Abstract: An illustrative example conductor monitoring device includes a generator configured to radiate a field into a conductor. A detector is configured to detect at least some of the field propagated along the conductor. A processor is configured to determine when a change in the propagated field detected by the detector indicates contact between the conductor and a conductive blade of a wire processing machine. The example conductor monitoring device is capable of providing information regarding the condition of a conductor that has gone through a wire handling process that involves cutting the wire and stripping insulation from near the end of the cut wire, for example. The information regarding the condition of the wire is obtained without making contact with the wire and without interfering with or requiring any alteration of the wire handling process or machine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for providing captioned telephone service. One method includes initiating a first captioned telephone service call. During the first captioned telephone service call, a first set of captions is created using a human captioner. Simultaneous with creating the first set of captions using a human captioner, a second set of captions is created using an automated speech recognition captioner. The first set of captions and the second set of captions are compared using a scoring algorithm. In response to the score of second set of captions being within predetermined range of scores, the call is continued using only the automated speech recognition captioner. In response to the score of second set of captions being outside of a predetermined range of scores, the call is continued using a human captioner.

Abstract: A measuring instrument (2) for use during an orthopaedic surgical procedure to measure first and second distances from a reference point on a bone to first and second measurement points respectively. The measuring instrument has a first scale (24) for displaying the first distance and a second scale (28) for displaying the second distance. It includes a mask (26) which can be positioned against the second scale after the first distance has been measured in a position that is selected relative to the second scale dependent on the measured first distance, to restrict the length of the second scale that is visible to the user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument or prosthesis and an injection moulded surgical instrument or prosthesis are described. A first material is injected into a first mould to form an interim component. A second material is injected into a second mould containing at least part of the interim component to form the surgical instrument or prosthesis such that portions of the first and second materials are exposed at the external surface of the surgical instrument or prosthesis. The first and second materials are visually distinct such that at least one exposed portion of the first or second material adjacent to an exposed portion of the other material forms a marking which is visible to a user.

Abstract: A bone sizing guide for assessing the size of an end of a bone includes a body (6) having a foot component (2) with a first surface (10) to rest against an end surface of the bone and a foot (12) extending transverse to the first surface to contact a side surface of the bone. A superstructure (40) is coupled to the body so that the superstructure can slide relative to the body towards and away from the body, at least one of the superstructure and the body being adjustable so that the rotational direction in which the superstructure extends relative to the foot component about a first axis extending transverse to the first surface is adjustable. A stylus (53) extends from the superstructure transverse to the first surface of the body, the stylus having a tip to contact a surface of the bone, and a scale (64) is coupled to or formed on a first one of the superstructure and the body. An indicator (52) is coupled to or formed on a second one of the superstructure and the body to identify a position on the scale.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for providing captioned telephone service. One method includes initiating a first captioned telephone service call. During the first captioned telephone service call, a first set of captions is created using a human captioner. Simultaneous with creating the first set of captions using a human captioner, a second set of captions is created using an automated speech recognition captioner. The first set of captions and the second set of captions are compared using a scoring algorithm. In response to the score of second set of captions being within predetermined range of scores, the call is continued using only the automated speech recognition captioner. In response to the score of second set of captions being outside of a predetermined range of scores, the call is continued using a human captioner.

Abstract: A spherical filter drier for an HVACR system includes a generally spherical shell and a core that is fixed position relative to the shell. The shell has a first opening and a second opening in fluid communication with one another across the core. The core includes a media that removes contaminants from fluid flowing from the first opening through the core to the second opening. The spherical shell may be a monolithic shell, or formed from a pair of generally hemispherical shells.

Abstract: A system of surgical instruments for use with at least a first implant and a second implant of the same type but different sizes is provided. The system includes at least three containers. The first container contains at least a first surgical instrument of a first type that is size specific and a second surgical instrument of a second type that is size specific; both the first and second instruments are of a first size The second container contains at least a third surgical instrument of the first type and a fourth surgical instrument of the second type; both the third and fourth instruments are of a second size which is different from the first size. The third container contains at least a fifth surgical instrument of a third type which is size independent.

Abstract: A method for detecting a downhole position in a wellbore comprises: providing a set of signal emitters, each signal emitter in the set attached to a different position in the wellbore and each signal emitter configured to emit a signal having a unique characteristic; and providing a measurement tool comprising a signal detector configured to detect the different signals and a rotation device configured to rotatably contact a wall of the wellbore. The measurement tool is moved through the wellbore and one or more positions of the measurement tool in the wellbore is determined by detecting one or more of the signals and identifying the position of one or more of the signal emitters by the unique characteristic of each detected signal, and by detecting the number of rotations in a ranging wheel of the rotation detector that contacts the wellbore.

Abstract: A femoral sizing guide comprises a body, a superstructure and a stylus. The body has feet extending underneath and resting against posterior condylar surfaces of the femur and an extension component. The superstructure is slidable on the extension component and the extension component is rotatable with respect to the feet. The stylus may be coupled to the superstructure. The superstructure has a first guide hole defining a first alignment axis and the extension component has a second guide hole defining a second alignment axis. The distance between the first and second guide holes varies as the superstructure slides relative to the body. A method of locating an alignment axis on a resected femoral surface at a distal end of a femur which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the femur using the femoral sizing guide is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for a medical procedure including a sterilisable medical container and a cover for covering a sterilizable medical container is described. The cover is used to cover a sterilizable medical container wrapped in at least one sheet of a wrapping material. The cover has a body including an upper member configured to hold the wrapping material against an upper portion of the container and a lower member configured to hold the wrapping material against a lower portion of the container. The body can be assembled about the wrapped container to hold the wrapping material about the container. At least one handle extends from the body which can be held by a user to move the covered wrapped container.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has first and second components that can rotate relative to one another and a locking mechanism to selectively restrict or allow rotation between the first and second components. One component has a first array of two or more grooves or teeth spaced apart at a first angular pitch and at least one further groove or further tooth which does not correspond to the first angular pitch. The other component comprises a first tooth or a first groove to engage one of the first array of grooves or teeth to selectively restrict rotation to two or more predetermined rotational positions; the other component also selectively engages the at least one further groove or further tooth on the first component to selectively restrict rotation between the first and second components at a 0° rotational position.

Abstract: A measuring instrument (2) for use during an orthopaedic surgical procedure to measure first and second distances from a reference point on a bone to first and second measurement points respectively. The measuring instrument has a first scale (24) for displaying the first distance and a second scale (28) for displaying the second distance. It includes a mask (26) which can be positioned against the second scale after the first distance has been measured in a position that is selected relative to the second scale dependent on the measured first distance, to restrict the length of the second scale that is visible to the user.

Abstract: An illustrative wire processing machine includes at least one blade configured for at least one of cutting a conductor or at least piercing an insulation layer on the conductor. At least one gripper assembly includes a gripper configured to at least temporarily grasp a portion of a conductor during a wire processing operation. A generator, which is part of the gripper assembly, is configured to radiate a field toward a conductor. The gripper assembly also includes a detector that is configured to detect at least some of the field propagated along the conductor. A processor is configured to determine when a change in the propagated field detected by the detector indicates contact between a conductor and the blade.

Abstract: A bone sizing guide for assessing the size of an end of a bone includes a body (6) having a foot component (2) with a first surface (10) to rest against an end surface of the bone and a foot (12) extending transverse to the first surface to contact a side surface of the bone. A superstructure (40) is coupled to the body so that the superstructure can slide relative to the body towards and away from the body, at least one of the superstructure and the body being adjustable so that the rotational direction in which the superstructure extends relative to the foot component about a first axis extending transverse to the first surface is adjustable. A stylus (53) extends from the superstructure transverse to the first surface of the body, the stylus having a tip to contact a surface of the bone, and a scale (64) is coupled to or formed on a first one of the superstructure and the body. An indicator (52) is coupled to or formed on a second one of the superstructure and the body to identify a position on the scale.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument or prosthesis and an injection moulded surgical instrument or prosthesis are described. A first material is injected into a first mould to form an interim component. A second material is injected into a second mould containing at least part of the interim component to form the surgical instrument or prosthesis such that portions of the first and second materials are exposed at the external surface of the surgical instrument or prosthesis. The first and second materials are visually distinct such that at least one exposed portion of the first or second material adjacent to an exposed portion of the other material forms a marking which is visible to a user.

Abstract: An illustrative example conductor monitoring device includes a generator configured to radiate a field into a conductor. A detector is configured to detect at least some of the field propagated along the conductor. A processor is configured to determine when a change in the propagated field detected by the detector indicates contact between the conductor and a conductive blade of a wire processing machine. The example conductor monitoring device is capable of providing information regarding the condition of a conductor that has gone through a wire handling process that involves cutting the wire and stripping insulation from near the end of the cut wire, for example. The information regarding the condition of the wire is obtained without making contact with the wire and without interfering with or requiring any alteration of the wire handling process or machine.

Abstract: A system comprising at least: a first container containing at least a first surgical instrument of a first type that is size specific and a second surgical instrument of a second type that is size specific, wherein both the first and second instruments are of a first size; a second container containing at least a third surgical instrument of the first type and a fourth surgical instrument of the second type, wherein both the third and fourth instruments are of a second size which is different from the first size; and a third container containing at least a fifth surgical instrument of a third type which is size independent. The system allows instrumentation to be grouped and stored so that the number of instruments opened but not used in complex surgical procedures is reduced.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for using tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat pathogenic infection. In particular, methods for using Abl-family tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat pathogenic infection are provided. Infections to be treated according to the present invention include, particularly, those caused by microbial pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: A femoral sizing guide for locating an alignment axis on a resected femoral surface at a distal end of a femur, the femoral sizing guide including a body, a superstructure and a stylus.