Abstract: A locking assembly having a substantially joined bracket assembly with a front and back plate defining an opening therebetween with a slot. At least the back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a solid surface. Positioned within the slot is a dual-pivoting release lever having an upper leg, a middle leg, and lower leg movable about a first and second pivots. Further, a pivoting release lever is positioned adjacent to the collar assembly and the bracket assembly, the pivoting release lever further including that includes a radial spring disposed between a lower leg member of the pivoting release lever and a middle leg member of the pivoting release lever configured to bias the collar assembly in a locked position in the slot when engaged The lower member also includes one or more compression springs disposed on the lower leg member configured to bias an engaged collar assembly to be dislodged.

Abstract: A locking assembly having a substantially joined bracket assembly with a front and back plate defining an opening therebetween with a slot. At least the back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a solid surface. Positioned within the slot is a dual-pivoting release lever having an upper leg, a middle leg, and lower leg movable about a first and second pivots. A first pivot is fixedly attached to the front and back plates such that the upper, middle, and lower legs are free to move within the slot within a defined boundary about the first pivot. The locking assembly further includes a second pivot point between the upper leg and the middle leg that is not attached to the bracket and provides a latch member to bias an inserted device in the slot.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving acoustic signals captured by a sensor of a monitoring device, where the monitoring device is wearable by a patient and securely positioned on the patient's skin adjacent to an arteriovenous fistula (AVF); applying an algorithm to the acoustic signals to detect deviations from a baseline acoustic pattern, where the baseline acoustic pattern represents an expected operation of the AVF; and identifying potential patency-threatening events (PTEs) based on the deviations. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.

Abstract: Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.

Abstract: An apparatus, system or device and methods for applying one or more stimuli to an implantation, occlusive device, or embolization are described. The implantation can include a polymer or polymer composition such as a hydrogel and can be used for sterilizing a subject in need of contraception by occluding the vas deferens, fallopian tube(s), or uterus, but can also be used to occlude, in whole or part, any other body ducts or organs. The one or more stimuli can modify the occlusion so that is removed from the body lumen in situ, there by reversing the contraception or other effects of the occlusion.

Abstract: A vertical raising safety rail. The safety rail includes lower linkage arm assemblies that are connected to a base and to a center rail assembly and configured to raise or lower the center rail assembly relative to the base when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft. The safety rail also includes upper linkage arm assemblies that are connected to the center rail assembly and to a top rail. The upper linkage arm assemblies are connected to corresponding lower linkage assemblies and are configured to move the top rail relative to the center rail assembly. When the top rail is raised, one or more safety curtains are unfurled from a take-up roller inside the top rail to provide a safety curtain in the vertical plane of the safety rail.

Abstract: A system and method for a locking mechanism that includes an ability to indicate proper engagement via a signal cable coupled through a harness. The locking mechanism may include electronic components including three magnetic actuators and corresponding electronic switches that signal change of state. Locking tabs and a leading edge of the insert respectively include the three magnetic actuators. The electronic switches, which may be magnetically activated reed switches, signal status change to an external controller and, optionally, an external computer. Further, status signals and power signals may be routed through a steel cable or woven nylon harness that coupled the locking mechanism to a local anchor point. Change of status notification may be important on critical safety worksites where lack of mechanical and electronic connection can be life threatening.

Abstract: Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.

Abstract: A vertical raising safety rail with dual support structure for rail arm bearing. The safety rail includes lower linkage arm assemblies that are connected to a base and to a center rail assembly and configured to raise or lower the center rail assembly relative to the base when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft. The safety rail also includes upper linkage arm assemblies that are connected to the center rail assembly and to a top rail. The upper linkage arm assemblies are connected to corresponding lower linkage assemblies and are configured to move the top rail relative to the center rail assembly. When the top rail is raised, one or more safety curtains are unfurled from a take-up roller inside the top rail to provide a safety curtain in the vertical plane of the safety rail. Each rail arm assembly includes a dual support structure for supporting a bearing axle.

Abstract: A vertical raising safety rail having a moveable top rail, a base, a movable center rail assembly positioned above the base and below the top rail, a drive shaft, and a motor that provides rotational power to the drive shaft. The safety rail further includes a pair of spaced apart lower linkage arm assemblies that is operatively connected to the base and to the center rail assembly and configured to raise or lower the center rail assembly relative to the base when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft. The safety rail also includes a pair of spaced apart upper linkage arm assemblies that is operably connected to the center rail assembly and to the top rail. The upper linkage aim assemblies are operably connected to corresponding lower linkage assemblies and are configured to move the upper rail relative to the center rail assembly. When the rotational force is reversed, the safely rail collapses into a compact footprint.

Abstract: A vertical raising safety rail. The safety rail includes lower linkage arm assemblies that are connected to a base and to a center rail assembly and configured to raise or lower the center rail assembly relative to the base when a rotational force is applied to the drive shaft. The safety rail also includes upper linkage arm assemblies that are connected to the center rail assembly and to a top rail. The upper linkage arm assemblies are connected to corresponding lower linkage assemblies and are configured to move the top rail relative to the center rail assembly. When the top rail is raised, one or more safety curtains are unfurled from a take-up roller inside the top rail to provide a safety curtain in the vertical plane of the safety rail.

Abstract: A system and method for a locking mechanism that includes an ability to indicate proper engagement via a signal cable coupled through a harness. The locking mechanism may include electronic components including three magnetic actuators and corresponding electronic switches that signal change of state. Locking tabs and a leading edge of the insert respectively include the three magnetic actuators. The electronic switches, which may be magnetically activated reed switches, signal status change to an external controller and, optionally, an external computer. Further, status signals and power signals may be routed through a steel cable or woven nylon harness that coupled the locking mechanism to a local anchor point. Change of status notification may be important on critical safety worksites where lack of mechanical and electronic connection can be life threatening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spray coating process for a robotic spray gun assembly comprising importing a discretized model of an object geometry to be coated; importing a numerically characterized spray pattern file; importing a robot motion file comprising a plurality of motion positions, dwell times and orientations defining a spray direction of the robotic spray gun; reading each motion position within the motion file; determining which portions of the object geometry are visible at each motion position; computing a void volume fraction at each visible portion of the object geometry based on the core compression, the incident angle of the robotic spray gun and the ricocheting of the spray for each motion position; and calculating total coating thickness on portions of the object geometry for the complete motion step.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spray coating process for a robotic spray gun assembly comprising importing a discretized model of an object geometry to be coated; importing a numerically characterized spray pattern file; importing a robot motion file comprising a plurality of motion positions, dwell times and orientations defining a spray direction of the robotic spray gun; reading each motion position within the motion file; determining which portions of the object geometry are visible at each motion position; computing a void volume fraction at each visible portion of the object geometry based on the core compression, the incident angle of the robotic spray gun and the ricocheting of the spray for each motion position; and calculating total coating thickness on portions of the object geometry for the complete motion step.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for gates and the like for readily latching a slide bar to a locking unit. The locking unit has a block with a front and back plate that are fixedly attached to each other about portions of peripheries of the front and back plates that define an opening therebetween with a side slot and at least one adjacent top or bottom slot. Positioned within at least one top or bottom slot is at least one pivoting release lever having a first leg and a second leg movable about a pivot. One of the legs has a portion configured to engage a portion of a slide bar when restraining movement of the slide bar relative to the block. The other leg abuts and aids in dislodging the slide from the block when a force is applied to the pivoting lever. The latch mechanism further includes a slide bar guide. In one embodiment, the slide bar guide is a separate guide block configured to receive a portion of the slide bar that limits lateral movement of the slide bar relative to the block.

Abstract: A locking assembly for readily attaching and detaching a device to a surface such as a wall, non-planar surface, or a plurality of bars such as those found in a kennel. The locking assembly has a bracket assembly with a front and back plate that are fixedly attached to each other about portions of peripheries of the front and back plates defining an opening therebetween with a top slot and at least one side slot. The back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a surface. Positioned within at least one side slot is at least one pivoting release lever having an upper leg and lower leg movable about a pivot. The locking assembly further includes a yoke assembly having a yoke assembly plate of a size and shape to fit edgewise and be guided into the opening between the front and bottom plates via the top slot. The upper leg of the pivoting release lever and an exterior surface of the yoke assembly plate can be mateably restrained through a pair of interlocking notches.

Abstract: A method for mitigating crack initiation and propagation on a surface of a metal component due to susceptibility to corrosion comprises depositing a metallic material on the surface of the component to form a coating, and then converting at least an outer layer of the coating to an electrically insulating material. The deposition of the metallic material is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of wire-arc spraying, physical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. Electrochemical corrosion potential less than ?0.23 VSHE based on the standard hydrogen electrode can be achieved with the method of coating of the present invention. This method is applied to produce coated structural components of water-cooled nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A locking assembly having a substantially joined bracket assembly with a front and back plate defining an opening therebetween with a top slot and a side slot. At least the back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a solid surface. Positioned with side slot is a pivoting release lever having an upper leg and lower leg movable about a pivot. The pivot is fixedly attached to the front and back plates such that the upper and lower legs are free to move within the opening between the front and back plates within a defined boundary about the pivot. The locking assembly further includes a collar assembly having a collar assembly plate of a size and shape to fit edgewise and be guided into the opening between the front and bottom plates via the top slot. A collar extending from the front surface of the collar assembly plate attached to a device.

Abstract: A method for mitigating crack initiation and propagation on a surface of a metal component due to susceptibility to corrosion comprises depositing a metallic material on the surface of the component to form a coating, and then converting at least an outer layer of the coating to an electrically insulating material. The deposition of the metallic material is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of wire-arc spraying, physical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. Electrochemical corrosion potential less than −0.23 VSHE based on the standard hydrogen electrode can be achieved with the method of coating of the present invention. This method is applied to produce coated structural components of water-cooled nuclear reactor.