Abstract: Various cannulated bone implants and methods of using the cannulated bone implant are disclosed. The cannulated bone implant can include a proximal portion, a proximal end, a distal portion, a distal end, a transition portion, a threaded portion, a finned portion and a central passage. The transition portion can comprise a bend positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The threaded portion can be positioned along the proximal portion between the proximal end and the transition portion. The threaded portion can be configured to secure the implant into a bone of a patient. The finned portion can be positioned along the distal portion between the transition portion and the distal end. The finned portion can be configured to prevent migration and/or rotation of the implant in use. The central passage can extend linearly from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant.

Abstract: A surgical system may include tiered-access features. The surgical system may be used to analyze at least a portion of a surgical field. Based on a control parameter, the system may scale up or down various capabilities, such as visualization processing, endocutter communication, endocutter algorithm updates, smart cartridge connectivity, smart motor control for circular stapler, smart energy control, cloud analytics, hub connectivity control, and/or hub visualization and control interactions. The control parameter may include system aspects such as processing capability or bandwidth for example and/or the identification of an appropriate service tier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument for treating tissue in a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, comprising an anvil, and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument further comprises a drive train operably coupled to the end effector, a motor configured to motivate the drive train based on a default control algorithm to affect a tissue treatment motion of the end effector, and a sensor configured to monitor an independent parameter of the surgical procedure. The independent parameter is independent of the motion of the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit coupled to the motor and the sensor. The control circuit is configured to receive an input from the sensor indicative of the independent parameter, and adjust the default control algorithm based on the independent parameter.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station for charging a propulsion battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) includes a charging cabinet, an electrical cable, and a charge coupler. The charging station is operable for providing a charging voltage or current to the battery pack during a charging operation. The electrical cable has a distal end connected to the charging cabinet. The charge coupler is connected to a proximal end of the electrical cable and connects to a charge receptacle of the EV. The charge coupler includes at least one heating element connected to the charge coupler. The heating element is configured to selectively heat the charge coupler in response to the environmental state being indicative of accumulated snow or ice on the charge coupler.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station for charging a propulsion battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) includes a charging cabinet, an electrical cable, a charge coupler, and a cradle operable for stowing the charge coupler. The charging station provides a charging voltage or current to the battery pack during a charging operation of the EV. The electrical cable has a distal end connected to the charging cabinet. The charge coupler is connected to a proximal end of the electrical cable and connects to a charge receptacle of the EV. The cradle includes at least one heating element connected thereto. The heating element is configured to selectively heat the cradle body in response to the environmental state of the cradle body being indicative of accumulated snow or ice on the charge coupler and/or the cradle body.

Abstract: Various cannulated bone implants and methods of using the cannulated bone implant are disclosed. The cannulated bone implant can include a proximal portion, a proximal end, a distal portion, a distal end, a transition portion, a threaded portion, a finned portion and a central passage. The transition portion can comprise a bend positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The threaded portion can be positioned along the proximal portion between the proximal end and the transition portion. The threaded portion can be configured to secure the implant into a bone of a patient. The finned portion can be positioned along the distal portion between the transition portion and the distal end. The finned portion can be configured to prevent migration and/or rotation of the implant in use. The central passage can extend linearly from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant.

Abstract: A surgical instrument controls communication capabilities between the surgical instrument and a removeable component. The surgical instrument may determine parameters associated with the surgical instrument and the removable component. Based on the parameters, the surgical instrument determines a level or tier of communication between the surgical instrument and the removable component. The surgical instrument may determine to configure one or more of the following levels: one-way static communication with the component; two-way communication with the component; real-time two-way communication with the component; and communication with a surgical hub.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder having a cushioning valve assembly. A tubular body is capped by a pair of cylinder heads. A hollow cylinder rod having a piston assembly and cushioning valve assembly is seated within the tubular body for reciprocating action therein. The piston assembly is formed of a piston having a bore passing longitudinally therethrough and a cylindrical collar. The collar is mounted about the outside of one end of the hollow cylinder rod and the piston caps the end. The cushioning valve assembly comprises an elongated rod having a cushion piston at one end and a head at the other and is seated within the bore of the piston, such that the cushion piston is fitted within the interior of the hollow cylinder rod.

Abstract: A board game is provided comprising a game board and a plurality of game pieces positionable on the board. The game board includes a continuous game path comprising a series of spaces along which the game pieces may be moved. At various positions along the game path are provided one or more chambers within which the game pieces may be moved. The game pieces include at least one player game piece and at least one non-player token game piece positionable upon the game path, wherein the token game piece moves independently of the players and the player game pieces and may influence the position of the player game piece on the game board. A timing mechanism is included to provide a deadline within which the players must achieve a common goal, which timing mechanism may be integrated within a lockable safe mechanism that cannot be opened until a certain number of “keys” are inserted into slots provided within the mechanism thereby signaling the completion of the goal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system using optical feedback to maintain a predetermined illumination output. The illumination system employs an electrically controllable optical filter for filtering light incident thereon. The illumination system also includes a light detector for detecting at least a portion of the light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter. The light detector is in data communication with the electrically controllable optical filter. Some or all light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter is detected by the light detector, which, in turn generates a corresponding signal that is compared to at least one predetermined value. If the signal generated by the light detector differs when compared to the at least one predetermined value, one or more filtering characteristics of electrically controllable optical filter are varied which, in turn, varies the amount of light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter.

Abstract: An optical system and an imaging and display system using the optical system. The optical system has at least first and second optical elements aligned on a common axis. In one embodiment, each of the first and second optical elements can operate in an active state or in inactive state and comprise a photopolymer and liquid crystal combination. Each of the first and second optical elements is configured to transmit incident light substantially unaltered when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the inactive state. In the active state, however, each of the first and second optical elements does not transmit incident light substantially unaltered. Rather each of the first and second optical elements substantially alters light incident thereon when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the active state.

Abstract: A short cavity gas discharge laser stabilized by use of a highly reflective output coupler adjustably connected to a support isolated from the longitudinal thermal expansion of the laser enclosure. A flexible seal between the output coupler and the laser enclosure accommodates positional adjustment of the output coupler relative to the mirror to optimize performance. In one embodiment, the laser gas is contained by the enclosure and is in contact with the electrodes which divide the interior of the enclosure into two portions that provide gas ballast for the laser. In another embodiment a pair of electrodes are located adjacent to and outside of a discharge tube made of dielectric material. The laser discharge occurs in the discharge tube and the electrodes are not in physical contact with the discharge. Gas ballast is optionally provided through at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the discharge tube.

Abstract: A game device includes a plurality of user-selectable cells extending between start and finish areas, where each of the cells is associated with a character performing an answer to a question or clue that may be provided in the form of a category. One or more participants move from the start to the finish area by selecting cells whose characters when taken in order form a valid answer. A number of valid answers or paths between the start and finish areas can exist. The participant is scored at least in part based on the characters forming the valid answer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-1 concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-1 concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females. Also, 17.alpha.