text:
A wound suturing assembly and method of use employing elastically precurved suture needles for piercing a patient's tissue to suture closed a wound. The needles are ejected out of the assembly and whereupon they assume a pre-curved shape and in the process curve back to pierce the tissue a second time prior to reentering the assembly. Each needle carries a length of suture through the wound so that the sutures can be tied and the wound tightly sealed.
1. A suturing assembly, comprising:
an elongated guide body having a central axis and a distal end, the guide body being formed with at least one pair of axially parallel, laterally opposed first bores and second bores extending from the distal end through at least a portion of the body;
a tip attached to the distal end of the body and formed at least in part with a semi-spherical configuration;
a pair of resilient, elastically precurved needles removably positioned one each in the respective first bores, the needles having a proximal end for securing suture thereto and a pointed distal end for penetrating body tissue;
an ejector arm slidably positioned above the proximal end of each needle to eject the needle out of the distal end of the guide body; and
a pair of needle receivers retractably positioned one each in the respective second bores to grasp the needles ejected from the corresponding first bores.
2. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip is formed with needle channels for receiving and guiding each needle from the respective first bores to the corresponding second bores.
3. The suturing assembly of claim 2, wherein the needle channels extend through the tip and include suture escape slots on a surface of the tip.
4. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the needles maintain a first, linear configuration when positioned within the first bores and assume a second, curved configuration substantially conforming to the surface of the tip when ejected from the bores.
5. The suturing assembly of claim 4, wherein the needles assume the curved configuration isothermally.
6. The suturing assembly of claim 4, wherein the needles are formed from a material exhibiting shape memory properties.
7. The suturing assembly of claim 6, further comprising a cooling mechanism for varying the temperature of the needles to cause them to assume the desired configuration.
8. The suturing assembly of claim 6, further comprising a heating mechanism for varying the temperature of the needles to cause them to assume the desired configuration.
9. The suturing assembly of claim 8, wherein the heating mechanism operates to apply a predetermined electric current to the needles.
10. The suturing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle slidably mounted to the guide body to axially displace the ejector arms and the needle receivers within the respective first bores and second bores.
11. The suturing assembly of claim 10, wherein the handle is spring loaded to automatically retract the ejector arms and the needle receivers.
12. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein each needle receiver is formed from an elastically resilient material having two or more jaws biased in an open position, whereby the jaws are maintained in a closed configuration when positioned within the respective second bores and expand open when displaced out of the bore to receive therebetween the needle ejected from the corresponding first bore and clamp together to securely grasp the needle when retracted back into the second bore.
13. The suturing assembly of claim 12, wherein each respective second bore is further configured with an expansion chamber communicating with the distal end of the guide body to permit the needle receiver jaws to expand into the open configuration when the receiver is advanced into the chamber.
14. The suturing assembly of claim 13, wherein each needle is of sufficient length to extend from the distal end of the respective first bore to the expansion chamber of the corresponding second bore.
15. The suturing assembly of claim 12, wherein the needles further include at least one barb so that the receiver jaws can more firmly grip the needles.
16. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle is further configured with a bore in its proximal end for securing suture therethrough.
17. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip includes notches facing each bore to form a groove between the tip and the distal end of the guide body to receive and support the tissue therebetween as the tissue is punctured by the needles.
18. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the ejector arms and needle receivers are displaced pneumatically within their respective bores.
19. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the ejector arms and needle receivers are displaced hydraulically within their respective bores.
20. The suturing assembly of claim 1, wherein the ejector arms and needle receivers are displaced within their respective bores by at least one electric motor.
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for the closure of wounds in body tissue, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for the suture of puncture sites in body lumens accessible through a tissue tract.
Transluminal medical procedures have seen a marked rise in popularity during the past decade due to the much reduced surgical damage to healthy tissue, recovery time, and ultimate cost to the patient associated with these procedures. Such procedures typically require an incision formed in a body lumen and the overlying tissue through which catheters, guide wires, laparoscopes, endoscopes, and similar medical devices can be inserted into the patient's vascular system. The incisions are created with instruments such as trocars, and may measure from 5 to upwards of 15 mm in diameter. After the intravascular procedure is complete, the incision must be closed and sealed as quickly as possible to prevent further bleeding.
Unfortunately, the size of the incision is usually large enough to permit profuse bleeding, but too small for the convenient application of conventional wound closure techniques such as suturing. Other methods have been proposed, including the use of collagen and other types of plugs placed outside the lumen and near the wound. Some plugs are designed to be placed directly within the lumen and secured against the inner wall of the lumen by an external suture attached to the plug. In yet other similar closure methods, a clotting agent such as a foam, gel, or powder is dispensed within the wound. These methods all tend to cause the at least partial deposition of a plug or clotting agent within the lumen, whether by design or unintentionally, and thus result in the partial occlusion of the flow of blood through the lumen near the site of the wound. This is an unfortunate side effect that can lead to complications such as thrombosis and is therefore undesirable.
Another common closure technique employs continuous pressure applied to the wound site to allow the patient's blood to clot sufficiently to seal the wound. This technique, however, is usually very time consuming for both patient and medical personnel, thus partially negating one of the main advantages of transluminal procedures. In addition, a hematoma may occur if the patient moves while the pressure is being applied and therefore additional rest and observation in the hospital is required, further driving up the cost and time associated with the procedure.
Sutures remain the preferred method of sealing wounds, but the small size of the typical wound formed during a transluminal procedure renders the application of sutures a delicate and difficult task. Traditionally the surgeon would introduce a suture needle through the tissue tract and into the body lumen, manipulate the needle with a grasping instrument into position, then urge it to penetrate and pass through the lumen wall near the wound site and pull the suture material therethrough. This procedure involves difficult manipulations and maneuvers in a small space and through a small opening, and is therefore time consuming and burdensome.
Due to the ever increasing number of transluminal procedures performed each year, a great deal of effort has been devoted to the development of quicker, safer methods for post-operative suturing of endoscopic wounds. Practically all viable methods involve the use of a specially developed device for placing sutures in the lumen and through the body tissue. Some devices employ needles to carry opposite ends of a suture through the tissue surrounding the wound, and then means for retrieving the ends of the suture from within the body lumen and out through the wound. Such means may include an expandable mesh (U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,332 to Sierra et al.), a flexible membrane capturing anchors attached to the ends of the suture (U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,182 to Chin), and an expandable bow assembly (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,304,184 and No. 5,476,469 to Hathaway et al.). A drawback to the method employed by these devices is that the suture ends pass from within the lumen and out through the wound opening, and are thereby trapped between the tissue walls surrounding the wound when the suture is tensioned to close the opening. This suture configuration prevents the tissue walls from fully contacting each other and thus may require an extended period of time to heal. In addition, this configuration also requires that the suture knot tied by the surgeon must lie within the lumen, and therefore in most cases the surgeon cannot tie a sufficiently tight knot to prevent any further bleeding and to ensure minimal scarring of the tissue upon healing. Finally, most such devices require the surgeon to blindly capture the ends of the suture within the lumen while blood courses through the lumen with the patient's heart beat, making exact placement and capture of the suture ends difficult and imprecise.
Other suturing devices employ tubes carrying needles mounted on extendible platforms that advance out of the distal end of the tube once the distal end has been positioned within the lumen. The needles may be straight or curved, and carry sutures so that when the device is retracted from the lumen the needles pierce the side walls of the wound and thereby carry the sutures through the surrounding tissue. Devices of this type are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,275 to Bradley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,408 to Gordon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,632 to Heidmueller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,329 to Hinchcliffe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,601 to Sauer et al., and international publications WO 94/13211 and WO 95/13021. A relatively similar device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,666 to Sauer et al., wherein the device has a distal end with a suture equipped with ferules at either end placed therein. The distal end is positioned within the lumen and beneath the side walls of the wound, and sharp needles are driven through the side wall tissue to engage the ferules and pull the suture out. These devices are preferable because they create a cleaner, tighter seal of the wound, and are somewhat easier to operate because the suture ends do not have to be captured blindly within the lumen. Unfortunately, however, such devices are relatively complex and employ a significant number of moving parts. These devices are therefore relatively costly to manufacture and are also more prone to mechanical failure. In addition, such devices cannot be easily manufactured with very small diameters because of the complex mechanisms that must fit entirely within the device, especially when the needles are curved, and thus some of the devices may not be suited to suturing small diameter wounds.
The need continues to exist for a suturing method that will cleanly and tightly suture small as well as larger diameter wounds with an uncomplicated, dependable, inexpensive apparatus that is fail proof and simple to use. The present invention meets these needs.
Transluminal medical procedures are usually performed through an incision formed in a body lumen and the overlying tissue through which the catheters, guide wires, laparoscopes, endoscopes, and other medical devices required for the particular procedure can be inserted into the patient's vascular system. The incisions are created with instruments such as trocars and may measure from 5 to over 15 mm in diameter. After the intravascular procedure is complete, the incision must be closed and sealed as quickly as possible to prevent further bleeding. The size of the incision is usually too small for the convenient application of conventional wound closure techniques such as suturing, and unfortunately alternative methods that have been proposed suffer from other serious drawbacks.
The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for suturing small, as well as large, wounds in body tissue. In keeping with the invention, a guide body is provided that is adapted for retaining and handling needles for puncturing the patient's tissue.
The apparatus of the present invention provides a wound suturing device consisting primarily of elastically precurved needles maintained in a linear configuration within a guide body containing needle ejectors for ejecting the needles out of the body and needle receivers for receiving and retracting the needles back into the body. The needles are manufactured from resilient materials formed in elastically precurved configurations that begin to manifest as the needles are ejected from the apparatus and pierce the patient's tissue, and thus curve back towards the guide body and pierce the patient's tissue a second time to draw a length of suture therethrough and seal the wound shut.
The guide body is formed with pairs of parallel, laterally opposed bores for ejecting and receiving each needle, and has a semi-spherical guide tip at its distal end for guiding the needles and engaging the lumen wall tissue within grooves formed between the distal end and the guide tip. A needle ejector arm is positioned in the first of each pair of bores, and a forceps for receiving and grasping the needle is positioned in the corresponding second bore. Both needle ejector arms and receiving forceps are actuated by a single, common handle sliding within the guide body.
The method of use of the present invention entails threading suture through each needle and then positioning the needles within the respective ejection bores of the guide body. The guide body is next positioned with the distal end within the wound and the lumen tissue located directly underneath the bores, and the needles are then advanced by the ejector arms out of the ejection bores and through the lumen tissue, curved around the distal end, and pushed back through the lumen tissue and into the receiving bores where they are grasped by the receiving forceps and retracted back into the guide body. The guide body is then retracted out of the lumen, leaving behind lengths of suture passing through opposite sides of the lumen wall, which are then tied together to close and seal the wound.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention.
FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional front elevational view of a suturing apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side elevational view of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 depicts a partial cross-sectional side view of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 incorporating an alternative tip design.
FIGS. 5A-5C depict the operation of the needle receiver element of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 6A-6C depict the operation of the needle element of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of the tip of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of the tip of a multi-needle suturing apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of the tip of the suturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3.
Transluminal medical procedures require forming an incision in a lumen of the patient's body and the overlying tissue, through which catheters, guide wires, laparoscopes, endoscopes, and similar medical devices are inserted into the patient's vascular system to reach the target site or organ. The incision thus created may measure anywhere from 5 to over 15 mm in diameter. After the intravascular procedure is complete, the access incision must be closed and sealed tightly to prevent further bleeding and the occurrence of any post-operative complications. The size of the incision is typically not large enough to be amenable to the conventional application of sutures, and no alternative methods have been developed that accomplish this objective safely and effectively.
The present invention overcomes the limitations imposed by the small size of intraluminal procedure incisions and allows medical personnel to quickly, easily, and accurately suture such wounds immediately following the procedure to prevent excessive blood loss by the patient.
Suturing assembly 20 in FIG. 1 consists primarily of elastically precurved needles 22 maintained in a linear configuration within a guide body 24 containing needle ejectors 26 for ejecting the needles out of the guide body and needle receivers 28 for receiving and retracting the needles back into the guide body.
In keeping with the preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, guide body 24 has an elongated, cylindrical configuration with a solid core 30 defining a handle stop 32 with its proximal end. The guide body is formed with a handle chamber 34 at the proximal end. Laterally opposed bores 36 and 38 extend parallel to the axis of the body from distal end 40 to handle chamber 34. Ejection bore 36 is formed with ejection ramp 41 extending to distal end 40 at an angle with respect to the ejection bore. Retraction bore 38 is formed at its proximal end with compression ramp 42 extending at an angle from the retraction bore to the handle stop and at its distal end with expansion chamber 44 communicating with guide body distal end 40.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, handle 46 is slidably disposed within handle chamber 34 and is connected through handle beams 48 to outer handle band 50. Handle beams 48 are slidably removably maintained in longitudinal slots 52 formed in the side of body 24 along the length of expansion chamber 34. Handle 46 also includes vertical suture aperture 54. Referring to FIG. 1, ejector arm 26 extends from the distal end of handle 46 adjacent to suture aperture 54 and is linearly configured to be slidably received within ejection bore 36 with sufficient tolerance to fit within the ejection bore concurrently with suture 56.
Needle 58 is positioned in ejection bore 36 underneath ejector arm 26 with the pointed end downwardly disposed, and is formed with bore 60 in its upwards facing proximal end to receive suture 56 therethrough. Receiver arm 28 extends from the distal end of handle 46 laterally opposed to ejector arm 26 and is slidably received in retraction bore 38. Receiving forceps 62 are attached to the distal end of receiver arm 28 and are equipped with jaws 64 configured to receive and secure needle 58 therebetween.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, guide tip 66 is attached to guide body distal end 40 and is formed with a generally spherical configuration. Guide channel 68 extends across the surface of tip 66 from beneath ejection bore 36 to beneath retraction bore 38. Guide tip 66 is further configured with notches 70 extending across its proximal end beneath the guide body bores, and of sufficient width to define grooves between the tip and guide body distal end 40 for receipt of lumen tissue therein. Needle 58 must be of sufficient length to extend from the distal end of ejection bore 36 across guide channel 68 and into expansion chamber 44, and forceps 62 must be at sufficient elevation with respect to ejector arm 26 such that jaws 64 are fully expanded within expansion chamber 44 when ejector arm 26 is disposed adjacent to distal end 40 of guide body 24.
Guide body 24 and handle 46 can be formed from any material affording the desired characteristics of durability, non-toxicity, and low frictional resistance. Because the overall configuration of both pieces is somewhat complex, it is cost advantageous to use easily cast or extruded materials, such as plastics, ceramics, glass, and metals. Receiving forceps 62 must be formed from a resilient material that can withstand closing and opening of the jaws 64, and should preferably also offer reduced frictional resistance when sliding within retraction bore 38. Guide tip 66 should be manufactured from a material that will not contaminate the patient's blood stream, and that is compatible with conventional bonding methods for easy and permanent attachment to guide body 24.
Referring now to FIG. 7, needle 58 must be formed from a material that will resiliently maintain a linear configuration when positioned within either bore of guide body 24 and when released from the bore will begin to elastically assume a curved configuration at a predetermined rate to substantially conform to the surface of guide channel 68. The needle may therefore be manufactured from spring steel or from alloys exhibiting shape memory properties. Articles manufactured from such alloys may be deformed from their original shape into a different configuration that is heat unstable, and upon the application of heat will revert to the original configuration. Certain shape memory alloys, including superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) or copper-zinc-aluminum (CuZnAl) alloys that are well known in the art, can be deformed through the application of stress to the article of manufacture and will revert to their original shape upon removal of the stress in a phenomenon generally referred to as stress induced martensite (SIM), thereby eliminating the need for alternately cooling and heating the article. SIM shape memory alloys that are stressed at temperatures between where the alloy first begins to transform from austenite to martensite, and the maximum temperature at which martensite can occur, deform elastically up to a critical stress and then continue to deform through the formation of SIM. When the deforming stress is removed and the alloy is at a temperature above that at which it starts to revert back to austenite, the alloy will attempt to return to its original shape. The temperature at which the alloy begins to revert to the stable austenite phase varies with the composition of the alloy, and it is obviously preferable for the practice of the present invention that the SIM shape memory alloy selected for making needle 50 is one that reverts back to austenite at the typical human body temperature of no more than about 98� F. Needle 50 also requires a sharp tip to penetrate tissue, and materials may be bonded to the shape memory alloy that will provide an improved sharp edge.
In conjunction with the suturing apparatus of the present invention, the preferred method of use is herein described. The apparatus is prepared for use by first threading suture 56 through needle bore 60 and attaching it thereto, then inserting needle 58 into ejection bore 36 with the sharp end disposed downwardly towards guide body distal end 40. Suture 56 is next threaded through suture aperture 54 in handle 46. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, handle 46 is next inserted into handle chamber 34 such that handle beams 48 engage longitudinal slots 52 formed in the wall of the guide body 24, and ejector arm 26 and receiving forceps 62 are received in ejection bore 36 and retraction bore 38, respectively.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, once the suturing apparatus has been prepared for use, it is inserted into a puncture wound formed in a body lumen beneath tissue 72 such that lumen walls 74 are engaged by the grooves formed between guide body 24 and tip 66. The operator of the apparatus can now grasp guide body 24 with one hand and handle band 50 with the other hand and commence to move handle 46 towards distal end 40, thus urging ejector arm 26 to drive needle 58 out of ejector bore 36 and pierce lumen wall tissue 74. Ejection ramp 41 guides needle 58 towards guide channel 68 as needle 58 begins to exit ejection bore 36. Lumen tissue 74 is supported by the tip notch 70 underlying the ejection bore, and thus the ease with which needle 58 pierces tissue 74 is significantly enhanced.
Referring to FIG. 7, as needle 58 is ejected out of ejection bore 36, it begins to curve back around the surface of guide channel 68 at a predetermined rate, and eventually reaches tip notch 70 underlying retraction bore 38 where it pierces the lumen tissue 74 directly opposite the wound from the first incision of needle 58. The tissue is also supported by the groove between body 24 and tip 66 formed underneath the retraction bore, thereby enhancing the ease of puncture by needle 58. The needle's natural tendency to curve back along the guide channel is a function of the material selected and may thus exhibit in different manners under different conditions. SIM shape memory alloys, for instance, will immediately attempt to curve back once released from the stress imposed by ejection bore 36, as long as the alloys revert to the stable austenite phase at a temperature of no more than about 98� F. Spring steel, on the other hand, is typically not dependent upon temperature to begin transforming back to its curved configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, as ejector arm 26 is being displaced downwards, receiver arm 28 is also being displaced in the same direction and by an equal amount, such that both receiving forceps 62 and needle 58 reach expansion chamber 44 concurrently. As forceps 62 begin to enter the expansion chamber, jaws 64 begin to expand apart and receive advancing needle 58 therebetween. Handle 46 eventually runs against handle stop 32, at which time ejector arm 26 is flush with distal end 40 of guide body 24, and needle 58 is completely ejected out of ejection bore 36. At this time the operator will begin to move handle 46 upwards, thereby urging forceps 62 back into retraction bore 38 and causing jaws 64 to come together and grasp the tip of needle 58 therebetween. The jaws are preferably made from a high friction material such as rubber or similar material to enhance the grasping ability upon the smooth surface of needle 58. In addition, the needle may be formed with a barb or other protuberance near the tip that will also aid the jaws in grasping and retaining the needle as the forceps are retracted back into the guide body. The needle is thus retracted along with the forceps into retraction bore 38, and as it is pulled through lumen tissue 74 it pulls suture 56 along with it. As the needle enters retraction bore 38 it begins to assume the linear configuration of the bore, either by deforming elastically as in the case of spring steel or by transforming into martensite in the case of SIM memory shape alloys, and thus allows the operator to fully retract needle 58 out of the lumen tissue and leave behind a length of suture to tie together and thereby seal the wound closed.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the operator of the apparatus may choose to apply any practical number of additional sutures at various angles to the other sutures, and thereby seal larger, profusely bleeding wounds. The apparatus of the present invention is not restricted to puncture wounds, but also may be employed to seal linear incisions by applying suture across the incision at predetermined intervals along its length.
In addition, many variations and modifications to the preferred embodiments described above may be practiced to adapt the apparatus of the present invention to various applications. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, tip 66 may be formed with an enclosed guide channel 68 and a suture escape slot 76 to allow removal of suture 56 when the apparatus is removed from within the patient's body. This configuration would minimize the potential for inadvertently engaging body tissue with the tip 66 as it is being inserted into the wound, and would also eliminate any risk of needle 58 accidentally curving in the wrong direction, such as perhaps due to incorrect insertion into ejection bore 36.
Suturing apparatus 20 also may be formed with more than one pair of ejection and retraction bores. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the apparatus may have two pairs of corresponding bores with two needles 58 and 78 piercing the lumen tissue simultaneously, thus allowing medical staff to seal a wound shut in a minimum of time. Such an embodiment has two guide channels 68 and 80 running across the surface of tip 66, preferably at right angles to each other, and guide channel 80 is recessed from guide channel 68 within tip 66 to avoid interference between the two needles as they advance across the tip. Larger diameter apparatuses may be formed with three or more pairs of bores, thus allowing instantly suturing relatively large wounds and greatly minimizing the risk of inadvertent post operative damage to the patient. Apparatus embodying the present invention may also be manufactured with guide bodies having planar configurations and multiple pairs of corresponding bores aligned longitudinally along an elongated tip, so that the operator of the apparatus may simultaneously suture closed a portion of a linear incision.
It must be appreciated that the present invention also may be embodied in an apparatus that utilizes mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means to advance and retract the needles, such as by employing an electric motor to insert and retract handle 46, or by alternately filling and draining the ejection and retraction bores with fluid or gas. In addition, a compression spring may be positioned within handle chamber 34 to automatically urge handle 46 away from handle stop 32 and back into the fully retracted position.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for suturing small, as well as large, wounds in body tissue with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability, and in a minimum of time. The present invention overcomes many problems associated with the prior art by providing an extremely simple apparatus that may be cheaply and easily manufactured in very small diameters, and may thus be custom made to fit wounds of any size. The method of the present invention produces a clean, tight seal in which the suture encircles the wound without passing through it, and thereby allows quicker closure and healing of the severed tissue. The apparatus taught by the present invention does not utilize members that expand inside the patient's body, and thus eliminates the risk of incidental damage caused to the patient by an inattentive or inexperienced operator. The device is also simple and cheap enough to manufacture as a single use, throw away device that will not adversely impact the costs of intraluminal procedures, rather it will reduce them in terms of much shortened recovery times and minimized risk of post operative trauma.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications and equivalents are intended to be covered.
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Moda Desk
Made by a family-owned New York company, the Moda desk brings modern, functional design to kids' furniture. Crafted of solid maple and white lacquered fiberboard, you can choose from three wood finishes and an array of bright colors.See the full Moda collection
We partner with artisans and workshops across the country
Details of Moda 48w 24d 29h Desk
- Dimensions: 48"w 24"d 29"h
- Space Between Legs: 42"w
- Leg Thickness: 3"w 1"d
- Product Origin: made in New York
- Item Number: 853843
- Color: maple See material details
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- Finish: non-toxic lacquer
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Got one for my daughter a couple years ago and another one this time for my son. It holds up really well, looks great, and doesn't take up too much space in a small room. I recommend the additional piece that goes on top with a couple drawers, adds some storage.
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My son picked out this desk for his room because he loves orange! Wasn,t too sure at first but when it came I was pleasantly surprised the color is awesome, quality is amazing (which is hard to find these days) worked out great for his computer and homework space. Love it!!
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Customer comments about Moda 48x24 Desk:
Mocha & white version, with matching organizer, looks fantastic. Desk is built solid. High gloss white surface area/finish too scratches easily.
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Can fit file cabinet underneath
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mom and sex
Question Posted Friday October 31 2008, 4:52 pm
I'm going to become sexually active soon. Its inevitable. I'm 17 (turning 18 in March). I'm in college, I'm responsible etc.
My mom and I don't really talk about sex. I never got the birds and the bees talk, but its semi-comfortable to talk about my period and puberty stuff with her.
I want my mom to be supportive and I don't want to hide things from her. I'm not saying I want her to be jumping for joy because I'm going to be sexually active, but I want to come to her for advice or support.
How do I get both of us comfortable to talk about stuff like that?
By the way my friend said that I should say "Mom, I think I might need to go on the pill," but I already am (my mom knows). Its to regulate my period.
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answered Saturday November 1 2008, 5:47 pm:
i agree 100% with the person who posted below me. i just think it sounds a little weird when it comes to saying "is that alright with you" cause i mean obviously no mom wants to see their teenage daughter grow up in that kind of way. but it really is best that you tell her before you become active cause it's much easier doing it that way instead of coming to her and telling her you're pregnant.
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answered Friday October 31 2008, 5:38 pm:
Start off by telling her almost EXACTLY what you just told us.
"Mom, I want you to know I'm not sexually active right now, and I'm telling you that because, eventually I will be and I don't want to hide things from you. I value your advice and support and want to be able to come to you for it when I do start to have sex. Is that going to be okay with you?"
I know, it's damn hard to put all your cards on the table like that. That's why so many people give those sort of backwards hints like 'I need to go on the pill' and why people say absolutely silly things like 'I think I love you.'
We are terrified to really commit ourselves to our feelings and opinions. It feels like putting a big emotional bulleyes on your chest, but it's IS the best way to communicate. It's honest, open, and geunine and you'll make your mother sooo proud and happy (even if she doesn't really want to talk about it and the idea stresses her out!) At the same time, you'll be giving her a respectful chance to back out a bit by asking her what her comfort level with that kind of conversation.
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text:
Surgical apparatus includes bipolar electrodes and tissue-shearing blades configured to electrically contact tissue for electrocauterization thereof prior to shearing contact of the cutting blades with the tissue over wide angles of presentation of the tissue to the electrodes and blades. Extensions or protrusions disposed along facing edges of the electrodes separate the level at which tissue is electrically contacted by the electrodes from the level at which tissue is sheared by the cutting blades.
1. Tissue-cutting apparatus comprising:
first and second electrically conductive blade supports forming a set of bipolar electrodes and being coupled together about a common insulated pivot for relative movement thereabout between open and closed positions;
first and second tissue-cutting blades, each having an elongated cutting edge and being attached to and electrically insulated from respective first and second blade supports with the cutting edges disposed to pass each other in contiguous relationship along the elongated cutting edges as the first and second blade supports relatively move from open toward closed positions;
an electrically-conductive electrode extension disposed on at least one of the first and second blade supports at a location spaced from the cutting edge of the attached blade and elevated with respect thereto in a direction toward the other of the first and second blade supports and extending distally from near the pivot along at least a portion of the length of such cutting edge; and
conductors connected to only the bipolar electrodes for supplying electrical signals thereto.
2. Tissue-cutting apparatus according to
3. Tissue-cutting apparatus according to
4. Tissue-cutting apparatus according to
5. Tissue-cutting apparatus according to
6. Tissue-cutting apparatus comprising:
a pair of electrode means each having facing edges and each being mounted for rotation about a common pivot between open and closed configurations of the facing edges of the electrode means;
cutting means attached to and insulated from each of respective ones of the pair of electrode means, with cutting edges of the cutting means recessed from the facing edges of the respective electrode means and disposed to pass each other in contiguous relationship along elongated portions of the cutting edges in response to movement of the pair of electrode means about the common pivot;
coupling means attached to each of the electrode means for selectively moving the facing edges thereof between the open and closed configurations;
the facing edges of the electrode means protruding toward each other relative to the corresponding cutting edges at least along the elongated portions thereof for contacting tissue at the facing edges prior to contacting the tissue at the cutting edges in response to movement of the pair of electrode means about the pivot toward the closed configuration; and
means connected only to the electrode means for supplying different electrical potentials thereto.
The subject matter of this application relates to the subject matter described in application Ser. No. 09/739,595 entitled "Elongated Surgical Scissors", filed on Dec. 15, 2000 by T. Chang et al, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,207, which subject matter is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference to form a part hereof.
This invention relates to surgical instruments incorporating scissors and to surgical scissors, and more particularly to surgical scissors having electrocautery electrodes disposed adjacent tissue-cutting blades for selective cauterization and shearing of tissue.
Endoscopic surgery commonly requires manual manipulation of surgical instruments that are introduced into a surgical site within a patient through elongated cannulas containing one or more interior lumens of slender cross section. Endoscopic surgery to harvest a sapbenous vein usually involves an elongated cannula that is advanced along the course of the vein from an initial incision to form an anatomical space about the vein as connective tissue is dissected away from the vein.
Lateral branch vessels of the saphenous vein can be conveniently isolated and ligated within the anatomical space under endoscopic visualization using surgical scissors that can be positioned and manipulated through the elongated cannula. Such surgical procedures are commonly employed in the preparation of the saphenous vein for removal from within the anatomical space for use, for example, as a shunting or graft vessel in coronary bypass surgery.
Surgical scissors that are used to transect vessels within the confines of limited anatomical space formed along the course of the saphenous vein commonly incorporate electrodes on or near the tissue-shearing blades. Scissors of this type are suitable for monopolar or bipolar electrocauterization of tissue prior to transection of, for example, lateral side branches of the saphenous vein to be harvested. However, placement of the electrodes in relation to the tissue-shearing edges of the blades may inhibit proper operation of the blades to shear tissue and may inhibit thorough electrocauterization of a side branch vessel as the blades close during transection of the vessel.
In accordance with the present invention, surgical scissors include scissor blades mounted at the distal end of a slender body for manual manipulation under control of a lever mounted at the proximal end of the slender body. The scissor blades support electrodes that are positioned to supply electrical energy from external sources to cauterize tissue prior to shearing the cauterized tissue at a remote surgical site in a patient. The electrodes of various configurations are spaced from, and are electrically isolated from, the tissue-cutting blades (or at least from one such blade) in order to optimize both the ability to shear tissue as well as the ability to localize the electrocauterization of the tissue to be sheared within a wide angle of alignment of tissue relative to the blade.
Surgical scissors in accordance with the present invention may be incorporated into and form an integral part of more comprehensive surgical apparatus, for example, as illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 of pending application Ser. No. 10/054,477, entitled "Vessel Harvesting Apparatus and Method", filed on Jan. 18, 2002 by M. Stewart et al.
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of conventional bipolar surgical scissors;
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are partial sectional views of embodiments of bipolar scissors in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial sectional views of other embodiments of bipolar scissors in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of bipolar scissors modified in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 8a and 8 b are plan views of a set of bipolar scissor blades in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a pictorial side view of an embodiment of the bipolar scissor blades according to FIGS. 8a and 8 b; and
FIG. 10 is a partial side view of another embodiment of bipolar scissors in accordance with the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross-sectional end view of conventional surgical scissors that include both shearing blades 9, 11 and electrically-conductive blade supports 13, 15 that carry in insulated manner the respective cutting blades 9, 11. In this configuration, the cutting blades 9, 11 are positioned against tissue (typically a lateral or side branch vessel of a main vessel such as a saphenous vein) in preparation for cutting the tissue prior to or coincident with contact being made with the tissue by the blade supports serving as electrodes 13, 15. As a result, electrocauterization of the tissue is not possible until either the cutting blades 9, 11 penetrate tissue sufficiently to engage the electrodes 13, 15, or the angle 17 of presentation of the tissue to the cutting blades 9, 11 is skewed sufficiently (by an obtuse angle in the illustration) for the electrodes 13, 15 to contact the tissue prior to contact therewith by the shearing blades 9, 11, or the tissue is manipulated to conform to the irregular surfaces by pressing the scissors against the tissue.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2, an outer set of blade supports 19, 21 serve as bipolar electrodes and also support respective cutting blades 23, 25 via insulated attachment 27 to the inner or facing surfaces of the blade supports 19, 21. A mixture of tiny glass beads and epoxy provide a suitable insulating and attaching layer 27 for securing the blades 23, 25 to the respective blade supports 19, 21. The cutting blades 23, 25 are thus disposed to pass by each other along an advancing point of contact along the contiguous cutting edges as the blades 23, 25 move toward and past each other in scissor-like manner. The blade supports 19, 21 each include a conductive extension 29, 31 that protrudes inwardly toward the opposite blade support to elevate the level or points of contact thereof with tissue above the level or points of contact of the cutting blades 21, 23 with the tissue. In this configuration, the angle 30 of presentation of the tissue to the cutting blades 23, 25 and electrodes 19, 21 within which electrical contact can be made to tissue prior to contact therewith by the cutting blades is much broader, to an extreme limit as illustrated in FIG. 3. This facilitates the surgeon positioning such bipolar scissors relative to a side branch vessel 33 at a diversity of angles for electrocauterizing and then transecting the vessel. In preferred embodiments, various configurations of extensions 29, 31 on each of the electrodes 19, 21 extend in directions toward the opposite ones of the electrodes to elevate the level of electrical contacts with tissue by about 0.018″ to about 0.030″ above the level of the cutting edges of the blades 23, 25, as illustrated in the sectional views of FIGS. 2-6. The electrode extensions 29 in these various illustrated embodiments may be welded onto the facing edges of the electrodes 19, 21 that serve as blade supports for the respective cutting blades 23, 25, or may be formed as part of the electrode-blade support 19, 21, as shown in the plan views of FIGS. 8a and 8 b.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the L-shaped extension 29 on the blade support 29, as shown in sectional view, is welded or otherwise conductively joined to each blade support 19. The tissue-contacting edge 40 is thus elevated by about 0.018″ to about 0.030″ while also reducing the spacing 42 between the inside edge of the electrode 43 and the cutting edge 41 of cutting blade 23. This increases the angle of presentation of the tissue to the cutting blades, as previously described with reference to FIG. 3. Of course, similar extensions 29 may be attached in mirror symmetry to each of the blade supports of a scissor structure in accordance with the present invention to enhance the angle of presentation of tissue to the cutting blades.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a sectional view of another conductive extension 29 that is conductively attached to the back side of the blade support 19. In this configuration, the inside eke 41 of the cutting blade 23 is spaced 42 from the protruding inside edge of the extension 29 at a distance that allows tissue to be compressed in cauterizing or cutting action in conformity with irregular surfaces involved. Specifically, this structure facilitates presentation of tissue to the cutting edge 41 of the blade 23 at an angle of approximately 90� for optimized cutting and cauterizing operation.
Referring now to the sectional view of FIG. 7, conventional bipolar scissor blades 9, 11 that commonly extend inwardly or beyond the tissue-contacting edge of the attached electrodes 13, 15 may be electrically configured differently to broaden the angle of presentation within which bipolar electrodes 9, 15 and 13 may first contact tissue prior to the blades 9, 11 making tissue-shearing contact. Specifically, electrode 15 and blade 9 are electrically coupled together 34 to circumvent the electrical insulating properties of layer 27, while the electrode 13 of one polarity remains electrically insulated from the structure of blades 9, 11 and electrode 15 of opposite polarity. This configuration enhances the benefit of the blade 9, serving as an electrode, protruding inwardly toward the opposite electrode 13, and thus enhances the angle of presentation within which tissue such as a side branch vessel may be oriented relative to the blades and electrodes for electrocauterization prior to transection of the vessel.
This configuration also facilitates formation of current conduction paths through tissue in contact with the structure, for example, from blade support or electrode 13 to the cutting blade 11, or to cutting blade 9 or to blade support 15. Alternatively, the structure of blade support 15 and insulating layer 27 and cutting blade 9 and conductive link 34 can be configured as a single conductive cutting blade.
Referring now to FIGS. 8a and 8 b, there are shown plan views of a complementary set of left and right electrode-blade supports 19, 21 that include respective extensions or protrusions 29, 31 from the facing edges thereof. These extensions or protrusions 29, 31 protrude by about 0.018″ and extend along about ⅔, or a major portion, of the proximal sections of the facing edges relative to pivot axes 36. Of course, the extensions or protrusions from the facing edges may extend out to the distal ends of the associated supports. This configuration expands the angle of presentation of tissue to the blades and electrodes within which electrocauterizing contact with the tissue occurs prior to shearing contact therewith, for reasons as previously described herein, as the electrode-blade supports 19, 21 are rotated about the pivot axes 36 toward each other in scissor-like manner. These electrodes 19, 21 and associated cutting blades 23, 25 may be curved, as shown in FIG. 9, and the cutting edges of curved blades attached thereto may be serrated to enhance tissue-cutting capability.
In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 10, the electrode-blade supports 19, 21 include arcurate conductive members 37, 39 welded to, or otherwise electrically and mechanically attached to, the outer surfaces or facing edges of the electrodes 19, 21. Such arcuate members 37, 39 facilitate electrical contact with tissue such as a side-branch vessel over a wide range of presentation angles relative to the electrodes 19, 21. Cutting blades (not shown in FIG. 10) may be attached in insulated manner to the inside facing surfaces of the electrodes 19, 21 in the manner as previously described herein to facilitate cutting tissue following electrocauterization during the closing of the electrodes in scissor-like manner about the pivot axis 36.
Therefore, the bipolar tissue-cauterizing and cutting instruments according to the present invention provide reliable electrical contact with tissue to be cut over a broad range of angles of presentation of the tissue to the electrodes. This assures controlled electrocauterization prior to shearing or transection of the cauterized tissue. Various configurations of blade supports that serve as electrodes and that support cutting blades in facing, scissor-like engagement along contiguous cutting edges assure reliable electrical contact for electrocauterization of tissue prior to shearing of the cauterized tissue.
Patent Citations
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text:
Photo by USA Pears
YIELD: 4 servings
ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to form a smooth paste and set aside.
Warm the peanut oil in a skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and white parts of the scallion and stir-fry until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, stirring frequently until it breaks into small pieces and is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
Add the chili sauce, hoisin, and soy sauce, stirring to combine and evenly distribute the ingredients. Add the reserved cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce is clear. Finish with the reserved scallion greens, pear matchsticks, and a splash of sesame oil.
To serve: Place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the middle of a lettuce leaf with a few cilantro leaves, if desired. Wrap the lettuce around the contents and eat.
Nutritional Analysis per Serving: Calories 340; 22 g Protein; 17 g Carbohydrate; 3 g Fiber; 20 g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat, 0g Trans Fat); 100 mg Cholesterol; 760 mg Sodium
Nutritional analysis provided by USA Pears


text:
What a Weekend: Bring dad out for cookout, car show
There's bound to be some sunshine in between the isolated thunderstorms we know to expect at this time of year, so get out and enjoy it. Remember, it's Father's Day weekend. Whether your dad is here with you or elsewhere, take time to honor your father.
McKee's Lily-palooza
Waterlilies inspired Claude Monet to paint some of his most beautiful masterpieces; and you're sure to be inspired as well, horticulturally if not artistically, at the eighth annual Waterlily Celebration from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at McKee Botanical Garden, 350 U.S. 1 in Vero Beach. McKee has 120 varieties and nearly 300 waterlilies in bloom, including 30 new species added this year. Activities will include a waterlily repotting demonstration (9 to 10:30 a.m.), photo contest (9 a.m. to noon), plant sale (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and a photo class (9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). Summer admission rates apply: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for children 3 to 12, and free for members and children under 3. For information, call 772-794-0601 ext. 107 or go to mckeegarden.org
Father's Day Car Show, Cookout
Celebrate the day with your dad at the Second Annual Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Vero Beach Elks Club, sponsored by the Vietnam Vets and the Vero Beach Elks Club. There is a $15 registration fee per car and the cookout will be free to them. All other guests pay $6. There will be a DJ, prizes, 50/50, and awards. Proceeds benefit the Indian River County Charities. To register your car, call 772-299-6225. For other information call 772-569-8450.
fire your own 'shot'
Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club will host a Project Appleseed marksmanship clinic Saturday and Sunday.The program aims to bring the traditional skills of the rifleman to a new generation of Americans. The Appleseed shoots are family events that provide top-notch instruction coupled with stories about the men and women who fought the war for independence from Britain. Cost for advance registration is $70 for the full two-day program and $45 for a single day. Cost for women is $10, and for minors under 21 the cost is $5. Shooters can register at the door for a slightly higher cost if slots are available. For more information, call 340-656-8137.
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Dutch team hears racist chants at Euro practice
A recent British television documentary, "Stadiums of Hate," fueled concerns about fans' behavior at club matches. The program was shown in Poland this week and the issue dominated questions at the first news conference of UEFA President Michel Platini at the tournament.
Platini promised that referees will stop matches if players are subjected to racist abuse. But he also warned players they would be shown a yellow card if they acted alone by walking off the field.
"UEFA has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discriminatory behavior and has given the power to referees to stop matches in case of any repeated racist behavior," UEFA said Friday.
Gullit said he disagrees with Platini's stance. He joined other black former players to launch a UEFA-backed "Respect Diversity" campaign which runs through the tournament. Former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks called on Platini to relax his stance on rules sanctioning players who leave the field.
The sole black player on the Czech Republic's team, Theodor Gebre Selassie, said he hoped racism wouldn't flare up in stadiums.
"We don't know yet what the situation will be like at the stadiums," he said, adding that he would not walk off the field. "I'm not ready to give up. I definitely won't leave. I'll stay until they throw stones at me."
AP Sports Writer Raf Casert in Krakow and Associated Press writer Karel Janicek in Wroclaw contributed to this report.
The Associated Press


text:
Get out a bowl and add in the banana and mash.
Add in the Chia Seeds, Cinnamon, Salt and Chocolate and stir a bit. Then add in the Vanilla, Stevia and Lemon (if using) and the Almond Milk. Mix together well.
When everything is mixed together, cover and place in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight.


text:
STREAM IT through your Library
Who says you can't have your very own inhouse theater? You can with the library. Did you know that your Library offers streaming videos? We do, and there are two options.
The first option for streaming videos comes from our newest product called Hoopla.
Borrow 30 titles per month with a 72 hour checkout for movies.
Find Disney, family movies, independent cinema, documentaries, award winners, and comedies within the collection. All titles are available for streaming using hoopladigital.com on a PC/Mac.
Borrowed titles are only available for download on mobile devices, such as iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch) and supported Android phones or tablets.
For additional support, visit this webpage.
The second option comes from OverDrive, offering it's line of streaming videos that includes Paddington Bear (kids), and Highlander (adults).
Borrow and watch free movies right in your web browser, without having to download files or use special software. Similar to all other formats that is offered, the checkout limit is 10 at a time.
Streaming videos work on mobile devices and computers as long as you're using an up-to-date browser with HTML5 support (such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer).
Some DRM-protected videos may require the OverDrive app for iOS or Android or Adobe Flash Player (on a computer).
Some videos have extra permissions (digital rights) that are set by the publisher and may restrict how you can watch the video. For additonal help with streaming videos, visit this page. (http://help.overdrive.com/customer/portal/articles/1482054)
Your library offers additional entertainment options such as emagazines, comics, and music. Check it out!
Entertainment just got better
Guess what? Both e-books and comics have been added to CPPL's entertainment collection from Hoopla. Now users can borrow these formats along with audiobooks, movies, TV shows. These two newly added formats have a borrow time of 2 weeks.
To make this the ultimate superhero encounter, here's your chance to experience all of the DC Comics close-up action with hoopla's Action View – our immersive-reading technology!
Hoopla takes pride in announcing the addition, today, of DC Comics and Vertigo to you. And, just like heroes are known to do, all the iconic DC Comics Superheroes have arrived just in the nick of time for the Library's summer reading program theme of "Heroes"! Speaking of which, have you signed up for this year's Summer Reading Program for kids, teens, and adults? Hello? Now's the time!
Hugely influential graphic novels The Dark Knight Returns, All-Star Superman, Watchmen, and The Killing Joke are just a taste of what to expect. The Vertigo imprint is also represented as well, with Neil Gaiman's The Sandman Vol. 1 joining our ranks.
Here are a few features for both formats when using Hoopla's app (Android, iOS, Kindle fire tablets and other mobile devices).
- The reading feature in the app includes options similar to Amazon's Whispersync with the ability to read a book across multiple devices and the options to adjust fonts, line spacing, columns and background.
- For comic book fans, a feature called "Action View" enlarges individual panels with a double tap for easier reading on mobile devices.
Quick links to fiction/nonfiction eBooks/audiobooks, and subjects for kids/teens
Looking for quicker way to search for fiction or nonfiction eBooks or audiobooks? What if there were quick links for finding eBooks and audibooks for children or teens? There is!
Visit the digital collection from OverDrive to see the newly expanded subject list on the front-page. Find separate lists for eBook fiction and nonfiction, audiobook fiction and nonfiction, and a list for Children & Teen.
Interview w/ Diane Lang & Mike Buchanan, authors of The Fat Boy Chronicles
As part of the OverDrive Summer Read program young readers at participating schools and libraries can read The Fat Boy Chronicles without waitlists or holds through July 9. Recently we spoke with the authors, Diane Lang and Mike Buchanan about their experiences writing this book.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
Diane: When Mike and I were at a book signing for another novel, a young teen approached us and asked if he could tell us his story. At the time, Doug Hennig was a sophomore in high school, and seemed very athletic and fit, yet when he was in junior high he was very obese and bullied by his classmates, similar to Jimmy Winterpock in 'The Fat Boy Chronicles.' Mike Buchanan and I decided to tell his story to help kids who are bullied because of their weight, or because they seem different from others, and to help kids understand how much their bullied peers suffer. We hoped the book would be a starting point for conversations about bullying, and we hoped the book would create empathy in teens for others.
What was your experience like while writing this book?
Mike: Even though the story is fiction, there is still a lot of truth in it. Many of the scenes are borrowed from our own experiences as teachers and from our lives. When I would work on the more painful days of Jimmy's life, I would often reflect on my own school days. I would remember how it felt to left out because of being the smallest kid in class. And, regretfully, I would remember the days in which I was the bystander, the times in which I did nothing by watch the victim get bullied. Those days in particular haunt me still. But when I was writing about the entertaining part of being in school, there are many times I laughed out loud.
What do you hope readers take away from The Fat Boy Chronicles?
Mike: I hope the reader will gain a new confidence in themselves and an appreciation of how they truly can change the life of someone else. And "changing" can have two meanings. One is that through your actions, or lack thereof, you have the capacity for destroy a person's self esteem, restrict their potential as a human and sometimes even cost them their lives. On the other hand, you have within you the opportunity to be a hero for someone, to make a difference in their life that they will remember forever. And all is costs you is a few moments of sitting with them at the lunch table, a simple phrase of "how about leaving them alone?" or being a real friend when someone needs you.
What do you remember about your local library growing up?
Diane: As a child I loved browsing the library, and without the library, I would have never found such wondrous books as "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," "Girl of the Limberlost," and "Anne of Green Gables." Some of my other favorite books as a teen were "East of Eden," "The Pickwick Papers," and "Sister Carrie." My all time favorite novel is "All the Kings Men" by Robert Penn Warren.
I think parents should take their children to the library as soon they are old enough to walk. My dad loved to read, and he was the one that took me to library before I was old enough to put sentences together. My dad turned me on to "Little Women" and "Ivanhoe," among many other well-known books.
Any Advice to young writers?
Diane: My advice to young writers is to READ, READ, and READ. Almost through osmosis, a person who reads a lot of books learns the structure and the nuances of good writing.
Mike: No matter what it is you write about-write! Even if you just write about your day at school, each time you put your words on paper, you get closer to learning your own voice.
We have your Summer READ!
Summer reads for adults, teens, and children
From now until June 23rd you can borrow the eBook and audiobook of Kate White's psychological thriller, Eyes on You without any wait lists of holds. Millions of users from thousands of libraries around the world have the opportunity to join this global book club by enjoying this title by a New York Times bestselling author and former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.
You can learn more about Kate White, her book and the Big Library Read Program by checking out http://biglibraryread.com/. Also, be sure to follow Kate on Facebook and Twitter. You can also join our Big Library Read conversation on Twitter by following OverDrive and using the hashtag #BigLibraryRead. Don't forget to join us on Twitter on June 17th at 1 pm for a chat with Kate White!
Meet the Author:
Kate White, the former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, is the New York Times bestselling author of the stand-alone novels Hush, The Sixes, and Eyes on You, as well as the Bailey Weggins mystery series. She is editor of The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. She is also the author of popular career books for women, including I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve. You can contact her or learn more about her at katewhite.com.
It's the OverDrive Summer Read program for young readers.Similar to the Big Library Read, this program enables users borrow two titles, The Fat Boy Chronicles and Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky without waitlists or holds until July 9th.
About The Authors
Diane Lang and Michael Buchanan, both nationally-recognized retired teachers were inspired to write The Fat Boy Chronicles after witnessing the issues of bullying and obesity many students face every single day. Based on a true story, their book has won the National Parenting Publication's Gold Award, and Mom's Choice Award of Excellence and is used by schools around the nation in their anti-bullying and childhood obesity efforts. They both serve as guest speakers at schools around the U.S. The sequel to The Fat Boy Chronicles is currently under way.
Sandra Dallas is an award-winning author, dubbed as the quintessential American voice" by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. She is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award and the two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award. For 25 years, Dallas worked as a reporter covering the Rocky Mountain region for Business Week, and started writing fiction in 1990. She has written several novels some of which have been optioned for films.
New from Overdrive: Dyslexic font options and waiting list display
This week OverDrive released new updates to our library websites that continue to provide users with a more fulfilling digital reading experience. A few months back we added a dyslexic font option to the OverDrive app. Due to the popularity of this feature it has now been added as an option on your OverDrive-powered digital library website as well. This means users can more easily navigate your site to find titles to enjoy in the same font they have selected to read them in.
The dyslexic font option can be found in the Settings tab under the account button along with a number of other options to help customize the search experience including lending period preferences, maturity level settings and more. This option is now available on all public and school library websites. The Dyslexic font is designed with a heavy-weighted bottom to increase readability for users with dyslexia. Turning on this setting will update all text at the site to the dyslexic font.
Updates to the waiting list display
We have also updated the way users will see what place they are in line for a hold. Instead of displaying the total number of patrons waiting, users will only see the number of holds per copy. This gives users a better idea of when to expect the title thus allowing them to borrow other titles accordingly.
These updates are live on the digital collection of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library.
post by Adam Sockel is a Social Media Specialist with OverDrive
Pierce Brosnan's 'Survivor' Premieres for Free With Hoopla App
Streaming app Hoopla is bringing first-run VOD movies to library patrons of for free, with choices like the brand-new Pierce Brosnan-Milla Jovovich actioner Survivor and recent day-and-date VOD release Welcome to Me, starring Kristen Wiig.
Hoopla Digital allows patrons of dozens of libraries across the country access to hundreds of free movies, mostly library titles such as Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," "Tracks" and "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" as well as TV shows such as "Marco Polo" and numerous childrens' programs.
The service also offers music and ebooks. Libraries pay Hoopla a fee for each time a library patron streams a title, while the users can stream on any device, free of charge, for up to three days.
Survivor is also opening in a small number of theaters — just in case moviegoers don't happen to have a library car.
written by @RealReeceRistau
Onscreen navigation for OverDrive app
OverDrive app to be featured in Android Auto demos at Google I/O conference
Exciting news for your library's audiobooks! On May 28-29, attendees of the Google I/O conference in San Francisco will have the opportunity to demo OverDrive's Android app with Android Auto support. Android Auto was designed to make it easy for drivers to more safely interact with apps, music, maps and more by showing the information clearly on in-car navigation screens. The OverDrive app will enable users to enjoy audiobooks they have borrowed from their library with simple onscreen navigation tools available in a variety of different car models. The OverDrive app will also be navigable via Google voice commands.
Android Auto extends the Android platform into the car in a way that's purpose-built for driving. After connecting an Android phone to a compatible car, drivers will be able to "project" their experience onto their car's in-dash display, giving them access to apps and services which have been optimized for the car with voice input and glanceable controls.
OverDrive continues to invest in the ease of use and broad applicability of its apps. This offers another opportunity for users to multi-task by enjoying library audiobooks on their commute or while they travel. OverDrive for Android with Android Auto support is coming soon.
Keep reading all Summer long
OverDrive is excited to introduce our inaugural OverDrive Summer Read program, designed to encourage your students to keep reading all year long. This program aims to help prevent the Summer Slide by providing exciting titles young readers that are simultaneously available during the summer weeks. The below titles will be automatically added to the eReading Rooms. Similar to the Big Library Read this program will enable young readers to enjoy these titles without any wait lists or holds during the summer.
The program dates are June 9-July 9.
The Fat Boy Chronicles by Diane Lang & Michael Buchanan. It's bad enough being the new kid, but as a freshman, Jimmy finds school less enjoyable than many of his classmates. Standing 5'5″ and weighing 187 pounds, he's subjected to a daily barrage of taunts and torments. His only sources of comfort are his family, his youth group, and his favorite foods. When his English teacher assigns a journal as a writing project, Jimmy chronicles not only his struggles but also his aspirations – to lose weight and win the girl of his dreams. Inspired by a true story and told in first-person journal entries, The Fat Boy Chronicles brings to life the pain and isolation felt by many overweight teenagers as they try to find their way in a world obsessed with outward beauty.
Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas. It's 1942: Tomi Itano, 12, is a second-generation Japanese American who lives in California with her family on their strawberry farm. Although her parents came from Japan and her grandparents still live there, Tomi considers herself an American. She doesn't speak Japanese and has never been to Japan. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, things change. No Japs Allowed signs hang in store windows and Tomi's family is ostracized.
Things get much worse. Suspected as a spy, Tomi's father is taken away. The rest of the Itano family is sent to an internment camp in Colorado. Many other Japanese American families face a similar fate. Tomi becomes bitter, wondering how her country could treat her and her family like the enemy. What does she need to do to prove she is an honorable American? Sandra Dallas shines a light on a dark period of American history in this story of a young Japanese American girl caught up in the prejudices and World War II.
If you liked "The Girl on the Train", then read...
If you've heard anything about the latest in marriage thriller novels this year, you know that the one to read is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. But, if you've been trying to get your hands on it through your library (as you should), you may have noticed that you're not alone. While you wait for your hold on this thrilling title, we've got some other books you can check out to tide you over.
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica—This thrilling novel uses a shifting viewpoints writing style that is similar to The Girl on the Train and tells the story of a girl who is kidnapped. Mia, the daughter of a Chicago judge is abducted, but her kidnapper decides to go against the plan…you won't believe the twists and turns ahead.
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison—What do you do when your husband, a committed cheater, decides to actually leave you? Jodi finds out when her husband Todd decides to dissolve their marriage and start a new life with another woman. But Jodi won't let him go that easily…
Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm—A woman who calls herself Julie from California is living in Paris with a big secret. Her real name is Grace and she's from Tennessee, a place where two men have just been released from jail for a crime that she planned in great detail. When things went sour, Grace got out on a flight to Europe while the two men took the fall. What will happen if they find her?
A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison—Annie is a happily married wife and mother with a relatively good life. But when a photograph arrives in her mailbox from days long gone, trouble begins to brew. Annie must quickly try to put together the pieces of her life when her past threatens to ruin it all.
review by Emma Kanagaki, Collection Development Analyst (OverDrive)
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