Abstract: A position detecting device for detecting a position of an object, includes a light emitting portion that emits light, a light receiving portion that receives the light from the light emitting portion, and a scale that is arranged between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and includes a position detecting pattern and a smear detecting pattern. The position detecting pattern has a first light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a first light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged in a detection range of the object. The smear detecting pattern for detecting smear of the scale has a second light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a second light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing surgical procedures using tissue retractors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to use a retractor to capture a large or small amount of tissue in the retractor and to move the retractor to relocate tissue to one or more convenient locations during a surgical procedure. The retractor can be configured from a pliable state to a substantially rigid state to hold the retractor and the tissue in a substantially fixed position during the procedure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method executed in a printing apparatus operable to read out data from a recording medium and to execute printing based on the read-out data with respect to a printing medium. A first mode for selecting a type of the printing is effected. A prescribed command is received after the first mode is effected. A second mode for adjusting a printing position relative to the printing medium is effected when the prescribed command is received. The printing position is adjusted when the second mode is effected. The first mode is effected when the adjusting of the printing position is finished, with a condition that is effected when the prescribed command is received.

Abstract: Transportation state evaluation methods, transportation state evaluation programs, and recording media processing devices are provided. In one embodiment, a check processing device has an insertion direction evaluation means that determines if an orientation of a check is correct or not based on a detection signal from a magnetic head, a multifeed detector and multifeed evaluation means that detect multifeeding, an enable/disable control means that enables or disables the insertion direction evaluation and multifeed detection operations of the insertion direction evaluation means and multifeed evaluation means, and a control means that unconditionally enables multifeed detection when only the insertion direction evaluation is enabled. Multifeed detection is always enabled when insertion direction evaluation is enabled because the insertion direction evaluation means can return a detection error when multifeeding occurs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: an image source acquiring unit that acquires an image source; a determining unit that determines whether the image source acquired is a moving image source; a setting unit that sets a matrix size used in a noise elimination of a first plane to be larger than a matrix size used in a noise elimination of a second plane if the image source is a moving image source and sets the matrix size used in the noise elimination of the second plane to be larger than the matrix size used in the noise elimination of the first plane if the image source is a still image source; and a noise elimination unit that executes the noise elimination of the luminance and color difference planes on image data from the image source using the size of the matrix of the smoothing range.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus assisting safe one-handed insertion of an implant. An implant implantation device has a frame which includes a trigger mechanism, an outer sleeve mechanically coupled to the frame, an inner shaft having a grabber for mechanically engaging an implant, the inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer sleeve, and a retaining element disposed over the inner shaft for directing the grabber toward a closed position. An implant clip has a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member, a first implant holder pivotally coupled to the first member, the coupling causing the implant clip to have a closed position and an open position, and a second implant holder, the second implant holder pivotally coupled to the second member, a surface of the first implant holder and a surface of the second implant holder remaining substantially parallel to each other while the first member and the second member pivot between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for regulating and directing bodily fluids from one region of a patient to another region are disclosed. In general, an apparatus is provided that can include an implantable shunt system and a system controller. The implantable shunt system can have an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of fluid, a sensor element for measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient, and an electromechanical valve actuator that can be adapted to adjust a resistance of the valve. The implantable shunt system can be in electrical communication with the system controller. The system controller can generally be adapted to receive a physiological characteristic of the patient and operate the electromechanical valve actuator to adjust a resistance of the valve. The apparatus can also include an external programming device that is in communication with the system controller.

Abstract: An organic electronic device includes: a pair of electrodes, an organic film layer containing an organic substance having a benzothiadiazole skeleton, a metal oxide layer provided on the organic film layer by vacuum vapor deposition, and an interface formed between the pair of electrodes out of the organic film layer and the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The outer reflector extends from a proximal end adapted to receive light from the light source to a distal end that provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The inner and outer reflectors are axially movable relative to one another and are configured such that, beginning in a position with the inner reflector nested within the outer reflector, distal movement of the outer reflector (that is, a movement away from the inner reflector) along the axis about which the reflectors are disposed progressively reduces a flood spread produced by the lighting system.

Abstract: An output voltage of a paper-width detector is input while a carriage is moved leftward in a main scan direction. Whether a mounting position of a test element member in the main scan direction falls within a generally horizontal design basis range is determined based on the position of the carriage and reference information. The position of the carriage in the main scan direction is determined from a signal of a linear encoder when a right edge of the test element member is detected in response to a substantial change in the output voltage of the paper-width detector. Whether a mounting position of the test element member in a substantially vertical direction falls within a vertical design basis range is determined based on the mounting position of the test element member in the substantially vertical direction determined from the output voltage of the paper-width detector and the reference information.

Abstract: Methods and devices for fastening tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a tissue fastener is provided and includes a male fastening member having a base plate with at least one post extending therefrom and having a tissue-piercing tip. A protective member is coupled to the male fastening member and is movable between an open position in which the tissue-piercing tip is enclosed within the protective member such that the tissue-piercing tip is prevented from penetrating tissue, and a compressed position in which the tissue-piercing tip is exposed to penetrate tissue. A female fastening member is configured to mate to the male fastening member and to engage tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An implantable system having internal circuitry configured to withstand a pre-determined amount of sterilization radiation is provided. In general, the system includes an internal control module in electrical communication with an implantable medical device. The internal control module can include a circuit board configured to withstand radiation and/or any number of integrated circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits) wherein the circuits or at least some portion thereof are fabricated so as to withstand some amount of radiation. For example, some portion of the circuitry can be fabricated utilizing radiation compliant material(s), silicon-on-insulator technology, and/or gallium arsenide technology. Additionally, the circuitry can include various components which are inherently resistant to such radiation (e.g., components fabricated utilizing magnetic field based technology, surface acoustical wave devices, etc.).

Abstract: A method for automatically establishing wireless connections between a plurality of grouped wireless devices and a third party wireless device, comprising the steps of: forming a connection group having a first wireless device and at least one additional grouped wireless device; configuring a connection table to record connection group attribute parameters for the connection group, the connection group attribute parameters including connection parameters of said first wireless device and other grouped wireless devices; configuring the first wireless device in the connection group such that it is capable of establishing a wireless connection with a third party wireless device; and establishing an additional wireless connection between the third party wireless device and the wireless devices of the group if the additional wireless connection satisfies a connection parameter specified by the connection table in the connection group.

Abstract: An ink set for ink jet recording that realizes a satisfactory image in addition to high color-developing ability, high ejection stability, and high recover ability from clogging is provided. An ink set contains two or more ink compositions at least including a black ink composition and a color ink composition. The black ink composition includes a self-dispersing pigment having a hydrophilic group on the surface thereof and the color ink composition includes a self-dispersing pigment having a hydrophilic group on the surface thereof with a phenyl group interposed therebetween. The ink set is used for an ink jet recording method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for removing tissue. In one aspect, a device for removing tissue includes a hollow elongate member having an outer wall and a lumen, a selectively deployable tissue-cutting element extending from the hollow elongate member, and an actuation member extending through the lumen and coupled to the hollow elongate member at a location that is distal to the tissue-cutting element. Movement of the actuation member can cause the tissue-cutting element to move from the insertion configuration where the tissue-cutting element is not deployed to a tissue-cutting configuration where the tissue-cutting element is deployed such that it is radially extended relative to the insertion configuration.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. A transport mechanism is that transports a sheet in a first direction. A liquid ejecting head is configured to eject liquid onto the sheet. The transport mechanism includes: a plurality of transport belts that transports the sheet and arranged in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, each of the transport belts extending in the first direction and having a transport surface with which the transported sheet is brought into contact; a concave portion disposed between the transport belts adjacent to each other in the second direction; and a plurality of suction ports that sucks the sheet and disposed on both sides of the concave portion in the second direction. A distance between the liquid ejecting head and a suction surface of each of the suction ports is longer than a distance between the liquid ejecting head and the transport surface.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dermatology treatment are provided which involve the use of continuous wave (CW) radiation, preheating of the treatment volume, precooling, cooling during treatment and post-treatment cooling of the epidermis above the treatment volume, various beam focusing techniques to reduce scattering and/or other techniques for reducing the cost and/or increasing the efficacy of optical radiation for use in hair removal and other dermatological treatments. A number of embodiments are included for achieving the various objectives indicated above.