Abstract: A light emitting system includes at least one light pipe, at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the system, at least one mask, and a lens substantially enclosing the interior of the system, the at least one light pipe, and the at least one light source, the lens having an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and at least one of a continuous transparent or translucent coating on the outer surface.

Abstract: A handheld 3D printing apparatus for printing biocompatible materials including stem cells for performing in-situ surgical repairs and comprises one UV curable reagent container and one cell supporting reagent container which are co-axially extruded from a tip and cured to perform in-situ repairs. The extruded material comprises a core material protected by a shell material. The reagents are driven from the containers using an electronic drive train at a constant rate.

Abstract: A laser light source apparatus includes a laser diode, a first optical assembly having one or more lenses for generating a collimated laser beam from light emitted by the laser diode, a doped microstructured glass block configured to generate laser emissions at at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength when pumped by the collimated laser beam, an input beam lens for focusing the collimated laser beam onto an input surface of the microstructured glass block, an optical alignment assembly, an output light guiding assembly, and a housing for containing and supporting the optical alignment assembly and the output light guiding assembly.

Abstract: A multifunction lamp unit for a vehicle includes a housing, at least one light pipe together with at least one light source disposed at least partially within the housing, and a clear lens substantially enclosing the housing, the at least one light pipe and the at least one light source, the lens having an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and at least one of a continuous transparent and translucent coating on the outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a droplet assembly, which droplet assembly comprises a plurality of droplets, wherein each of said droplets comprises: an aqueous medium comprising a hydrogel compound; and one or more biological cells disposed in the aqueous medium, which process comprises: generating, in a bulk hydrophobic medium, a plurality of droplets, wherein each of said droplets comprises: an aqueous medium comprising a hydrogel compound; and one or more biological cells disposed in the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator is provided that includes a motor coupled to a movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a computing device which controls movement of the motor, a manual drive coupled to the movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a ring coupled to move with the manual drive, and a sensor that senses and communicates rotation of the ring to the computing device. In response to receiving the sensed rotation of the ring, the computing device prevents operation of the motor to move the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator is provided that includes a motor coupled to a movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a computing device which controls movement of the motor, a manual drive coupled to the movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a ring coupled to move with the manual drive, and a sensor that senses and communicates rotation of the ring to the computing device. In response to receiving the sensed rotation of the ring, the computing device prevents operation of the motor to move the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator is provided that includes a motor coupled to a movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a computing device which controls movement of the motor, a manual drive coupled to the movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a ring coupled to move with the manual drive, and a sensor that senses and communicates rotation of the ring to the computing device. In response to receiving the sensed rotation of the ring, the computing device prevents operation of the motor to move the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator is provided that includes a motor coupled to a movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a computing device which controls movement of the motor, a manual drive coupled to the movable barrier to move the movable barrier, a ring coupled to move with the manual drive, and a sensor that senses and communicates rotation of the ring to the computing device. In response to receiving the sensed rotation of the ring, the computing device prevents operation of the motor to move the movable barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator (200) comprises a motor (201) having an output drive shaft that itself comprises a first end (202) and a second end (203) that is disposed opposite to the first end. The movable barrier operator also comprises a hand-operated chain hoist (204) that is connected to the second end of this output drive shaft. By one approach, the movable barrier operator also comprises a reduction mechanism (207) and a transmission (210). The reduction mechanism is disposed parallel to and laterally of the motor and comprises a movable barrier drive output (208) and an input drive shaft (209). The transmission, in turn, is disposed to couple the first end of the output drive shaft of the motor to the input drive shaft of the reduction mechanism.

Abstract: The movable barrier operator 10 is a shaft-mounted movable barrier operator that operates a garage door 20. Such an operator includes a motor 22 operably connected to shaft 26 such that motor 22 may move door 20 between the open and closed position. Shaft 26 may include axle 36 and wheels 38. The movable barrier 10 further includes a rotational drive unit 46 with a sun gear 52 having an open center 49 into which the axle 36 extends. Further, the rotational drive unit may have an annularly shaped portion 47 and a removable portion 48 such that the operator 10 may be installed onto a previously mounted garage door. The movable barrier operator may also include protection plates or a finger guard 90.

Abstract: A sprocket having a slot formed therethrough can be disposed about the non-rotating support rod of a given roller door. This sprocket is then attached to the door-supporting frame such that the sprocket is positioned externally to the roller door. A connector can serve to effect this attachment. This connector might comprise a plurality of bolts with support sleeves. By this approach, the sprocket can be maintained at a fixed distance from the door supporting frame. This connector might also comprise an adjustable connector that adjustably and fixedly connects the sprocket with respect to the door-supporting frame. By one approach, the sprocket connects directly to the door-supporting frame. By another approach, if desired, the sprocket connects to a frame interface which connects, in turn, to the door-supporting frame. This frame interface can itself also have a slot formed therethrough to again facilitate placing the frame interface into an installed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a barrier is provided. The apparatus includes a governor with a preload member. The preload member provides a preload force that releasably and magnetically couples the preload member to the governor. The preload member is configured and arranged to provide a sufficient holding force to the governor in order to hold the barrier in place. The governor is configured and arranged to, upon the preload force being selectively decoupled from the preload member, allow for the downward movement of the barrier while also forming and applying an intentional braking force to the barrier to slow the downward movement of the barrier.

Abstract: A method for removing an archwire from a slot of an orthodontic bracket having at least one retentive component involving creating a gap either between portions of a retentive component or between the retentive component and another component of the bracket and removing the archwire from the slot through the gap. The present invention is also directed to wire disengagement tools. Each tool includes a handle and a head portion which engages the retentive component. When the orthodontist applies a force, such as a rotational or plier-like motion, to the handle of the tool, the head portion exerts a force on the retentive portion to create a gap between portions of the retentive component or between the retentive component and another component of the orthodontic bracket. Each tool also includes a side arm, which lifts the archwire from the slot through the gap created by the head portion.

Abstract: An improved method for attaching soft tissue to bone by passing a suture through an opening in the bone, e.g., a transosseous tunnel, and affixing the soft tissue with the suture. The improvement, for preventing the suture from migrating through the bone at the end of the opening, includes placing a eyelet into an end of the bone opening and passing the suture through the eyelet, as well as through the opening in the bone, in order to affix the soft tissue to the bone with the suture.

Abstract: Self-ligating orthodontic brackets with archwire retainers formed of materials exhibiting shape memory. Each bracket which includes a base from which extends two spaced and opposing pairs of tie wings each pair of which define an archwire guide slot therebetween. The retainers include at least one flange to retain an archwire within the archwire guide slot but which is yieldable to permit insertion and/or removal of the archwire relative to the archwire guide slots. Portions of the brackets and/or retainer may be coated to reduce friction between the archwire and the bracket and to promote aesthetics and overall bracket appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the movement of a barrier is provided. The apparatus includes a governor with a preload member. The preload member provides a preload force that releasably and magnetically couples the preload member to the governor. The preload member is configured and arranged to provide a sufficient holding force to the governor in order to hold the barrier in place. The governor is configured and arranged to, upon the preload force being selectively decoupled from the preload member, allow for the downward movement of the barrier while also forming and applying an intentional braking force to the barrier to slow the downward movement of the barrier.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator (200) comprises a motor (201) having an output drive shaft that itself comprises a first end (202) and a second end (203) that is disposed opposite to the first end. The movable barrier operator also comprises a hand-operated chain hoist (204) that is connected to the second end of this output drive shaft. By one approach, the movable barrier operator also comprises a reduction mechanism (207) and a transmission (210). The reduction mechanism is disposed parallel to and laterally of the motor and comprises a movable barrier drive shaft (208) and an input drive shaft (209). The transmission, in turn, is disposed to couple the first end of the output drive shaft of the motor to the input drive shaft of the reduction mechanism.

Abstract: A sprocket having a slot formed therethrough can be disposed about the non-rotating support rod of a given roller door. This sprocket is then attached to the door-supporting frame such that the sprocket is positioned externally to the roller door. A connector can serve to effect this attachment. This connector might comprise a plurality of bolts with support sleeves. By this approach, the sprocket can be maintained at a fixed distance from the door supporting frame. This connector might also comprise an adjustable connector that adjustably and fixedly connects the sprocket with respect to the door-supporting frame. By one approach, the sprocket connects directly to the door-supporting frame. By another approach, if desired, the sprocket connects to a frame interface which connects, in turn, to the door-supporting frame. This frame interface can itself also have a slot formed therethrough to again facilitate placing the frame interface into an installed position.

Abstract: A wire disengagement tool for removing an archwire from an archwire slot of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket, including a handle, a center arm, and at least one side arm for grasping a portion of the archwire extending laterally from the bracket. The center arm includes a head portion having an engagement surface for contacting inner flanges of upper portions of at least one tie wing of the bracket. In use, the tool is placed on a bracket so that the side arm engages the archwire along side of the bracket and the head portion of the center arm contacts a retentive component of the bracket, such as a tie wing. An orthodontist then applies a downward force, and the head portion yields a lateral wedge-like force on the retentive component so that the retentive component flexes laterally and outwardly to provide access to the archwire. The archwire is grasped between the side arms and the head portion of the center arm and easily lifted from the archwire slot.