Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration system including a medium temperature refrigeration load and a low temperature refrigeration load. The method includes selectively bypassing refrigerant between a medium temperature suction group and a low temperature suction group via a bypass line using an electronic valve positioned in the bypass line. The method also includes controlling flow of refrigerant between the medium temperature suction group and the low temperature suction group via a controller communicatively coupled to the valve, and modulating the valve at any position between a closed position and a full open position to vary an amount of refrigerant flow between the medium temperature suction group and the low temperature suction group in response to determining, via the controller, one or both of a state of the medium temperature suction group and a state of the low temperature suction group.

Abstract: A liquid filling system is provided that contains a container and a nozzle, while such nozzle contains liquid flow passages that are configured to generate different liquid influxes that are directed differentially toward the bottom and the sidewall(s) of such containers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in facilitating application interface (API) interactions are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a computing device, a primary API request from a client. The primary API request includes a plurality of parameters in association with a plurality of values. The computing device identifies relationships between the parameters and a plurality of interfaces, and generates a plurality of secondary requests based on the primary API request and the identified relationships. The computing device further transmits each of the plurality of secondary requests to the plurality of interfaces and receives a plurality of secondary responses from the plurality of interfaces. The computing device then generates a primary response based on the secondary responses and transmits the primary response to the client.

Abstract: Access assemblies include an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, a seal assembly disposed adjacent to the guard assembly, and a centering mechanism for maintaining the seal assembly and guard assembly centered within a cavity of the instrument valve. The guard assembly includes a support ring and a plurality of guard sections disposed distally of the support ring.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and an elongated assembly thereof. The elongated assembly includes an outer shaft, an end effector assembly extending distally from the outer shaft and including first and second spaced-apart arms having first and second jaws disposed at respective free ends thereof, and an inner drive sleeve including a bearing assembly slidably disposed about the end effector assembly. The bearing assembly includes first and second bearing rollers positioned adjacent the first and second spaced-apart arms. Sliding of the bearing assembly from a proximal position to a distal position rolls the bearing rollers along the spaced-apart arms to urge the first and second spaced-apart arms towards one another, thereby moving the first and second jaws from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position to apply a surgical clip about tissue disposed between the first and second jaws.

Abstract: A stabilized water-dispersible latex additive useful in both freshwater-based and brine-based drilling fluids, may be formed by mixing an effective amount of a compound containing at least one pyrrolidone ring, such as, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-2-dimethylami-noethyl methacrylate), a vinylpyrrolidone-acrylic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof, with the water-dispersible latex additive before or after the water-dispersible latex additive is introduced to the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A container filling assembly that can be used with container filling systems to fill containers during successive filling cycles with the same or different fluid compositions at high rates of speed, with little to no machinery changeover, and/or with little to no fluid waste.

Abstract: A purse string suture instrument includes an end effector with first and second jaws disposed at a distal portion of an elongate tubular shaft. The first and second jaws are pivotably coupled to each other and to the elongate tubular shaft. The first and second jaws are spaced apart and define a gap therebetween. First and second pluralities of teeth extend perpendicularly from the first and second jaws respectively, and the first plurality of teeth is longitudinally offset from the second plurality of teeth. The first and second jaws are transitionable between open and approximated configurations. The approximated configuration is adapted to clamp tissue in the gap between the first and second jaws, thereby displacing sections of tissue outwardly between the first and second pluralities of teeth.

Abstract: A handle assembly of a surgical instrument includes a housing, a trigger pivotably coupled to the housing, a drive bar disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the trigger such that pivoting of the trigger translates the drive bar, and a bilateral spring disposed within the housing and operably coupled to at least one of the trigger or the drive bar. The trigger is movable relative to the housing between first, second, and third positions wherein the first position is disposed between the second and third positions. The bilateral spring includes a compression spring configured to compress upon movement of the trigger in a first direction from the first position towards the second position to establish a first bias, and to compress upon movement of the trigger in a second, opposite direction from the first position towards the third position to establish a second bias.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier includes a handle assembly, an elongated shaft, a drive shaft, a cam pin, and an end effector. The cam pin is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive shaft. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The end effector is disposed in operative engagement with the drive shaft such that longitudinal translation of the drive shaft relative to the housing of the handle assembly causes the first jaw member to move toward the second jaw member. The first jaw member includes a first cam slot configured to slidingly receive the cam pin. The first cam slot defines a first portion having a first slope and a second portion having second slope.

Abstract: An obturator includes an elongate shaft with proximal and distal portions. A button is located in the proximal portion of the elongate shaft. A cable has first and second wires and extends from the proximal portion of the elongate shaft and is attachable to a source of electrical energy. A plate is positioned in the distal portion of the elongate shaft and is coupled to the first wire. An electrode is located in the distal portion of the elongate shaft and is coupled to the second wire. An insulator is disposed in the distal portion of the elongate shaft and electrically isolates the plate from the electrode. The obturator is capable of tunneling through body tissue.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes an instrument valve housing defining a cavity, and a seal assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The seal assembly includes a flange seal member and a centering mechanism. The flange seal member includes an annular member, a flange portion extending from the annular member, and a seal portion supported by the annular member and defining an opening dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument in a sealing relation. The flange portion includes first and second arcuate portions adjustably engaging the instrument valve housing in a sealing relation. The first and second arcuate portions have a parabolic profile. The centering mechanism maintains the seal assembly centered within the cavity of the instrument valve housing.

Abstract: A method of filling containers that can be used to fill containers during successive filling cycles with the same or different fluid compositions at high rates of speed, with little to no machinery changeover, and/or with little to no fluid waste.

Abstract: A ligation clip includes first and second beams that are movable in relation to each other from an open position to a clamped position to define an opening that is dimensioned to be received about end portions of vessel portions to be joined together during an anastomosis procedure to secure the end portions to an anvil shaft and/or an anvil retainer of a circular stapling device. The use of ligation clips to perform this function obviates the need to form a purse suture in the end portions of the vessel portions during the anastomosis procedure and reduces the amount of time required to perform an anastomosis procedure.

Abstract: A three-prong grasper for laparoscopic procedures includes an elongate body having a sleeve with a distal portion, and an end effector supported on the distal portion. The end effector includes a first prong assembly with a first base member and a first prong member pivotally secured to the first base member, a second prong assembly with a second base member and a second prong member pivotally secured to the second base member, and a third prong assembly with a third base member and a third prong member pivotally secured to the third base member. The first, second, and third prong members move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A method of grasping tissue also includes pivoting first, second, and/or third prong members relative to respective first, second, and third base members to cause the grasping of tissue.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly includes a surgical access device and a cleaning cap. The surgical access device includes an elongated shaft defining an access lumen therethrough and having a distal portion terminating at a distal tip. The cleaning cap is disposed over the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The cleaning cap includes an instrument channel aligned with the access lumen and wipers disposed within the instrument channel.

Abstract: Access assemblies include an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, a seal assembly disposed adjacent to the guard assembly, and a centering mechanism for maintaining the seal assembly and guard assembly centered within a cavity of the instrument valve. The guard assembly includes a support ring and a plurality of guard sections disposed distally of the support ring. The seal assembly includes a proximal seal member, an intermediate seal assembly, and a distal seal member, the intermediate seal assembly including a plurality of seal sections in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in facilitating application interface (API) interactions are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a computing device, a primary API request from a client. The primary API request includes a plurality of parameters in association with a plurality of values. The computing device generates a plurality of secondary requests based on a configuration file and the primary API request. The configuration file defines a relationship between the parameters included in the primary request and parameters associated with a plurality of resource interfaces. The computing device transmits each of the plurality of secondary requests to the plurality of resource interfaces and receives a plurality of secondary responses from the plurality of resource interfaces. The computing device then generates a primary response based on the configuration file and the secondary responses and transmits the primary response to the client.