Abstract: The present invention includes a novel procedure and corresponding medical devices for a Percutaneous Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PePLIF). In PePLIF, the surgeon performs the entire operation percutaneously without the use of a microscope, endoscope, or magnifying loupes. An adjustable retractor system is disclosed that enables the surgeon to percutaneously perform the surgery through accessing the facet joint (and later disc space) that was created by said retractor system. This retractor system provides the surgeon a safe area to work and operate without fear of damaging nerves, blood vessels, or other tissue. An expanding trial may be inserted into and removed from the disc space through the interior of the retractor system to determine the proper size for the expandable cage. The retractor system also enables the expandable cage to be inserted into the disc space.

Abstract: Computer systems, devices, and associated methods of intelligent content management are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes scanning a document to determine whether one or more words in the document represent a resource in the file management system, the resource being a name of a person or a linked document in the file management system. In response to determining that one or more words in the document represents a resource, the method includes retrieving a resource record corresponding to the resource from a database in the computing system, the resource record having a data field containing data representing a current status of the resource and surfacing, in the document, the retrieved data of the current status of the resource to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes solution methods for manufacturing perovskite halide films for use in solar cells. The methods include the use of additives that facilitate the formation of transitory, intermediate films that are later transformed into the final target perovskite halide films, such that the final films provide improved physical characteristics and operational performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting, enriching, and analyzing rare cells that are present in the blood, e.g. fetal cells. The invention further features methods of analyzing rare cell(s) to determine the presence of an abnormality, disease or condition in a subject, e.g. a fetus by analyzing a cellular sample from the subject.

Abstract: An inter-object validation system includes a computing system that executes an application to receive an aggregated object configuration comprising multiple design elements (DEs) associated with multiple objects of a test system in which at least one DE has one or more behaviors of its respective object in the test system represented by the aggregated object configuration. The application may also execute, under control of the application, logic stored in the at least one DE to determine whether one or more other DEs in the aggregated object configuration meet a specified criteria associated with the a personality of the DE in which the personality representing a type of behavior that the at least one DE and the other DEs in the aggregated object configuration are to provide, and generate a report indicating the results of the determination. The logic is separate and distinct from the instructions that control the logic.

Abstract: A foot traction panel assembly includes a panel body having an exposed top surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends. The panel body defines a number of slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends. A number of removable spiked inserts are adapted for being custom arranged adjacent selected slots of the panel body. Each of the spiked inserts has a base and a series of spaced apart rigid spikes attached to the base. The spikes are configured to extend vertically above the top surface of the panel body.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.

Abstract: An optical combiner lens includes a lens and a lightguide with a gap defined between the lens and the lightguide. Spacers are disposed in the gap to maintain the gap at a set height. A method of making the optical combiner lens and a wearable heads-up display including the optical combiner lens are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyamide 6 copolymers polymerized from caprolactam, tetramethylene diamine, and terephthalic acid monomers. The copolymers exhibit sufficiently high second heat melting points such that they are capable of being processed using traditional melt processing operations, while also being useful for high temperature applications. The copolymer may be used as polymeric base compositions useful for a variety of applications including the manufacture of metal-replacing articles.

Abstract: A laminating adhesive composition comprising a) an aqueous dispersion of thermoplastic polymer particles imbibed with an epoxy compound wherein the concentration of the epoxy compound is from 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent, based on the total weight of the solid content of the aqueous dispersion; and b) at least one water emulsifiable or water dispersible epoxy curing agent selected from polyamines, polyamides, amidoamines, carboxylic functional polyesters, anhydrides, mercaptans, polymer captans, cyclic amidines, and combinations thereof, is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a light panel assembly which is particularly useful for commercial horticultural applications. An extruded heat sink frame provides for a layered light panel assembly with superior heat dissipation characteristics and low power requirements while providing highly efficient returns and output radiant flux.

Abstract: An overhead transport system includes a suspended railway and a motorized carrier configured to travel along the suspended railway. The motorized carrier includes a motorized trolley configured to move the motorized carrier along the suspended railway, chassis/beam configured to carry an object below the motorized trolley, and a bumper and deflection system configured to prevent the object from contacting another object.

Abstract: Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus comprising a large scale direct steam generator operating on an oxidant of air or enriched air configured to generate steam and combustion exhaust constituents. An exhaust constituent separation system and an energy recovery system to reclaim energy and improve the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle. An optional CO2 separation system and Non Condensable Gas injection system may be included.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes monitoring, by an access control device, for changes to a first access control database stored on the access control device, wherein the first access control database is associated with a first security ecosystem having a first set of security protocols; automatically updating a mediation database stored on the access control device to identify a change to the first access control database in response to a determination that the change occurred; and automatically updating a second access control database stored on the access control device based on the change identified in the mediation database and in response to the automatic update of the mediation database, wherein the second access control database is associated with a second security ecosystem different from the first security ecosystem and having a second set of security protocols different from the first set.

Abstract: An implant for bone fixation is presented. The implant comprises an elongated member configured to be wound around bone parts that are to be fixed. Further, an engagement feature is provided that is coupled to the elongated member and configured to engage a portion of the elongated member so as to secure the implant in a loop around the bone parts. A fastening member is arranged between and coupled to the elongated member and the engagement member. The fastening member comprises at least one opening for receiving a bone fastener. In one variant, at least one visual indicator indicating a region of the fastening member to be severed in order to detach the implant is provided. In another variant, at least one of the engagement member and the elongated member are coupled to the fastening member by injection molding.

Abstract: A system, including a device and method, for securing a covering, such as a coverlet, quilt, duvet or comforter to a bed, and a kit and method for applying the system to an existing bed and covering. A sleeve encircles the mattress and includes an engagement structure on its lower surface. The covering includes a tab which fits beneath the mattress and its support structure and further includes a second engagement structure which faces upwardly to engage the engagement structure on the sleeve. A kit includes just a sleeve and a tab with a structure for engagement to a covering.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing forming an enclosed chamber. The housing has a top portion and a bottom portion. One or more sensors is provided within the chamber and configured to interface with a user to generate physiological data associated with the user. A set of electrodes is provided on the bottom portion of the housing. Each electrode in the set of electrodes is a single member having a corresponding inner electrode portion within the chamber and an outer electrode portion outside the housing. A set of magnets is provided on the bottom portion of the housing.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for alerting temperature is disclosed. The system includes a temperature alert device configured to be housed within a housing, wherein the device is a wearable device including at least a sensor configured to continuously collect the body temperature of the wearer and indicate the body temperature of the wearer continuously through a light emitting mechanism based on the body temperature collected by the sensor in a manner that does significantly deplete battery life of the device.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for emulating local storage may include (i) exposing a cloud storage as a local block storage device by providing a translation service that translates commands formatted according to an operating system compatibility standard protocol into commands formatted according to a cloud storage application programming interface protocol, the cloud storage dividing a cloud storage volume into multiple objects, (ii) receiving a command that is formatted according to the operating system compatibility standard protocol and that specifies a length and offset of the cloud storage volume, (iii) translating the command into a translated command formatted according to the cloud storage application programming interface protocol, and (iv) returning a result of executing the translated command. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.