Abstract: A method of compressing tissue during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, establishing a communication pathway between the surgical instrument and a surgical hub, and inserting the surgical instrument into a surgical site. The method further comprises compressing tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, determining a location of the compressed tissue with respect to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, communicating the determined location of the compressed tissue to the surgical hub, and displaying the determined location of the compressed tissue on a visual feedback device.

Abstract: A computer readable media, a method, and a system registering a third party application providing an available communication system between a local user and a remote user identity, storing information related to the available communication system in a first database, obtaining contact information for the remote user identity from the third party application, determining a communication type for the third party application, pairing the remote user identity with a contact, and updating a graphical representation of contact information.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a smoking device is provided. The mouthpiece comprises a porous substrate. The porous surface comprises a wall having an outer surface having an outer cross-sectional shape and an inner surface having an inner cross-sectional shape. The inner surface defines a hollow interior space. A wall thickness is defined by the outer and inner surfaces. The porous substrate has a specific hardness of at least about 1.5 hardness % per weight (g) per length (mm) of the porous substrate. The porous substrate has a porosity of about 50% to about 70%. The inner and outer surfaces provide a wall thickness of about 20% to 60% of an area defined by the outer cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a smoking device is provided. The mouthpiece comprises a porous substrate. The porous surface comprises a wall having an outer surface having an outer cross-sectional shape and an inner surface having an inner cross-sectional shape. The inner surface defines a hollow interior space. A wall thickness is defined by the outer and inner surfaces. The porous substrate has a specific hardness of at least about 1.5 hardness % per weight (g) per length (mm) of the porous substrate. The porous substrate has a porosity of about 50% to about 70%. The inner and outer surfaces provide a wall thickness of about 20% to 60% of an area defined by the outer cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sharing energy between devices are provided. For example, an electronic device (100) can include a control circuit (504) and an energy storage device (301) operable with the control circuit. The electronic device can include a power interface (201) operable with the energy storage device and a user interface, such as a control button (303), that is operable with the control circuit. The control circuit can determine another device (601) is coupled to the power interface, and can detect user input occurring at the user interface for at least a predetermined duration (701). In response, the control circuit can cause the energy storage device to deliver a portion of energy stored therein to the another device through the power interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a location object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more location object-based actions using the location object. The client device stores the tracer information and location object usage information, which describes the one or more location object-based actions that have been performed using the location object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a traceable object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more object-related actions using the traceable object. The client device stores the tracer information and object usage information, which describes the one or more object-related actions that have been performed using the traceable object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a location object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more location object-based actions using the location object. The client device stores the tracer information and location object usage information, which describes the one or more location object-based actions that have been performed using the location object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a traceable object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more object-related actions using the traceable object. The client device stores the tracer information and object usage information, which describes the one or more object-related actions that have been performed using the traceable object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a traceable object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more object-related actions using the traceable object. The client device stores the tracer information and object usage information, which describes the one or more object-related actions that have been performed using the traceable object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.

Abstract: A bicomponent fiber wick is provided for use in processing an analyte fluid. The bicomponent fiber wick comprises a self-sustaining, fluid transmissive body comprising a plurality of bundled, crimped, bicomponent fibers bonded to each other at spaced apart contact points. Each bicomponent fiber has a fiber structure comprising a first fiber component formed from a polyamide material and a second fiber component. The fibers collectively define tortuous fluid flow paths through the fluid transmissive body, the fiber structure being configured for controlling flow of the analyte fluid through the fluid transmissive body with at least a portion of the first fiber component in contact with the analyte fluid.

Abstract: An ink absorbing substrate suitable for use in inkjet printing systems is provided. The substrate comprises at least one continuous fiber bonded to itself at points of contact to form a substantially self-sustaining structure for retaining ink. The continuous fiber preferably is a bicomponent fiber having a core material and a sheath material at least partially surrounding the core material. The core material preferably is a crystalline thermoplastic polymer and the sheath material preferably is low density polyethylene modified with a cycloolefin copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber optic cable clips for securing and routing fiber optic cables on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other component used in the communications field. One fiber optic cable clip includes a U-shaped body connected to attachment legs that permanently connect to the PCB. The U-shaped body defines a containment area for receiving and retaining fiber optic cables. The U-shaped body also includes spring-loaded arms or pads that flex open to permit entrance of the fiber optic cables into the containment area, and flex close to retain the cables therein. The fiber optic cable clips retain multiple cables, are easy to use, and do not damage the cables when installing the cables within the clip. If the fiber optic cables are pulled when contained within the clip, the fiber optic cable clips will flex and release the cable before the cables are damaged.

Abstract: A connect and disconnect assembly for connecting and disconnecting a laser diode having leads to a printed circuit board (PCB). The assembly includes a heatsink that connects with the printed circuit board by providing cap screws through the PCB which are threadably received in spacers connected to the heatsink. A connection assembly made up of a retainer block and screws connects the laser diode to the heatsink. The laser diode is provided through a cutout portion of the PCB, and connects to the heatsink by providing the screws through the retainer block and the laser diode, the screws being threadably received in the heatsink. A pair of fuzz button carriers are interposed between the laser diode and the PCB. Each fuzz button carrier has a body portion, spaced guide portions extending above the body portion, and fuzz buttons extending through the body portion.

Abstract: A lifting device that simultaneously lifts a plurality of retaining wall blocks initially oriented in a triangular configuration on a pallet and allows them to be easily realigned in a linear configuration on a retaining wall. The lifting device comprises two pivoting lateral extending side arms with clamping units attached to their distal ends. Attached to the main planar frame is a central clamping unit. Each clamping unit includes an insert member that inserts into a large, vertically aligned hole formed in the block. When the clamping units are inserted into the hole and activated, three triangularly aligned sets of blocks on a pallet may be lifted. The side arms are designed to pivot rearward so that the front surfaces of the blocks are longitudinally aligned and the blocks are positioned in a side-by-side manner. Once properly realigned, the lifting device is lowered so that the three blocks are simultaneously placed over the top row of the retaining wall.

Abstract: A lifting device that simultaneously lifts a plurality of retaining wall blocks initially oriented in a triangular configuration on a pallet and allows them to be easily re-aligned in a linear configuration on a retaining wall. The lifting device comprises two pivoting lateral extending side arms with clamping units attached to their distal ends. Attached to the main planar frame is a central clamping unit. Each clamping unit includes an insert member that inserts into a large, vertically aligned hole formed in the block. When the clamping units are inserted into the hole and activated, three triangular aligned sets of blocks on a pallet may be lifted. The side arms are designed to pivot rearward so that the front surfaces of the blocks are longitudinally aligned and the blocks are positioned in a side-by-side manner. Once properly re-aligned, the lifting device is lowered so that the three blocks are simultaneously placed over the top row of the retaining wall.

Abstract: A computer and a chassis construction for a computer for severe environmental conditions enclosing a plurality of circuit cards and a power supply includes a sealed, airtight, watertight, metal enclosure having a plurality of integrally joined walls, a first of the plurality of walls having a removable plate for access to the printed circuit cards and the power supply accommodated in the enclosure. The computer for use in a severe environment includes a plurality of printed circuit boards and a power supply and a metal enclosure having a plurality of walls, a top cover and a bottom plate, the enclosure being integrally formed to form an airtight seal along abutting edges thereof. One of the walls has a removable plate and the enclosure is formed of metal. A mechanism is provided for preventing ingress of foreign substances in the enclosure. The mechanism includes a device for shielding the interior of the enclosure from electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: A packaging system for a standard electronic module is provided utilizing a multi-layer, low temperature, co-fired ceramic motherboard. Device packages, such as an RF device package, are formed of low temperature, low dielectric, co-fired ceramic materials. The device packages are mounted on a composite heat sink provide on one side of the motherboard. A pressure plate provide on the opposite side of the motherboard is fastened to the heat sink to compress the device package. Pressure contact interconnects are used to make contacts between the device packages and the particular conductor layer in the multilayer motherboard. The radio frequency conductor layer in the motherboard is isolated from power and control layers by ground planes provided in the motherboard.

Abstract: Both a system and method is provided for implementing a wiring change with respect to an electrical component detachably connected to a solderless PWB module. The system comprises at least one unused via on the PWB, an insulator used for electrically disconnecting a selected contact pad of the component from a contact pad disposed on the PWB, and a metallic strip mounted on a substrate for electrically connecting the selected component contact pad to the unused via. In one embodiment of the system, the substrate used to support the conductive strip is the compliant, insulative sheet material used in the interface that normally interconnects the pads of the electrical component with the pads of the PWB module. Alternatively, a separate "smart" layer formed from a thin insulative sheet material may be used to support the conductive strip.