Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system. The system has a pilot drill and an exit side drill, with a drill string extending between them. A backreamer is positioned between the drills to enlarge a borehole. The pilot drill pulls and rotates the backreamer. The exit side drill adds segments to the product pipe and pushes the product pipe into the enlarged borehole. The exit side drill is equipped with a rotational disconnect. The disconnect is engaged to allow torque transfer between a motor and a spindle when adding segments to the product pipe. The disconnect is disengaged to prevent torque transfer between the motor and the spindle when pushing the product pipe into the enlarged borehole.

Abstract: A hand-held tool having an electromotive actuation is provided. The hand-held tool has a handle region and a working head. In the handle region, an actuating switch is provided, which is arranged for the application of manual force. The handle region including the actuating switch is sheathed with a flexible sheath part, which, starting from an end of the handle region that is facing away from the working head to beyond the handle region is formed without an opening. A sheath part for a hand-held tool is also provided.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: Tracking a target across a region is disclosed. A graphical user interface is provided that displays, in a first region, video from a field of view of a main video device, and, in a plurality of second regions, video from a field of view of each of a plurality of perimeter video devices (PVDs). The field of view of each PVD is proximate to the main video device's field of view. A selection of one of the plurality of PVDs is received. In response, video from a field of view of the selected PVD is displayed in the first region, and a plurality of candidate PVDs is identified. Each candidate PVD has a field of view proximate to the field of view of the selected PVD. The plurality of second regions is then repopulated with video from a field of view of each of the plurality of identified candidate PVDs.

Abstract: An active anvil assembly for use in forming a looped suture is provided. The active anvil assembly includes an anvil member, a first sensor operably connected to the anvil member, and a control assembly. The first sensor is configured for measuring at least one of force, torque, and distance feedback. Also provided are systems and methods for forming a looped suture including an active anvil assembly.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs.

Abstract: Tracking a target across a region is disclosed. A graphical user interface is provided that displays, in a first region, video from a field of view of a main video device, and, in a plurality of second regions, video from a field of view of each of a plurality of perimeter video devices (PVDs). The field of view of each PVD is proximate to the main video device's field of view. A selection of one of the plurality of PVDs is received. In response, video from a field of view of the selected PVD is displayed in the first region, and a plurality of candidate PVDs is identified. Each candidate PVD has a field of view proximate to the field of view of the selected PVD. The plurality of second regions is then repopulated with video from a field of view of each of the plurality of identified candidate PVDs.