Abstract: A method for anesthetizing a human patient undergoing surgery and/or pain block procedure, the method comprising sterilizing the patient's skin including a target region, the target region including a surgical site including the patient's spine; inserting at least one cryo-needle into a first tissue region, the cryo-needle having a distal end configured to cool surrounding patient tissue, the first tissue region comprising soft tissue superficial to the one or more vertebra and on a first lateral side of the patients spine; cooling the distal end of the cryo-needle to cause cooling of surrounding patient tissue thus inhibiting one or more sensory nerves in the surrounding patient tissue; thereafter, performing spinal surgery on the patient's spine at the surgical site; and, thereafter, performing an erector spinae plane block to further inhibit nerves post-operatively in the target region.

Abstract: A belt system including a belt having a free end, an opposed clamp end, and a plurality of teeth positioned along the free end of the belt. The buckle includes a latch that is actuatable between an engaged position and a retracted position. Wherein when the latch is in the engaged position, the latch is biased against the teeth to mechanically engage the teeth and secure the belt free end with the buckle. When the latch is in the retracted position, the latch is retracted from the teeth to permit removal of the belt free end from the buckle. The buckle also includes a clamp member to secure the belt clamp end to the buckle. The clamp member is positioned on the buckle such that the free end of the belt is substantially concealed by the clamp member and the clamp end of the belt when the free end is inserted through the buckle.

Abstract: An intelligent energy storage system, electrically connected to an external power source and a load, including a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, at least one converter and a controller. The first energy storage device is adapted for storing electrical energy. The second energy storage device is electrically connected to the external power source and the load. The converter is electrically connected between the first and the second energy storage device. The controller is configured to detect at least one electrical property of the first or the second energy storage device to regulate an output voltage and current of the converter. In an energy storage mode, the external power source is used to charge the first energy storage device through the second energy storage device. In an energy transfer mode, the first energy storage device is used as power source to charge the second energy storage device.

Abstract: A modular enclosure system and method for repair of one or more leaks in a pipe. The modular enclosure system including a first enclosure portion configured to be disposed in a mated configuration to create a first enclosure around the pipe. Each enclosure includes a first void section configured to enclose a pipe section of the pipe. Sealant grooves extend along enclosure faces of each enclosure to seal the modular enclosure system. Each enclosure includes a sealant control system having a plurality of blocking members and configured to selectively block sealant injected in the sealant grooves. Each of the blocking members are positionable between a blocking position configured to block sealant flow in at least one of the sealant grooves and a non-blocking position.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and devices for imparting energy from dipolar molecules to a circuit in a reactor using electric and magnetic fields. The method as disclosed increases the conductivity of the circuit using dipolar molecules and inducing nuclear fusion to produce heat. The result of the process is to deliver exceptional amounts of controllable energy in an efficient carbon-free manner using an abundant source.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and devices for imparting energy from dipolar molecules to a circuit in a reactor using electric and magnetic fields. The method as disclosed increases the conductivity of the circuit using dipolar molecules and inducing nuclear fusion to produce heat. The result of the process is to deliver exceptional amounts of controllable energy in an efficient carbon-free manner using an abundant source.

Abstract: A hot bolt clamp and method for repairing a multi-bolt flange of a pipe. The clamp has enclosures that can be assembled around the multi-bolt flange. The clamp has a central opening extending through a first enclosure face and a second enclosure face for the pipe. The clamp includes a flange bolt cavities extending through the enclosure faces configured to enclose flange bolts and having a cutter channel connected to each flange bolt cavity. Restraint bolts extend through the enclosure face to restrain the multi-bolt flange. Flange bolts can be removed and replaced during the repair operation. A cutter tool apparatus can be extended through each cutter channel for use in removing stuck flange bolts. The clamp forms an injectable void around the multi-bolt flange that is injectable with sealant in the event of a loss of gasket integrity during the repair operation.

Abstract: A drive sheave assembly of a continuously variable transmission is provided. A fixed sheave of the assembly includes a central recess. A plurality of sheave ramps are located within the central recess. A one-way engagement collar is configured to rotate freely on an end portion of a sleeve when the sleeve rotates in a first direction and lock onto rotation of the sleeve when the sleeve rotates in a second direction. The one-way engagement collar further has a plurality of ramp pockets. A ramp member is received within each ramp pocket of the plurality of ramp pockets in the one-way engagement collar. Each ramp member is configured to engage an associated sheave ramp of the plurality of sheave ramps in the central recess of the fixed sheave and move the one-way engagement collar axially to engage a side of a belt when the sleeve rotates in the second direction.

Abstract: A drive sheave assembly of a continuously variable transmission is provided that includes a post, a fixed sheave, a movable sheave assembly, a sleeve and an engine braking assembly. The engine braking assembly includes an axial activation member, a one-way engagement member and a flange. The axial activation member is statically mounted within a central recess of the fixed sheave. The axial activation member is movably connected with the one-way engagement member. A central passage of the one-way engagement member is configured to engage a portion of the sleeve. The flange is coupled to the one-way engagement member to selectively engage a side of an endlessly looped member with axial movement of the one-way engagement member during an engine braking condition.

Abstract: A belt clip is adapted for storing a belt. The belt clip includes a first clip member and a second clip member that mechanically and removably attaches to the first clip member. The first clip member and the second clip member collectively form an elongated tunnel through which a belt can be looped.

Abstract: An electromagnetic emission shield for protecting a facility having a volume comprised of coal combustion residue. The shield includes a carbon-based material positioned inside an interior space of the coal combustion residue proximate to and interposed between a potential source of electromagnetic emission and the facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for arranging two first-order directional microphones in tandem to form a second-order directional microphone system of an amplified listening device are provided. The amplified listening device includes a first directional microphone configured to provide a first electrical signal having a first phase, and a second directional microphone reversed in space and configured to provide a second electrical signal having a second phase opposite the first phase. Microphone inlet ports of the first and second directional microphones are linearly aligned in a same plane. The rear microphone inlet ports of the first and second directional microphones are positioned adjacent each other. The amplified listening device includes a resistive summing circuit without phase inverting circuitry. The resistive summing circuit is configured to combine the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to generate a second order directional response.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a bike lock used to lock the bike to prevent bike theft. A first shaft and a second shaft of the bike lock are connected to the handlebar and the front wheel of the bike, respectively. When the bike lock is in a locking mode, the first shaft is not linked to move with the second shaft, preventing the user from controlling the front wheel by the handle effectively. When the bike lock is in an unlocking mode, the first shaft is linked to move with the second shaft. The first shaft can be linked to move with the second shaft by two different linkage mechanisms. One is to link the first shaft with the second shaft with a pin; the other is to firmly engage an engaging structure of one of the shafts to another.

Abstract: Methods and systems for touchless control of a device include receiving an image from a camera and applying a machine learning technique the image to determine a first map, the first map including a function that generates a correspondence between data associated with the image to a feature space. A second map including a representation of a user in the image can be determined based on the first map. Further, a pose of the user can be determined based on the second map. The pose of the user and a portion of a body of the user can be tracked to determine a mapping between the portion of the user's body and an input feature of a device. The input feature can be modified based on the mapping to enable a touchless interaction between the user and the device.

Abstract: Clothing belt adjustment systems are configured for wearing around a user's body such as around the waist. The belt adjustment system includes a belt and a buckle wherein the belt can be looped and secured to the buckle to secure the belt around a user's waist or other portion of the body. The buckle has a body with a thin side profile that is not overly bulky such that it can comfortably fit over the button region of a wearer's pants. The buckle advantageously includes one or more threaded retainer members, such as threaded screws, that secure one portion of the buckle to another portion of the buckle.

Abstract: A chair armrest is revealed. The chair armrest includes an armrest support, an armrest pad body, a connection body, and a connecting member. The armrest pad body has a mounting slot with an opening facing downward while the mounting slot has a depth and a shape. The connection body is provided with a thickness and a shape which are corresponding to the depth and the shape of the mounting slot. Thus the connection body can be mounted and positioned in the mounting slot. The armrest support and the connection body of are connected by the connecting member. During assembly of the chair armrest, the armrest support is connected to the connection body by the connecting member while the armrest pad body is affixed with the armrest support into one part by the connecting member. Thereby production cost is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous paint composition comprising an acrylic polymer emulsion anionically stabilized at basic pH with a volatile base and containing self-crosslinking functionalities, an epoxy-polyamine adduct, and a high boiling glycol-ether. The film obtained by the aqueous paint composition according to the present invention as well as the use thereof in horizontal road marking are also described.