Abstract: A system for using actuators to control an image sensor and/or lens based on sensor data received from position sensors and position information for the image sensor and/or lens received from a host processor includes a primary camera controller device, at least one secondary camera controller device, and at least one communication link connecting the primary camera controller device and the secondary camera controller device. The primary camera controller device processes the received sensor data and the received position information to generate control data, sends a secondary portion of the control data to the secondary camera controller device via the communication link, and drives a primary portion of the control data to the actuators. The secondary camera controller device drives the received secondary portion of the control data to the actuators concurrently with the primary camera controller device driving the primary portion of the control data to the actuators.

Abstract: A system for automatically increasing a capacity of a virtual space in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operating on the processor for detecting an attempt by an avatar to enter a virtual space in a virtual world. The system may also include another module for determining if an allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. The allowable number of avatars may be determined by at least a capacity of a server that is hosting the virtual space. Another module may be provided for increasing a capacity of the virtual space when the allowable number of avatars is currently in the virtual space. Increasing the capacity of the virtual space may include spawning a replicate new virtual space on a different server in response to the capacity of the server that is hosting the virtual space reaching the allowable number of avatars.

Abstract: A brushless direct-current motor is provided includes an inner stator and an outer rotor. The rotor includes a rotor core disposed around the stator, an inner annular member mounted on a rotor shaft, and a plurality of radial blades extending angularly from the rotor core to the inner annular member forming a fan. A first end cap is provided including a radial back plate proximate the fan and a center opening in the radial back plate through which the rotor shaft extends. A second end cap is provided including a main body disposed adjacent the stator opposite the fan. The radial back plate of the first end cap includes at least one sloped surface forming at least one air gap such that the airflow generated by the fan is centrifugally guided within the first end cap by the sloped surface and caused to exit through the air gap.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to devices and systems used to grow, trellis, harvest and retain harvested plant material in a position that facilitates drying or curing the plant material. The devices and systems disclosed herein can be used to harvest and relocate plant material from growing areas to drying and/or curing areas more efficiently.

Abstract: New and/or improved coatings, layers or treatments for porous substrates, including battery separators or separator membranes, and/or coated or treated porous substrates, including coated battery separators, and/or batteries or cells including such coatings or coated separators, and/or related methods including methods of manufacture and/or of use thereof are disclosed. Also, new or improved coatings for porous substrates, including battery separators, which comprise at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components, and/or to new or improved coated or treated porous substrates, including battery separators, where the coating comprises at least a matrix material or a polymeric binder, and heat-resistant particles with additional additives, materials or components are disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleation enhancement and/or growth rate improvement of mesophase in pitch compositions derived from hydrocarbon feedstocks can be achieved by: reacting in a reaction zone a blend comprising an isotropic feed and a seeding agent, to produce a reacted pitch having a mesophase content of about 10 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the reacted pitch, and a softening point (Tsp) below 400° C.; wherein the seeding agent is about 50 wt % or less, based on the total weight of the blend; wherein the seeding agent has a mesophase content of about 0.01 vol % to 100 vol %, based on the total volume of the seeding agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flowable material against a prosthetic implant can comprise a mold body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface can define a mold cavity that is selectively configured to at least partially accept the prosthetic implant in a forming position. An inlet port can be configured on the mold cavity that extends between the inner and outer surfaces. The mold cavity can substantially conform to a profile of a bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant such that a void is created between the inner surface of the mold body and the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant. The inlet port can be configured to permit introduction of the flowable material into the void and against the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant.

Abstract: A cement mold assembly configured to form a temporary implant for use in delivering antibiotics to an infected site can includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold can have an open end and an inner wall. The first mold can define a tibial component forming cavity including a platform forming cavity and a stem forming cavity. The second mold can have a body portion configured to be slidably and progressively receivable by the inner wall into the tibial component forming cavity in a direction toward the closed end. Progressive advancement of the second mold into the tibial component forming cavity urges cement within the tibial component forming cavity against the body portion and the inner wall to form a unitary tibial component having a tibial tray portion formed by the platform forming cavity and a stem portion formed by the stem forming cavity.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant has a removable handling cover coupled thereto which includes a thin-walled layer extending over a grasping portion of the outer surface. An outer container can sealingly house the orthopedic implant within a sterile environment and support the orthopedic implant in an orientation that presents the handling cover for grasping. A surgeon can manually grasp, handle and manipulate the implant into an implantation position, and remove the handling cover from the implant during implant surgery, and without the need to directly contact any surface of the orthopedic implant itself. Related methods of providing such an implant assembly and of reducing infection from contamination during implantation surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cement mold assembly configured to form a temporary implant for use in delivering antibiotics to an infected site can includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold can have an open end and an inner wall. The first mold can define a tibial component forming cavity including a platform forming cavity and a stem forming cavity. The second mold can have a body portion configured to be slidably and progressively receivable by the inner wall into the tibial component forming cavity in a direction toward the closed end. Progressive advancement of the second mold into the tibial component forming cavity urges cement within the tibial component forming cavity against the body portion and the inner wall to form a unitary tibial component having a tibial tray portion formed by the platform forming cavity and a stem portion formed by the stem forming cavity.

Abstract: A cement mold assembly configured to form a temporary implant for use in delivering antibiotics to an infected site can includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold can have an open end and an inner wall. The first mold can define a tibial component forming cavity including a platform forming cavity and a stem forming cavity. The second mold can have a body portion configured to be slidably and progressively receivable by the inner wall into the tibial component forming cavity in a direction toward the closed end. Progressive advancement of the second mold into the tibial component forming cavity urges cement within the tibial component forming cavity against the body portion and the inner wall to form a unitary tibial component having a tibial tray portion formed by the platform forming cavity and a stem portion formed by the stem forming cavity.

Abstract: A cement mold assembly configured to form a temporary implant for use in delivering antibiotics to an infected site can includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold can have an open end and an inner wall. The first mold can define a tibial component forming cavity including a platform forming cavity and a stem forming cavity. The second mold can have a body portion configured to be slidably and progressively receivable by the inner wall into the tibial component forming cavity in a direction toward the closed end. Progressive advancement of the second mold into the tibial component forming cavity urges cement within the tibial component forming cavity against the body portion and the inner wall to form a unitary tibial component having a tibial tray portion formed by the platform forming cavity and a stem portion formed by the stem forming cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flowable material against a prosthetic implant can comprise a mold body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface can define a mold cavity that is selectively configured to at least partially accept the prosthetic implant in a forming position. An inlet port can be configured on the mold cavity that extends between the inner and outer surfaces. The mold cavity can substantially conform to a profile of a bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant such that a void is created between the inner surface of the mold body and the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant. The inlet port can be configured to permit introduction of the flowable material into the void and against the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant.

Abstract: A cement mold assembly configured to form a temporary implant for use in delivering antibiotics to an infected site can includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold can have an open end and an inner wall. The first mold can define a tibial component forming cavity including a platform forming cavity and a stem forming cavity. The second mold can have a body portion configured to be slidably and progressively receivable by the inner wall into the tibial component forming cavity in a direction toward the closed end. Progressive advancement of the second mold into the tibial component forming cavity urges cement within the tibial component forming cavity against the body portion and the inner wall to form a unitary tibial component having a tibial tray portion formed by the platform forming cavity and a stem portion formed by the stem forming cavity.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant has a removable handling cover coupled thereto which includes a thin-walled layer extending over a grasping portion of the outer surface. An outer container can sealingly house the orthopedic implant within a sterile environment and support the orthopedic implant in an orientation that presents the handling cover for grasping. A surgeon can manually grasp, handle and manipulate the implant into an implantation position, and remove the handling cover from the implant during implant surgery, and without the need to directly contact any surface of the orthopedic implant itself. Related methods of providing such an implant assembly and of reducing infection from contamination during implantation surgery are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flowable material against a prosthetic implant can comprise a mold body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface can define a mold cavity that is selectively configured to at least partially accept the prosthetic implant in a forming position. An inlet port can be configured on the mold cavity that extends between the inner and outer surfaces. The mold cavity can substantially conform to a profile of a bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant such that a void is created between the inner surface of the mold body and the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant. The inlet port can be configured to permit introduction of the flowable material into the void and against the bone opposing surface of the prosthetic implant.

Abstract: A mold for forming a coated intramedullary (IM) nail can include a tubular member having an insertion end and an opposite end. The tubular member can comprise a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis between an outer surface and an inner surface. The sidewall can define at least one threaded inlet port therealong. The tubular member can be configured to receive the IM nail therein. The tubular member can be further configured to locate a flowable material against the IM nail within the inner surface.

Abstract: A bone cement forming kit, comprising a malleable bone cement material, and a flexible membrane encapsulating the malleable bone cement material, wherein the flexible membrane has at least one removable panel and is configured to form an aperture that exposes the malleable bone cement material once the panel is removed.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly for drilling a bone hole and implanting a suture anchor in the bone hole. The assembly includes a drill guide and a suture anchor. The drill guide includes a sidewall extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the drill guide. The sidewall defines a center cannulation configured to receive a drill. The suture anchor retention portion of the drill guide is configured to support a suture anchor for coupling with an inserter device pushed through the drill guide to implant the suture anchor in the bone hole.