Abstract: A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

Abstract: A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

Abstract: A protection unit, including a power switching device, with a mechanical switch. To improve the multipurpose nature of the power switching while making lockout easier and more reliable, provision is made for the power switching device to include an electrical actuator actuating the mechanical switch and being controlled by an electronic control unit, which is itself powered via an auxiliary switching device. A lockout system with a lock is provided, which, in a lockout configuration, mechanically keeps the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device in an isolation configuration, and, in operating configuration, allows the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device to move between the conduction configuration and the isolation configuration.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems provide a surgical access device comprising an internal retractor device integrated with or coupled to a body wall or wound retractor. The wound retractor retracts an opening in a body wall into a body cavity, while the internal retractor permits a user to control the positions of internal structures within the body cavity, thereby permitting a user to define a surgical field. Embodiments of the internal retractor are adjustable.

Abstract: The medical image diagnosis system comprises processing circuitry configured to set values of an image quality indicator selected by a user regarding multiple types of the image quality indicator to display a medical image as an anchor, and generate a first thumbnail image based on the anchor; cause a display to display the first thumbnail image; generate a plurality of second thumbnail images by respectively increasing or decreasing the multiple types of the image quality indicator from the anchor; cause the display to display the plurality of second thumbnail images; calculate a new image quality indicator adjusted with a variable step width; and generate a new first thumbnail image by using a new anchor, display the new first thumbnail image, generate a plurality of new second thumbnail images based on the values of the new image quality indicator, and display the plurality of new second thumbnail images.

Abstract: A visual search system facilitates retrieval of provenance information using a machine learning model to generate content fingerprints that are invariant to benign transformations while being sensitive to manipulations. The machine learning model is trained on a training image dataset that includes original images, benign transformed variants of the original images, and manipulated variants of the original images. A loss function is used to train the machine learning model to minimize distances in an embedding space between benign transformed variants and their corresponding original images and increase distances between the manipulated variants and their corresponding original images.

Abstract: A fluidic coolant system for a fuel cell stack that includes a fluidic pump, a heat exchanger, and an ion exchange filter housing assembly is described. A fluidic outlet of the heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the fluidic pump, and a fluidic inlet of the heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell stack. The fluidic pump is arranged to supply coolant from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell stack and the ion exchange filter housing assembly.

Abstract: A scaffold containing two layers is provided for attaching retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, photoreceptor progenitor (PRP) cells, or both. The scaffold includes a first layer containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and a second layer containing polycaprolactone (PCL) loops. Scaffolds containing mature RPE cells and PRP cells can be implanted into the eye of a subject to treat a retinal degenerative disease, retinal dysfunction, retinal degradation, retinal damage, or loss of retinal pigment epithelium.

Abstract: A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

Abstract: A protection unit, including a power switching device, with a mechanical switch. To improve the multipurpose nature of the power switching while making lockout easier and more reliable, provision is made for the power switching device to include an electrical actuator actuating the mechanical switch and being controlled by an electronic control unit, which is itself powered via an auxiliary switching device. A lockout system with a lock is provided, which, in a lockout configuration, mechanically keeps the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device in an isolation configuration, and, in operating configuration, allows the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device to move between the conduction configuration and the isolation configuration.

Abstract: A method for printed circuit board design rework utilizing two components in series, the method includes selecting a first chip component and a second chip component for placement on an original land location previously occupied by an original chip component. The method further includes placing the first chip component and the second chip component on a chip component support structure. The method further includes soldering a first end of the first chip component to a first end of the second chip component. Responsive to transferring the first chip component and the second chip component to the original land location, the method further includes soldering a second end of the first chip component to a first land of the original land location. The method further includes soldering a second end of the second chip component to a second land of the original land location.

Abstract: A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

Abstract: A method for printed circuit board design rework utilizing two components in series, the method includes selecting a first chip component and a second chip component for placement on an original land location previously occupied by an original chip component. The method further includes placing the first chip component and the second chip component on a chip component support structure. The method further includes soldering a first end of the first chip component to a first end of the second chip component. Responsive to transferring the first chip component and the second chip component to the original land location, the method further includes soldering a second end of the first chip component to a first land of the original land location. The method further includes soldering a second end of the second chip component to a second land of the original land location.

Abstract: A tissue retractor comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a flexible, metal sheath extending therebetween is described. Embodiments of the inner ring comprise a flat or wedge-shaped conformation useful for insertion between muscle layers. Other embodiments of the inner ring include variable diameter inner rings, where the diameter can be adjusted as required and optionally locked into place, and reshapeable inner rings that permit a user to conform the inner ring to the anatomy of the patient when placing the inner ring.

Abstract: A device may include a display, a housing, a base, and a hinge operably coupling the display and the housing. The hinge may be moveable over a range of positions. One or more loudspeakers are disposed in the housing. A motor couples to the housing and is configured to rotate the housing and the display. The base is configured to remain stationary during actuation of the motor. In some instances, the device may include a camera and one or more microphones for determining a position of a user. The motor may actuate in a direction of the user to provide increase audio and/or visual experiences.

Abstract: A tissue retractor comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a flexible, metal sheath extending therebetween is described. Embodiments of the inner ring comprise a flat or wedge-shaped conformation useful for insertion between muscle layers. Other embodiments of the inner ring include variable diameter inner rings, where the diameter can be adjusted as required and optionally locked into place, and reshapeable inner rings that permit a user to conform the inner ring to the anatomy of the patient when placing the inner ring.

Abstract: An infusion chamber has a top perimeter cover that defines an aperture to pass air to an air vent and receive fluid from fluid outlets. The infusion chamber has an outer chamber and an inner chamber positioned within the outer chamber, where the spacing between the outer chamber and the inner chamber defines a void. An air manifold is positioned at the base of the inner chamber. The air manifold includes air inlet channels, air exit channels and an interior solids filter. The infusion chamber also has a base housing positioned at the bottom of the infusion chamber, and a plunger positioned in the base housing to selectively evict liquid from the inner chamber.

Abstract: A visual search system facilitates retrieval of provenance information using a machine learning model to generate content fingerprints that are invariant to benign transformations while being sensitive to manipulations. The machine learning model is trained on a training image dataset that includes original images, benign transformed variants of the original images, and manipulated variants of the original images. A loss function is used to train the machine learning model to minimize distances in an embedding space between benign transformed variants and their corresponding original images and increase distances between the manipulated variants and their corresponding original images.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems provide a surgical access device comprising an internal retractor device integrated with or coupled to a body wall or wound retractor. The wound retractor retracts an opening in a body wall into a body cavity, while the internal retractor permits a user to control the positions of internal structures within the body cavity, thereby permitting a user to define a surgical field. Embodiments of the internal retractor are adjustable.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems provide a surgical access device comprising an internal retractor device integrated with or coupled to a body wall or wound retractor. The wound retractor retracts an opening in a body wall into a body cavity, while the internal retractor permits a user to control the positions of internal structures within the body cavity, thereby permitting a user to define a surgical field. Embodiments of the internal retractor are adjustable.