Abstract: A device for closing a tissue opening includes a proximal housing portion having a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion and the fourth portion extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion on opposite sides of the proximal housing portion. A distal portion extends from the proximal housing portion. At least the second portion and the third portion are configured to move toward the first portion.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides a gas-liquid falling film equilibration apparatus, systems incorporating the apparatus, and methods of their use. The apparatus comprises a chamber, an equilibration member within the chamber, liquid and gas inlet and outlets, such that a liquid introduced into the chamber from the liquid inlet contacts the upper portion of the outer surface of the equilibration member. The apparatus finds use in the measurement of dissolved gases in a variety of liquids including the measurement of carbon dioxide in water.

Abstract: A vessel closure device for delivering immediate hemostasis at a puncture site in a wall of a blood vessel includes an intravascular anchor having one or more suture attachment points, an extravascular cap having a lumen, a sealant, and a suture connected to at least one of the one or more suture attachment points of the intravascular anchor and threaded through the lumen of the extravascular cap, wherein each of the intravascular anchor, extravascular cap, sealant, and suture are formed of bioabsorbable materials.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus for increased control of steam injection for use in oil and gas recovery in a well. Embodiments can comprise a plurality of controllable zones of injection disposed in the well. The plurality of controllable zones include a primary conduit that houses a plurality of concentric conduits of decreasing diameter disposed inside of the primary conduit. In some embodiments, each of the concentric conduits includes a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of concentric conduits are fluidly sealed from one another from their respective proximal end to distal end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus comprising a large scale direct steam generator operating on an oxidant of air or enriched air configured to generate steam and combustion exhaust constituents. An exhaust constituent separation system and an energy recovery system to reclaim energy and improve the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle. An optional CO2 separation system and Non Condensable Gas injection system may be included.

Abstract: Core particles produced in situ or introduced as preformed core particles are coated with a layer of carbon. Non-carbon as well as some carbon-based core materials can be utilized. The resulting carbon coated particles can find applications in rubber products, for instance as reinforcement for tire components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for generating steam. The system can include a direct steam generator configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. A close coupled heat exchanger can be fluidly coupled to the direct steam generator, the close coupled heat exchanger can be configured to route the saturated or superheated steam and combustion exhaust constituents through an exhaust constituent removal system. The system can include an energy recovery system that reclaims the energy from the exhaust constituents.

Abstract: Core particles produced in situ or introduced as preformed core particles are coated with a layer of carbon. Non-carbon as well as some carbon-based core materials can be utilized. The resulting carbon coated particles can find applications in rubber products, for instance as reinforcement for tire components.

Abstract: A method for integrating assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, by a kinematic asset management platform, an indication of an attribute needed to perform a task. The method further comprises generating, by the kinematic asset management platform, a request to a plurality of reader nodes disposed at a respective plurality of locations for an inventor of assets at each of said respective plurality of locations. The method further comprises receiving, by the kinematic asset management platform, said inventory of assets from said respective plurality of locations. The method further comprises determining, by the kinematic asset management platform, and based on the attribute, that the attribute needed to perform the task is assigned to an asset present at a first location.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for classifying merchants. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising providing, a first promotion specifying a redemption and a charge monetary values, the redemption monetary value being specified by redemption parameters of the first promotion and a value indicative of a total amount of funds purchased in response to accepting an instance of the first promotion, wherein the funds purchased can be redeemed for offerings of one or more merchants specified by the promotion, the charge monetary value being a monetary value charged for accepting the first promotion, and providing a first classification classifying the first promotion as a promotion having a redemption monetary value that may be used to purchase offerings of the one or more merchants over the course of multiple transactions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for harvesting salt and generating distilled water from at least one of a produced water and salt water, comprising. A direct steam generator (DSG) can be configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents from the at least one of the produced water and salt water. A separation system can be configured to separate the salt from at least one of the saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents in brine form or solid form. An expansion turbine can be configured to recover energy from the steam and combustion exhaust constituents.

Abstract: A thermal measurement system includes a thermocouple configured to couple to a location of a heating element of an electronic smoking article. The thermocouple is structured to measure a surface temperature of the location. A thermocouple data module is operatively connected to the thermocouple and is structured to receive data of the surface temperature from the thermocouple. A pneumatic system is configured to connect to an end of the electronic smoking article and draw an air flow through the electronic smoking article. The pneumatic system includes a solenoid valve having an open state that causes air to flow through the electronic smoking article. The solenoid valve has a closed state that prevents air flow through the electronic smoking article. An infrared camera is disposed over the viewing window. The infrared camera is configured to measure a wire temperature of a heating element wire of the electronic smoking article.

Abstract: Methods to prepare elastomer compounds are described that include dry mixing at least one additive to an elastomer composite masterbatch at low temperatures over a shortened mixing cycle with reduced energy consumption. The elastomer composite masterbatch is produced in a liquid masterbatch process. The resulting elastomer compounds are further described as well as property improvements that can be achieved.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus for increased control of steam injection for use in oil and gas recovery in a well. Embodiments can comprise a plurality of controllable zones of injection disposed in the well. The plurality of controllable zones include a primary conduit that houses a plurality of concentric conduits of decreasing diameter disposed inside of the primary conduit. In some embodiments, each of the concentric conduits includes a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of concentric conduits are fluidly sealed from one another from their respective proximal end to distal end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for classifying merchants. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising providing, a first promotion specifying a redemption and a charge monetary values, the redemption monetary value being specified by redemption parameters of the first promotion and a value indicative of a total amount of funds purchased in response to accepting an instance of the first promotion, wherein the funds purchased can be redeemed for offerings of one or more merchants specified by the promotion, the charge monetary value being a monetary value charged for accepting the first promotion, and providing a first classification classifying the first promotion as a promotion having a redemption monetary value that may be used to purchase offerings of the one or more merchants over the course of multiple transactions.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: A device for closing an opening in a body lumen, the device having a first elongate member with a first lumen, a second elongate member distal the first elongate member, and a needle assembly slidably cooperating with the first elongate member to position a plurality of sutures within the lumen of the first elongate member. The needle assembly includes a needle base and a plurality of needle portions extending from the needle base. Slidable movement of the needle assembly in relation to the first elongate member locates the plurality of sutures selectively mounted to the needle assembly within the first lumen.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides a gas-liquid falling film equilibration apparatus, systems incorporating the apparatus, and methods of their use. The apparatus comprises a chamber, an equilibration member within the chamber, liquid and gas inlet and outlets, such that a liquid introduced into the chamber from the liquid inlet contacts the upper portion of the outer surface of the equilibration member. The apparatus finds use in the measurement of dissolved gases in a variety of liquids including the measurement of carbon dioxide in water.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for classifying merchants. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising providing, a first promotion specifying a redemption and a charge monetary values, the redemption monetary value being specified by redemption parameters of the first promotion and a value indicative of a total amount of funds purchased in response to accepting an instance of the first promotion, wherein the funds purchased can be redeemed for offerings of one or more merchants specified by the promotion, the charge monetary value being a monetary value charged for accepting the first promotion, and providing a first classification classifying the first promotion as a promotion having a redemption monetary value that may be used to purchase offerings of the one or more merchants over the course of multiple transactions.

Abstract: An intravascular device delivery system has an elongated member, a guidewire receiving member, and a distal cap longitudinally fixed to a guidewire receiving member. The distal cap includes an insert having an elongate member, a rim member radially separated from the elongate member, and a wall member supporting the rim member, the wall member being disposed between the rim member and the elongate member.