Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A portable storage unit includes an integrated mounting system and a rugged, weatherproof design that facilitates transport. The rigid main body of the storage unit includes a bottom cover having a bottom surface with a recessed central region positioned between adjacent side regions that extends between top and bottom surfaces of the main body and facilitates mounting the storage unit to a tree or other mounting structure. A top cover has a lip that extends over an edge of the bottom cover and a gasket creates an airtight and watertight seal therebetween. At least one hinge couples the rigid top cover to the rigid bottom cover and an anchoring member coupled to a top surface of the main body. Accessory panels provide attachment points for storage on exterior and interior surfaces of the storage unit.

Abstract: A top-down tiered process establishes an objective measure of the functional capacity of an asset to address a specified use. The process comprises: developing Issue Categories and lists of functional impact Sub-issue Types and specific issues under each type that may impact functionality of the asset for a specified use; providing the list to evaluators; employing evaluators to evaluate functionality, evaluators assigning a numerical Severity measure to each Sub-issue Type present during the evaluation; recording occurrences of issues under each Sub-issue Type discovered, summing occurrences to determine a Density of each Sub-issue Type; recording the evaluation in one or more engineering management systems (EMS); and using the recorded evaluation, calculating a value to be inserted on a numerical scale as a functionality index, FI. In select embodiments of the present invention, a numerical scale is used with values from 0-100.