Abstract: A winglet is coupled with an end of a fan blade. The fan blade has an upper surface, a lower surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The fan blade defines a chord and a maximum thickness. The winglet comprises a substantially vertical member that has a perimeter defined by a lower edge, an upper edge, and a rear edge, which meet at rounded corners. The rear edge of the vertical member has a length that is greater than the maximum thickness of the end of the fan blade. The vertical member has a length that is greater than the chord of the fan blade. The rear edge of the vertical member protrudes rearwardly relative to a vertical plane tangential to the trailing edge of the end of the fan blade. A mounting member may extend from the vertical member to couple the winglet with the fan blade.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable to communicate fluid. An exemplary apparatus comprises a housing and a fluid reservoir within the housing. An actuator is operationally engaged with the fluid reservoir. The actuator is operable to effect communication of fluid from or into the fluid reservoir. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The sensor is operable to sense a physical parameter of fluid that is in communication with the fluid reservoir as the fluid is communicated from or into the fluid reservoir. An indicator is in communication with the sensor. The indicator is operable to display the physical parameter sensed by the sensor. The apparatus may be used to inject fluid into or withdraw fluid from an implanted gastric band system or for a variety of other uses. Fluid pressure may be adjusted and sensed, and resulting data may be displayed, by a single, integrated instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a marker at a site within a patient may include an elongate cannula, an elongate pusher, and a marker disposed within the cannula. The cannula may have a tip at its distal end and a transverse opening. The pusher may be disposed within the cannula, and may be moved longitudinally within the cannula. The pusher may have a ramped distal end. The marker may be configured to exit the transverse opening upon urging by the ramped distal end of the pusher. In some versions, the tip of the cannula has a flat proximal face, and the marker has a recessed region that is configured to buckle in response to longitudinal compression, such that the marker will pop out of the cannula upon buckling. In other versions, the cannula has an external sheath, an open and curved distal end, or a leaf spring.

Abstract: A belt guide apparatus for attachment to a belt conveyor comprises top and bottom plates. Walls extend between the top and bottom plates. The plates and walls form a belt envelope that defines a belt opening that substantially corresponds to a cross-section of the endless belt such that the endless belt can slide freely through the belt opening yet is substantially prevented from moving laterally or vertically. A front entrance of the belt envelope is configured to funnel the endless belt into the belt opening, and when attached to the belt conveyor the belt envelope is oriented such that the right and left walls are aligned with a desired path of the endless belt, and the endless belt passes through the belt opening.

Abstract: A biopsy device may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump in the handpiece may provide a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A pressure pump in the handpiece may also provide pressurized air to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor in the handpiece may drive the vacuum pump, the pressure pump, and/or the cutter. A vacuum sensor may sense a vacuum level within the biopsy device, and cause initiation of operational cycles in response to sensed vacuum levels. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first battery-powered motor; and a cutter, pressure pump, and vacuum pump by a second battery-powered motor. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum, pressurized air, and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter and a probe body. A cutter rotation and translation mechanism may include a sleeve that is secured to the cutter, a nut that is secured to the body, and first and second gears. The sleeve includes portion having external threads and a portion having external flats. The nut has internal threads that are configured to engage the threads of the sleeve, such that the cutter translates longitudinally when the sleeve rotates within the nut. The threads have a fine pitch (e.g., 40-50 threads per inch). The first gear is slid onto the portion of the sleeve that has flats, and is configured to rotate with the sleeve yet translate along the sleeve. The second gear is coupled with a motor. The second gear is configured to mesh with the first gear to rotate the sleeve, thereby concomitantly rotating and translating the cutter.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a system and method for updating a speech recognition program. The system provides a speech recognition program, an update website for updating a speech recognition program, and a database for storing data that may be used to update a speech recognition program. A user may utilize an update website, to add, modify, and delete speech recognition program information that may include: speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. Speech recognition program may communicate with update website to request information about possible updates. Update website may send a response consisting of information to speech recognition program. Speech recognition program may utilize received information to decide what speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information it may want to download.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which integrates a machine learning solution into a large scale, distributed transaction processing system using a supporting architecture comprising a combination of computer hardware and software. Methods of using a system comprising such supporting architecture provide application designers access to the functionality included in a machine learning solution, but might also provide additional functionality not supported by the machine learning solution itself.

Abstract: A biopsy device for marking a biopsy site is disclosed. The biopsy device can include a marker deployer and at least one marker disposed within an internal lumen of the deployer. The marker can include a non-metallic marker body sized and shaped to reduce variability in marker deployment force. In one embodiment, the marker body can be shaped to cooperate with a feature in the internal lumen of the deployer.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a cannula having a transverse tissue receiving aperture and a cutter that is movable relative to the cannula to sever tissue protruding through the aperture. A first valve assembly comprises a first valve body and a first actuator. The first valve body has a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port is in fluid communication with either atmospheric air or a pressurized medium. The second port is in fluid communication with the cannula. The third port is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The first actuator is translatable relative to the first valve body to selectively couple either the first port or the third port with the second port. An optional second valve assembly is operable to selectively couple the cannula with either a source of saline or the first valve assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is device where one embodiment is for use in chemically treating hair, particularly highlighting or coloring hair. One embodiment of the device may be reusable, recyclable, and transparent. Another embodiment of the device may comprise lightweight panels, at least a portion of which is transparent such that the stylist is able to view the results of the treatment process without opening the device. One embodiment of the device may be quickly and easily applied to and removed from the hair. Another embodiment of the device may be easily produced where all components of the device are integrally manufactured. An embodiment may also be adapted to comprise at least two compartments, such that multiple different chemical products may be simultaneously applied, while still retaining the benefits and advantages of the device.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In this method, during ripening, the produce is maintained in a gas medium which comprises oxygen and carbon dioxide and has the following characteristics: PR=ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide=(20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.8; wherein B is the percentage (by weight) of oxygen in the gas medium and C is the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide is the gas medium, and the percentage (by weight) of oxygen (in the gas medium) is from about 1.0 to about 6.0, and the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide in the gas medium is from about 3.0 to about 10.0.

Abstract: Sodalite is synthesized in the presence of a stoichiometric quantity of Permanganate ion. After thorough washing to remove trace salts the resulting pigment may be encapsulated with amorphous silica using the Iler process. The resulting pigment has enhanced acid stability and provides excellent corrosion protection on reactive metal substrates such as Aerospace Aluminum or Coil grade Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for monitoring and updating an interactive voice response system through the use of a human agent who reviews the responses provided by a computer system and makes recommendations which are then used as data for updating the interactive voice response system. There is further disclosed a user interface for allowing the human agent to review the responses provided by the computer system, and to provide alternate responses which could be implemented by the computer system.

Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In addition, the method does not require separate handling and repackaging of the bananas between the starting of the ripening process and storage/shipment of the bananas. In this method, ripening is initiated by inserting additional gas into the banana package, such that the gas medium comprises from about 2.0% to about 5.0% oxygen, from about 5.0% to about 15.0% carbon dioxide, from about 0.8% to about 1.5% ethylene, the remainder of the gas medium being predominantly nitrogen, for a period of from about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. The composition of the gas medium in the package is then adjusted such that the gas medium has a ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide which meets the following conditions: (20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.