Abstract: A landscape edging system forms landscape edging by connecting landscape edging units end-to-end and securing them to ground. The landscape edging system includes landscape edging units, a landscape edging end connector, and landscape spikes. The end connector has first and second legs that define lower spike receivers. The first and second landscape edging units define fitting recesses below upper spike receivers. The legs of the end connector are press-fit into the fitting recesses of adjacent landscape edging units to establish mortise-and-tenon connections between the end connector and the landscape edging units. This aligns the upper and lower spike receivers so that first and second landscape spikes can be driven through a first pair of aligned upper and lower spike receivers and a second pair of aligned upper and lower spike receivers, respectively, into the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjustable flow control valves, for example to an Adjustable Pressure Limiting (APL) valve. The adjustable valve (2) described comprises a valve body (4) comprising a valve seat (6), a valve member (10) movable relative to the valve seat (6), a first valve cap (20), a second valve cap (50) and a biasing element (30) to bias the valve member (10) away from the first valve cap (20). The first valve cap (20) is movable to increase the biasing force applied by the biasing element (30). The second valve cap (50) is engageable with the first valve cap (20) to prevent such movement of the first valve cap (20) beyond a selected position, but to allow movement of the first valve cap (20) in an opposite direction, way from said position.

Abstract: An EMD drive system includes an on-device adapter removably fixed to a shaft of an EMD. The on-device adapter received in a cassette. The cassette is removably secured to a drive module. The drive module is operatively coupled to the on-device adapter to move the on-device adapter and EMD together.

Abstract: A mechanism to secure the base of a pole to the lid of a flatbox finisher is provided. The mechanism utilizes at least one spring grasping device on the lid of the flat box finisher to grasp and secure the base of the pole. The grasping mechanism is depressed and grasps a generally flat rectangular edge of the base of the pole and secures the base of the pole to the lid of the flatbox finisher by friction. In particular, as the base having the pole of the flatbox finisher is first slid over the grasping mechanism, the grasping mechanism is first pushed downward. After the base slides over the grasping mechanism, the grasping mechanism springs back upward and locks the base of the pole into place on the lid of the flatbox finisher.

Abstract: Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparascopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for estimating values that could be derived from a large data set, were it available, from values computed from an available smaller data set. A specific example of the currently described methods and systems are methods and systems that estimate various medical-record-related statistics and values computed from hypothetical datasets. In order to extrapolate the desired statistics and computed values from the observed smaller data set, multiple models are employed by the currently disclosed methods and systems. These models can be employed sequentially to generate relatively fine-grained estimates over various multi-dimensional data-set volumes.

Abstract: The present document is directed to an automated experimentation platform that provides a visual integrated development environment (“IDE”) that allows a user to construct and execute various types of data-driven workflows. The automated experimentation platform includes back-end components that include API servers, a catalog, a cluster-management component, and execution-cluster nodes. Workflows are visually represents as directed acyclic graphs and texturally encoded. The workflows are transformed into jobs that are distributed for execution to the execution-cluster nodes.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide. The system also includes a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece includes a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a flat box finisher for applying mud (or mastic or joint compound) over taped joints on walls and ceilings. Usually, paint or wallpaper is then applied over the finished mud. The flat box finisher has no external springs, but has at least one internal support bar which acts as a spring for applying pressure to a corresponding dry wall finishing handle affixed to the flat box finisher. The internal support bar is surrounded by the mud while the device is in use. As a result of having no external spring, the flat box finisher may be reduced in size for smaller jobs or difficult to reach areas of a room. The internal support bar may also eliminate problems with external springs, such as the spring wearing out or becoming damaged during use or storage.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and automated documentation and medical-coding systems that combine predictions of clinical decision support or multiple medical-code assignments into a final medical-code assignment, such that the combination is different for different contexts. In certain implementations, each agent receives the same set of terms and phrases extracted from an electronic medical record (“EMR”). Based on the context of the EMR, each agent extracts medical codes from one or more medical codebooks, compares the terms and phrases to the medical codes, and assigns a code to the EMR based on a confidence score. The multiple code assignments are combined to generate a final medical-code assignment based on the confidence scores, context, and each agent's historical performance within the context. The automated system stores and outputs the final medical-code assignment.

Abstract: Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide. The system also includes a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece includes a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide. The system also includes a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece includes a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location.

Abstract: A wriggler device is provided for a gas meter endpoint or gas meter index as an interface with a gas meter drive mechanism. In general, the wriggler may include a base surface, at least one interface wall, and at least one guide wall. The base surface has a peripheral edge and a center point. The interface wall extends at an interface angle from the base surface, and may have an interface surface and a tip portion, with the tip portion spaced from the base surface. The at least one guide wall may extend between the base surface and the tip portion, and may have a guide surface. The guide wall may be configured to guide the drive mechanism along the guide surface to the base surface. Engagement of the interface surface by the drive mechanism causes the wriggler to rotate.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide. The system also includes a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece includes a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location.