Abstract: A sub-surface safety system for hydrocarbon drilling operations is provided and includes at least one casing within a wellbore that extends into a first portion of a formation from the surface of the formation. A shut-in device is positioned in the casing so as to be below the surface of the formation. The well shut-in device defines a device passageway and is operable to sever a drill string extending through the device passageway and form a barrier in the device passageway that restricts wellbore fluids below the barrier from migrating up the casing to the surface.

Abstract: A quick attachment and release mounting mechanism for a camera. The mechanism includes a clamping base with clamping structure adapted to be secured around an object, such as a paddle, and an adapter. The clamping base includes a receptacle which is trapezoidal and narrower at the top, and also tapers from one end to the other. The receptacle is disclosed forwardly of the clamping structure. The adapter includes a fastener adapted to engage a camera, and a leading portion with a shape that is complementary to that of the receptacle. A latch mechanism is provided to latch the adapter and receptacle together. The latch mechanism is shielded from accidental disengagement by a frame.

Abstract: A pipe conveyed extendable well logging assembly includes a pipe end protector for preventing wellbore debris from entering an opening at the end of the pipe from which a logging tool is extendable. Plugging of the opening is prevented to ensure proper deployment of the extendable logging tool.

Abstract: C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.

Abstract: A video processing system may include: a video deserializer having (i) an input for receiving a serial data stream containing video data and (ii) a serial to pseudo-parallel converter, coupled to the serial data stream, for generating from the serial data stream a plurality of serial data output streams through a plurality of serial output lanes; a video serializer having (i) a plurality of inputs for receiving serial data streams and (ii) a pseudo-parallel to serial converter, coupled to the plurality of input serial data streams, for generating a single serial data stream from the plurality of input serial data streams; and a programmable video processing device, coupled to the video deserializer and the video serializer, and having a plurality of interface pins for receiving the plurality of serial output lanes from the deserializer and for transmitting the plurality of serial data streams to the serializer.

Abstract: Digging and tilling tools with both a central step and an offset shaft are disclosed. The central step allows a user to apply pressure directly over the centerline of the tool head, and the shaft, offset to one side, allows clearance for the knee. The handle on the other end of the shaft may be offset in line with the centerline of the tool head. In some embodiments, the offset shaft may be connected with the tool head by means of connecting members which connect between the shaft and sides of the tool head, leaving a central opening and acting as “stirrups” or guides for the user's foot. In addition to the horizontal offset of the shaft, the tool head may be rearwardly offset from the shaft. Also disclosed are tool heads with tines having L- and T-shaped cross-sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a first aspect a bifurcated stent for use in juxtaposition with an angelogical bifurcation. The bifurcated stent comprises a proximal portion adapted to be disposed within a blood vessel in juxtaposition with a bifurcation, a first distal stent portion adapted to extend across the bifurcation into one of the branched blood vessels, and a second distal stent portion adapted to allow blood to flow from the proximal portion into the other branch blood vessel. The invention also embraces a bifurcated prosthesis including such a bifurcated stent and a tubular graft layer formed from a biocompatible fabric in juxtaposition with the stent. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a stent connection for joining two stents one to the other to define a continuous lumen through the two stents. Said stent connection comprises a first stent including a male engaging portion which can be compressed radially inwardly and a second stent including a female cooperating portion.

Abstract: A crosspoint selector switch for simultaneously supporting multiple data formats having different switch reconfiguration timing requirements, comprising; a configurable switch section for selectively connecting outputs thereof to receive data from respective inputs thereof in response to operational switch data; and a configuration section operatively connected to provide the operational switch data to the switch section, the configuration section storing switch configuration data supporting multiple different configurations of the switch section, the configuration section being operative to receive different operational update commands each associated with a different configuration for the switch section and update the operational switch data from the stored switch configuration data to reconfigure the switch section in dependence on which of the different operational update commands is received.

Abstract: A detachable fluid coupling for connecting an inkjet printhead with an ink supply, the detachable coupling having a fixed valve member defining a valve seat, a sealing collar (146) for sealing engagement with the valve seat (148), a resilient sleeve (126) having one annular end fixed relative to the fixed valve member (128), and the other annular end engaging the sealing collar to bias it into sealing engagement with the valve seat. The coupling also having a conduit opening (150) that is movable relative to the fixed valve member for engaging the sealing collar (146) to unseal it from the valve seat. Unsealing the sealing collar from the valve seat compresses the resilient sleeve (126) such that an intermediate section of the sleeve displaces outwardly relative to the annular ends. With a resilient sleeve that buckles or folds outwardly, the diameter of the coupling is smaller that the conventional couplings that use an annular resilient element that biases the valve shut remaining residual tension.

Abstract: A high speed interface for ancillary data is provided. The interface extracts ancillary data encoded in a serial digital data signal received over the serial digital data input; assembles a plurality of data packets, each packet comprising identification information identifying the data packet, length information identifying a length of the data packet, and value information representing a portion of the extracted ancillary data; sequentially encodes the plurality of data packets within a high-speed data stream; and transmits the high speed data stream via a high speed data output.

Abstract: A structure for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead structure has an elongate support structure for supporting a printhead integrated circuit, and ink conduits formed in the elongate support structure for supplying ink to an array of nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior, the transition face being configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink.