Abstract: A method for producing a bundle of biopolymer fibers. Biopolymer is dissolved in acid in a closed container made of materials inert to the acid and to the collagen to form a biopolymer solution. The solution is stirred, then centrifuged to degas it. The degassed solution is put into syringes on a holder. The number of syringes equals the number of fibers in the bundle. The syringes are mounted in a rotatable holder. Essentially equal quantities of degassed solution are extruded from the syringes to produce fibers, which are gathered and fed into a formation buffer bath. The fibers are kept taught after extrusion and dehydrated in a dehydrating solution in a dehydrating bath. The fibers are wound a collector to collect the bundle.

Abstract: Compositions and blends of biopolymers and bio-acceptable polymers are described, along with the use of benign solvent systems to prepare biocompatible scaffolds and surgically implantable devices for use in supporting and facilitating the repair of soft tissue injuries.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing conversations between a robot computing device and a user are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: initiate a first-time user experience sequence with the user; teach the user the robot computing capabilities and/or characteristics; initiate, utilizing a dialog manager, a conversation with the user; receive, one or more command files from the user via one or more microphones; and generate conversation response files and communicating the generated conversation files to the dialog manager in response to the one or more received user global command files to initiate an initial conversation exchange.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a view of an environment are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive parameters and measurements from at least two of one or more microphones, one or more imaging devices, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, and/or one or more infrared imaging devices located in a computing device; analyze the parameters and measurements received from the multimodal input; generate a world map of the environment around the computing device; and repeat the receiving of parameters and measurements from the input devices and the analyzing steps on a periodic basis to maintain a persistent world map of the environment.

Abstract: An implant delivery device may include an implant holding portion proximate the distal end, the implant holding portion being configured to retain a sheet-like implant during implantation of the implant. In addition, the implant holding portion may be configured to receive the implant with a fixed implant supporting flange member configured to support the implant on one side, and a movable implant supporting flange member. The movable implant supporting flange member may be configured to be slidable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein, in the distal position, the movable implant supporting flange member and secures the implant against the fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authoring and modifying presentation conversation files are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive, at a renderer module, voice files, visual effect files, facial expression files, and/or mobility files; analyze, by the language processor module, the voice files, the visual effect files, the facial expression files, and/or mobility files follow guidelines of a multimodal authoring system; generate, by the renderer module, one or more presentation conversation files based at least in part on the received voice files, visual effect files, facial expression files, and/or mobility files; test, at an automatic testing system, the one or more presentation conversation files to verify correct operation of a computing device that receives the one or more presentation conversation files as an input; and identify, by a multimodal review module, changes to be made to the voice input files, the visual effect files, the facial expression files, and/or the mobility files.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-machine interaction using a conversation system.

Abstract: A surgical cannula includes a seal structure including a one-way check valve and a cannula body. The cannula body includes an insertion portion having a distal opening that is configured to be inserted into tissue, and a receiving portion that includes a proximal opening and is configured to reversibly receive the seal structure. In addition, the seal structure is configured to removably associate with the proximal opening of the cannula body, retain a positive pressure within the cannula body when engaged with the cannula body, and retain a positive pressure within the cannula body when an object is inserted through the cannula and the seal structure. Also, the cannula further includes one or more suture attachment structures extending outward laterally from the cannula body; and one or more internal recesses in an inner wall of the cannula located directly adjacent to the one or more suture attachment structures.

Abstract: An implant delivery device may include an implant holding portion proximate the distal end, the implant holding portion being configured to retain a sheet-like implant during implantation of the implant. In addition, the implant holding portion may be configured to receive the implant with a fixed implant supporting flange member configured to support the implant on one side, and a movable implant supporting flange member. The movable implant supporting flange member may be configured to be slidable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein, in the distal position, the movable implant supporting flange member and secures the implant against the fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.

Abstract: An enclosure device is disclosed for delivering an implantable sheet-like support or repair device, such as ligament, tendon or other soft tissue support or repair device, to a surgical site. The enclosure device protects the support or repair device from unwanted adhesion and deformation during delivery and facilitates its optimal positioning at the injury or repair site where the support or repair device will be implanted. The enclosure device has a planar body foldable along one or more fold lines into at least two panels configured to contain the repair device between the panels; an optional cutout in one or more panels of the planar body at the panel edge opposite the fold line configured to expose a portion of the repair device; an optional positioning tab extending out from the fold line; and an optional securing mechanism to secure the enclosure device in a folded position. Methods of using the enclosure device are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-machine interaction. An adaptive behavioral control system of a human-machine interaction system controls an interaction sub-system to perform a plurality of actions for a first action type in accordance with a computer-behavioral policy, each action being a different alternative action for the action type. The adaptive behavioral control system detects a human reaction of an interaction participant to the performance of each action of the first action type from data received from a human reaction detection sub-system. The adaptive behavioral control system stores information indicating each detected human reaction in association with information identifying the associated action. In a case where stored information indicating detected human reactions for the first action type satisfy an update condition, the adaptive behavioral control system updates the computer-behavioral policy for the first action type.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical cannula with a removable seal at one end. The surgical cannula is a wide gauge surgical cannula, that allows materials and tools to be introduced into a body during a surgical procedure. The cannula includes a seal structure at one end, which may be attached to and detached from the cannula body as desired. The seal structure includes one or more valves that retain pressure within the cannula. The one or more valves are configured to allow a tool through the valve(s), while retaining pressure inside the cannula, so that surgical tools may be inserted through the cannula even when the seal structure is attached to an end of the cannula.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-machine interaction. An adaptive behavioral control system of a human-machine interaction system controls an interaction sub-system to perform a plurality of actions for a first action type in accordance with a computer-behavioral policy, each action being a different alternative action for the action type. The adaptive behavioral control system detects a human reaction of an interaction participant to the performance of each action of the first action type from data received from a human reaction detection sub-system. The adaptive behavioral control system stores information indicating each detected human reaction in association with information identifying the associated action. In a case where stored information indicating detected human reactions for the first action type satisfy an update condition, the adaptive behavioral control system updates the computer-behavioral policy for the first action type.

Abstract: A surgical anchoring device may include a first beam and a second beam each extending along a longitudinal direction; and a connecting member bridging a first proximal portion of the first beam to a second proximal portion of the second beam such that the first beam is substantially aligned with the second beam. In addition, the anchoring device may include a first barb protruding from a medial side of the first beam, wherein the first barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction; and a second barb protruding from a medial side of the second beam, wherein the second barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction. The first barb may include a proximal facing surface that is separated from the first beam by a recess.

Abstract: An implant delivery device may include an implant holding portion proximate the distal end, the implant holding portion being configured to retain a sheet-like implant during implantation of the implant. In addition, the implant holding portion may be configured to receive the implant with a fixed implant supporting flange member configured to support the implant on one side, and a movable implant supporting flange member. The movable implant supporting flange member may be configured to be slidable between a distal position and a proximal position, wherein, in the distal position, the movable implant supporting flange member and secures the implant against the fixed implant supporting flange member, and in the proximal position, the movable implant supporting flange member is withdrawn from the distal end of the implant delivery device, thus enabling release of the implant.

Abstract: A biopolymer fiber containing collagen. The biopolymer fiber has excellent ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and strain at break comparable to native human tendons and ligaments. The fiber may substantially circular, ovoid, square, rectangular, ribbon-like, triangular, or irregularly shaped. The fiber exhibits an ordered, longitudinally-oriented structure, and the fiber allows infiltration of cellular growth. Implantable biopolymer scaffolds and sutures containing the fibers are provided as well as microfluidic and extrusion methods for producing the biopolymer fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-machine interaction. An adaptive behavioral control system of a human-machine interaction system controls an interaction sub-system to perform a plurality of actions for a first action type in accordance with a computer-behavioral policy, each action being a different alternative action for the action type. The adaptive behavioral control system detects a human reaction of an interaction participant to the performance of each action of the first action type from data received from a human reaction detection sub-system. The adaptive behavioral control system stores information indicating each detected human reaction in association with information identifying the associated action. In a case where stored information indicating detected human reactions for the first action type satisfy an update condition, the adaptive behavioral control system updates the computer-behavioral policy for the first action type.