Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: Embodiments of secondary batteries having electrode assemblies are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an electrode assembly having a stacked series of layers, the stacked series of layers having an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell member of the stacked series. A set of constraints can be provided with a primary constraint system with first and second primary growth constraints separated from each other in a longitudinal direction, and connected by at least one primary connecting member, and a secondary constraint system comprises first and second secondary growth constraints separated in a second direction and connected by members of the stacked series of layers. The primary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction, and the secondary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth in the second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds that may be useful as inhibitors of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase-4 (MAP4K4). The invention also relates to the use these compounds, for example in a method of treatment of cardiac conditions.

Abstract: Secondary batteries and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell. Secondary batteries can be prepared by removing a population of negative electrode subunits from a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet comprising a negative electrode sheet edge margin and at least one negative electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the negative electrode sheet edge margin, removing a population of separator layer subunits from a separator sheet, and removing a population of positive electrode subunits from a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode sheet comprising a positive electrode edge margin and at least one positive electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the positive electrode sheet edge margin, and stacking members of the negative electrode subunit population, the separator layer subunit population and the positive electrode subunit population.

Abstract: Embodiments of secondary batteries having electrode assemblies are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an electrode assembly having a stacked series of layers, the stacked series of layers having an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell member of the stacked series. A set of constraints can be provided with a primary constraint system with first and second primary growth constraints separated from each other in a longitudinal direction, and connected by at least one primary connecting member, and a secondary constraint system comprises first and second secondary growth constraints separated in a second direction and connected by members of the stacked series of layers. The primary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction, and the secondary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth in the second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: One example method for robotic surgery using multi-user authentication without credentials includes receiving, by a robotic surgical device, a case code associated with a medical procedure; validating the case code; determining one or more users associated with the case code; and providing access to the one or more users to the robotic surgical device to enable a robotic surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating locally advanced (Stage III), unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an antibody that inhibits PD-1/PD-L1 activity concurrently with chemoradiation therapy (cCRT).

Abstract: A valve with a valve upper plate defining an inlet, a valve body defining an outlet, and a fluid passage. A closure member is disposed in the fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet and has a convex sealing surface and is rotatable between a closed position in which the closure member extends across the fluid passage with the convex sealing surface oriented towards the inlet and an open position in which fluid is able to flow through the fluid passage from the inlet to the outlet. A resilient sealing ring, when the closure member is in the closed position, is moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface and a second configuration in which the valve comprises a circumferential gap between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring.

Abstract: A modular system for manufacturing includes a modular housing, at least one manufacturing platform disposed within the modular housing for direct digital manufacturing of an item, and a modular grid for power and network connections positioned along a plurality of interior walls of the modular housing.

Abstract: A protective padding section includes an upper layer, an opposing lower layer and a repeating array of cushioning regions disposed between, and continuously bonded to, the upper layer and the lower layer. Each cushioning region has a same first cushion thickness. A repeating array of apertures is disposed between the cushioning regions and each aperture extends through the padding section. The padding section has a first thickness and a first width and upon application of a force, the padding section expands in width from the first width to a second width greater than the first width and when the application of force is removed, the width of the padding section contracts to the first width.

Abstract: A valve with a valve upper plate defining an inlet, a valve body defining an outlet, and a fluid passage. A closure member is disposed in the fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet and has a convex sealing surface and is rotatable between a closed position in which the closure member extends across the fluid passage with the convex sealing surface oriented towards the inlet and an open position in which fluid is able to flow through the fluid passage from the inlet to the outlet. A resilient sealing ring, when the closure member is in the closed position, is moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface and a second configuration in which the valve comprises a circumferential gap between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of an object includes directing laser energy from a laser to a region for material deposition, extruding material using an extruder at the region of material deposition, sensing temperature within the region of the material deposition, and electronically controlling the laser energy using the temperature so as to sufficiently heat the region for material deposition prior to extruding the material to increase strength of the object.

Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing of an object may include directing laser energy from a laser to a region for material deposition, extruding material using an extruder at the region of material deposition, sensing temperature within the region of the material deposition, and electronically controlling the laser energy using the temperature so as to sufficiently heat the region for material deposition prior to extruding the material to increase strength of the object. The method may include hardening or freezing extruded material through cooling in real-time.

Abstract: A protective padding section includes an upper layer, an opposing lower layer and a repeating array of cushioning regions disposed between, and continuously bonded to, the upper layer and the lower layer. Each cushioning region has a same first cushion thickness. A repeating array of apertures is disposed between the cushioning regions and each aperture extends through the padding section. The padding section has a first thickness and a first width and upon application of a force, the padding section expands in width from the first width to a second width greater than the first width and when the application of force is removed, the width of the padding section contracts to the first width.

Abstract: One example method for robotic surgery using multi-user authentication without credentials includes receiving, by a robotic surgical device, a case code associated with a medical procedure; validating the case code; determining one or more users associated with the case code; and providing access to the one or more users to the robotic surgical device to enable a robotic surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in 3D fabrication includes a heat sink, a melt tube extending through the heat sink, the melt tube having a first end and an opposite second end and adapted for melting filament or other material as the material is conveyed from the first end to the second end, a pen tip having an opening therein for ejecting melted material, the pen tip at the second end of the melt tube, and a pen tip holder for securely holding the pen tip during printing, the pen tip holder having a heater element associated therewith.

Abstract: Probe systems and methods for automatically maintaining alignment between a probe and a device under test (DUT) during a temperature change. The methods include collecting an initial image of a planar offset fiducial and determining an initial height reference of a height offset fiducial. The methods further include changing a temperature of the DUT, automatically maintaining a planar alignment between a probe and the DUT during the changing, and automatically maintaining a height alignment between the probe and the BUT during the changing. The probe systems include a chuck, which defines a support surface configured to support a substrate that includes the DUT, and a probe head assembly, which includes a probe configured to contact a corresponding contact pad of the DUT. The probe systems further include a substrate thermal module, which is configured to regulate a temperature of the DUT, and a controller programmed to execute the methods.

Abstract: Container systems for manipulating growth of a plant or a portion thereof in a controlled environment are provided. The growth of the plant can be controlled for ornamental benefit, commercial benefit or both. The container system may comprise separable modular sections, thereby allowing control over the growth of different parts of the plant. The separate modular sections may be assembled together to control the growth of the entire plant.

Abstract: A reflector assembly includes a monolithic and adaptive reflector having a single and continuous reflecting surface and a focusing shape. The reflector assembly further includes a plurality of trusses for supporting the monolithic and adaptive reflector and a plurality of actuators, each of the plurality of actuators operatively connected to one of the plurality of trusses. Actuation of each of the plurality of actuators exerts a force which flexes at least a portion of the continuous reflecting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid frame or girder system, a first computer controlled motion system associated with the rigid frame or girder system and configured to move in coordinated positions, a second computer controlled motion system associated with a part to be worked on and configured to move in coordinated positions, and a plurality of sensors associated with the first motion system and the second motion system. The first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system use information from the plurality of sensors to assist in coordination between the first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system.