Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve delivery system having one or more features which facilitate access to a target annulus and improve maneuverability. The system may have a flexible access sheath having an inner lumen and a proximal handle attached to an elongated flexible catheter extending distally therefrom and having an outer diameter sized to fit through the access sheath. An expandable prosthetic heart valve is crimped and positioned in an inner lumen and near the distal end of the delivery catheter. A distal tapered nose cone attaches to the delivery catheter and facilitates passage through the patient's vasculature. An inner tube extends from the proximal handle through the delivery catheter inner lumen, through the prosthetic heart valve, and attaches to the nose cone. Finally, the system has a guidewire that extends through the proximal handle along the delivery catheter and projects distally from the nose cone. The system is especially useful for transfemoral atrioventricular valve replacements.

Abstract: A retractor includes a first arm, a second arm, and a translating member. The first arm comprises a proximal portion configured to retain a first retractor member and a distal portion configured to rotate relative to the proximal portion about a first axis. The second arm is configured to retain a second retractor member, such that rotation of the distal portion about the first axis causes the first retractor member to pivot toward or away from the second retractor member when the first retractor member and the second retractor member are coupled to the first arm and the second arm, respectively. The translating member is coupled between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and is configured to receive a drive force that causes the translating member to bias the distal portion to pivot relative to the proximal portion about the first axis.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage device are provided for providing a dynamic tachometer. Based on various signal inputs from a plurality of data sources, a tachometer may be dynamically modified to include visual information and assistance to the driver in relation to the vehicle's engine speed (i.e., revolution speed of the vehicle's crankshaft). The tachometer may include one or a combination of: dynamic shift point indicators, a target engine speed range indicator, an overspeed indicator, and a power take-off mode indicator.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: An articulating driver having a ball-in-socket joint. The driver may include a driver tip having a spherical head, a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head, an input shaft, a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface, and a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head. The housing may have a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein. In another aspect, the driver may include a driver tip coupled to the input shaft that includes an interface to engage a screw. A bushing may engage the driver tip at one end and receive the screw at the other end to retain the screw within the driver.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper connected to the sole, and a support framework. The upper defines a foot cavity configured to receive a human foot. The upper further defines an ankle region, a heel region, a midfoot region, and a forefoot region. The upper also includes an inner layer and an outer layer. The support framework is integrated into the ankle region of the article of footwear. The support framework includes a plurality of substantially vertical support members traversing a plurality of substantially horizontal support members at intersections. A plurality of tensioning members are positioned on the upper in association with a tongue slot, wherein each of the substantially horizontal support members is coupled to one of the plurality of tensioning members.

Abstract: A forest fire retardant composition contains a retardant compound that includes a phosphate salt. The phosphate salt may include diammonium phosphate, diammonium orthophosphate, monoammonium phosphate, monoammonium orthophosphate, monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, disodium phosphate hydrate, sodium ammonium phosphate, sodium ammonium phosphate hydrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodium phosphate, or dipotassium phosphate, and combinations thereof. The forest fire retardant composition may include an ammonium source. The composition may be in the form of a dry concentrate, a liquid concentrate, or a final diluted product. The final diluted product is effective in suppressing, retarding, and controlling forest fires while exhibiting corrosion resistance and low toxicity.

Abstract: A forest fire retardant composition contains a retardant compound that includes a potassium salt. The potassium salt may include a potassium salt of an organic acid, a potassium salt of an inorganic acid, or mixtures thereof. The organic acid may include formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, tartaric acid, uric acid, malic acid, or citric acid. The inorganic acid may include sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, or hydrochloric acid. The composition may be in the form of a dry concentrate, a liquid concentrate, or a final diluted product. The final diluted product is effective in suppressing, retarding, and controlling forest fires while exhibiting corrosion resistance and low toxicity.

Abstract: Systems and methods redistribute online events using mesh management. Prior to initiation of an upcoming virtual meeting, a mesh orchestrator identifies one or more user accounts scheduled to participate in the upcoming virtual meeting. The mesh orchestrator selects multiple client computer systems associated with the one or more user accounts to define a mesh. The mesh includes at least one computer system associated with a first user account for distributing one or more portions of a media stream of the upcoming virtual meeting and at least one client computer system associated with a second user account for receiving the one or more portions of the media stream of the upcoming virtual meeting. The mesh orchestrator also defines a contingency logic for applying one or more changes to the mesh prior to or after the initiation of the upcoming virtual meeting.

Abstract: A forest fire retardant composition contains a retardant compound that includes a phosphate salt. The phosphate salt may include diammonium phosphate, diammonium orthophosphate, monoammonium phosphate, monoammonium orthophosphate, monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, disodium phosphate hydrate, sodium ammonium phosphate, sodium ammonium phosphate hydrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodium phosphate, or dipotassium phosphate, and combinations thereof. The forest fire retardant composition may include an ammonium source. The composition may be in the form of a dry concentrate, a liquid concentrate, or a final diluted product. The final diluted product is effective in suppressing, retarding, and controlling forest fires while exhibiting corrosion resistance and low toxicity.

Abstract: A device for computer aided surgery, including: a body; an optical element coupled to the body; a fiducial coupled to the body; and a calibration element. The calibration element be a pointer tip or a divot, either individually or in combination.

Abstract: A robot connector, including: a connector configured to connect to a mounting surface of a robot; a guiding insert that is compressible, wherein the guiding insert has an opening configured to receive a guide tube; a guide tube holder with an opening wherein the guide tube is attached to the connector and the opening is configured to receive the compressible guiding insert; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the guiding insert and the guide tube to the connector.

Abstract: The motorized ear-cleaning device is a tool. The motorized ear-cleaning device is a therapeutic device. The motorized ear-cleaning device is adapted for use with the ear of a patient. The motorized ear-cleaning device cleans the ear. The motorized ear-cleaning device comprises a working element, a handle structure, and drive circuit. The working element attaches to the handle structure. The drive circuit mounts in the drive structure. The drive circuit rotates the working element. The rotation of the working element rubs against the ear. The working element generates a friction used to clean the ear.

Abstract: Cryogranulation systems with improved dispenser assemblies are provided for use in manufacturing frozen pellets of pharmaceutical substances in a fluid medium. Methods of cryogranulating the pharmaceutical substance in the fluid medium are also provided. In particular embodiments, the dispenser assembly is used with suspensions or slurries of pharmaceutical compositions including biodegradable substances, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical substance can be adsorbed to any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier particles suitable for making pharmaceutical powders. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical carrier can be, for example, diketopiperazine-based microparticles. The dispenser assembly improves the physical characteristics of the cryopellets formed and minimizes product loss during processing.

Abstract: Magnetically-assisted mechanical gear systems and other power transmission systems, and related methods of operation and assembly, are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, such a system includes a driving gear, a driven gear, and a first magnetomotive force (MMF) source that generates a magnetic flux. A first portion of the flux is communicated between at least one driving gear teeth and at least one driven gear teeth so that one or more magnetic forces are exerted between the gears. When the first rotational movement of the driving gear alternates from being in the first rotational direction to being in a third rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, then the driven gear is driven by the one or more magnetic forces so that the second rotational movement also alternates, and a first amount of backlash movement between the driving and driven gears is avoided or reduced.

Abstract: A device for leveling a surface; the device includes a shaft, a handle-means and a head-assembly. The shaft is selectively retractable, and the head-assembly is foldable to enable compact storage. The device is for personal use by a user in leveling a surface; for example, a sand bunker/sand trap on a golf course. In some versions, the device further includes an attachment-means for attaching the device to a bag.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: Adjustable-length surgical access devices are disclosed herein, which can advantageously allow an overall length of the access device to be quickly and easily changed by the user. The access devices herein can reduce or eliminate the need to maintain an inventory of many different length access devices. In some embodiments, the length of the access device can be adjusted while the access device is inserted into the patient. This can reduce or eliminate the need to swap in and out several different access devices before arriving at an optimal length access device. This can also reduce or eliminate the need to change the access device that is inserted into a patient as the depth at which a surgical step is performed changes over the course of a procedure. Rather, the length of the access device can be adjusted in situ and on-the-fly as needed or desired to accommodate different surgical depths.

Abstract: Surgical access port stabilization systems and methods are described herein. Such systems and methods can be employed to provide ipsilateral stabilization of a surgical access port, e.g., during spinal surgeries. In one embodiment, a surgical system can include an access port configured for percutaneous insertion into a patient to define a channel to a surgical site and an anchor configured for insertion into the patient's bone. Further, the access port can be coupled to the anchor such that a longitudinal axis of the access port and a longitudinal axis of the anchor are non-coaxial. With such a system, a surgeon or other user can access a surgical site through the access port without the need for external or other stabilization of the access port, but can instead position the access port relative to an anchor already placed in the patient's body.