Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a liftgate assembly having a platform, a lift subsystem constructed and arranged to selectively raise and lower the platform, and a set of steel beams coupled with the lift subsystem. The set of steel beams is constructed and arranged to hardware mount to a set of aluminum beams of a vehicle. Although the sets of beams are made of different materials, the liftgate assembly and the vehicle body may be securely fastened to each other making the vehicle well suited for a variety of conditions.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed for automatically identifying and validating information associated with real estate properties using data aggregated from multiple sources. The systems and methods can automatically identify the tax agency and/or tax identifier for real estate properties without substantial user interaction. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can automatically identify the real estate property and/or parcel based at least in part on received tax information without substantial user interaction. A confidence score and/or error rate may also be calculated based on one or more rules to provide information about the relative error rate in any of the identifications provided.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed for automatically identifying taxes for real estate properties. The systems and methods can automatically identify the tax agency and/or tax identifier for real estate properties without substantial user interaction. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can automatically identify the real estate property and/or parcel based at least in part on received tax information without substantial user interaction. A confidence score and/or error rate may also be calculated based on one or more business rules to provide information about the relative error rate in any of the identifications provided.

Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material, a first deformable member, and a second member. In at least one embodiment, the crown connects the first member and the second member, however, after the crown has been dissolved, the first member is unconnected to the second member and, as a result, the first and second members can move relative to each other. Accordingly, the staple can be rigid during the early stages of healing and can be flexible during the latter stages of healing, for example. In various embodiments, the first and second members of the staple are also comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material. In these embodiments, the first and second members can be constructed so that the crown and first and second members dissolve at different rates and/or dissolve away at different times.

Abstract: A clamp type mortising jig is described that allows the user to create a slot mortise in a workpiece clamped in the jig, using a plunge router. The jig includes a clamp that includes a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw with a template carriage slidably mounted between them. Router guide templates can be replaceably mounted in the template carriage.

Abstract: An agent defeat bomb including a payload with at least one metal-based high thermal component, effective for producing high temperature, and a plurality of oxidizer components, such that the high thermal component and oxidizer are progressively stacked through the length of the projectile and react within the body of the bomb.

Abstract: A clamp type mortising jig is described that allows the user to create a slot mortise in a workpiece clamped in the jig, using a plunge router. The jig includes a clamp that includes a movable jaw assembly and a fixed jaw with a template carriage slidably mounted between them. Router guide templates can be replaceably mounted in the template carriage.

Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material, a first deformable member, and a second member. In at least one embodiment, the crown connects the first member and the second member, however, after the crown has been dissolved, the first member is unconnected to the second member and, as a result, the first and second members can move relative to each other. Accordingly, the staple can be rigid during the early stages of healing and can be flexible during the latter stages of healing, for example. In various embodiments, the first and second members of the staple are also comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material. In these embodiments, the first and second members can be constructed so that the crown and first and second members dissolve at different rates and/or dissolve away at different times.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to the administration of red yeast rice, nicotinic acid, L-carnitine, folic acid, chromium picolinate, and selenium to reduce or control blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins in a mammal, and to reduce inflammation associated with coronary artery disease.

Abstract: A visceral barrier has a barrier element that is changeable between an opened and a closed configuration. The barrier element may be positioned while in the opened configuration to temporarily reposition the viscera within the body cavity. A method of repositioning the viscera in a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure includes providing a visceral barrier, introducing the visceral barrier into the body cavity when the barrier element is in the closed configuration, opening the barrier element to the opened configuration, and positioning the barrier element within the body cavity to reposition the viscera and provide a space for performing a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A tissue suspension device has an elongated spanning element with a first and a second end. A suspending element is attachable to the spanning element. A first supporting element is attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element is attached to the second end of the spanning element. The tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity. The first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.

Abstract: A storage device temporarily holds a surgical instrument within a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure. The storage device has a pouch with at least one compartment, and an opening for receiving at least one surgical instrument. The storage device has an attaching element joined to the pouch to removably attach the storage device to a structure within the body cavity of the patient. A method is also provided for temporarily storing a surgical instrument inside the body cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A method is provided for planning a surgical procedure on a patient. The method includes surgically accessing a body cavity of the patient, identifying a key, anatomical structure within the body cavity; and marking the key, anatomical structure. The key, anatomical structure may be a distal or proximal end point of tissue to be resected, a vessel that supplies arterial blood to tissue to be resected, or the cutting line for the tissue to be resected. A tissue marker is also provided for marking soft, internal tissue during a surgical procedure. The tissue marker may be mechanically attachable to tissue, or the tissue marker may comprise a marking fluid.

Abstract: A surgical access device provides surgical access through an incision in the body wall to the inside of a body cavity of a patient. The surgical access device has a subassembly with an opening around a center axis and is adjustable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The surgical access device has a sleeve attached to the subassembly and positionable in the incision. The sleeve defines a passageway through the body wall between the opening in the valve subassembly and the body cavity. The surgical access device also has at least one access channel extending from the subassembly. The access channel is outside the opening and the passageway and provides an access to the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a base having two or more ports or apertures that provide for the insertion of surgical instruments. The multi-port insert may be used with a laparoscopic access device. The multi-port insert may also include one or more instrument supports that are attached to the base to fix the position of one or more surgical instruments inserted through the multi-port insert.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system and method is provided for a hand-assisted, laparoscopic procedure. The system has a laparoscopic disc and a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has at least one end effector that is removably attachable to the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgeon may pass his/her hand into the body cavity via the laparoscopic disc and may removably attach the end effector to the distal end of the surgical instrument while the distal end of the surgical instrument is inside of the body cavity of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a positioner assembly and an anchor driver assembly in operable mechanical communication with a handle, for use in performing anastomotic procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, assembly, and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly having an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a harness adapted to receive a balloon portion of a balloon catheter assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly. The end effector assembly includes a positioner assembly and an anchor driver assembly in operable mechanical communication with first and second rods of the tube assembly, so as to be actuable by movement of the first and the second rods with respect to a spine member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly, where the end effector assembly includes an anchor for insertion into and through the patient's bladder wall and pelvic floor and an anchor guide associated therewith.