Abstract: The invention includes a method of screening a biological sample for contamination by sequencing a first biological sample at a first depth to generate a first nucleotide sequence; determining map coordinates for one or more homozygous loci in the first nucleotide sequence; sequencing a second biological sample at a second depth to generate a second nucleotide sequence, wherein the second depth is lower than the first depth; determining loci in the second nucleotide sequence at the determined map coordinates; and comparing the one or more homozygous loci in the first nucleotide sequence with the determined loci in the second nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly for attaching a rear view mirror to a vehicle. The assembly comprises an intermediate member configured to slide with respect to an arm that extends outwardly from a mirror base, a proximal end of the intermediate member being configured to interlock with the arm such that the arm and intermediate member become rigidly joined. The assembly also comprises a mirror head support configured to slide with respect to the intermediate member, the mirror head support being configured to interlock with the intermediate member such that the mirror head support and intermediate member become rigidly joined. Also disclosed is an extendable rear view mirror assembly.

Abstract: An LED luminaire for a track lighting system, that takes the form of a track section rather than a more customary separate device attached to a track section. The new luminaire has an elongated, extruded housing configured to correspond to the exterior of standard track sections to visually blend in with the overall track system. A circuit board, mounting a plurality of longitudinally aligned LED elements, extends for the full length of the housing, providing downward illumination through an optic member closing the bottom of the housing. The LED housing has a plug-in type connection to an adjacent track section providing physical alignment, electrical power and data functions. Successive luminaires can be connected together, and the new luminaires can be connected to additional standard track sections. The new luminaires can be installed throughout an overall track lighting system, substantially without limitation as to number and/or order.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for moving an item. The apparatus comprises a mounting portion for mounting the apparatus to a surface, a platform configured to receive the item thereon, extendable arms configured to extend away from the mounting portion, wherein the platform is moveable between a storage position above the surface and an accessible position away from the surface, lifting assemblies that join opposing sides of the platform to a respective extendable arm, the lifting assemblies being configured to raise and lower the platform relative to the extendable arms whilst in the accessible position, and a driver operable to raise and lower the platform. At least one of the lifting assemblies comprises three arms, at least one arm being a driven arm that is driven by the driver whereby the platform is raised or lowered, and another are being a stabilising arm that is configured to move synchronously with the driven arm whereby the platform is stabilised.

Abstract: An active liftgate spoiler (10;100;200;300;400) used on a liftgate (8) of a vehicle (6). The liftgate has an upper surface (4) and is typically a rear liftgate or hatch on the rear side of the vehicle. A housing (11;104;202;302;412) is connected to the upper surface of the liftgate. There is a moveable panel (12; 102;204, 208; 306, 308;402,403) connected to the housing using a connection. The connection is formed by a four bar linkage (20,20?; 106, 106?;210,210?; 311,311?;411, 411?) that forms a portion of the connection between the moveable panel and the housing. An actuator (14;110;212;314;414), which in one embodiment is a single rotary actuator is connected to the four bar linkage and causes the movement of the moveable panel.

Abstract: Interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side, a second attachment side, and a spacer. The first attachment side and the second attachment side each include a central portion, a first wing portion, and a second wing portion. The central portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the central portion, and the first wing portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion. The inner surface of the first wing portion extends in a direction transverse to the inner surface of the central portion, and the anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion is less than the anterior-posterior height of the central portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding the removal of cataracts in which an optical fiber delivers sufficient optical energy of the correct wavelength, pulse duration to achieve controlled non-thermal and non-acoustic dissolution of hard cataract tissue.

Abstract: An LED luminaire for a track lighting system, that takes the form of a track section rather than a more customary separate device attached to a track section. The new luminaire has an elongated, extruded housing configured to correspond to the exterior of standard track sections to visually blend in with the overall track system. A circuit board, mounting a plurality of longitudinally aligned LED elements, extends for the full length of the housing, providing downward illumination through an optic member closing the bottom of the housing. The LED housing has a plug-in type connection to an adjacent track section providing physical alignment, electrical power and data functions. Successive luminaires can be connected together, and the new luminaires can be connected to additional standard track sections. The new luminaires can be installed throughout an overall track lighting system, substantially without limitation as to number and/or order.

Abstract: An apparatus for microdisruption of cataracts in lens tissue by impulsive heat deposition comprising: a source of pulsed laser radiation, a user input device, a control circuit, and an optical waveguide configured to transmit the pulsed laser radiation. The light intensity which exits the optical waveguide has a wavelength selected to match an absorption peak of at least one component of the lens tissue, a pulse duration time shorter than a time required for thermal diffusion out of the laser irradiation volume and shorter than a time required for a thermally driven expansion of the laser irradiated volume, and a pulse energy resulting in a peak intensity of each laser pulse below a threshold for ionization-driven ablation to occur.

Abstract: Interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side, a second attachment side, and a spacer. The first attachment side and the second attachment side each include a central portion, a first wing portion, and a second wing portion. The central portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the central portion, and the first wing portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion. The inner surface of the first wing portion extends in a direction transverse to the inner surface of the central portion, and the anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion is less than the anterior-posterior height of the central portion.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a feeding system. The feeding system includes a housing that substantially forms an exterior surface of the feeding system, inside the housing includes an arm configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to a plurality of positions, wherein the arm is configured to support a can; a can opener at a first position of the plurality of positions; and an opening of the housing at a second position of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly for a side view mirror for a vehicle. The assembly comprises two arm members which are configured to receive a side view mirror thereat and a joining member for joining the arm members. The joining member comprises two sleeves, where each sleeve projects from a respective arm member and comprises an interlocking profile at a distal end thereof. The assembly also comprises a tightener configured for receipt through the sleeves when the sleeves are in an aligned configuration. Tightening the tightener draws the interlocking profiles of the aligned sleeves into engagement, whereby the arm members become rigidly joined.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide interspinous process spacing devices and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, surgical instrument system for implanting an interspinous process spacing device includes a first arm having a proximal end, an elongated central portion, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a first engagement element configured for releasably engaging a first attachment side of an interspinous process spacing device. The system also includes a second arm having a proximal end, an elongated central portion, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a second engagement element configured for releasably engaging a second attachment side of the interspinous process spacing device. The first arm and the second arm are removably attachable to one another via attachment elements and are configured for aligning a spacer of the first attachment side and a spacer opening of the second attachment side.

Abstract: A valve assembly capable of converting a small leak of a device into a measurable, relatively larger or “burst” flow event is described. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly includes a compliant chamber and, following pressurization of the device, permits flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber drops to a configured fill pressure and restricts (or prevents) flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to a shut-off pressure. The disclosed valve assemblies may be incorporated into a leak detection assembly capable of transmitting usage and/or alarm data to a central service.

Abstract: A valve assembly capable of converting a small leak of a device into a measurable, relatively larger or “burst” flow event is described. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly includes a compliant chamber and, following pressurization of the device, permits flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber drops to a configured fill pressure and restricts (or prevents) flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to a shut-off pressure. The disclosed valve assemblies may be incorporated into a leak detection assembly capable of transmitting usage and/or alarm data to a central service.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly for a side view mirror for a vehicle. The assembly comprises two arm members which are configured to receive a side view mirror thereat and a joining member for joining the arm members. The joining member comprises two sleeves, where each sleeve projects from a respective arm member and comprises an interlocking profile at a distal end thereof. The assembly also comprises a tightener configured for receipt through the sleeves when the sleeves are in an aligned configuration. Tightening the tightener draws the interlocking profiles of the aligned sleeves into engagement, whereby the arm members become rigidly joined.

Abstract: Interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side, a second attachment side, and a spacer. The first attachment side and the second attachment side each include a central portion, a first wing portion, and a second wing portion. The central portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the central portion, and the first wing portion includes an inner surface extending along at least a majority of an anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion. The inner surface of the first wing portion extends in a direction transverse to the inner surface of the central portion, and the anterior-posterior height of the first wing portion is less than the anterior-posterior height of the central portion.

Abstract: A valve assembly capable of converting a small leak of a device into a measurable, relatively larger or “burst” flow event is described. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly includes a compliant chamber and, following pressurization of the device, permits flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber drops to a configured fill pressure and restricts (or prevents) flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to a shut-off pressure. The disclosed valve assemblies may be incorporated into a leak detection assembly capable of transmitting usage and/or alarm data to a central service.

Abstract: Various interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided for treating spinal disease. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side and a second attachment side, each attachment side including one or more slots formed therein and positioned proximate one end for receiving fasteners extending inwardly from a second interspinous process spacing device. The device further includes a spacer tray extending from the first attachment side and slideably insertable through a spacer tray slot formed in the second attachment side, wherein the spacer tray is adapted to retain adjacent spinous processes in a spaced apart orientation, and wherein at least a portion of the spacer tray has a longitudinally arcuate shape adapted to facilitate angled insertion of the spacer tray through the spacer tray slot. The device further includes securing means for securing the second attachment side relative to the first attachment side.

Abstract: Various interspinous process spacing devices and associated methods are provided for treating spinal disease. In one embodiment, an interspinous process spacing device includes a first attachment side and a second attachment side, each attachment side including one or more slots formed therein and positioned proximate one end for receiving fasteners extending inwardly from a second interspinous process spacing device. The device further includes a spacer tray extending from the first attachment side and slideably insertable through a spacer tray slot formed in the second attachment side, wherein the spacer tray is adapted to retain adjacent spinous processes in a spaced apart orientation, and wherein at least a portion of the spacer tray has a longitudinally arcuate shape adapted to facilitate angled insertion of the spacer tray through the spacer tray slot. The device further includes securing means for securing the second attachment side relative to the first attachment side.