Abstract: A system for acquiring electrocardiograph (ECG) and bioimpedance (BI) data is disclosed. The system (an ECG/BI measurement system) can use as few as one or two pairs of electrodes, permitting wearable devices employing the ECG/BI measurement system to be made into smaller, more comfortable, and more inconspicuous formats, as well as decreasing potential failure points in the measurement of electrical signals conducted between the system and the user. The system can measure both ECG and BI data using at least one shared pair of electrodes. In some cases, ECG and BI data are separately extracted from a measured signal across a shared pair of electrodes, while another pair of electrodes is being driven with a supply current. In other cases, internal switching can automatically switch a pair of electrodes between ECG-measuring circuitry and BI-measuring circuitry, such as based on a clock signal or other trigger.

Abstract: A wastegate assembly for controlling flow of exhaust gas includes a valve element having a valve body and a valve shaft. The wastegate assembly further includes a spindle having a head defining an opening and including a flat surface. The wastegate assembly further includes a washer coupled to the valve shaft and spaced from the spindle for securing the spindle to the valve shaft. The washer defines a bottom washer surface facing the flat surface of the spindle head, with the bottom washer surface including a flat region and a beveled region. A biasing member is disposed between the flat surface of the spindle and the flat and beveled regions of the washer. The beveled region extends oblique relative to the flat region for minimizing contact between the washer and the biasing member beyond the flat region.

Abstract: A multi-sensor auscultation device is disclosed that can be applied to or worn by a user to monitor multiple physiological systems of the user. The multi-sensor auscultation device can make use of two or more acoustic sensors, such as accelerometer contact microphones (ACMs), to collect acoustic data from multiple locations on the user's body. The multi-sensor auscultation device can include electrodes for detecting cardiac electrical activity and/or assessing the user's bioimpedance. The multi-sensor auscultation device can provide useful data associated with the user's cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and/or electrical characteristics. The multi-sensor auscultation device can be in the form of a reusable electronics module couplable to a disposable patch adhesive.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a distractor in a joint replacement procedure is provided. The method includes releasably engaging a datum to a datum securement of the distractor and gripping a handle of the distractor in an insertion position. The handle includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion. The method includes disposing a paddle of a tissue engaging portion of the distractor against a tissue surface and adjusting the handle from the insertion position to the distraction position to thereby independently move the paddle with respect to both the second handle portion and the first handle portion such that the paddle remains at a generally constant angle against the tissue surface as the tissue surface is distracted. The paddle is attached directly and exclusively to a distal tip of the second handle portion such that the paddle pivots about an axis transverse to a length of the handle.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to blood-brain barrier-like tissues that comprise engineered E40RF1+ endothelial cells, and to various compositions and methods useful for making and using such blood-brain barrier-like tissues—both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: A multi-sensor smart patch is disclosed that can be worn by a user to monitor multiple physiological systems of the user. The multi-sensor smart patch can make use of two or more acoustic sensors, such as accelerometer contact microphones (ACMs), to collect acoustic data from multiple locations on the user's body. The multi-sensor smart patch can include electrodes for detecting the heart's electrical activity and/or assessing the user's bioimpedance. The multi-sensor smart patch can provide useful data associated with the user's cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and electrical characteristics. The multi-sensor smart patch can be in the form of a reusable electronics module couplable to a disposable patch adhesive.

Abstract: A glucose monitoring system can make use of electrocardiograph (ECG) data and bioimpedance data acquired from a wearable device. The ECG data and bioimpedance data can each be processed to obtain a glucose level. These values can be processed together to obtain an adapted glucose value. In some cases, photoplethysmography data can also be used to assist in processing of the ECG data. The various types of data can be acquired from sensors on a wearable device. The wearable device can be removably coupled to a user's skin, such as via an adhesive substrate. In some cases, the wearable device can include a reusable electronics module that couples to replaceable electrodes on a replaceable adhesive substrate.

Abstract: A system for acquiring electrocardiograph (ECG) and bioimpedance (BI) data is disclosed. The system (an ECG/BI measurement system) can use as few as one or two pairs of electrodes, permitting wearable devices employing the ECG/BI measurement system to be made into smaller, more comfortable, and more inconspicuous formats, as well as decreasing potential failure points in the measurement of electrical signals conducted between the system and the user. The system can measure both ECG and BI data using at least one shared pair of electrodes. In some cases, ECG and BI data are separately extracted from a measured signal across a shared pair of electrodes, while another pair of electrodes is being driven with a supply current. In other cases, internal switching can automatically switch a pair of electrodes between ECG-measuring circuitry and BI-measuring circuitry, such as based on a clock signal or other trigger.

Abstract: A dual volute turbocharger for use with an internal combustion engine includes a valve for controlling exhaust gas flow to a turbine housing interior of the dual volute turbocharger. The dual volute turbocharger also includes a first volute and a second volute each adapted for fluid communication with the internal combustion engine. The dual volute turbocharger further includes a wall separating the first and second volutes and a valve seat. The valve seat and the wall collectively define a valve cavity. The valve is movable between a closed position and an open position. The valve and the wall of the turbine housing collectively define a first cross-sectional flow area. The valve and the valve seat collectively define a second cross-sectional flow area. A method of controlling the valve of the dual volute turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a dual volute turbocharger and a controller. The dual volute turbocharger includes a turbine housing. The turbine housing includes a wall, a valve seat, and an interior surface defining a turbine housing interior, a first volute, a second volute, and a turbine housing outlet. The dual volute turbocharger also includes at least one valve member engageable with at least one of the valve seat and the wall of the turbine housing. The at least one valve member and the wall of the turbine housing collectively define a first cross-sectional flow area. The at least one valve member and the valve seat of the turbine housing collectively define a second cross-sectional flow area. The controller is adapted to control the at least one valve member to have an area ratio constant operating range according to a brake-specific fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A ISOFIX guide element, having a base section, a rear side section, and two side sections connected to the base, an insertion opening, which is delimited by respective inner sides of the base section and the two side sections, a bracket opening formed between the base section and the rear side section which has notches formed in the side sections in such a way that a bracket-like fixing element can be accommodated in the notches, and that the fixing element is accessible through the insertion opening. It is provided here that at least one fastening element protruding from the base section is arranged on an outer side of the base section, wherein the fastening element has at least one oblong-hole-type fastening opening, which is connectable to a tab of a seat cushion or a seat cover of a vehicle seat.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for incremental snapshot recovery from a remote storage system. One method comprises, in response to a request to restore a snapshot from a remote storage system: obtaining, from a local storage system, a first bitmap for the first snapshot indicating differences with respect to a previous snapshot, comparing the first bitmap to an allocation bitmap of an earliest maintained snapshot to obtain a baseline bitmap representing a baseline version of the first snapshot; recovering the baseline version of the first snapshot, using the baseline bitmap, from the remote storage system. The snapshots may be stored in the remote storage system in a time order, and following the recovery of the first snapshot, a user may move forward or backward in time along a lineage of snapshots by copying only the changed blocks of bitmaps between two desired points in time.

Abstract: A tissue resection guide for use with a datum includes a base releasably engagable with the datum. The tissue resection guide has a first frame fixed relative to the base and the first frame has at least one integral first guide path that is sized and configured to at least partially capture and guide a first tissue resection tool relative to the first frame.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention relates to engineered endothelial cells, such as E40RF1+ ETV2+ engineered endothelial cells. In other aspects the present invention relates to methods of making such engineered endothelial cells, and methods of using such engineered endothelial cells, for example in co-culture applications.

Abstract: A bonding material is described that is well suited to bonding polymer films, such as polyester films, to other substrates. In one embodiment, for instance, the bonding material can be used to bond a polyester film to a polypropylene article. The bonding material generally comprises an adhesive agent combined with a cross-linking agent. The adhesive agent may comprise a carboxylic acid modified polypropylene homopolymer, copolymer or ionomer. In one embodiment, the adhesive agent comprises a polypropylene modified by an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride. The cross-linking agent, on the other hand, may comprise an oxazoline polymer.

Abstract: A wastegate assembly for controlling flow of exhaust gas includes a valve element having a valve body and a valve shaft. The wastegate assembly further includes a spindle. The wastegate assembly further includes a washer coupled to the valve shaft and spaced from the spindle for securing the spindle to the valve shaft. A plurality of cup springs is disposed between the spindle and the washer. The plurality of cup springs includes at least a first cup spring and a second cup spring, with the first cup spring supported on the spindle head and the second cup spring orientated substantially identical to the first cup spring and disposed directly on the first cup spring.

Abstract: A laminated multilayer polymer containing film (P) comprises at least one layer comprising at least one copolyamide wherein the copolyamide is prepared by polymerizing the following components: (A) 15% to 84% by weight of at least one lactam, (B) 16% to 85% by weight of a monomer mixture (M) comprising the following components: (B1) at least one C32-C40 dimer acid and (B2) at least one C4-C12 diamine, where the percentages by weight of components (A) and (B) are each based on the sum total of the percentages by weight of components (A) and (B) and wherein the laminated multilayer polymer containing film (P) comprises at least one further layer, where the at least one further layer is selected from the group consisting of (i) at least one further polymer (FP) selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, poly(ethylene-vinyl alcohols), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetates), polyethylene terephthalates, polyvinylidene chlorides, maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefins, polyesters and ionomers and (ii) aluminum metal a