Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A processor is described. The processor includes model specific register space that is visible to software above a BIOS level. The model specific register space is to specify a granularity of a processing entity of a lock-step group. The processor also includes logic circuitry to support dynamic entry/exit of the lock-step group's processing entities to/from lock-step mode including: i) termination of lock-step execution by the processing entities before the program code to be executed in lock-step is fully executed; and, ii) as part of the exit from the lock-step mode, restoration of a state of a shadow processing entity of the processing entities as the state existed before the shadow processing entity entered the lock-step mode and began lock-step execution of the program code.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the production and quantification of barcoded or unique molecular identifier (UMI)-labeled substrates. In one aspect, the substrate is a bead comprising a template oligonucleotide that is elongated by successive extension reactions to provide a bead with an oligonucleotide comprising a plurality of barcodes and conserved anchor regions. Methods are also described for quantifying the amount of template oligonucleotide loaded onto the substrate and the products of the extension reaction after each round and after the final extension.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom and configured to support an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue sealing plate disposed thereon and adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source for delivery thereto upon activation thereof. A sensor is disposed one or both of the tissue sealing plates of the first and second jaw members and is configured to communicate data relating to a location of tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members to the electrosurgical energy source. The electrosurgical energy source, in turn, uses the tissue location data to adjust one or more parameters associated with the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue upon activation thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: Jaw members of end effector assemblies include sealing plates configured to direct the amount and flow of energy through the sealing plates. The sealing plates may have a height varying from a minimal height to a maximum height along a width or a length of the sealing plate and/or a sealing surface including at least two impedance zones having different impedance values.

Abstract: A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A jaw member of an electrosurgical instrument includes an insulative spacer including a face and defining first and second elongated recesses on either side of the face, first and second cleats disposed at least partially within the first and second elongated recesses, respectively, a structural frame, and a tissue treating plate. The structural frame is configured to receive at least a portion of the insulative spacer therein such that first and second elongated sides of the structural frame at least partially overlap the first and second cleats, respectively. The first and second elongated sides are engaged with the first and second cleats, respectively, to thereby secure the insulative spacer relative to the structural frame with the face exposed. The tissue treating plate is disposed on the face of the insulative spacer and is adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue therewith.

Abstract: A novel end assembly for canes and other walking aids having a linear adjustable hydraulic shock absorber threaded into the distal end of the cane and facility for mounting various cane and walking aid ends.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an optical fiber organization system that includes a generally planar bottom portion having a plurality of linear grooves defined thereon, the plurality of linear grooves being oriented along in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The generally planar top portion is rotatably coupled to the generally planar bottom portion, where the top portion being rotatable between a fully-open position providing access to the plurality of linear grooves and a fully-closed position adapted to securely enclose the plurality of linear grooves. Each of the plurality of linear grooves encased between the top and bottom portions is adapted to accommodate and hold a length of at least one optical fiber extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inflatable airbag system in a motor vehicle having a seatbelt includes detecting a position of a vehicle occupant relative to an airbag suppression zone (ASZ). Electronic input signals are received from a sensor suite, including an occupant position signal and a seatbelt usage status signal. A restraint capacity setting of the airbag is adjusted in response to the electronic input signals such that corresponding restraint activation logic is executed by the controller based on whether the occupant is belted or unbelted. Different ASZs may be used for belted and unbelted occupants. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, an airbag, a seatbelt, a sensor suite for detecting a position of an occupant relative to the ASZ, and a controller operable for controlling a restraint capacity setting and location of the ASZ in accordance with the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to accessories for containers. More specifically, but without limitation, the present disclosure relates to an accessory grid apparatus (40) for a container, for example insulated container, which allows for positioning and retention of various types of accessories.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the production and quantification of barcoded or unique molecular identifier (UMI)-labeled substrates. In one aspect, the substrate is a bead comprising a template oligonucleotide that is elongated by successive extension reactions to provide a bead with an oligonucleotide comprising a plurality of barcodes and conserved anchor regions. Methods are also described for quantifying the amount of template oligonucleotide loaded onto the substrate and the products of the extension reaction after each round and after the final extension.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an optical fiber organization system that includes a generally planar bottom portion having a plurality of linear grooves defined thereon, the plurality of linear grooves being oriented along in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The generally planar top portion is rotatably coupled to the generally planar bottom portion, where the top portion being rotatable between a fully-open position providing access to the plurality of linear grooves and a fully-closed position adapted to securely enclose the plurality of linear grooves. Each of the plurality of linear grooves encased between the top and bottom portions is adapted to accommodate and hold a length of at least one optical fiber extending along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: A thermal cutting element of an electrosurgical instrument includes a base substrate defining a first side and a second side, at least one insulating layer disposed on at least the first side of the base substrate, and a heater circuit trace disposed on the at least one insulating layer. The thermal cutting element has an operating temperature of at least about 350° C. Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) of at least about 50 ppm/° C. An electrosurgical instrument and electrosurgical system including the thermal cutting element are also provided.

Abstract: A device may receive frames of a video capturing an analog meter with a dial and a needle, may process the frames to identify a center, a radius, and a perimeter of the dial, and may determine calibrated values for the dial. The device may apply a model to one of the frames to create a base mask, may apply thresholding for a dynamic HSV bounding value, to the base mask and the frames, to create masked frames, and may identify contours for the masked frames. The device may identify a quantity of points for each of the contours, may estimate angles of the needle of the analog meter based on the quantity of points, and may average the estimated angles to determine an averaged needle angle. The device may determine a needle direction based on the averaged needle angle and may calculate a meter reading.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive antigens derived from influenza viruses that are immunogenic and capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, e.g., a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, directed against influenza virus antigens following introduction into a subject. Also provided are non-naturally, broadly reactive immunogens, vaccines, virus particles, virus-like particles (VLPs) and compositions comprising the immunogens and vaccines. Methods of generating an immune response in a human or non-human subject by administering the immunogens, vaccines, VLPs, or compositions thereof are provided. In particular, the immunogens comprise broadly reactive hemagglutinin (HA) protein antigens or soluble HA protein antigens of influenza virus strains, such as H1 or H3.