Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting functionality of a vehicle are described. In one example, vehicle feature modules may specify vehicle behaviors and vehicle operation is limited according to the specified behaviors. Vehicle actuators may be adjusted to limit vehicle operation according to the specified vehicle behaviors. The vehicle behaviors may apply to powertrain systems, navigation systems, climate control systems, lighting systems and other vehicle systems.

Abstract: An end effector includes first and second members that each have a tissue contacting surface and are moveable relative to one another. The first and second members are configured to clamp tissue therebetween when in an approximated configuration. The tissue contacting surface of the first member defines a first groove. The end effector also includes a bladder that is defined within the first groove and is configured to receive and retain fluid.

Abstract: A catheter for use in treating pleural diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.

Abstract: A catheter for use in treating pleura diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.

Abstract: An end effector includes first and second jaws, first and second buttresses, and an ultrasonic blade. The first jaw includes a fastener cartridge having a first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of fasteners arranged in rows parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first jaw. The first buttress is attached to the first tissue contacting surface and the second buttress is attached to a second tissue contracting surface of the second jaw. The first and second jaws are movable relative to one another and are configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The ultrasonic is activatable to weld the first buttress to the second buttress and to subsequently cut the welded first and second buttresses and tissue grasped between the first and second jaws.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating pleural effusion in a subject, comprising removing fluid from the pleural space at an increased frequency, as compared to previous methods.

Abstract: A loading unit includes an elongated body, an end effector, and a lighting unit. The elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and has a distal end portion. The end effector is supported on the distal end portion of the elongated body. The lighting unit is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and has a distal surface that is configured to emit light about the end effector to provide illumination of the end effector and an area distal to the end effector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling apparatus. The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongated body. The surgical stapling apparatus also includes an ablation catheter that extends through the handle assembly, the elongated body, and the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector includes first and second members that each have a tissue contacting surface and are moveable relative to one another. The first and second members are configured to clamp tissue therebetween when in an approximated configuration. The tissue contacting surface of the first member defines a first groove. The end effector also includes a bladder that is defined within the first groove and is configured to receive and retain fluid.

Abstract: An end effector includes first and second jaws, first and second buttresses, and an ultrasonic blade. The first jaw includes a fastener cartridge having a first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of fasteners arranged in rows parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first jaw. The first buttress is attached to the first tissue contacting surface and the second buttress is attached to a second tissue contracting surface of the second jaw. The first and second jaws are movable relative to one another and are configured to grasp tissue therebetween. The ultrasonic is activatable to weld the first buttress to the second buttress and to subsequently cut the welded first and second buttresses and tissue grasped between the first and second jaws.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating pleural effusion in a subject, comprising removing fluid from the pleural space at an increased frequency, as compared to previous methods.

Abstract: A catheter for use in treating pleura diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to an improved device for paracentesis procedures, such as thoracentesis. The device comprises a cannula assembly, valve assembly, and catheter assembly, wherein the cannula assembly is removably attached to the valve assembly, and the valve assembly is removably attached to the catheter assembly. The device can comprise an externally viewable indicator revealing the relative positions of the cannula assembly components. The device can further comprise a locking mechanism which controls the movement between cannula assembly components and is activated and deactivated by the coupling of the cannula assembly to the valve assembly. The device improves the precision and safety of its handling, and offers the practitioner several aspiration alternatives while maintaining separation of the internal and external patient environments.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to an improved device for paracentesis procedures, such as thoracentesis. The device comprises a cannula assembly, a reinsertible valve assembly, and catheter assembly, wherein the cannula assembly is removably attached to the valve assembly, and the valve assembly is removably attached to the catheter assembly. The device may include an externally viewable indicator revealing the relative positions of the cannula assembly components. The device can further comprise a locking mechanism which controls the movement between cannula assembly components and is activated and deactivated by the coupling of the cannula assembly to the valve assembly. The device improves the precision and safety of its handling, and offers the practitioner several aspiration alternatives while maintaining separation of the internal and external patient environments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented allowing VoIP phone users and other packet-based telecommunications service subscribers to have conference call content recorded live during conference calls involving three or more parties, with the subscriber being able to selectively pause the conference to answer other calls or perform other tasks while the live conference continues, and to thereafter playback the conference at a controllable speed and to rejoin the live conference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-substituted-2-(arylalkyl)-1-azabicycloalkanes, methods of preparing the compounds and methods of treatment using the compounds. The azabicycloalkanes generally are azabicycloheptanes, azabicyclooctanes, or azabicyclononanes. The aryl group in the arylalkyl moiety is a 5- or 6-membered ring heteroaromatic, preferably 3-pyridinyl and 5-pyrimidinyl moieties, and the alkyl group is typically a C1-4 alkyl. The substituent at the 3-position of the 1-azabicycloalkane is a carbonyl group-containing moiety, such as an amide, carbamate, urea, thioamide, thiocarbamate, thiourea or similar functionality. The compounds exhibit activity at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly the ?7 nAChR subtype, and are useful towards modulating neurotransmission and the release of ligands involved in neurotransmission.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are N-aryl diazaspirocyclic compounds, bridged analogs of N-heteroaryl diazaspirocyclic compounds, or prodrugs or metabolites of these compounds. The aryl group can be a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring (heteroaryl). The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of conditions or disorders, particularly those disorders characterized by dysfunction of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission, including disorders involving neuromodulation of neurotransmitter release, such as dopamine release. CNS disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release, are another example of disorders that can be treated and/or prevented. The compounds and compositions can also be used to alleviate pain.

Abstract: Novel vinylazacycloalkane compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed. The compounds are ligands of various nAChRs. The compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions and/or medicaments intended to prevent or treat disorders associated with dysfunction of nAChRs, especially within the central nervous system or the gastrointestinal system. Examples of types of disorders that can be treated include neurodegenerative disorders, including central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, cognitive disorders, motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, behavioral disorders and inflammatory disorders within the gastrointestinal system. The compounds can also serve as analgesics in the treatment of acute, chronic or recurrent pain.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are N-aryl diazaspirocyclic compounds, bridged analogs of N-heteroaryl diazaspirocyclic compounds, or prodrugs or metabolites of these compounds. The aryl group can be a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring (heteroaryl). The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of conditions or disorders, particularly those disorders characterized by dysfunction of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission, including disorders involving neuromodulation of neurotransmitter release, such as dopamine release. CNS disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release, are another example of disorders that can be treated and/or prevented. The compounds and compositions can also be used to alleviate pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aryl olefinic azacyclic compounds and aryl acetylenic azacyclic compounds, including pyridyl olefinic cycloalkylamines and pyridyl acetylenic cycloalkylamines. The present invention also relates to prodrug derivatives of the compounds of the present invention.