Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: An acoustic panel for a gas turbine engine, includes a panel body, a panel-body cover, and a support bracket. The panel body is configured to dampen vibrations caused by the gas turbine engine. The forward support bracket is configured to mount the acoustic panel to portions of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The needle extends through the catheter such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that rotation of the thumbwheel advances a distal end of the guidewire through a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, rotating the thumbwheel to advance the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: A grating for a support structure includes a piece of metal including a perimeter edge and a surface bound by the perimeter edge. The piece of metal defines an array of uniform surface modifications on the surface of the piece of metal. The uniform surface modifications are arranged in a repeated pattern across the surface. The repeated pattern of uniform surface modifications is consistent across the surface but for at least a pair of spaced apart areas of inconsistency where the uniform surface modifications are not formed in the surface. Each area of inconsistency is surrounded on all sides by the array of uniform surface modifications. The pair of areas of inconsistency provides an indication of where to attach a structure to the grating.

Abstract: A grating for a support structure includes a piece of metal including a perimeter edge and a surface bound by the perimeter edge. The piece of metal defines an array of uniform surface modifications on the surface of the piece of metal. The uniform surface modifications are arranged in a repeated pattern across the surface. The repeated pattern of uniform surface modifications is consistent across the surface but for at least a pair of spaced apart areas of inconsistency where the uniform surface modifications are not formed in the surface. Each area of inconsistency is surrounded on all sides by the array of uniform surface modifications. The pair of areas of inconsistency provides an indication of where to attach a structure to the grating.

Abstract: A pool cue tip conditioning device has a striker plate carrying tip-indenting fingers on its bottom side, the plate located for being driven into a pool cue tip to indent the tip without damaging it. The striker plate is driven by a plunger controlled by a return spring. A plug is located above the plunger, the plug having an aperture in a bottom surface for receiving the tip of the plunger when the post of the plunger is centered. The plug is held off-center by an aysmmetric return spring which allows the tip of the post to become centered and to move upward into the aperture when the striker plate is moved upward by insertion of a pool cue. A work spring stronger than the return spring then forces the plug downward, slamming into the plunger, which drives the striker plate into the cue tip.

Abstract: A Web/Internet based toll-free network management tool that enables customers of telecommunications network providers to modify the configuration of their toll-free networks via a Web/Internet-based graphical user interface. The tool provides customers Web/Internet access to toll-free call routing plans and associated routing plan details via a secure Web/Internet-based connection, and additionally provides a customer with the ability to specify implementation of a specific call routing plan for a toll-free number at a predetermined time, and the ability to re-configure an existing call routing plan. Additionally, the tool enables a roll-back of a particular call-routing plan or call plan detail to a prior configuration at a user-specified time.

Abstract: A variable size footwear includes a sole, an upper fixed to the sole and an nsole overlying the sole within the upper. An inner sock of elastic material is fixed to the sole and/or insole. The sock in an unstressed state is smaller than the upper, but is expandable to a size conforming to interior walls of the upper. The sock is fixed at an upper edge thereof to the upper.

Abstract: An integrated visual defect detection and classification system. The invention includes adaptive defect detection and image labeling, defect feature measures, and a knowledge based inference shell/engine for classification based on fuzzy logic. The combination of these elements comprises a method and system for providing detection and analysis of product defects in many application domains, such as semiconductor and electronic packaging manufacturing.