Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”). The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: A renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a home renal therapy machine that stores, to a log file, dates of when renal therapies were performed and a type of each renal therapy that was performed. The system also includes a server that receives the log file from the home renal therapy machine. The server compares the dates and types of performed renal therapies stored in the log file to a device program that specifies dates for performing renal therapies and the types of renal therapies to be performed. The server displays a flag in a user interface of a clinician computer when there is a deviation from the comparison.

Abstract: A system for sensing the impact of a bullet on a target and remotely reporting the successful impact to the shooter by means of a signal transmitted from a sensor transmitter to a receiver incorporated with headphones, ear buds or an “Smart phone”, tablet or other device with WIFI and/or Blue tooth capability. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and a impact/vibration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor. The target impact sensors can be used with various stationary targets such as metallic, plastic, film, or paper targets, but can also be used on movable targets such as body armor or removable patches worn by players in mock warfare or games such as paint ball competition to effect audible signals.

Abstract: A system for sensing the impact of a bullet on a target and remotely reporting the successful impact to the shooter by means of a signal transmitted from a sensor transmitter to a receiver incorporated with headphones, ear buds or an I-phone with Bluetooth capability. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and a impact/vibration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor. The target impact sensors can be used with various stationary targets such as metallic or paper targets, but can also be used on movable targets such as body armor worn by players in paint ball competition.

Abstract: A system for sensing the impact of a bullet on a target and remotely reporting the successful impact to the shooter by means of a signal transmitted from a sensor transmitter to a receiver incorporated with headphones, ear buds or an “Smart phone”, tablet or other device with WIFI and/or Blue tooth capability. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and a impact/vibration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor. The target impact sensors can be used with various stationary targets such as metallic, plastic, film, or paper targets, but can also be used on movable targets such as body armor or removable patches worn by players in mock warfare or games such as paint ball competition to effect audible signals.

Abstract: A system for sensing the impact of a bullet on a target and remotely reporting the successful impact to the shooter by means of a signal transmitted from a sensor transmitter to a receiver incorporated with headphones, ear buds or an I-phone with Bluetooth capability. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and a impact/vibration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor. The target impact sensors can be used with various stationary targets such as metallic or paper targets, but can also be used on movable targets such as body armor worn by players in paint ball competition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A shell side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

Abstract: The transparency of a watch crystal having scratches in the outer surface is improved by applying thereto a piece of a thermoplastic urethane film. The film has an acrylic adhesive on one surface and a protective clear coat on the other surface. The scratched cover of the watch crystal and the adhesive is thoroughly wetted with an alcohol water solution (25% alcohol, 75% water). The film is then placed on the scratched cover and stretched to cover and conform to the surface thereof. Pressure is then applied to the film to drive out from thereunder excess of the water alcohol solution. After a short drying period the watch is ready for use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A lumen side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debubbling an ink. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ink having an entrained gas; providing a membrane contactor comprising a plurality of integrally asymmetric hollow fiber microporous membranes; a membrane defining within the contactor a lumen side and a shell side; providing a vacuum source; passing the gas entrained ink through the shell side of the contactor; applying the vacuum source to the lumen side of the contactor; and debubbling the gas entrained ink across the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debubbling an ink. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ink having an entrained gas; providing a membrane contactor comprising a plurality of integrally asymmetric hollow fiber microporous membranes; a membrane defining within the contactor a lumen side and a shell side; providing a vacuum source; passing the gas entrained ink through the shell side of the contactor; applying the vacuum source to the lumen side of the contactor; and debubbling the gas entrained ink across the membrane.

Abstract: A back pack with an elongate sleeve mounted on the front panel thereof at a readily accessible area and made, at least in part, of an open mesh nylon material. A nylon ring provides an open end for the sleeve through which an umbrella can be inserted in a folded collapsed state. A water impervious layer between the cavity of the sleeve and the panel of the back pack stops water vapor, from a wet umbrella, getting into the back pack storage compartment. A piece of sponge material is located in the sleeve to reduce the amount of moisture run-off from an umbrella returned to the storage sleeve while wet.

Abstract: The present invention entails a battery identification system to be utilized by cellular telephones, battery chargers, and other electrical devices for identification of the battery types employed within such devices. The battery identification system comprises a battery type identification circuit that includes one or more input switches that are coupled to a voltage divider network that is made up of a series of voltage divider segments. Each voltage divider segment is designed to produce a signal that is indicative of the on/off state of a particular input switch. To actuate the input switches, the employed battery is provided with one or more switch actuators, where the position and spacing of the switch actuators on the battery in effect uniquely identifies the battery type. Various switching and actuating configurations are contemplated, including mechanical, galvanic, magnetic, and optical systems.

Abstract: A tool for coiling a fire hose lying on a supporting surface has an elongated member with a pivot point at a lower termination thereof and a handle at an upper termination thereof. The elongated member has at least two telescoping sections with releasable locking means so that the tool can be placed in a collapsed position for storage. In a method of using the tool when it is in an extended position, a user can carry the tool to a fire hose to be coiled. The tool is placed over the fire hose so that an L-shaped retention means on the tool retains the fire hose as it is being coiled. The fire hose can be retained near one end thereof or near a center depending on the type of coil desired. When the fire hose is suitably retained, the elongated member is rotated about the pivot point by manually rotating the handle. When the coiling has been completed, the tool is raised to release the hose from the retention means. The fire hose can be coiled wihtout any direct contact between the user of the tool and the hose.

Abstract: An apparatus which connects/disconnects battery from a load such as a computer system includes a first circuit arrangement which sets a first reference voltage level at which the energy source is connected through an FET device to the computer system, a second circuit arrangement that sets a second voltage level at which the energy source is disconnected by the FET device from the computer system and a third circuit arrangement which controls the FET device so that said FET device is forced into either its ON or OFF state once one of the reference voltages is reached. A second apparatus which reduces power dissipation in a battery charger power device by forcing the input voltage to track the battery voltage as the battery charges/discharges.