Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an adjustable element. The adjustable element includes a bladder that defines an interior void. A compressible component that is disposed within the interior void and is operable between an expanded state and a contracted state. The adjustable element also includes a lock strip including a first end anchored at a first location within the bladder and a second end disposed at an opposite end of the lock strip than the first end. A lock receives the lock strip and is operable between a locked state restricting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder and an unlocked state permitting movement of the lock strip relative to the bladder.

Abstract: Content is organized for brands by selecting a plurality of brand templates. After each selection, a set of properties is generated by applying a portion of settings of the respective brand template, with the remaining settings being overridden with settings for a channel communicating one of a plurality of presentations to a node of a network involved in the communication. The plurality of presentations may include different renditions of the same content. The properties may include sections configured for different focus areas and/or types of content associated with at tags to enable brand-level-targeting. Filters may be identified in the properties. Based on each of the identifications, a property from among the generated sets of properties may be selected based on comparisons with the associated tags.

Abstract: An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. An idler assembly is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and a differential. The idler assembly includes a first gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a first gear ratio and a second gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a second gear ratio.

Abstract: A renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a home renal therapy machine that stores, to a log file, dates of when renal therapies were performed and a type of each renal therapy that was performed. The system also includes a server that receives the log file from the home renal therapy machine. The server compares the dates and types of performed renal therapies stored in the log file to a device program that specifies dates for performing renal therapies and the types of renal therapies to be performed. The server displays a flag in a user interface of a clinician computer when there is a deviation from the comparison.

Abstract: A litter lift system includes a winch and a lifting strap. The winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable due to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to interface with a frame of a litter at first lifting segment and second lifting segment distal ends, wherein a coupling is attached to the first lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

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 mobile device is capable of being carried by a user and directed at a target object. The mobile device may implement a system to dimension the target object. The system, by way of the mobile device, may image the target object to and receive a 3D image stream, including one or more frames. Each frame may include a plurality of points, where each point has an associated depth value. Based on the depth value of the plurality of points, the system, by way of the mobile device, may determine one or more dimensions of the target object.

Abstract: A modular ruggedized protective case for a mobile communications device is disclosed. In embodiments, the protective case includes a flexible (e.g., rubberized) primary housing partially enclosing the mobile device and itself partially surrounded or enclosed by a rigid secondary housing. The secondary housing includes port protectors for concealing or shielding connector ports (e.g., USB, HDMI, AC, other like power/data inputs) of the mobile device. The protective case includes an adapter for a type cover keyboard, e.g., capable of partially covering the display surface of the mobile device when closed and serving as a keyboard or other input device when opened; the type cover adapter attached to a connection port and provides for transmission of control input from the type cover to the mobile device when the mobile device is enclosed in the protective case.

Abstract: A modular ruggedized protective case for a mobile communications device is disclosed. In embodiments, the protective case includes a flexible (e.g., rubberized) primary housing partially enclosing the mobile device and itself partially surrounded or enclosed by a rigid secondary housing. The secondary housing includes port protectors for concealing or shielding connector ports (e.g., USB, HDMI, AC, other like power/data inputs) of the mobile device. The protective case includes an adapter for a type cover keyboard, e.g., capable of partially covering the display surface of the mobile device when closed and serving as a keyboard or other input device when opened; the type cover adapter attached to a connection port and provides for transmission of control input from the type cover to the mobile device when the mobile device is enclosed in the protective case.

Abstract: A modular ruggedized protective case for a mobile communications device is disclosed. In embodiments, the protective case includes a flexible (e.g., rubberized) primary housing partially enclosing the mobile device and itself partially surrounded or enclosed by a rigid secondary housing. The secondary housing includes port protectors for concealing or shielding connector ports (e.g., USB, HDMI, AC, other like power/data inputs) of the mobile device. The protective case includes an adapter for a type cover keyboard, e.g., capable of partially covering the display surface of the mobile device when closed and serving as a keyboard or other input device when opened; the type cover adapter attached to a connection port and provides for transmission of control input from the type cover to the mobile device when the mobile device is enclosed in the protective case.

Abstract: A wearable augmented reality (AR) device (e.g., virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) device is disclosed. The wearable device communicates with a system for volume dimensioning via two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) sensor fusion. The AR device display to the user a two-dimensional (2D) image stream of a field of view (FOV) including target objects and 3D imaging data of the FOV including point clouds of each target object within the FOV. Target objects are identified by correlating the 2D and 3D image streams and generating a holographic model of the target object overlaid on the video stream, with adjustable surface, edge, and vertex guides. Precise dimensions and unique object identifiers of the target object are determined and decoded and displayed to the user via the wearable device; the user may manipulate or adjust the display via gestures or commands detectable by the wearable device.

Abstract: A system for volume dimensioning via two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) sensor fusion, based in a tablet, phablet, or like mobile device, is disclosed. The mobile device includes a 2D imager for capturing an image stream of its field of view (FOV), the FOV including target objects. The mobile device includes a 3D imager for collecting 3D imaging data of the FOV including point clouds of each target object within the FOV. Processors of the mobile device positively identify a particular target object by correlating the 2D and 3D image streams and generating a holographic model of the target object overlaid on the video stream, with adjustable surface, edge, and vertex guides. The processors determine the precise dimensions of the target object by measuring the holographic model, and detect and decode object identifiers (2D or 3D) on the surface of the target object to acquire and supplement object data.

Abstract: An isolating connector device for connecting a mobile device to a vehicle-based network or device while protecting the mobile device from shock or impact to the vehicle includes a nearside housing and farside housing connected by a shielded cable, the farside housing engaging with the vehicle-based network via USB or cable port. The nearside housing is dockable to the mobile device via 10-pin or like docking connector. The nearside housing also includes embedded magnets and spring-loaded guide pins to removably secure the nearside housing to the mobile device or its protective case and maintaining the docking connection. The nearside housing includes LEDs or like visual indicators of charging or data links provided to the mobile device via the docking connection.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for polymer chromatography, comprising at least one column that comprises a first stationary phase comprising one of the following: A) a material comprising at least one non-carbon atom, excluding glass or a metal, selected from molybdenum sulfide MoS2, tungsten sulfide WS2, silicon carbide SiC, boron nitride BN, or combinations thereof, or B) glass, or a metal, or combinations thereof, and a material comprising at least one non-carbon atom selected from molybdenum sulfide MoS2, tungsten sulfide WS2, silicon carbide SiC, boron nitride BN, or combinations thereof. The invention also provides a method for polymer chromatography, comprising introducing a solution, comprising a polymer, into a liquid flowing through a first stationary phase, and wherein the first stationary phase comprises one of foregoing materials (A) or (B).

Abstract: A steering actuator comprises a housing having a steering cable entry port. A drive mechanism is rotatably mounted within the housing. A steering cable extends through the steering cable entry port and is actuated by the drive mechanism. A steering cable core support sleeve is disposed within the housing between the steering cable entry port and an interface between the steering cable and the drive mechanism. A cable core of the steering cable extends through the steering cable support sleeve.

Abstract: A bitumen transport composition is provided comprising bitumen, a diluent in an amount of 24 weight percent or less and an additive wherein the additive is a mono-alcohol, a mono-nitrile, an amine or mixtures thereof. Also provided is a method to make the bitumen transport composition. Also provided is a method to transport the bitumen transport composition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for chromatography of a polyolefin polymer, comprising introducing a solution of the polyolefin polymer into a liquid flowing through a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon. The invention also provides an apparatus for polyolefin polymer chromatography, comprising a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon and at least one inert filler.

Abstract: A steering actuator comprises a housing having a steering cable entry port. A drive mechanism is rotatably mounted within the housing. A steering cable extends through the steering cable entry port and is actuated by the drive mechanism. A steering cable core support sleeve is disposed within the housing between the steering cable entry port and an interface between the steering cable and the drive mechanism. A cable core of the steering cable extends through the steering cable support sleeve.