Abstract: A detection system includes a central manifold including a detection chamber, a pipe network including at least one pipe fluidly coupled to the central manifold, a plurality of inlets formed over a length of the at least one pipe and an aspirating mechanism operable to draw a fluid flow at each of the plurality of inlets through the pipe network to the central manifold. A plurality of independently operable flow control devices is associated with the plurality of inlets. At least one of the plurality of flow control devices includes a solid state flexible polymer deformable in response to application of a voltage.

Abstract: A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes receiving at a control system a signal including scattered light and time of flight information associated with a plurality of nodes of a detection system, parsing the time of flight information into zones of the detection system, identifying one or more features within the scattered light signal, and analyzing the one or more features within the scattered light signal to determine a presence of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.

Abstract: Enhanced apparatuses, systems, and techniques for coupling network-linked peripheral devices into host computing devices is presented. A method includes, over a network interface of a host device, obtaining an indication of a peripheral device available for associating with the host device. Based on the indication, the method includes initiating instantiation of the peripheral device into a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) subsystem of the host device by at least emulating behavior of the peripheral device over the network interface as a PCIe peripheral device coupled locally to the host system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a polymer film includes a base composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a surface composition comprising hydroxy groups. In some embodiments, a polymer film includes a base layer of a first composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), a surface layer at a surface of the base layer, and a coating layer of a second composition of a copolymer of glycerol and sebacic acid. The surface layer includes surface hydroxy groups converted from acetate groups of the poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). The second composition is attached to the surface layer by ester bonds between carboxyl groups of the copolymer and the hydroxy groups. A single-use bioreactor bag includes a polymer film including a base composition of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and a surface composition comprising hydroxy groups. A method of modifying a poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) film includes converting acetate groups at a first surface of the poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) film to hydroxy groups.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for supplying refrigerants to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility includes: advancing a first refrigerant from a first storage device to a heat exchanger, the first refrigerant having a first temperature; advancing a second refrigerant from a second storage device to the heat exchanger, the second refrigerant having a second temperature different than the first temperature; flowing the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant through the heat exchanger; adjusting the second temperature based on at least a transfer of heat between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant in the heat exchanger; and transferring the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant to the LNG facility.

Abstract: An instrument for setting a position of a resection of a distal femur or a proximal tibia in a total knee arthroplasty, the instrument comprising: a stable portion, the stable portion configured for orientation in a set position relative to said distal femur or said proximal tibia; a resection guide portion, the resection guide portion configured to guide a resection path for said resection; a resection guide body, the resection guide body associated with the resection guide portion in a fixed orientation; the resection guide body pivotally connected to the stable portion, whereby pivoting adjustment of the resection guide body on the stable portion sets a resection orientation of the resection guide portion; and the resection guide body having a lock for selectively locking the resection guide body to the stable portion at a plurality of selectable resection orientations.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a firing member movable from an unfired position toward a fired position during a firing stroke, a firing system comprising a motor, and a control system. The firing system is configured to drive the firing member through the firing stroke. The control system is configured to drive the firing member from the unfired position toward the fired position with the firing system, detect a force to fire the firing member toward the fired position, pause advancement of the firing member for a first amount of time, based on the detected force to fire, resume advancement of the firing member after the first amount of time, and pause advancement of the firing member for a second amount of time, wherein the second amount of time is based on the first amount of time.

Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method of adjusting velocity in a motorized surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a displacement member configured to translate within the surgical instrument over a plurality of predefined zones, a motor coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, the position sensor configured to measure the position of the displacement member and a timer circuit coupled to the control circuit, the timer circuit configured to measure elapsed time. The method includes setting a directed velocity of the displacement member; determining an actual velocity of the displacement member; determining an error between the directed velocity of the displacement member and the actual velocity of the displacement member; and controlling the actual velocity of the displacement member based on the magnitude of the error.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making compositions comprising polymers and a cellulose composition comprising particles, wherein the particles comprises cellulose. This invention also relates to methods for forming articles from the disclosed compositions and compositions and articles made from a disclosed process. This is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a vehicle includes a rack moveable in an axial direction and defining a groove extending in the axial direction of the rack. The steer-by-wire system also includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the rack. The steer-by-wire system further includes an anti-rotation device disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack and within the housing. The anti-rotation device includes a plurality of balls disposed in the groove defined by the rack. The anti-rotation device also includes a running plate having a radially inner surface disposed radially outward of the rack, wherein the plurality of balls are disposed between the plate and the rack.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle includes a rack moveable in an axial direction. The steer-by-wire steering system also includes an anti-rotation mechanism disposed proximate an outer surface of the rack at the mounting location of the rack. The anti-rotation mechanism includes a yoke having a bearing journal extending therefrom. The anti-rotation mechanism also includes a bearing disposed on the bearing journal of the yoke. The anti-rotation mechanism further includes a running plate structure disposed within a rack housing and extending in a longitudinal direction of the rack, wherein the bearing and the yoke are positioned to move along a surface of the running plate structure during movement of the rack in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

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: Example rollators and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed and described herein. An example rollator apparatus includes: a first non-tubular portion; a second non-tubular portion; a connecting portion between the first non-tubular portion and the second non-tubular portion, the first non-tubular portion and the second non-tubular portion foldable with respect to the connecting portion, a connected combination of the first non-tubular portion and the second non-tubular portion supporting weight and mobility of a user when unfolded; a seat positioned between the first non-tubular portion and the second non-tubular portion; a first pair of wheels connected to the first non-tubular portion; and a second pair of wheels connected to the second non-tubular portion.

Abstract: A device for preparing a femur of a patient for receipt of a knee implant in both extension and flexion relative to a resected tibia plateau based on applying tension to medial and lateral collateral ligaments of said patient, comprising a tibial baseplate, a tensioner, the tensioner comprising a tensioner body having a tensioner portion, the tensioner portion affixed to the tibial baseplate, and an expander arm comprising an elongated body portion, a superior side of the elongated body portion having a spiked tip adjacent a posterior end thereof. The spiked tip interacts with an intracondylar notch under tension. The expander arm is operatively connected to the tensioner body via the tensioner portion, the tensioner portion configured for use in selectively raising and lowering the expander arm relative to the tibial baseplate to apply tension to the medial and lateral collateral ligaments in extension or flexion.