Abstract: A digital suture fixation system includes an anchor, an introducer that is attachable to a finger of a person such that at least a distal tip of the finger is available to palpate tissue and identify a landmark within a patient, and a delivery device attached to the introducer. The anchor is removably attached to the delivery device. The anchor is exposed on an exterior of the delivery device and the delivery device is positioned to allow the finger to push the anchor into the landmark.

Abstract: A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool. The battery pack is operable to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool, and is operable to power the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.

Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a housing with a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion, a flexible cable having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end, a camera assembly coupled to the second end of the flexible cable and operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable, and a display movably coupled to the support portion of the housing and operable to present an image derived from the image data.

Abstract: A set of candidate signatures for a malicious software (malware) is generated. The candidate signatures in the set are scored based on features that indicate the signatures are more unique and thus less likely to generically occur non-malicious programs. A malware signature for the malware entity is selected from among the candidate malware signatures based on the scores. The selected malware signature is stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complete artificial intelligence system for the acquisition and analysis of nucleic acid array hybridization information. The system includes a central data processing facility and one or more user facilities, linked by encrypted connections. Each user facility may include an optical scanning system to collect hybridization signals from a nucleic acid array, an image processing system to convert the optical data into a set of hybridization parameters, a connection to a data network, and a user interface to display, manipulate, search, and analyze hybridization information. This system reads data from a nucleic acid microarray, analyzes test results, evaluates patient risk for various ailments, and recommends methods of treatment. The automated artificial intelligence system is a real time, dynamic decision making tool that can be used in conjunction with a clinical analysis system, and with the information obtained in a research and development environment.

Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The body defines a cavity. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor and a light source. The image sensor is operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically coupled to the flexible cable to display images captured by the image sensor. The device also includes a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.

Abstract: A powered dispensing tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a rack coupled to the motor for powered translation in at least one of a forward direction and a reverse direction, and a transmission selectively coupling the motor and the rack. The transmission includes an input ring rotatable in response to rotation of the motor in a first direction corresponding with powered translation of the rack in the forward direction, a first clutch member engaged with the rack through an intermediate gear, and a second clutch member that receives torque from the input ring and that is movable in response to rotation of the motor in the first direction toward a first position engaging the first clutch member. The second clutch member is also movable in response to rotation of the motor in an opposite, second direction toward a second position disengaged from the first clutch member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient token matching using complex rules. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus comprises searching a token stream to determine an earliest, narrowest token match range within a token stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complete artificial intelligence system for the acquisition and analysis of nucleic acid array hybridization information. The system includes a central data processing facility and one or more user facilities, linked by encrypted connections. Each user facility may include an optical scanning system to collect hybridization signals from a nucleic acid array, an image processing system to convert the optical data into a set of hybridization parameters, a connection to a data network, and a user interface to display, manipulate, search, and analyze hybridization information. This system reads data from a nucleic acid microarray, analyzes test results, evaluates patient risk for various ailments, and recommends methods of treatment. The automated artificial intelligence system is a real time, dynamic decision making tool that can be used in conjunction with a clinical analysis system, and with the information obtained in a research and development environment.

Abstract: A method to avoid discarding a worn non-adjusting clutch cover by converting the worn non-adjusting clutch cover to an adjusting clutch cover for re-use. First, the convex portion of the non-adjusting cover is adapted to receive an adjusting ring having the embodiments of the adjusting rings known in the art. The convex portion is cleaned by taking about 0.20-0.030 of one inch depth from an inner surface of the convex portion. A threaded wall is defined in the inner surface such that the adjusting ring having an externally threaded surface can be threadably coupled to the internally threaded surface of the inner surface of the convex portion. An adjuster aperture is drilled through the cover to receive a ring adjuster that engages the adjusting ring for positional adjustment.

Abstract: A set of likelihood values associated with a set of characteristics associated with the set of goodware entities is determined. The set of characteristics is stored in association with the set of likelihood values as a model. A set of relative information gain values associated with the characteristics of the set of characteristics is generated. One or more characteristics are removed from the model responsive to the relative information gain values associated with the one or more characteristics to produce a revised model.

Abstract: A method of fixing a suture to tissue of a patient includes placing an introducer onto a finger; attaching an anchor to the introducer; delivering the introducer into the patient's body with the finger; and driving the anchor with the finger into the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A digital suture fixation system includes an anchor, an introducer that is attachable to a finger of a person such that at least a distal tip of the finger is available to palpate tissue and identify a landmark within a patient, and a delivery device attached to the introducer. The anchor is removably attached to the delivery device. The anchor is exposed on an exterior of the delivery device and the delivery device is positioned to allow the finger to push the anchor into the landmark.

Abstract: A method to optimize performance of an operator on a computer system includes determining whether the system is busy, decreasing a software thread level within the operator if the system is busy, and increasing the software thread level within the operator if the system is not busy and a performance measure of the system at a current software thread level of the operator is greater than a performance measure of the system when the operator has a lower software thread level.

Abstract: An electrical switch and outlet design which includes a modular electrical component system having a universal connector which can receive replacement switches, sockets and other electrical components. The connection between these switches, sockets or other components and the universal connector is controlled by a lifting system in which the entirety of the replacement module is inserted into a receptacle or removed therefrom without the user touching any electrical wiring. Essentially, components are changed by plugging a component into and unplugging one from a universal grounded connector.

Abstract: The invention is a sleeve for application to a human extremity. The sleeve has a tubular structure with distal and proximal openings, a pre-flexed section between the openings, and distal and proximal contact zones on opposing sides of the pre-flexed section. At least the distal contact zone extends from the pre-flexed section in a conically tapering manner. A distal end zone is disposed between the distal contact zone and the distal end. The distal end zone may also be conically tapered toward the distal end, and in one embodiment has a different degree of taper that the distal contact zone.

Abstract: Pattern representation and enablement of operations pertaining thereto are disclosed, with model-operative pattern representation using a declarative componential-driven domain-specific programming language. Accordingly, pattern codifications are decoupled from code for execution of specific operational use cases against the patterns, occurrences, and models of interest. Variability points are codified in patterns, enabling a particular pattern to be used with multiple operations, multiple models, and so forth.

Abstract: A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool. The battery pack is operable to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool, and is operable to power the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.

Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The body defines a cavity. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor and a light source. The image sensor is operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically coupled to the flexible cable to display images captured by the image sensor. The device also includes a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.

Abstract: An electrical switch and outlet design which includes a modular electrical component system having a universal connector which can receive replacement switches, sockets and other electrical components. The connection between these switches, sockets or other components and the universal connector is controlled by a lifting system in which the entirety of the replacement module is inserted into a receptacle or removed therefrom without the user touching any electrical wiring. Essentially, components are changed by plugging a component into and unplugging one from a universal grounded connector.