Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes manufacturing a substrate, coating at least a portion of the substrate via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), and disposing a heating element on at least a portion of the PEO-coated substrate. The method may further include attaching the thermal cutting element to a jaw member of a surgical instrument.

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: An energy generator includes a connector port configured to couple to an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode having a polymeric dielectric coating; a power converter configured to generate energy; and a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the energy. The energy generator also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to: control the power converter to output energy to modify an electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating; and determine whether the electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating has been sufficiently modified by the energy.

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: In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having two or more sites that can initiate polymerization. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups and a high percentage of carbonate linkages. The compositions are further characterized in that they contain polymer chains having an embedded polyfunctional moiety linked to a plurality of individual polycarbonate chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanofiltration membranes with reduced chemical reactivity that can be utilized in manufacturing processes where reactive feedstocks and/or products are utilized or produced. Methods of making and using the membranes are also provided.

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable insurance product, system, and computer-implemented method may, with customer permission or consent, collect customer data; analyze the customer data to determine life events, and customer location and activities; and dynamically adjust the insurance product in real-time or substantially real-time. The dynamically reconfigurable insurance product may include several types of insurance, such as auto, home, life, personal articles, etc. From the data collected, risk levels associated with the insured, their family, and/or personal belongings may be adjusted. Based upon the risk levels determined, different types of the insurance within the insurance product may be updated, or new types of insurance may be added to the insurance product. For instance, based upon a marriage or birth of a child, life insurance coverage may be added or increased. The customer may then be notified of the changes, or proposed changes, and approve or reject the changes to the insurance product.

Abstract: Disclosed are high strength polyurethane foam compositions and methods of making them. In one aspect, the inventive polyurethane foams include strength enhancing additives comprising one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides. In one aspect, the inventive methods include the step of substituting a portion of the polyether polyol in the B-side of a foam formulation with one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft, a movable handle operably coupled to the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and the knife such that movement of the trigger deploys the knife. In an initial position of the movable handle, a portion of a drive housing of the drive assembly intersects a path of movement of the linkage to inhibit movement of the linkage, thereby inhibiting actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polyurethane compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane foams, thermoplastics and elastomers derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure: In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive foam and elastomer compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: A method for managing focus in a graphical user interface using a directional controller that allows a directional or selection input. The method comprising: determining whether the input is directional or selection; determining whether there is a sibling object of a currently focused object in a given direction of the input if the input is directional; transferring the focus to the sibling object if there is a sibling object in the given direction; transferring the focus to an ancestor object of the currently focused object if there is no sibling object in the given direction; determining whether the currently focused object is a group; transferring the focus to a descendant object of the currently focused object if the currently focused object is a group and the input is selection; and selecting the currently focused object if the currently focused object is not a group and the input is selection.

Abstract: Methods, system, and kits are provided for sample identification, and, more specifically, for designing, and/or making, and/or using sample discriminating codes or barcodes for identifying sample nucleic acids or other biomolecules or polymers. For example, a plurality of flowspace codewords may be generated, the codewords comprising a string of characters. A location for at least one padding character within the flowspace codewords may be determined. The padding character may be inserted into the flowspace codewords at the determined location. After the inserting, a plurality of the flowspace codewords may be selected based on satisfying a predetermined minimum distance criteria, wherein the selected codewords correspond to valid base space sequences according to a predetermined flow order. And the barcode sequences corresponding to the selected codewords may be manufactured.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a narrative story receives data and information pertaining to a domain event. The received data and information and/or one or more derived features are then used to identify a plurality of angles for the narrative story. The plurality of angles is then filtered, for example through use of parameters that specify a focus for the narrative story, length of the narrative story, etc. Points associated with the filtered plurality of angles are then assembled and the narrative story is rendered using the filtered plurality of angles and the assembled points.

Abstract: A cleaning fixture for a surgical instrument includes a handle receiving portion configured to receive a housing of a surgical instrument, a shaft receiving portion configured to receive a shaft and an end effector assembly of the surgical instrument, and a knife actuation assembly movably coupled to the handle receiving portion or the shaft receiving portion. The shaft receiving portion extends distally of the handle receiving portion. The knife actuation assembly is configured to selectively actuate a knife trigger assembly of the surgical instrument to advance a knife of the surgical instrument between jaw members of the end effector assembly thereof.

Abstract: A clip applier includes a handle, an elongated shaft, an end effector, at least one surgical clip, a trigger, and an actuation mechanism. The trigger is configured to selectively translate at least a portion of the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member upon actuation thereof in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The actuation mechanism is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and is configured to selectively transmit energy to at least one of the at least one surgical clip.

Abstract: Resin compositions made of high-performance polymers blended with molecular glass as rheological modifiers are disclosed. The high-performance polymers include thermoplastics, such as polysulfones, polyimides, poly(ether imides), polyketones, poly(ether ketones), and combinations thereof. The molecular glasses are amorphous, non-oligomeric, and have one or more functional groups that promote miscibility of the molecular glass with the high-performance polymers to produce a resin composition with low melt viscosity. Incorporation of the molecular glasses into the high-performance polymers does not alter the Young's modulus and yield stress values of the high-performance polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanomaterials for the specific targeting of immune cells. Methods of treating cardiac disease and inflammatory disease are also described.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, an electrolyte including a solvent and at least one ion conducting salt, and a cathode including a metal halide salt incorporated into an electrically conductive material. The electrolyte is in contact with the anode, the cathode, and an oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion including an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side regions extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side regions being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region. The article may further include a texture feature formed in an outer surface of the article and positioned proximate to the informational image to form a composite image. Alternatively or additionally, the image includes a cognitively functional graphic.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.