Abstract: An interactive user experience system is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a display in electrical communication with the processor and configured to display a visual content of interactive content, a modular tile floor in electrical communication with the processor and including a plurality of tiles configured to move independently to induce or respond to a desired motion for a user in contact with the modular tile floor, a sensor in electrical communication with the processor. The sensor detects at least one of an orientation or a position of the user on the modular tile floor, and based on the detected orientation or position of the user, the processor modifies at least one of the visual content or a movement of the plurality of tiles.

Abstract: A setting tool disposed on tubing runs a packer into casing. During a setting process, a plug is engaged on a seat of an intensifying piston disposed in the tool. Tubing pressure applied against the seated plug moves the intensifying piston, which produces intensified pressure on fluid in a first volume of the intensifying piston communicated to a second volume of a setting piston. In response, the setting piston moves on the tool toward the packer's packing assembly. At some point in the process, the seated plug can be released from the seat. Additionally in the process, the second volume can fill with actuation fluid drawn through a fill valve from an annular space between the setting tool and the casing. The intensifying piston can then be reset as the actuation fluid is communicated from the second volume to the first volume.

Abstract: A furnace system includes a heat exchanger and a burner assembly including a burner enclosure fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger. The burner assembly is configured to receive a fluid, ignite the fluid to produce combustion byproducts, and direct the combustion byproducts to the heat exchanger. The furnace system also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the burner enclosure. The furnace system is configured to operate based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism in an ophthalmic laser system balances the weight of the laser beam delivery head and provides small, precise and repeatable variations in the net load exerted by the laser head on the patient's eye over a defined distance of travel. The counterbalance mechanism includes a balance beam pivotably mounted on a support block, with the laser head and a counterweight mounted on its two ends. The counterweight is movable along the balance beam via a linear motion bearing. A mechanical link links the counterweight to the support block; the link has a predefined length and is pivotable around its respective connection points on the support block and the counterweight. When the balance beam pivots, the link causes the counterweight to move along the balance beam, thereby changing the mechanical advantage of the counterweight and varies the counterbalancing force to provide variations in the net load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating unmanned aircraft to capture images a consistent distance from a surface of a structure, such as a roof, are disclosed, including a system comprising a computer system having one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium, the processor(s) executing instructions to cause the one or more processors to: generate unmanned aircraft information including flight path information for capturing images of a roof section having a plane, the flight path information configured to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path based at least in part on a pitch of the roof section and information from one or more sensor indicative of a location of the roof section, the flight path configured to include waypoints at which the unmanned aircraft captures images at a consistent distance from the plane of the roof section.

Abstract: A wedge clamp assembly includes a first wedge plate including a first planar surface, and a first sawtooth surface opposite the first planar surface. The first wedge plate is configured to be fixed with respect to an electronics module. The first sawtooth surface includes two or more inclined faces with respect to the first planar surface. The wedge clamp assembly further includes a second wedge plate including a second planar surface and a second sawtooth surface opposite the second planar surface. The second wedge plate is adjustable with respect to the first wedge plate. The second sawtooth surface includes two or more inclined faces with respect to the second planar surface. An angle of incline of the inclined faces of the first sawtooth surface is equal to or substantially equal to an angle of incline of the inclined faces of the second sawtooth surface.

Abstract: A method for assisting in the performance of a surgical procedure on a patient is disclosed. The method includes receiving an intra-operative CT scan image, generating a three-dimensional isotropic scaffold based on the intra-operative CT scan image, fusing one or more images with the three-dimensional isotropic scaffold to form a three-dimensional model of a portion of the body of the patient, receiving information regarding the surgical procedure, determining obstacles in the path of the surgical procedure, and determining possible trajectories for the surgical procedure. The received information includes information regarding a surgical target to be operated upon, a region of access on the skin of the patient, and a surgical instrument to be used during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method set a liner hanger in a borehole by actuating a hydraulic setting mechanism on the hanger to engage slips in the borehole. A setting tool runs the hanger into position. A reserve volume of the tool holds a clean fluid separate from the borehole. A piston of the tool has a tool volume for the fluid. During run in, pressure in the tool volume is balanced to hydrostatic pressure by drawing actuation fluid from the reserve volume to the tool volume through a check valve. To set the hanger, a plug is engaged on a seat in the tool, tubing pressure is applied behind the engaged plug, and the seat is unlocked. With more applied pressure, the piston moves, reduces the tool volume, and intensifies pressure of the clean fluid communicated to the hanger's setting mechanism. Over-pressure can be handled by a venting valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transdiscal screw capable of following a non-linear trajectory. The screw assembly includes a first screw and second screw coupled at a poly-axial joint. The first screw and the second screw capable of rotating independently of each other. The screw can also include a third screw coupled to the second screw at a poly-axial joint such that the first screw, second screw and third screw can rotate independently of each other.

Abstract: A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to simulate the movement and interaction of objects on modular omnidirectional actuated floors are disclosed herein. A system may include a processor configured to generate a set of particles along a boundary of a contact surface of an object on a modular floor including a plurality of tiles configured to move independently. The processor may also be configured to assign a linear velocity to each particle of the set of particles. The processor may also be configured to assign an angular velocity to each particle of the set of particles. The processor may also be configured to simulate the motion of the object on the modular floor based on the assigned linear and angular velocities. Additional systems and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing robotic surgery on a patient disposed on a bed includes a gantry comprising a computed tomography (CT) diagnostic device, a platform supporting the gantry, and a robotic arm assembly attached to the platform. The gantry slides along the platform via a first carriage to allow entry of at least part of the patient into the bore of the CT device. The robotic arm assembly is attached to the platform via a pivot arm and a second carriage to allow the assembly to slide along the platform to enable surgery to be performed on the patient. The pivot arm is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: An interactive user experience system is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a display in electrical communication with the processor and configured to display a visual content of interactive content, a modular tile floor in electrical communication with the processor and including a plurality of tiles configured to move independently to induce or respond to a desired motion for a user in contact with the modular tile floor, a sensor in electrical communication with the processor. The sensor detects at least one of an orientation or a position of the user on the modular tile floor, and based on the detected orientation or position of the user, the processor modifies at least one of the visual content or a movement of the plurality of tiles.

Abstract: Method for acquiring seismic data is described. The method includes obtaining undersampled seismic data acquired from a non-uniform sampling grid. Attenuating multiples from the undersampled seismic data.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in surgery is disclosed that includes an articulated instrument having a tip and at least one joint capable of bending, a controller for controlling the radius of bending of the instrument, and a sensor for calculating the amount of bending and the position of the tip of the articulated instrument.

Abstract: A light coupler includes a housing, a base formed at an end of the housing and including a pair of externally facing metal contacts configured to electrically connect to an external power supply, and a light power supply disposed within the housing. The light power supply includes a supply input configured to electrically connect to the pair of metal contacts. A recess is formed on the housing and is free of metallic material. A contactless electrical power transmitter is disposed within the housing and adjacent to the recess. The contactless electrical power transmitter is electrically connected to the light power supply and configured to contactlessly transmit electrical power to a light bulb received in the recess.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes storing and transporting technologies for temperature sensitive materials. More specifically, storage and transport of apheresis material. The described technologies include environmental monitoring systems, location tracking systems, an environmental control system, and customized systems and interfaces allowing for non-expert use. The storing and transporting technologies described herein may be ideally suited for the unique requirements of apheresis material.

Abstract: A process including preheating a hydrocarbon feed in a first preheat zone of a convection section, recovering a preheated hydrocarbon stream; heating the preheated hydrocarbon stream in a secondary transferline exchanger, recovering a heated hydrocarbon stream; feeding the heated hydrocarbon stream to a second preheat zone of the convection section to vaporize a portion of heated hydrocarbon stream, recovering a cracking feedstream; cracking hydrocarbons in the cracking feedstream in one or more coils in a radiant section, recovering a cracked hydrocarbon product; and cooling the cracked hydrocarbon product in the secondary transferline exchanger in indirect heat exchange with the preheated hydrocarbon stream, recovering a cooled hydrocarbon product stream.

Abstract: A system for performing robotic surgery on a patient disposed on a bed includes a gantry comprising a computed tomography (CT) diagnostic device, a platform supporting the gantry, and a robotic arm assembly attached to the platform. The gantry slides along the platform via a first carriage to allow entry of at least part of the patient into the bore of the CT device. The robotic arm assembly is attached to the platform via a pivot arm and a second carriage to allow the assembly to slide along the platform to enable surgery to be performed on the patient. The pivot arm is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transdiscal screw capable of following a non-linear trajectory. The screw assembly includes a first screw and second screw coupled at a poly-axial joint. The first screw and the second screw capable of rotating independently of each other. The screw can also include a third screw coupled to the second screw at a poly-axial joint such that the first screw, second screw and third screw can rotate independently of each other.