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: In one example, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device includes a first panel having a centerline and first and second openings. A second panel is secured to the first panel to define an inflatable volume. First and second self-adaptive vents are secured to the first panel over the first and second openings on opposite sides of the centerline for selectively releasing inflation fluid from the inflatable volume in response to penetration of the occupant into the protection device. A first reinforcing stitching extends through the first panel and around a portion of the first self-adaptive vent. A second reinforcing stitching extends through the first panel and around a portion of the second self-adaptive vent. Each of the first and second reinforcing stitchings is spaced entirely from the respective first and second self-adaptive vents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in detecting health condition of a physiological cavity or passageway are disclosed herein. In one example, the system may include one or more illuminators configured to illuminate a target area with light at discrete wavelengths. The system may additionally include detectors that are configured to receive a reflectance spectrum based on light emitted at discrete wavelengths from tissue and tissue constituents associated with the target area under analysis. Communicatively coupled to the one or more detectors, the processing unit is configured to analyse data associated with the reflectance spectra to produce one or more output values that identify the health condition.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes processing circuitry configured to generate a laser speckle contrast signal based on a received signal indicative of detected light, wherein the detected light is scatted by tissue from a coherent light source. The processing circuitry may also determine, from the laser speckle contrast signal, a flow value and determine, from the laser speckle contrast signal, a waveform metric. Based on the flow value and the waveform metric, the processing circuitry may determine a blood flow metric for the tissue and output a representation of the blood flow metric.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper defining a foot cavity, and a brace member. The brace member is comprised of a non-elastic resilient material. The brace member is positioned within a pocket in the upper and extends from a heel portion to above an ankle portion of the upper. The brace member may be provided with a top plate member and a base plate member with a central shaft extending between the top plate member and the base plate member. The central shaft may have a C-shape that curves around an ankle of a human foot positioned within the foot cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for layout analysis using unit cell properties. A method includes receiving a layout design and analyzing the layout design to identify unit cells in the layout design. The method includes designating points of interest each corresponding to a respective one of the unit cells and classifying the unit cells into a plurality of classifications using the points of interest and the corresponding properties. The method includes identifying unique patterns of the unit cells, and producing a reduced layout including the unique patterns of unit cells. The method includes performing layout processing on the reduced layout and propagating the process results from each of the unique patterns of unit cells in the reduced layout to other unit cells of the layout design having the same classification.

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: A system, method, apparatus and diagnostic test for Plasmodium vivax, to determine a likelihood of a specific timing of infection by P. vivax in a subject, and hence identify individuals with a high probability of being infected with otherwise undetectable liver-stage hypnozoites. The system, method, apparatus and diagnostic test relate to the identification of hypnozoites (“dormant” liver-stages), or at least of the likelihood of the subject being so infected. Optionally and preferably, the specific timing relates to recent infections, for example within the last 9 months.

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: A removal composition and process for cleaning post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) contaminants and particles from a microelectronic device having said particles and contaminants thereon. The removal compositions include at least one at least one organic additive; at least one metal chelating agent; and at least one polyelectrolyte. The composition achieves highly efficacious removal of the particles and CMP contaminant material from the surface of the microelectronic device without compromising the low-k dielectric, silicon nitride, and metal containing layers such as tungsten-containing layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and method for improving the selectivity of nitride etching versus oxide etching and can be used with conventional phosphoric acid wet etch compositions. The invention describes additives that serve to inhibit silicon, oxides, and related compounds regrowth (i.e., redeposition) on the silicon oxide surface. In certain embodiments, the invention provides certain amino-substituted aryl compounds which are bound to a tri-alkoxy silane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for calibrating contrast measurements from laser speckle imaging systems to accurately determine unknown particle motion characteristics, such as flow rate. The calibration stores to memory calibration data, which may include a set of measurements from samples with known particle characteristics and/or estimates of noise, including the effects on contrast arising from undesired signals unrelated to the unknown particle motion characteristics. The calibration data may be accessed and used to correct an empirical measurement of contrast and/or interpolate a value of the unknown particle motion characteristic. The system may include a light source, photodetector, processor, and memory, which can be combined into a single device, such as a wearable device, for providing calibrated flow measurements. The device may be used, for example, to measure blood flow, cardiac output, and heart rate, and can be used to amplify the pulsatile signal.

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: A multiple object location assembly includes a tracking unit that is wearable on a user. The tracking unit has a plurality of communication channels that is each programmable to have a distance alarm is set to a pre-determined trigger distance. A plurality of transmitting units is provided and each of the transmitting units broadcasts a tracking signal to the tracking unit. each of the transmitting units is coupled to a respective one of a plurality of objects and the tracking signal broadcast by each of the transmitting units is associated with the respective object. Each of the transmitting units is assigned to a respective one of the communication channels in the tracking unit. Moreover, the distance alarm in a respective one of the communication channels is turned on when the transmitter assigned to the respective communication channel moves beyond the pre-determined trigger distance from the tracking unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining physiological information in a subject. The system includes; a light source positionable along a first location outside of the subject; a photo-sensitive detector positionable along a second location outside of the subject and configured to detect scattered light and generate a signal; a processor having a program and a memory, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the detector and configured to receive and store the signals generated over a period of time; wherein the processor is programmed to derive contrast metrics from the stored signals, calculate a waveform from the contrast metrics, decompose the waveform into basis functions and respective amplitudes, and compare the basis function amplitudes to determine the physiological information.

Abstract: An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one interface set, including a first interface, at least one second interface, and at least one third interface. A first portion of the first interface is coupled to a second portion of the at least one second interface. A second portion of the first interface is coupled to a first portion of the at least one third interface. The first portion of the first interface is isolated from the second portion of the first interface, the first portion of the second interface is isolated from the second portion of the second interface, and the first portion of the third interface is isolated from the second portion of the third interface.

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: In some examples, a device includes a memory controller to, during a power-on process of the device: read encrypted data from a nonvolatile memory, decrypt, using a first key, the encrypted data to produce decrypted data, encrypt, using a second key different from the first key produced as part of rekeying, the decrypted data to produce new encrypted data, and write the new encrypted data to the nonvolatile memory. A power-on code is to prevent booting of the device until all data in the nonvolatile memory has been encrypted using the second key.

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: A pumping system includes at least three electrically driven pumping units. Each pumping unit includes a linear actuator driven by at least one electric motor and driving a shaft. Pistons on each end of the shaft move within fixed cylinders to draw fluid from an inlet and expel the fluid to an outlet. Each pumping unit draws fluid at one end while expelling an equal quantity of fluid at the opposite end. The shaft velocity is controlled such that a total flow of the pumping system is constant, eliminating flow ripple.