Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.

Abstract: A neurosurgery system for probing brain tissue of a patient for tumorous tissue. The system including a suction tool, an excitation source, an optical instrument, and a controller. The suction tool including a suction cannula defining a lumen, an optical fiber configured to transmit fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue; and an indicator configured to selectively emit visible light. An excitation source is configured to emit an excitation light having a wavelength to induce the fluorescence in the tumorous tissue. The optical instrument is coupled to the optical fiber. The optical instrument configured to convert the fluorescence emitted by the brain tissue and transmitted by the optical and configured to determine that the brain tissue is tumorous based on the electrical signal and activate the indicator based on the determination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).

Abstract: The spray dried plasma by the nature of its characteristics and the process by which it is made allows for a dried plasma with reduced pathogens. It has at least three aspects of pathogen reduction that results in a plasma product with reduced or no pathogens. The first aspect relates to a spray drying disposable and machine that eliminates or minimizes the introduction of pathogens into the spray drying process and is referred to as the anti-contamination process. The second aspect of pathogen reduction relates to the spray drying process and parameters that reduces pathogens that may be present in the donor plasma, and/or inhibit pathogen growth and/or pathogen proliferation introduced by the donor plasma. The third aspect results in reduced pathogens occurring during storage of the dried plasma wherein the manufacturing and storage conditions are such that pathogens are reduced, and/or pathogen growth and/or pathogen proliferation are inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the mean size of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: A space vehicle competition management system includes an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) and a control unit. The OTV is configured to retain space vehicles (SVs) while the OTV transfers the SVs from an initial altitude of a launch vehicle to a desired altitude, and deploy the plurality of SVs at a series of offset locations and respective times representing starting points of the competition. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to receive signals indicative of waypoint arrival times for one or more of the SVs at one or more waypoints along a course of the competition, and compute one or more metrics indicative of relative performance of the plurality of SVs in the competition.

Abstract: A thruster system for use in a spacecraft combines chemical and electric or electrothermal propulsion. To that end a thruster may comprise a cavity including at least one inlet to receive a first fluid and a second fluid configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product. Alternatively, the cavity may be configured to receive a monopropellant configured to chemically decompose within the cavity. The thruster system further comprises an energy source coupled to the cavity and configured to heat or ionize material within the cavity by emitting electromagnetic radiation. Still further, the thruster system comprises a nozzle provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct heated material out of the cavity to generate thrust.

Abstract: A fireplace is disclosed having a flame screen that is fitted over a gas burner. The gas burner may be an elongated tube having orifices that are configured to produce a row of flames. The row of flames passes through openings in the flame screen to increase the height of the row of flames, change the color of the row of flames, and/or alter a shape or distribution of the row of flames. The flame screen may also facilitate ignition of a gas emitted from the gas burner after the flame screen has been heated by the row of flames.

Abstract: A blank is manufactured by additive layer manufacturing. The blank is made up of a part, a tool, and a connection member connecting the tool to the part, which are all integrally formed during the build from the same build material. The connection member can be cut or broken to disconnect the tool from the part which enables the tool to be used to mechanically remove surface build material from the surface of the part.

Abstract: A process for producing a retroviral or lentiviral vector formulation comprising a filter-sterilisation step wherein the filter-sterilisation step is not the final step in the purification process.

Abstract: A process for producing a retroviral or lentiviral vector formulation comprising a filter-sterilisation step wherein the filter-sterilisation step is not the final step in the purification process.

Abstract: A process for producing a retroviral or lentiviral vector formulation comprising a filter-sterilisation step wherein the filter-sterilisation step is not the final step in the purification process.

Abstract: A process for producing a retroviral or lentiviral vector formulation comprising a filter-sterilization step wherein the filter-sterilization step is not the final step in the purification process.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary protective garment for providing limited protection from lightning is fabricated of a waterproof/breathable fabric, such as a Gore-Tex® laminate or equivalent. The garment keeps a wearer's body dry and supports a lightning flashover event when moist or wet on the outside, protecting the cardiopulmonary system. Strips of an electrically conductive fabric, such as Shieldex® or equivalent, can be attached in various arrangements on a posterior outer surface of the garment for igniting a rapid flashover. The conductive strips also provide attractive design details. In some embodiments, an inner heat shielding and flame resistant layer, made of a fabric such as NOMEX® or equivalent, can increase protection against burning caused by lightning and a flashover.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method of controlling transmit power in a wireless device, wherein a desired transmit power is determined as a result of detection of a receive signal parameter. The method comprises detecting a desired maximum transmit power and generating a sequence of attenuation factors. The sequence is generated by monotonically increasing a variable at a controlled rate between a starting value and the maximum transmit power. The method further comprises using each attenuation factor in turn to: (a) reduce the measured value of the received signal power; and (b) reduce a determined desired value of the transmit power, where the transmit power is continually reduced as the variable is increased.