Abstract: A system for processing cells is provided. The system can include a cell culture container, a fluid handling device, and one or more removable cell processing modules for performing one or more cell processing processes. The one or more removable cell processing modules can include a fluid handling pathway. The one or more removable cell processing modules can be fluidly connected to the cell culture container and the fluid handling device via a receptacle in which the cell processing modules may be inserted. The system can be a closed system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating a virtualized network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD) indicative of resources for managing VNF components (VNFCs) across a plurality of virtualized infrastructure managers (VIMs) implemented in a virtualized computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration. A VNFD generator receives a solution description file (SDF) encoding user input pertaining to the user-specific configuration, and a VNFC descriptor encoding VNFC specific information. The SDF and VNFC descriptor are validated and translated to generate an abstracted VNFD that is independent of renderers implemented at the virtualized computing environment. The abstracted VNFD is translated to a VNFD that is specific to the renderers and VIM and VNFD-specific information at the virtualized computing environment.

Abstract: Provided is 4-methylumbelliferone, derivatives and salts thereof, or a composition comprising same for use in the treatment of a condition of the nervous system in a subject. Preferably, the condition is one associated with a scar, such as a glial scar. Typically, the condition of the nervous system is selected from the group comprising conditions caused by trauma, injury, infection, degeneration, structural defects, tumours, blood flow disruption. The neural and other lesions are made permeable and repairable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating a virtualized network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD) indicative of resources for managing VNF components (VNFCs) across a plurality of virtualized infrastructure managers (VIMs) implemented in a virtualized computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration. A VNFD generator receives a solution description file (SDF) encoding user input pertaining to the user-specific configuration, and a VNFC descriptor encoding VNFC specific information. The SDF and VNFC descriptor are validated and translated to generate an abstracted VNFD that is independent of renderers implemented at the virtualized computing environment. The abstracted VNFD is translated to a VNFD that is specific to the renderers and VIM and VNFD-specific information at the virtualized computing environment.

Abstract: Many embodiments of a surgical tool are set forth herein that can be employed for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and in remote access surgical procedures. The surgical tool has multiple bodies with one or more detachable structural interfaces that can be established between one or more pairs of the bodies. Certain locks, interlocks, and/or joints can be present in the surgical tool and among the bodies in various embodiments in order to provide certain functionalities during use.

Abstract: In an image guidance method, a stream of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of an anatomical organ is acquired using a CBCT imaging device (34). For each CBCT image (44), the surface of the organ in the CBCT image is segmented to generate a segmented surface (70) of the anatomical organ in the CBCT image. Occluded shape reconstruction (66) using a statistical shape prior (68) may be used to reconstruct a missing or occluded surface portion. A pre-operative medical image (12) of the anatomical organ and the CBCT image are spatially registered by warping one of the images to the other of the images using point set registration of a segmented surface (30) of the organ in the preoperative medical image and the segmented surface of the organ in the CBCT image. A fused image (82) is displayed that combines the warped image and the other image.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for determining ABL wind field advection speed and direction comprising collecting at least two wind volumes from the ABL wind field, defining portions of the measurement domain within the at least two wind volumes for analysis, determining the advection of an isolated wind field between the at least two wind volumes, and iterating a process of correcting for intra-volume advection, objective analysis, and determining the inter-volume advective properties; wherein upon convergence of a measured advection profile, the advective properties of the ABL wind field have been appropriately derived.

Abstract: A buoy system for treating cardiac valve regurgitation comprising a movable plug having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein a through-hole passes from the atrial to the ventricular end, wherein during systole, the plug travels toward a cardiac atrium, wherein during diastole, the plug travels into a cardiac ventricle; a tether having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein the tether passes through the through-hole of the moving plug, wherein the atrial end of the tether projects into an atrium, wherein the atrial end of the tether includes a cap to engage a delivery tool; at least one distal anchor located in the ventricle, wherein the distal anchor is coupled to the ventricular end of the tether, and wherein the system is percutaneously delivered and optionally recaptured via catheter and recapture tool at the cap of the tether, respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal stabilization system for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes at least one interlaminar member positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above or immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal stabilization system for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes at least one interlaminar member positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above or immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Abstract: A method of producing levoglucosenone from particulate cellulosic material. The method comprises forming a premix of particulate cellulosic material, water, acid and a polar organic solvent. The solvent has a higher boiling point than levoglucosenone. The pre-mix is fed into a pyrolysis reactor, such as a fluidised bed reactor, in which the pre-mix is fluidised by a fluidising gas. The reactor is maintained at a temperature within the range 250° C. to 450° C., and gaseous products and char are withdrawn from the pyrolysis reactor. Levoglucosenone and the polar organic solvent are condensed from the gaseous products, produced by the reactor.

Abstract: A system for performing a minimally invasive interventional fusion procedure on a sacroiliac joint of a patient. The system may include a disposable sterile packed implant and kit including access, bone cutting, accessory and extraction instruments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for dynamically updating the floor plan of a retail store, and for associating retail transactions with particular mobile devices, based on detection and attribution of foot traffic within the store. A foot traffic attribution system detects mobile devices accessing a wireless network. The foot traffic attribution system uses information obtained from the mobile devices to determine foot traffic data, such as locations of mobile devices relative to item display areas, direction of travel of mobile devices, durations of time spent in various areas, and similar information. The foot traffic attribution system then attributes the foot traffic data to items on display and/or item display areas in the current floor plan, and determines an updated floor plan. The foot traffic attribution system may also access retail transaction data, and may use the foot traffic data to associate retail transactions with particular mobile devices.

Abstract: Implants and methods for stabilizing bone fractures are provided. In one embodiment, the implants are spheres. In another embodiment, the implants are rods. The rods can be used to stabilize peripheral portions of a bone fracture. The rods can be shaped and configured to correspond to the shape of a region of bone against which the rod will be deployed. The rods can be provided with surface features for engaging adjacent rods and/or adjacent regions of bone to further stabilize the rods. The spheres can be inserted to fill a remaining volume of the fracture cavity. The implants can be made from orthobiologic materials.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with flexible aggregation of energy information are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request via a graphical user interface that comprises a plurality of selectable inputs that define the request. A plurality of energy dimensions are selected from a set of available energy dimensions, a plurality of combinations of the plurality of energy dimensions are determined, an energy bucket is generated for each combination of the plurality of energy dimensions, and the script is generated based upon the energy buckets. A target database is accessed on a remote target server, and the script is executed on the target database to initiate extraction of data that matches each energy bucket into a dynamic table in the target database, and run an energy option on the data extracted into the dynamic table.

Abstract: Inductive power transfer flux coupling apparatus includes a first coil arranged in a first layer and configured to generate or receive a magnetic coupling flux in a flux coupling region, and a second coil. At least part of the second coil being arranged in a second layer and is configured to generate a magnetic flux that reflects flux from the first coil.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal stabilization system for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes at least one interlaminar member positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above or immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.

Abstract: A buoy system for treating cardiac valve regurgitation comprising a movable plug having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein a through-hole passes from the atrial to the ventricular end, wherein during systole, the plug travels toward a cardiac atrium, wherein during diastole, the plug travels into a cardiac ventricle; a tether having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein the tether passes through the through-hole of the moving plug, wherein the atrial end of the tether projects into an atrium, wherein the atrial end of the tether includes a cap to engage a delivery tool; at least one distal anchor located in the ventricle, wherein the distal anchor is coupled to the ventricular end of the tether, and wherein the system is percutaneously delivered and optionally recaptured via catheter and recapture tool at the cap of the tether, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for dynamically updating the floor plan of a retail store, and for associating retail transactions with particular mobile devices, based on detection and attribution of foot traffic within the store. A foot traffic attribution system detects mobile devices accessing a wireless network. The foot traffic attribution system uses information obtained from the mobile devices to determine foot traffic data, such as locations of mobile devices relative to item display areas, direction of travel of mobile devices, durations of time spent in various areas, and similar information. The foot traffic attribution system then attributes the foot traffic data to items on display and/or item display areas in the current floor plan, and determines an updated floor plan. The foot traffic attribution system may also access retail transaction data, and may use the foot traffic data to associate retail transactions with particular mobile devices.