Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing social media referrals based rewards to a customer. The systems and methods may provide incentives to customers of financial-service providers (“FSP”) based on their referrals to the FSP. Customer referrals may be determined for the customer by gathering data regarding referrals received from messages distributed by the customer via social media. Based on the referrals, an amount of rewards may be provided for business transactions initiated by the customer.

Abstract: A fitting includes a first and second threaded fitting component and a conduit gripping device receivable within the first threaded fitting component. A stroke resisting member is integral with the first threaded fitting component and includes a web having a first radial thickness and extending axially inward from the first threaded fitting component to a distal ring portion having a second radial thickness greater than the first radial thickness. A radially extending bearing surface of the distal ring portion axially engages a radially extending portion of the second fitting component when the first and second fitting components are joined together to the first relative axial position. The stroke resisting member resists additional axial stroke of the first and second fitting components, such that a tightening torque beyond the first relative axial position is increased by the axial engagement.

Abstract: Television tuner emulation techniques are described. In an implementation, a television tuner is emulated through execution of software on a processing system by a computing device, the emulated television tuner includes functionality to obtain television content over an Internet Protocol (IP) based network. The functionality of the emulated television tuner is exposed to one or more applications that are executed by the computing device such that the application is not aware that the television tuner is emulated through execution of the software.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A drive system includes: a remote drive configured for being driven by an electrical motor; and an actuator spaced apart from and fluidically coupled with the remote drive and configured for being fluidically powered by the remote drive.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical system includes a combined laser imaging robotic surgical tool, a control console, and a laser generator/controller. The tool is mounted to a first robotic arm of a patient side cart. The tool has a wristed joint and an end effector coupled together. The end effector has a laser-emitting device to direct a laser beam onto tissue in a surgical site and an image-capturing device to capture images of the tissue in the surgical site. The control console, in communication with the tool, receives the captured images of tissue in the surgical site and displays the captured images on a display device to a user. The laser generator/controller is coupled to the tool and the control console to control the emission of the laser beam onto tissue of the surgical site.

Abstract: A watercraft includes: a watercraft body; and a pontoon frame system coupled with the watercraft body, the pontoon frame system including: a plurality of pontoons spaced apart from one another and including a forward end, a rearward end, a first outboard pontoon, and a second outboard pontoon; and a chassis coupled with and at least partially supporting the watercraft body, the chassis supported by and coupling together the plurality of pontoons, the chassis including a composite body coupled with the first outboard pontoon and the second outboard pontoon at the forward end and the rearward end.

Abstract: A watercraft includes: a watercraft body; a pontoon frame system coupled with the watercraft body, the pontoon frame system including: a plurality of pontoons spaced apart from one another; and a chassis coupled with and at least partially supporting the watercraft body, the chassis supported by and coupling together the plurality of pontoons, the chassis including a cross-hatched assembly.

Abstract: A gripper tooling includes: a gripper having a gripper body and an angular jaw; a rotor fixedly connected to the angular jaw; and a tooling member for gripping a workpiece, the tooling member including: a base pivotally connected to the rotor; a middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the middle segment; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the rotor and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the rotor for rotating relative to the base and thereby for tensioning the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment such that the tooling member can autonomously grip the workpiece as the angular jaw rotates toward the workpiece and the tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the angular jaw rotates away from workpiece.

Abstract: A wrist joint comprises first and second joint features, the first joint feature having a first end surface profile defining a central protrusion, a first outer protrusion, a second outer protrusion, a first recess, and a second recess, wherein the first recess and the second recess are on opposite sides of the central protrusion and between the first outer protrusion and the second outer protrusion, and the second joint feature having a second end surface profile defining a central recess, a first outer recess, a second outer recess, a first protrusion between the central recess and the first outer recess, and a second protrusion between the central recess and the second outer recess, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have an end surface profile different from the end surface profile of the first outer protrusion, the second outer protrusion, and the central protrusion.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument may comprise an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument may also comprise a plurality of cables extending along the longitudinal axis and a first bending section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated shaft. The first bending section may comprise links having pairs of articulation holes extending longitudinally through the links to permit the plurality of pull wires to pass therethrough. Each pair of articulation holes may comprise first and second articulation holes that are spaced apart from the longitudinal axis (i) at different radii and (ii) at a same rotation angle.

Abstract: A user-specific model of muscular activity can be used to control an external device based on muscular activity within a limb of a user. The user-specific model of muscular activity can include single movements and corresponding one or more primary muscle patterns. New single movements can be added to the user-specific model of muscular activity can be by a system that includes a processor by receiving user-specific EMG signals (including one or more EMG patterns that indicate a single movement); decomposing the user-specific EMG signals into the one or more EMG patterns in EMG feature space that indicate the single movement; and updating the user-specific model of muscular activity to include the single movement and corresponding one or more primary muscle patterns based on the one or more EMG patterns in EMG feature space.

Abstract: A wrist joint, such as for a surgical instrument, may include a first disc, a second disc adjacent the first disc, a drive tendon connecting the first disc and the second disc. The first disc and the second disc may include respective opposing gear features that intermesh with one another. The first disc and the second disc may further include opposing load bearing surfaces. In response to tensioning the drive tendon, the first and second discs rotate relative to each other. The first and second discs may have a maximum rotational range of motion greater than about +/?45 degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: A gripper tooling includes: a gripper having a gripper body and an angular jaw; a rotor fixedly connected to the angular jaw; and a tooling member for gripping a workpiece, the tooling member including: a base pivotally connected to the rotor; a middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the middle segment; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the rotor and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the rotor for rotating relative to the base and thereby for tensioning the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment such that the tooling member can autonomously grip the workpiece as the angular jaw rotates toward the workpiece and the tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the angular jaw rotates away from workpiece.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly may comprise a guide tube including a distal end and a first instrument extending within the guide tube and configured to exit the guide tube proximal of the distal end. The surgical instrument may also include an imaging instrument extending within the guide tube and configured to exit the guide tube proximal of the distal end.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A gripper tooling including a gripper, at least one slider, and at least one tooling member configured for gripping a workpiece. Each tooling member including a base slideably mounted to the at least one slider, at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base, a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment, an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one slider and a distal end attached to the distal segment, and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment. The at least one tooling member is configured for autonomously gripping the workpiece as the at least one jaw moves toward the workpiece and the at least one tooling member autonomously returns to an ungripped position as the at least one jaw moves away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a sheath disposed on an external surface of the instrument shaft. The sheath has a first section made of ePTFE and a second section made of a second material, wherein the second section provides a friction seal with the shaft, and wherein the ePTFE is gas-permeable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.