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 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; 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 that is different from the first size and that corresponds to the second implant; and a third container containing at least a fifth surgical instrument of a third type that is size independent.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a first component (2) having a first face (76) and a second component (4) coupled to the first component (2) such that the first and second components (2, 4) can rotate relative to one another. The instrument further comprises a locking mechanism comprising a third component (32) having a second face (74) coupled to the second component (4). Movement of the third component (32) relative to the second component (4) is arranged to bring the second face (74) into or out of engagement with the first face (76) so as to selectively restrict or allow rotation between the first and second components (2, 4). One of said faces (7, 76) comprises a first array (78) of two or more grooves or teeth spaced apart at a first angular pitch about the centre of rotation between the first and second components (2, 4) and at least one further groove (82) or further tooth which does not correspond to the first angular pitch.

Abstract: An artificial bait features an overmolded fish attractant sponge and ports through which fish attractant exudes. The bait is comprised of a soft resilient plastic. A container portion of the bait houses the sponge. The container portion includes perforations for fluid communication with the housed sponge. Prior to injection molding, the sponge is a dry compressed cellulose sponge. The sponge is coated with oil prior to injection molding. Pins or blades in the mold assembly position the oil-coated, compressed, cellulose sponge in the container portion of the bait. The pins or blades also define perforations in the container portion for fluid communication with the sponge. The oil coating on the compressed cellulose sponge prevents molten plastic from impregnating the sponge during the injection molding process. The oil coating does not cause the sponge to expand. After manufacture, a water-based fish attractant is introduced into and absorbed by the sponge via the perforations.

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 cover and method of covering a sterilizable medical container are 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 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 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; 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 that is different from the first size and that corresponds to the second implant; and a third container containing at least a fifth surgical instrument of a third type that is size independent.

Abstract: A disclosed device and method are useful for monitoring a tube bending process. An example sensor detects a force associated with moving a mandrel in tubing during at least a portion of a tube bending process. The detected force is used to determine a quality of the tube bending process. For example, a detected pulling force provides an indication of whether a bent portion of a tube is within an acceptable range of a desired configuration. The detected pulling force is also useful to provide an indication of whether a condition of a mandrel or a machine used during the process is as expected.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a source of radiation and a reflective surface having a contour that directs radiation reflected from the surface along a field having at least two parallel sides. In a disclosed example, the reflective surface contour is at least partially curvilinear. A disclosed example includes a laser diode as the source of radiation and the reflective surface directs the reflected radiation in a direction that is generally perpendicular relative to a path that light follows as it emanates from the laser diode. The reflective surface in one example shapes the reflected radiation from a source that provides radiation along a path with obliquely oriented sides, the reflected radiation has at least two parallel sides. A disclosed sensor device is useful for measuring at least one feature of a part or object placed within a field of view of a sensing element that can detect the reflected radiation.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a multimeric capture agent for binding a ligand, the multimeric capture agent comprising at least first and second peptide chains, wherein said first and second peptide chains each comprise a chain of 2 to 50 amino acids, each of said amino acids being substantially enantiomerically pure, and wherein said at least first and second peptide chains are covalently linked.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of functionalising a substrate comprising immobilising at least one multimeric peptide on the substrate, wherein, the at least one multimeric peptide comprises at least first and second peptide chains, the first peptide chain comprising at least one hydrophobic amino acid residue and at least one functionalising moiety, wherein the at least one hydrophobic amino acid residue and at least one functionalising moiety are positioned in the peptide primary structure so as to result in a hydrophobic face, and a substantially non hydrophobic face comprising the functionalising moiety, and wherein, contacting the peptide with the substrate causes the peptide to be immobilised thereon.

Abstract: A sensor device includes at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on a plate that is positioned relative to a machine such that a force used during a manufacturing process involving the machine is incident on the plate. The piezoelectric polymer film provides an electrical output indicative of the incident force. In a disclosed example, a single piezoelectric polymer film extends across a substantial portion of a surface area of the plate. In another disclosed example, a plurality of piezoelectric polymer film sensor elements area are arranged symmetrically about a location where the incident force is expected to be most prominent.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of fabricating a multimeric capture agent for binding a ligand, the capture agent comprising at least first and second monomers units, the first monomer unit further comprising a first ligand-binding moiety, a first reactive group and an attachment moiety, the second monomer unit further comprising a second ligand-binding moiety, and a second reactive group, wherein the reactive groups may be the same or different for each monomer unit, the method comprising the steps of; a) reacting the first monomer unit with the second monomer unit such that reactive groups present on the monomer units react to form a multimeric capture agent. b) immobilising the first monomer unit on a substrate via the attachment moiety, wherein, step a) can be performed before, simultaneously with, or subsequently to step b).

Abstract: A sensor device includes at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on a plate that is positioned relative to a machine such that a force used during a manufacturing process involving the machine is incident on the plate. The piezoelectric polymer film provides an electrical output indicative of the incident force. In a disclosed example, a single piezoelectric polymer film extends across a substantial portion of a surface area of the plate. In another disclosed example, a plurality of piezoelectric polymer film sensor elements area are arranged symmetrically about a location where the incident force is expected to be most prominent.

Abstract: A device and technique for monitoring the quality of a manufacturing process, a resulting part or both includes determining a cumulative deviation of an actual process signature from an expected signature. A disclosed example includes determining a quantitative value of a difference between the signatures at each of a plurality of corresponding segments of the signatures. A cumulative deviation based upon deviations of the corresponding segments provides an indication of quality. A disclosed example includes determining a negative cumulative deviation, a positive cumulative deviation and a total cumulative deviation, each of which may be used independently for analysis purposes.

Abstract: A disclosed device and method are useful for monitoring a tube bending process. An example sensor detects a force associated with moving a mandrel in tubing during at least a portion of a tube bending process. The detected force is used to determine a quality of the tube bending process. For example, a detected pulling force provides an indication of whether a bent portion of a tube is within an acceptable range of a desired configuration. The detected pulling force is also useful to provide an indication of whether a condition of a mandrel or a machine used during the process is as expected.

Abstract: A device for determining the quality of a part includes a sensor for detecting a strain on a selected portion of a part forming machine. A controller utilizes the detected amount of strain to make a determination regarding the quality of a corresponding part. In one example, the sensor detects a compressive or tensile strain on a machine frame when the sensor is aligned to detect a strain parallel to a direction of a force applied during the part formation process. The controller uses one or more characteristics of the sensor output and determines whether the detected amount of strain is within an acceptable range. In one example, monitoring the strain during the formation of a plurality of acceptable parts provides information for determining the acceptable range. The disclosed arrangements allow for making part quality determinations without requiring a sensor to be “in line” with the load.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a vehicle safety system includes a processing unit configured for use in a vehicle. The processing unit includes or is associated with one or more vehicle sensors, such as object detection sensors, and one or more cameras. The processing unit processes vehicle sensor signals to detect vehicular events of interest, such as potentially hazardous operating conditions, and in response it selectively activates recording by one of one or more cameras mounted on the vehicle. For example, during lane changing or lane departure events, the processing unit may activate one or more cameras to capture a visual record of objects in the vehicle's vicinity, or may activate recording responsive to object detection, e.g., leading vehicle detection or front, back, side, top object proximities. Further, the processing unit may tailor recording control based on its particular operating mode, or in response to manual input.

Abstract: A golf cart altered such that the occupants are protected against the effect of lightning strikes by an electrically conductive grid (23 & 23a) on the roof, preferably star shaped, connected electrically to electrically conductive down-conductors, preferably at least 6 in number, four of which may be the roof supports (16 & 24) and the other two (18) moveable to allow ease of access to the golf cart and each to be connected to a plurality of flexible electrically conductive members (26) to, preferably via a metal chassis, touch the ground The movable electrically conductive members are connected to at least one of said roof or said base construction by a bearing; The whole defines a protective surrounding electrically conductive cage enclosing the golf cart and its occupants with improved rigidity, safety and practicality.

Abstract: A rack for securing wheeled vehicles, particularly bicycles, includes wheel-receiving wells for receiving the front wheel of the vehicle and contacting the wheel at least at two points. A wheel-engaging arm, pivotally mounted to the rack, is pivoted upwardly and is extensible outwardly against a biasing element. The arm is adapted to engage the wheel of the bicycle at least at a third point for securely holding the vehicle.