Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon which is both of high strength and radiopaque. The balloon includes an outer strengthened layer which includes a strengthening element at least partially embedded within the layer. Concentrically within the strengthened layer there is a radiopaque layer which includes a high concentration of radiopaque material distributed in the radiopaque layer. The strengthened layer acts as a support to the radiopaque layer which is otherwise be unable to withstand the pressure to which the balloon is normally inflated for deployment and in the course of a medical procedure. The structure provides a high strength radiopaque balloon with a relatively thin balloon wall optimizing balloon flexibility and wrappability. There is also disclosed a method of making a balloon which uses an internal support layer in a raw tubing which is then removed following formation of a balloon.

Abstract: A method for detecting components of dielectric materials is disclosed. The method includes use of a sensor to obtain at least one of a strain-dielectric coefficient data series at multiple frequencies or a stress-dielectric coefficient data series at multiple frequencies and using a processor to analyze resulting data, when a strain field or a stress field is known. The method also includes use of a sensor to obtain rheo-dielectric coefficient data at single frequency or data series at multiple frequencies and using a processor to analyze resulting data, when shear rate is known. The resulting data is used to perform material process or operation monitoring and control, quality examination, and characterization. Systems for detecting components of dielectric materials and for dielectrostriction measurement are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a standalone e-discovery machine to initiate an external connection to an external cloud-based resource. The external connection may occur without any changes to the port configurations and/or network firewall. The embodiments further disclose the standalone e-discovery machine observing, tracking, and reporting usage data of the e-discovery software stored on the standalone e-discovery machine. The observing, tracking, and reporting may occur in real-time or periodically. The embodiments also disclose the standalone e-discovery machine performing an initialization routine when it is connected wirelessly or in wired fashion to a client network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for customized presentation of sound data associated with the operation of electromechanical equipment, wherein users of varying hearing capabilities can ascertain conditions of the equipment in real time. A sound detection device includes transducers which collect sound signals from the equipment and convert the sound signals into digital sound data. A processor generates a first audio data set corresponding to the digital sound data received from the sound detection device and, for a given human user, identifies an audio profile comprising perceivable audio frequency ranges. A target frequency range is identified within the perceivable audio frequency ranges for the given human user, and the first audio data set is shifted or mapped to the target frequency range to generate a second audio data set. Audio output signals corresponding to the second audio data set are user-selectively delivered to the user via an audio receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, the following are measured: (1) an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor to obtain a first measurement, (2) the electrical property between the second sensor and a third sensor to obtain a second measurement, and (3) the electrical property between the first sensor and the third sensor to obtain a third measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the first measurement, the second measurement, and the third measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: A method of replacing a damaged thermal sleeve in a reactor vessel head adapter that connects a control rod drive mechanism to a reactor vessel head includes the steps of accessing the damaged thermal sleeve, removing the damaged thermal sleeve, and obtaining a replacement thermal sleeve having an elongated tubular body, a flanged region, and a plurality of slots defined in the elongated tubular body, each slot having a width which is sufficient to narrow a maximum outside diameter of the flanged region from a first diameter to a second diameter. The method further includes altering the maximum outside diameter of the flanged region on the replacement thermal sleeve, inserting the replacement thermal sleeve into an opening of a tubular member from an underside of the reactor vessel head, and expanding the maximum outside diameter of the flanged region into a recess of the reactor vessel head adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a trephine bone graft harvester for extracting morselized bone from patients. The trephine bone graft harvester includes a bone cutter affixed to an outer hub. The bone cutter comprises a hollow tube having cylindrical wall and a distal cutting edge. A bone graft collector is sheathed within the bone cutter. The bone graft collector includes a distal scoop adjacent to the distal cutting edge of the bone cutter. The distal scoop is configured to move morselized bone away from the distal cutting edge. An inner hub is affixed to the bone graft collector and coupled with the outer hub. The inner hub includes a proximal shank configured to be engaged with a rotary tool suitable for applying torque to the inner hub.

Abstract: A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, and the first battery includes a first battery chemistry. Further, the 12 volt automotive battery system includes a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a bi-stable relay. The second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. Additionally, the bi-stable relay couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. Furthermore, the bi-stable relay maintains a coupling of the second battery to the electrical system when the vehicle transitions from a key-on position to a key-off position.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement includes a storage device coupled to a connector housing. The storage device is configured to store physical layer information pertaining to the electrical connector arrangement. The storage device also has contacts that enable the physical layer information to be read from the storage device by a media reading interface. A connector assembly includes at least one receptacle assembly; a printed circuit board; and a media reading interface.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and software for providing remote medical therapy to a subject comprising: an apparatus for dispensing one or more medical items from an inventory of medical items, the inventory of medical items risk profiled to a subject, a population, a venue, or a situation; and a connector device comprising: at least one means for communicating with the apparatus for dispensing one or more medical items from an inventory of medical items; at least one means for communicating with a technology device; and a software module enabling communications between the apparatus for dispensing one or more medical items from an inventory of medical items and the technology device.

Abstract: A virtual network comprising virtual machines executing at a computing environment is implemented. A flexibly extensible NIC (eNIC) is executed at a software defined networking (SDN) appliance. A data packet is received that is addressed to a host that is connected to the virtual network. Based on a layer 2 address and a network identifier, the virtual switch identifies the host represented by the eNIC that is associated with the data packet. A policy associated with the host is determined and applied to the data packet. The policy is dynamically adjustable based on the host.

Abstract: Reversibly cross-linkable foam is provided. The reversibly cross-linked foam includes a first polymeric material, at least one reversibly cross-linkable monomer polymerized with the first polymeric material, and at least one blowing agent. The reversibly cross-linkable co-polymeric foam is thermally stable at temperatures of at least 10 degrees higher than otherwise identical polymeric foam that does not include the reversibly cross-linkable agent polymerized with the first polymeric material.

Abstract: A manufacturing includes a template support and a plurality of template members. The template support comprises a structural member, a first rail, and a second rail. The first rail is coupled to the structural member, and is positioned outward of the first side of the structural member and extends parallel with the structural member. The second rail is movably coupled to the structural member and is normally biased outward to an outward position in which second rail is parallel with the structural member. Each template member is coupled to the template support when the first rail is positioned in a first recess thereof and the second rail is in the outward position in a second recess thereof, and is removable from the template support when the second rail is in an inward position and out of the second recess.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.

Abstract: In an example, each of a plurality of members of social networking service is mapped to a weighted skill vector, each weighted skill vector including a list of skills for the member with an associated weight indicating strength of the skill. Members of the social networking service that belong to an industry are aggregated to obtain a weighted matrix of members and skills along with compensation vectors indicating compensation for each of the members in the matrix. The weighted matrix of users and skills and corresponding compensation vectors is used to train a machine learning skill monetary value prediction model to output a predicted monetary value for one or more skills contained in a candidate vector fed to the machine learning skill monetary value prediction model.

Abstract: A synthetic, flexible tissue matrix and methods for repairing hyaline cartilage defects in a joint using the flexible tissue matrix are described. The flexible tissue matrix includes a high molecular weight polycaprolactone polymer entangled with a polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid. In the methods, autologous bone mesenchymal stem cells are introduced to a joint by a microfracturing technique, and a membrane made of the flexible matrix is applied to the joint. Cartilage which forms in the joint is hyaline cartilage rather than fibrocartilage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-component adhesive based on hybrid urethane-acrylate epoxies comprising a core/shell rubber demonstrating good T-peel strength. The adhesives are suitable for use in industry, e.g., as adhesives for transportation industry applications.

Abstract: A bypass knob for a pressure regulator configured for use with a facemask of a breathing apparatus has a first member having a first engagement surface and a second member having a second engagement surface positioned opposite the first engagement surface. At least one slot is formed on the first engagement surface and at least one deflectable beam having a latch is formed on the second engagement surface of the second member. When the first member is rotated in a first direction about the longitudinal axis via a first rotational torque, the latch of the at least one deflectable beam is engaged with the at least one slot to rotate the second member with the first member, and disengaged when the first member is rotated in the first direction via a second rotational torque higher than the first rotational torque.