Abstract: Devices and methods for bone fixation including a bone fixation system including a bone plate or intervertebral spacer including a plurality of apertures dimensioned to receive bone fasteners and at least one polymeric element capable of transitioning from a solid state to a flowable state. The polymeric element transitions to a flowable state as a result of exposure to ultrasonic vibration. The polymeric element is placed on the bone plate or intervertebral spacer adjacent a fastener in an aperture and acts to prevent rotational and/or translational movement of the fastener relative to the bone plate or intervertebral spacer.

Abstract: An electrical connector which has a single unitary one-piece dielectric housing with a mating surface and an assembly surface. One or more terminal receiving passageways extend between the mating surface and the assembly surface. Contact retention clip receiving recesses are provided in the one or more terminal receiving passageways. The contact retention clip receiving recesses have larger diameters than diameters of remaining portions of the terminal receiving passageways. Contact retention clips are positioned in the contact retention clip receiving recesses. The contact retention clips have unstressed diameters which are larger than the diameters of the contact retention clip receiving passageways. The contact retention clips exert force on walls of the contact retention clip receiving recesses.

Abstract: A system for securing a spinal rod to a bone structure using a connector is provided. The connector functions by modulating friction on a band in two band channels and locking the spinal rod in a separate rod channel. An instrument is also provided for tensioning the band.

Abstract: The subject invention provides safe, environmentally-friendly compositions and efficient methods for chelating and/or descaling. More specifically, the subject invention provides compositions derived from microorganisms for the use of chelating agents in metalworking, oil and gas production, polymerization, pulp and paper production, cleaning, household cleaners and descalers, textiles, mining, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and beverage production, cosmetics, and water treatment, which can be used for creating useful products.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified sophorolipids of formula (I) that are more pH and temperature-stable than its lactonic counterparts. Moreover, the compound has reduced HLB parameters, as well as improved wetting and solubilization parameters, water-in-oil emulsification ability, surface tension-lowering activity, and/or antimicrobial activity compared to their acidic or even lactonic counterparts.

Abstract: A user configurable keyable guide module having a housing with one or more keying guide pin receiving openings which extend from a mating face of the housing toward a rear face of the housing. First programmable keying surfaces are provided proximate the one or more keying guide pin receiving openings. One or more keying guide pins are configured to be positioned in the one or more keying guide pin receiving openings. The one or more keying guide pins have second programmable keying surfaces. A user selects the position of the first programmable keying surfaces and the second programmable keying surfaces.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a printed housing having a first end and a second end. One or more elastomer receiving recesses are provide in the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end. Elastomer material is provided in the one or more elastomer receiving recesses. The elastomer is interlocked with the one or more elastomer receiving recesses and the printed housing creating interlocking joints. The interlocking joints between the elastomer material and the housing permanently attach the elastomeric material to the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to mechanical surgical arms having a connector for attaching a surgical tool to the arm across a sterile drape. In various aspects, a drape connector for securing a tool to a surgical arm across a sterile drape includes a flexible collet for receiving a ball of a connection shank of the surgical arm to selectively secure the flexible collet to the surgical arm. The drape connector may also include a lock associated with an inferior end of the flexible collet. The lock may be for adjusting the flexible collet from an unlocked position to a locked position. Further, the drape connector may include a housing for receiving the flexible collet and the lock. The housing defines a window to provide access to the lock to adjust the flexible collet from the unlocked to the locked position.

Abstract: An electrical assembly having a substrate and an RF connector. The substrate has an opening which extends from a first surface of the substrate to a second surface of the substrate. The RF connector includes a conductive shell, a dielectric insert and a contact. The conductive shell has a mating connector receiving portion and a substrate mounting portion. The substrate mounting portion has a substrate mounting surface which engages the first surface of the substrate. The mating connector receiving portion extends from the substrate mounting surface through the opening to the second surface of the substrate. The contact has a surface mount portion positioned proximate the substrate mounting surface of the substrate mounting portion. The surface mount portion is mechanically and electrically engaged with a contact pad on the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A tissue retraction system comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft. The tissue retraction system includes a first plurality of linking members located along a second axis and configured to rotate along the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The tissue retraction system includes a linking member selector configured to rotate along the first axis, wherein the linking member selector comprises a cylindrical body integrally formed with a handle. The tissue retraction system includes a right arm assembly configured to move along a first trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a first retractor blade coupled to the right arm assembly. The tissue retraction system includes a left arm assembly configured to move along a second trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a second retractor blade coupled to the left arm assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of verifying transactions comprising assigning ‘trusted status’ a subset of users, the subset of trusted users defining a centralised root of trust, issuing one or more tokens from the centralised root of trust to users, submitting a transaction involving at least one token for verification by each of the subset of trusted users, determining whether or not a transaction is centrally verified based on whether or not a predetermined proportion of the trusted users have individually verified the transaction or not, and wherein if the transaction is centrally verified the transaction is recorded to a centralised ledger, and wherein if the transaction is not centrally verified, the transaction is not recorded to the centralised ledger. There is also disclosed a system for verifying transactions according to the above method.

Abstract: Novel cationic surfactant derivatives are provided, which have enhanced pH stability and surprising ability to clean soils while sanitizing and/or disinfecting in a single application. Methods of their use and production are also provided. Advantageously, the novel surfactants are biodegradable and have reduced toxicity over comparable traditional surfactants.

Abstract: A knife is disclosed. The knife includes a housing having a first end and a second end; a blade connected to the first end of the housing; a pulley disposed in and rotatably connected to the second end of the housing; and a string connected to the pulley and configured to be stored on the pulley in a storage position and extend outwardly from the pulley in a use position.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified sophorolipids of formula (I) that are more pH-and temperature-stable than its lactonic counterparts. Moreover, the compound has reduced HLB parameters, as well as improved wetting and solubilization parameters, water-in-oil emulsification ability, surface tension-lowering activity, and/or antimicrobial activity compared to their acidic or even lactonic counterparts.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump rotor can include a scroll portion, which can be configured to interface with a stator, and a head portion, which can be configured to be coupled to a coupling rod with a non-collinear joint, where the scroll portion can be releasably coupled to the head portion with a collinear joint.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.

Abstract: A tissue retraction system comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft. The tissue retraction system includes a first plurality of linking members located along a second axis and configured to rotate along the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The tissue retraction system includes a linking member selector configured to rotate along the first axis, wherein the linking member selector comprises a cylindrical body integrally formed with a handle. The tissue retraction system includes a right arm assembly configured to move along a first trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a first retractor blade coupled to the right arm assembly. The tissue retraction system includes a left arm assembly configured to move along a second trajectory. The tissue retraction system includes a second retractor blade coupled to the left arm assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example embodiments of rod reduction instrumentation and other rod and vertebrae manipulation instruments. The rod reducers can be used during the installation of a rod based surgical fixation system to help urge the rod into the fixation anchors. The reducers described provide various configurations delivering large reduction distance capabilities, strong controlled reduction coupled with an ability to quickly advance the reducer if desired, and reduction of bulk through the surgical corridor.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a drive gear coupled to a shaft and a dial. The drive gear is configured to rotate along a first axis based on movement of the dial. The assembly includes a first linking member located along a second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on contact with the drive gear as the drive gear is rotated. The assembly includes a second linking member located along the second axis and configured to rotate about the second axis based on rotation of the drive gear and a coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member. The assembly includes a linking member selector configured to rotate about the first axis and for selecting at least a position corresponding to the first linking member that causes the coupling between the first linking member and the second linking member.