Abstract: Disclosed are devices, components and methods associated with a body fluid analysis system, which, according to some embodiments, can be employed in at-home, clinical, medical office and outpatient settings and applications. The system can be configured to provide results within a short period of time after a body fluid sample has been acquired from a patient such as by a finger or skin prick. In some embodiments, a body fluid sample cartridge is configured for use in conjunction with a corresponding spectroscopic body fluid analysis device, where the cartridge comprises one or more body fluid dispersing sheets, layers or membranes. In some embodiments, the cartridge is configured to deliver and disperse a predetermined amount or volume of a body fluid sample taken from a human or animal onto, into, through or across the body fluid dispersing sheet, layer or membrane disposed within the cartridge for subsequent analysis of the body fluid sample by a corresponding spectroscopic device.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a casting environment, for example, including a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more components in a casting environment. The camera may send the optical data to the computer system and the computer system may generate a profile associated with the casting environment. The profile may be compared with a baseline profile to determine whether a particular event has occurred. Based on the event that may have occurred, operating instructions can be generated. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a casting environment, for example, including a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more components in a casting environment. The camera may send the optical data to the computer system and the computer system may generate a profile associated with the casting environment. The profile may be compared with a baseline profile to determine whether a particular event has occurred. Based on the event that may have occurred, operating instructions can be generated. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) system is provided for surgical correction of a stifle joint of an animal. The system includes a bone plate, fixed angle locking screw, compression screw, and a K-wire. The bone plate includes first surface and a second surfaces having common structure such that each can be positioned against the bone. The plate has a first shaft portion with a dynamic compression screw hole having a major length both extending along a first axis, and second shaft portion with a second axis and K-wire slot defining a major axis angled relative to the second axis but parallel to the first axis. The locking screw has double lead threads and the threaded holes in the plate have quad-lead threads.

Abstract: A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) system is provided for surgical correction of a stifle joint of an animal. The system includes a bone plate, fixed angle locking screw, compression screw, and a K-wire. The bone plate includes first surface and a second surfaces having common structure such that each can be positioned against the bone. The plate has a first shaft portion with a dynamic compression screw hole having a major length both extending along a first axis, and second shaft portion with a second axis and K-wire slot defining a major axis angled relative to the second axis but parallel to the first axis. The locking screw has double lead threads and the threaded holes in the plate have quad-lead threads.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, components and methods associated with a body fluid analysis system, which, according to some embodiments, can be employed in at-home, clinical, medical office and outpatient settings and applications. The system can be configured to provide results within a short period of time after a body fluid sample has been acquired from a patient such as by a finger or skin prick. In some embodiments, a body fluid sample cartridge is configured for use in conjunction with a corresponding spectroscopic body fluid analysis device, where the cartridge comprises one or more body fluid dispersing sheets, layers or membranes. In some embodiments, the cartridge is configured to deliver and disperse a predetermined amount or volume of a body fluid sample taken from a human or animal onto, into, through or across the body fluid dispersing sheet, layer or membrane disposed within the cartridge for subsequent analysis of the body fluid sample by a corresponding spectroscopic device.

Abstract: A bone plate has first and second sides, each with the same structure. The plate includes nodes separated by deformable bridges. Each node defines a screw hole, and wings extending laterally therefrom. The wings taper in thickness between the first and second sides. Screw holes are threaded into the nodes. The plate can be shaped to the bone by deformation at the bridges or removal of portions of the plate at bridges.

Abstract: A bone plate has first and second sides, each with the same structure. The plate includes nodes separated by deformable bridges. Each node defines a screw hole, and wings extending laterally therefrom. The wings taper in thickness between the first and second sides. Screw holes are threaded into the nodes. Each of the first and second sides of the body define longitudinal channels in the nodes. The plate can be shaped to the bone by deformation at the bridges or removal of portions of the plate at bridges. A pair of benders, each with clamp bracket and clamping bolt threadedly coupled within a threaded hole of the bracket, is also provided for shaping the plate.

Abstract: The Antenna Beam Pointing System is a novel system and method to point a satellite terminal antenna beams to a satellite in near-circular orbit. Unlike other methods, the system described herein relies on the satellite orbital equations of motion to estimate its position with any precision, using a finite-term algebraic expression, and the satellite terminal position information. The system can point to the satellite as a function of the beamforming capabilities of the phased array antenna or the driving system of a mechanically steered antenna. Satellite acquisition could be attained within one second because of the long-term prediction of the orbital equations of motion with programmed initial orbit conditions and the antenna beamwidth which is wide enough to encompass the satellite uncertainty box in orbit. The system could be used with a beacon signal strength indicator or a correlating signal. The system is also applicable for satellites in elliptical orbits.

Abstract: A bone plate is asymmetric and includes a straight body and a cross arm. The plate has first and second sides, each with the same structure. The body and cross arm include nodes separated by deformable bridges. Each node defines a screw hole, and wings extending laterally therefrom. The wings taper in thickness between the first and second sides. Screw holes are threaded into the nodes. Each of the first and second sides of the body and cross arm define longitudinal channels in the nodes. The plate can be shaped to the bone by deformation at the bridges or removal of portions of the plate at bridges. A pair of benders, each with clamp bracket and clamping bolt threadedly coupled within a threaded hole of the bracket, is also provided for shaping the plate.

Abstract: A method for detecting a volatile analyte to class and sort cork stoppers depending on the concentration of the analyte, detection being preformed of concentrations in the order of ng/L (parts per trillion), in a concentrated gas applied to the cork stoppers in close containment. Cork stoppers are conveyed individually or groups to an incubation chamber; air/nitrogen is injected into the incubation chamber, the gas enriched with cork volatile compounds is entrained and carried to the concentration system containing a trap heated by desorption of entraining gas to a detection system recording a signal associated with presence of the analyte, the signal being used for classing the stopper/groups of stoppers; a software receives and compares the signal with a minimum limit, deciding to approve or reject the stopper. A system for implementing this method is described.

Abstract: A cyclone temperature control system for a cyclone of a decoating system includes a controller, a gas mover, and a control valve that is movable between a fully open position and a closed position. A method of controlling the temperature of the cyclone includes determining a cyclone temperature of the cyclone and comparing the cyclone temperature to a cyclone threshold temperature. The method also includes opening the temperature control valve and directing at least some heated gas from an afterburner of the decoating system to mix with exhaust gas from a kiln of the decoating system to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas if the cyclone temperature is less than the cyclone threshold temperature.

Abstract: A cooling system for a decoating system may include a kiln sprayer configured to selectively inject a coolant into the kiln to control a temperature of a gas within the kiln. The cooling system may also include a return sprayer configured to selectively cool a gas flowing from the afterburner to the kiln with a coolant. Alternatively or additionally, a heat exchange system for a decoating system may be used that includes a heat exchanger and a steam generator. The heat exchanger is configured to cool a gas flowing from the afterburner to the kiln, and the steam generator is configured to cool gas discharged from the afterburner and not directed to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a diagnosis are provided. In some aspects, a computing device receives medical information for a patient, wherein each medical information item in the medical information comprises a date, a source, and a medical state. The computing device constructs, in a memory of the computing device, a diagnosis tree for the patient, wherein the diagnosis tree comprises a patient node, the patient node having first children nodes corresponding to the dates or the sources, and the first children nodes having second children nodes corresponding to the medical states. The computing device generates a diagnosis for the patient using the constructed diagnosis tree.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a diagnosis are provided. In some aspects, a computing device receives medical information for a patient, wherein each medical information item in the medical information comprises a date, a source, and a medical state. The computing device constructs, in a memory of the computing device, a diagnosis tree for the patient, wherein the diagnosis tree comprises a patient node, the patient node having first children nodes corresponding to the dates or the sources, and the first children nodes having second children nodes corresponding to the medical states. The computing device generates a diagnosis for the patient using the constructed diagnosis tree.

Abstract: A bone plate has first and second sides, each with the same structure. The plate includes nodes separated by deformable bridges. Each node defines a screw hole, and wings extending laterally therefrom. The wings taper in thickness between the first and second sides. Screw holes are threaded into the nodes. The plate can be shaped to the bone by deformation at the bridges or removal of portions of the plate at bridges.

Abstract: The Pedicle Endoscope represents a new way to image the insertion of screws in vertebrae with the aid of fiber optics. The endoscope can operate in the visible and infrared spectra and is used in conjunction with a polyaxial or multiaxial screwdriver assembly. The mechanical assembly is comprised of a screwdriver, a polyaxial or multiaxial shaft, and a pedicle screw. The polyaxial shaft is inserted in the screwdriver and this assembly couples with the pedicle screw. Once this mechanical assembly is integrated, the endoscope is inserted through a bore that runs along the polyaxial shaft and the pedicle screw and it comes out of the screw tip, imaging the progression of the screw as it penetrates the incision in the vertebra. The endoscope consists of three fiber cores, one for imaging and two for illumination and a conduit for irrigation and air suction.

Abstract: The RF Probe is a radiofrequency device designed to determine the composition of multilayer media by transmitting pulses which are reflected at medium boundaries and received by the device. The device consists of a signal transmitter which synthesizes the probing pulses and a receiver which receives the pulses and performs processing to determine the radiometric composition of the media or objects by analyzing the phase shift of reflected pulses. The RF Probe uses a method to identify medium composition in terms of conductivity, permittivity, permeability and impedance by calculating the phase shift of reflected pulses.

Abstract: The Radiofrequency Identification and Location System represents a novel system and method for locating a Remote Transceiver by means of a Tracking Transceiver whereby the Tracking Transceiver transmits its identification (ID) to the Remote Transceiver which responds with its own ID. The IDs consist of unique PN code sequences which alternately can be PN cover codes and orthogonal codes. A Remote Transceiver can respond to multiple Tracking Transceivers simultaneously while a Tracking Transceiver can receive from multiple Remote Transceivers. By measuring the transit time of its transmitted PN code with respect to the PN code received from a Remote Transceiver, the Tracking Transceiver can measure the distance to that Remote Transceiver and home in gradually.

Abstract: A method for detecting a volatile analyte to class and sort cork stoppers depending on concentration of the analyte, detection being performed of concentrations in the order of ng/L (parts per trillion), in a concentrated gas applied to the cork stoppers in closed containment. Under said method, cork stoppers are conveyed individually or groups to an incubation chamber (1); air/nitrogen is injected into the incubation chamber (1), the gas enriched with cork volatile compounds is entrained and carried to the concentration system containing a trap (4) heated by desorption of volatile compounds; the volatile compounds are carried by entraining gas to a detection system (6) recording a signal associated with presence of the analyte, the signal being used for classing the stopper/groups of stoppers; a software receives and compares the signal with a minimum limit, deciding to approve or reject the stopper. A system for implementing this method is described.