Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin. The vehicle includes a truck bed cover that is sized to cover the truck bed and is movably attached to one or more walls of the truck bed to allow the truck bed cover to be moved between open and closed positions. The truck bed cover includes a latching device that engages a striker in the closed position. A sensing device is mounted in the truck bed that is configured to provide an indication of an open condition of the truck bed cover to a vehicle locking and security ECU. The locking and security ECU configured to provide an indication using an OEM security system of the vehicle when the open condition is detected.

Abstract: A method of making a suture needle having a bendable region includes obtaining a suture needle made of a martensitic alloy having an austenitic transition temperature. The suture needle has a proximal section, a distal section with a sharpened tip, and a bendable region located between the proximal and distal sections. The method includes heating the suture needle to a first temperature that is greater than the austenitic transition temperature of the martensitic alloy and quenching the suture needle to room temperature to harden the martensitic alloy, After heating and quenching, the bendable region of the suture needle is heated locally to a second temperature that is above 800 degrees Celsius, but below the austenitic transition temperature of the martensitic alloy so that the bendable region is softened and made more flexible relative to the proximal and distal sections of the suture needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coating applicator operable to apply a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, an atomizer operable to atomize the therapeutic agent, and a source of vacuum in communication with the device compartment. The coating applicator may further comprise a drier, and the drier may comprise an arrangement to operate the source of vacuum for a time sufficient to promote drying of applied therapeutic agent. Deposition of the atomized therapeutic agent may be promoted by contacting the atomized therapeutic agent while the object is in a chilled condition and by contacting the object with atomized therapeutic agent while the atomized therapeutic agent is in a heated condition. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastic suture needle for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a top surface extending along the length of the elongated body, and a bottom surface extending along the length of the elongated body. The elongated body has dimensions that are calculated using the equation T/LN < (2*?)/(?E), where T is the thickness of the elongated body, LN is the length of the neutral axis of the elongated body, ? is the yield strength of the elongated body, and E is the Young’s modulus of the elongated body. The elongated body is made of stainless steels such as martensitic stainless steels, austenitic stainless steels, martensitic-aged (mar-aged) stainless steels, and stainless steels sold under the registered trademark ETHALLOY® Needle Alloy.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin and a vehicle body including a cargo area rearward of the cabin. A tailgate assembly is mounted to the vehicle body that closes the cargo area. The tailgate assembly includes a rear-mounted video camera. An electronic control unit receives image data from the rear-mounted video camera. A connector communicatively couples the electronic control unit and the rear-mounted video camera. The connector has a closed configuration with the tailgate assembly mounted to the vehicle body and an open configuration with the tailgate assembly removed from the vehicle body. The electronic control unit includes logic that, wherein executed by a processor, causes the electronic control unit to receive signals from an alarm circuit when the connector is in the closed configuration and detect when the signals from the alarm circuit have stopped when the connector is in the open configuration.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for future event recommendation are provided. For example, messages of a user account of a user are parsed to identify messages corresponding to events attended by the user. Event features are extracted from the messages, where an event feature is descriptive of an aspect of an event. An event database of future events is queried using the event features to identify future events having one or more of the event features. A description of the future events is constructed and provided to the user.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin and a vehicle body including a cargo area rearward of the cabin. A tailgate assembly is mounted to the vehicle body that closes the cargo area. The tailgate assembly includes a rear-mounted video camera. An electronic control unit receives image data from the rear-mounted video camera. A connector communicatively couples the electronic control unit and the rear-mounted video camera. The connector has a closed configuration with the tailgate assembly mounted to the vehicle body and an open configuration with the tailgate assembly removed from the vehicle body. The electronic control unit includes logic that, wherein executed by a processor, causes the electronic control unit to receive signals from an alarm circuit when the connector is in the closed configuration and detect when the signals from the alarm circuit have stopped when the connector is in the open configuration.

Abstract: An elastic suture needle for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a top surface extending along the length of the elongated body, and a bottom surface extending along the length of the elongated body. The elongated body has dimensions that are calculated using the equation T/LN<(4*?)/(?E), where T is the thickness of the elongated body, LN is the length of the neutral axis of the elongated body, ? is the yield strength of the elongated body, and E is the Young's modulus of the elongated body. The elongated body is made of stainless steels such as martensitic stainless steels, austenitic stainless steels, martensitic-aged (mar-aged) stainless steels, and stainless steels sold under the registered trademark ETHALLOY® Needle Alloy.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering fluids includes a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, and an elongated lumen that extends through the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube. One or more fluid openings are formed in the distal section of the hollow tube, which are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen of the hollow tube. A visible marker collar is secured to an outer surface of the hollow tube and is located at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube. A visible marker filament is disposed within the elongated lumen of the hollow tube and extends between the junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube and a distal end of the hollow tube. The visible markers are used to identify a soaker region of the catheter used to infuse fluids or drain fluids from a patient.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter includes obtaining a hollow tube having a proximal section, a distal section, an elongated conduit, and one or more fluid openings formed in the distal section of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen. The method includes inserting a mandrel within the elongated lumen, positioning a first visible marker over an outer surface of the hollow tube at a junction of the proximal and distal sections of the hollow tube, and placing a sacrificial material over the first visible marker to completely cover the first visible marker. Heat is applied for shrinking the sacrificial material, which, in turn, compresses the first visible marker against the outer surface of the hollow tube, and for least partially melting the first visible marker for fusing the first visible marker to the outer surface of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A ceiling material installation tool wherein the present invention assists in the installation of tongue and groove ceiling planks. The present invention includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a lateral support member with longitudinal support members at opposing ends thereof. The lateral support member can be configured to be adjustable in length so as to place the longitudinal support members against adjacent support trusses that are alternate distances. The lower portion of the frame includes a vertical support member extending downward from the lateral support member. An upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member are coupled to the vertical support member both being perpendicular to the vertical support member and axially aligned. The upper horizontal member can be vertically adjustable along the vertical support member so as to position a ceiling plank.

Abstract: A device is configured for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The device includes a tube having a tube proximal end and a tube distal end and A coil having a plurality of windings extending from a coil proximal end to a coil distal end. The coil distal end is coupled to the tube proximal end in a manner that enables application of a negative pressure from within the coil through the coil to tissue surrounding the coil. The coil comprises a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of windings, the space having a predetermined dimension.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle can include a sideview mirror assembly mountable to an exterior of the vehicle over a ground area near the vehicle. The lighting system can also include a service lamp integrated with the sideview mirror assembly. The service lamp can be configured to project one or more narrow beams of light to illuminate one or more jack placement indicator spots on the ground area. The service lamp can also be configured to project one or more broad beams of light to illuminate the ground area and/or one or more wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and methods for coating surgical needles in batch processes are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for applying uniform silicone lubricious coatings to surgical needles in bulk quantities using a novel separation and spray coating system and method.

Abstract: A clamping device for securing an accessory to a pole is disclosed herein. The clamping device includes a first clamp component formed from bent wire, the first clamp component configured to partially circumscribe a pole, and including at least one offset portion for defining an accessory receiving space between the first clamp component and a sidewall of the pole; a second clamp component rotatably coupled to the first clamp component, formed from bent wire, and configured to partially circumscribe the pole; and a handle component configured to couple the second clamp component to the first clamp component. When the handle component is rotated in a first tightening direction, the first clamp component and the second clamp component are brought into secure engagement about the circumference of the pole. When the handle component is rotated in a second loosening direction, the clamping device is capable of being disengaged from the pole.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for graphically presenting messages are provided. For example, a plurality of messages, associated with a messaging account, comprising a first message and a second message may be received. A first graphical object may be generated by a device, such as a server and/or a client device of a user, based upon the first message. A second graphical object may be generated by the device based upon the second message. In response to receiving a request to access the messaging account, the device may present the first graphical object. In response to receiving one or more user inputs corresponding to the first graphical object, an action may be performed and/or the second graphical object may be presented.

Abstract: A suture needle having a bendable region includes an elongated body having a proximal section, a distal section, and a bendable region located between the proximal and distal sections. The bendable region has a reduced cross-section and/or is made of a superelastic material that is more flexible than the proximal and distal sections of the elongated body for enabling the suture needle to transform from a first configuration having a larger dimension to a second configuration having a smaller dimension. When in the first configuration, the suture needle is larger than an inner diameter of an elongated conduit of a trocar. In order to pass the suture needle through the elongated conduit of the trocar, the elongated body is bent at the bendable region so that the suture needle is smaller than the inner diameter of the elongated conduit of the trocar.

Abstract: A needle and suture assembly includes a needle made of a superelastic alloy, such as Nitinol, including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a sharpened tip, a suture having a free end juxtaposed with the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle, and a connector disposed between the needle and the suture. The connector includes a first end attached to the proximal end of the elongated body of the needle and a second end attached to the free end of the suture. The connector is made of a material, such as stainless steel, having less elasticity and greater plasticity than the superelastic alloy of the needle.

Abstract: A flush mounted handle assembly is provided for a power slide door of a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a case fixed to the door, the case defining a rear wall and opposing side portions. A bell crank is provided configured to coordinate selective power and manual operational modes of the assembly. The assembly includes a handle base having a first end and a second opposing end. The first and seconds ends are configured for selective pivotal movement in opposite directions about a fixed pivot axis to engage the bell crank. A pair of weighted paddles is provided, each rotatable about an axis independent from the handle base axis. One or more paddle biasing members is provided to bias the weighted paddles against the handle base, minimizing movement of the handle base in the manual operational mode upon an impact, or during an unintended rotational movement of the handle base.

Abstract: A barbed microcatheter includes a hollow tube having an elongated lumen, outwardly projecting barbs, fluid egress openings, a tissue anchor secured to a proximal end of the hollow tube, and a needle secured to the distal end of the hollow tube. The needle is used to form a first tissue opening at the first end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the first tissue opening until the tissue anchor abuts against tissue at the first end of the wound. The needle is used to form a second tissue opening at the second end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the second tissue opening so that barbs engage wound tissue. After cutting away the needle, a therapeutic fluid is introduced into the elongated lumen and passes through the fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with the therapeutic fluid.