Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward implantable medical devices, systems, and methods for cardiac assistance.

Abstract: A grease absorbing utensil includes a pad that includes a set of layers and a handle coupled to the pad. Each layer is made from at least one flexible material that is lipophilic and biodegradable. The handle is lipophilic and biodegradable.

Abstract: A grease absorbing utensil includes a pad that includes a set of layers and a handle coupled to the pad. Each layer is made from at least one flexible material that is lipophilic and biodegradable. The handle is lipophilic and biodegradable.

Abstract: A flexible cover system includes a sheet of flexible material having a first face and a second face. Each receptacle from a set of receptacles has walls coupled to the sheet's first face. The walls extend away from the first face and terminate at an opening of the receptacle that resides in a plane that is parallel to the first face. The walls associated with each receptacle are separated from the walls associated with adjacent ones of the receptacles by an air-filled gap. Each body from a set of bodies is configured for retention in one of the receptacles by the walls associated therewith.

Abstract: A flexible cover system includes a sheet of flexible material having a first face and a second face. Each receptacle from a set of receptacles has walls coupled to the sheet's first face that extend to an opening of the receptacle. The walls associated with each receptacle are separated from the walls associated with adjacent ones of the receptacles by an air-filled gap. Each body from a set of bodies is configured for retention in one of the receptacles by the walls associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for sealing a vessel includes supplying electrical energy to an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an end effector and a transducer coupled to the end effector, when the end effector is grasping a vessel, sensing parameters of the vessel when the end effector achieves a predetermined velocity, estimating a size of the vessel based on the sensed parameters, controlling the electrical energy based on maintaining a predetermined initial heating rate of heating the vessel until a predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered, and controlling the electrical energy based on a predetermined heating rate curve of heating the vessel after the predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered.

Abstract: A system for introducing breathable air at a face mask worn by a person includes a wearable manifold and a flexible conduit. The manifold has an inlet port adapted to receive a supply of breathable air and an outlet port. The flexible conduit has a first open end and a second open end. The first open end is coupled to the outlet port of the manifold, and the second open end is adapted to be placed between the person's face and a face mask worn by the person.

Abstract: A personal protected-air system includes a ring adapted to fit over a user's head. The ring includes a port for receiving breathable air, a manifold in fluid communication with the port, and vents in fluid communication with the manifold. The vents are distributed about a portion of the ring. A face mask is coupled to the ring. The face mask has a first edge, a second edge, and mask material extending from the first edge to the second edge. The first edge is coupled to the ring adjacent to the portion thereof where the vents are so-distributed.

Abstract: A method for sealing a vessel includes supplying electrical energy to an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an end effector and a transducer coupled to the end effector, when the end effector is grasping a vessel, sensing parameters of the vessel when the end effector achieves a predetermined velocity, estimating a size of the vessel based on the sensed parameters, controlling the electrical energy based on maintaining a predetermined initial heating rate of heating the vessel until a predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered, and controlling the electrical energy based on a predetermined heating rate curve of heating the vessel after the predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered.

Abstract: A method includes providing electrical energy to a transducer for sealing a vessel, where a frequency of the electrical energy is in an ultrasound range, controlling the electrical energy to achieve a predetermined velocity of an end effector coupled to the transducer, when the end effector is grasping the vessel, sensing parameters of the electrical energy when the end effector achieves the predetermined velocity, calculating power of the electrical energy based on the sensed parameters and estimating a size range of the vessel based on the power, and controlling the electrical energy to achieve a target velocity, which is determined based on the estimated size range of the vessel, to seal the vessel.

Abstract: A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus comprises a plurality of support members. Each of the plurality of support members has a curved profile to resist bending in at least one direction. The guiding apparatus also comprises a retraction system coupled to the plurality of support members. The plurality of support members has an extended configuration in which the plurality of support members is positioned in an arrangement to form a channel sized to receive an instrument. The plurality of support members has a retracted configuration in which each of the plurality of support members is retracted within the retraction system as the instrument is advanced along a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.

Abstract: A personal protected-air system includes first and second rings, and a sleeve coupled on each end thereof to one of the rings. The first ring includes a port for receiving filtered air under pressure, a manifold in fluid communication with the port, and vents in fluid communication with the manifold and the interior region of the sleeve. The sleeve includes a transparent region. In use, the second ring fits over a user's head, the sleeve encases the user's head, and the first ring rests on a top portion of the user's head. The second ring includes an air passage providing fluid communication between an ambient environment and the interior region of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and methods for combining time reversal and elastic nonlinearity of formation materials for qualtitatively probing for over-pressured regions down hole in advance of a well drilling bit, to determine the distance to the over-pressured region, and for accurately measuring pore pressure downhole in a formation, are described. Classical and reciprocal time reversal methods may be utilized to achieve these measurements.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and methods for measurement of pore pressure in rock formations through a metal borehole casing (32) after a well is cased and cemented, are described. Such measurements may be accomplished by using the Dynamic Acoustic Elasticity (DAE) method for characterizing nonlinear parameters by perturbing a selected rock formation region with a High Amplitude, Low Frequency (HALF) acoustic strain wave, and probing this region using a Low Amplitude, High Frequency (LAHF) acoustic wave (18), (22). Time reversal techniques (36) may be employed for focusing acoustic energy into the formation in the vicinity of the pipe or open hole. The change in wave speed of the probe pulses as the HALF induced strain wave oscillation propagates through the formation, as a function of the induced strain, may be used to determine the nonlinear elastic parameters ?, ?, ?, and A of the pore pressure, from which the pore pressure may be determined in the region of the HALF wave.

Abstract: A method for sealing a vessel includes supplying electrical energy to an ultrasonic surgical instrument having an end effector and a transducer coupled to the end effector, when the end effector is grasping a vessel, sensing parameters of the vessel when the end effector achieves a predetermined velocity, estimating a size of the vessel based on the sensed parameters, controlling the electrical energy based on maintaining a predetermined initial heating rate of heating the vessel until a predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered, and controlling the electrical energy based on a predetermined heating rate curve of heating the vessel after the predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the estimated size of the vessel has been delivered.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include swellable smart gel sealants. In certain embodiments, the smart gel sealants reversibly swell when exposed to a certain trigger, such as temperature or pH. In specific embodiments, the smart gel is disposed within voids in a well and triggered to swell in order to seal the voids. One application of the smart gel sealant is to seal the casing of a well against the leakage of gas, such as CO2.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for performing nonlinear elasticity measurements using the dynamic acousto-elasticity technique (DAET) at simulated subsurface conditions in the laboratory, are described. The current state-of-the-art for measuring nonlinear elasticity parameters using DAET is limited to ambient pressure conditions on the bench-top. The present invention permits nonlinear parameter measurements at controlled sample internal fluid pore pressures (52) and external confining stress (44), (50) conditions.