Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for detecting multiple different nucleotides in a sample. In particular, the disclosure provides for detection of multiple different nucleotides in a sample utilizing fewer detection moieties than the number of nucleotides being detected and/or fewer imaging events than the number of nucleotides being detected.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a handpiece housing, an elongate flexible shaft extending from the handpiece housing, a pull wire extending from the handpiece housing into the elongate flexible shaft, and a tensioning mechanism configured to adjust tension in the pull wire. A method for adjusting tension in a pull wire of a controller for an endoscope comprises preparing an endoscope for use before a procedure, adjusting tension in a pull wire for deflecting a flexible elongate shaft of the endoscope to reduce knob dwell, and performing an endoscopic procedure with the endoscope.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous injection of fluid, in some examples these apparatuses may include a manifold, a pair of reciprocating pistons, and an actuation control that may apply both suction (aspiration) and injection of fluid as part of the same actuation. The systems and methods may be configured to simplify the operation of a continuous fluid injection system, including one that aspirated prior, to injection to confirm the absence/presence of blood.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a bias identification engine that identifies bias in the operation of a trained cognitive computing system. A bias risk annotator is configured to identify a plurality of bias triggers in inputs and outputs of the trained cognitive computing system based on a bias risk trigger data structure that specifies terms or phrases that are associated with a bias. An annotated input and an annotated output of the trained cognitive computing system is received and processed by the bias risk annotator to determine if they comprise a portion of content that contains a bias trigger. In response to at least one of the annotated input or annotated output comprising a portion of content containing a bias trigger a notification is transmitted, to an administrator computing device, that specifies the presence of bias in the operation of the trained cognitive computing system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to estimate census-level audience sizes and duration data across dimensions and/or demographics are disclosed. An example apparatus includes constraint equation control circuitry to select at least one constraint equation corresponding to one or more events, the one or more events corresponding to first audience members and second audience members, the first audience members to include the second audience members, constraint parameter estimation circuitry to solve the at least one constraint equation to determine one or more constraint parameter values, the one or more constraint parameter values corresponding to the one or more events, and output generation circuitry to determine, based on one or more intermediate equations and the one or more constraint parameter values, an event audience size and an event duration corresponding to (a) the first audience members and (b) a combination of the one or more events and one or more demographics.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A seal assembly including a septum seal, a lower seal support, an upper seal support and a return spring is disclosed. The septum seal includes an orifice and a plurality of apertures. The lower seal support includes an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of the septum seal. The upper seal support includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture of the septum seal. The return spring includes a collar portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the collar portion. At least a portion of the return spring may be sandwiched between the lower seal support and the upper seal support. The plurality of spokes is configured to bias the seal assembly toward a radial center of a housing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating data using relaxed benchmarks constraints are described. An example apparatus for generating a unique solution when calibrating data via a calibration model having relaxed benchmark constraints includes processor circuitry to execute computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions are to execute the calibration model based on matrix data, a target loss function, a weight loss function, and a budget parameter. The computer-readable instructions are to determine calibrated weights resulting from execution of the calibration model. The computer-readable instructions are to incorporate a stability parameter into the calibration model in response to determining that the calibrated weights do not provide a unique solution for the executed calibration model. The stability parameter is to reduce an influence of the budget parameter on the calibration model to enable the generation of a unique solution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating data using relaxed benchmarks constraints are described. An example apparatus for generating a unique solution when calibrating data via a calibration model having relaxed benchmark constraints includes a calibration engine to execute the calibration model based on a target loss function, a weight loss function, and a budget parameter. The example apparatus further includes a calibrated weights determiner to determine calibrated weights resulting from execution of the calibration model. The example apparatus further includes a calibration model validator to incorporate a stability parameter into the calibration model in response to determining that the calibrated weights do not provide a unique solution for the executed calibration model. The stability parameter is to reduce an influence of the budget parameter on the calibration model to enable the generation of a unique solution.

Abstract: A water pumping system, a motor drive, and a method of starting pumping by the motor drive. The method includes performing repeated starting attempts to overcome stiction in a progressive cavity pump by attempting to supply power to an electrical motor at increasing power levels in each starting attempt and supplying the power at the increasing power levels if the power is available in from a power source; and after each starting attempt: reducing the power applied to the electrical motor to a reduced power level; determining a rotational speed of the electrical motor; determining if the rotational speed matches a speed corresponding to the reduced power level applied to the electrical motor; if the rotational speed does not match and a predetermined number of starting attempts has not been reached, performing a next starting attempt; and if the rotational speed does match, entering a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating data using relaxed benchmarks constraints are described. An example apparatus for generating a unique solution when calibrating data via a calibration model having relaxed benchmark constraints includes a calibration engine to execute the calibration model based on a target loss function, a weight loss function, and a budget parameter. The example apparatus further includes a calibrated weights determiner to determine calibrated weights resulting from execution of the calibration model. The example apparatus further includes a calibration model validator to incorporate a stability parameter into the calibration model in response to determining that the calibrated weights do not provide a unique solution for the executed calibration model. The stability parameter is to reduce an influence of the budget parameter on the calibration model to enable the generation of a unique solution.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a seal assembly having a seal housing and a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing, the seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage for receiving at least one surgical object therethrough and the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis. The seal assembly also includes a bellows configured to engage at least a portion of the gimbal mount, the bellows dimensioned and adapted to establish a biasing relationship with the gimbal mount, such that the bellows biases the gimbal mount to align with the central longitudinal axis of the seal housing. The bellows is configured to be attached to a proximal wall of the seal housing.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for calibrating data using relaxed benchmarks constraints are described. An example apparatus for generating a unique solution when calibrating data via a calibration model having relaxed benchmark constraints includes a calibration engine to execute the calibration model based on a target loss function, a weight loss function, and a budget parameter. The example apparatus further includes a calibrated weights determiner to determine calibrated weights resulting from execution of the calibration model. The example apparatus further includes a calibration model validator to incorporate a stability parameter into the calibration model in response to determining that the calibrated weights do not provide a unique solution for the executed calibration model. The stability parameter is to reduce an influence of the budget parameter on the calibration model to enable the generation of a unique solution.

Abstract: A seal assembly including a septum seal, a lower seal support, an upper seal support and a return spring is disclosed. The septum seal includes an orifice and a plurality of apertures. The lower seal support includes an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of the septum seal. The upper seal support includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture of the septum seal. The return spring includes a collar portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the collar portion. At least a portion of the return spring may be sandwiched between the lower seal support and the upper seal support. The plurality of spokes is configured to bias the seal assembly toward a radial center of a housing.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a housing, a rod, a ferrule assembly, and a needle. The housing defines a guide lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The rod is engaged with the housing and extends distally therefrom. The ferrule assembly is disposed at a distal end of the rod and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. The ferrule is adapted to retain of a portion of a suture therein. The needle is configured for translation through the guide lumen defined within the housing. A distal end of the needle is configured to engage the ferrule within the ferrule assembly for removal of the ferrule from the ferrule assembly.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A seal assembly including a septum seal, a lower seal support, an upper seal support and a return spring is disclosed. The septum seal includes an orifice and a plurality of apertures. The lower seal support includes an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of the septum seal. The upper seal support includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture of the septum seal. The return spring includes a collar portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the collar portion. At least a portion of the return spring may be sandwiched between the lower seal support and the upper seal support. The plurality of spokes is configured to bias the seal assembly toward a radial center of a housing.

Abstract: A water pumping system, a motor drive, and a method of starting pumping by the motor drive. The method includes performing repeated starting attempts to overcome stiction in a progressive cavity pump by attempting to supply power to an electrical motor at increasing power levels in each starting attempt and supplying the power at the increasing power levels if the power is available in from a power source; and after each starting attempt: reducing the power applied to the electrical motor to a reduced power level; determining a rotational speed of the electrical motor; determining if the rotational speed matches a speed corresponding to the reduced power level applied to the electrical motor; if the rotational speed does not match and a predetermined number of starting attempts has not been reached, performing a next starting attempt; and if the rotational speed does match, entering a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A method to obtain gain-corrected measurements. A measurement tool having one or more arrays is provided, wherein the arrays include two co-located triaxial transmitters and two co-located triaxial receivers. Measurements are obtained using the transmitters and the receivers. Impedance matrices are formed from the obtained measurements and the impedance matrices are combined to provide gain-corrected measurements. The apparatus may alternatively be a while-drilling logging tool having one or more arrays, wherein each array comprises a transmitter, a receiver, and a buck, and wherein the signal received by the receiver is subtracted from the signal received by the buck or vice versa. A slotted shield may be incorporated into either embodiment of the tool. The slots may form one or more island elements. A material is disposed in the slots. The islands and shield body have complementary tapered sides that confine the islands within the shield body.