Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to differentially regulate fluid flow in a subterranean formation using autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs), but they are not readily configurable in the field at present. Wellbore systems providing adjustable flow control may comprise: a wellbore pipe having a flow control assembly fixedly coupled thereto, the wellbore pipe having an interior space, an outer surface, and one or more AICDs establishing a fluid connection between the interior space and the outer surface of the wellbore pipe, and the flow control assembly comprising one or more flow chambers defined on the outer surface about the one or more AICDs, one or more inlets being fluidly connected to the one or more flow chambers; wherein the one or more inlets are configured to accept a plug for occluding fluid flow therethrough, so as to limit access of a fluid to an entry location of the AICDs.

Abstract: Disclosed are wellbore flow control devices that allow on-site field adjustments to flow characteristics. One autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly includes a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior, at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports, and a plug configured to be arranged in at least one of the at least one fluid inlet and the outlet of the at least one AICD by a well operator on-site.

Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to differentially regulate fluid flow in a subterranean formation using autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs), but they are not readily configurable in the field at present. Wellbore systems providing adjustable flow control may comprise: a wellbore pipe having a flow control assembly fixedly coupled thereto, the wellbore pipe having an interior space, an outer surface, and one or more AICDs establishing a fluid connection between the interior space and the outer surface of the wellbore pipe, and the flow control assembly comprising one or more flow chambers defined on the outer surface about the one or more AICDs, one or more inlets being fluidly connected to the one or more flow chambers; wherein the one or more inlets are configured to accept a plug for occluding fluid flow therethrough, so as to limit access of a fluid to an entry location of the AICDs.

Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to differentially regulate fluid flow in a subterranean formation using autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs), but they are not readily configurable in the field at present. Wellbore systems providing adjustable flow control may comprise: a wellbore pipe having a flow control assembly fixedly coupled thereto, the wellbore pipe having an interior space, an outer surface, and one or more AICDs establishing a fluid connection between the interior space and the outer surface of the wellbore pipe, and the flow control assembly comprising one or more flow chambers defined on the outer surface about the one or more AICDs, one or more inlets being fluidly connected to the one or more flow chambers; wherein the one or more inlets are configured to accept a plug for occluding fluid flow therethrough, so as to limit access of a fluid to an entry location of the AICDs.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying a plurality of surgical staples is provided. The device includes a staple fastening assembly attached to a surgical instrument. The staple fastening assembly includes a pair of cooperating jaws, a jaw operating mechanism, and a gap sensor. A staple magazine having a plurality of staples and an anvil member having a plurality of staple pockets are attached to the jaws. The staple magazine includes a staple crimping cam and a staple dimpling cam that are operatively coupled to the surgical instrument. The jaw operating mechanism is operatively connected to a drive assembly in the surgical instrument for moving the jaws for automatically setting a tissue gap between the cooperating jaws. The gap sensor cooperates with the jaw operating mechanism for controlling staple formation.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying a plurality of surgical staples is provided. The device includes a staple fastening assembly attached to a surgical instrument. The staple fastening assembly includes a pair of cooperating jaws, a jaw operating mechanism, and a gap sensor. A staple magazine having a plurality of staples and an anvil member having a plurality of staple pockets are attached to the jaws. The staple magazine includes a staple crimping cam and a staple dimpling cam that are operatively coupled to the surgical instrument. The jaw operating mechanism is operatively connected to a drive assembly in the surgical instrument for moving the jaws for automatically setting a tissue gap between the cooperating jaws. The gap sensor cooperates with the jaw operating mechanism for controlling staple formation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a cartridge for use with a surgical stapler is disclosed. The cartridge has a plurality of individual directionally biased surgical staples therein and associated pushers for ejecting the staples from the cartridge, each of the staples being supported within the cartridge in spaced relation from adjacent staples and each of the staples comprising a backspan, and a pair of deformable legs depending from the backspan. The legs are configured to come into contact with anvil pockets for formation of the staple. Each of the staples has a substantially uniform cross-section along substantially the entire length of each leg, the cross-section includes a shape that is selected from the group consisting of a trapezoid, a triangle and a semicircle.

Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to differentially regulate fluid flow in a subterranean formation using autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs), but they are not readily configurable in the field at present. Wellbore systems providing adjustable flow control may comprise: a wellbore pipe having a flow control assembly fixedly coupled thereto, the wellbore pipe having an interior space, an outer surface, and one or more AICDs establishing a fluid connection between the interior space and the outer surface of the wellbore pipe, and the flow control assembly comprising one or more flow chambers defined on the outer surface about the one or more AICDs, one or more inlets being fluidly connected to the one or more flow chambers; wherein the one or more inlets are configured to accept a plug for occluding fluid flow therethrough, so as to limit access of a fluid to an entry location of the AICDs.

Abstract: Disclosed are wellbore flow control devices that allow on-site field adjustments to flow characteristics. One autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly includes a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior, at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports, and a plug configured to be arranged in at least one of the at least one fluid inlet and the outlet of the at least one AICD by a well operator on-site.

Abstract: This invention relates to wellbore equipment utilized in conjunction with operations performed in subterranean wells and, in particular, sand control screen assemblies providing secondary flow capabilities. Once sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having an exterior surface and defining one or more perforations therein, a screen jacket disposed about the exterior surface of the base pipe and having a primary screen axially adjacent a secondary screen, and at least one relief valve configured to open upon experiencing a predetermined fluid pressure, wherein, once opened, the at least one relief valve diverts fluid flow from the primary screen and provides the fluid flow to the secondary screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to wellbore equipment utilized in conjunction with operations performed in subterranean wells and, in particular, sand control screen assemblies providing secondary flow capabilities. Once sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having an exterior surface and defining one or more perforations therein, a screen jacket disposed about the exterior surface of the base pipe and having a primary screen axially adjacent a secondary screen, and at least one relief valve configured to open upon experiencing a predetermined fluid pressure, wherein, once opened, the at least one relief valve diverts fluid flow from the primary screen and provides the fluid flow to the secondary screen.

Abstract: An computer item banking system for standards-based assessments has test items used in standards-based assessments wherein a plurality of item specifications are developed using a specification building feature to create new, edit, move, and delete specifications and to assign specifications to one or more standards; a plurality of test items are constructed and edited using a test building feature to specify the type of item being constructed, points available for the item, and the type of bank to which the item is assigned; bank types include agency-wide assessments including benchmark tests and end-of-course examinations, and formative assessments such as classroom quizzes. The system includes means for certification of test items and preventing use of uncertified test items to be used in agency-wide assessments under construction.