Abstract: Platform-agnostic digital assistant methods and apparatuses are provided. The apparatuses and methods include a processor configured by a memory to receive user data from a storage containing informational contents. The processor is configured to establish a communication channel with an entity and utilize the communication channel to receive first information related to a user. The processor is configured to extract at least one user datum from the first information and modify the informational contents of the storage based on at least one of the user datum and the first information. The processor is further configured to initiate an action related to the user based on at least one of the first information, the user datum, and the informational contents.

Abstract: An ultrasonic horn includes a generally cylindrical input section having an energy input end, a generally cylindrical output section having an energy output end, and a throat section disposed between the input section and the output section, the throat section being defined by a side wall having a continuous curve and having a diameter tapering down from a diameter generally equal to a diameter of the input section on a side connected to the input section, and tapering down from a diameter generally equal to a diameter of the output section on a side connected to the output section, to a minimum throat diameter. The minimum throat diameter is smaller than the diameter of the output section and the diameter of the output section is smaller than the diameter of the input section. The side wall of the throat section has a constant radius of curvature.

Abstract: An ultrasonic block horn includes a generally cylindrical block of material having a first generally circular planar end surface, a second generally circular planar end surface and a generally circular circumferential side surface extending between the first and second generally planar end surfaces. A first plurality of through holes are formed in the generally cylindrical block of material, each of the first plurality of through holes extending from a first opening in the circumferential side surface to a second opening in the circumferential side surface, and each of the first plurality of through holes being generally parallel with, and spaced apart from, each other of the first plurality of through holes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic block horn includes a generally cylindrical block of material having a first generally circular planar end surface, a second generally circular planar end surface and a generally circular circumferential side surface extending between the first and second generally planar end surfaces. A first plurality of through holes are formed in the generally cylindrical block of material, each of the first plurality of through holes extending from a first opening in the circumferential side surface to a second opening in the circumferential side surface, and each of the first plurality of through holes being generally parallel with, and spaced apart from, each other of the first plurality of through holes.

Abstract: A safety device for a press having a head for applying force, a single fixed pressure source for actuating a low force pressure driven actuator and a high force pressure driven actuator for the head, wherein the operation of the head is limited to only with the low force actuator until the head is in a safe position, when the head is determined to be in a safe position the high force actuator's use is permitted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an ultrasonic welder having nodal horn support for improving transmission of transducer energy to the weld comprising an acoustical tool having a horn; a weld tip on the end of said horn; and at least two nodal mounts which are in contact with and axially and radially support said horn. The horn self-aligns in housing by sitting a housing-key within a keyway in the horn. The weld tip self aligns by sitting the keyed tip in a keyway of the horn.

Abstract: A safety device for a press having a head for applying force, a single fixed pressure source for actuating a low force pressure driven actuator and a high force pressure driven actuator for the head, wherein the operation of the head is limited to only with the low force actuator until the head is in a safe position, when the head is determined to be in a safe position the high force actuator's use is permitted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an ultrasonic welder having nodal horn support for improving transmission of transducer energy to the weld comprising an acoustical tool having a horn; a weld tip on the end of said horn; and at least two nodal mounts which are in contact with and axially and radially support said horn. The horn self-aligns in housing by sitting a housing-key within a keyway in the horn. The weld tip self aligns by sitting the keyed tip in a keyway of the horn.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed having a design that extends horn or tip life and minimizes instrument breakage and disintegration during use. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic tip having a distal working end and a metal sheath around the tip; the tip further having projections located in the vicinity of nodal points near the tip working end, said tip radially extending from the tip towards the sheath so as to provide the tip with radial inward support. The instrument can further comprise said tip with a substantially flat or convex end and said sheath with an inwardly projecting portion located distally of said tip projection and extending sufficiently radially inward so as to capture the tip with its projection should a tip break occur.