Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

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 renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a home renal therapy machine that stores, to a log file, dates of when renal therapies were performed and a type of each renal therapy that was performed. The system also includes a server that receives the log file from the home renal therapy machine. The server compares the dates and types of performed renal therapies stored in the log file to a device program that specifies dates for performing renal therapies and the types of renal therapies to be performed. The server displays a flag in a user interface of a clinician computer when there is a deviation from the comparison.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A combination golf towel holder both clamps the towel and provides for moistening the towel while it is clamped. The device has a front portion that includes an upper part that includes a reservoir and a lower clamp portion. A generally planar back plate that is attached to the upper part of the front portion, and has a lower jaw part that acts with the lower clamp portion to hold the towel. Water or another aqueous liquid is injected via an orifice in the back of the front portion when a squeeze bulb is depressed. The unit can be hung from a golf bag or golf cart so the towel is ready for use during play on the golf course.

Abstract: A combination golf towel holder both clamps the towel and provides for moistening the towel while it is clamped. The device has a front portion that includes an upper part that includes a reservoir and a lower clamp portion. A generally planar back plate that is attached to the upper part of the front portion, and has a lower jaw part that acts with the lower clamp portion to hold the towel. Water or another aqueous liquid is injected via an orifice in the back of the front portion when a squeeze bulb is depressed. The unit can be hung from a golf bag or golf cart so the towel is ready for use during play on the golf course.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a device that facilitates administering a fluid into an individual's body tissue includes an ultrasound transducer configured to emit sound waves and detect reflected sound waves. At least one processor is configured to: control operation of the ultrasound transducer in a first mode for detecting a condition of the individual's body tissue, determine a suitable administration site based on the transducer operating in the first mode, instigate an indication regarding the suitable administration site, and control operation of the ultrasound transducer in a second, different mode for enhancing absorption of the fluid at the suitable administration site.

Abstract: A method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprising: adding lime to the contaminated brine fluid, wherein the lime causes the soluble metal ion to become insoluble in the contaminated brine fluid; and passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the step of passing is performed after the step of adding, and wherein after the brine fluid is passed through the filter media, a brine fluid having a reduced concentration of the metal ion is produced. Another method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprises: passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the filter media comprises the lime.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material inhibits or prevents some or all of the treatment fluid from penetrating into a subterranean formation from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates the subterranean formation; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent consists of a plurality of fibers, and wherein the suspending agent provides a lost-circulation material distribution of at least 30% for a test treatment fluid consisting essentially of the base fluid, the lost-circulation material, and the suspending agent at the temperature of a lost-circulation zone of the subterranean formation and static aging for at least 1 hour.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing lost circulation materials (“LCMs”) for use in a formation is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a LCM cell that contains at least one formation simulation component. A pressurized tank may be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may force a sample LCM slurry into the LCM cell. An LCM receiver may also be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may receive the LCM slurry that flows through the LCM cell.

Abstract: In some instances, a fluid loss control enhancement additive may synergistically work with lost circulation materials (“LCM”) to arrest lost circulation in wellbores where LCMs alone have been ineffective. For example, a method may involve treating a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a pill comprising an aqueous base fluid and a lost circulation material; observing fluid loss from the wellbore to the subterranean formation while treating the wellbore with the pill; and adding salt, a swellable polymer, and fibers to the pill.

Abstract: Substrate processing systems are described that have a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) unit positioned inside a process chamber. The CCP unit may include a plasma excitation region formed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode may include a first plurality of openings to permit a first gas to enter the plasma excitation region, and the second electrode may include a second plurality of openings to permit an activated gas to exit the plasma excitation region. The system may further include a gas inlet for supplying the first gas to the first electrode of the CCP unit, and a pedestal that is operable to support a substrate. The pedestal is positioned below a gas reaction region into which the activated gas travels from the CCP unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing lost circulation materials (“LCMs”) for use in a formation is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a LCM cell that contains at least one formation simulation component. A pressurized tank may be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may force a sample LCM slurry into the LCM cell. An LCM receiver may also be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may receive the LCM slurry that flows through the LCM cell.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material inhibits or prevents some or all of the treatment fluid from penetrating into a subterranean formation from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates the subterranean formation; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent consists of a plurality of fibers, and wherein the suspending agent provides a lost-circulation material distribution of at least 30% for a test treatment fluid consisting essentially of the base fluid, the lost-circulation material, and the suspending agent at the temperature of a lost-circulation zone of the subterranean formation and static aging for at least 1 hour.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing lost circulation materials (“LCMs”) for use in a formation is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a LCM cell that contains at least one formation simulation component. A pressurized tank may be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may force a sample LCM slurry into the LCM cell. An LCM receiver may also be in fluid communication with the LCM cell, and may receive the LCM slurry that flows through the LCM cell.

Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material inhibits or prevents some or all of the treatment fluid from penetrating into a subterranean formation from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates the subterranean formation; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent consists of a plurality of fibers, and wherein the suspending agent provides a lost-circulation material distribution of at least 30% for a test treatment fluid consisting essentially of the base fluid, the lost-circulation material, and the suspending agent at the temperature of a lost-circulation zone of the subterranean formation and static aging for at least 1 hour.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for simulation of bore hole fractures are disclosed. A device for simulating a fracture in a subterranean formation comprises a housing, a gap in the housing, and one or more shims positioned inside the gap. The shims cover at least a portion of a surface of a wall forming the gap. The device further comprises an inlet for directing a sample fluid into the gap. The sample fluid flows through the gap and flows out of the gap through an outlet.

Abstract: A method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprising: adding lime to the contaminated brine fluid, wherein the lime causes the soluble metal ion to become insoluble in the contaminated brine fluid; and passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the step of passing is performed after the step of adding, and wherein after the brine fluid is passed through the filter media, a brine fluid having a reduced concentration of the metal ion is produced. Another method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprises: passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the filter media comprises the lime.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a lost-circulation composite material into a wellbore, wherein the lost-circulation composite material comprises a swellable component and a reinforcing component. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a reinforcing component disposed within a swellable component wherein the swellable component comprises a crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: A hydrated inorganic oxide material capable of elongating from a planar shape to a fiber shape along a thickness direction of the planar shape, wherein the fiber shape is at least about 25 times greater in the thickness direction than the planar shape, and wherein during elongating a radial dimension of the hydrated inorganic oxide material changes by less than about 10% may be useful in a plurality of wellbore operations. For example, a method may include introducing a wellbore fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a hydrated inorganic oxide material into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and swelling the hydrated inorganic oxide material by contacting the hydrated inorganic oxide material with a polar amine compound such that the hydrated inorganic oxide material elongates from a planar shape to a fiber shape along a thickness direction of the planar shape.