Abstract: A spinal implant device is provided comprising a body structure with a central cavity and a movable lid configured to cover the central cavity. The movable lid is configured to be opened to pack a material in the central cavity. The movable lid can be connected to the body structure with a moveable joint. The spinal implant device can include a compressible feature. A method for treating the spine is provided comprising opening a movable lid of a spinal implant device, packing a material in a central cavity of a spinal implant device, closing the movable lid, and inserting the spinal implant device between vertebrae.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: An expandable interbody device for placement between adjacent vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae, actuating the screw mechanism and delivering a material to a chamber of the expandable interbody device.

Abstract: A device (1) for producing solar modules (2) from electrically interconnected solar elements (3), in particular from electrically interconnected solar shingles (3), with a feed device (4) for feeding the solar elements (3) for equipping with solar modules (2), wherein the supply device (4) includes a magnetically guided planar drive (5) with at least two magnetically driven sliders (6), and each slider (6) has a respective workpiece receptacle (8) on which at least one support area (9) for at least one solar element (3) is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of fibrinogen like protein 1 (FGL1) as a prognostic biomarker for responsiveness to an immune checkpoint inhibitor in a cancer patient. More specifically it relates to methods of treating cancer in a human patient comprising administering an immune checkpoint inhibitory antibody specifically inhibiting the interaction of fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) with lymphocyte-activation gene 3 protein (LAG3), wherein the cancer is an FGL1 expressing cancer. Further, the invention relates to methods for assessing susceptibility or predicting the responsiveness to the treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitory antibody specifically inhibiting the interaction of FGL1 with LAG3 in a cancer patient, comprising detecting FGL1 expression in a sample from said patient and to a kit for selecting a cancer patient that would benefit from an immune checkpoint inhibitory antibody specifically inhibiting the interaction of FGL1 with LAG3.

Abstract: Grease compositions are provided that can have one or more unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties even though the grease compositions are formed from lower value components that traditional low temperature greases. The unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties can be achieved in part by grease compositions that include a naphthenic base stock having a viscosity index of roughly 120 or less and/or a pour point of ?20° C. or more while having a naphthenes content of 60 wt % or more. In some aspects, the naphthenic base stock can have an aromatics content of 20 wt % or less.

Abstract: Grease compositions are provided that can have one or more unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties even though the grease compositions are formed from lower value components that traditional low temperature greases. The unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties can be achieved in part by grease compositions that include a naphthenic base stock having a viscosity index of roughly 120 or less and/or a pour point of ?20° C. or more while having a naphthenes content of 60 wt % or more. In some aspects, the naphthenic base stock can have an aromatics content of 20 wt % or less.

Abstract: A piping system includes a first and a second inner tube assembled end to end and a hot fluid detector. For each inner tube, a first peripheral tube into which the inner tube is introduced and fixed. For each first peripheral tube, a second peripheral tube into which the first peripheral tube is introduced and fixed. A sleeve has a first section which surrounds the ends of the second two peripheral tubes facing one another and a second section which extends between the two ends up to the walls of the first two peripheral tubes. A pipe crosses the sleeve and opening out, on the one hand, into the space between the inner tubes and the first peripheral tubes and, on the other hand, in the vicinity of the hot fluid detector. A piping system of this kind is therefore thermally insulated and allows detection in the event of a leak.

Abstract: A composition including one or more diester compounds represented by the formula as defined herein. The composition has a viscosity (Kv100) from about 1 cSt to about 10 cSt at 100° C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from about ?100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubricating composition that includes at least one lubricating base oil, an effective amount of at least one overbased detergent; and an effective amount of at least one thermally stable zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate. The disclosure further provides methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A universal joint comprising a first band, a second band, and a third band. The three bands are cylindrical bands coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis. The first band and the second band are separated by a first slot, and the second band and the third band are separated by a second slot. Two connection points, which are diametrically opposed, assure the connection of the first band and of the second band. Two other connection points, which are diametrically opposed, assure the connection of the second band and of the third band. The two connection points between the first band and the second band are offset by substantially 90° in rotation about the common axis with respect to the two connection points between the second band and the third band.

Abstract: A lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. The lubricating oil base stock has a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity of less than about 1.7 cP as determined by ASTM D4683, and a Noack volatility from about 15 to about 90 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A lubricating oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. A method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein.

Abstract: A composition including one or more aromatic alkanoate monoester compounds represented by the formulae (I) and (II) as defined herein. The composition has a viscosity (Kv100) from about 1 cSt to about 10 cSt at 100° C. as determined by ASTM D445, a viscosity index (VI) from about ?100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, a first stiffener whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second stiffener whose ends are joined to the second band. A stem extends between the first stiffener and the second stiffener. A crown is around the stem. Four torsion bars exist, of which two extend between the crown and the first band and two extend between the crown and the second band.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, and further includes a first torsion bar, whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second torsion bar whose ends are joined to the second band.

Abstract: A piping system includes a first and a second inner tube assembled end to end and a hot fluid detector. For each inner tube, a first peripheral tube into which the inner tube is introduced and fixed. For each first peripheral tube, a second peripheral tube into which the first peripheral tube is introduced and fixed. A sleeve has a first section which surrounds the ends of the second two peripheral tubes facing one another and a second section which extends between the two ends up to the walls of the first two peripheral tubes. A pipe crosses the sleeve and opening out, on the one hand, into the space between the inner tubes and the first peripheral tubes and, on the other hand, in the vicinity of the hot fluid detector. A piping system of this kind is therefore thermally insulated and allows detection in the event of a leak.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, a first stiffener whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second stiffener whose ends are joined to the second band. A stem extends between the first stiffener and the second stiffener. A crown is around the stem. Four torsion bars exist, of which two extend between the crown and the first band and two extend between the crown and the second band. Such a universal joint thus has a relatively simple structure.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a first band and a second band which are separated by a slot, are cylindrical and coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis, and further includes a first torsion bar, whose ends are joined to the first band, and a second torsion bar whose ends are joined to the second band. Such a universal joint thus has a relatively simple structure.

Abstract: A lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. The lubricating oil base stock has a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity of less than about 1.7 cP as determined by ASTM D4683, and a Noack volatility from about 15 to about 90 percent as determined by ASTM D5800. A lubricating oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein. A method for improving one or more of thermal and oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives, deposit control and traction control in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the lubricating oil base stock including one or more monoesters represented by the formula (I), (II), (III) and (IV) as defined herein.