Abstract: A retrofitting, inductive-battery-charging device for use with a surgical sterilization device, comprising an inductive charging assembly and an inductively powered battery-charging platform that is sterilizable inside a surgical sterilization device and is operable to charge at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the rechargeable battery is placed at the platform. The inductive charging assembly comprises an inductive-power-supply sub-assembly electrically connected to a power supply and is operable to supply power inductively over a distance at least equal to a width of a wall of the surgical sterilization device, and an inductive-power-receiver sub-assembly that is sterilizable inside the surgical sterilization device and electrically coupled to the platform.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously surgically sterilizing and charging a battery, which comprises providing an inductively powered battery charger inside a selectively sealable surgical sterilization enclosure of a surgical sterilization device. The surgical sterilization device is operable to surgically sterilize at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument placed therewithin. The charger has an inductive power receiver sub-assembly operable to receive power inductively and to supply charging power to the at least one rechargeable battery. The at least one rechargeable battery is electrically charged while being surgically sterilized by supplying power inductively from a power supply positioned outside the surgical sterilization enclosure to the inductive power receiver sub-assembly through the surgical sterilization enclosure.

Abstract: A medical guidewire system for guiding thereon a medical implement includes an end effector, an actuation guidewire having a distal end permanently connected to the end effector, and a control assembly. The assembly has a handle, a shaft receiving the guidewire. The shaft has a proximal end permanently connected to the handle and a distal end temporarily connected to the end effector. A first actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to the guidewire to actuate the end effector. A second actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to a portion of the guidewire to disconnect the guidewire from the handle when actuated and, thereby, permit removal of the control assembly from the end effector and guidewire. When the control assembly is removed, the end effector and the guidewire form a surgical exchange or guidewire for guiding thereon the medical implement.

Abstract: Methods, software codes, and devices for determining an emission flow rate of one or more CO2 equivalent gases from an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and a method of determining a vehicle efficiency factor of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle efficiency factor is compared in real time to the corresponding point on a vehicle efficiency map based on at least one of current vehicle conditions, driving conditions, environmental conditions, and energy flow visualization data to derive a driver efficiency factor.

Abstract: A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition, maintaining the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with tendons disposed within the hollow body, and individually adjusting at least some of the tendons in length for steering a distal end of the hollow body.

Abstract: A method for learning scripts of Chinese character-based languages includes forming a list of user-recognized symbols in a Chinese character-based language, each of the symbols having an associated key with a respective bridge. A complex Chinese multi-character to be learned and added to the recognized list is identified. A set of the user-recognized symbols within the multi-character is recognized. A mnemonic in a language known to the user is formed for recalling the written form of the multi-character. The mnemonic is based upon the keys and bridges associated with the recognized set of symbols within the multi-character. The mnemonic is used to remember the multi-character and, thereby, add the multi-character to the recognized list. Chinese radicals can be sources associated with icons having a logical similarity thereto. The source has the bridge in upper case and three icons use two combinations of lower/upper case and two lower case letters.

Abstract: An exercise device includes at least one arc-shaped wing structure shaped to conform to a curvature of an exterior surface of an exercise ball such that when applied to the exterior surface thereof the at least one arc-shaped wing structure has a lower proximal end and an upper distal radiating end, protrudes away from the exterior surface of the exercise ball to a given distance that increases along a direction from the lower proximal end towards the upper distal radiating end, and is operable to provide an increased resistance against a rolling movement of the exercise ball along a surface when the at least one arc-shaped wing structure comes into rolling contact with the surface. An exercise ball with a plurality of the wing structures is likewise provided, the wing structures being integral or removable.

Abstract: In a microdissection method and a microdissection system, first and second objects are transported from a preparation to first and second collection devices, respectively, so that a position of the second collection device relative to the first collection device substantially corresponds to a position of the second object relative to the first object in the preparation.

Abstract: A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, an outer jacket and an inner sleeve, maintaining the hollow body in relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with wires disposed at least partly between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve and being free of at least one of the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube disposed between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, and applying suction to create a vacuum between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition, with a transitioning device for frictionally locking the wires and the corrugated tube in place.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector operable to effect a surgical procedure when powered, an electric motor operationally connected to the end effector, and a power supply electrically connected to and selectively powering the motor to operate the end effector, the power supply having at least one battery cell with a critical current rate and having a switch that when activated to power the motor, operates the at least one battery cell at a super-critical current rate.

Abstract: A lithographic mask comprises a first layer including grooves, a second layer including regions, sections and a groove-like structure that encloses the sections. The first and second layers are formed so as to reduce electrical potential differences within the second layer. A method of forming a lithographic mask includes forming first and second layers to dispose the second layer over the first layer, patterning the second layer to comprise sections, a region, and a groove-like structure enclosing the sections, and forming grooves in the first layer at portions not covered by the second layer. The first and second layers are formed to reduce potential differences within the second layers during the step of forming the grooves in the first layer.

Abstract: A method for effecting a tissue-compressing surgery at a user-selected compression force provides an electrical switch having switching states changed solely by mechanical movements. The switch is mechanically coupled with an adjustable biasing device retaining the switch in one state until a force greater than the bias device is imparted to the switch. The switch is in line with a tissue-compressing device to place a proportional amount of compression force on the switch as imparted upon the tissue. The biasing device is set to a desired state-changing tissue compression force so that the switch changes its state when the force on the switch is at least the desired force. Tissue compresses until a force imparted on the switch at least equals the desired state-changing tissue compression force and, at such time, the switching state changes and, thereafter, a surgical procedure is carried out on the compressed tissue.

Abstract: A device for sterilizing and charging a battery of a surgical instrument, comprising a surgical sterilization device that has a sealable sterilization enclosure and is operable to surgically sterilize a rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the battery is sealed in the sterilization enclosure. An inductively powered battery-charging platform is also disposed inside the sterilization enclosure and has a charger that conductively charges the battery when the battery is placed at the charger. A power receiver sub-assembly that is electrically coupled to the charger receives electrical power inductively from a power supply that is disposed outside the sterilization enclosure. Thus, the battery is charged without breaching the sealed sterilization enclosure and simultaneously while the battery is being sterilized.

Abstract: A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device includes an electrically conductive switching piston to form a first electrical contact of the switch, a hollow body, an end stop, a bias device, and an electrically conductive second contact of the switch electrically insulated from the piston. The piston is movably disposed in the body hollow along the axis to define different switch-making and -breaking positions. The piston is also movably disposed in a cavity of the stop and the stop is disposed in the body. The stop can be a smooth or threaded puck. The bias device surrounds the piston and imparts bias against it to retain it in one of the two positions until an external axis force overcomes the bias, at which time the switch indicates a state changeover. The switch can be normally open or closed.

Abstract: A first exposure dose for a shot area based upon layout data is determined. A correction dose compensating a dose deviation between a first point in time, at which a control unit configured to control a shot time period of a particle beam writing apparatus considers a charged particle beam as having reached a nominal current density, and a second point in time, at which the charged particle beam has actually reached a nominal current density, at a target substrate is determined.

Abstract: A device for charging at least one rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument that comprises a sealed container operable to enclose and create a microbial seal around the battery. The sealed container permits surgical sterilization and inductive charging of the battery while the battery is enclosed therein. The device further comprises an inductive charging assembly having a power receiver sub-assembly inside the sealed container and electrically coupled to the battery whereby the power receiver sub-assembly is operable to receive electrical power inductively from outside the sealed container and to charge the battery electrically coupled to the power receiver sub-assembly. A power supply is disposed outside the sealed container and supplies power inductively to the power receiver sub-assembly through the sealed container such that the sealed container is not structurally breached.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards sealable and repositionable endovascular implant grafts, and methods for their use for the treatment of aortic aneurysms and other structural vascular defects. Sealable, repositionable endograft systems for placement in a blood vessel are disclosed, in which endograft implants with circumferential sealable collars and variable sealing devices upon deployment achieve a desired controllable seal between the collar and the vessel's inner wall. Embodiments of endovascular implants according to the present invention may further be provided with retractable retention tines or other retention devices allowing an implant to be repositioned before final deployment. An endograft system according to the present invention further comprises a delivery catheter to allow placement through a peripheral arteriotomy site, and of sufficient length to allow advancement into the thoracic or abdominal aorta.

Abstract: A medical device includes a control handle, an end effector, and a passive articulating joint connecting the end effector to the handle. The handle has a stapling actuator, an articulation joint actuator different from the stapling actuator, and a body through which the stapling and articulation joint actuators traverse. The end effector has an anvil, a stapler cartridge with staples, and an anvil-cartridge control device connected thereto and to the stapling actuator and staples when the stapling actuator is actuated. The stapling actuator passes through the articulating joint and flexes correspondingly to articulation of the articulating joint. The articulation joint actuator, when unactuated, holds the articulation joint and, thereby, the end effector, in a substantially fixed articulation position, and, when actuated, releases the articulation joint into its freely articulating state to permit free articulation of the end effector dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector.