Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices and loops that are pre-loaded onto modified knotless anchors (for example, swivel and/or screw-in suture anchors and/or push-in suture anchors with a distal eyelet) to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The systems allow for knotless tensioning of the tissue after the knotless anchors have been implanted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. Soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible strand with multiple flexible limbs, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand to shuttle the multiple flexible limbs through the flexible strand and form a locking splice.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofit onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps and an open configuration. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile stress along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile stress are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such stresses. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. Safety is achieved because even if the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofitted onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps into the open configuration, thus guiding the straps way from the foot area of the binding. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile forces along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile forces are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such forces. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. If the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal, resulting in no safety concerns to user.

Abstract: This invention provides novel compounds of the following formula and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

Abstract: A delivery device (suture passer or suture snare) that may be used in both open and endoscopic surgical procedures. The delivery device is designed with an internal member terminating in a snare and a retractable outer sheath (sleeve). The device is passed through tissue, and the outer sheath is retracted (moved back), allowing the snare to open. The suture is captured by the snare, and the outer sheath is then released so that it returns to its distal position, closing the snare and securing the captured suture. Since the snare is exposed by retracting the outer sheath (sleeve), rather than advancing the snare, the space requirement for the device is reduced, as is the possibility that the snare will undesirably contact sensitive tissue.

Abstract: A binding strap assist mechanism. The binding strap assist mechanism can be retrofit onto standard snowboard binding straps to bias the binding straps and an open configuration. Binding straps pass through the binding strap assist mechanism so that tensile stress along the length of each of these binding straps during use is not significantly conveyed to the binding straps assist mechanism. The tensile stress are thus isolated to the binding straps which are intended to carry such stresses. The present invention provides a safe and convenient feature to snowboard bindings and other bindings. Safety is achieved because even if the binding strap assist mechanism breaks or fails to function, the binding straps will continue to function as normal.

Abstract: Methods and constructs for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated.

Abstract: A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a tool body including at least one inverted cutting element pocket, at least a portion of the at least one inverted cutting element pocket having a profile substantially matching a profile of an actual cutting element to be secured within a cutting element pocket to be formed by subsequently machining the at least one inverted cutting element pocket. Hardfacing material may be applied to portions of the tool body. The actual cutting element pocket is formed by removing material of the tool body within the at least one inverted cutting element pocket subsequent to applying the hardfacing material to portions of the tool body. A cutting element is affixed within the actual cutting element pocket.

Abstract: Methods of forming earth-boring tools include using a plasma spray device to gouge at least one recess through a hardfacing material and into a body. At least a portion of the recess may define a cutting element pocket in which a cutting element may be received and bonded. The recess formed using the plasma spray device optionally may be further machined to form the cutting element pocket. Earth-boring tools are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: Methods and constructs for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for AC joint dislocation surgical repairs, without knot tying. The surgical systems include two fixation devices (for example, a button and an anchor) joined by strand of flexible material having a knotless, self-cinching, adjustable loop with two splices that attach to the two fixation devices. The knotless, adjustable loop/fixation devices allow for tensioning of the AC repair after the anchor implantation.

Abstract: Methods of forming earth-boring tools include using a plasma spray device to gouge at least one recess through a hardfacing material and into a body. At least a portion of the recess may define a cutting element pocket in which a cutting element may be received and bonded. The recess formed using the plasma spray device optionally may be further machined to form the cutting element pocket. Earth-boring tools are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating performance of simulated drilling operations may involve accepting characteristics of an earth formation. A drill path, a plurality of quality evaluation standards, and selection of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and at least one earth-boring tool may be accepted. A drilling operation attempting to follow the drill path using the BHA and the drill bit may be simulated. Performance of the BHA and the drill bit in the drilling operation may be evaluated relative to the quality evaluation standards. At least one aspect of the simulated drilling operation may be changed, and simulation of the drilling operation, performance evaluation, and change of the aspects of the drilling operation may be iterated. Performance of each drilling operation may be compared to the other drilling operations, and an improved aspect of a drilling operation may be output relative to the comparative performance of the drilling operations.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a generally planar volume of hard material carried by the body, and a sensor affixed to the body. The sensor may be configured to sense at least one of stress and strain. An earth-boring tool includes a cutting element disposed at least partially within a pocket of a body. Methods of forming cutting elements comprise securing a generally planar volume of hard material to a body, attaching a sensor to the body, and configuring the sensor. Methods of forming earth-boring tools comprise forming a cutting element and securing the cutting element within a recess in a body of the earth-boring tool. Methods of forming wellbores comprise rotating an earth-boring tool comprising a cutting element and measuring at least one of stress and strain.

Abstract: A combustion turbine engine combustor igniter port alignment and dimensional verification tool is insertable in guide tube and igniter boss portions of the igniter port. The tool has concentrically nested outer and inner sleeves, having respective circumferential profiles that are separately slidably insertable within corresponding igniter port guide tube and igniter boss portions that have inner circumferential profiles in conformance with minimal dimension specifications. Concentric alignment of the guide tube and igniter boss is validated by inserting the nested outer and inner sleeves into the igniter port. The verification tool is capable of validating igniter port alignment and dimensions before the combustor is installed in a combustion turbine engine.

Abstract: A GPS receiver acquires carrier frequency and Gold code phase using short segments of a received GPS signal. In one embodiment, a 1-ms segment of the GPS signal is transformed to the frequency domain. This is multiplied by a frequency representation of the Gold code. The resulting product is converted to the time domain, and a peak is detected. The location of the peak corresponds to the code phase. If no peak is located, the carrier frequency is changed. Full- and half-bin steps in carrier frequency are considered. Processing gain is achieved by using longer segments of the input signal, for example 4 or 16 ms and integrating 1-ms segments. Considerations are provided for compensating for the effects of a transition, should it occur in the short segment of the GPS signal being processed. Integrations can be performed using non-coherent and coherent techniques. Adjustments are made for non-integral millisecond segment lengths.

Abstract: Instrumentation for elbow reconstruction, specifically, for repairs of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The instrumentation provides for precise formation of sockets and tunnels along with easy suture/graft passage while accommodating all forms of elbow UCL reconstruction techniques. A V-drill guide is provided with a handle and two drill sleeves having intersecting trajectories for creating an intersecting V-shaped bone tunnel in the ulna. An adjustable humeral guide has an adjustable arm with an arc shape, and a peg and a block extending from each end of the adjustable arm. The peg is shaped to fit within an already-formed humeral socket. The block allows a drill to pass through and form other tunnels which intersect with the originally-formed tunnel at various positions.

Abstract: Knotless, adjustable anchor systems that allow for knotless tensioning of tissue (such as the rotator cuff) after anchor implantation. The knotless, adjustable anchor system includes knotless anchors (for example, swivel and/or screw-in suture anchors and/or push-in suture anchors) that are modified to carry a self-locking, adjustable construct (for example, a suture assembly with a spliced suture loop) and to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The system allows for knotless tensioning of the tissue after the knotless anchors have been implanted. The medial row anchors are implanted and passed through tissue in a similar fashion as the current Corkscrew® or SwiveLock® C anchors are. The lateral row anchors are similar to a knotless SutureTak® but modified to accommodate a larger suture to hold a larger load. The suture is interconnected to the medial row and returned back to the lateral row for loading into the splice.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, a generally planar volume of hard material attached to the elongated body, and a sensor affixed to the elongated body. The sensor may be configured to sense at least one of stress and strain. An earth-boring tool includes a cutting element disposed at least partially within a pocket of a body. Methods of forming cutting elements comprise securing a generally planar volume of hard material to an elongated body, attaching a sensor to the elongated body, and configuring the sensor. Methods of forming earth-boring tools comprise forming a cutting element and securing the cutting element within a recess in a body of the earth-boring tool. Methods of forming wellbores comprise rotating an earth-boring tool comprising a cutting element and measuring at least one of stress and strain.