Abstract: A surgical instrument for minimally-invasive arthroscopic use in a constrained joint space, including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly including a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and a lumen therethrough and connected to handle assembly at proximal end of shaft and an operative portion including a working tip with a tool mounted thereon at distal end of shaft. Operative portion is selectively moveable between a first configuration substantially aligned with longitudinal shaft axis, and a second, deployed, configuration in which at least part of operative portion has a selectable working direction defined by the angle between tool and longitudinal shaft axis and a selectable lateral displacement defined by the linear distance between working tip and longitudinal shaft axis, measured at a central location point at which tool is mounted and perpendicular to longitudinal shaft axis, the working direction and lateral displacement being selectable independently of one another.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) launcher that receives electrical power is provided for ejecting a projectile. The launcher includes an armature for holding the projectile and a launch conduit for accelerating the armature along a longitudinal direction and thereby ejecting the projectile. The armature includes a Halbach array. The conduit includes a multi-phase linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive and short conducting elements. The Halbach array forms a plurality of concentric rings disposed longitudinally along the armature. Each ring contains a plurality of magnets distributed concentrically. Each magnet in the corresponding ring has a magnetic field oriented with north direction of the magnetic field pointing at one of radially inward, radially outward, longitudinally inward and longitudinally outward.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyurethane flexible foam which comprises reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of urethane catalyst, water as a blowing agent, optionally a cell opener, and a polydimethylsiloxane cell stabilizer composition which comprises at least 90 wt % of polydimethylsiloxane molecules having the formula: Me3Si(OSiMe2)nOSiMe3 where n is 5 to 7, provided at least 15 wt % of each of the three molecules in which n is 5, 6 and 7 is present.

Abstract: A film-forming paste is applied to a substrate through a screen at least in part supported by raised spaced ribs to fill spacing on the substrate defined by the ribs. The film is then cured to form a patterned electrode with intervening spacing for accumulation of gas during operation of the electrode in an ultracapacitor.