Abstract: A breakaway mitigation system is provided for addressing breakaway between a tractor and a trailer unit of a truck. The breakaway mitigation system can include a spool assembly, a sensor, and a controller. The spool assembly has a spool body configured to deploy a length of a tether coupled with the spool body and configured to couple with an energy source supply conduit and to retract the length of the tether. The energy source supply conduit is configured to convey a source of energy for use by a motor or by a fuel cell. The sensor is configured to detect the length of the tether that has been deployed. The controller is configured to receive an input corresponding to the detected length and to implement a countermeasure when the detected amount exceeds a threshold value. Mitigation can be provided by a coupler that decouples under a load over a threshold.

Abstract: A breakaway mitigation system is provided for addressing breakaway between a tractor and a trailer unit of a truck. The breakaway mitigation system can include a spool assembly, a sensor, and a controller. The spool assembly has a spool body configured to deploy a length of a tether coupled with the spool body and configured to couple with an energy source supply conduit and to retract the length of the tether. The energy source supply conduit is configured to convey a source of energy for use by a motor or by a fuel cell. The sensor is configured to detect the length of the tether that has been deployed. The controller is configured to receive an input corresponding to the detected length and to implement a countermeasure when the detected amount exceeds a threshold value. Mitigation can be provided by a coupler that decouples under a load over a threshold.

Abstract: A computerized system enables teachers and students to collaborate in the solutions of STEM problems. The system includes a communications network linking a plurality of computers, at least one teacher computer operable by a respective teacher, at least one student computer operable by a respective student, and at least one computer-readable storage medium. Each of the computers includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input via the input device. The computers are operatively linked and each of their touch sensitive screens forms a virtual shared whiteboard defining a common work page upon which input from each computer is received and displayed. Input received from each computer interacts mathematically with input received from each other computer in the network and the interactions are displayed on each screen. The input and interactions form a collaborative solution to a STEM problem.

Abstract: An online system provides for the teaching and learning of step by step solutions to STEM problems. The system comprises at least one tablet computer linked to at least one computer readable storage medium by a communication network. The computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving and displaying handwritten input. A system user inputs the computer with the steps of a step by step solution to a STEM problem by handwriting math expressions and sketches on the touch sensitive screen. The system evaluates and automatically color codes each step in accordance with a color coding protocol stored in the computer readable storage medium as each step is entered into the system. The color coding provides visual feedback which identifies correct steps, erroneous steps, and intermediate steps in the solution. Teachers use the feedback when teaching STEM solutions and students use the feedback when they are practicing and assessing their own solutions.

Abstract: An on-line teaching, learning and assessing system provides a teacher rapid feedback while teaching a classroom lesson on STEM principles by measuring student progress in learning the principles wherein student progress is measured by students' correct answers to assessment questions. The system includes at least one teacher computer and a plurality of student computers linked to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. Each computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input. The teacher inputs the teacher computer with at least one assessment question and at least one corresponding correct answer to the question, both inputs being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches. The student inputs the student computer with at least one student answer corresponding to the assessment question, the answer being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches.

Abstract: A computerized system enables teachers and students to collaborate in the solutions of STEM problems. The system includes a communications network linking a plurality of computers, at least one teacher computer operable by a respective teacher, at least one student computer operable by a respective student, and at least one computer-readable storage medium. Each of the computers includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input via the input device. The computers are operatively linked and each of their touch sensitive screens forms a virtual shared whiteboard defining a common work page upon which input from each computer is received and displayed. Input received from each computer interacts mathematically with input received from each other computer in the network and the interactions are displayed on each screen. The input and interactions form a collaborative solution to a STEM problem.

Abstract: An on-line teaching, learning and assessing system provides a teacher rapid feedback while teaching a classroom lesson on STEM principles by measuring student progress in learning the principles wherein student progress is measured by students' correct answers to assessment questions. The system includes at least one teacher computer and a plurality of student computers linked to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. Each computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input. The teacher inputs the teacher computer with at least one assessment question and at least one corresponding correct answer to the question, both inputs being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches. The student inputs the student computer with at least one student answer corresponding to the assessment question, the answer being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches.

Abstract: An on-line teaching, learning and assessing system provides a teacher rapid feedback while teaching a classroom lesson on STEM principles by measuring student progress in learning the principles wherein student progress is measured by students' correct answers to assessment questions. The system includes at least one teacher computer and a plurality of student computers linked to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. Each computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input. The teacher inputs the teacher computer with at least one assessment question and at least one corresponding correct answer to the question, both inputs being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches. The student inputs the student computer with at least one student answer corresponding to the assessment question, the answer being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches.

Abstract: An online system provides for the teaching and learning of step by step solutions to STEM problems. The system comprises at least one tablet computer linked to at least one computer readable storage medium by a communication network. The computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving and displaying handwritten input. A system user inputs the computer with the steps of a step by step solution to a STEM problem by handwriting math expressions and sketches on the touch sensitive screen. The system evaluates and automatically color codes each step in accordance with a color coding protocol stored in the computer readable storage medium as each step is entered into the system. The color coding provides visual feedback which identifies correct steps, erroneous steps, and intermediate steps in the solution. Teachers use the feedback when teaching STEM solutions and students use the feedback when they are practicing and assessing their own solutions.

Abstract: An on-line teaching, learning and assessing system provides a teacher rapid feedback while teaching a classroom lesson on STEM principles by measuring student progress in learning the principles wherein student progress is measured by students' correct answers to assessment questions. The system includes at least one teacher computer and a plurality of student computers linked to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. Each computer includes an input device and a touch sensitive screen for receiving handwritten input. The teacher inputs the teacher computer with at least one assessment question and at least one corresponding correct answer to the question, both inputs being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches. The student inputs the student computer with at least one student answer corresponding to the assessment question, the answer being handwritten using math expressions and STEM sketches.

Abstract: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip.

Abstract: Embolic protection sheath and method of using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention includes an elongate shaft, an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft, and a sheath disposed over at least a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of bonding a shaft tip to a distal end of a catheter or sheath shaft. The method includes extruding a shaft to have an initial outside diameter that is greater than an outside diameter the shaft will have when finished. A lap joint area is then ground into the distal end of the shaft. The tip is then insert molded over the lap joint area. The tip includes a collar at a proximal end of the tip that provides additional thermal mass to facilitate the bonding of the tip to the shaft. The shaft is then ground from its initial outside diameter to its finished outside diameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip.

Abstract: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching may be facilitated by retracting a procedure sheath without moving the sealing plug or a tamping assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, a scroll gearset changes gear ratio as it transduces a retraction force into a sealing plug tamping force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide a magazine fed tamping system for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping and/or cinching force.