Abstract: A virtual skeleton may be adapted based on a capability profile. The virtual skeleton adapted based on a capability profile may be generated from a master virtual skeleton. The adapted virtual skeleton may be less complex than the master virtual skeleton. The adapted virtual skeleton may include fewer virtual skeletal joints than a number of virtual skeletal joints associated with the master virtual skeleton.

Abstract: A system for tethering a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) or well head is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system comprises an interface associable with the BOP, and more than one anchors disposed about the BOP. Each anchor is configured to carry or support a tensioning system arranged in operable association with a respective tether. Each tether is arranged so as to link a respective anchor with a respective operable means associated with the BOP. Furthermore, each of the respective operable means are configured in operable association with the interface such that tension in the tethers can be adjustable either individually or together as a group of two or more tethers, by way of the interface.

Abstract: A virtual skeleton may be adapted based on a capability profile. The virtual skeleton adapted based on a capability profile may be generated from a master virtual skeleton. The adapted virtual skeleton may be less complex than the master virtual skeleton. The adapted virtual skeleton may include fewer virtual skeletal joints than a number of virtual skeletal joints associated with the master virtual skeleton.

Abstract: A drivetrain for linear movement of a machine component along a linear guide of a machine includes a motor with a motor-measuring system. A length-measuring system is assigned to the linear guide for determining a position of the machine component. To determine rigidity of the drivetrain, a constant acceleration for the machine component is predetermined by a numerical controller for performing closed-loop control of the movement of the machine component. The numerical controller determines a difference between a position of the machine component derived from the motor-measuring system and a position of the machine component measured at the same time by the length-measuring system during the acceleration phase, and the difference is assigned to the acceleration or to a force required for the acceleration and storage in the numerical controller of the pair of values established in this way and/or of a rigidity value emanating from the pair of values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising complement split product C4d for use in treating an inflammatory condition, such as graft rejection, graft versus host disease, an autoimmune disease or atopy. The C4d to be used may be a multimer. Accordingly, also C4d multimers and their use in medicine, like the treatment of inflammatory conditions, is provided. Furthermore, the present invention provides a protein complex comprising C4d interacting with its ILT4 receptor. This protein complex may be used in screening methods Also antibodies specifically binding to the C4d multimer or the C4d/ILT4-protein complex are subject of the present invention.

Abstract: The silo safety system implements safety logic for silo opening gates by utilizing light sensors connected to a programmable logic controller or equivalent configuration of relay contact switches. Photodetection sensors and their associated light transmitters are placed on opposing lateral sides along a truck passageway under the silos where the tail, middle, and front of a truck are presupposed to be. When a truck pulls under the silos, system logic uses the resultant pattern of beam breaks to prevent the silo gates from opening unless the truck cab is clear from the silo that the truck is supposed to be under. For two or more silos, the system enables only the correct silo, while the other silos are disabled. The silo that the truck is under can then only be energized by the silo control operator. The control logic can have a default configuration for a predetermined truck size.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: A mobile router is configured for attaching to a selected router in a clustered network (e.g., a mobile ad hoc network) based on identifying a network topology model of the clustered network from received router advertisement messages that include tree information option fields specifying attributes of the network topology model. The mobile router selects which router advertisement originator to attach to based on correlating the attributes of the router advertisement originators relative to identified priorities, and orders the router advertisement originators within a default router list based on the identified priorities. If the mobile router detects a router from a second clustered network, the mobile router advertises to the attachment router that the second clustered network is reachable, enabling the two clustered networks to communicate using a point-to-point link between the respective attachment routers.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Expandable heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement surgeries are disclosed. The valves are rolled into a first, contracted configuration for minimally invasive delivery using a catheter, and then unrolled or unfurled at the implantation site. One- and two-piece stents may be used in conjunction with a plurality of flexible leaflet-forming membranes. The stents may include an annulus section, a sinus section with the membranes attached over sinus apertures, and an outflow section. Lockout tabs and making slots secure the stents in their expanded shapes. Alignment structure ensures concentric unfurling of the stent. Anchoring elements at the stent edges or in the stent body secure the valve within the annulus. A method of manufacture includes shape setting the sheet-like stent to ensure an outward bias during deployment. The stent may also include dear tracks for engagement with a gear mechanism for deployment.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for manipulating parts of the body in surgical procedures, particularly useful for peritoneal distension in laparoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a positionable support structure having an extendible horizontal arm rotatably mounted to an extendible vertical post, the post having a clamp at its lower end for mounting to a surgical table. An end segment at the distal end of the horizontal arm has a mount for mounting end-of-arm tooling, for example, peritoneal distension instruments. Locking mechanisms are disposed in the horizontal arm, vertical post and end segment to lock the support structure in a desired position. A motor is disposed within the vertical post for power-assisted extension and retraction of the vertical post. Preferably, the locking mechanisms and motor are controllable using switches mounted on the end segment.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for manipulating parts of the body in surgical procedures, particularly useful for peritoneal distension in laparoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a positionable support structure having an extendible horizontal arm rotatably mounted to an extendible vertical post, the post having a clamp at its lower end for mounting to a surgical table. An end segment at the distal end of the horizontal arm has a mount for mounting end-of-arm tooling, for example, peritoneal distension instruments. Locking mechanisms are disposed in the horizontal arm, vertical post and end segment to lock the support structure in a desired position. A motor is disposed within the vertical post for power-assisted extension and retraction of the vertical post. Preferably, the locking mechanisms and motor are controllable using switches mounted on the end segment.

Abstract: An auxiliary artificial heart which comprises a pump having a single opening that is connected to the aorta and is operable in synchronism with the heart of the patient to assist the normal function of the heart. The auxiliary artificial heart comprises a housing having the single opening therein and a diaphragm which is movable toward and away from the opening by a rotating reversible electric stepping motor. Rotation of the motor rotates circumferentially spaced roller pins which extend radially inwardly into engagement with a helical groove of a screw attached to the diaphragm such to translate the screw and move the diaphragm toward and away from the opening. The housing is sealed to enclose a gas in the housing such that the differential pressure caused by movement of the screw assists the diaphragm in its movement.