Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a bundle of wires includes a first sheet formed of a sealant material, a second sheet disposed above the first sheet, and a third sheet disposed above the second sheet formed of the sealant material. The second sheet includes a thermally conductive material. When the bundle of wires is overlaid on the assembly in a first direction, and the assembly is wrapped in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first to thereby surround the wires, the second sheet facilitates enhanced thermal energy distribution of applied heat throughout the assembly to thereby more uniformly melt the sealant material and thereby fill voids between the wires.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a bundle of wires includes a first sheet formed of a sealant material, a second sheet disposed above the first sheet, and a third sheet disposed above the second sheet formed of the sealant material. The second sheet includes a thermally conductive material. When the bundle of wires is overlaid on the assembly in a first direction, and the assembly is wrapped in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first to thereby surround the wires, the second sheet facilitates enhanced thermal energy distribution of applied heat throughout the assembly to thereby more uniformly melt the sealant material and thereby fill voids between the wires.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article, wherein the method includes providing a composite formulation, the composite formulation including a polymer matrix and at least one additive distributed in the polymer matrix at a concentration of between 10% and 50%, by volume, the at least one additive having a molar percentage of carbon that is equal to or less than 90%, feeding the composite formulation to a printing head of an additive manufacturing device, heating the composite formulation to form a heated composite formulation, extruding the heated composite formulation through a nozzle in the printing head, and depositing the heated composite formulation onto a platform to form the composite article. Also provided is a composite article produced from a composite formulation having at least one additive distributed in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the present teachings of a microplate comprising a main body portion having a first surface and an opposing second surface are disclosed. A plurality of wells are formed in the first surface, each of the plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein. A backing is coupled to the opposing second surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A microplate comprising a main body portion having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells are formed in the first surface, each of the plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein. A backing is coupled to the opposing second surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A method for forming highly defined and detailed micro-channeled components using injection molding of polymeric material is presented. Such micro-channel components can be created by holding the temperature of the injection cavity and mold in excess of the glass transition temperature of the polymeric material while the polymer is injected. The polymeric material can also be injected under pressure to facilitate the forming of the highly defined micro-features. The newly created polymeric substrate can then be ejected form the mold and used in micro-fluidic and other applications requiring precise and uniform micro-channeled structures.

Abstract: Injection molding techniques to form a microfluidic structure or substrate having at least one flash-free aperture. A method comprises injecting a polymeric material into a cavity of a mold. The mold includes at least one pin extending a length into the cavity wherein the length is greater than a depth of the cavity such that the pin is compressed when the mold is closed. Material injected into the cavity is shut off from the space occupied by the pin and consequently, undesirable flash is avoided. The mold is opened and the substrate is removed from the mold. The pin may be integral with the mold, discrete, or be comprised of individual components which can be combined together when the mold is closed to form a solid body. Preferably, the length of the pin is at least about 60 microns greater than the depth of the cavity.