Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluidic device to detect, capture, and/or remove disease material in a biological fluid. The present invention also relates to methods for the treatment/prevention of sepsis through the use of the claimed device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal body portion configured to be gripped by a user, a distal body portion that terminates at a spreading tip configured to spread a topical skin adhesive along an application surface, and a flexural body portion that interconnects the proximal and distal body portions to define a monolithic body. In response to an input force applied by a user to the proximal body portion when the spreading tip is positioned against the application surface, the flexural body portion is configured to buckle non-uniformly along a lateral width of the apparatus. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexural body portion is configured to elastically deform so that the distal body portion angularly deflects relative to the proximal body portion to thereby limit to a predetermined range a resultant normal force exerted by the spreading tip on the topical skin adhesive along the application surface.

Abstract: A fluid cleaning system for cleaning contaminated water sources via at least one cleaning process. The system includes at least one solids dissociation apparatus that includes a housing, at least one insert operably engaged with the housing and is adapted to receive a continuous fluid stream, and a transducer operably engaged with the housing and is disposed about the at least one insert at a distance away from said at least one insert inside of the housing. The transducer is configured to create cavitation, via sonic waves, to eviscerate contaminants in the continuous fluid stream. The system also includes at least one solids separation apparatus operably connected with the at least one fluid treatment apparatus for receiving the eviscerated contaminants provided in the fluid stream. The at least one solids separation apparatus is adapted to separate the eviscerate contaminants from the fluid stream for at least one separation process.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a detasseler machine to optimize detasseling efficiency. Front-facing image data is captured by a camera positioned with a field of view in front of the detasseler machine as the detasseler machine operates in a crop field. A new set of machine operating parameters for the detasseler machine is periodically determined based on the a set of crop parameters indicated by the front-facing image data and control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators to operate the detasseler machine according to the determined set of machine operating parameters. In some implementations, rear-facing image data used to quantify missed tassels left by the detasseler machine and the machine operating parameters are further adjusted to reduce the missed tassel metric. The mechanism for determining the set of machine operating parameters is then retrained based on the adjusted machine operating parameters.

Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a thruster system comprising a thruster and a pulsing power supply. The thruster may include a gas inlet port; a plasma jet outlet; and a first electrode. In some embodiments, the pulsing power supply may provide an electrical potential to the first electrode with a pulse repetition frequency greater than 10 kHz, a voltage greater than 5 kilovolts. In some embodiments, the pressure downstream from the thruster can be less than 10 Torr. In some embodiments, when a plasma is produced within the thruster by energizing a gas flowing into the thruster through the gas inlet port, the plasma is expelled from the thruster through the plasma jet outlet.

Abstract: A marking system includes a valve body including an orifice plate including multiple orifices and multiple micro-valves. Each micro-valve includes an actuating beam movable from a closed position in which a corresponding one of the orifices is sealed by a portion of the actuating beam such that the micro-valve is closed, into a peak position in response to application of a control signal. A controller is configured to generate a control signal for each of the actuating beams, each control signal including a drive pulse having a predetermined voltage such that the actuating beam moves from the closed position into the peak position in which the corresponding orifice is open and returns to the closed position in a characteristic period, wherein the drive pulse has a duration that substantially corresponds to the characteristic period such that the actuating beam is in the closed position after the drive pulse is complete.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first member having an arcuate portion and a second member having an arcuate portion. The first member is connected with a first portion of vertebrae and the second member is connected with a second portion of vertebrae such that the second portion of vertebrae is disposed at a first angle relative to the first portion of vertebrae in a sagittal plane of the vertebrae. A ratchet is disposed with the members such that the first member is incrementally movable relative to the second member from the first angle to a selected angle of the second portion relative to the first portion in the sagittal plane. Systems, implants and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprises at least one computer device in communication with one or more server computers. The system converts unstructured text into usable order details, and uses instant messaging to notify recipients of the order details. The notices include electronic web links that launch a web interface that generates an editable, pre-populated electronic order ticket based on the order details. Submission of the electronic order ticket launches an auction during which the recipients may respond with offers to fulfill to the electronic order ticket. If after the auction more than one response is needed to fill the electronic order ticket, the system automatically allocates how and in which order the responses will be used to fill the electronic order ticket. If the electronic order ticket is not completely filled after the auction, the electronic order ticket is submitted to one or more additional exchanges for further filling.

Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water can be concentrated and prepared for destruction in a pretreatment phase. Following annihilation of the PFAS in supercritical conditions to levels below 5 parts per trillion (ppt), the water effluent can be used to recover heat, returned to sub-critical conditions, and then released back into the environment.

Abstract: Aspects herein include filter elements and filtration systems. In an embodiment, a filter element for a filtration system is included. The filter element can include a filter body and a filter media disposed within the filter body. A wireless power receiver can be associated with the filter body. The wireless power receiver can include a receiving antenna, a control circuit in electrical communication with the wireless power receiver, and a feedback channel circuit in communication with the control circuit and configured to transmit through a channel separate from the receiving antenna. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A continuous glucose monitoring system may utilize externally sourced information regarding the physiological state and ambient environment of its user for externally calibrating sensor glucose measurements. Externally sourced factory calibration information may be utilized, where the information is generated by comparing metrics obtained from the data used to generate the sensor's glucose sensing algorithm to similar data obtained from each batch of sensors to be used with the algorithm in the future. The output sensor glucose value of a glucose sensor may also be estimated by analytically optimizing input sensor signals to accurately correct for changes in sensitivity, run-in time, glucose current dips, and other variable sensor wear effects.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is generally directed to low viscosity, low volatility lubricating compositions. The lubricating composition of the instant disclosure includes an oil of lubricating viscosity that contains a lubricating base oil and a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil makes up least 20 wt % of the oil of lubricating viscosity and has a kinematic viscosity of less than 3.7 c St at 100° C. and a NOACK volatility (measured by ASTM D5800) of less than 25 wt %. The lubricant composition further includes a polyalkenyl succinimide dispersant, and, optionally, other formulation additives. The lubricating compositions have been shown to increase fuel economy in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: The invention comprises a container comprising: a base; at least one paper-based sidewall seamed to and extending upwardly from the base, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a score line near the base that is at least partially circumferential and is configured to be torn through to remove the base from the sidewall; and a liner ply adhered to an interior surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a pre-pulse switching system. The pre-pulsing switching system may include: a power source configured to provide a voltage greater than 100 V; a pre-pulse switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a pre-pulse having a pulse width of Tpp; and a main switch coupled with the power source and configured to provide a main pulse such that an output pulse comprises a single pulse with negligible ringing. The pre-pulse may be provided to a load by closing the pre-pulse switch while the main switch is open. The main pulse may be provided to the load by closing the main switch after a delay Tdelay after the pre-pulse switch has been opened.

Abstract: A structured rolled sanitary tissue product having at least two plies, wherein the structured rolled sanitary tissue product has a crumple resistance of less than 30 grams force, a caliper of at least 450 microns/ply, and a bulk softness (TS7) of 10 or less.

Abstract: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is used in conjunction with continuous glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to enable in-vivo sensor calibration, gross (sensor) failure analysis, and intelligent sensor diagnostics and fault detection. An equivalent circuit model is defined, and circuit elements are used to characterize sensor behavior.