Abstract: A suture passer device to pass a suture through a tissue may include a handle, an elongate body, and a suturing head. The suturing head may include a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member may include a proximal part and a distal part movable along a length of the proximal part. The distal part may include an opening at a distal end that can capture a length of a suture from a needle. The second jaw member may be pivotally coupled to the first jaw member to form a distal-facing mouth operable to clamp a suture site of the tissue in a closed configuration. The second jaw member can guide the needle toward the opening of the distal part of the first jaw member. A distal portion of the second jaw member may include a movable ramp.

Abstract: A burring device for burring tissue, bone, or cartilage may include a shaft including a burr attached at a distal end. The shaft may be configured at a proximal end to be removably attached to a motor configured to drive a rotational movement of the burr. The device may include a housing configured to house the shaft in a lengthwise direction and at least a portion of the burr. The housing may be configured to allow rotational movement of the burr, and may include, at a distal portion, an opening through which at least a portion of the burr can extend beyond the housing. The shaft or the housing may be configured to be adjustably movable in a linear direction relative to each other so that at least a portion of the burr can extend beyond a distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A safety valve is configured for use at temperatures at or above 760° C. (1400° F.). The safety valve includes a closure assembly that can create a self-energizing, metal-to-metal seal. In one implementation, this closure assembly includes a disc with an arcuate finger that circumscribes an axis of fluid flow through a seat. The arcuate finger may extend inwardly toward this axis and downwardly toward the seat. This geometry permits the finger to flex in response to pressure of fluid that impinges on the downstream side of the disc, such flexure causing a first sealing surface on the disc to more forcefully contact a second sealing surface on a seat.

Abstract: A safety valve is configured for use at temperatures at or above 760° C. (1400° F.). The safety valve includes a closure assembly that can create a self-energizing, metal-to-metal seal. In one implementation, this closure assembly includes a disc with an arcuate finger that circumscribes an axis of fluid flow through a seat. The arcuate finger may extend inwardly toward this axis and downwardly toward the seat. This geometry permits the finger to flex in response to pressure of fluid that impinges on the downstream side of the disc, such flexure causing a first sealing surface on the disc to more forcefully contact a second sealing surface on a seat.

Abstract: Examples of automatic password expiration based on password integrity are described. In an example, a password may be sent to a password integrity system to evaluate the password against integrity criteria. An integrity score for the password and scoring characteristics indicating the integrity criteria that contributed to the integrity score may be received from the password integrity system. The password may be automatically expired in response to the integrity score being less than an integrity threshold.

Abstract: Examples of password integrity scoring are described. In an example, an integrity score for a password may be determined based on a comparison of the password with a set of passwords for multiple users stored in a database. In some examples, the set of passwords may include in-use passwords and previously-used passwords for the multiple users. In some examples, the password may be stored into the database for scoring future passwords.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates. A body has first and second ribs, with the ribs being spaced such that the distance there between equals the approximate depth of the studs. A positioning bridge extends from the ribs and includes a stud spacing locator on the bridge. A method us use of the apparatus to build a wall is also disclosed.

Abstract: 4-[5-(2-Amino-ethanesulfonyl)-isoquinolin-7-yl]-phenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate of the compound or the salt thereof as Akt inhibitors that are antineoplastic and/or antiviral agents as well as compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds.

Abstract: A retractor instrument for use in surgery having a body section and attachment tabs for securing the retractor to tissue. The retractor may have multiple body sections joined by hinges or ribs and may be rigid or flexible or some combination thereof. The retractor may comprise bioabsorbable material as well as hemostatic material. The retractor is suitable for use with clips, staples, sutures and tacks.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall and an opening formed in the patient's vaginal wall. Tissue attached to the stomach can be tensioned using a surgical instrument inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings and can be separated from the stomach to free the stomach fundus using a dissecting surgical instrument inserted through another opening, e.g., through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings. The fundus can be at least partially transected using a surgical stapler inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings, thereby forming a stomach “sleeve.” In another embodiment, the method is modified to form another opening in the patient's abdominal wall instead of forming an opening in the vaginal wall.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method of performing a gastroplasty includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall. A multiple port access device having two or more sealing ports through which surgical instruments can be inserted can be positioned in the abdominal opening. Various instruments can be inserted through the various sealing ports to perform certain steps, such as tensioning and cutting tissue, sizing and transecting the stomach, viewing the surgical site, etc. The methods and devices can be used to perform a Magenstrasse and Mill procedure in which only a portion of the stomach is transected.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall and an opening formed in the patient's vaginal wall. Tissue attached to the stomach can be tensioned using a surgical instrument inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings and can be separated from the stomach to free the stomach fundus using a dissecting surgical instrument inserted through another opening, e.g., through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings. The fundus can be at least partially transected using a surgical stapler inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings, thereby forming a stomach “sleeve.” In another embodiment, the method is modified to form another opening in the patient's abdominal wall instead of forming an opening in the vaginal wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides kinase inhibitors of Formula (I). Wherein R1, R2, X and Z are as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: 4-[5-(2-Amino-ethanesulfonyl)-isoquinolin-7-yl]-phenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate of the compound or the salt thereof as Akt inhibitors that are antineoplastic and/or antiviral agents as well as compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides kinase inhibitors of Formula (I). Wherein R1, R2, X and Z are as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A casing seal for use with a source of high pressure fluids with apparatus for preventing shredding of the seal with variations in fluid pressure. A T-shaped annular metal ring provides a multiplication of fluid pressure so pressure exerted on an elastomeric sealing ring is greater than the fluid pressure. This multiplication prevents gases from entering the elastomer and prevents shredding of the elastomer when pressure is released. The multiplication of pressure also forces the elastomer firmly against a casing and a casing head to provide a fluid-tight seal.