Abstract: The invention comprises a system for securing an implant to a bone comprising an implant which is affixed to the bone, a grout or bone cement comprising a composition that cures in an exothermic reaction and which is capable of securing the implant to the bone in a cured state, and a tester which measures temperature over time to detect a rate change of temperature and uses a novel discrete differentiator circuit to determine when the composition reaches cure.

Abstract: Cosmetic dispensers including a base, for example, having a cavity and an interior surface where the interior surface includes a spiral recess. The cosmetic dispenser may further include a pedestal assembly received within the cavity of the base. The pedestal assembly can include a pedestal having a base plate at a first distal end of the pedestal and a cup member at a second distal end opposite the first distal end. The cup member may be configured to receive a cosmetic that extends above the cup member. The sleeve may be movably received within the cavity, and can include at least one engaging element coupled to the spiral recess. The engaging element may be configured to slide along the spiral recess to raise and lower the sleeve. In embodiments, the sleeve is configured to completely surround the cosmetic in a raised first position, and is configured to at least partially not surround the cosmetic in a lowered second position.

Abstract: A pressure/force sensor comprises a diaphragm structure including a sensing element and a lead structure extending from the diaphragm structure and including first and second traces electrically coupled to the sensing element. The diaphragm structure and the lead structure include a circuit assembly comprising a common insulating layer and a common conductor layer on the insulating layer. The conductor layer includes at least a portion of the sensing element and at least the first trace.

Abstract: Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to seal a container are provided. An apparatus for securing a film to a container includes a body portion to house film and a sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a sealing volume for receiving a portion of the container, at least one heating element positioned within the sealing volume, and a sensor configured to sense when the portion of the container is at least partially within the sealing volume. A controller is configured to receive a sensor input from a sensor indicating that the portion of the container is at least partially within the sealing volume, and activate the at least one heating element based on the sensor input.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for purifying a polypeptide from a composition comprising the polypeptide and at least one contaminant and formulations comprising the polypeptide purified by the methods. The methods for purifying include cation exchange material and/or mixed mode material.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having synthetic leaflets that are configured to promote and encourage tissue ingrowth thereon and/or therein. The leaflets are coupled to a leaflet frame to form a prosthetic valve suitable for use in biological anatomy.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to seal a container are provided. An apparatus for securing a film to a container includes a body portion to house film and a sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a loading zone to receive a portion of film from the body portion and an aperture to receive a top portion of the container and the portion of the film therethrough to enable positioning within a sealing volume. A plurality of near-infrared light emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) face toward and at least partially surround the top portion of the container when positioned within the sealing volume. A controller is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor indicating that the top portion of the container is within the sealing volume and cause, in response thereto, activation of the plurality of NIR LEDs to secure the portion of the film to the top portion of the container.

Abstract: Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having synthetic leaflets that are configured to promote and encourage tissue ingrowth thereon and/or therein. The leaflets are coupled to a leaflet frame to form a prosthetic valve suitable for use in biological anatomy.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: A pressure/force sensor comprises a diaphragm structure including a sensing element and a lead structure extending from the diaphragm structure and including first and second traces electrically coupled to the sensing element. The diaphragm structure and the lead structure include a circuit assembly comprising a common insulating layer and a common conductor layer on the insulating layer. The conductor layer includes at least a portion of the sensing element and at least the first trace.

Abstract: An identification device includes a first metal layer patterned into a planar coil winding and a second metal layer electrically connected to the first metal layer. The first metal layer is operable to provide a circuit inductance. The second metal layer is patterned to provide one or more overlapping areas with the first metal layer. The second metal layer is operable to provide a circuit capacitance. The identification device includes a dielectric layer separating the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: A pressure/force sensor comprises a diaphragm structure including a sensing element and a lead structure extending from the diaphragm structure and including first and second traces electrically coupled to the sensing element. The diaphragm structure and the lead structure include a circuit assembly comprising a common insulating layer and a common conductor layer on the insulating layer. The conductor layer includes at least a portion of the sensing element and at least the first trace.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cosmetic dispensers including a base, for example, having a cavity and an interior surface where, in embodiments, the interior surface includes a spiral recess. The cosmetic dispenser may further include a pedestal assembly received within the cavity of the base. The pedestal assembly can include a pedestal having a base plate at a first distal end of the pedestal and a cup member at a second distal end opposite the first distal end. The cup member may be configured to receive a cosmetic that extends above the cup member. The sleeve may be movably received within the cavity, and can include at least one engaging means coupled to the spiral recess. The engaging means may be configured to slide along the spiral recess to raise and lower the sleeve. In embodiments, the sleeve is configured to completely surround the cosmetic in a raised first position, and is configured to at least partially not surround the cosmetic in a lowered second position.

Abstract: A condition monitoring system includes a radio frequency transponder module including an RFID chip having a first memory, and an antenna; at least one sensor module that monitors data related to the condition of an item and includes a second memory for storing the monitored data; and a communication interface that couples the at least one sensor module to the RFID chip of the radio frequency transponder module so that the sensor module is operative to communicate with the RFID chip by way of the communication interface and the RFID chip first memory is operative to store data related to the item.

Abstract: A dental light comprises at least one light emitting diode light source configured to produce a light beam and at least one collimating lens system situated to receive the light beam. The collimating lens system is configured to collect and collimate the light beam. The collimating lens system can additionally modify the beam through controlled diffusion or shape the beam using an aperture.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.