Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting an angle of incidence of a laser surgery system include a laser source to produce a laser beam and an optical delivery system to output the laser beam pulses to an object at an adjustable incident angle. A first rotator assembly receives the beam from the laser source along a first beam axis. The first rotator assembly rotates around the first beam axis and the first rotator assembly outputs the beam along a second beam axis different from the first beam axis. A second rotator assembly receives the beam from the first rotator assembly along the second beam axis. The second rotator assembly rotates around the second beam axis. The second rotator assembly follows the rotation of the first rotator assembly and the first rotator assembly is independent of the rotation of the second rotator assembly.

Abstract: A method for converting a diol in solution to an olefin fraction, the method comprising: (i) reacting a diol of the formula HO—R—OH in solution with a carbonyl-containing molecule of the formula: in the presence of an acid catalyst to result in a dioxolane molecule of the formula: wherein R is a hydrocarbon linker containing 1-12 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1-12 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 optionally interconnect; (ii) removing the dioxolane molecule from the solution by phase separation; and (iii) contacting the dioxolane molecule with a metal-loaded zeolite at a temperature of 100-500° C. to convert the dioxolane molecule to an olefin fraction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to charging and recharging systems for compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support devices therefor. The charging and recharging systems generally include a light emitting device, such as an aural insert having a light emitting diode, and a photovoltaic cell disposed on an implanted hearing aid. In operation, the light emitting device is positioned in or near the entrance of the ear canal and transmits light energy across the ear canal towards the implanted hearing aid. The photovoltaic cell receives the light energy and converts the light energy into stored electricity to power the hearing aid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A secure inventory management system includes a product information data store that holds inventory information for products that are associated with one or more channels, as well as a consumer profile data store holding consumer-product purchase event information for each channel. The system also includes a channel manager user interface via which the system will receive a consumer identifier from a channel manager user for a first channel, identify products that are in an inventory of the first channel, and use the consumer profile data to generate recommendations for products in the inventory. At least some of the consumers, and at least some of the products, will be associated with multiple channels. The system maintains security and privacy of information so that only aggregate supplier information is shared across channels, and no personally identifiable consumer information is shared with anyone who is not authorized to access the information.

Abstract: After the various regions of a vertical power device are formed in or on the top surface of an n-type wafer, the wafer is thinned, such as by grinding. A drift layer may be n-type, and various n-type regions and p-type regions in the top surface contact a top metal electrode. A blanket dopant implant through the bottom surface of the thinned wafer is performed to form an n? buffer layer and a bottom p+ emitter layer. Energetic particles are injected through the bottom surface to intentionally damage the crystalline structure. A wet etch is performed, which etches the damaged crystal at a much greater rate, so some areas of the n? buffer layer are exposed. The bottom surface is metallized. The areas where the metal contacts the n? buffer layer form cathodes of an anti-parallel diode for conducting reverse voltages, such as voltage spikes from inductive loads.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the selective hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-based furanic ketones with a bifunctional copper-based catalyst in the presence of a solvent to prepare alkyl furans with high yield, purity, and scalability. The alkyl furans prepared herein are useful in the preparation of surfactants.

Abstract: A method for converting a diol in solution to an olefin fraction, the method comprising: (i) reacting a diol of the formula HO—R—OH in solution with a carbonyl-containing molecule of the formula: in the presence of an acid catalyst to result in a dioxolane molecule of the formula: wherein R is a hydrocarbon linker containing 1-12 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1-12 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 optionally interconnect; (ii) removing the dioxolane molecule from the solution by phase separation; and (iii) contacting the dioxolane molecule with a metal-loaded zeolite at a temperature of 100-500° C. to convert the dioxolane molecule to an olefin fraction.

Abstract: A method of generating a 4D model includes capturing imagery of a catheter and a vessel as the catheter is directed through the vessel to a location of interest, wherein the catheter is disposed on a guidewire, constructing a 3D time varying reference curve describing a trajectory of the guidewire, and constructing a time varying 3D model of the artery using the reference curve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making recyclable polymers and a method for decomposing the polymers back to the monomers which can then be reused. The polymer are stable to aqueous and/or acid conditions and may have a formula II The method to decompose the polymer back to the monomers may comprise heating the polymer in a protic organic solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: An npnp layered switch is modified to have a composite anode structure. Instead of the continuous p-type bottom anode layer of a typical npnp IGTO device, thyristor, or IGBT, the composite anode is formed of a segmented p-type layer with gaps containing n-type semiconductor material. The n-type material forms a majority carrier path between the bottom anode electrode and the n-type collector of the vertical npn bipolar transistor. When a trenched gate is biased high, the majority carrier path is created between the bottom anode electrode and the top cathode electrode. Such a current path operates at very low operating voltages, starting at slightly above 0 volts. Above operating voltages of about 1.0 volts, the npnp layered switch operates normally and uses regenerative bipolar transistor action to conduct a vast majority of the current. The two current paths conduct in parallel.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing having an outer circumference. An abrasive layer is disposed on the disc backing. The abrasive layer comprises triangular abrasive platelets secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The triangular abrasive platelets are outwardly disposed at regularly-spaced points along a spiral pattern extending outwardly toward the outer circumference. Each triangular abrasive platelet has respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of at least 90 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing, and at least 70 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed in a recurring sequential orientation having an oscillating Z-axis rotational orientation of the first respective sidewall relative to the tangents to the spiral pattern at regularly-spaced points.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal and vertical lines of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has two triangular abrasive platelets, each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing. A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines. A second portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating second rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the horizontal lines.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to include a vapor chamber and means of attachment for the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber can include one or more columns, where at least a portion of the columns include fiber braids and one or more wicks. At least one of the wicks can also include the fiber braids. The columns can be braised to a top plate or a bottom plate of the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber can be secured over a heat source using a vapor chamber securing means that can include spring arms. The spring arms can bend, flex, rotate, etc. to absorb some of the force when vapor chamber is secured over the heat source.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: In a vertical power device with trenched insulated gates, there is an npnp layered structure. The vertical gates turn on the device with a suitable gate bias to conduct a current between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. In an example, implanted n+ source regions are formed in the top surface within a p-well. Between some gates, the overlying dielectric is opened up, by etching, to expose distributed p-type contact regions for the p-well. The dielectric is also opened up to expose areas of the n+ source regions. The top electrode metal directly contacts the exposed p-type contact regions and the n+ source regions to provide distributed emitter-to-base short across the cellular array to improve device performance in the presence of transients. The p-contact regions are isolated from the n+ source regions, prior to the deposition of the metal electrode, due to the p-type contact regions not abutting the n+ source regions.