Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A system that improves wireless communication between a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wireless computing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signals from a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined direction for each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period for communication with the base station according to a schedule. The system includes different types of components may be employed to implement various functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antenna controller component. The AoA detector component may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF) wireless signals radiated by UEs that are communicating with the base station in accordance with an allocation schedule.

Abstract: A system that improves wireless communication between a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wireless computing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signals from a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined direction for each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period for communication with the base station according to a schedule. The system includes different types of components may be employed to implement various functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antenna controller component. The AoA detector component may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF) wireless signals radiated by UEs that are communicating with the base station in accordance with an allocation schedule.

Abstract: Filtering for sampled data representing uplink wireless RF signals monitored by a pair of antennas is provided to improve accuracy in determining an angular location of an identified UE. An extracted portion of the filtered sampled data is used to improve accuracy in determining an angular location of the identified UE. The extracted portion represents direct path uplink wireless RF signals that have traveled by a line of sight between the pair of antennas and the identified UE. Another portion of the filtered sampled data is cancelled, which represents multiple path (multipath) uplink wireless RF signals that have traveled a longer distance than the direct path signals due to reflection from one or more surfaces on multiple paths between the identified UE and the pair of antennas.

Abstract: Filtering for sampled data representing uplink wireless RF signals monitored by a pair of antennas is provided to improve accuracy in determining an angular location of an identified UE. An extracted portion of the filtered sampled data is used to improve accuracy in determining an angular location of the identified UE. The extracted portion represents direct path uplink wireless RF signals that have traveled by a line of sight between the pair of antennas and the identified UE. Another portion of the filtered sampled data is cancelled, which represents multiple path (multipath) uplink wireless RF signals that have traveled a longer distance than the direct path signals due to reflection from one or more surfaces on multiple paths between the identified UE and the pair of antennas.

Abstract: A system that improves wireless communication between a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wireless computing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signals from a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined direction for each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period for communication with the base station according to a schedule. The system includes different types of components may be employed to implement various functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antenna controller component. The AoA detector component may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF) wireless signals radiated by UEs that are communicating with the base station in accordance with an allocation schedule.

Abstract: A system that improves wireless communication between a wireless base station and a plurality of remote wireless computing user devices (UEs) based on aiming downlink wireless signals from a base station in a beam shaped waveform in a determined direction for each remote UE that is identified as allocated a time period for communication with the base station according to a schedule. The system includes different types of components may be employed to implement various functions, including an angle of arrival (AoA) detector component, a downlink protocol decoder component, and an antenna controller component. The AoA detector component may be employed to monitor one or more radio frequency (RF) wireless signals radiated by UEs that are communicating with the base station in accordance with an allocation schedule.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for a leveling/spreading attachment are described herein. One system includes a body attachable to a push block portion of a trailer and a leveling blade coupled to the body. In some examples, a leveling blade trailer attachment system includes an adapter plate to replace a push block of a trailer, a body coupled to the adapter plate comprising a number of cylinders connected to an air supply of the trailer, and a leveling blade coupled to the body and the number of cylinders.

Abstract: An actuator comprises an actuator shaft mounted for rotation by a drive shaft, releasable lock means operable to restrict axial movement of the actuator shaft relative to the drive shaft, and an output member co-operating with the actuator shaft such that rotation of the actuator shaft drives the output member for translating movement relative to the actuator shaft.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a first actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a first component and a second component, a second actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a third component and a fourth component, brake means operable to prevent extension of the first and/or second actuator arrangement, and damping means operable to control the rate of extension of at least one of the first and second actuator arrangements.

Abstract: Methods are provided for cleaning a component having internal passages. A method includes contacting the component with an aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution without agitating the solution for a time period in a range of about 20 minutes to about an hour to dissolve a solid piece of blockage material blocking at least a portion of the internal passages, the aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution comprising, by volume, about 40 percent to about 60 percent hydrogen fluoride and optionally, a corrosion inhibitor, and the blockage material comprising a silicate and rinsing the component with water to remove at least a portion of the aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution from surfaces of the component defining at least a portion of the internal passages.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that both non-particle and particle associated nucleic acids are present in blood plasma and serum and can be used to evaluate disease conditions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing an engine component. In an embodiment, a method includes forming at least one layer of a first braze alloy mixture including about 40% by weight of a first base alloy material and about 60% by weight of a first braze alloy material, over a structural feature of the component. The first braze alloy material includes chromium, cobalt, tungsten, tantalum, aluminum, hafnium, carbon, boron, and a balance of nickel. A second braze alloy mixture is disposed over the at least one layer of the first braze alloy mixture, the second braze alloy mixture including between about 50% and about 60% by weight of a second base alloy material, and between about 40% and about 50% by weight of a second braze alloy material. The component is then subjected to heat treatment, and may be further subjected to machining, coating and final inspection.

Abstract: An actuator comprises an actuator shaft mounted for rotation by a drive shaft, releasable lock means operable to restrict axial movement of the actuator shaft relative to the drive shaft, and an output member co-operating with the actuator shaft such that rotation of the actuator shaft drives the output member for translating movement relative to the actuator shaft.

Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing an engine component. In an embodiment, a method includes forming at least one layer of a first braze alloy mixture including about 40% by weight of a first base alloy material and about 60% by weight of a first braze alloy material, over a structural feature of the component. The first braze alloy material includes chromium, cobalt, tungsten, tantalum, aluminum, hafnium, carbon, boron, and a balance of nickel. A second braze alloy mixture is disposed over the at least one layer of the first braze alloy mixture, the second braze alloy mixture including between about 50% and about 60% by weight of a second base alloy material, and between about 40% and about 50% by weight of a second braze alloy material. The component is then subjected to heat treatment, and may be further subjected to machining, coating and final inspection.

Abstract: A inside the waistband holster having on it's back or “body contact side” a friction causing or otherwise adhering surface which is integrated into, manufactured and applied to, or purchased “after-market” and applied to said holster for the purpose of preventing slippage and/or sliding of the holster against the body or undergarment of the wearer.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a first actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a first component and a second component, a second actuator arrangement operable to allow relative axial movement to occur between a third component and a fourth component, brake means operable to prevent extension of the first and/or second actuator arrangement, and damping means operable to control the rate of extension of at least one of the first and second actuator arrangements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into a channel of a track, translating the insertion portion to a second position until at least one self-alignment feature of the locking assembly abuts an abutment portion of the track, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member to a secured position, the body being substantially constrained from movement along the track in the secured position. In an alternate embodiment, in the unsecured position the at least one engagement member is withdrawn from the channel, and in the secured position the at least one engagement member projects into the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a blood sample from a patient for evaluating stroke or cardiac ischemia in the patient.