Abstract: A method for measuring fuel contamination in oil that uses a material in contact with oil whereby fuel intrusion into the oil will change the electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material as compared to the same electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties of the material when in contact only with mineral or synthetic oil only.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and surgical systems including the surgical instrument and a morcellator. The surgical instrument includes a tool assembly having an articulating joint and a screw positioned at a distal end of the articulating joint. The articulating joint is configured to articulate a distal portion of the tool assembly at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument. The screw is configured to engage tissue, for example, a myoma in the uterine wall of a patient, and is configured to pitch and roll the tissue to expose cutting planes. The morcellator is configured to engage the tissue to morcellate the tissue and remove the tissue from a patient.

Abstract: In an approach for error and solution tracking a processor identifies that a first occurrence of a first error is present in code. A processor tracks a first set of actions made to the code which affect the first occurrence of the first error. A processor determines that the first occurrence of the first error has been resolved. A processor records the first error and the first set of actions to the code. A processor identifies that a second occurrence of the first error is present in the code. A processor determines that the first error has previously occurred. A processor retrieves the first set of actions. A processor causes the first set of actions to be made to the code to affect the second occurrence of the first error.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a titanium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode and/or titanium nitride coating, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.

Abstract: Methods of controlling bacterial, yeast, and/or mold contamination of edible fruits or vegetables comprise applying thereto an aqueous microbiocidal composition formed from water and (A) at least one component selected from (I) a solid-state microbiocidal compound having at least one bromine atom per molecule; (II) an aqueous solution/slurry of a compound of (I); (III) a concentrated aqueous composition having an active bromine content of at least 50,000 ppm derived from water and (i) BrCl or BrCl and Br2 and (ii) overbased alkali metal sulfamate, where the relative proportions of (i) and (ii) give an atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine greater than 0.93, and where the pH of the composition is greater than 7; and (IV) a solid-state composition formed by dewatering a composition of (III).

Abstract: A method for treating a sinus cavity is provided. The method includes the steps of inserting a plasma applicator into a sinus cavity defined in a bone mass, positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a tissue formation, generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator and directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the tissue formation. The selective nature of the reactive plasma enables treatment of specific targets inside the sinus while minimizing the effect on other tissues. Such treatment includes, but not limited to, sterilization of bacterial colonies, vaporization of unwanted tissues or foreign masses, stimulation of tissues by enriching the content of reactive oxygen and nitrous oxide pathways, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for dissecting a myoma from a uterine wall includes inserting a myomectomy screw retractor into a surgical site, articulating a tool assembly positioned at a distal end of the myomectomy screw retractor such that a screw of the tool assembly is positioned adjacent to the myoma orthogonal to the uterine wall, rotating the screw of the tool assembly into the myoma until the screw is substantially engaged with the myoma, manipulating the myoma by pitching, rotating, and/or providing traction to the myoma to expose cutting planes, and dissecting the myoma from the uterine wall by cutting along the exposed cutting planes.

Abstract: A resectoscope includes a fixed electrode adapted to connect to a first electrical potential, a movable electrode adapted to connect to a second electrical potential and biased transversely towards the fixed electrode, and a spacer coupled to the movable electrode. The movable electrode and the spacer are longitudinally movable relative to the fixed electrode between a first position, wherein the spacer is disposed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode so as to maintain a spacing between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode against the bias of the movable electrode, and a second position, wherein the spacer is disposed distally of the fixed electrode, allowing the movable electrode to move transversely towards the fixed electrode under the bias of the movable electrode.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws.

Abstract: An insecticide impregnated strip configured for convenient and reliable attachment to conventional animal ear tags. The insecticide strip comprises an elongated integrally molded member having a key-hole shaped aperture formed in an upper portion thereof, enabling the elongated strip to be pendularly suspended from the ear tag. Various methods are disclosed for attaching the strip to different types of known ear tags.

Abstract: A method for removing biofilm from a lumen of a medical implant is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a plasma applicator into a lumen defined in a medical implant, the lumen having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having an opening therein, positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a biofilm formation, generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator and directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the biofilm formation.

Abstract: A process of decomposing a biomass derivative to produce a gaseous product and then introducing the gaseous product into a steam reformer.

Abstract: A morcellation system includes a morcellator and a grasper. The morcellator includes a housing and a tube extending from the housing and having at least one blade section. The morcellator further includes an oscillating mechanism configured to oscillate the tube. An end cap is coupled to the proximal end of the housing and is configured to receive the tube. The end cap defines a passage and includes an aligning structure disposed in the passage. The grasper includes a tubular member having a grasping end including first and second jaws moveable relative to one another. The grasper further includes a handle assembly operatively associated with the grasping end. A keyed collar is disposed about the tubular member. The keyed collar includes a key configured to cooperate with the aligning structure of the end cap to align the first and second jaws relative to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: In an approach for error and solution tracking a processor identifies that a first occurrence of a first error is present in code. A processor tracks a first set of actions made to the code which affect the first occurrence of the first error. A processor determines that the first occurrence of the first error has been resolved. A processor records the first error and the first set of actions to the code. A processor identifies that a second occurrence of the first error is present in the code. A processor determines that the first error has previously occurred. A processor retrieves the first set of actions. A processor causes the first set of actions to be made to the code to affect the second occurrence of the first error.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes an electrosurgical energy output configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to a bipolar end effector assembly in a conductive fluid environment for treating tissue. A controller having a processor is configured to control a waveform of the electrosurgical energy such that the waveform oscillates between a cut phase for initiating and sustaining tissue cutting, wherein the waveform includes a cut energy greater than the energy needed to create and sustain arcing, and a hemostasis phase, for desiccating/coagulating tissue, wherein the waveform includes a hemostasis energy less than the energy needed to sustain arcing.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft, and an end-effector assembly. The proximal end of the shaft is operably associated with the housing. The end-effector assembly is operably coupled to the distal end of the shaft and includes first and second jaw members. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a sealing plate and a bipolar electrode. Either one or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from a position in spaced relation relative to the other jaw member to at least one subsequent position wherein the sealing plates cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The electrosurgical instrument includes a semiconductor switch operably coupled to at least one of the sealing plates and at least one of the bipolar electrodes. The semiconductor switch is configured to enable user selection between energizing the at least one sealing plate or the at least one bipolar electrode.

Abstract: A method for treating a sinus cavity is provided. The method includes the steps of inserting a plasma applicator into a sinus cavity defined in a bone mass, positioning the plasma applicator adjacent a tissue formation, generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator and directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the tissue formation. The selective nature of the reactive plasma enables treatment of specific targets inside the sinus while minimizing the effect on other tissues. Such treatment includes, but not limited to, sterilization of bacterial colonies, vaporization of unwanted tissues or foreign masses, stimulation of tissues by enriching the content of reactive oxygen and nitrous oxide pathways, and combinations thereof.