Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A computer system displays a representation of a field of view of the one or more cameras, including a representation of a portion of a three-dimensional physical environment that is in the field of view of the one or more cameras. The computer system receives a request to add a first virtual effect to the displayed representation of the field of view of the one or more cameras. In response to receiving the request to add the first virtual effect to the displayed representation of the field of view of the one or more cameras and in accordance with a determination that the first virtual effect requires a scan of the physical environment, the computer system initiates a scan of the physical environment to detect one or more features of the physical environment and displays a user interface that indicates a progress of the scan of the physical environment.

Abstract: A therapy system includes a patient support apparatus and a pneumatic therapy device that is coupleable to the patient support apparatus. The therapy device may receive power and air flow from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

Abstract: Uroflowmeters and methods for processing data generated therefrom are disclosed. In one aspect, the uroflowmeter is a handheld device. The uroflowmeter includes a handle, a flow chamber coupled to the handle, and a sensor associated with the flow chamber that detects a parameter of urine received in the flow chamber. The uroflowmeter may include both reusable and disposable components. As a uroflowmeter it can identify and record data corresponding to the rate of flow over the measured duration of a void of urine, but may also timestamp the voiding act and communicate the data to an external data collection center for additional analysis and incorporation into a comprehensive voiding report or voiding diary.

Abstract: A manner of detecting the presence of alien devices, for example ONUs, that are transmitting upstream in an optical access network such as a PON. An alien detection device, for example a properly configured OLT, supports normal network operation and also monitors a selected performance characteristic. When the selected performance characteristic is evaluated to perform within satisfactory parameters, a protocol that includes a command to subscriber devices such as ONUs to go quiet, for example a rogue check, is executed and a signal detector monitored during the quiet period. An alarm may be generated if an alien device appears to be present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of tuning a signal received from a first network terminal at a second network terminal is disclosed. The method may include receiving the signal at the second network terminal. The signal may be operating at a first wavelength. The method may also include determining a port used to receive the signal at the second network terminal, and identifying a predetermined port wavelength used as a basis to shift the first wavelength to the predetermined port wavelength for subsequent signals received. The method may also include transmitting the predetermined port wavelength information to the first network terminal to inform the first network terminal to tune subsequent signals to the desired wavelength for the port.

Abstract: A connector for joining a first hollow structure to the side wall of a second hollow structure, the connector comprising a first component comprising an inner collar; a hollow body; and a graft mounted to the inner collar and forming a conduit through the hollow body and the inner collar; and a second component comprising an outer collar and a hollow body, the hollow body of the second component being sized for coaxial disposition over the hollow body of the first component so that the outer collar of the second component can be adjustably positioned relative to the inner collar of the first component and so that the conduit of the graft provides fluid communication between (i) the region beyond the inner collar, and (ii) the region beyond the hollow body of the first component.

Abstract: A method for performing a percutaneous valve bypass, the method comprising providing a bypass conduit having a first end and a second end; connecting the first end of the bypass conduit to a first vascular structure at a first anastomosis; connecting the second end of the bypass conduit to a second vascular structure at a second anastomosis; advancing a percutaneous valve along the bypass conduit to a deployment site located within the bypass conduit; and deploying the percutaneous valve at the deployment site so that fluid is permitted to pass from the second vascular structure to the first vascular structure but is prevented from passing from the first vascular structure to the second vascular structure.

Abstract: A laminate screen for a vibratory separator, the screen including a product screen mesh layer having a plurality of wires. The screen further including a structural screen mesh layer having a plurality of wires secured to the product screen mesh layer with a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the structural screen mesh layer is configured to provide structural integrity to the laminate screen, and wherein a diameter of the product screen mesh layer wires is less than a diameter of the structural screen mesh layer wires.

Abstract: A gasket for aligning and sealing a screen in a round separator includes a deformable annular wall having a first lobe at a top end, a second lobe at a bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface from which an upper lip and a lower lip project inward to generally define a U-shaped channel, wherein the deformable annular wall, the upper lip, and the lower lip together have a pi-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a first conduit to the heart without cardiopulmonary bypass. The first conduit may be attached to a second conduit having a prosthetic device interposed. The second conduit may then be connected to the aorta. The prosthetic device may be a prosthetic valve (or pump). The apparatus includes an implantable connector with first conduit component, a coring component, a retractor expansion component slidably coupled to the coring component, and a pushing component. The retractor expansion component seats against and separates the inside wall of the left ventricle so that the coring component cuts cleanly through the myocardium, forming a tissue plug. By remaining seated against the inside wall, the retractor expansion component follows the tissue plug into the coring component. The surgeon applies force and rotary motion to the pushing component sufficient to cut the tissue plug and implant the prosthetic component.

Abstract: A particle size separator includes an upper separator frame, a lower separator frame, a screen disposed between the upper separator frame and the lower separator frame, a large size particle outlet having an inlet disposed below the screen, a small size particle outlet disposed in the lower separator frame and a combined baffle and seal unit disposed in an opening in the screen. The unit has a seal face configured to sealingly engage the inlet of the large size particle outlet. The unit has a baffle configured to constrain movement of particles on an upper surface of the screen into the inlet. The baffle is configured to sealingly engage an interior wall of the upper separator frame.

Abstract: A manner of providing for testing of access fibers in a PON (passive optical network) using OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometry). According to the invention, a PON includes an optical splitter module having one or more optical couplers that combines downstream light from 1×N optical splitter directing the output of an OLT (optical line terminal) and a cyclic AWG (arrayed waveguide grating) for transmission toward one or more ONUs (optical network units). The splitter module is preferably formed on a single semiconductor chip, such as a PIC (photonic integrated circuit) chip and may reside in an outside plant of the PON.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.

Abstract: A manner of detecting the presence of alien devices, for example ONUs, that are transmitting upstream in an optical access network such as a PON. An alien detection device, for example a properly configured OLT, supports normal network operation and also monitors a selected performance characteristic. When the selected performance characteristic is evaluated to perform within satisfactory parameters, a protocol that includes a command to subscriber devices such as ONUs to go quiet, for example a rogue check, is executed and a signal detector monitored during the quiet period. An alarm may be generated if an alien device appears to be present.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cost-effectively conserving power in a PON. Protection ports, usually on a protection LT card, are configured to communicate with a selectable one of the downstream ODN splitter/combiners associated with the primary ports on the remaining LT cards of the OLT. Each protection port includes at least a splitter for distributing a transmitted signal from a light source to a plurality of switched protection fibers, and may have an optical amplifier to provide for lossless or low-loss distribution. Each port may also have a combiner for combining received signals from a plurality of switched protection fibers. Traffic flow through the OLT is monitored and when it is determined that traffic flow has reached a threshold level, traffic is routed via a protection port instead of a primary port. If the traffic rerouted to a protection card, then the method may further include powering down the primary LT card or placing it in a mode having reduced power consumption.

Abstract: An implantable connector for suturelessly connecting a conduit to a hollow organ, the implantable connector comprising: a hollow expandable stent, wherein the hollow expandable stent comprises an internal skeleton and a blood-retaining membrane covering the internal skeleton, and wherein the hollow expandable stent is constructed so that it is capable of assuming (i) a diametrically-reduced state for insertion into an opening formed in the side wall of the hollow organ in order to create a first interference fit therewith, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded state for expanding against the side wall of the hollow organ in order to create a second, enhanced interference fit therewith.