Abstract: Containers for the storage of red blood cell compositions are disclosed. The container walls are made of a plastic composition that includes a polymeric material and at least one extractable agent that includes a terephthalate ester in an amount effective to suppress hemolysis in red blood cells.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to assessing and responding to wheel slippage and estimating road friction for a road surface. For instance, a vehicle may be controlled in an autonomous driving mode in order to follow a trajectory. A wheel of the vehicle may be determined to be slipping such that the vehicle has limited steering control. In response to determining that the wheel is slipping, steering of one or more wheels may be controlled in order to orient the one or more wheels towards the trajectory in order to allow the vehicle to proceed towards the trajectory when the wheel is no longer slipping. In addition, the road friction may be estimated based on the determination that the wheel is slipping. The vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous driving mode based on the estimated road friction.

Abstract: A method for use in well drilling, development, completion, and production, including supplying hydraulic pressure to a tubing spider having at least one actuating component, generating position data from a position sensor based on the position of the actuating component, generating pressure data from a pressure sensor based on the pressure supplied to the spider, and automatically handling tubing with the spider by actuating the actuating component by adjusting pressure supplied to the spider based on the position data, the pressure data, and a prescribed control algorithm. The method may be implemented as part of a system including a tubing spider having at least one actuating component, sensors detecting hydraulic pressure supplied to the spider and the position of the actuating component, and a programmable logic controller capable of generating spider control data to control the spider based on data from the sensors and a prescribed control algorithm.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a seat mounted in a vehicle. The seat includes a base, a back support, a hinge, and a seat belt integrated into the seat. The back support is capable of rotating relative to the base and thereby reclining. The hinge is between the base and the back support and is configured to lock the back support in positions in relation to the base. The seat belt has a shoulder portion and a lap portion and is attached to the seat at a shoulder anchor in the back support and a base anchor in the base. When a generated torque, created from a forward force applied by the shoulder portion of the seat belt, exceeds a threshold amount of torque, the hinge is configured to unlock and back support is configured to rotate forward from a reclined position towards an upright position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles. The airbag systems may prevent the airbags from splitting apart during impact with a pedestrian or object. The airbag system may include a first airbag attached to a first connector and a second airbag attached to a second connector. The airbag system may also include a tether attached to the first connector and the second connector, and wherein the tether is configured to be pulled taut upon the first or second airbag being deployed in an environment of a vehicle in order to reduce the likelihood of an object colliding directly with the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer system receives an authentication request from a user device and determines a determined device identification from a set of received device attributes. When the device is properly authenticated, the computer system generates an authentication token that is signed by the determined device identification and returns the authentication token to the user device. When the computer system subsequently receives a service request with an authentication token and a plurality of device attributes for a protected resource from a user device, the computer system determines a derived device identification from some or all of the received device attributes. When a signed device identification of the authentication token and the derived device identification are equal, the apparatus continues processing the service request. Otherwise, the service request is rejected.

Abstract: Containers for the storage of red blood cell compositions are disclosed. The container walls are made of a plastic composition that includes a polymeric material and at least one extractable agent that includes a terephthalate ester in an amount effective to suppress hemolysis in red blood cells.

Abstract: Filter assemblies are processing biological fluid, such as blood or a blood component containing leukocytes. The filter assemblies include a flexible housing with first and second walls. A filtration medium and a support member are at least partially positioned between the walls of the housing, with a seal joining the walls of the housing, the filtration medium, and the support member. The filter assemblies may further include a pre-filter and/or a post-filter positioned between the walls of the housing. If provided, the pre- and post-filter may be positioned on opposite walls of the filtration medium, with the post-filter being a mesh positioned between the filtration medium and one of the walls of the housing or within an opening defined by the support member. A seal of the filter assembly may pass through the filtration medium, with the filtration medium being substantially omitted in a section of the seal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to arrangements for attaching an RFID tag to a liquid container, and particularly to a blood components container. The RFID tag may be inserted in an enclosure, such as peel tab, or in a sealed cup attached to a container port. The tag could alternately be embedded in a molded plug or component attached to a port. The RFID antenna could be painted or stamped on the surface of the container. Or the tag could be inserted into the container to float freely in the liquid components. The RFID source may be secured around the neck of a rigid or semi-rigid container, attached with a tether or attached to a connector assembled in association with a blood component or other fluid flow path.

Abstract: Flexible housing filters for filtration of fluids and methods of making such filters are disclosed. The filters may include one or more peripheral seals in the flexible housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to arrangements for attaching an RFID tag to a liquid container, and particularly to a blood components container. The RFID tag may be inserted in an enclosure, such as peel tab, or in a sealed cup attached to a container port. The tag could alternately be embedded in a molded plug or component attached to a port. The RFID antenna could be painted or stamped on the surface of the container. Or the tag could be inserted into the container to float freely in the liquid components. The RFID source may be secured around the neck of a rigid or semi-rigid container, attached with a tether or attached to a connector assembled in association with a blood component or other fluid flow path.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a seat mounted in a vehicle. The seat includes a base, a back support, a hinge, and a seat belt integrated into the seat. The back support is capable of rotating relative to the base and thereby reclining. The hinge is between the base and the back support and is configured to lock the back support in positions in relation to the base. The seat belt has a shoulder portion and a lap portion and is attached to the seat at a shoulder anchor in the back support and a base anchor in the base. When a generated torque, created from a forward force applied by the shoulder portion of the seat belt, exceeds a threshold amount of torque, the hinge is configured to unlock and back support is configured to rotate forward from a reclined position towards an upright position.

Abstract: An improved plastic container including a bottom strengthening formation. The strengthening formation assists in reducing deformation of the bottom of the container when the container is pierced during the beverage brewing process. In a preferred embodiment, the strengthening formation includes a generally gear-shaped path to evenly distribute dynamic forces from a piercing needle or stylus to the spokes or gear teeth of the strengthening formation. The gear-shaped path includes the features of gear design and includes an outer diameter, and inner diameter, and a pitch diameter. In some embodiments, a depression defining and encircling the piercable area further enhances the even distribution of dynamic forces.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to adjusting a shear pin to minimize an impact force felt by an object in a collision with a vehicle. For example, one or more second computing devices may receive, from one or more first computing devices, information indicating that an impact with an object is imminent. In response to the received information, the second computing devices may determine a first shear force for a first shear pin, wherein the first shear force is a desired amount of shear force necessary to break the first shear pin. The second computing devices may send a triggering signal to activate an actuator prior to an impact with the identified impact target. The actuator, in response to receiving the triggering signal, may adjust the first shear pin in a first pinhole, so the first shear pin will break at the first shear force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the location of a vehicle. According to one aspect the method and apparatus the movements of motor rotors in a vehicle are monitored and used to determine speed, travel distance and/or travel path of a vehicle may be determined. Using various navigation techniques, the distance and travel path may then be used to determine the vehicle's location. Furthermore, movements of the motor rotors may also be used to report the positions of the steering and drive systems for the purpose of informing the vehicle controller as a method of feedback.

Abstract: Filter assemblies are processing biological fluid, such as blood or a blood component containing leukocytes. The filter assemblies include a flexible housing with first and second walls. A filtration medium and a support member are at least partially positioned between the walls of the housing, with a seal joining the walls of the housing, the filtration medium, and the support member. The filter assemblies may further include a pre-filter and/or a post-filter positioned between the walls of the housing. If provided, the pre- and post-filter may be positioned on opposite walls of the filtration medium, with the post-filter being a mesh positioned between the filtration medium and one of the walls of the housing or within an opening defined by the support member. A seal of the filter assembly may pass through the filtration medium, with the filtration medium being substantially omitted in a section of the seal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles. The airbag systems may reduce the secondary impact forces felt by an object upon rebounding from an initial impact with an external airbag by encasing or substantially surrounding the pedestrian with the external airbag. The airbag system may include an initial impact airbag and a secondary impact airbag, wherein the secondary impact airbag is configured to reduce injury caused by a secondary impact of an object upon after an initial impact of the object with the initial impact airbag. The initial impact airbag may be configured to be deployed at a location where the object is predicted to collide with the vehicle. The secondary impact airbag may comprise one or more arms configured to surround the object upon the initial impact.

Abstract: Flexible housing filters for filtration of fluids and methods of making such filters are disclosed. The filters may include one or more peripheral seals in the flexible housing.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles. The airbag systems may reduce the secondary impact forces felt by an object upon rebounding from an initial impact with an external airbag by encasing or substantially surrounding the pedestrian with the external airbag. The airbag system may include an initial impact airbag and a secondary impact airbag, wherein the secondary impact airbag is configured to reduce injury caused by a secondary impact of an object upon after an initial impact of the object with the initial impact airbag. The initial impact airbag may be configured to be deployed at a location where the object is predicted to collide with the vehicle. The secondary impact airbag may comprise one or more arms configured to surround the object upon the initial impact.