Abstract: A data writing control device enable quickly writing data to optical discs. A reading process unit 62a, 62b reads data in predetermined read units from a storage device (hard disk drive 14) that has a head and stores the data. A storage unit (buffers 63a and 63b) has a storage area for storing the read units of data read by the reading process unit 62a, 62b. A writing process unit 64a, 64b acquires data stored in the storage unit in write units, which are smaller than the read units, and supplies the acquired write units of data to an optical disc drive is connected as a peripheral device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a minimally-invasive placement of a mechanical structure for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ. Anchors may be secured within the hollow body organ and then cinched together using a tensioning member to form a stricture within the hollow body organ. In another embodiment a tensioning member may be threaded along the hollow body organ and then cinched to reduce the volume. The strictures may be placed anywhere within the hollow body organ, and more than one stricture may be formed within the hollow body organ.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a proximal housing and a distal retractor. At least one stability thread can extend around a perimeter of at least a portion of the distal retractor. In some embodiments, the stability thread can be mechanically adjustable to change a diameter of the distal retractor.

Abstract: Radio channel estimators are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a radio channel estimator is provided for estimating a first radio channel to obtain a first estimate, the first radio channel being comprised in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio channel extending between at least a first transmit antenna and a second transmit antenna and a receive antenna, the first radio channel extending between the first transmit antenna and the receive antenna. The estimator comprises a means for receiving a reference symbol transmitted by the second transmit antenna and a means for estimating a second radio channel based on the reference symbol, the second radio channel extending between the second transmit antenna and the receive antenna. The estimator further comprises a means for processing the estimate of the second radio channel based on a spatial property of the MIMO radio channel to obtain the first estimate.

Abstract: A fluid storage container enables the easy removal of recovered fluid and reuse of the container without incurring the added costs of disassembly and replacing an absorbent material. In one exemplary embodiment, an ink cartridge 17 can have an ink storage unit 45 that stores waste ink, an ink inlet/outlet 55 disposed in a frame part 52 that can be the outside wall of the ink storage unit 45, an ink path 53 of which one end 53a communicates with the ink inlet/outlet 55 and the other end 53b is disposed opening into the ink storage unit, wall parts 54 that divide the ink storage unit 45 into an upper air chamber 61 and a lower fluid chamber 62 that communicate with each other through a communication path 58, and an outside air channel 87, of which one end 87a communicates with the air chamber 61 and the other end 87b enables communication with the outside at a position further from the air chamber 61 than the fluid chamber 62. Other embodiments of fluid storage containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes a head unit having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array that ejects a liquid of a same type as that of the first nozzle array and a movement mechanism that moves at least one between a target in which the liquid lands and the head unit in a movement direction that intersects with a direction of nozzle arrangement of each of the nozzle arrays. The second nozzle array is disposed in a position deviated from the first nozzle array in the movement direction and is disposed in a position deviated from the first nozzle array in the intersection direction such that an end part of the second nozzle array is located in a center part of the first nozzle array in the intersection direction that intersects with the movement direction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for suppressing appetite by surgically implanting a drug infusion pump into a site in a subject, and delivering a stable suspension of an appetite suppressing agent a region in a central nervous system of the subject. The appetite suppressing agent binds to a target receptor on a neural cell in the central nervous system and modifies the receptor function to suppress appetite.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tissue acquisition and fixation, or gastroplasty, are described. Generally, the devices of the system may be advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or more plications within the hollow body organ. A tissue treatment device attached to a distal end of a flexible elongated member and has a cartridge member opposite an anvil member. The cartridge member and the anvil member are movable between a closed position and an open position relative to one another, and the cartridge member is re-loadable with a removable staple cartridge to form multiple plications within the organ with the same tissue treatment device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, systems for proactive management of development and performance of a software application based on monitoring it (and/or one or more of its components) during the course of development or execution. Those systems signal alerts upon determining that actual or expected usage of the application (or its components) by users of like classes (or roles) is anticipated to, or does, exceed quotas, when the application is placed in production mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrophilic polymers such as polysaccharides, including hyaluronic acid of any origin, modified by reaction with epoxy-functional-silicones. Hydrophobic silicon, which contains chemically active groups covalently attach to the backbone of the hydrophilic polymer and gives these new, modified polymers the ability to dissolve hydrophobic compounds including oils, drugs, and vitamins, while maintaining the hydrophilic properties and benefits of the unmodified polymer. With respect to topical applications these polymers substantially increase the stability of formulations and provide for ease of preparation. The properties and advantages of the original polymer are maintained while other properties are augmented, namely the ability to combine with or dissolve hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. The products can be used alone or in combination with other substances for various applications including cosmetic, medical, and drug delivery applications. Also disclosed are methods for preparing them.

Abstract: An adjustable light beam lighting device, particularly for a flashlight, has in succession along an axis a light source, a collimator collimating the light into a collimated beam, and a first optical element and a second optical element provided with respective arrays of side-by-side lenses arranged according to a network pattern. The lenses of the first element face respective lenses of the second element and are shaped to, respectively, converge and diverge the light from the collimated beam. A mask between the elements is shaped to laterally screen the light exiting from each lens of the first element and to convey the light exiting from each lens of the first element only on the facing lens of the second element, thus screening the adjacent lenses. A movement mechanism translates the elements with along the axis to vary the width of the beam emitted by the device.

Abstract: A print media processing apparatus increases printer throughput by starting printing after setting the conveyed print medium to the printing start position, and a transportation control unit controls how far the print medium is advanced according to the length of text to be printed on the print medium. The transportation control unit advances the paper to the position where printing text of a specified length to the printing area of the paper begins.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for navigating through bone. In one embodiment, a bone navigation device is provided and includes a bone penetrating member configured to be implanted in bone and having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough. The optical waveguide is adapted to illuminate tissue surrounding the device and to receive reflected/transmitted light from the tissue to determine the optical characteristics of the tissue, thus facilitating navigation through the tissue. At least one window can be formed in the bone penetrating member for allowing light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the tissue, and for receiving the reflected light.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.

Abstract: A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. When the lift mechanism lifts down the transport arm, one of a first elastic pressing force and a second elastic pressing force greater than the first elastic pressing force is selectively applied from the holding mechanism to an upper surface of the top medium.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to allow for easy manipulation of a configuration and/or an orientation of seal elements of a surgical access device by an end user. In one exemplary embodiment a surgical access device is provided that includes a retractor configured to be positioned within a surgical incision to provide access to a body cavity, seal elements disposed within a lumen of the retractor, and adjustment mechanisms in communication with the seal elements and which are configured to manipulate an orientation of one or more of the seal elements. Types of adjustment mechanisms capable of manipulating the seal elements as desired include inflatable bladders and electroactive polymers. Exemplary methods for providing easy manipulation of the configuration and/or orientation of seal elements of a surgical access device on location are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanophotovoltaic devices having sizes in a range of about 50 nm to about 5 microns, and method of their fabrication. In some embodiments, the nanophotovoltaic device includes a semiconductor core, e.g., formed of silicon, sandwiched between two metallic layers, one of which forms a Schottky barrier junction with the semiconductor core and the other forms an ohmic contact therewith. In other embodiment, the nanophotovoltaic device includes a semiconductor core comprising a p-n junction that is sandwiched between two metallic layers forming ohmic contacts with the core.

Abstract: A printing control device that specifies to a printing apparatus a coloring material volume set which is a combination of usage amounts of coloring materials when the printing apparatus executes printing by depositing a plurality of coloring materials onto a recording medium, including: a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data of pixels having an information area for storing an index associated with the coloring material volume set; a color conversion unit that acquires the coloring material volume set corresponding to the index stored in the pixel; and a printing control unit that executes printing by specifying to the printing apparatus the coloring material volume set acquired by the color conversion unit.