Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: A laser device includes a laser configured to generate laser light and a laser control module configured to receive at least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser, to generate a control signal and to feed the control signal back to the laser for stabilizing the frequency, wherein the laser control module includes a tunable frequency discriminating element which is preferably continuously frequency tunable, and where the laser control module is placed outside the laser cavity.

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc.

Abstract: A fluid coil includes a tube bundle having a series of straight tubing runs and a series of return bends extending between and fluidically connecting ones of the straight tubing runs, an expansion header fluidically connected to at least some of the return bends and a polymeric material disposed in the expansion header. The polymeric material has an initial shape and is compressible to repeatedly expand and contract between a first volume in which water is present in the tube bundle and a second volume in which the water undergoes a phase change. Contraction of the polymeric material absorbs an increase in volume as the water undergoes the phase change to prevent stressing and rupture of the tube bundle and upon an opposite phase change, the polymeric material returns to its initial shape. The polymeric material can be a pressurizable bladder. A system and method to prevent the rupture of a tube bundle in a fluid coil are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid coil includes a tube bundle having a series of straight tubing runs and a series of return bends extending between and fluidically connecting ones of the straight tubing runs, an expansion header fluidically connected to at least some of the return bends and a polymeric material disposed in the expansion header. The polymeric material has an initial shape and is compressible to repeatedly expand and contract between a first volume in which water is present in the tube bundle and a second volume in which the water undergoes a phase change. Contraction of the polymeric material absorbs an increase in volume as the water undergoes the phase change to prevent stressing and rupture of the tube bundle and upon an opposite phase change, the polymeric material returns to its initial shape. The polymeric material can be a pressurizable bladder. A system and method to prevent the rupture of a tube bundle in a fluid coil are also disclosed.

Abstract: Biomaterials, in particular bone foams, a process for preparing such materials as well as an applicator for applying the biomaterials directly to the patient's application site, and the use of a composition comprising water, a surfactant and a propellant in the preparation of a bone foam for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam wherein the foam is obtainable by the mixture of at least two phases, a first phase comprising water and optionally a propellant, a second phase comprising one or more sources for calcium and/or phosphate, and wherein the foaming is performed during the mixture of the at least two phases to provide an improved calcium phosphate foam, process for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam, use of a composition, solid state structure, calcium phosphate cement foam and bone foam applicator.

Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: A fluid coil includes a tube bundle having a series of straight tubing runs and a series of return bends extending between and fluidically connecting ones of the straight tubing runs, an expansion header fluidically connected to at least some of the return bends and a polymeric material disposed in the expansion header. The polymeric material has an initial shape and is compressible to repeatedly expand and contract between a first volume in which water is present in the tube bundle and a second volume in which the water undergoes a phase change. Contraction of the polymeric material absorbs an increase in volume as the water undergoes the phase change to prevent stressing and rupture of the tube bundle and upon an opposite phase change, the polymeric material returns to its initial shape. The polymeric material can be a pressurizable bladder. A system and method to prevent the rupture of a tube bundle in a fluid coil are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implant for use in a surgical procedure, a corresponding implant and the use thereof during the incorporation of a substance is presented. Specifically anodized and blasted titanium implant substrates are provided with a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating for incorporating for example a therapeutic agent. In particular, an anodizing procedure by an electrolytic process in an alkaline liquid is carried out. Moreover, blasting of the anodized titanium implant substrate is carried out by the presented method. The HA coating can be in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, particularly in the range of 1 to 3 ?m. A local delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient is achieved by the implant of the present invention. Moreover, the implant allows for the removal of the implant without damaging surrounding tissue or a bone. Moreover, the HA coating is provided to the substrate such that enhanced fixation as measured by pull-out force is achieved whilst having a relatively low removal torque.

Abstract: An assembly-toy chassis building element for a toy vehicle is configured for being non-rotatably connected to another chassis element of the toy vehicle. The chassis element has a top side, two side walls, two end walls and compatible coupling components disposed at opposite ends of the chassis element for enabling the chassis element to be rotatably coupled to another such chassis element. The top side and/or at least one end wall of each chassis element is disposed and configured for connection to an intermediate building element that is adapted, either alone or in combination with at least one other intermediate building element, to effect a non-rotatable end-to-end connection with another such chassis element.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a product from a plant material comprising the steps of providing a disrupted plant material comprising <10% (w/w) starch and <10% (w/w) oil/lipids; adjusting the pH of the disrupted plant material to a value of pH 3.5 or below to provide an acidic suspension; heating the acidic suspension to a temperature in the range of about 50° C. to about 80° C.; isolating the product from the heated, acidic suspension. The product may be a protein product or a non-protein product. In particular, the process of the invention provides a protein product with reduced contents of non-protein components of negative nutritional value.

Abstract: Biomaterials, in particular bone foams, a process for preparing such materials as well as an applicator for applying the biomaterials directly to the patient's application site, and the use of a composition comprising water, a surfactant and a propellant in the preparation of a bone foam for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam wherein the foam is obtainable by the mixture of at least two phases, a first phase comprising water and optionally a propellant, a second phase comprising one or more sources for calcium and/or phosphate, and wherein the foaming is performed during the mixture of the at least two phases to provide an improved calcium phosphate foam, process for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam, use of a composition, solid state structure, calcium phosphate cement foam and bone foam applicator.

Abstract: Biomaterials, in particular bone foams, a process for preparing such materials as well as an applicator for applying the biomaterials directly to the patient's application site, and the use of a composition comprising water, a surfactant and a propellant in the preparation of a bone foam for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam wherein the foam is obtainable by the mixture of at least two phases, a first phase comprising water and optionally a propellant, a second phase comprising one or more sources for calcium and/or phosphate, and wherein the foaming is performed during the mixture of the at least two phases to provide an improved calcium phosphate foam, process for the preparation of a calcium phosphate foam, use of a composition, solid state structure, calcium phosphate cement foam and bone foam applicator.

Abstract: An assembly-toy chassis building element for a toy vehicle is configured for being non-rotatably connected to another chassis element of the toy vehicle. The chassis element has a top side, two side walls, two end walls and compatible coupling components disposed at opposite ends of the chassis element for enabling the chassis element to be rotatably coupled to another such chassis element. The top side and/or at least one end wall of each chassis element is disposed and configured for connection to an intermediate building element that is adapted, either alone or in combination with at least one other intermediate building element, to effect a non-rotatable end-to-end connection with another such chassis element.

Abstract: A method for co-precipitating a therapeutic agent into a hydroxyapatite coated surface includes the steps of providing a surface and applying a hydroxyapatite seed layer on the surface. The hydroxyapatite seed layered surface is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent and a co-precipitated therapeutic agent, hydroxyapatite layer is formed on the coated surface to uniformly distribute the therapeutic agent in the layer. Further, an implant having sustained therapeutic agent delivery includes a base and an hydroxyapatite seed layer disposed on a surface of the base. A co-precipitated hydroxyapatite coating is disposed on the seed layer. The coating includes a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is provided in a solution of therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for loading a hydroxyapatite coated implant with a therapeutic agent including the steps of providing an implant and applying a hydroxyapatite coating on a surface of the implant. The hydroxyapatite coated implant is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent. The hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution is heated to temperature of about 60° C. to about 100° C. Pressure is applied to the hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution from about 2 bar to about 10 bar, to load the hydroxyapatite coated implant with the therapeutic agent. An implant made according to the method has sustained therapeutic agent delivery and includes a base and a biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating disposed on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a product from a plant material comprising the steps of providing a disrupted plant material comprising <10% (w/w) starch and <10% (w/w) oil/lipids; adjusting the pH of the disrupted plant material to a value of pH 3.5 or below to provide an acidic suspension; heating the acidic suspension to a temperature in the range of about 50° C. to about 80° C.; isolating the product from the heated, acidic suspension. The product may be a protein product or a non-protein product. In particular, the process of the invention provides a protein product with reduced contents of non-protein components of negative nutritional value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a product from a plant material including the steps of providing a disrupted plant material including <10% (w/w) starch and <10% (w/w) oil/lipids; adjusting the pH of the disrupted plant material to a value of pH 3.5 or below to provide an acidic suspension; heating the acidic suspension to a temperature in the range of about 50° C. to about 80° C.; isolating the product from the heated, acidic suspension. The product may be a protein product or a non-protein product. In particular, the process of the invention provides a protein product with reduced contents of non-protein components of negative nutritional value.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implant for use in a surgical procedure, a corresponding implant and the use thereof during the incorporation of a substance is presented. Specifically anodized and blasted titanium implant substrates are provided with a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating for incorporating for example a therapeutic agent. In particular, an anodizing procedure by an electrolytic process in an alkaline liquid is carried out. Moreover, blasting of the anodized titanium implant substrate is carried out by the presented method. The HA coating can be in the range of 1 to 5 ?m, particularly in the range of 1 to 3 ?m. A local delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient is achieved by the implant of the present invention. Moreover, the implant allows for the removal of the implant without damaging surrounding tissue or a bone. Moreover, the HA coating is provided to the substrate such that enhanced fixation as measured by pull-out force is achieved whilst having a relatively low removal torque.