Abstract: The present invention relates to pathogen cleaning and simulation of pathogen spreading. More particularly, some implementations of the described invention relate to systems and methods for spraying materials in a manner that mimics the spreading of pathogens from coughing or sneezing. Some implementations further relate to using a non-aerosol sprayer that produces both a mist and droplets of a mixture containing water, a fluorescent marker, a surfactant, and an antifoaming agent. In some cases, the pump sprayer defines an internal compartment that includes the mixture. In some cases, the sprayer further includes a pump mechanism that is configured to be pumped to compress a gas within the compartment and a release valve that is configured to release pressure within the compartment through a spray nozzle of the sprayer such that droplets and mist of the mixture are sprayed from the nozzle. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: A damper system including a conduit body, a wall assembly, and a first blade. The conduit body includes an opening. The wall assembly includes a first wall and a second wall disposed in the conduit body extending across the opening. The first blade is disposed within the conduit body between the first wall and the second wall.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure includes storing a software application on a memory associated with a computer, which when executed by a processor causes the software application to develop a model of a patient's anatomical structure, process images of the patient's anatomy, display the images of the patient's anatomy on a user interface associated with the computer, superimpose critical structures within the patient over the displayed images of the patient's anatomy, determine a location within the patient's body cavity where the images of the patient's anatomy were taken, and display the model of the patient's anatomical structure on the user interface, the displayed model indicating the determined location where the images of the patient's anatomy were taken.

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 of a surgical device for shallow depth ablation includes first and second jaw members movable between open and closed positions and including hemicylindrical surfaces that cooperate to define a cylindrical cavity in the closed position for capturing tissue therebetween. At least one electrode array includes a plurality of first and second electrode portions disposed on or within at least one of the hemicylindrical surfaces and extending annularly at least partially thereabout. The plurality of first and second electrode portions are configured to be energized with electrosurgical energy at different potentials to thereby conduct electrosurgical energy between adjacent first and second electrode portions and through captured tissue to affect shallow depth ablation of captured tissue in the closed position of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A linear network of wind turbine blade arrays has a plurality of wind turbine blade arrays. Each of the wind turbine blade arrays has a frame with a top structure and a bottom structure. The top structure is spaced from the bottom structure with first and second opposite vertical side structures. The top structure includes a top enclosure and the bottom structure includes a bottom enclosure. A plurality of shafts are spaced apart from one another along and extending between the top structure and the bottom structure. Each shaft is configured to rotate about a respective shaft axis within the frame. A blade formation for each shaft is arranged and configured to interact with moving air to cause rotation movement of the respective shaft. At least one generator is operatively connected to at least one shaft. The generator is mounted in one of the top enclosure and bottom enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the pre-operative prediction of post-operative tissue function to assist a clinician in planning for and carrying out a surgical procedure. In particular, systems and methods that facilitate the pre-operative prediction of post-resection lung tissue function, thus assisting a clinician in determining the location(s) and volume(s) of lung tissue to be resected.

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: A method of preparing a laser delivery fiber for a therapeutic, treatment, or surgical procedure includes steps of providing an optical fiber having a pre-formed tip; placing a temporary protective sleeve over the pre-formed tip; inserting the optical fiber with the protective sleeve through a handpiece; and, before beginning the therapeutic, treatment, or surgical procedure, removing the protective sleeve from the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for preventing undesired tissue coagulation or sloughing during a laser ablation or vaporization procedure involves setting a predetermined usage limit based on objective criteria indicative of wear and/or debris accumulation on a catheter or sleeve through which a surgical laser is fired, and replacing or re-positioning the catheter or sleeve when the predetermined usage limit is exceeded.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical device for shallow depth ablation includes first and second jaw members movable between open and closed positions and including hemicylindrical surfaces that cooperate to define a cylindrical cavity in the closed position for capturing tissue therebetween. At least one electrode array includes a plurality of first and second electrode portions disposed on or within at least one of the hemicylindrical surfaces and extending annularly at least partially thereabout. The plurality of first and second electrode portions are configured to be energized with electrosurgical energy at different potentials to thereby conduct electrosurgical energy between adjacent first and second electrode portions and through captured tissue to affect shallow depth ablation of captured tissue in the closed position of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an effective amount of a combination of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The composition comprises about 5% w/w to about 25% w/w GLA, and about 5% w/w to about 25% w/w of a mixture of DHA and EPA. Methods of modulating fatty acid profiles or treating an inflammatory condition in a horse include administering an effective amount of the composition to the horse. The inflammatory conditions capable of being treated include gastric ulcers, airway inflammation, joint inflammation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging tissue including an endoscope capable of illuminating tissue with white and near infrared light. The method includes detecting the fluorescence and displaying the detected fluorescence in combination with white light images.

Abstract: A linear network of wind turbine blade arrays has a plurality of wind turbine blade arrays. Each of the wind turbine blade arrays has a frame with a top structure and a bottom structure. The top structure is spaced from the bottom structure with first and second opposite vertical side structures. The top structure includes a top enclosure and the bottom structure includes a bottom enclosure. A plurality of shafts are spaced apart from one another along and extending between the top structure and the bottom structure. Each shaft is configured to rotate about a respective shaft axis within the frame. A blade formation for each shaft is arranged and configured to interact with moving air to cause rotation movement of the respective shaft. At least one generator is operatively connected to at least one shaft. The generator is mounted in one of the top enclosure and bottom enclosure.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an effective amount of a combination of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The composition comprises about 5% w/w to about 25% w/w GLA, and about 5% w/w to about 25% w/w of a mixture of DHA and EPA. Methods of modulating fatty acid profiles or treating an inflammatory condition in a horse include administering an effective amount of the composition to the horse. The inflammatory conditions capable of being treated include gastric ulcers, airway inflammation, joint inflammation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A surgical stitching device is configured for single hand operation that enables passage of a suture needle through tissue with minimal operational requirement. The surgical needle is selectively securable to first and second jaws that are pivotably coupled to each other. When the first and second jaws are in an open configuration, in which, the first and second jaws are spaced apart, the suture needle is detachably secured to the first and second jaws. When the first and second jaws are in a closed configuration, in which, the first and second jaws are approximated, the suture needle is detachably secured to one of the first and second jaws and is detached from the other one of the first and second jaws. Such single hand operation facilitates procedures such as, e.g., extraterritorial loop suture closure.

Abstract: A method of modeling lungs of a patient includes acquiring computed tomography data of a patient's lungs, storing a software application within a memory associated with a computer, the computer having a processor configured to execute the software application, executing the software application to differentiate tissue located within the patient's lung using the acquired CT data, generate a 3-D model of the patient's lungs based on the acquired CT data and the differentiated tissue, apply a material property to each tissue of the differentiated tissue within the generated 3-D model, generate a mesh of the 3-D model of the patient's lungs, calculate a displacement of the patient's lungs in a collapsed state based on the material property applied to the differentiated tissue and the generated mesh of the generated 3-D model, and display a collapsed lung model of the patient's lungs based on the calculated displacement of the patient's lungs.

Abstract: An end-firing surgical laser fiber suitable for Thulium Laser Fiber lithotripsy applications includes a standoff that extends beyond the distal end surface of the fiber to prevent contact between the end face of the fiber and a targeted stone. The standoff may either (1) extend along only one side of or partially around a circumference of the fiber, so that dust from the pulverized stone can freely flow downstream from the treatment site without being trapped by or accumulating on the standoff, or (2) include at least one flushing port that prevents dust accumulation by permitting passage of dust from within the standoff. Flushing of dust from within the standoff may be facilitated by including a source of fluid to entrain the dust and carry it through the flushing port.

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.