Abstract: An apparatus including a sterilizable tray having a base and at least one fixture connected to the tray adapted for removably securing an implant insertion device to the tray. The tray can be free of a first wall portion for permitting the proximal end of an implantable device to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device for coupling to the implant insertion device and can be free of a second wall portion for permitting a tool to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device so as to threadedly couple the implant insertion device to the implantable device. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A portable davit includes a base having a mounting portion and a housing. The housing defines a cavity. An end of a mast is positioned within the cavity. A jib is coupled to another end of the mast. A connector is coupled to the jib. A hoist is coupled to a platform and includes a drive and a rope. An end of the rope is wound about the drive. Another end of the rope is coupled to the connector. The drive is configured to rotate relative to the platform in a first direction to decrease a distance between the platform and an end of the jib and to rotate relative to the platform in an opposite second direction to increase the distance between the platform and an end of the jib. Systems and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A portable davit includes a base having a mounting portion and a housing. The housing defines a cavity. An end of a mast is positioned within the cavity. A jib is coupled to another end of the mast. A connector is coupled to the jib. A hoist is coupled to a platform and includes a drive and a rope. An end of the rope is wound about the drive. Another end of the rope is coupled to the connector. The drive is configured to rotate relative to the platform in a first direction to decrease a distance between the platform and an end of the jib and to rotate relative to the platform in an opposite second direction to increase the distance between the platform and an end of the jib. Systems and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A portable davit includes a base having a mounting portion and a housing coupled to the mounting portion. The housing include an inner surface defining a cavity. A hoist is positioned within the cavity. The hoist includes a drive and a rope. The rope includes opposite first and second ends. The first end of the rope is wound about the drive. A mast includes opposite first and second ends. The first end of the mast is positioned within the cavity. The mast includes an inner surface defining a passageway. A jib includes opposite first and second ends. The first end of the jib is coupled to the second end of the mast. The second end of the rope extends through an opening in the second end of the jib.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sterilizable tray having a base and at least one fixture connected to the tray adapted for removably securing an implant insertion device to the tray. The tray can be free of a first wall portion for permitting the proximal end of an implantable device to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device for coupling to the implant insertion device and can be free of a second wall portion for permitting a tool to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device so as to threadedly couple the implant insertion device to the implantable device. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A stent graft system includes a stent graft, a radially expandable scaffold, and an inflatable fill structure. The stent graft includes a body portion with a plurality of pleated sections that are configured to be extended from a telescopically compressed state to a longitudinally extended state. The radially expandable scaffold is attached to a top of the body portion, and has one or more fixation elements for penetrating into an aortic wall. The inflatable fill structure is attached at a top of the body portion and is configured to expand in a longitudinal direction as the body portion is extended in the longitudinal direction. The inflatable fill structure is also configured to expand in a radial direction to contact an inner surface of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sterilizable tray having a base and at least one fixture connected to the tray adapted for removably securing an implant insertion device to the tray. The tray can be free of a first wall portion for permitting the proximal end of an implantable device to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device for coupling to the implant insertion device and can be free of a second wall portion for permitting a tool to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device so as to threadedly couple the implant insertion device to the implantable device. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sterilizable tray having a base and at least one fixture connected to the tray adapted for removably securing an implant insertion device to the tray. The tray can be free of a first wall portion for permitting the proximal end of an implantable device to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device for coupling to the implant insertion device and can be free of a second wall portion for permitting a tool to axially align with the end of the implant insertion device so as to threadedly couple the implant insertion device to the implantable device. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing operation of a combined cycle power plant which combines the use of both gas and steam turbines in a single power generating plant. In one embodiment there is provided a closed-loop hybrid neural network-first principles optimizer for optimally allocating fuel across power generation plant blocks and sub systems to minimize fuel costs while meeting capacity and ramp-rate commitments. Embodiments of the methods and apparatus include a steady state plant optimization model and a dynamic plant optimization model.

Abstract: A portable container lift or weighing system includes lifting units, each including a hydraulic linear actuator and a mounting arrangement for mounting the actuator to a shipping container. The system includes a number of portable components that can be handled by a single worker. The system may provide a means for weighing the container.

Abstract: Ice for use in a beverage, wherein the ice comprises a core, an active zone, an external surface, and caffeine. The ice particle has a depth from each point of the external surface extending perpendicularly inwards. It also has a total particle mass. The caffeine in the ice particle has a total caffeine mass, and the ice particle has an ice caffeine concentration equal to the total caffeine mass divided by the total particle mass. The active zone includes at least 40% of the total caffeine mass and local caffeine concentrations of at least 150% of the ice caffeine concentration. At least 67% of the total caffeine mass is contained within a caffeine depth in millimeters from the external surface no greater than 1.06 times the cube root of the total particle mass in grams. The core has local caffeine concentrations of less than 150% of the ice caffeine concentration.

Abstract: A double pipe configuration for an HVAC system comprising an outer pipe, where the outer pipe is a hot gas exhaust pipe; an inner pipe positioned within the outer pipe, where the inner pipe is a cold air intake pipe, and where the cold air of the inner pipe is warmed by the hot exhaust of the outer pipe; and a plurality of radial fins to support the inner pipe within the outer pipe, where the radial fins redirect the heat within the outer pipe to warm the cold air within the inner pipe. The double pipe configuration may also be configured with a 90 degree elbow structure or a 45 degree bend structure to allow for the pipe to be positioned around objects.

Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.

Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.

Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.

Abstract: A fuel additive system can include a fuel additive and a container for the fuel additive, the container including a neck through which the fuel additive is flowed, the neck having a length and a dimension lateral to the length, whereby, in response to insertion of the container into a fuel receptacle, the neck disengages a lock which secures a closure of the fuel receptacle. A method of discharging a fuel additive into a fuel receptacle can include containing the fuel additive in a container having a neck through which the fuel additive can flow, inserting the container into the fuel receptacle, whereby the neck disengages a lock which secures a closure of the fuel receptacle, and discharging the fuel additive from the container into the fuel receptacle via the neck.

Abstract: Personnel activity at a construction site is tracked using electronic circuitry included in hard hats worn by personnel at the site. According to one embodiment, activity at a construction site is monitored by processing personal information directly or indirectly received from electronic circuitry formed as part of one or more hard hats worn by personnel located at the construction site. The personal information is uniquely associated with individual ones of the personnel. One or more messages are generated based on the personal information received from the electronic circuitry and personnel location. For example, the messages may warn particular personnel that they have entered an unauthorized area at the construction site. Optionally, personnel activity may be periodically monitored and reported.

Abstract: A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers.

Abstract: Personnel activity at a construction site is tracked using electronic circuitry included in hard hats worn by personnel at the site. According to one embodiment, activity at a construction site is monitored by processing personal information directly or indirectly received from electronic circuitry formed as part of one or more hard hats worn by personnel located at the construction site. The personal information is uniquely associated with individual ones of the personnel. One or more messages are generated based on the personal information received from the electronic circuitry and personnel location. For example, the messages may warn particular personnel that they have entered an unauthorized area at the construction site. Optionally, personnel activity may be periodically monitored and reported.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted and to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.