Abstract: A total ankle replacement prosthesis may comprise a tibial implant, a talar implant, and an intermediate implant. The intermediate implant may fixedly attach to the tibial implant and may articulate with respect to the talar implant. The intermediate implant may have unequal front and back angular extent, so as to discourage a particular direction of subluxation, and a kit may be provided containing various such intermediate implants. Various features may be provided in regard to dovetails, fins, recesses, the placement of fins and pegs, and the shape of the perimeter of the tibial implant. Recesses may allow a surgical blade to slice a latch off of an already-installed intermediate implant, in order to allow its removal from the tibial implant.

Abstract: A hybrid switch circuit for coupling two circuit terminals together is disclosed. The hybrid switch circuit includes a set of bidirectional switch devices coupled between a first circuit terminal and a second circuit terminal. The hybrid switch circuit also includes a set of unidirectional switch devices that are also coupled between the first circuit terminal and the second circuit terminal. In some cases, the set of bidirectional switch devices may be implemented using bidirectional double-base bipolar junction transistors, while the set of unidirectional switch devices may be implemented using wide bandgap transistors. In response to a de-assertion of a switch signal, a control circuit may open the set of bidirectional switch devices and, after a period of time has elapsed, open the set of unidirectional switch devices.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an instrument drive unit coupled to and configured to actuate a surgical instrument and a laparoscopic camera. An image processing device is coupled to the laparoscopic camera and is configured to operate in a plurality of imaging modes having a low visibility mode. A surgeon console having a handle controller receives user input to move the surgical instrument. A controller operates the surgical instrument in a first operational mode while the low visibility mode is active, and in a second operational mode while the low visibility mode is not active.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person). A client device includes a processor and memory operable to: generate a locally instantiated virtual room; instantiate a virtual representation of a first entity associated with the client device in the locally instantiated virtual room; transmit metadata representative of the first entity to a second client device; receive metadata representative of a second entity associated with the second client device; and, instantiate a virtual representation of the second entity as a function of the received metadata, from a perspective of the first entity, in the locally instantiated virtual room. A server can be utilized to join the client devices in the collaborative virtual session and exchange the metadata.

Abstract: A disaster response system includes a communication infrastructure including a plurality of sensor assemblies configured to generate data indicative of at least one of environmental conditions, motion, position, chemical detection, and medical information; and wirelessly provide the generated data to the communication infrastructure. The system also includes an incident command infrastructure configured to exchange data with the communication infrastructure; and detect an incident based on the data from the sensor assemblies. The system also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to deliver a payload in response to the detected incident.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes a trocar for facilitating passage of a surgical instrument into a body cavity. The surgical trocar has a memory having stored therein information about the surgical trocar, and a conductive coil configured to inductively couple to another conductive coil in a surgical robotic arm, whereby the conductive coil of the surgical trocar communicates the information about the surgical trocar to the conductive coil of the surgical robotic arm.

Abstract: Double-sided double-base bipolar junction transistor, and methods of operation. One example is a method comprising conducting main load current from an upper terminal of a switch assembly, through a double-sided double-base bipolar junction transistor (DSDB-BJT) of the switch assembly, and then through a lower terminal of the switch assembly. The conducting may be by: injecting charge carriers into an upper drift region of the DSDB-BJT as the main load current flows into an upper collector-emitter of the DSDB-BJT; and simultaneously injecting charge carriers into a lower drift region of the DSDB-BJT as main load current flows out of a lower collector-emitter of the DSDB-BJT.

Abstract: An audio player subsystem of a robotic surgical system is configured to play an audio file through an audio output device and control the playback of audio based on error handling and detections of the notification events. The surgical robotic system includes a robotic arm, a surgical console, a control tower, an error handler, and the audio player subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person). A client device includes a processor and memory operable to: generate a locally instantiated virtual room; instantiate a virtual representation of a first entity associated with the client device in the locally instantiated virtual room; transmit metadata representative of the first entity to a second client device; receive metadata representative of a second entity associated with the second client device; and, instantiate a virtual representation of the second entity as a function of the received metadata, from a perspective of the first entity, in the locally instantiated virtual room. A server can be utilized to join the client devices in the collaborative virtual session and exchange the metadata.

Abstract: Thin bidirectional bipolar junction transistor (BJT) devices and methods for fabricating thin bidirectional BJT devices. The method includes forming a first base region and a first emitter/collector region on a first side of a first thick semiconductor wafer. The method also includes removing a portion of the first thick semiconductor wafer to produce a first thin semiconductor wafer. The method further includes forming a second base region and a second emitter/collector region on a second side of the first thin semiconductor wafer opposite the first side. The method also includes producing a second thin semiconductor wafer. The method further includes bonding the first thin semiconductor wafer to the second thin semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Operating a PNP double-sided double-base bipolar junction transistor (DSDB BJT). One example is a method of operating a DSDB-BJT, the method comprising: conducting a first load current from an upper terminal of the power module to an upper base of the transistor, through the transistor, and from a lower base to a lower terminal of the power module; and then responsive assertion of a first interrupt signal interrupting the first load current from the lower base to the lower terminal by opening a lower-main FET and commutating a first shutoff current through a lower collector-emitter of the transistor to the lower terminal; and blocking current from the upper terminal to the lower terminal by the transistor.

Abstract: A digital imaging system is provided with direct view of an object, having: an optical element configured to allow visible light to pass therethrough to a user's eye and to redirect light of non-visible wavelengths away from the user's eye; a display disposed between the user's eye and the object; a digital camera mounted outside a field of view of the user's eye and configured to obtaining imaging data from the light of non-visible wavelength; a redirection optic disposed so as to redirect the light of non-visible wavelength to the digital camera; and an image processor configured to process the imaging data from the digital camera and output the data to the display such that an image generated from the imaging data from the digital camera overlays an image produced by the impingement of visible light on the user's eye following the visible light's passing through the optical element.

Abstract: A tool clip for attaching a power tool to an item worn by a user. The tool clip includes a first piece having inner and outer parts joined by a bend. The tool clip further includes a second piece having inner and outer parts joined by a bend. The second piece includes a release tab which passes through a slot in the first piece to engage the first and second pieces with each other. The first and second pieces each have a mounting hole such that a screw can be passed through the mounting holes and into an existing hole in the power tool.

Abstract: A digital imaging system is provided with direct view of an object, having: an optical element configured to allow visible light to pass therethrough to a user's eye and to redirect light of non-visible wavelengths away from the user's eye; a display disposed between the user's eye and the object; a digital camera mounted outside a field of view of the user's eye and configured to obtaining imaging data from the light of non-visible wavelength; a redirection optic disposed so as to redirect the light of non-visible wavelength to the digital camera; and an image processor configured to process the imaging data from the digital camera and output the data to the display such that an image generated from the imaging data from the digital camera overlays an image produced by the impingement of visible light on the user's eye following the visible light's passing through the optical element.

Abstract: A disaster response system includes a communication infrastructure including a plurality of sensor assemblies configured to generate data indicative of at least one of environmental conditions, motion, position, chemical detection, and medical information; and wirelessly provide the generated data to the communication infrastructure. The system also includes an incident command infrastructure configured to exchange data with the communication infrastructure; and detect an incident based on the data from the sensor assemblies. The system also includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to deliver a payload in response to the detected incident.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person). A client device includes a processor and memory operable to: generate a locally instantiated virtual room; instantiate a virtual representation of a first entity associated with the client device in the locally instantiated virtual room; transmit metadata representative of the first entity to a second client device; receive metadata representative of a second entity associated with the second client device; and, instantiate a virtual representation of the second entity as a function of the received metadata, from a perspective of the first entity, in the locally instantiated virtual room. A server can be utilized to join the client devices in the collaborative virtual session and exchange the metadata.

Abstract: An embodiment of a disaster response system is disclosed that includes a communication and monitoring environment (CME). The CME includes an incident command infrastructure, and a communication infrastructure configured to exchange data with the incident command infrastructure. The communication infrastructure includes a network comprising a plurality of sensor assemblies that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the communication infrastructure. The sensor assemblies are configured to acquire data that includes at least one of environmental conditions, motion, position, chemical detection, and medical information. One or more of the sensors are configured to aggregate data from a subset of the plurality of sensors. The CME is configured to detect an incident based on at least the data acquired by the sensor assemblies.

Abstract: A total ankle replacement prosthesis may comprise a tibial implant, a talar implant, and an intermediate implant. The intermediate implant may fixedly attach to the tibial implant and may articulate with respect to the talar implant. The intermediate implant may have unequal front and back angular extent, so as to discourage a particular direction of subluxation, and a kit may be provided containing various such intermediate implants. Various features may be provided in regard to dovetails, fins, recesses, the placement of fins and pegs, and the shape of the perimeter of the tibial implant. Recesses may allow a surgical blade to slice a latch off of an already-installed intermediate implant, in order to allow its removal from the tibial implant.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between two or more client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person).

Abstract: A total ankle replacement prosthesis may comprise a tibial implant, a talar implant, and an intermediate implant. The intermediate implant may fixedly attach to the tibial implant and may articulate with respect to the talar implant. The intermediate implant may have unequal front and back angular extent, so as to discourage a particular direction of subluxation, and a kit may be provided containing various such intermediate implants. Various features may be provided in regard to dovetails, fins, recesses, the placement of fins and pegs, and the shape of the perimeter of the tibial implant. Recesses may allow a surgical blade to slice a latch off of an already-installed intermediate implant, in order to allow its removal from the tibial implant.