Abstract: A medical method of automatically improving signals received from a patient's physiological system can include delivering stimulation signals to a nerve pathway of a patient with electrical pulses via electrodes placed over the nerve pathway to generate a plurality of resultant electrical waveforms (EPs) based on a plurality of electrophysiological responses (ERs); recording the plurality of resultant EPs; generating an ensemble average waveform (EA), the generating comprising averaging a subset of the plurality of ERs; and denoising the EA, the denoising comprising applying a wavelet transform to the EA.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system which includes a novel quick release thruster mount system using one or more removable elements allowing the thrusters to be removed quickly. The present invention also comprises a novel “float compartment centric” design where no wiring to the cockpit is necessary. Redundant power units are self-contained and protected. The novel design incorporates thrust force over the surface of the water rudders improving directional control. The rudder anti lift device ALPB allows the rudders to remain in the water while reverse or braking thrust is applied. Control and monitoring are done wirelessly from the safety of the cockpit reducing hazard while maneuvering to avoid prop strike hazards to pilot, persons or objects. The system offers the ability to maintain positive directional control while taxing downwind resisting the inherent weathervane forces, braking, and turning maneuvers unachievable with current methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolation processes and the associated hardware to allow fluid streams to be isolated from a sterilized system (e.g., a sterile process vessel) that contains a sterile process. The isolation processes described herein allow for continuous removal of fluid streams (e.g., waste streams, liquid containing recombinant therapeutic proteins) from a sterilized system (e.g., a biological manufacturing system), which provides for less manual manipulation of the sterilized system and a decreased risk of contaminating the sterilized system.

Abstract: A method for determining a lowest stimulation threshold current level in a group of channels of a neuromonitoring device. The method includes stimulating tissue at a current level from a predetermined range of current levels as a sequence of pulses delivered at a frequency. The stimulating includes increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from an immediately preceding pulse by a first current increment. The method includes determining that a first evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses evokes a first muscular response. The method includes stimulating the tissue with a second evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses to evoke a second muscular response. The stimulating includes decreasing the frequency of the delivery of each pulse in the sequence of pulses and increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from the immediately preceding pulse by a second current increment.

Abstract: A method for determining a lowest stimulation threshold current level in a group of channels of a neuromonitoring device. The method includes stimulating tissue at a current level from a predetermined range of current levels as a sequence of pulses delivered at a frequency. The stimulating includes increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from an immediately preceding pulse by a first current increment. The method includes determining that a first evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses evokes a first muscular response. The method includes stimulating the tissue with a second evocation pulse from the sequence of pulses to evoke a second muscular response. The stimulating includes decreasing the frequency of the delivery of each pulse in the sequence of pulses and increasing the current level of each pulse in the sequence of pulses from the immediately preceding pulse by a second current increment.

Abstract: A method of optimally placing spinal cord stimulator (SCS) leads includes acquiring components of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), compound action potentials and triggered EMG; analyzing the waveforms; and quantifying waveform features in a single display such that a surgeon can quickly and easily determine optimal placement (as it relates to laterality and level of placement on the spinal cord) of SCS leads in a patient under general anesthesia without additional expert help.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stimulation and recording of muscle responses for determining degree of neuromuscular blockade, particularly relevant to elicitation of such responses in those under the influence of anesthesia. A system for estimating the degree of neuromuscular blockade includes at least one stimulating electrode, at least one recording electrode, a pulse generator for providing stimulation to a nerve through the stimulating electrode, and a computing device configured to: apply stimuli to the nerve according to a stimulation protocol, wherein the stimulation protocol provides a plurality of stimulation sequences that vary in frequency of pulses in the stimulation sequence, frequency of the stimulation sequences, number of pulses in the stimulation sequence, or all of the above; measure, by the recording electrode, electrical responses of a muscle; and estimate the degree of neuromuscular blockade based on changes in the electrical responses of the muscle during a stimulation sequence.

Abstract: An automated evoked potential analysis apparatus for improved monitoring, detecting and identifying changes to a patient's physiological system is described. The apparatus includes an input device for obtaining electrical potential data from the patient's physiological system after application of stimulation to a patient's nerve and a computing system for receiving and analyzing the electrical potential data. The computing system includes a processing circuit configured to: generate a plurality of evoked potential waveforms (EPs) based on the electrical potential data, measure changes or trends in the generated EPs utilizing a sliding window of analysis, display incremental changes in waveforms between full subsets of EPs, and determine an alert vote for each subset, representative of changes to the physiological system generating the EPs.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolation processes and the associated hardware to allow fluid streams to be isolated from a sterilized system (e.g., a sterile process vessel) that contains a sterile process. The isolation processes described herein allow for continuous removal of fluid streams (e.g., waste streams, liquid containing recombinant therapeutic proteins) from a sterilized system (e.g., a biological manufacturing system), which provides for less manual manipulation of the sterilized system and a decreased risk of contaminating the sterilized system.

Abstract: An automated evoked potential analysis apparatus for improved monitoring, detecting and identifying changes to a patient's physiological system is described. The apparatus includes an input device for obtaining electrical potential data from the patient's physiological system after application of stimulation to a patient's nerve and a computing system for receiving and analyzing the electrical potential data. The computing system includes a processing circuit configured to: generate a plurality of evoked potential waveforms (EPs) based on the electrical potential data, measure changes or trends in the generated EPs utilizing a sliding window of analysis, display incremental changes in waveforms between full subsets of EPs, and determine an alert vote for each subset, representative of changes to the physiological system generating the EPs.

Abstract: A surgical device used for creating a surgical airway into the patient's trachea is disclosed. The device could enable a person or medical professional to make an incision through the patient tissue for creating the surgical airway in the patient's trachea. The device comprises a handle and a bolster. The handle having a longitudinal cavity at a second end for securely receiving and holding a blade. The bolster is securely and slidably positioned into a recess at the second end of the handle using a pair of latches. The bolster is configured to freely slide in and out of the handle for concealing and exposing the blade, thereby enabling a person or medical professional to make an incision proximate the patient's trachea for creating the surgical airway and allowing to simply insert a conventional tracheal tube via the incision to facilitate oxygenation and ventilation during emergency medical conditions.

Abstract: A system for managing thermal transfer in at least one of an aircraft or a gas turbine engine includes a first engine system utilizing an oil for heat transfer. The oil of the first system has a temperature limit of at least about 500° F. The system additionally includes a fuel system having a deoxygenation unit for deoxygenating fuel in the fuel system, as well as a fuel-oil heat exchanger located downstream of the deoxygenation unit. The fuel-oil heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the oil in the first engine system and the fuel in the fuel system for transferring heat from the oil in the first engine system to the fuel in the fuel system.

Abstract: Methods for controlling a biological manufacturing system include directing a light beam to pass through a wall of a vessel containing a first fluid generated by the biological manufacturing system, measuring an angle of refraction of the light beam in the first fluid, the angle of refraction corresponding to an angle between a propagation direction of the light beam in the first fluid and a normal to an interface between the vessel wall and the first fluid, determining information about the first fluid based on the measured angle of refraction, and adjusting a parameter of the biological manufacturing system based on the information about the first fluid.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stimulation and recording of muscle responses for determining degree of neuromuscular blockade, particularly relevant to elicitation of such responses in those under the influence of anesthesia. A system for estimating the degree of neuromuscular blockade includes at least one stimulating electrode, at least one recording electrode, a pulse generator for providing stimulation to a nerve through the stimulating electrode, and a computing device configured to: apply stimuli to the nerve according to a stimulation protocol, wherein the stimulation protocol provides a plurality of stimulation sequences that vary in frequency of pulses in the stimulation sequence, frequency of the stimulation sequences, number of pulses in the stimulation sequence, or all of the above; measure, by the recording electrode, electrical responses of a muscle; and estimate the degree of neuromuscular blockade based on changes in the electrical responses of the muscle during a stimulation sequence.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolation processes and the associated hardware to allow fluid streams to be isolated from a sterilized system (e.g., a sterile process vessel) that contains a sterile process. The isolation processes described herein allow for continuous removal of fluid streams (e.g., waste streams, liquid containing recombinant therapeutic proteins) from a sterilized system (e.g., a biological manufacturing system), which provides for less manual manipulation of the sterilized system and a decreased risk of contaminating the sterilized system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for stimulation and recording of muscle responses for determining degree of neuromuscular blockade, particularly relevant to elicitation of such responses in those under the influence of anesthesia. A system for estimating the degree of neuromuscular blockade includes at least one stimulating electrode, at least one recording electrode, a pulse generator for providing stimulation to a nerve through the stimulating electrode, and a computing device configured to: apply stimuli to the nerve according to a stimulation protocol, wherein the stimulation protocol provides a plurality of stimulation sequences that vary in frequency of pulses in the stimulation sequence, frequency of the stimulation sequences, number of pulses in the stimulation sequence, or all of the above; measure, by the recording electrode, electrical responses of a muscle; and estimate the degree of neuromuscular blockade based on changes in the electrical responses of the muscle during a stimulation sequence.

Abstract: Rotor thrust balancing systems for turbomachines and methods of using the same are generally disclosed. For example, a rotor thrust balancing system for a turbomachine, wherein the turbomachine defines a centerline extending the length of the turbomachine. The system includes a rotating drive shaft, a thrust bearing, and a first waveguide sensor. The rotating drive shaft couples a turbine section and a compressor section of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing supports the rotating drive shaft of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing includes a plurality of ball bearings, an inner race coupled to the rotating drive shaft, and an outer race coupled to a fixed structure. The first waveguide sensor is coupled to the outer race at a first end of the waveguide sensor. The waveguide sensor communicates a vibrational frequency from the thrust bearing to a second end of the waveguide sensor.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a core engine. The core engine includes an inlet, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust. The gas turbine engine also includes a bearing sump arranged in the core engine for containing lubrication, the bearing sump and lubrication having an operational range between at least about 0° F. and about 550° F.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use between an inner shaft and an outer shaft rotatable about a common axis within a turbine engine includes a pair of end rings and a plurality of seal elements coupled between the pair of end rings. Each end ring includes a flange extending in an axial direction, and each seal element includes a pair of shoulders extending in opposing axial directions. The seal assembly also includes a pair of retaining rings. Each retaining ring is positioned between one shoulder of the pair of shoulders and a corresponding one end ring flange of the pair of end ring flanges.

Abstract: A self-contained lubrication fluid circulation system for use with a gas turbine engine defining a core air flowpath includes a sump configured to collect lubrication fluid and a heat source coupled in fluid communication with the sump and configured to transfer heat to the lubrication fluid. The system also includes a heat sink positioned within the sump and coupled in fluid communication with the heat source. A lubrication fluid conduit of the system is configured to channel the lubrication fluid between the heat source and the heat sink, wherein the lubrication fluid conduit is positioned entirely within the sump.