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 first blade, a second blade, and a third blade. In operation, the blades are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile during insertion. The blades can be independently translated and independently pivoted, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture larger than the incision. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.

Abstract: A hob device, in particular induction hob device, includes a placement plate configured for placement of an item of cookware, at least two heating units for heating the item of cookware, and an illumination strip including a lighting unit and assigned in an operating state to the at least two heating units for marking the at least two heating units.

Abstract: A fluid condition monitoring device includes a sensing assembly including a sensor and a transducer, the sensor to sense a property of the fluid and the transducer to apply a test signal to the fluid and receive a return signal from the fluid; a control assembly coupled to the sensing assembly, the control assembly including a controller and an input/output interface, the controller interfacing with the transducer to generate fluid condition information in response to the return signal; and an interface assembly coupled to the control assembly, the interface assembly including a connection to the input/output interface to transmit the fluid condition information to an external system.

Abstract: If hobs are integrated into built-in furniture, care must be taken to ensure that during operation the temperature in or on the built-in furniture does not exceed permissible limit values. It is proposed to fasten a temperature sensor in the hob housing by means of a heat-conducting retaining element. The retaining element is arranged on the hob housing such that essentially the heat output into the worktop is transmitted via the retaining element to the temperature sensor.

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: Formable films are provided that include one or more biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate layers. The formable films include a metaphase with a metaphase transition of about 180° C. to 200° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formable films further include a molded volume of greater than 200%. Laminate structures including the formable films and processes for producing and using the formable films and laminate structures are also provided.

Abstract: Formable films are provided that include one or more biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate layers. The formable films include a metaphase with a metaphase transition of about 180° C. to 200° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formable films further include a molded volume of greater than 200%. Laminate structures including the formable films and processes for producing and using the formable films and laminate structures are also provided.

Abstract: An efficient coding and modulation system for transmission of digital data over plastic optical fibers with low latency. In particular, the digital signal is coded by means of a two-level coset coding. The first level applies to the digital data a binary shortened BCH coding and performs coset partitioning by means of constellation mapping and lattice transformations. The second level is uncoded but undergoes mapping and lattice transformation. After an addition of the two levels, a second-stage lattice transformation is performed so as to obtain a zero-mean constellation. The symbols output from such three-level coset coder are then further modulated.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a burner box, a heat shield pivotably attached to a bottom of the burner box, a lock for locking the heat shield in a transport position, wherein the heat shield is self-pivotable from the transport position to an operational position after unlocking the lock, and when in the operational position the heat shield is pivoted further from the bottom of the burner box than in the transport position.

Abstract: A fluid condition monitoring device includes a sensing assembly including a sensor and a transducer, the sensor to sense a property of the fluid and the transducer to apply a test signal to the fluid and receive a return signal from the fluid; a control assembly coupled to the sensing assembly, the control assembly including a controller and an input/output interface, the controller interfacing with the transducer to generate fluid condition information in response to the return signal; and an interface assembly coupled to the control assembly, the interface assembly including a connection to the input/output interface to transmit the fluid condition information to an external system.

Abstract: The invention is based on a protective device for a heating unit, in particular for a cooking apparatus (10), for protecting a heating unit against a hot air flow (44). To achieve an effective cooling effect, it is proposed that the protective device for a heating unit comprises a shielding element (68), which is provided for this purpose to shield a space (46) provided for a cold cooling air flow (42) for cooling the heating unit (14) against the hot air flow (44).

Abstract: An apparatus for assessment of a fluid system includes a debris monitor to receive a first flow of a fluid, the debris monitor to determine wear debris information in the first flow of the fluid; and a fluid condition monitor to receive a second flow of the fluid, the fluid condition monitor being configured to determine fluid condition information in the second flow of the fluid.

Abstract: Luggage as well as systems, devices, methodologies, and software for use with such luggage are disclosed. The luggage may include one or more compartments and lids that can be locked. The luggage may also include an identification device for obtaining information identifying a user and a computing device, such as a microcontroller or processor. The computing device may be configured to compare identification information with reference identification information to determine whether a user is authorized to access an interior of the luggage. Based on results of the comparison, the computing device may control a locking mechanism to unlock one or more of lids of the luggage to allow a user access to the interior of the luggage. The luggage may also include a GPS transceiver for tracking the luggage, a sensor for weighing the luggage, or a coupling mechanism to couple the luggage to another piece of luggage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic determining of odds for live events betting. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system determines odds of a micro event within a live event. The determination is based on at least one dynamic factor that is updated during the live event. In addition, the odds of the micro event are presented to a user of a live events wagering application. The odds may be determined on the same computer system that presents the odds to the user, in some embodiments. The odds may be determined on a second computer system, and the odds transmitted wirelessly to a first computer system that presents the odds to the user, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Formable films are provided that include one or more biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate layers. The formable films include a metaphase with a metaphase transition of about 180° C. to 200° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formable films further include a molded volume of greater than 200%. Laminate structures including the formable films and processes for producing and using the formable films and laminate structures are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention is a system and method for facilitating high-quality broadband wireless communication in a mobile environment. The present invention also offers significantly improved performance over currently available land-based systems, as high bit rate data connectivity is made possible over long distances by utilizing multiple frequencies, antennas, polarizations, modulations, and radios to optimize propagation and accomplish the delivery of synchronous and asynchronous data connections to a seagoing vessel (or other such user, such as a plane or vehicle).

Abstract: System and method for accepting and creating electronic wagers. A computer-implemented method includes displaying a list including available high-level categories, wherein the available high-level categories correspond to events that are subject to wagers within a gaming system, accessing first user input to select one of the available high-level categories from the list, responsive to a selected high-level category, displaying a list of available sub-categories of the selected high-level category, and accessing second user input to select one of the sub-categories from that list.

Abstract: Graphical user interface for on-line gaming is disclosed. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a graphical user interface includes a representation of a playing field, a plurality of player icons on the representation of a playing field for selecting to wager on a specific player. Each of the player icons includes a player number. The graphical user interface also includes a plurality of player group icons on the representation of a playing field, located among a group of the player icons, for selecting to wager on a group of players represented by the group of the player icons. The player group icon lacks a player number. The graphical user interface further includes a countdown timer for displaying the duration of time remaining to make a wager.

Abstract: System and method for on-line wagering on real-time events. A computer-implemented method includes displaying, on a display coupled to the computer, at least a portion of a list including available wager categories. The available wager categories correspond to real-time events that are subject to wagers within a gaming system. First user input is accessed at the computer to select one of the available wager categories from the list of available wager categories. Responsive to a selected wager category, a plurality of images of available real-time events of the selected wager category is displayed on the display.