Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A system and method used to deliver a valve delivery system carrying a valve to a target valve annulus in the heart includes a cable percutaneously introduced into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, transseptally through the heart, to a femoral artery. The valve delivery system device is passed over an end of the cable at the arterial side and is secured to the cable. The valve delivery system device is pushed in a distal direction while the venous end of the cable is pulled in the proximal direction, to advance the valve delivery system to the target valve annulus. A left ventricle redirector positionable on the cable from the venous end has a distal end actively steered during advancement and positioning of the valve delivery device, exerting forces that steer the distal nose of the valve delivery device as it moves towards the valve annulus.

Abstract: A calibrator having an enhanced user interface (UI) is provided. The calibrator outputs, over an output terminal of the calibrator, an electrical signal. The calibrator presents, on a display of the calibrator, a graphical indication associated with an electrical quantity of the electrical signal. The calibrator or a controller thereof synchronizes a color of the graphical indication with a color emitted by a light indicator associated with the output terminal. The calibrator presents, together with the graphical indication, a signal property GUI element that is selectable and representative of a signal property associated with the electrical signal. In response to user selection of the signal property GUI element, the calibrator displays an editable GUI element permitting user modification of the signal property and the calibrator modifies the electrical signal according to user input.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a user in 3D space is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises utilizing range measurements from one or more GPS satellite vehicles, angular information of a camera located at the user position, and a camera image associated with one or more known markers. The method further comprises determining the angular information of the camera by determining a direction cosine matrix between a camera frame of reference and an earth frame of reference, and designating unit vectors that individually extend from a position within the camera image associated with one of the known markers through the camera focal point to the respective known marker The method also includes integrating into an ordinary least squares matrix, the GPS range measurements, the angular information of the camera, and the unit vectors, and calculating the user position by solving the ordinary least squares matrix.

Abstract: Detection systems for scanning regions are disclosed. The detection systems may be used to detect various objects that are, for example, buried in the ground or obscured by being hidden on the body of a person. The detection systems include a sensor head having a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD) coil, radar antennas, and a transceiver electrically connected to a radar. The radar includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and a receive antenna configured to sense electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor head including a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD), a radar, and a transceiver electrically connected to the radar. The radar includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and a receive antenna configured to sense electromagnetic radiation. The transceiver is enclosed in a metal housing.

Abstract: An integrated mine detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector. The integrated mine detection system includes an integrated search device housing a radio-wave transmitter of the radar detector and a coil of the metal detector. The radio-wave transmitter includes an antenna. The integrated search device includes a radio-wave receiver in the form of a pair of receiving antennas.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a geographical information system has an information database and a client computing system that is coupled to a web server. A web based application is operable to display a map that includes a particular geographical location, retrieve at least one of a plurality of data records from the metadata database, and display the at least one data record at the particular geographical location of the map for a user. The web based application is executable on the client computing system or on the web server using a web browser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a geographical information system has an information database and a client computing system that is coupled to a web server. A web based application is operable to display a map that includes a particular geographical location, retrieve at least one of a plurality of data records from the metadata database, and display the at least one data record at the particular geographical location of the map for a user. The web based application is executable on the client computing system or on the web server using a web browser.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a pump, a motor, and a center section provided with a conduit through which the pump and motor are in fluid communication and a valve. The pump, motor and center section are disposed in a housing having a plurality of walls which at least partially define a sump, the conduit being in fluid communication with the sump through the valve when the valve is open. A hydraulic disconnect mechanism is provided which includes a substantially rigid first portion, and a second portion operatively engaged with the first portion and being at least partially resilient. The valve is operably engaged with and opened by the second portion in response to the first portion being in an engaged position, and the valve is not operably engaged with the second portion when the first portion is in a disengaged position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a pump, a motor, and a center section provided with a conduit through which the pump and motor are in fluid communication and a valve. The pump, motor and center section are disposed in a housing having a plurality of walls which at least partially define a sump, the conduit being in fluid communication with the sump through the valve when the valve is open. A hydraulic disconnect mechanism is provided which includes a substantially rigid first portion, and a second portion operatively engaged with the first portion and being at least partially resilient. The valve is operably engaged with and opened by the second portion in response to the first portion being in an engaged position, and the valve is not operably engaged with the second portion when the first portion is in a disengaged position.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a housing, a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, an output shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, a first pulley and a second pulley both having a common axis of rotation, a third pulley having an axis of rotation and rotatably attached to the drive shaft, and a belt. The output shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley each have a variable pitch diameter and changes in the first and second pulley variable pitch diameters being inversely proportional. The third pulley and one of the first and the second pulleys are in engagement though the belt.

Abstract: A lawnmower including a frame, an engine having an electrical system and attached to the frame, the engine being started by a starter mechanism. A mower deck assembly having a rotating blade is connected to the frame with the blade being selectively engaged with the engine. A reversible transmission is driven by the engine and includes a shift mechanism having a forward, a neutral, and a reverse position, and at least one sensor for sensing the position of the shift mechanism. The sensor is capable of at least one of directing a signal to the mower deck assembly for operation and non-operation of the mower deck assembly and directing a signal to the starter circuit for prevention of start-up when the shift mechanism is not in the neutral position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a fluid motor and a variable displacement fluid pump in fluid communication with the motor and having a first and a second, greater, fluid displacement rate. The pump is mounted on a block having an outer surface, a passage through which fluid flows from the pump to the motor, and a first and a second fluid bleed hole extending from the passage to the outer surface. The passage and a sump external to the pump are in fluid communication through the bleed holes and the void of a sliding element disposed within a bore in the block when the pump is operating at its first rate and the sliding element is in a first position. The first bleed hole and the sump are substantially out of fluid communication when the pump is operating at its second rate and the sliding element is in a second position.

Abstract: A lawn mower including a frame, an engine having an electrical system and attached to the frame, a mower deck assembly connected to the frame and having a rotating blade selectively engaged with the engine, a reversible transmission driven by the engine and having a shift mechanism having forward and reverse positions, a switch in electrical communication with the electrical system and mower deck assembly, and a solenoid attached to the transmission, in electrical communication with the switch, and having a plunger. The plunger has an extended position when the switch is in its first position and the blade engages the engine, wherein the plunger blocks movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position, and a retracted position when the switch is in its second position and the blade disengages the engine, wherein the plunger does not block movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position.

Abstract: A transaxle for a small utility vehicle or implement, including a casing, at least one rotatable shaft disposed in and extending from the casing, at least one brake disc rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, and at least one braking mechanism with at least a portion of the braking mechanism being externally mounted on the casing proximate the rotatable shaft. The braking mechanism includes at least one friction puck disposed proximate the brake disc, and a brake shaft including a cam surface having a longitudinal edge, wherein the brake shaft has an engaged position in which the longitudinal edge is in operative engagement with the friction puck and the friction puck is in pressing engagement with the brake disc and a disengaged position in which the longitudinal edge is out of operative engagement with the friction puck.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a housing, a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, an output shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, a first pulley and a second pulley both having a common axis of rotation, a third pulley having an axis of rotation and rotatably attached to the drive shaft, and a belt. The output shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley each have a variable pitch diameter and changes in the first and second pulley variable pitch diameters being inversely proportional. The third pulley and one of the first and the second pulleys are in engagement though the belt.

Abstract: A lawn mower including a frame, an engine having an electrical system and attached to the frame, a mower deck assembly connected to the frame and having a rotating blade selectively engaged with the engine, a reversible transmission driven by the engine and having a shift mechanism having forward and reverse positions, a switch in electrical communication with the electrical system and mower deck assembly, and a solenoid attached to the transmission, in electrical communication with the switch, and having a plunger. The plunger has an extended position when the switch is in its first position and the blade engages the engine, wherein the plunger blocks movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position, and a retracted position when the switch is in its second position and the blade disengages the engine, wherein the plunger does not block movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a fluid motor and a variable displacement fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid motor and having a first and a second, much greater, fluid displacement rate. The pump is mounted on a block having a cylindrical surface, a passage through which fluid flows from the pump to the motor, and a fluid bleed hole extending from the passage to the cylindrical surface. The passage and a sump external to the pump are in fluid communication through the bleed hole and the void of an annular element disposed about and in sliding contact with the cylindrical surface when the pump is operating at its first rate and the annular element is in a first position. The bleed hole and the sump are substantially out of fluid communication when the pump is operating at its second rate and the annular element is in a second position.

Abstract: A walk-behind string trimmer including a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a rotary cutter carried by the frame and selectively engaged with the engine, a pair of ground engaging wheels, a transmission mounted by the frame and engaged with the engine, and a steering mechanism. The transmission has an output shaft and the steering mechanism includes a ratchet member driven by the output shaft, wherein the ground engaging wheels are selectively drivingly coupled to the transmission through the ratchet member.