Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue marking devices and methods that enables marking a target tissue more than 24 hours prior to surgery. The tissue marking device includes a hook assembly having a compressed configuration and a deployed configuration and a handle assembly for positioning the hook assembly in a targeted tissue. The hook assembly may include a hook body comprising at least two hooks and a thread connected to the hook body. The handle assembly may include a handle body, a needle having a lumen, and a stylet having a lumen.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a gap in a slot die for producing a polymeric web. The system includes a slot die that has a polymer reservoir that extends between a polymer inlet and a melt outlet. The melt outlet has a first edge and a second edge that each extend longitudinally along the melt outlet. The second edge is opposite the first edge. A plurality of actuators move the second edge along a plurality of positions along a length of the second edge. The first edge is spaced apart from the second edge by a gap that has an adjustable profile. A pressure sensor communicates with the reservoir and measures the pressure of the polymer in the reservoir. A control unit with an algorithm correlates the profile of the gap to the pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm is configured to generate control signals to cause the profile of the gap to be uniform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue marking devices and methods that enables marking a target tissue more than 24 hours prior to surgery. The tissue marking device includes a hook assembly having a compressed configuration and a deployed configuration and a handle assembly for positioning the hook assembly in a targeted tissue. The hook assembly may include a hook body comprising at least two hooks and a thread connected to the hook body. The handle assembly may include a handle body, a needle having a lumen, and a stylet having a lumen.

Abstract: A system for controlling parameters of polymeric film includes an extruder and a die which has a gap. A plurality of regulators are positioned along the die for regulating the gap. A cooling cylinder is located downstream of the die and a polymeric melt extends from the die to the cooling cylinder. An applicator device for creating a tracking lane in the polymeric melt is located proximate the gap. A sensor system is located downstream from the gap in a measuring location. The sensor system locates a transverse point for the respective tracking lane in the polymeric film at the measuring location. The sensor system is in communication with the regulators to adjust the gap based on a correlation of tracking lane position at origin point and transverse point at the measuring location.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a gap in a slot die for producing a polymeric web. The system includes a slot die that has a polymer reservoir that extends between a polymer inlet and a melt outlet. The melt outlet has a first edge and a second edge that each extend longitudinally along the melt outlet. The second edge is opposite the first edge. A plurality of actuators move the second edge along a plurality of positions along a length of the second edge. The first edge is spaced apart from the second edge by a gap that has an adjustable profile. A pressure sensor communicates with the reservoir and measures the pressure of the polymer in the reservoir. A control unit with an algorithm correlates the profile of the gap to the pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm is configured to generate control signals to cause the profile of the gap to be uniform.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering member and an adjustment assembly. The steering member has a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the second side and disposed opposite the first side, and a fourth side adjacent the third side and disposed opposite the second side. The adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member. The first adjustment member is arranged to apply a first biasing force to the first side and a second biasing force to the second side. The second adjustment member is arranged to engage the third side and the fourth side.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering member and an adjustment assembly. The steering member has a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the second side and disposed opposite the first side, and a fourth side adjacent the third side and disposed opposite the second side. The adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member. The first adjustment member is arranged to apply a first biasing force to the first side and a second biasing force to the second side. The second adjustment member is arranged to engage the third side and the fourth side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle steering device, comprising, a pancake harmonic drive with an external wave generator surrounding a flex spline that is in mesh with both a tooth matched spline and a dynamic spline, a rotatable input shaft in operable communication with the harmonic drive, a rotatable output shaft in operable communication with the harmonic drive, and a motor in operable communication with the wave generator, and the gear ratio of the input shaft to the output shaft is altered by rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A steering system with reduced coupling between a position overlay unit and a torque overlay unit may include a remote valve assembly for controlling a hydraulic assist force or an electric motor for providing torque overlay and electric assist to a rack of a rack and pinion steering system. In one embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the assist force and the torque overlay unit may provide a motor command signal to the motor of a differential positioned on a steering shaft. In another embodiment, the position overlay unit may provide the motor command signal and the torque overlay unit may provide the assist force. In either embodiment, the position overlay unit may include variable ratio gain that uses a position signal to output a variable ratio command.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a steering system including: a differential transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft; a rotary input device attached to the input shaft; a movable steering effector in operable communication with the output shaft; an angular-to-linear converter which converts a rotative motion of the output shaft to a linear motion that acts to move the steering effector, wherein the motion of the steering effector enables path alteration of a vehicle; and, an electromotive actuator, in operable communication with the differential transmission, wherein an activated electromotive actuator provides an active alteration of a speed change between a speed of the input shaft and a speed of the output shaft and a deactivated electromotive actuator provides a default speed change between the speed of the input shaft and the speed of the output shaft.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train.