Abstract: The invention is a system and a device for use in open or minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as a bone implant fixation procedure. The device is configured to perform various functions during a bone implant fixation procedure, including performing at least one of: penetration of a bone to form a hole or opening for receipt of a screw; neuromonitoring, in cooperation with a neuromonitoring device, of the hole during, or post-, formation of the hole so as to sense any nearby nerves adjacent to the hole that may be in the path of a screw, or otherwise affected, when a screw is placed within the hole; neurostimulation, in cooperation with a neuromonitoring device, of nerves adjacent to the hole during, or post-, formation of the hole; and measuring of a depth of the hole and providing a digital measurement of the depth to assist the surgeon in selecting the appropriate length of screw.

Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling with an invasive patient interface for providing respiratory support to a patient. The connector comprises a connector body having: (i) an inlet port couplable with a flow source providing a flow of respiratory gas; (ii) a gases exit port; and (iii) a device port couplable with the invasive patient interface. The connector also has a lumen having a first end and a second end. The connector body defines a gas flow path between the inlet port and both the device port and the lumen first end and the lumen second end is disposed outside the device port. The lumen provides improved CO2 clearance. Some embodiments provide for gas sampling and/or variable expiratory resistance.

Abstract: Several methods of supporting respiratory function of a patient before, during and/or after a medical procedure are disclosed. In certain arrangements, supporting respiratory function while a patient is under general anaesthesia can include providing a high gas flow a high gas flow that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia. In certain arrangements, a method of providing ventilation while a patient is under general anaesthesia involves providing only a gas flow delivered through a nasal interface that is greater than 15 L/min while the patient is under general anaesthesia.

Abstract: There is disclosed system for oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery. The system has a flow source, and a controller for determining oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia. A method of oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery is also disclosed. The method determines oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first plate separator and a second plate separator on opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The first plate separator and the second plate separator have exterior ends away from the membrane electrode assembly. A first gas diffusion layer is located between the first plate separator and the membrane electrode assembly. A second gas diffusion layer is located between the second plate separator and the membrane electrode assembly. The sub-gasket extends from the membrane electrode assembly laterally toward at least one of the exterior ends. A first seal is located between the first plate separator and the sub-gasket. A conductive trace is attached to the sub-gasket and extends on the sub-gasket from an exterior side of the first seal to a location on an interior side of the first seal.

Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harbouring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance system can provide high flow therapy to patients. The respiratory assistance system can include a patient interface that can deliver a gas flow to a patient and a gas source that can drive the gas flow towards the patient interface at an operating flow rate. The system can include a controller for controlling the operating flow rate of the gas. The controller can apply multiple test flow rate values in a range as the operating flow rate. For each of the test flow rate values, the controller can measure a patient parameter. The controller can determine a new flow rate value based on the measured patient parameters. Patient parameters can include respiration rate, work of breathing, or any other parameters related to the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and related surgical methods for improving the fixation and/or durability of bone implants and/or components thereof for cervical fracture fixation and/or other orthopedic procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for identifying, quantitating and/or analyzing analytes from samples. The analytes may be organic or inorganic in nature and include but are not limited to pathogens such as viruses.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for identifying, quantitating and/or analyzing analytes from samples. The analytes may be organic or inorganic in nature and include but are not limited to pathogens such as viruses.

Abstract: Provided is a welding system and method for controlling a welding system with an improved waveform. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a welding system waveform is calibrated such that the welding transfer regularly occurs during short circuits, comprising applying a voltage and a current to a welding electrode, applying an increased voltage and an increased current to the welding electrode, increasing the current to the welding electrode when a short circuit is detected, and maintaining the increased current applied to the welding electrode until a desired time expires after the short circuit is detected or until the short circuit clears, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: Provided is a welding system and method for controlling a welding system with an improved pulsed waveform suitable for use with metal core welding wires. The waveform includes peak pulses (of voltage, current, power, energy or a combination thereof) that aid in transfer of molten metal from the wire to the weld pool. The pulse duration is sufficiently short to avoid damage to the metal core welding wire. The waveform enables welding of thin metals and reduces spatter.

Abstract: A process to produce 19-nor-10?-carboxylic acids by fungal oxidation of 6-substituted-?6-pregnanes is disclosed.

Abstract: A modular cabinet system is disclosed. Posts are mounted between a top member and a bottom member to form a sturdy frame. The frame is configured to slidably receive side panels to form an exterior. The frame is also configured to receive doors and shelving to form a door cabinet or drawers to form a drawer cabinet. The doors rotate on a hinge rod, which is received in the top and bottom members of the frame. Alternatively, the frame receives a set of drawers. The frame slidably receives drawer brackets in the posts of the frame. The drawer brackets are spaced to provide a desired clearance between drawers. The disclosed cabinets use the same frame and panels whether the cabinet is to receive doors or drawers. The cabinet is also easily assembled such that it can be shipped in a compacted form and assembled by the purchaser or user.

Abstract: A microbial method for hydrolysis and oxidation of androst-5-ene and pregn-5-ene steroid esters is disclosed.

Abstract: A process to produce 19-nor-10&bgr;-carboxylic acids by fungal oxidation of 6-substituted-&Dgr;6-pregnanes is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fungal process to prepare 5-androsten-3&bgr;,7&agr;,15&agr;-triol-17-one and related analogues.