Abstract: A method and apparatus for penetrating a side of a well casing and/or drilling into earth strata surrounding the well casing, utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle, and an abrasive introduced into the fluid downstream of apparatus for rotating the nozzle. Apparatus for rotating the nozzle can include a motor operable by pressurized fluid, or another suitable rotating power source The introduction of the abrasives will not adversely affect or harm the apparatus for rotating the nozzle, yet will provide the enhanced drilling capability. The abrasive stream can be used for drilling or cutting through a metal well casing, as well as cement and the adjacent strata.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle and a housing member that has a first end that is fixed to the handle and a second end that is configured to receive an engagement member. The surgical instrument also has an implant holding mechanism that is operatively associated with the housing member and the handle. The surgical instrument further includes a length control mechanism that has a knob, a rod member and a toothed member. The toothed member is fixed to one end of the rod member and the knob is attached to the other end. The surgical instrument also has a locking mechanism that includes a knob and a rod member having a proximal end to which the knob is attached and a distal end that is configured to detachably couple to a locking device. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument and a bone spacing kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A secure touch screen device comprises a resistive touch screen having a plurality of touch positions, having a first pair of first and second terminals at opposite ends of a first axis of the touch screen, and a second pair of first and second terminals at opposite ends of a second axis of the touch screen, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis. Upon pressing on a certain position on the touch screen there exist an electrical resistance between the first pair of terminals and an electrical resistance between the second pair of terminals, indicative of the position pressed. The first terminal of each pair of terminals is grounded, and the second terminal of each pair of terminals is connected to a variable resistance component connectable to a voltage source. The resistance of the variable resistance component is variable in a predetermined manner, the second terminal of each pairs of terminals being used to measure the resistance indicative of the position pressed.

Abstract: A cable assembly may include a cable, a connector and a retainer coupled to the connector. The connector may be carried by the cable and include a reduced diameter portion and a head extending from the reduced diameter portion with at least a portion that is larger than the reduced diameter portion. The retainer may be coupled to the connector and include a body with a cavity and a tip that defines an opening leading to the cavity. In assembly, the head is received within the cavity with the reduced diameter portion extending out of the cavity and into the opening. The opening is noncircular and has a minimum diameter that is smaller than at least the largest diameter portion of the head so that at least a portion of the tip radially overlaps the largest diameter portion of the head to retain the head within the cavity.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A custom shutter includes a central body portion and first and second end caps. The central body portion includes two stiles and a central portion all of which are formed integrally as one piece. The top and bottom end caps include first and second legs and a central connecting body portion. The legs are designed to be inserted within the hollow interior of the stiles with the top edges of the stiles resting against the stepped portions of said end cap and wherein an inner surface of said end cap covers any exposed edge of the central portion of the shutter body.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that enables one to address various thermal management issues in advanced gas turbine engines. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method to extract heat from an air stream, utilize a significant fraction for on-board power generation, and reject a small quantity of heat to the fuel stream safely at, for example, a lower temperature. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method to extract heat from an air stream, utilize a significant fraction for on-board power generation, and reject a small quantity of heat to the fuel stream safely at, for example, a lower temperature with no potential air/fuel contact is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices, and systems for autoleveling of an apparatus. In particular, the invention provides devices and systems for autoleveling support apparatuses, such as hospital-type beds, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring and detecting movement of components of a shipping container latch. A latch monitor may embody an electromagnetic sensing unit and a nearby magnet or light emitter for measuring and characterizing the profile of a nearby electromagnetic field. The field profile is monitored to detect a change in the profile, log the change, and report any abnormal disturbance to the electromagnetic field, indicating a breach of the integrity of a latching mechanism on a shipping container. An alert of a breach event may be sent via a communication network to an authority for response. The invention can distinguish authorized, incidental, and tampering events, and also store and upload an electronic manifest for a shipping container.

Abstract: Order sets are presented in different views thereby allowing the doctor to treat a patient in a more intuitive manner. Order set content is created so that order sets can be viewed from varying perspectives. An order set library is modified such that each order statement or orderable is tagged with metadata. Each orderable is tagged with an Intervention tag, a Problem tag, and a System tag. An application may then take the modified order sets and present them to doctors based on an Intervention view, a Problem view, or a System view. These views give the doctor the option of switching between views depending on the severity of a patient's medical condition and allows the doctor to follow a more intuitive and internal mental process when treating a patient. The doctor does not have to translate between different perspectives of the order sets mentally, thereby greatly reducing the doctor's cognitive load.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system that includes at least one pneumatic latching valve; a single device, such as a solenoid, for providing momentary pilot signals to pneumatic latching valve; a source of pressurized supply air in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; a spring brake or other pneumatic device in communication with the pneumatic latching valve; and, optionally, an indicator device for monitoring and displaying the state of the pneumatic latching valve. Upon receiving a first momentary pilot signal the pneumatic latching valve changes from closed to open and delivers pressurized air to the spring brake. Upon receiving a second momentary pilot signal, the pneumatic latching valve changes from open to closed and exhausts pressurized air from the spring brake to the external environment. The valve remains “latched” in its current state until the signaling device is energized and the next momentary pilot signal is received.

Abstract: A line module includes a plurality of pivoting insulation displacement connector holders, an insulation connector (IDC) positionable in at least one holder when the holder is in a connected position, and a gel-less jack in electrical communication with at least one IDC.

Abstract: An approach is provided for graceful shutdown and startup of spoofing when a handover procedure is performed. A handover of a performance enhancing proxy (PEP) session associated with a transport connection is detected. A shutdown procedure is initiated to stop spoofing of the transport connection in response to the detected handover. The shutdown procedure avoids teardown of the transport connection during the handover from a first link to a second link of a communication system.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based configuration detection system for automatically detecting, directing, and/or configuring the physical configuration of a complex system constituted by a set of one or more types of mateable components. The RFID configuration detection system utilizes a set of mateable RFID tags arranged so that each mateable component includes at least one mateable RFID tag. Each RFID tag includes information about its associated component and is arranged so that when the components are mated, their associated RFID tags also are mated. The system uses at least one RFID reader to read RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. The RFID tag signals provide information about mating status of the component, as well as information about components themselves. An information processing system operably connected to the RFID reader receives and process information concerning the number and type of mated connections and thus the configuration.

Abstract: Adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of allowing a firearm to be supported by a foldable fore grip/gun handle. The fore grip gun handle can have bipod type legs that can be extendable from the handle. The fore grip handle can be just a vertical extension. The adapter can allow for the fore grip/gun handle to move from a fold back position along the bottom of the firearm so that the firearm can be easily carried, and the adapter to can allow for the handle to move down to a vertical support position beneath the firearm when the firearm is to be used. The adapter can also support a light in both a folded position and in a downwardly extended position, where light can be aimed forward, rearward to the side and/or pointed down from the firearm. The adapter can allow for a dual functioning component that can be either or both a fore grip and/or a light source.

Abstract: An approach is provided for encoding information bits to output a coded signal using turbo code encoding with a low code rate.

Abstract: An exercise platform system and apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of angled step surfaces. In one aspect, the exercise platform can include an exercise platform base adapted to interface with a supporting surface and an exercise platform upper surface coupled to the exercise platform base that includes a first step having a first step surface, a second step having a second step surface, and a center landing area located between the first step and the second step, the center landing area being substantially parallel to the exercise platform base, wherein the first step surface and the second step surface are angled toward the center landing area by an angle between 5 and 30 degrees, inclusive. Further, the first step surface and the second step surface can be angled by a second angle between 5 and 30 degrees toward a transverse axis laterally bisecting the exercise platform base.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag assemblies and methods having an RFID semiconductor chip, a conductor and an antenna, the RFID semiconductor chip has an antenna interface mounted on a mounting surface of a mounting substrate and a predetermined operating frequency, the conductor is electrically coupled to the antenna interface of the RFID semiconductor chip, and the antenna is electrically coupled to the conductor and includes a first radiating element lying in a first plane and a second radiating element lying in a second plane that is at an angle relative to the first plane.