Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for inactivating one or more enzymes in a biological sample.

Abstract: A processing system may detect at least one endpoint device of at least one user at a premises having a first plurality of functions, may obtain at least one user profile that indicates a second plurality of functions associated with the at least one user, each function having a maximum available function level, and may obtain a visitor profile associated with the premises defining permitted function levels for one or more functions from among the first plurality that the at least one user is permitted to access. The processing system may then select a set of shared functions and function levels for the set based on the at least one user profile and the visitor profile, the set of shared functions including a first function of the first plurality and a second function of the second plurality, and may activate the set at the premises with the function levels.

Abstract: A device for treating a tissue opening includes a proximal portion including an elongated flexible member, a capsule releasably coupled to a distal end of the flexible member and including a lumen extending therethrough and a clip including a pair of arms movably housed within the capsule. A suture extending along a first one of the pair of arms and including a loop at a distal end thereof extending across an opening extending through the first one of the pair of arms. A suture grabbing element extending laterally from a second one of the pair of arms and including a hook so that, when the pair of arms are moved toward a closed configuration, the hook extends through the opening to grab the loop and draw the distal end of the suture from the first one of the pair of arms toward the second one of the pair of arms.

Abstract: A coating thickness measuring instrument comprising: a magnetic induction probe comprising at least one drive coil and at least one pick-up coil; a driver for driving an alternating current in the or each drive coil; and a detector for detecting the output of the or each pick-up coil; and a processor configured to: apply a transfer function to the detector output to produce an output which corresponds to a measured coating thickness; and, scale both the drive current and detector output simultaneously in response to the output. The scaling may be changed in a step-wise manner. The scaling applied to the drive current may be inversely proportional to the scaling applied to the detector output. The scaling may be defined by a first and second scaling factor, stored as a pair. The instrument may store two or more pairs of scaling factors and select a pair in response to the measured coating thickness.

Abstract: A biometrically locked medication bottle lid including a bottle assembly, an alarm assembly and a lock assembly is disclosed herein. The bottle assembly includes a lid and a dispenser mechanism comprising a spring and a tray to dispense medicament. The alarm assembly includes a digital display that is attached to the front side of the bottle. A speaker and a light are also attached to the front side of the bottle and can be activated when an alarm is triggered indicating that it is time for a user to take their medication. The lock assembly includes a fingerprint sensor and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is actuated when the fingerprint sensor scans the fingerprint of the user.

Abstract: A diffuser for use with a wound retractor and configured to deliver gases includes an interface tube for connecting to a gases supply and a diffuser interface positioned at a proximal end of the interface tube, the diffuser interface configured for delivering gases received from the gases supply through the interface tube, and the diffuser interface comprising a diffusion mechanism configured to deliver gases in a diffusion direction. A wound retractor with an integrated diffuser is also disclosed. The wound retractor includes an upper ring, a lower ring, a sleeve extending between and connecting the upper ring to the lower ring, and an integrated diffuser interface having a gases inlet and a diffusion mechanism.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide compositions and methods for a sweetener composition comprising stevia leaf extract, stevia glycosides, and/or Luo Han Guo fruit extract. The sweetener composition provides enhanced taste and/or flavor properties as compared to other non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners. The sweetener composition has a reduced aftertaste relative to stevia leaf extract and/or purified steviol glycoside. The sweetener composition may be formulated into any edible sweetened substances.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102).

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) has a base member (102) operably connected to an actuator assembly (104). The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has the base member (102) that is configured to mount on the outer container (14). The actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102). The first actuator arm (132a) has a first protrusion (150a) depending therefrom and the second actuator arm (132b) has a second protrusion (150b) depending therefrom.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide compositions and methods for a sweetener composition comprising stevia leaf extract, stevia glycosides, and/or Luo Han Guo fruit extract. The sweetener composition provides enhanced taste and/or flavor properties as compared to other non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners. The sweetener composition has a reduced aftertaste relative to stevia leaf extract and/or purified steviol glycoside. The sweetener composition may be formulated into any edible sweetened substances.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102).

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing a flowable material M has a container (12) having an outer wall (20) and membrane (14) collectively defining a first chamber (22) configured to contain the flowable material M. The membrane (14) has a thickness and a weld seam (40) wherein the weld seam (40) has a thickness less than the thickness of the membrane (14). A fracturing mechanism (16) is operably connected to the container (12). The fracturing mechanism (16) has an extending member (64) projecting from the outer wall (20) of the container (12). The extending member (64) has a projection (66) positioned proximate the membrane (14), wherein in response to deflection of the extending member (64), the projection (66) deflects the outer wall (20) proximate the membrane (14) wherein the weld seam (40) fractures creating an opening (41) through the membrane (14) configured to allow the flowable material M to pass therethrough and from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide a sweetener composition comprising stevia glycosides that may be stably soluble in an aqueous solution, and methods for their manufacture. In various embodiments, the sweetener composition may comprise at least one stevia glycoside and a natural emulsifier. The natural emulsifier of the sweetener composition may enhance the aqueous solubility of the stevia glycoside to increase the concentration of dissolved stevia glycoside relative to its inherent aqueous solubility. The sweetener composition may be stably soluble upon formulation into any edible sweetened substances.

Abstract: The invention is a vapourising device (10) for vapourising a volatile liquid for supply to an environment. The device has a housing 100 having an inlet (109) for receiving inlet air which is warmed by inlet heater (111) before being supplied to cartridge assembly (200). Cartridge assembly (200) has a reservoir (204) for containing the liquid to be vapourised and at least one wick (206), one end of which is located in the reservoir to receive and transport the liquid to the other, exposed end of the wick where the liquid evaporates and mixes with the supplied stream of heated inlet air. The wick may be heated by a wick heater (211). The device also includes an outlet duct section (217) between the wick (206) and the outlet (221) which is conical in shape and is configured to accelerate the flow of the mixture of inlet air and vapourised liquid away from the wick towards the outlet (221).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method that includes depositing a first layer onto a substrate, depositing a second layer onto a surface of the first layer, and separating the substrate from the second layer, where the substrate includes a first III-V alloy, the second layer includes second III-V alloy, and the first layer includes a material that includes at least two of a Group 1A element, a Group 2A element, a Group 6A element, and/or a halogen.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing a flowable material M has a container (12) having an outer wall (20) and membrane (14) collectively defining a first chamber (22) configured to contain the flowable material M. The membrane (14) has a thickness and a weld seam (40) wherein the weld seam (40) has a thickness less than the thickness of the membrane (14). A fracturing mechanism (16) is operably connected to the container (12). The fracturing mechanism (16) has an extending member (64) projecting from the outer wall (20) of the container (12). The extending member (64) has a projection (66) positioned proximate the membrane (14), wherein in response to deflection of the extending member (64), the projection (66) deflects the outer wall (20) proximate the membrane (14) wherein the weld seam (40) fractures creating an opening (41) through the membrane (14) configured to allow the flowable material M to pass therethrough and from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide compositions and methods for a sweetener composition comprising stevia leaf extract, stevia glycosides, and/or Luo Han Guo fruit extract. The sweetener composition provides enhanced taste and/or flavor properties as compared to other non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners. The sweetener composition has a reduced aftertaste relative to stevia leaf extract and/or purified steviol glycoside. The sweetener composition may be formulated into any edible sweetened substances.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology provide a sweetener composition comprising stevia glycosides that may be stably soluble in an aqueous solution, and methods for their manufacture. In various embodiments, the sweetener composition may comprise at least one stevia glycoside and a natural emulsifier. The natural emulsifier of the sweetener composition may enhance the aqueous solubility of the stevia glycoside to increase the concentration of dissolved stevia glycoside relative to its inherent aqueous solubility. The sweetener composition may be stably soluble upon formulation into any edible sweetened substances.