Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a catheter line for pain pump drug delivery.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first

Abstract: Sample processing methods and systems to collect a biological sample. A device may be configured collect a predetermined volume of a sample in sample chamber, and seal the chamber upon activation. The device may be further configured to mix the mix the sample with a predetermined volume of a reagent and/or mix the sample and the reagent in a pre-determined ration.

Abstract: A data protection and storage system includes an array of disk drives for data storage. Data is received for storage on the disk drive via an interface that is configured to emulate a tape drive interface. A virtual tape data structure is created and stored on the disk drives. The allocated capacity of the virtual tape is dynamically and transparently alterable in response to data storage demand within the virtual tape.

Abstract: Reflective articles of wear are disclosed. The reflective articles of wear can include an elastomeric material and reflective components coupled to the elastomeric material. The elastomeric material forms a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A garment with reflective material applied to an outer surface of the garment is provided herein. The reflective material is positioned on the garment based on modeled sun exposure. A method for modeling sun exposure to determine the positioning of reflective material on a garment is also provided herein. A system for modeling sun exposure, determining the position of reflective material on a garment, and applying the reflective material to the outer surface of the garment is also provided.

Abstract: A pressure regulator including a body having an internal chamber and a thermal shield made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than a material of the body for reducing heat transfer between the body and the fluid flowing into the internal chamber. By reducing heat transfer between the fluid and the body, the temperature of the components of the pressure regulator is increased to reduce failure of the components and the density of the fluid is increased to improve the flow capacity of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A lane-level vehicle routing and navigation apparatus includes a simulation module that performs microsimulation of individual vehicles in a traffic stream, and a lane-level optimizer that evaluates conditions along the candidate paths from an origin to a destination as determined by the simulation module, and determines recommended lane-level maneuvers along the candidate paths. A link-level optimizer may determines the candidate paths based on link travel times determined by the simulation module. The simulation may be based on real-time traffic condition data. Recommended candidate paths may be provided to delivery or service or emergency response vehicles, or used for evacuation planning, or to route vehicles such as garbage or postal trucks, or snowplows.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: Pressure testing systems comprise a clamp assembly for clamping a device for testing with a test fluid, and a control assembly for controlling application of a clamp pressure to the device. The control assembly comprises a clamp control structure with an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration. In the activated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be applied to the device. In the inactivated configuration, the clamp control structure permits the clamp pressure to be released from the device. The control assembly also comprises a safety structure that is actuated by the test fluid between an interlocked configuration and a disengaged configuration. In the interlocked configuration, the safety structure physically prevents the clamp control structure from reconfiguring from the activated configuration to the inactivated configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: A lane-level vehicle routing and navigation apparatus includes a simulation module that performs microsimulation of individual vehicles in a traffic stream, and a lane-level optimizer that evaluates conditions along the candidate paths from an origin to a destination as determined by the simulation module, and determines recommended lane-level maneuvers along the candidate paths. A link-level optimizer may determines the candidate paths based on link travel times determined by the simulation module. The simulation may be based on real-time traffic condition data. Recommended candidate paths may be provided to delivery or service or emergency response vehicles, or used for evacuation planning, or to route vehicles such as garbage or postal trucks, or snowplows.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead. And in one form of the invention, the object is secured to a patient using a capstan effect.

Abstract: A pressure regulator including a body having an internal chamber and a thermal shield made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than a material of the body for reducing heat transfer between the body and the fluid flowing into the internal chamber. By reducing heat transfer between the fluid and the body, the temperature of the components of the pressure regulator is increased to reduce failure of the components and the density of the fluid is increased to improve the flow capacity of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said fi

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a suture to an object, the apparatus comprising: an anchor comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a vertical bore extending through the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the anchor further comprises a recess formed on one side of the body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of the body, whereby to form a flexible finger extending distally within the body, and further wherein the distal end of the finger is spaced from an opposing portion of the body; and wherein at least one of the flexible finger and the body comprises a cutout extending therethrough, with the cutout cooperating with the U-shaped slot and the recess so as to together form a suture loading hole extending through the body, with the suture loading hole being sized to receive a suture therein.

Abstract: A pressure regulator (10) including a body (12) having an internal chamber (110) and a thermal shield (124) made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than a material of the body (12) for reducing heat transfer between the body (12) and the fluid flowing into the internal chamber (110). By reducing heat transfer between the fluid and the body (12), the temperature of the components of the pressure regulator (10) is increased to reduce failure of the components and the density of the fluid is increased to improve the flow capacity of the pressure regulator (10).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to surgical fixation devices (e.g., staples, screws, etc.) which are able to bring bone fragments into close proximity with each other, generate a compressive load, and maintain that compressive load for a prolonged period of time while healing occurs. The surgical fixations devices are manufactured from a shape memory material (e.g., a material capable of exhibiting superelasticity and/or a temperature-induced shape change).

Abstract: A mop has a plurality of strands secured to a head band. The head band comprises a closed loop formed in a first portion having a first width. A second portion of the head band has a second width where the second width is larger than the first width. The second portion is configured to enclose the distal end of a mop frame when the mop is mounted on the mop frame using the closed loop.

Abstract: A pressure regulator (10) including a body (12) having an internal chamber (110) and a thermal shield (124) made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than a material of the body (12) for reducing heat transfer between the body (12) and the fluid flowing into the internal chamber (110). By reducing heat transfer between the fluid and the body (12), the temperature of the components of the pressure regulator (10) is increased to reduce failure of the components and the density of the fluid is increased to improve the flow capacity of the pressure regulator (10).