Abstract: Provided is an improved electronic component package. The electronic component package comprises a multiplicity of electronic components wherein each electronic component comprises a first external termination and a second external termination. The electronic component package also includes a structural lead frame comprising multiple leads wherein each lead is mounted to at least one first external termination and the structural lead frame comprises at least one break away feature between adjacent leads.

Abstract: A surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, may generally comprise a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to a fastener cartridge and/or anvil by a flowable attachment portion. The flowable attachment portion may be indefinitely flowable. The flowable attachment portion may be flowable from the time that layer is installed to the fastener cartridge to the time in which the layer is implanted to patient tissue. The flowable attachment portion may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. The flowable attachment portion may comprise an adhesive laminate comprising a base layer comprising the tissue thickness compensator and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a surface of the base layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive. Articles of manufacture comprising flowable attachment portion and methods of making and using the flowable attachment portion are also described.

Abstract: Passive prosthetic devices for focally cooling a brain and methods for inhibiting seizures are disclosed. The prosthetic devices replace a thermally insulating bone flap with a thermally conductive insert having an inner surface that contacts the relatively warm meninges or brain and an outer surface that contacts the relatively cool scalp. In an embodiment, the prosthesis is unitary; in another, a biocompatible casing is filled with a highly conductive core; in another, a filled polymer block is attached to a plate; and in another, the bone flap is filled with a conductive polymer. In one embodiment, a filled polymer containing elements that exhibit the magnetocaloric effect provide heat transfer that can be enhanced by application of a suitable magnetic field. Focal cooling as low as 1.2° C. has been found effective at inhibiting seizures.

Abstract: A testing rig and method of testing a bearing with the rig, wherein the rig includes a bearing housing, wherein said bearing housing includes an opening and a drive shaft extending into said opening, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable around a bearing axis. The testing rig also includes a vertical actuator mounted on the bearing housing for applying a vertical load to the bearing housing and a horizontal actuator mounted on the bearing housing for applying a horizontal load to the bearing housing. In addition, the testing rig includes a first misalignment actuator coupled to the first actuator for applying a first misalignment load to the bearing housing and a second misalignment actuator coupled to the bearing housing for applying a second misalignment load to the bearing housing.

Abstract: A testing rig and method of testing a bearing with the rig, wherein the rig includes a bearing housing, wherein said bearing housing includes an opening and a drive shaft extending into said opening, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable around a bearing axis. The testing rig also includes a vertical actuator mounted on the bearing housing for applying a vertical load to the bearing housing and a horizontal actuator mounted on the bearing housing for applying a horizontal load to the bearing housing. In addition, the testing rig includes a first misalignment actuator coupled to the first actuator for applying a first misalignment load to the bearing housing and a second misalignment actuator coupled to the bearing housing for applying a second misalignment load to the bearing housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermally conductive grafts and methods of passively cooling a hyperthermic region and preventing epilepsy, neural inflammation, and other neurological abnormalities using a thermally conductive graft including a thermally conductive matrix disposed between two opposed surfaces.

Abstract: Passive prosthetic devices for focally cooling a brain and methods for inhibiting seizures are disclosed. The prosthetic devices replace a thermally insulating bone flap with a thermally conductive insert having an inner surface that contacts the relatively warm meninges or brain and an outer surface that contacts the relatively cool scalp. In an embodiment, the prosthesis is unitary; in another, a biocompatible casing is filled with a highly conductive core; in another, a filled polymer block is attached to a plate; and in another, the bone flap is filled with a conductive polymer. In one embodiment, a filled polymer containing elements that exhibit the magnetocaloric effect provide heat transfer that can be enhanced by application of a suitable magnetic field. Focal cooling as low as 1.2° C. has been found effective at inhibiting seizures.

Abstract: Passive prosthetic devices for focally cooling a brain and methods for inhibiting seizures are disclosed. The prosthetic devices replace a thermally insulating bone flap with a thermally conductive insert having an inner surface that contacts the relatively warm meninges or brain and an outer surface that contacts the relatively cool scalp. In an embodiment, the prosthesis is unitary; in another, a biocompatible casing is filled with a highly conductive core; in another, a filled polymer block is attached to a plate; and in another, the bone flap is filled with a conductive polymer. In one embodiment, a filled polymer containing elements that exhibit the magnetocaloric effect provide heat transfer that can be enhanced by application of a suitable magnetic field. Focal cooling as low as 1.2° C. has been found effective at inhibiting seizures.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus for applying a one or two-part adhesive to a substrate includes a wand with a plurality of openings through which the adhesive is dispensed. An extension is connected in fluid communication to the wand. The extension directs a flow of adhesive to the wand.

Abstract: A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.

Abstract: A student personal computer (PC) presents educational questions at break points in a video game. It receives an identifier of a student. It receives a selection by the student of one of a plurality of video games, each of the video games including break points. It correlates the identifier of the student to a corresponding set of educational questions from a plurality of sets of educational questions. It begins execution of the video game. It, responsive to occurrence of a break point, interrupts the execution of the video game and render to the student playing the video game a question of the corresponding set of educational questions. It receives from the student an answer to the educational question of the corresponding set and determines whether the answer is correct. The student PC continues execution of the video game after receiving the answer from the student.

Abstract: A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.

Abstract: A particulate matter generator implemented as a “mini-burner”, and used in conjunction with a larger test system for the specific purpose of enhancing the particulate matter content of exhaust gas. The exhaust stream of the larger system is supplemented with exhaust from the mini-burner to produce exhaust with desired particulate matter characteristics. The exhaust gas may then be used for various test purposes, such as testing emissions control devices.

Abstract: A device for cooling the central nervous system (e.g., the brain) is disclosed that is specifically designed to provide cooling of an injured central nervous system for neuroprotective, antiepileptogenic, and/or antiepileptic treatments. In one embodiment, a portion of the cooling device is placed in a recess formed by removal of a portion of a patient's skull. An embedded heat-collecting portion of the cooling device is formed to fit in the location of the formed recess and a thermally conductive material of the heat-collecting portion is placed adjacent the dura mater to provide the desired degree of cooling. A heat-dissipating external plate is in thermal contact with the internal plate, and can be selectively sized according to a specific purpose.

Abstract: Passive prosthetic devices for focally cooling a brain and methods for inhibiting seizures are disclosed. The prosthetic devices replace a thermally insulating bone flap with a thermally conductive insert having an inner surface that contacts the relatively warm meninges or brain and an outer surface that contacts the relatively cool scalp. In an embodiment, the prosthesis is unitary; in another, a biocompatible casing is filled with a highly conductive core; in another, a filled polymer block is attached to a plate; and in another, the bone flap is filled with a conductive polymer. In one embodiment, a filled polymer containing elements that exhibit the magnetocaloric effect provide heat transfer that can be enhanced by application of a suitable magnetic field. Focal cooling as low as 1.2° C. has been found effective at inhibiting seizures.

Abstract: A particulate matter generator implemented as a “mini-burner”, and used in conjunction with a larger test system for the specific purpose of enhancing the particulate matter content of exhaust gas. The exhaust stream of the larger system is supplemented with exhaust from the mini-burner to produce exhaust with desired particulate matter characteristics. The exhaust gas may then be used for various test purposes, such as testing emissions control devices.

Abstract: A student personal computer (PC) presents educational questions at break points in a video game. It receives an identifier of a student. It receives a selection by the student of one of a plurality of video games, each of the video games including break points. It correlates the identifier of the student to a corresponding set of educational questions from a plurality of sets of educational questions. It begins execution of the video game. It, responsive to occurrence of a break point, interrupts the execution of the video game and render to the student playing the video game a question of the corresponding set of educational questions. It receives from the student an answer to the educational question of the corresponding set and determine whether the answer is correct. The student PC continues execution of the video game after receiving the answer from the student.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for secure access to data a VPN. Parameters for connecting to the VPN are established by a VPN manager connected to a local network and a user connected to a remote network, wherein an automatic VPN identification number is generated based on the parameters. A remote IP address is installed on an automatic VPN device of the user. The automatic VPN identification number is tied to an access list; and, the access list is attached to the automatic VPN device of the user. A request to access the VPN is received from the user. Access to the VPN is provided through a secure encryption tunnel if the request includes the automatic VPN identification number. The secure encryption tunnel provides automatic access to multiple sites within the VPN without the user having to re-enter the automatic VPN identification number.

Abstract: RFID data can be received by a RFID data mediation service operating upon a RFID network data server. The received RFID data can be categorized based upon contents of at least one of a data store containing previously categorized RFID data and at least one categorization parameter associated with a data processing software application registered with the RFID data mediation service. The categorized RFID data can be stored in said data store. At least one record of categorized RFID data can be provided to a corresponding registered data processing software application. In one embodiment, the RFID network data server can provide software services to different entities for a fee, where each of the software services permits a software system of the different entities to react events triggered by the received RFID data in accordance with entity specific configurations established for the RFID network data service.