Jail until trial.
The trial for the January 2016 incident began in Fulton County Superior Court on Monday, July 16, 2018. After the first five days of the trial, KAHF decided to plead guilty to RAPE and was sentenced 20 YEARS TO SERVE 7 with the balance on probation. Kahf is not to have any contact with the victim or her family, and he will officially be placed on the sex offender registry.
Judge Craig L. Schwall, Sr., of the Superior Court of Fulton County, presided over the case. Deputy Assistant District Attorney Amy Ferguson prosecuted the case. She was assisted by Assistant District Attorney Andy Margolis and Investigator Brian Salter of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. Officer J. Gibbons of the Georgia Tech Police Department was the Lead Investigator in the case.


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Photography Classes in Central Lake MI
Looking for photography classes in Central Lake MI? No matter if you are a beginner, hobbyist, or professional, the most effective way to improve your photography abilities is through hands-on classes with skilled instructors.
Michigan features numerous accredited and recognized photography schools. Subjects covered in photography classes include lighting techniques, digital capture, outdoor photography, exposure, composition, and many other basic and advanced camera techniques. Growing into an expert photographer can lead to a prosperous professional career or lifelong hobby.
There are many Photography Classes in Central Lake MI:
- Photography 101 in Central Lake
- Digital Photography Classes in Central Lake
- Nature Photography Classes in Central Lake
- Editorial Photography Classes in Central Lake
- Studio Photography Classes in Central Lake
- Photojournalism Classes in Central Lake
Central Lake MI Photography Classes
Ferris State University
1201 S State St
Big Rapids, Michigan 49307-2251
Phone: (231) 591-2000
96.78 miles away
Central Michigan University
106 Warriner Hall
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Phone: (989) 774-4000
104.98 miles away
Grand Rapids Community College
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-3295
Phone: (616) 234-4722
147.20 miles away
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403
Phone: (616) 331-2020
149.46 miles away
Mott Community College
1401 E Court St
Flint, Michigan 48503-2089
Phone: (810) 762-0200
162.52 miles away
Lansing Community College
419 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, Michigan 48901-7210
Phone: (517) 483-1957
165.31 miles away
Concordia University-Wisconsin
12800 N Lake Shore Dr
Mequon, Wisconsin 53097-2402
Phone: (262) 243-5700
182.48 miles away
Cardinal Stritch University
6801 N Yates Rd
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-3985
Phone: (414) 410-4000
187.51 miles away
Milwaukee Area Technical College
700 W State St
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-1443
Phone: (414) 297-6370
192.95 miles away
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
273 E Erie St
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-6003
Phone: (414) 847-3200
193.13 miles away


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Many popular images associated with Christmas are actually rooted in inner spiritual realities. But over time the deeper meaning becomes lost, and the symbol becomes an end unto itself. Perhaps the most iconic symbols are the Christmas tree and Santa Claus.
The use of evergreen wreaths goes back to the prehistory of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, while the more modern decorated Christmas tree was established in medieval Europe. The origins of Santa Claus go back to Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop in Greece famous for giving gifts to the poor.
The modern image of Santa was popularized by the famous poem beginning "'Twas the night before Christmas . . . ," published in 1823. Our visual image comes from the illustrator Thomas Nast and his drawing of Santa Claus done in 1881, which was later adapted by others for use in advertising. From these roots has grown the jolly man with a red suit, a big belly, and a long, white beard who lives at the North Pole and brings gifts to children who have been good.
But as yogis, it is helpful to look past these cultural symbols and see the inner essence they represent. In this deeper sense, Santa Claus represents deeply seated spiritual memories—a sort of collective consciousness of our divine nature. God dwells within us, especially in the upper (north) chakras, and is joyful, benevolent, and the giver of the gifts of all good qualities and life itself.
The Christmas tree is an outer symbol of the astral spine and the chakras. The tree is an evergreen, maintaining its leaves throughout the winter, and therefore represents immortality. The lights, bulbs, and other ornaments represent inner lights and qualities. Gifts are spiritualized by appropriately being placed underneath the tree, much as they might be placed at the foot of an altar in another culture.
But the outer symbols lose their deeper meaning unless we balance them with inner realization. At Ananda we achieve this balance by celebrating "spiritual Christmas" with an all-day meditation where we try to merge with the Christ Consciousness. This is followed by "social Christmas," with the usual parties and gift giving. By honoring both inner and outer realities, we find a lovely sense of integration in our lives.
Paramhansa Yogananda expressed this beautifully: "Exchange gifts with the thought of Christ and the thought of giving Him the gift of your heart and receiving the gift of Himself on the Christmas Tree of your calm consciousness, richly decorated and glistening with the Soul-qualities of all those you have met and loved. Through the portal of your meditation, let your imprisoned joy escape to, and rest in, the heart of Christ, which is in everything. Let your joy dance in the farthest planets, over the vastness of the blue, and in the nearest waves of your love. Then you will behold Christ cradled in every manifest thing."
Happy Christmas,
Nayaswami Jyotish


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Learn about the Culture of Iran with this series of lessons. Each month a new presentation will be posted online.
This course is open to all. You can view the lessons as a guest, but if you create a user account, you'll get an email notification each time a new lesson is added to the site.
Marine Reservists
If you are taking this course as a requirement, be sure to log in with your email address and the default password.


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Growl 4+
The Growl Project, LLC
- Free
Growl is the is ultimate notification system for the Mac. It's the easiest way to instantly know what is going on with other applications while you are busy working on something else, in real time or even when you step away.
One day we were working with pictures in iPhoto while having a conversation in Adium. While waiting on something important to come through in the conversation, we had to keep clicking back and forth every time an instant message came through. Even though we knew were getting a message we'd have to click back to the Adium window to see what was being said. The idea for Growl was born out of the frustration of being forced to click back and forth to see what was going on. The real time notifications keep you up to speed with everything you need to know. With smooth notifications and Growl's one of a kind rollup window, you'll always know what's going on even when you have to step away from your Mac.
Never before has there been anything that personalizes notifications in such an effective way. You can receive notifications in several ways, such as on screen, via email, or even have them spoken to you. Plus if you know a bit about web technologies (CSS/XHTML/Javascript) then you can make a Growl style look how you want it to.
So many more AWESOME features listed here.
• Personalize your notifications. Choose Growl's presentation, look and feels.
• Keeps working even when you are not. Come back to your mac and review what happened while you were gone with Rollup.
• Easy to use Applications tab for controlling what you receive and what gets blocked.
• Speech display for hearing your notifications, great for those who are visually impaired.
• Awesome notification history, so you can see what has been going on.
• A large variety of styles come with Growl. Anything from nano which is tiny, to music video which is huge.
• Make your own Growl styles very easily with web technology to give Growl your own look and feel.
• Send Growl notifications from Cocoa, AppleScript, or over the network.
• Networking so that two or more macs can forward notifications to each other.
• Can work with the iPhone and iPad via Prowl.
Growl is what you need. Millions of people love it, and you will too. Seriously!
What's New
Version 2.1.3
- Fixes an issue on 10.9 where sending notifications to Growl will result in Growl logging "(null) doesn't have enough information…" whenever it receives an incoming packet.
- The on/off slider is more accessible now.
- Adds an improvement to how the selection of the default plugin worked in the displays tab.
Ratings and ReviewsSee All
Big headache...
Bought have a while and were trying to solve the click the alert not working issue…
There's ways that try to fix using the Growl Version Detective (update the Growl framework) but need to check your applications one by one!! Can upgrade and downgrade the Growl's framework (isn't supposed to be Growl's job???)… the problem is… not always work!!!!
Found workarounds also using Bark and other third part program… but shouldn't be something that Growl (paid program) should embed? ??
So, means that i bought this program and is not working at all out of the box… need to add extra apps to make it run…
Corrupt installation, paying for something I didn't install in the first place
As others have said, many apps don't use growl, so it's not exactly an easily justifiable endeavor. I somehow inhereted Growl with Adobe, if I remember right. After a year or two's worth of notifications that Growl, which I didn't install in the first place, was out of date, (and Apple implementing it's OWN notification system in that time) I finally decided to get it because my spam filter and some adobe programs use it, and I was tired of the old notification goofiness, so I thought maybe an update would make my life easier.
I guess not, though. I buy it and download it like I do everything else on the app store and the first thing I see is that my install was corrupt. 4 mintues after I bought this. Sorry guys, Growl's old notifications were already not great. I've got a screencap of 25 notifications going off at once and covering my entire screen and I had to individually X each one.
Now I have to download their UNinstaller to REinstall the thing I just bought from the app store. Trying to update has officially become a serious pain, and all for an app that, again, I never bought.
Don't waste your money, people.
I give it one star because there is no option for negative stars.
These little notifications have been popping up on my Mac screen urging me to update Growl.
I finally decided, sure, why not? So I paid the $3.99, and *attempted* to install the thing. It did not work. I got a message saying, "We've detected that the Mac App store keft you with a corrupt install. Please follow the instructions the button takes you to in order to remedy the situation." I did exactly that, but…
I tried FOUR TIMES, following ALL the instructions TO THE LETTER and got the same results, with the message that "the Mac App store has left you with a corrupt install, etc." So it's the App store's fault Growl doesn't work? I don't think so.
Growl needs to tune up its game, big time. If the Mac App store has a bad file, GROWL needs to freakin' give them a new one! Who even are these people, anyway?
Just don't.
And Growl doesn't want to hear from you either. Their "contact us" page? The best you can hope for is to be sent to a "discussion page" where you can read about all the trouble EVERYONE else has had with it. If I wanted to do a research project, I'd go back to college. So after fooling with this WAY longer than I wanted to already, I'm giving them a bad review.
Don't waste your money, people.
- Seller
- The Growl Project, LLC
- Size
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
OS X 10.7 or later, 64-bit processor
- Languages
English, Arabic, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Friulian, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Welsh
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2011 The Growl Project, LLC
- Price
- Free
Family Sharing
With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.


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Mumbai: Sculptor's kin seek to save King George V from shabby PWD shed
A 78-yr-old statue of King George V was banished to the shed during statehood movement, but kin of its maker, pre-Independence sculptor GK Mhatre, say it deserves respect as swadeshi art
In a nondescript shed behind Elphinstone College, Fort, lies a piece of Mumbai's colonial history – a 78-year-old statue that has not one, but two claims to distinction. The dusty shed hides within a nine-foot statue of King George V during whose reign as emperor of India, the freedom movement gained momentum. But what's equally noteworthy is the fact that the 1938 statue was made by Rao Bahadur GK Mhatre, a pioneering sculptor in the pre-Independence era.
The original statue by GK Mhatre made in 1938. Pic/Pathare's Archives
And yet, this magnificent link to our past lies covered in cobwebs and locked out of sight in a tin shed next to a small office of the Public Works Department (PWD).
The statue visible through a chink in the shed
Sandeep Dahisarkar, a city historian, researcher and academician who is also a visiting art history lecturer at Breach Candy's Sophia College and Vile Parle's Sathaye College, has been trying to get this statue out of the shed for the last two years so that it can be installed in a museum. Dahisarkar, a Vile Parle (E) resident, is collaborating with the sculptor Mhatre's great-grandson, Dr Hemant Pathare, who is keen to see his forefather's work find a respectable home in a city museum.
The Shivaji statue opposite the Gateway of India, where King George V statue once stood
When mid-day visited the PWD shed along with Dahisarkar, it was evident that after numerous visits, this was familiar territory for him. "The PWD seems to have put up a new shed; the earlier one had a big cavity in it," said the historian, who is writing a book on Mhatre. In fact, that is how he came across a reference to the statue while researching archives some years ago. Ever since, he had been on the lookout for the real thing.
The tin shed is shut tight, with no opening or locks, but the statue is visible through a hole. Pics/Suresh KK
"A friend and fellow historian had once told me there are some British-era statues in a shed near Elphinstone College, and that piqued my interest. Last year, I paid the area a visit to see the statue for myself," said Dahisarkar.
GK Mhatre was an eminent pre-Independence sculptor with over 300 works to his credit
After some digging around, the historian found the shed, which had a big hole in one of the tin sheets. "I peered though the sheet and saw this majestic statue that looked very familiar and, suddenly, I realised it was the old statue by Mhatre!" exclaimed Dahisarkar.
Dr Hemant Pathare and his mother Kunda Pathare - GK Mhatre's granddaughter – recall the glory days of the statue. Pics/Swarali Purohit
During his research, Dahisarkar found that the King George V statue occupied pride of place opposite the Gateway of India, Mumbai's iconic landmark which had also been built to commemorate the king's visit in 1924. Today, a statue of Shivaji Maharaj stands at that very spot.
Sandeep Dahisarkar with a replica of Mhatre's most famous work, 'To the Temple'
Dr Pathare and Dahisarkar, who are immersed in efforts to save this part of Mhatre's legacy, have, in the last three years, approached the BMC, the PWD, the Heritage Department et al, to no avail. Neither the BMC nor the state government has been responsive to their many letters and phone calls.
Lord Sandhurst. Pics/Suresh KK
When mid-day contacted the BMC (Ward A), officials said they were not in charge of the statue but the PWD was. However, over a hurried phone conversation, PWD chief engineer CP Joshi denied knowledge of the statue. "I am not sure what you are talking about, I can't say anything until I check," he said.
Queen Victoria
In fact, along with the King George V statue, the shed also houses a statue of King Edward VIII, sculpted by British sculptor Leonard Jennings, said Dahisarkar, who has seen both the figures.
An officer at the PWD office told mid-day that both statues were removed post-Independence, as part of the statehood movement. "The two statues have been inside the shed for a very long time, and nobody knows what to do with them," said the officer.
'Swadeshi art'
Unperturbed by the many hurdles, Dahisarkar spends most of his time trying to get the statue the recognition it deserves. "Almost every day of the last three years, I have tried speaking to someone who may have knowledge about the statue, about who put it there and how to get it out. People need to see Mhatre's work as swadeshi art in British India," said Dahisarkar.
Mhatre, an alumnus of JJ School of Arts, was a master sculptor who was awarded the title of 'Rao Bahadur' for his contributions in statuary art by the British Government in 1929. He has over 300 sculptures across India to his credit.
While it was Dahisarkar's academic interest in Mhatre's works that lead him to the statue, Dr Pathare has been collecting and documenting all the statues and sculptures his great-grandfather ever made, and hopes to see them all find their rightful place in history.
At his Vile Parle residence, Dr Pathare, a cardiologist, has a bronze replica of Mhatre's most famous work, 'To the Temple' — a plaster sculpture of a woman with a puja thali in hand on her way to a temple. The original sculpture, made by Mhatre as a student project, is placed at his alma mater, JJ School of Arts.
Dahisarkar, who was present at Dr Pathare's residence, added, "Look at the folds of the sari, the details of the fingers. Where else can we see such work? He is in a naval commander's uniform with a sword; a majestic piece."
Surfing through his laptop, where Dr Pathare has digitized all the research material collected in collaboration with Dahisarkar, including hundreds of pictures of Mhatre's other works in the city and around the country, he said, "Life-size statues of Mahadev Govind Ranade and Gopal Krishna Gokhale at Churchgate are beautiful examples of Mhatre's work. Former princely states like Udaipur, Gwalior, Kolhapur, Panna are all dotted with sculptures of kings and queens made by him."
The duo has been working for years now to bring Mhatre's legacy to its rightful place in a museum, not a dusty shed. However, with government agencies passing the buck, a fine work of art by one of India's forgotten artists continues to languish in its home of dust, cobwebs and tin sheets.
Not just George V
Other historical statues that lie defaced or broken in a small garden next to the Bhau Daji Lad museum inside the Byculla zoo complex
Will-Kat's royal touch?
Both Sandeep Dahisarkar and Dr Hemant Pathare hope that Prince William and Kate's upcoming visit to Mumbai (they will be in the city on April 10 and 11) will help them in their mission, particularly since William, is King George V's fourth-generation descendant. Pathare said, "I wish all the hype created by the royal visit helps in some way. The fact that they are going to visit the Banganga tank also shows a slice of history in this visit." Dahisarkar laughs as he adds, "We do not have the magic touch, but I hope the royal touch helps us."
>> King George V was the only emperor of India, from May 1910 until his death in 1936, and it was during his reign that the freedom movement gained momentum
>> In 1911, during his first visit to India as king, he wore the newly created Imperial Crown of India at the welcoming ceremony
>> He declared the shifting of the Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
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Home / Adult Occasions / Birthday Party Supplies / Birthday Confetti / Birthday Glitz Confetti '80' (Blue)
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Most of us know the importance of wearing sunscreen in the summer months to avoid sunburn and damage, but it really should be a year-round preventive health measure. Always wear sunscreen, no matter your skin color or tone. Sunscreen dates back to ancient Egypt, where rice bran extract and jasmine were used to help shield skin from the sun. Chemists invented the first commercial sunscreen in 1936, and it has been improved upon ever since. Modern sunscreens are water resistant, and are included in many cosmetics and beauty products, such as primers, foundations, serums, and creams.
Why You Should Always Wear Sunscreen, Even on Cloudy Days Up to 80 percent of the sun's rays can pass through clouds, so if you assume it's OK to forgo protection on an overcast day, think again. Sunscreen is an important preventive health care habit that should be maintained all year, including the winter months. Snow can reflect up to 80 percent of ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your risk of exposure to sun damage. Also, the higher the altitude, the greater the UV exposure, so sunscreen is crucial for family ski vacations, too. When in doubt: always wear sunscreen!
Here are the top five reasons why applying sunscreen should be a daily habit year round:


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Linear stapling mechanism with cutting means
A stapler mechanism is described which contains a stapling assembly, and anvil assembly, firing means and knife means. These means are activated by a firing trigger. The anvil assembly is closed upon the stapling assembly by means of a closure trigger. The firing trigger is inoperable until the closure trigger has been activated. Another mechanism in the stapler is capable of locking the closure trigger after use so it does not spring open inadvertently before actuation of the firing trigger. Additionally, the stapler mechanism allows forward motion of both triggers and also is capable of allowing reverse motion of the closure trigger to open the mechanism. Furthermore, the stapler mechanism contains means for obstructing the flow of insufflation gasses or bodily fluid from the surgical site through the instrument during endoscopic surgery.
Latest Ethicon, Inc. Patents:
This invention relates generally to medical engineering, and more specifically it relates to laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery. Most specifically, it relates to a surgical stapling instrument which is capable of performing closures and cutting of lumen and tissue. This is accomplished in a mechanism which can be used endoscopically, that is through a trocar cannula or alone, through an incision, to both staple and cut tissue.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years surgery has markedly advanced through the performance of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures such as cholecystectomies, gastrostomies, appendectomies, and hernia repair. Also, the application of endoscopic surgical stapling and suturing instruments has been provided in cardiovascular and pulmonary surgery, as well as operative inventions in the gastrointestinal tract. Such endoscopic instruments are capable of providing hemostasis and also of cutting tissue. This reduces operating and recuperation time.
These stapling procedures are accomplished through a trocar assembly, which is a surgical instrument used to puncture a body cavity. The trocar contains a sharpened obturator tip and a trocar tube or cannula. The trocar cannula is inserted into the skin to access the body cavity, by using the obturator tip to penetrate the skin. After penetration, the obturator is removed and the trocar cannula remains in the body. It is through this cannula that surgical instruments are placed. Specifically, it is through this trocar cannula that surgical stapling instruments with cutting mechanisms are placed. One such trocar is the Endo-path.RTM.trocar manufactured by ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nonetheless, certain deficiencies in current concepts for endosurgical stapling mechanisms have been recognized. One of the more important deficiencies is the fact that current stapling mechanisms can not cause clamping of tissue and firing of the stapler, including the knife mechanism, with the same position of the hand for the forward stroke of an actuator, such as a trigger. Thus, the user must aim the clamping mechanism to encapture the desirable tissue with one hand, and then, while making a forward trigger stroke with the opposite hand, cause the tissue to be stapled and cut. If the stapling mechanism provides a ratchet member for the actuator, this deficiency is really not overcome, for in such a mechanism there still must occur simultaneous clamping and stapling of the tissue. Then, if it is undesirable to staple the tissue in that location, the trigger must be fully reversed. This may result in inadvertent jamming of the system, and in some staplers this alternative is simply not capable of being performed.
Another perceived deficiency is that no current stapling mechanisms have a safety device in place which prevents firing of the stapler before tissue has been clamped. Typically, the stapling mechanism may begin to clamp tissue between an anvil jaw and a stapling jaw. However, in some instances, there will be firing of the stapling mechanism before the tissue is entirely clamped. The user may have the mechanism partially attached to tissue via partially expelled staples before the user has ascertained a desirable location of the stapler. In this way, once again, there is a certain amount of instability or uncertainty in applying such a device.
A design criteria in creating a system containing two separate mechanisms for clamping and firing tissue is the limitation of the human hand. Therefore, it is difficult to properly and conveniently position a pair of triggers or a pushbutton mechanism coupled with a trigger mechanism. Thus, there has been little focus or incentive to create stapling mechanisms whereby the user is capable of operating a stapler with two strokes, unless both can be accomplished in a one-handed operation without moving that hand from the handle of the instrument.
Naturally, it would be desirable to be able to perform these functions in a fully rotational system. This simply allows the user to obtain virtually any angle of approach to the surgical site without having to contort the arm or wrist in order to adequately approach the subject.
Also, there have been no mechanisms which provide opening and closure of a clamping mechanism occurring during reciprocating motion of a clamping trigger. What is desired would be to be able to forwardly or reversedly move a trigger and thereby obtain closure or opening.
It would also be desirable to have distal contact of the stapling jaws, and then proximal clamping. In this way, once distal contact is effectuated, the surgeon realizes and can actually visualize the amount of tissue clamped between the jaws. Distal contact means that the distal or far end of the anvil seats first on the gap spacing pin or cartridge. Without such distal contact, the surgeon may still be uncertain about the amount of tissue clamped, and therefore the firing force necessary to fire the mechanism.
Finally, it would further be desirable to provide these needed stapling mechanisms while providing a reliable and inexpensive mechanism for sealing the instrument from the passage of insufflation gasses or bodily fluids from the body through the instrument during endoscopic surgery.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a stapling mechanism which is able to be used endoscopically, and may also be used in non-endoscopic procedures, and provides both stapling and cutting to the surgical site. It is desired to have tissue clamped between the jaws of the stapling mechanism, and it is also desired that the stapling mechanism accomplish this clamping and then firing in a two-part, sequenced operation.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a stapling and clamping mechanism whereby the clamping mechanism causes the stapling mechanism to be put into position for firing.
This novel concept also necessarily requires that one is prevented from actuating the firing mechanism before clamping is accomplished. Therefore, it is further an object of the invention to prevent firing of the stapling mechanism before the entire clamping procedure is completed or if a cartridge is missing or has been previously fired.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a rotational mechanism which accommodates stapling and cutting endoscopically.
It is further an object of the invention to provide a closure mechanism so that the closure mechanism is not able to inadvertently spring open before the firing mechanism has been fully actuated. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a mechanism which allows forward and reverse motion of a clamping trigger such that forward motion causes clamping, and then permits stapling, and reverse motion permits the jaws of the mechanism to be opened, by reversing the functions of the clamping mechanism.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a closure mechanism in a surgical stapler which accomplishes clamping of the tissue to be stapled in a direction opposite that of stapling, that is, from the distal toward the proximal end of the stapler. In this way, proper amounts of tissue may be adequately clamped, and then stapled.
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a sealing mechanism in a surgical stapler which obstructs the passage of insufflation gasses or bodily fluids from the body through the stapler during endoscopic surgery.
These and other objects of the invention are described in an endoscopic stapling mechanism which is capable of clamping, stapling and cutting tissue. The stapling mechanism utilizes a surgical stapling cartridge which contains at least two double rows of staples. The stapling cartridge also provides for knife means to divide the two double rows of staples during the stapling function. The stapling mechanism contains a unique trigger mechanism which contains a double trigger feature. One of the triggers causes clamping of tissue. The other trigger causes firing of the staples and actuation of the knife. Thus, clamping and firing are accomplished separately. Because the system contains a unique safety mechanism, there cannot be firing of staples before there is full clamping of tissue. In this mechanism, stapling is accomplished in any rotatable position, as soon as tissue has been clamped. Yet, the clamping trigger locks in position so that it will not inadvertently spring open during use of the firing trigger.
Uniquely, in one of the embodiments described herein, there is contained in the endoscopic stapling mechanism a double clutch mechanism which allows the user to derive benefits from both forward and reverse motion of the clamping and firing triggers. During forward motion of the triggers, there is clamping and then firing. During reverse motion, there is the capability of overriding any jams encountered by the stapling mechanism, and then allowing the stapled tissue to be removed from the stapling site.
In this invention there is the capability of having distal clamping of tissue, even larger tissue held within a larger size device. After this clamping, there is then proximal contact of the stapling and closure means and thereafter, similar proximal contact of the knife mechanism. Thus, while it is easily ascertainable how much tissue is clamped between the clamping mechanisms, it is also easy to determine whether clamping and stapling have been properly accomplished.
Finally, a sealing assembly containing an elastomeric sealing membrane is described for sealing the stapler from the passage of insufflation gasses from the body through the instrument during surgery. Significantly, the sealing function is accomplished without compromising the ability of the internal moving mechanisms of the stapler to carry out their intended purpose.
These and other objects of the invention will be better understood from the following attached Detailed Description of the Drawings, when taken in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an endoscopic linear stapling and cutting mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of the instrument of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 2a and 2b are cross-sectional views of the view of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 and 3a are individual and closeup views of the closure trigger of the present invention;
FIGS. 4 and 7 are operational views of the closure trigger and toggle linkage of the invention;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are isolated side and top views of the firing trigger of the invention;
FIGS. 8 and 8a are side and bottom isolated views of a typical cartridge of the invention;
FIGS. 9 and 9a are side and bottom isolated views of the anvil of the invention;
FIGS. 9b, 9c and 9d are side operational views of the interaction between the stapler shaft, the cartridge, and the anvil closing mechanism;
FIG. 10 is a side isolated view of the knife means with a lockout notch;
FIG. 10a is a side view of an alternate knife means with no lockout notch;
FIG. 11 is a side isolated view of the lockout member contained in the cartridge of FIGS. 8 and 8a;
FIGS. 11a and 11b show the motion of the lockout member of FIG. 11 when moved by the knife means of FIG. 10 in the cartridge of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the stapler of the present invention;
FIG. 12a is an exploded perspective view of the instrument of FIG. 12;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the stapler of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the closing trigger plate of the embodiment as described in FIGS. 12 and 13;
FIG. 15 is a side view of the firing trigger as seen in FIG. 13 of the present invention;
FIG. 15a is a side view of the trigger return linkage of the alternate embodiment of this invention;
FIGS. 16 and 16a are isolated views of the front toggle link as seen in FIG. 13 of the present invention;
FIGS. 17 and 17a are isolated plan views of the rear toggle link as also described in FIG. 13 of the present invention;
FIGS. 18 and 18a are isolated side and top views of another typical cartridge, as used in the stapler of FIG. 12;
FIGS. 19 and 19a are isolated side and bottom views of the anvil member used in the stapler of FIG. 12;
FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the knife mechanism and lockout notch as used in the cartridge of FIG. 18, as seen in the views of FIG. 12 and 13 describing the alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 20a and 20b are views of the lockout mechanism before and after motion of the knife means of FIGS. 19 as in the stapler of FIGS. 12 and 13;
FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred sealing assembly for an endoscopic linear stapler and cutting mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the assembled sealing assembly shown in FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing portion of the sealing assembly as taken along line 23--23 of FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the stapling instrument of this invention showing the location of the sealing assembly in dashed lines;
FIG. 25 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the sealing assembly and related parts;
FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side view of the assembled sealing assembly and related parts with a portion of the rotational means of the instrument broken away for clarity;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the adapting means of the sealing assembly as taken along line 27--27 of FIG. 26; and,
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the sealing assembly within the shaft portion of the surgical stapler shown in broken lines.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 1a, and 2, in one embodiment of the surgical stapler of this invention, there is described a stapler 100 which contains a handle portion 110, rotating means 120, a shaft portion 130, anvil portion 140, and cartridge assembly 150. A knife means 160 is slidable within the cartridge assembly 150 to cut tissue. In the handle portion 110 there is a first or closure trigger (also called a clamping trigger) 112, and second or firing trigger 114. The clamping trigger 112 causes the anvil portion 140 to come into proximity of the cartridge assembly 150. The firing trigger 114 causes the wedges 122 located in the shaft 130 to move through the cartridge assembly 150, and also causes the knife means 160, also located in the shaft 130 to move through the cartridge assembly 150, in order to cut tissue.
As can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 1a, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 the endoscopic linear stapling mechanism 100 contains a double trigger mechanism. The first or clamping trigger 112 is for closing the jaws 132, 142 of the instrument onto tissue, and the second or firing trigger 114 is used for firing the stapler 100. The intent of the double trigger design is to combine one-handed use within a stapling mechanism, and to make such one-handed use so that it is impossible to form staples unless the instrument is fully closed.
When the instrument is initially loaded, with cartridge assembly 150 held within shaft portion 130 on jaw 132, the firing trigger 114 is flush with the body 116 of the instrument, so that it is parallel with the shaft portion 130, and is for all practical purposes inaccessible to the user. During actuation of the clamping trigger 112, the firing trigger 114 swings into a "ready" position preparatory to actuation. This position is 35.degree. to 45.degree. spaced apart from the closure trigger 112, which has now moved into position against base 118. As will be later described, a multiplier mechanism causes the firing trigger 114 to move through a greater arc than closure trigger 112.
The closure trigger is spring-loaded, so that an incomplete closure results in the closure trigger swinging open to its position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, once again spacing the firing trigger 114 away from the reach of the hand operating the mechanism. A closure sequence must therefore be completed, with the clamping trigger 112 locking proximal to the base 118, before the firing trigger 114 can be grasped or is operational by the user.
As can be seen from the FIGS. 1a, 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 7, the closure trigger 112 is attached to a front closure link 124, at pivot pin 126. Closure trigger 112 is also attached to a rear closure link 128 which pivots inside the handle 110 of the stapler 100. The closure trigger 112 therefore is capable of pivoting around the handle portion at pivot 113, so that it moves roughly 25.degree.-50.degree., in this instance, preferably 35.degree.. The closure trigger 112 is spring-loaded at spring 129 so that unless the closure trigger 112 is fully rotated toward the base 118, the spring 129 causes the closure trigger 112 to reopen to its initial position. As will be later explained, it is the motion of this closure trigger 112 which causes the anvil portion 140 to clamp into proximity of cartridge assembly 150.
Furthermore, the closure trigger 112 is connected by means of a pin to the firing trigger 114. Thus, as can be best seen in FIGS. 2b, 3, 5 and 6, the closure trigger 112 is linked with the firing trigger 114 by means of a pin 119 which moves in a guided path along slot 117 away from the axis of rotation of the closure trigger 112. This pin 119, in turn, moves along a path within slot 117 of the firing trigger 114. As better seen in FIGS. 2b, 5, 6 and 7, the rotation of the closure trigger for approximately 35.degree. results in rotation of the firing trigger for approximately 45.degree.. The control of the pin 119 is accomplished by guide plates placed in the body 116 of handle portion 110. Now, closure trigger 112 is in place at the base 118 of handle 116. Firing trigger 114 needs to travel only 30.degree.-60.degree. to complete a full firing stroke. This arc is quite manageable for even the smallest human hands.
After its initial rotation, this guiding pin 119 no longer acts upon the firing trigger 114. That is, this guide pin 119 is no longer in contact with the firing trigger 114. This allows the firing trigger 114 to complete its rotation and fire staples without interaction of guide pin 119 or with the closure trigger 112. Thereby, the firing trigger 114 is connected to a spring 121 as seen in FIG. 1, which is in turn connected to the handle 110. This spring causes the firing trigger 114 to return to the 45.degree. position so that triggers 112, 114 may be returned during opening of the instrument 100.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 1a and 2b, and especially in FIG. 4, there is contained a locking mechanism comprising button 131 which activates leaf spring involution 159a on leaf spring 159, in order to cause the closure trigger 112 to be locked once it reaches base 118 of the handle 116. The closure trigger 112 is locked in place by leaf spring 159 which seats under front closure link 124 thus immobilizing pin 126. This in turn restrains closure trigger 112. The safety button 131 is pivotally mounted to the proximal top of base 118 and rests upon leaf spring 159. As will later be explained, thereafter, the firing trigger 114 is free to move alone.
As further can be seen from FIG. 2b, 4 and 7, motion of closure trigger 112 causes motion of front and rear closure links 124, 128. These front and rear closure links 124, 128 cause motion in line with the shaft 130 of a closure sliding member 136. This closure sliding member 136 is attached in a rotatable fashion at joint 135. On the distal side of joint 135 is closure coupler 134, which attaches to the end of a closure channel 138. It is the closure channel 138 which is attached to the pin 139 in the shaft 130 that connects this mechanism to anvil 140.
Closure channel 138 causes closure of the anvil portion 140 into proximity and alignment with the cartridge assembly 150. This is accomplished in that the closure links 124, 128 first move parallel to the axis of the shaft 130, as in FIG. 7, from their original positions in FIG. 4. Closure channel 138 is caused to slide within shaft 130. The front top surface 138a of closure channel 138 pushes forward and down on the anvil. This causes anvil 140 to come parallel to cartridge assembly 150 so that there is alignment of cartridge 150 and anvil 140. The shaft 130 is formed from a stationary tube, so that the closure channel 138 moves within the shaft 130 at the distal end of the instrument 100.
This double trigger mechanism 112, 114 has the following advantages. The firing trigger 112 cannot be actuated until the closure trigger 114 has been completely snapped into its final position, due to locking of the closure trigger 112 inside the handle 110. Therefore, one is certain that tissue has been clamped before the firing trigger 114 has been placed into motion. The firing trigger 114 can be actuated without repositioning the hand following closure of the instrument. That is, the hand stays stationary, and is once again gripped around the firing trigger 114, with closure trigger 112 maintained at the base 118 of the handle 110. This facilitates rapid completion of the firing sequence without requiring the surgeon's attention on the stapler away from the endoscopic video screen and thereby away from the operating arena. In addition, both the closure trigger 112 and the firing trigger 114 utilize a mechanism which is familiar to those who use surgical instruments, a pistol grip with a trigger type actuation.
As has earlier been explained, the closure trigger 112 pushes on the central pivot pin 126 of a toggle linkage 124, 128. Central pivot pin 126 rides in slot 115. This central pivot pin 126 results in relatively large amounts of motion in the closure channel 138 (see FIG. 4) which results in gross closure of the instrument 100. The mechanical advantage provided by the toggle linkage 124, 128 during this portion of closure is relatively small. This has the advantage of providing the user with high tactile feedback. That is, the user is readily able to tell whether the system is overloaded with tissue. Near the position wherein movement of the toggle linkage 124, 128, (FIG. 7) is nearly complete, the closure trigger 112 has moved into place at base 118, and front closure link 124 and rear closure link 128 have been made generally parallel to the shaft 130, relatively little motion of the linkage 124, 128 results from any given rotation of the trigger 112. Trigger 112 rotation at this point provides significantly higher closure force than during the first portion of its motion. This is critical in accomplishing preloading of anvil 140 during the final portion of closure, and is in theory only constrained by the structural limitations of the system, as well as the force able to be applied by the user.
As can be seen from FIGS. 2b, 5 and 6, firing is accomplished by a simple rotation of the firing trigger 114 acting as a lever arm about pivot 113. The firing trigger is linked to the firing or driver rod 144 and driver rod link 146 by means of firing links 148. These firing links are engaged with the firing triggers by means of a clutch. This clutch mechanism is better seen in the top view of the firing trigger as seen in FIG. 6. This clutch mechanism does not engage the firing link 148 until the firing trigger 114 is in a "ready to fire" position, whereby hook 149 engages link 148. This eliminates the potential for firing the instrument prior to complete closure of the mechanism by closure trigger 112.
Once the clutch system has engaged the firing link 148, this causes the driver rod link 146 to be translated by pin 145, and moving with link 148 in slot 147, in a generally parallel position to the shaft 130 of the mechanism. This driver rod link 146 is connected to driver rod 144 which is rotatably connected in nozzle 120 to a pusher block 152 contained in the shaft 130. This pusher block is connected to firing wedges 122 and knife mechanism 160, as seen at the proximal edge of the shaft 130 which enters the cartridge assembly 150. The firing wedges 122 are able to transversely move staples loaded in the cartridge assembly 150 so that they are fired into the anvil portion 140, as best seen in FIGS. 2a, 8, 8a, 9 and 9a, and as well known in the art. The knife mechanism 160 is capable of cutting tissue between the completed pair of double or triple rows(or more) of staples, as also is well known in the art.
After firing has been completed, the firing mechanism returns by means of a compression spring 156 placed about driver rod 144 along shaft 130, so that spring 156 is stationary at base 157, which causes the driver rod 144 to be moved in a direction reverse from firing. Spring 156 itself has a sufficient strength to also cause driver rod 144 to move the firing link 148 via linkage 146 to return to its ready to fire position. This similarly causes the driver rod 144 to pull the wedges 122 and the knife 160 so that they are removed from the cartridge assembly 150. If the wedges 122 or the knife 160 do not return, that is if they are jammed, the firing mechanism comprising the firing trigger 114 contains a reverse clutch assembly which allows the firing trigger 114 to engage with the firing link 148 at hook 151 (FIG. 6) so that it is capable of causing this assembly to move in a reverse or rearward direction. This provides a backup to the system, in the event there is a failure in the driver return spring 156 or if the instrument has inadvertently been misassembled.
The system also contains a safety mechanism which locks the closure trigger 112 in its closed position. This safety mechanism is a leaf spring 159 which interacts with the safety button 131 on the rear of the instrument. Side plates on the portion of the toggle linkage assembly 124, 126 cause the leaf spring to remain in a tensioned position, and guide the leaf spring during its motion. When the front closure link 124 is in its straightened position, so that the rear closure link 128 is also rotated to be generally parallel with the shaft 130, the leaf spring 159 has been tensioned to restrain the toggle linkage 124, 128 in its parallel position. The safety button 131 on the rear of the instrument thereafter urges the leaf spring 159 in a forward direction, toward the cutting mechanism. This forward motion of the spring 159 causes the toggle linkages 124, 128 to be freed from the restraint of the spring 159. This motion allows freedom of movement for closure trigger 112.
As has been previously described, and as better seen in FIGS. 2a, 8, 9 and 9a-9d, the jaws 132, 142 of this instrument are closed by means of a cam surface 127 on the outer surface of the anvil 140. The anvil 140 pivots about pin 139 embedded in slot 141 of the closure channel 138 in shaft 130. Channel 138 is pushed forward with the actuation of the closure trigger 112. Closure channel surface 138a bears upon the cam surface 127 of the anvil 140, forcing it to pivot and move transversely within slot 153 contained in shaft 130. The location of the slot 153 as compared to the surface profile of the cam 127 determines motion of the anvil 140, such that the slot 153 and slot 141 combination forms a "fixed" pivot, which is fixed only with respect to the anvil 140. Therefore, anvil 140 is allowed to move transversely across the axis of a stationary tube 130. Shaft or stationary tube 130 forms the "ground" position for the pivot pin 139, so that its motion is only transverse compared to the shaft 130.
As better seen in FIGS. 9b-9d, the motion of the anvil 140 follows a predetermined path. First, the anvil 140 is rotated to a position parallel to cartridge 150. Then, anvil 140 moves in a direction transverse to the axis of shaft 130, maintaining its parallel alignment with cartridge 150, until it is abutting pin 161 on cartridge 150.
This mechanism is also assisted by surface 127b on the opposite side of anvil 140. This is better seen in FIG. 9. This second cam surface 127b on the opposite portion of the proximal end of anvil 140 rides on buttons 139b held within the closure channel 138 during opening of the instrument. Second cam surface 127b similarly causes a reverse, opening motion of anvil 140 upon distal rotation of closure trigger 112 at the opening of the instrument.
The anvil 140 comes to rest on the gap spacing pin 161 which forms the distal end of the cartridge 150. The gap spacing pin 161 causes the anvil 140 to be held roughly parallel to the cartridge 150. This has an advantage in providing an evenly spaced tissue compression. It also has an advantage of retaining tissue between the anvil 140 and the cartridge assembly 150 and keeps the tissue from being "oozed" out of the distal end of the instrument 100. In this way, the anvil 140 acts as a simply supported beam with an evenly distributed load.
As better seen in FIGS. 8 and 8a, there is provided a cartridge assembly containing six rows 190 of staples. These staples are arranged with two pairs of pusher blocks 192 near the outside of the cartridge 150. Then, one pair of pusher blocks 194 is placed within the interior of cartridge 150. Thus, four wedges 122 pass through this cartridge 150, as better seen in FIG. 8a. Of course, knife 160 also passes through the center of cartridge 150.
The firing force to form the staples provides an additional concentrated, yet moving, load on the cantilever beam which forms the anvil 140. The tissue compression load and the staple forming forces tend to deflect the anvil 140 from the cartridge 150. The anvil therefore is preloaded, so that uneven staple forming is avoided. This preload is placed on the gap spacing pin 161 at the end of the cartridge 150 so that a load roughly equivalent to that of tissue compression force and staple forming force is countered. This makes the anvil 140 a simply supported beam, with loads at each end. This preload means that the anvil deflection caused by tissue compression and staple formation is compensated for by the reverse deflection caused by the gap spacing pin 161.
The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,633,861 and 4,633,874 (Chow et al.) are incorporated by reference.
It can be seen in FIGS. 8, 11, 11a and 11b, that there is a unique lockout feature to this embodiment. As seen FIGS. 11a and 11b, the cartridge 150 contains a lockout member 170, having raised members 170a, which is better seen in FIG. 11. This lockout member 170 is provided within the cartridge so that is serves to lift the knife blade 160 over an obstructional block 172 placed within the stationary tube 130 of the mechanism. This causes the obstruction 172 to be cleared by the knife 160. Then, the knife 160 proceeds through the cartridge 150 for cutting. However, the knife has a notch 162 which engages the lockout member 170, and pushes it into opening 165 of cartridge 150. In this way, the lockout mechanism 170 operates at an even earlier time frame than previously disclosed locking mechanisms. It is important to realize that with the lockout mechanism described herein, the knife 160 is blocked even before entrance into cartridge 150.
As seen in FIG. 11b, after the knife 160 has been inserted into the cartridge 150, the raised members 170a of lockout member 170 have been caused to be captured below its cartridge retaining member 164 in opening 165, so that lockout member 170 becomes locked permanently within the cartridge 150. Therefore, after the knife 160 is retracted into the shaft 130, obstruction 172 now is level with the notch 166. In this way, there is no longer any clearance, between notch 166 and obstruction 172, as seen in FIG. 11b. In this way, if it is desired to refire this stapler, there is no possibility of knife hook 166 clearing the knife obstruction 172 in shaft 130. Therefore, refiring of this spent cartridge 150 is not possible.
If one were willing to accept any disadvantages which may be attendant, the stapler 100 may be modified as seen in FIG. 10a to allow cutting after the last staple has been fired. This is accomplished by removing member 166a adjacent to notch 166 using conventional methods, for example grinding or cutting. Or, knife 160 may be manufactured without notch 166 and member 166a.
Therefore, as seen from all the Figures previously listed above taken in conjunction with this Description, the following is a summary of the operation of the present invention. A fully loaded cartridge 150 is inserted into the stationary tube 130 at jaw 132. Thereafter, the instrument is inserted, closed, within a trocar and is opened, and gathers tissue between the anvil 140 and the cartridge assembly 150. The closure channel is operated by compressing the closure trigger 112. In this way, the closure trigger 112 causes all the closure mechanisms to rotate and move along an axis parallel to shaft 130. This causes the anvil 140 to encounter the gap setting pin 161 and capture tissue between the anvil 140 and cartridge 150. Thereafter, the anvil 140 is compressed onto the cartridge 150.
In the meantime, the clutch assembly of the firing trigger 114 has engaged the firing link 148, which is now operated. Tissue is stapled by rotation of the trigger 114. Also, simultaneously, the tissue is cut by the knife member 160. Once the firing stroke of the firing trigger 114 is completed, the rear safety button 131 must be released so that the mechanism can be reopened. The firing trigger 114 and closure trigger 112 are rotated to their original positions, and the lockout member 170 has caused the knife 160 to be obstructed from refiring. Thus the tissue is released, the mechanism then closed and retracted from the trocar tube, the cartridge 150 removed and a new cartridge inserted, and the stapler is again ready for firing.
As seen in FIGS. 12 through 20a, there is described an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. There is seen a stapler 5 which contains a handle portion 10, shaft portion 30, an anvil portion 40, cartridge assembly 50, rotational means 20, a first or closing trigger 12, a second or firing trigger 14, knife means 60, and firing wedges 54. The basic functions of all of these subassemblies are quite similar to those as described in the first preferred embodiment. However, there are certain aspects of the system which will now be more particularly described.
As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, there is described a closure sheath 32 which is capable of camming the rear cam surface 43 of the anvil 40. This closure sheath 32 is operated by means of the closing trigger 12, attached thereto by means of a closure mechanism. The firing trigger 14 is similar to firing trigger 114 of the first embodiment, and is capable of activating the firing wedges 54 to expel staples from the stapling cartridge, while simultaneously activating knife means 60 to cut tissue between the two double rows of staples contained in cartridge assembly 50.
As will be better understood, there are certain aspects of the handle mechanism 10 which differ from the handle mechanism 110 of the first embodiment. As better seen in FIGS. 12a, 13, 14, 15 and 15a, the closing trigger 12 which operates the sheath 32 of the stapler is connected to firing trigger 14 by means of a two-piece linkage 34, 36. This linkage system 34, 36, is better seen in FIGS. 12a and 15a. Link 34 is connected by means of a pivot joint 45 to firing trigger 14 and is constrained to travel within an opening 45a in firing trigger 14. Link 34 is biased downward by spring means 33 connecting it to a boss in body plate 155. Link 36 is connected by means of a pivot joint 46 to closing trigger 12 and is constrained to travel within an opening 46a in trigger 12. Links 34 and 36 are constrained to move relative to each other due to link 36 nesting inside of a slot in link 34. The distance from pivot pin 13 to pivot joint 45 at which link 34 is connected to firing trigger 14 is proportionately smaller than that at which link 36 is connected to closing trigger 12. These differing distances or radii from pivot pin 13 cause the firing trigger 14 to rotate through a greater angle than that of the closing trigger 12 when the closing trigger mechanism is activated. This allows the firing trigger 14 to move from its initial position against the barrel position of the body to a position in which it can be easily activated for the firing operation. This occurs because link 36 is pulled upwards by the closing trigger 12 and, since it is nested in the slot 37 in link 36, link 34 pulls link 36 upward as well. The firing trigger 14 can be rotated into position against the grip portion of handle and continues to raise link 36. This additional travel of link 36 is accomplished since the slot in link 34 is longer than the body length of link 36 which is engaged in the slot 37.
Spring means 33 connected to link 34 causes link 34 to remain in contact with link 36 as well as to help return both links 34 and 36 and the respective triggers 12 and 14 to their original positions.
As seen in FIGS. 13, 16 16a, 17 and 17a, rear toggle member 44 has an extended portion 47 which rotates into a position so that it contacts the rear button release 31. The front toggle member 42 [connected at hole 12b to pin 12d and thereby to handle 12 at hole 12a], and rear toggle member 44 [connected at hole 12c to pin 12d and thereby to handle 12 at 12a] form the toggle linkage and are cammed into an over-center position, thus locking sheath 32 into a position which cams anvil 40 against cartridge assembly 50. Pushing the rear button release 31 exerts force on the elongated part 47 of the rear toggle 44 and rotates the rear toggle 44 past its over-center point. This allows spring 150a in conjunction with spring 33 and the linkage 34, 36 to pull the firing trigger 14, and closing trigger 12 into the "ready" position. Of course, both links 34, 36 of the trigger return act respectively on the triggers 14, 12. In this way, the stapler 5 is reset for firing as seen in FIG. 13.
As also seen in FIGS. 12a and 13, there is contained in this mechanism a safety pawl. The safety pawl 22 is capable of preventing motion of the firing mechanism of this embodiment of stapler 5 until closing trigger 12 has been fully moved to its closed position against the instrument hand grip 18 of handle portion 10. Safety pawl 22 is biased into its blocking position by means of spring 160a. Safety pawl 22 is moved out of the way of the firing mechanism through contact of latch 42a with notch 22a. That is, the safety pawl 22 becomes disengaged from its blocking position against the firing rack 25 which ultimately is operated by the firing trigger 14. Once the safety pawl 22 has been moved, firing can take place.
As better seen in FIGS. 12, 13, 16, 16a, 17 and 17a, closure is initiated by moving the closing trigger 12 against the instrument handle grip 18. This rotates the toggle linkage to its locked and over-center point, that is generally parallel with stapler shaft 30. This further causes sheath 32 to move in place within the stationary channel 30a which forms the shaft portion 30 of the mechanism. Thus, the toggle linkage which comprises both the rear toggle 44 and the front toggle 42, operates so that it moves the closure sheath 32 (which may operate as a camming collar) over the base 43 of the anvil 40. Thus, the closure mechanism now causes the anvil 40 and cartridge 50 to come in close proximity to each other.
At that point, the closure trigger 12 is held against the hand grip 18 and the firing trigger 14 is ready for actuation. The firing trigger 14 operates driver 89 connected to a belt 17, which is used to provide movement of firing rack 25 and driver rod 19. The belt 17 acts as a multiplier mechanism so that the firing trigger 14 pushes against the driver 89, seen in FIG. 13. Driver 89 thereafter causes the bottom portion 17c of belt 17 to move forward. Because one end of the belt 17a is fixed against the body of handle 18 of the stapler 5, and the other end of the belt 17b is attached to rack 25, this drives the knife means 60 and wedges 54 of the stapling mechanism forward. The motion of belt 17 causes motion of the driving rod 19 to be amplified as against the rotational motion of the firing trigger 14. Thus, this belt mechanism multiplies the firing distance travelled, so that stapling and cutting can take place.
The anvil portion 40 and cartridge assembly 50 operate very much as that of the first preferred embodiment. One difference, however, is that a preload is accomplished by tilting the anvil 40 and cartridge 50 toward each other at their distal ends to force distal closure to occur. As the proximal ends 40a of the anvil 40 and cartridge 50 are brought into a parallel position a preload is placed on the gap pin 61. This is better seen in FIGS. 13 and 18. The cam mechanism 43 on the rear of the anvil 40 is designed with a multiple angle. In this way, the steeper proximal portion of the angle allows faster closing of the anvil 40 against the cartridge assembly 50. Then the distal or more shallow angle is contacted by the closing sheath 32 when the instrument is nearly closed and experiencing high tissue load and high preload on the gap setting pin 61 found in the forwardmost position of the cartridge 50. These compound angles are specifically designed to give higher mechanical advantage when needed and faster closure and wider opening when needed.
As better seen in FIGS. 18, 18a, 19, 19a, 20, 20a and 20b, the lockout mechanism of the second embodiment is better seen when examining the cartridge 50 of the present system. There, it is seen as in FIG. 20, the lockout tab 71 is originally provided so that it is capable of lifting the knife means 60. In this way, the knife 60 moves forward and into the stapling cartridge 50. On the rearward motion of the knife, the forwardmost edge 63 of the knife mechanism 60 causes the lockout tab 71 to be rotated to become parallel with the stapling shaft 30. Thus, the knife 60 is made to move to a position lower in the stapling shaft 30. This causes the channel hook 59a which is contained in the stapling channel 59 to come into contact with the space 65 formed within the knife means 60. Thus, when it is now desired to move the knife mechanism forward, as will readily be appreciated, the hook 59 now catches on forward facing lip 66 of the knife means 60. Thus, the knife is incapable of moving forward and the stapler is now locked from firing through an already spent cartridge 50.
Of course, as seen in FIGS. 18 and 18a, there are disclosed four rows, that is two double rows 92 of staples in the cartridge 50. These rows 92 are actuated by pusher blocks 94 contacting wedges 54. Knife 60 passes through the center of rows 92.
In operation, the stapler of this second embodiment also performs similar functions. There is similar stapler safety, and clamping as that of the first preferred embodiment, and the firing and cutting of tissue accomplished all in the same order. Stapler lockout is accomplished afterwards by retraction of the knife mechanism.
Finally, the last mechanism to be described is the sealing mechanism of the surgical stapler which obstructs the passage of insufflation gasses from the body cavity through the instrument during endoscopic surgery. The preferred sealing assembly for accomplishing the sealing function is particularly depicted in FIGS. 21 through 28.
Beginning now with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23, there is shown the sealing assembly 500 for the surgical stapling mechanism of the present invention. The most critical element of the sealing assembly 500 is the elastomeric sealing membrane 501. This membrane provides an effective obstructing surface to substantially prevent the passage of insufflation gasses or bodily fluids through the instrument. The elastomeric sealing membrane 501 can be made of any and all substances having the properties of natural, reclaimed, vulcanized or synthetic rubber. Examples of elastomers which can be used as the membrane for the seal assembly include, but are not limited to, latex rubbers, fluorocarbons, nitrile rubbers, polyurethanes, polyisoprenes, polyacrylates and silicone rubber. The preferred elastomeric materials are silicone rubber, latex rubbers, and polyurethanes. The most preferred elastomeric material is silicone rubber.
The support structure for the elastomeric sealing membrane 501 of the sealing assembly 500 principally includes an adapting means 502, a retaining means 503, and spacing means 504. The adapting means 502 is preferably a rigid cylindrical member which can be securely mounted to the shaft portion of the surgical instrument. The spacing means 504 are preferably composed of a resilient material, such as polyethylene foam, to provide cushioning for the movement of the membrane 501 when the internal mechanism of the instrument is actuated during use. Finally, the retaining means 503 is preferably a rigid cap for retaining the membrane on the adapting means 502. A pair of prongs 505 on adapting means 502 are mated with the corresponding mating prong openings 506 in the remaining component parts of the sealing assembly 500. The elastomeric sealing membrane 501 is preferably sandwiched between two spacing means 504 to provide the optimum cushioning effect when the instrument is used. In this way, the elastomeric sealing membrane 501 can provide the most effective seal. When the component parts are mounted onto the adapting means 502, the retaining means 503 securely caps the membrane 501 and spacing means 504 to the adapting means 502. This is made possible when the pair of friction-bearing surfaces 507 on the retaining means 503 are firmly fitted onto the pair of prongs 505 of adapting means 502. In addition, mechanism openings or slits 508 protrude through each of the component parts of the sealing assembly 500 to allow for the penetration and operation of the stapling channel and driver rod of the instrument, as illustrated in FIG. 28 discussed below.
Referring now to FIG. 24, there is shown the surgical stapler 5, which was previously depicted in FIG. 12. It can be seen that the sealing assembly 500 is mounted inside the shaft portion 30 of the instrument at its proximal end where the rotational means 20 is located.
The mounting of the sealing assembly 500 to the shaft portion 30 of the surgical instrument can best be seen in FIGS. 25 through 27. The stapling channel 59 and the adapting means 502 of the sealing assembly are attached to the shaft portion 30 of the instrument when the rotation mounting prongs 509 of the rotation means 20 are mated with the assembly openings 510 located on the shaft portion 30, stapling channel 59, and adapting means 502. The driver rod 19 is able to actuate freely from the handle portion 10 of the instrument through the sealing assembly 500 and shaft portion 30.
Referring now to FIG. 28, it can be seen how the sealing assembly 500 provides an effective seal in the shaft portion 30 of the instrument to obstruct the flow of insufflation gasses 511 attempting to pass through the instrument. The sealing assembly 500 is sized to conform to the inner diameter of the shaft portion 30 of the instrument, therefore effectively plugging the existing opening in the hollow shaft portion 30. Furthermore, there is provided a friction fit between the mechanism openings or slits 508 and the stapling channel 59 and driver rod 19. In this manner, insufflation gasses are substantially unable to penetrate at the interface between the openings and the protrusion of the stapling channel and driver rod through the elastomeric sealing membrane 501.
This invention has been described in connection with two particularly preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that one may accomplish the invention in a number of substantially similar ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is to be better realized from the attached claims and their equivalents.
1. A surgical stapler for endoscopic application comprising a stapling portion, a handle portion, and a shaft portion, the stapling portion connected to the handle portion by means of the shaft portion, and the stapling portion comprising a stapling assembly containing staples and an anvil assembly, such that the anvil assembly is pivotally attached to the stapling assembly, said handle portion containing a firing trigger and a closure trigger, such that said closure trigger is capable of pivoting said anvil assembly into proximity of said stapling assembly, and said firing trigger is capable of firing said staples contained in said stapling assembly toward said anvil assembly, said stapler assembly containing a knife mechanism actuable by said firing trigger, and said shaft portion containing a sealing assembly to obstruct the flow of gas through said stapler, said sealing assembly including an elastomeric sealing membrane and spacing means adjacent to said membrane for cushioning the movement of said membrane when said stapler is fired.
2. The surgical stapler of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric sealing membrane is composed of a latex rubber, a fluorocarbon, a nitrile rubber, a polyurethane, a polyisoprene, a polyacrylate or a silicone rubber.
3. The surgical stapler of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric sealing membrane is composed of a silicone rubber, a latex rubber, or a polyurethane.
4. The surgical stapler of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric sealing membrane is composed of a silicone rubber.
5. The surgical stapler of claim 1 wherein said sealing assembly further comprises adapting means attached to said membrane for securely mounting said membrane to said shaft portion of said stapler.
6. The surgical stapler of claim 5 wherein said sealing assembly further comprises retaining means attached to said adapting means for retaining said membrane on said adapting means.
7. The surgical stapler of claim 6 wherein two spacing means are provided adjacent to said membrane.
8. The surgical stapler of claim 7 wherein said spacing means are composed of resilient foam.
9. The surgical stapler of claim 8 wherein said membrane is sandwiched between said two spacing means.
|June 7, 1977
|October 7, 1980
|Polk et al.
|July 19, 1983
|Smyth et al.
|June 11, 1985
|Korthoff et al.
|January 6, 1987
|Matsuo et al.
|July 5, 1988
|Barker et al.
|November 15, 1988
|Kulik et al.
|April 11, 1989
|January 9, 1990
|Fox et al.
|April 24, 1990
|July 31, 1990
|Oddsen et al.
|September 11, 1990
|Tompkins et al.
|July 16, 1991
|Tompkins et al.
|August 20, 1991
|Green et al.
|December 10, 1991
|Rodak et al.
|January 28, 1992
|March 31, 1992
|Green et al.
|July 14, 1992
|Schulze et al.
|December 15, 1992
|December 15, 1992
|Stefanchik et al.
Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 24, 1993
Date of Patent: Jul 26, 1994
Assignee: Ethicon, Inc. (Somerville, NJ)
Inventors: Stephen C. Robinson (Cincinnati, OH), Todd Olson (Loveland, OH), Dan Meiser (Butler, KY), Gary Steed (Cleves, OH), Eric Huffman (Loveland, OH), Matthew Otten (Cincinnati, OH), Ronald VanOverloop (West Chester, OH), Darrel Powell (Cincinnati, OH), Thomas Knodell (Loveland, OH), Edward Rhad (Fairfield, OH), Ralph Chen (Loveland, OH), Robert Cook (Mason, OH)
Primary Examiner: Rinaldi I. Rada
Application Number: 8/82,331
International Classification: A61B 17072;


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I'm a freelance branding designer who also shares passion for UI. I'm obsessed about creating simple and meaningful solutions, always adapting myself to each client's need rather than ask them to adapt to my style. Some of the companies I work with are Uber, Facebook, UNESCO, Orchard Mile, Rebel Mouse, Voxer, Yoox, Editorial Planeta, etc. I studied in Barcelona and worked in New York City. I teach branding at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. A founding member and designer of Photopills, a photography app that helps users plan legendary photos. Some of my work has been featured the NYTimes, Makeshift, Behance along other multiple blogs. I'm a proud father, a running addict and a serious music nerd.
Featured projects


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Fly to San Salvador with United Airlines from over 200 airports within the United States and an additional 100 airports internationally.
Visit San Salvador in spring to take part in Holy Week festivities. In August is the weeklong Festival of El Salvador del Mundo (the Savior of the World). The winter season offers unique events celebrating Christmas and New Years. The weather is mild year-round, but the rainy season occurs from April into November, so plan ahead for daily showers.
Find your vacation package to San Salvador with United Vacations.
|Fare Type
Barcelona (BCN)
San Salvador (SAL)
Depart: 08/01/2021
Return: 15/01/2021
*Prices have been available for round trips within the last 48 hours and may not be currently available. For Economy class, fares listed may be Basic Economy, which is our most restrictive fare option and subject to additional restrictions. Additional baggage charges and fees for other optional service may apply. Other terms and conditions may apply.


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Japan's lower house has approved a one-year extension of the country's naval mission to support U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan.
Japan's Cabinet approved the extension earlier this month. The measure still must be approved the Japan's upper house.
Japan's maritime self-defense forces were sent to the Indian Ocean in 2001 to provide fuel for coalition warships. The current mission was set to expire November 1.
Under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Tokyo also sent about 600 non-combat troops to participate in reconstruction work in southern Iraq. That mission ended in July, and was the country's first deployment of troops to a combat zone since World War II.
Critics in Japan say both operations violate the country's pacifist constitution.
Japan's new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has promised to strengthen ties with the United States and work toward revising the constitution's "no war" clause.
The "Article Nine" clause in the 1947 constitution bars the use of military force to settle international disputes, and only allows armed forces for self-defense.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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A new analysis of the DETECT study results was recently published online in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, with the title:
Comparison of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced breast MRI and gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced breast MRI with mammography and ultrasound for the detection of breast cancer.
Gilbert et al., J Magn Reson Imaging 2013. Article first published online: 4 NOV 2013. DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24434
The article, available online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmri.24434/pdf is of relevance for the current debates in breast cancer diagnosis, as it clarifies the role of MRI vs conventional diagnostic modalities, such as mammography and ultrasound, to which the MRI exams were compared. The DETECT study, already published in 2011 in Radiology, had previously shown that gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance) is superior to gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) for breast cancer diagnosis.
The new analysis has shown that, for all the 3 blinded readers in the study, the sensitivity of breast MRI in cancer detection was significantly higher on MultiHance-enhanced MRI compared with mammography (p<0.0001), ultrasound (p<0.0001), and combined mammography and ultrasound (p<0.02).
Even more importantly, the article shows that:


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Nathan Grube in 10th year as Travelers Championship tournament director
Nathan Grube came to Connecticut to become tournament director of what was then called the Buick Championship. He had been the tournament director of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, a PGA Tour event in Mississippi.
Now 40, Grube enters his 10th year as tournament director at what is now known as the Travelers Championship. Not many have remained in the same spot longer — and few have gone through a similar tournament transformation.
"I'm not surprised by anything," Grube said. "My philosophy is to always be grateful and if you work really hard on what is in front of you, everthing else will take care of itself. I'm proud of what we've done here. I'm part of something special."
Not long after Grube's first tournament, Buick announced it was withdrawing as title sponsor after the 2006 event. Months later, the tournament was in serious jeopardy of losing its spot on the PGA Tour and possibly becoming a Champions Tour event.
"Technically, we had no date for 2007. That was very real," said Grube, a West Hartford resident. "With a wife and six-month-old son, we didn't know what was going to happen."
What happened was Travelers Insurance came in at the 11th hour to rescue the tournament off life support. Travelers became title sponsor beginning with the 2007 tournament. The company has renewed twice, including a 10-year extension in February through 2024.
"It's been a fun ride," Grube said. "Changes like this have not happened in every market; a local title sponsor, a redesigned practice facilty and to get a 10-year extension, it's really unique."
More Information
Staying power
Only 13 current tournament directors have been in one spot on the PGA Tour longer than the Travelers Championship's Nathan Grube:
Director Tournament Year Started
Mark Brazil Wyndham Championship 2002
John Bridger Waste Management Phoenix Open 2003
Phil Cannon FedEx St. Jude Classic 2000
Nancy Cross Hyundai Tournament of Champions 2001
Kym Hougham Wells Fargo Championship 2003
Peter Mele The Barclays 1999
Bill Paul RBC Canadian Open 1992
Clair Peterson John Deere Classic 2003
Ray Stosik Sony Open in Hawaii 1999
Daniel Sullivan Memorial Tournament 2001
Steve Timms Shell Houston Open 2002
Scott Wellington Arnold Palmer Invitational 2000
Steve Wilmot RBC Heritage 1998
— Courtesy of the PGA Tour


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New legislation would re-authorize an information technology agency in the state and give Gov. Rick Scott the power to appoint a CIO.
Florida has historically had difficulty keeping a state information technology agency online. Political disagreements about how much control the agency should have over state IT projects led to the office being axed twice during the past decade. But change may be afoot in the state.
Senate Proposed Bill 7024: State Technology (SPB 7024) creates the Agency for State Technologies (AST) and authorizes the hiring of nine state employees, including a CIO that would be appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott. The bill was introduced and unanimously passed earlier this month by the Florida Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability.
Sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, SPB 7024 – now listed as Senate Bill 928 after being approved by the committee – still has a long way to go before becoming law. A companion bill has yet to be introduced by the Florida House of Representatives, where similar legislation died in 2013.
But according to Sunshine State News, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, have put the development of state IT strategy in their 2014 legislative work plan. Weatherford's spokesman, Ryan Duffy, said Weatherford believes Florida shouldn't be the only state in the U.S. without a CIO.
"We continue to miss opportunities to capitalize on enterprisewide technology solutions and are failing to properly execute technology projects that would deliver much-needed services and cost savings to Floridians," Gaetz said in a statement.
The legislation is far from perfect. While SB 928 establishes the agency, the bill gives it more of an advisory and planning role without a lot of direct control. For example, the AST would not have technology oversight over the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Lottery, the Florida Housing Corporation or the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Despite the challenges, former Florida CIO David Taylor believes SB 928 is a good first step in establishing a permanent technology office in the state. He noted that the bill enables the AST to craft some standards, which is what Taylor and his staff were trying to do when the office was defunded in 2012.
In addition, Taylor called the authority under the bill an "improvement" over his old agency. He said AST would have more director control over the two state data centers, which would be combined into one with two service sites.
The ability for a state CIO to shape and enforce IT policy in Florida, however, is very much limited in SPB 7024. Taylor agreed, but categorized it as "removing obstacles to get the ball rolling."
"I agree with the long term vision, but the creation of this office is a very political thing," Taylor said. "And in politics, you take incremental wins and build on them each year."
Florida has had a number of expensive IT projects experience cost overruns or functionality issues the last couple of years. For example, the Department of Economic Opportunity's Connect system – which processes unemployment claims for the state – has had numerous problems since it went live last year, delaying benefit disbursements to Floridians.
In an interview with Government Technology, Ring said the project failures illustrate exactly why he believes SB 928 will pass. He added that Florida ranks at the bottom of various report cards that measure IT success and that recent private-sector hacking incidents involving Target and Yahoo show why a CIO is needed.
Taylor didn't have any concrete answers as to why Florida has been hesitant to embrace a "strong CIO" mentality. But he felt that in comparison to other states, there might be too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to the day-to-day technology decision-making.
"The Legislature … seems to want an unusual level of control over information technology," Taylor said, noting that his opinion is based on the experiences relayed to him by other state CIOs. "I don't know the reason for that, but they seem to micro-manage information technology."
Looking for the latest gov tech news as it happens? Subscribe to GT newsletters.


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Around Town
Get started with College Greenlight to compare the Laredo College weather with your hometown!Create an account now!
One would think that just because it is a community college, there would be not much to do. Well just like everything else, You'd be surprised! Ranging from a great workout section at the gyms, walking through the beautiful campus, swimming in the pool, or even roaming through the wildlife areas are all part of the fun experiences this college offers!Read More
There is a Rec Center in the second floor of the Kazen which is pretty cool.Read More
Play tennis, run on the track, maybe hit the gym.Read More
I like to chill out with my friends watching the games on the big tv screens. We also use the computers for homework, facebook and almost anythingRead More
Read, go to the movies and go to the gym.Read More
Many times per week speakers go to school and have very interesting conferences about diverse topics, also they are about to do a funfest like every year at LCC.Read More
For fun in this campus you can grab a good group of people and go it the Kazan. That's where we have our cafeteria, and everyone hangs out there.Read More
The campus is filled with many clubs and if you cannot find one that matches your needs you do have the privilege of creating your own as long as if you have friends to be in it.Read More
Go to the Movies.Read More
You can visit the trail, the outdoor animal shelter, the gymnasium, tennis court, baseball court, swimming pool. the plaza park gazebo area featuring a waterfall and a lovely landscape in the main campus, there is also the student life room, as well as other interesting places around both campuses.Read More


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At just 14 years old, Allie is one of the youngest designers on season 2 of Project Runway Junior. Known for her "classic-y but with a retro-vibe" style, Allie's technical abilities and creative styles make her a standout this season. Tim Gunn has complimented her work and says "Allie, your tailoring is impeccable!" Allie's signature style can be found in the statement sleeves and floral fabric of her first look, to the custom graphic design and flawless fit of the skirt of her second look, to a fierce Avant Garde look which was a top contender, and then another top contender in her day-to-night look which was a reversed wrap dress paired with cigarette pants with a petal hem.
Allie began designing for her first client, Barbie, at the tender age of six. Her mother recognized her love of art before she turned two and encouraged her through daily arts and crafts projects. Entranced by her mother's sewing machine, she began designing and sewing for her dolls and then for her sister and herself. She quickly outgrew her sewing teachers and eventually taught herself anything she couldn't find on YouTube.
Today Allie sews custom commissioned pieces for her clients. Her eye for detail and ability to tailor and fit clothing is impeccable, which is why her clients come back again and again. She has designed and created pieces worn to NYFW and LAFW. She is currently working on a collection to show in February of 2017...location TBA.
In addition to being dedicated to her craft, Allie is the oldest of 5 kids, loves to hang out with her best friends, plays the violin, loves to ride her Ripstik, listens to '80s rock, binge watches Star Wars and Marvel, enjoys hummus and chips, and finds Joy in her faith.


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Bring on apple season with my No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe!
Hi guys!
I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I'm still not feeling great, but I spent mine resting and trying to stay as positive as possible. I'm hoping this week is a little better than last week.
It's still strangely warm in the mountains (80's all weekend!) but I'm still starting to bring more fall food in the house. I made a batch of Easy Pumpkin Pancakes and these Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Cups and now I'm feeling all things apple. I'm a huge apple fan and eat at least a few a week year-round. In the fall I love to go to our local apple farms and pick a big bag to munch on and cook with. I honestly probably enjoy the flavor just as much as pumpkin – crazy I know!
Since I'm in desperate need of easy snacks in my life right now I decided to make a new batch of energy bites with an apple theme! They turned out amazing and my No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe was born. I have a feeling y'all are going to like it too!
Healthy No Bake Apple Pie Energy Bites recipe
I wanted to make this No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe with fresh apple, but there was just too much moisture in them to make an energy bite work. So instead of fresh I decided to try dried apples! I looked for some with nothing added to them… just plain dried apple.
The dried apples concentrated sweetness added so much flavor to these snack bites.
For more substance and protein I also almonds and old-fashioned oatmeal. The additional texture and sweetness comes from dried dates.
Don't they look like little bites of apple pie perfection???
To bring out the apple pie flavor I used spices like cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves. If you happened to have an apple pie spice blend in your pantry you can use that too. The apple pie flavor is downright perfection.
This No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe comes together easily. The balls roll together without much work. I do like to pop mine in the fridge for at least a half hour to let them firm up, but I wouldn't blame you if you snuck a bite!
This No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe is the perfect fall snack! They are easy to make and store wonderfully in the fridge for the next time your hunger pains hit. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Love no bake energy bites? Also try…
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
- Peppermint Fudge Energy Bites
- Gingerbread Energy Bites
- Banana Bread Energy Bites
- Chunky Monkey Energy Bites
Find it later? Pin this No Bake Apple Pie Bites recipe here!
No Bake Apple Pie Energy Bites recipe
- 1/2 cup dates
- 1 cup dried apples
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- Soak the dates in water for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside water.
- In a food processor combine the dates, dried apples, raw almonds, old-fashioned oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves. If it needs a touch of moisture to make the dough add a couple drops of water from the dates. Add as little as possible to get the food processor moving.
- Form the dough into 10-12 bites. Place on a cookie sheet and put in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Your turn!
What's your favorite fall flavor?
What did you do this weekend?