Abstract: A method for generating light emission is provided. The method includes providing a transistor element including collector, emitter, and base regions, a quantum cascade region between the base and collector regions, and quantum well structures for interband emission within the base or emitter regions. A waveband controller applies, via first and second electrodes with respect to the collector and base regions, a first electrical signal to control a base-collector junction bias level and select between first and second base-collector bias levels. Selection of the first base-collector bias level causes at least one of the emitter and base regions to produce interband-based light emission having a first wavelength of a first wavelength band. Selection of the second base-collector bias level causes the quantum cascade region to produce intraband-based light emission having a second wavelength of a second wavelength band.

Abstract: A universal controller for integration of cryogenic equipment, requiring different control mechanisms, onto a single operating platform. The universal controller may include a power supply element that is configured to simultaneously drive a plurality of cryogenic devices that have different power supply requirements and a protocol translator element that is configured to enable communication between a plurality of cryogenic devices that use different, incompatible communication protocols, wherein the protocol translator element translates communications sent by a first type of cryogenic device from a first cryogenic device communication protocol into a second cryogenic device communication protocol and translates communications sent by a second type of cryogenic device from a second cryogenic device communication protocol into the first cryogenic device communication protocol, enabling the first type of cryogenic device and the second type of cryogenic device to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A combination gel lubricant composition for use in transrectal ultra-sound guided needle biopsy procedures comprising a 10% povidone iodine antiseptic gel and 2% lidocaine anesthetic gel to form the combination gel lubricant. The combination gel lubricant is used in a method of performing a transrectal ultra-sound guided needle biopsy.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for removing oil stains from fabrics is an oil-in-water emulsion containing a silicone oil having at least 5 silicon atoms and a vapor pressure of at most 0.05 kPa at 25° C., at least one poly(dimethyl siloxane) having up to 2 to 4 silicon atoms and a vapor pressure of at least 0.25 kPa at 25° C., and an emulsifier. The cleaning composition is useful for removing oil stains from fabrics that have an applied hydrophobic coating. The cleaning composition effectively removes the oil stains with little adverse affect, and sometimes even a beneficial effect, on the water-repellency of the fabric.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgical system comprises a master grip input mechanism, a surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to apply a gripping force, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal in response to grip input at the master grip input mechanism. The controller is further configured to receive a second input signal after receiving the first input signal, wherein the second input signal is received in response to a procedure input at a master input device, with the procedure input being different from the grip input at the master grip input mechanism and further being indicative of a user's readiness to operate the surgical instrument to perform a first surgical procedure. The controller is further configured to, in response to receiving the first input signal and the second input signal, cause one or more degrees of freedom of the surgical instrument to be placed in a locked state.

Abstract: An IV holder for securing an IV needle and Luer fitting assembly. The IV holder includes a frame defining an aperture with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the aperture further being covered by a transparent window for protecting and securing the IV needle insertion site. The second portion of the aperture is disposed to fit a cylindrical Luer fitting. The holder is adhesively applied to a patient's skin and situated so that the needle insertion site is under the window and the first portion of the aperture while the Luer fitting is disposed within the second portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A computer alters at least one recognizable metric or text in a digitally encoded photographic image by operating an alteration algorithm in response to user input data while preserving an overall aesthetic quality of the image and obscuring an identity of at least one individual or geographic location appearing in the image. An altered digitally-encoded photographic image prepared by the altering of the at least one recognizable metric or text in the image is stored in a computer memory. User feedback and/or automatic analysis may be performed to define parameter values of the alteration algorithm such that the alteration process achieves preservation of aesthetic qualities while obscuring an identity of interest.

Abstract: A communication device, method, and data transmission system are provided. An illustrative method is disclosed to include at least one data port configured to enable data transmission in compliance with a communication protocol. The communication device is further disclosed to include an Interpacket Gap (IPG) repair circuit configured to detect an IPG interval within a data stream that violates an IPG interval requirement defined by the communication protocol and, in response to detecting the IPG interval that violates the IPG interval requirement, perform an IPG repair on the data stream and bring the IPG interval into compliance with the IPG interval requirement.

Abstract: A universal controller for integration of cryogenic equipment, requiring different control mechanisms, onto a single operating platform. The universal controller may include a power supply element that is configured to simultaneously drive a plurality PV of cryogenic devices that have different power supply requirements and a protocol translator element that is configured to enable communication between a plurality' of cryogenic devices that use different, incompatible communication protocols, wherein the protocol translator element translates communications sent by a first type of cryogenic device from a first cryogenic device communication protocol into a second cryogenic device communication protocol and translates communications sent by a second type of cryogenic device from a second cryogenic device communication protocol into the first cryogenic device communication protocol, enabling the first type of cryogenic device and the second type of cryogenic device to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical module is supported by manipulators that are removably attached to the surgical module. The surgical module may enable operation of surgical tools by providing an integration between actuating mechanisms of the manipulators and actuating mechanisms of the surgical tools. Alternatively or additionally, the surgical module may enable operation of the surgical tools by providing physical access for deploying surgical tools that are operatively connected to the manipulators.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that may include an adhesive agent and a release aid. A Yankee dryer coating is also disclosed that may include a release aid. The release aid may include a cationic polymer salt that is a reaction product of a polyamine or a polyalkyleneimine and a substituted alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium salt. Also provided are methods of treating and creping paper.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method and an EMDU used to dispense precise quantities of liquids with an image sensor being capable of providing feedback to the user as to both, when an eye is properly aligned with the EMDU, and to detect and track the quantity of the dose administered on to the eye.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half a second stapler half configured to releasably couple together. The second stapler half includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a polymeric body that encapsulates at least a portion of each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member. One of the first stapler half or the second stapler half includes a distal portion configured to receive a staple cartridge, and the other of the first stapler half or the second stapler half includes a distal portion having a plurality of staple-forming pockets.

Abstract: Vibration sensors can be used in paper making systems and methods to determine various aspects of the paper making operation. Vibration sensors, for example, positioned on cleaning blades configured to clean various deposits off of rollers in a paper making system can output vibration data that can be indicative of the vibration of the blade. The vibration data can be analyzed in order to characterize the cause of the vibration and/or the location of the vibration within a paper making system. If the vibration data satisfies a predetermined condition, a corrective action can be initiated. Different corrective actions can be initiated based on the characterized cause and/or location of the vibration in order to effectively improve the operation of the system while minimizing costly system shut downs and major maintenance.

Abstract: A method includes configuring, by a cloud provisioning server, a first cloud domain. The first cloud domain and a second cloud domain use at least one of the same operating system and the same system resource pool. The method also includes configuring a tenant within the first cloud domain. The tenant is isolated from tenants of the second cloud domain. Resources used by the configured tenant are not shared with tenants of the second cloud domain.

Abstract: Therapeutically-active compositions that combine strontium with at least one additional molecules that increase the overall therapeutic potency of the combination beyond the potency of any of the separate constituents. Specifically, the combinations perform two important functions; (1) they increase the ability of topically-applied strontium to inhibit both acute sensory irritation (e.g., pruritus and pain), redness, swelling and inflammation (collectively defined for purposes of this description, “irritation”) and the chronic irritation that is characteristic of and contributes to the development and maintenance of painful or pruritic neuropathic conditions; and (2) they decrease the strontium activated pathways that are known to enhance the development and maintenance of pain, pruritis and neuropathic conditions.

Abstract: Medical systems are disclosed and may include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more channels extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a handle operably coupled to the proximal end. The handle may include one or more ports in communication with the one or more channels. The medical systems may further include a docking station supporting the proximal end of the elongate member. The docking station may include a receiver adapted to receive and secure the handle and an adaptor guide unit having a distal end, a proximal end, and one or more passages formed therethrough, the one or more passages communicating with the one or more channels.

Abstract: A crimping tool with a crimping opening extending at an angle to the axial direction of the tool. The tool can include jaws with multiple crimping openings cooperatively defined thereby at different angles relative to the longitudinal axial direction of the tool. For example, the crimping openings can begin at a respective faces of the jaw and such faces can extend at different angles relative to the longitudinal axial direction of the tool. In this manner, the tool can allow crimping of connectors at a variety of different angles, reduce jaw length and width, and improve the leverage of the crimpers.

Abstract: Creping adhesives and processes for making and using same. In some embodiments, the creping adhesive can include a solvent, a modified polyvinyl alcohol, and a crosslinked resin. The crosslinked resin can include polyamidoamine backbones crosslinked by primary crosslinking moieties and propanediyl moieties, where the primary crosslinking moieties can be derived from a functionally symmetric crosslinker. In other embodiments, the crosslinked resin can include polyamidoamine backbones crosslinked by primary crosslinking moieties and secondary crosslinking moieties, where the primary crosslinking moieties can be derived from a first functionally symmetric crosslinker and the secondary crosslinking moieties can be derived from a second functionally symmetric crosslinker. In other embodiments, the crosslinked resin can include polyamidoamine backbones crosslinked by primary crosslinking moieties, where the primary crosslinking moieties can be derived from a functionally symmetric crosslinker.