Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a feedback system. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector during a closure stroke between an open configuration, a first approximated configuration, and a second approximated configuration. The feedback system includes an indicator, the indicator transitionable between a first indicator position, a second indicator position, and a third indicator position, wherein the indicator is in the first indicator position when the end effect is in the open configuration, wherein the indicator is in the second indicator position when the end effector is in the first approximated configuration, and wherein the indicator is in the third indicator position when the end effector is in the second approximated configuration.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The shaft is operable to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the ultrasonic transducer. The apparatus comprises electro-mechanical means for coupling and decoupling the shaft from the ultrasonic transducer, and may further comprise means for preventing movement of the shaft as it is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm comprises a clamp pad. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue between the clamp pad and the ultrasonic blade in two stages. During the first stage, the clamp arm is configured to compress tissue with only a distal portion of the clamp pad. During the second stage, the clamp arm is configured to compress tissue with the distal portion and a proximal portion of the clamp pad. Thus, the tissue compression begins at the distal portion and subsequently progresses toward the proximal portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.

Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.

Abstract: An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.

Abstract: A digital networked security surveillance system for use in a covert environment comprises a camera enclosure including a video camera and a pan-tilt camera mount mechanism, a mounting plate coupled to the enclosure, wherein a lens of the camera is adjacent to at least one of transparent viewing panes, wherein the viewing pane may be disguised with a semi-transparent decal to prevent individuals from seeing the camera, yet can allow the camera to capture light originating outside of the enclosure, and an encoder coupled to the mounting plate, wherein the encoder is adapted to digitize and compress video.

Abstract: An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.

Abstract: An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sway control system are disclosed. Various embodiments may have pivoting or sliding control arms. Said control arms are operatively coupled to a plurality of ground-engaging elements, of a vehicle, via connecting rods. A dampening and or or cushioning element employed in the assembly comprised of said control arm, said connecting rods, and said ground engaging elements to give the assembly the characteristics best suited for the particular vehicle application. Embodiments may have mechanical, spring, hydraulic, pneumatic, friction other developed dampening or cushioning elements employed as needed to achieve optimum performance for application. Some embodiments may provide for active control of the degree cushioning and or dampening available in said assembly.

Abstract: A catalyst for removal of NOx from exhaust gas, containing cerium oxide and titanium dioxide, wherein a first portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one agglomerate of cerium oxide crystallites interdispersed in the titanium dioxide, and a second portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one island on a surface of the titanium dioxide, a method for producing the catalyst, a process for selectively reducing NOx levels in an exhaust gas using the catalyst, and an SCR canister containing the catalyst therein.

Abstract: A data collection and distribution system for monitoring aircraft in flight, on the ground and at the gate or terminal for monitoring critical and catastrophic events, managing the emergency during such an event, and for investigating the event. The system generates, transmits and collects critical data generated by monitoring equipment onboard an aircraft or other commercial transport and selectively displays the data on a cockpit display console as well as for downloading, transmitting and displaying data at external monitoring and response stations, including fixed ground stations, roving ground stations and chase aircraft or vehicles. Digital surveillance information is collected, processed, dispatched, and log via remote control and access. The system includes a variety of system appliances such as surveillance cameras, sensors, detectors, and panic buttons and accommodates legacy equipment.

Abstract: Legacy devices are interfaced into a comprehensive multi-media surveillance system without requiring any modification to the legacy system. This allows a facility equipped with such systems to upgrade overall surveillance capability by overlaying the multi-function networked system over the legacy system and incorporating the legacy system directly into the more comprehensive networked system. This both enhances the functionality of the legacy system and preserves the investment made in prior art technology, while at the same time providing the user with state of the art capability for the overall system. The system provides an interface between legacy devices and a comprehensive, multi-media surveillance system. Data generated by the legacy device or legacy system is “picked-off” and transmitted to the multi-media, networked system. Any legacy device meeting minimum requirements can be interfaced to the networked system.

Abstract: One or more computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon are described. When executed, the computer-executable instructions cause at least one processor to define an analysis and an analysis data object related to a part, data for an analysis of the part at least partially available from a plurality of disparate applications related to the design, fabrication and testing of the part, verify that all the data needed for the analysis, as defined within the analysis data object, is available from at least one source of data, invoke an analysis of the part upon receipt of all of the data needed for the analysis, the analysis results populating the analysis data object, and storing the analysis data object such that the analysis results therein occur in a format unrelated to any of the applications that generated data used in the analysis.

Abstract: A catalyst for removal of NOx from exhaust gas, containing cerium oxide and titanium dioxide, wherein a first portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one agglomerate of cerium oxide crystallites interdispersed in the titanium dioxide, and a second portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one island on a surface of the titanium dioxide, a method for producing the catalyst, a process for selectively reducing NOx levels in an exhaust gas using the catalyst, and an SCR canister containing the catalyst therein.

Abstract: The visual condition of a patient is monitored by defining a an authorized patient zone, placing a video camera in a location to capture a visual image of the patient zone, defining a base visual image of the patient zone, monitoring the visual image at a remote location, identifying any change in the captured image from the base visual image, and generating an alert in the event a change is detected. Certain changes in the zone may occur without generating an alert. Authorized personnel may enter and leave the zone without generating an alert. In a typical application the system for practicing the method is networked based for providing medical appliance data directly to key personnel at a standard computer station. The system also includes video monitoring in real-time or near real-time, providing visual as well as technical monitoring of the patient wherever he is located. In one aspect of the invention, the system is IP based, permitting access to the information anywhere on the World Wide Web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved catalyst support and to the resultant catalyst suitable for treating exhaust products from internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines. The support of the present invention is a structure comprising alumina core particulate having high porosity and surface area, wherein the structure has from about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica in the form of cladding on the surface area of said alumina core. The resultant support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 15 ?g/m2.

Abstract: A convertible shipping container including a container body including a floor, roof, and first and second end walls, a sidewall hingedly attached to the container moveable between a first position perpendicular to the floor and a second position coplanar with the floor, an awning hingedly attached to the container moveable between a first position perpendicular to the roof and a second position at an angle with respect to the roof, and at least one awning support member, wherein the awning is extendable in at least one direction and wherein the hingedly attached edge of the awning is elevated with respect to the roof and overlies a portion of the roof when the awning is in the second position.