Abstract: Orthopedic systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits. In some embodiments, these systems may be used for selectively tapping apertures of bone plates, to form threaded apertures during installation of the bone plates (i.e., intraoperatively).

Abstract: A computer system includes a plurality of blade servers, a midplane, a supplemental midplane, and a peripheral device separate from the blade servers. The midplane includes a plurality of connectors connecting the midplane to the plurality of blade servers. The supplemental midplane is separate from the midplane and includes a body, a plurality of connectors, and a peripheral connector. The plurality of connectors are attached to the body and connect the supplemental midplane to the plurality of blade servers. The peripheral connector is attached to the body and connects the supplemental midplane to the peripheral device. The plurality of connectors of the supplemental midplane communicate with the peripheral connector of the supplemental midplane. The plurality of connectors of the supplemental midplane are configured to be removably connectable to the midplane.

Abstract: A leash repair kit is provided for a retractable leash of a type having a housing and a cord retractably arranged within the housing. The cord includes a free end which extends out of the housing. The leash repair kit includes a leash strap and a fastening apparatus for removably joining together the cord and the leash strap. In further aspects, a retractable leash, connector assemblyand method of replacing an external leash portion of a retractable leash are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a support structure for supporting the stack. A gas conduit is mounted on the support structure and has an outlet that is oriented so that, when the stack is positioned on the support structure, the outlet is directed towards a first sheet of the stack. The gas conduit is in fluid communication with a gas supply so that a stream of gas can be directed onto the first sheet to penetrate the first sheet and generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet to separate the first and second sheets. A sheet feed mechanism feeds the first sheet from the stack once the first and second sheets are separated.

Abstract: A connector arrangement is provided for packaged electrical systems, such as motor control centers. The connector arrangement provides for a component connector assembly mounted to component supports for providing network signals and control power to components on the support. A mating prewired connector assembly is provided in the enclosure and forced to mate with the component connector assembly when the component support is fully engaged within the enclosure. Thereafter, the component support may be partially withdrawn from the enclosure to disconnect main power from the component support, while leaving network connections and control power connections by virtue of the mated connectors. The connectors provide for non-sliding contact both when fully engaged and when the components are partially withdrawn from the enclosure.

Abstract: A printer includes a support structure. A printing assembly is mounted on the support structure. The printing assembly includes a feed mechanism mounted on the support structure for feeding sheets of media along a feed path. At least one printhead is mounted on the support structure, downstream of the feed mechanism to carry out a printing operation on the sheets of media. A picker mechanism is positioned on the support structure, upstream of the printing assembly. The picker mechanism includes a nozzle assembly that is movably mounted on the support structure and includes at least one nozzle that opens towards the stack of sheets. A displacement mechanism moves the nozzle assembly reciprocally between the stack of sheets and the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A media feed mechanism for feeding sheets of porous media from a stack of such sheets includesa support structure for supporting the stack in an aligned condition. A pick up device is arranged on the support structure. The pick up device includes a gas supply. A gas conduit is in fluid communication with the gas supply. At least one nozzle arrangement is in fluid communication with the gas conduit and is positioned to direct a flow of gas on to a first sheet of the stack, such that gas passes through the first sheet and impinges on the second sheet to create at least a partial separation of the first sheet from the second sheet. A sheet displacement mechanism is configured to engage the first sheet and to displace the first sheet away from the stack.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising: (a) an inkjet printhead; and (b) a plurality of ink reservoirs in fluid communication with nozzles in the printhead. At least one of the ink reservoirs contains a cleaning liquid for cleaning an ink ejection face of the printhead.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead with ink; and (b) removing the ink by blasting air across the face.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an ink ejection face of an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) supplying cleaning liquid to the printhead via an ink conduit in fluid communication with nozzles in the printhead; and (ii) purging the cleaning liquid from the printhead, thereby flooding the face with cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A method of purging ink from an inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead is in fluid communication with an ink reservoir via an ink conduit. The method comprises compressing part of the ink conduit using a hammer mechanism, thereby purging ink from the printhead and flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones with bone plates having movable locking elements.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for selectively tapping apertures of bone plates, to form threaded apertures during installation of the bone plates (i.e., intraoperatively).

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member dimensioned for positioning within body tissue. The access member includes an outer wall defining a longitudinal opening along a longitudinal axis of the access member. The outer wall includes at least one locking element projecting radially outwardly from the outer wall. The at least one locking element defines first, second and third surfaces. The first surface is a leading surface and is arranged at a leading angle relative to the longitudinal axis to permit insertion of the access member in the body tissue. The second surface extends from the first surface. The third surface extends from the second surface and is a trailing surface arranged at a trailing angle relative to the longitudinal axis to resist removal of the access member from the body tissue. Preferably, the outer wall of the access member is transparent. The outer wall may include a plurality of locking elements.

Abstract: A method of deploying a prosthesis includes engaging a hub assembly of a handle to a threaded outer surface of a slide shaft of the handle; rotating the hub assembly to cause axial translation of the hub assembly and a sheath coupled to the hub assembly to initiate deployment of the prosthesis; disengaging the hub assembly from the threaded outer surface by pivoting a thread tooth of the hub assembly out of threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface; and sliding the hub assembly on the slide shaft to further retract the sheath and complete deployment of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting trends in time-managed lifetime data for products shipped in distinct vintages within a time window. Data is consolidated from several sources and represented in a form amenable to detection of trends using a criterion for measuring failure. A weight is applied to the failure measures, the weight increasing over the time the products are in the time window. A function of weighted failures is used to define a severity index for proximity to an unacceptable level of failures, and an alarm signal is triggered at a threshold level that allows the level of false alarms to be pre-set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining power line parameter of a system. Specifically, there is provided a system for determining comprising a networked device including a voltage perturbation circuit coupled to a voltage source and configured to perturb the waveform of the voltage source, and a voltage measurement circuit coupled to the voltage source and configured to transmit voltage measurements of the waveform over a network and a remote monitoring unit, coupled to the network, and configured to receive the voltage measurements over the network and to calculate an incident energy using the voltage measurements.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access member having a passageway therethrough and first and second seal members mounted across the passageway. The first seal includes an inner seal portion and an outer seal portion. The inner seal portion has an aperture for substantial sealed reception of an object inserted therein and is arranged about a first seal axis. The outer seal portion includes at least one expansible rib dimensioned to facilitate movement of the aperture to a displaced position radially displaced from the first seal axis upon insertion of the object therethrough. The second seal member also has an inner portion defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the object and is arranged about a second seal axis radially displaced from the first seal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the incident energy of a system. Specifically, there is provided a technique comprising measuring a voltage of an ac waveform, causing a resonant ring in the ac waveform, measuring a frequency of the resonant ring, computing a line impedance based upon the measured voltage and the frequency of the resonant ring, and computing a bolted fault current based on the line impedance and the measured voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the power line parameters of a system. Specifically, there is provided a method comprising perturbing a voltage waveform through a first connection, measuring a characteristic of the perturbation through a second connection, and calculating a line impedance based on the characteristic of the perturbation.