Abstract: An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a retrieval conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the retrieval conveyance system for receiving the storage bins from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: Various shaped abrasive particles are disclosed. Each shaped abrasive particle includes a body having at least one major surface and a side surface extending from the major surface.

Abstract: A neurosurgical endoscopic training system and method for using the system to develop surgical skills and technical competency of an endoscopist. The system includes a portable part-task enclosure with a plurality of walls defining an internal chamber. One of the walls includes an access port coupling the internal chamber to an external environment and the access port can be configured to facilitate the passage of one or more endoscopic surgical tools. The system further includes a plurality of objects disposed within the internal chamber configured for manipulation by a surgical tool that extends through the access port.

Abstract: A system includes a surgical table, a pad disposed on a table portion of the surgical table, and a leg distraction unit configured for modular attachment to the surgical table, the leg distraction unit configured to apply a distraction force to a leg of the patient while the patient is positioned on the pad and the table portion is tilted so that the patient's head is below the patient's hip, wherein the table portion is capable of tilting to a tilt angle in which the distraction force applied to the leg of the patient is counteracted by a combination of a friction force provided by the pad and a force of gravity from the patient being tilted so that the patient is kept from sliding in a direction of the distraction force.

Abstract: An operating room monitoring system (ORMS) may be uniquely configured for a particular operating room in order to provide custom monitoring and responses based on the unique characteristics of that operating room. The ORMS includes a sensor array of individual sensors placed around the operating room in positions determined by the type of sensor and the unique characteristics of the operating room. Data from the sensor array is collected and analyzed using an infection-reduction protocol. Analyzed data may include images and video, proximity data, airflow data, and climate data, for example. Protocol violations may result in tailored responses such as automatic adjustment of HVAC equipment, or generalized responses such as room-level visual or audible alerts. A dashboard interface may be displayed on various devices that provides sensor data, environmental quality data, risk picturing, and other information usable to mitigate infection risks.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern a distraction system for use with a surgical table having a table portion and a base portion. The distraction system includes a pair of arms rotatably connectable to the base portion at a proximal end portion of each arm. A pair of telescopically adjustable support posts extend upwardly from corresponding arms. Each arm rotates about a vertically oriented axis to provide for hip adduction and abduction of a patient's leg. Each support post extends from a linear bearing attacked to the corresponding one of the pair of arms for movement along the arm to facilitate applying traction to a patient's leg. The system can also include a table extension attachable to the table portion and a friction pad mounted on the table extension.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern a distraction system for use with a surgical table having a table portion and a base portion. The distraction system includes a pair of arms rotatably connectable to the base portion at a proximal end portion of each arm. A pair of telescopically adjustable support posts extend upwardly from corresponding arms. Each arm rotates about a vertically oriented axis to provide for hip adduction and abduction of a patient's leg. Each support post extends from a linear bearing attached to the corresponding one of the pair of arms for movement along the aim to facilitate applying traction to a patient's leg. The system can also include a table extension attachable to the table portion and a friction pad mounted on the table extension.

Abstract: A photobioreactor is described for cultivating phototrophic organisms and in particular a mat, as can be used in one such photobioreactor. The mat has a plurality of first fibres which are light conductive along their longitudinal direction and are constructed to decouple light conducted in the longitudinal direction laterally, at least somewhat transversely to the longitudinal direction. The mat furthermore has a plurality of second fibres which are electrically conductive along their longitudinal direction. With the aid of one such mat, light can on the one hand be coupled in the interior of a photobioreactor. On the other hand, a travelling electric alternating field can be generated by applying a suitable polyphase voltage from a voltage source with the aid of electrically conductive second fibres. This alternating field can act on electrically charged particles.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern a distraction system for use with a surgical table having a table portion and a base portion. The distraction system includes a pair of arms rotatably connectable to the base portion at a proximal end portion of each arm. A pair of telescopically adjustable support posts extend upwardly from corresponding arms. Each arm rotates about a vertically oriented axis to provide tor hip adduction and abduction of a patient's leg. Each support post extends from a linear bearing attached to the corresponding one of the pair of arms for movement along the arm to facilitate applying traction to a patient's leg. The system can also include a table extension attachable to the table portion and a friction pad mounted on the table extension.

Abstract: Implantable devices disclosed herein may be configured to modulate the localized pH at an implantation site of the implantable device. By controlling, modulating, or otherwise adjusting the localized pH, various benefits can be achieved, such as controlling cell proliferation. The implantable device may include a body and one or more metallic features. Generally, the implantable device forms a galvanic cell such that a first metallic feature is configured to be preferentially oxidized to alter the localized pH environment in the vicinity of the implantable device.

Abstract: A neurosurgical endoscopic training system and method for using the system to develop surgical skills and technical competency of an endoscopist. The system includes a portable part-task enclosure with a plurality of walls defining an internal chamber. One of the walls includes an access port coupling the internal chamber to an external environment and the access port can be configured to facilitate the passage of one or more endoscopic surgical tools. The system further includes a plurality of objects disposed within the internal chamber configured for manipulation by a surgical tool that extends through the access port.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern a distraction system for use with a surgical table having a table portion and a base portion. The distraction system includes a pair of arms rotatably connectable to the base portion at a proximal end portion of each arm. A pair of telescopically adjustable support posts extend upwardly from corresponding arms, Each arm rotates about a vertically oriented axis to provide for hip adduction and abduction of a patient's leg. Each support post extends from a linear bearing attached to the corresponding one of the pair of arms for movement along the arm to facilitate applying traction to a patient's leg. The system can also include a table extension attachable to the table portion and a friction pad mounted on the table extension.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein concern a distraction system for use with a surgical table having a table portion and a base portion. The distraction system includes a pair of arms rotatably connectable to the base portion at a proximal end portion of each arm. A pair of telescopically adjustable support posts extend upwardly from corresponding arms. Each arm rotates about a vertically oriented axis to provide for hip adduction and abduction of a patient's leg. Each support post extends from a linear bearing attacked to the corresponding one of the pair of arms for movement along the arm to facilitate applying traction to a patient's leg. The system can also include a table extension attachable to the table portion and a friction pad mounted on the table extension.

Abstract: A photobioreactor is described for cultivating phototrophic organisms and in particular a mat, as can be used in one such photobioreactor. The mat has a plurality of first fibres which are light conductive along their longitudinal direction and are constructed to decouple light conducted in the longitudinal direction laterally, at least somewhat transversely to the longitudinal direction. The mat furthermore has a plurality of second fibres which are electrically conductive along their longitudinal direction. With the aid of one such mat, light can on the one hand be coupled in the interior of a photobioreactor. On the other hand, a travelling electric alternating field can be generated by applying a suitable polyphase voltage by means of a voltage source with the aid of electrically conductive second fibres. This alternating field can act on electrically charged particles.

Abstract: A photobioreactor and a photobioreactor system are proposed in order to cultivate phototrophic organisms for the purpose of generating fuels, for example. The photobioreactor comprises a container and at least one laterally light out-coupling light conductor mat. The phototrophic organisms are received in the container together with a nutrient solution. One or preferably more light conductor mats are arranged within the container and each comprises a plurality of light conducting fibres which are arranged and/or designed such that light which is coupled into a fibre at one end of the fibre leaves the fibre laterally at least in part. A large adjacent volume within the container can thus be extensively illuminated by means of the light conductor mat, in order to thus increase efficiency of the photobioreactor. A photodetector that is externally coupled to the fibres can allow on-site monitoring of vital functions of the organisms.

Abstract: A method of controlling the solid developed mass per unit area and the tone reproduction curve in a printing machine by reading data from a sensor, comparing the data to an acceptable range of data values, where the data is not within the acceptable range of data values, updating a plurality of control actuators, determining whether the discharge ratio is within an acceptable range of discharge ratio values, where the discharge ratio is within the acceptable range of discharge ratio values, applying new control actuators to a power supply in the printing machine, and where the discharge ratio is not within the acceptable range of discharge ratio values, adjusting raster output scanner exposure per an exposure formula.

Abstract: A method of using toner concentration (TC) as an active actuator in the tonal reproduction curve (TRC) controller, so that not only will the TRC controller maintain the TRC of the output, but also all the electrostatic actuators will not diverge, and the toner concentration will be within the latitude range of the xerographic system. The process ensures that the target of the toner concentration (TC) sensor will be changed properly in direction (up/down) and amplitude to compensate the TRC output of the print engine based on either reflective reactance readings and/or the level of the electrostatic actuators.

Abstract: A method by which the target of a toner concentration (TC) sensor can be set up based on the equivalent developability concept without using an expensive patch generator. First, use a black toner area coverage (BTAC) sensor to measure the relative reflectance (RR) of a 100% area coverage developed patch (ROS generated) at a series of development levels (Vem or Vdev) to generate a pseudo development curve and estimate VdO in real-time (VdO is the Vdev level that starts to develop toner onto the photoreceptor belt.) Then, add a nominal delta Vdev to VdO to get the development level (Vdev) needed to generate 100% area coverage gray patch. Finally, using a BTAC sensor to measure the RR level of a 100% area coverage (AC) gray patch, move the target of the TC sensor, and converge the sensor's reading to the sensor's target continuously until the RR level of the gray patch hits the RR target (predefined) within the tolerance range. Thus, the target of the TC sensor is set for the xerographic system automatically.