Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are described for administering a swallowable cell collection device to a patient. Methods include releasing a swallowable bundle of string of the cell collection device from a bundling apparatus, maintaining the string in a swallowable bundle while releasing the swallowable bundle from the bundling apparatus, and placing the swallowable bundle on the tongue of the patient. Methods also include constraining a retrieval string of the cell collection device in a swallowable bundle with a dissolvable band and placing the swallowable bundle on the tongue of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument includes first and second jaw members each defining a hole for detachable receipt of opposite ends of a curved needle. The first jaw member is rotatable relative to the second jaw member to move and transfer the curved needle between the jaw members. A first elongate locking element is slidable within the first jaw member between non-locking and locking positions. When the first elongate locking element is in the locking position and the curved needle is disposed within the hole of the first jaw member, a portion of the first elongate locking element is received in a notch defined in an end of the curved needle to selectively secure the curved needle to the first jaw member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for a social interaction by a robot device. The method includes receiving an input from a user, determining an emotional state of the user by mapping the received input with a set of emotions and dynamically interacting with the user based on the determined emotional state in response to the input. Dynamically interacting with the user includes generating contextual parameters based on the determined emotional state. The method includes determining an action in response to the received input based on the generated contextual parameters and performing the determined action. The method further includes receiving another input from the user in response to the performed action and dynamically updating the mapping of the received input with the set of emotions based on the other input for interacting with the user.

Abstract: The presently disclosed stapling device includes a stomal sleeve secured to an anvil assembly of a tool assembly of the stapling device. The stomal sleeve has a tubular configuration having a first end portion secured to a tissue contact surface of the anvil assembly and a second end portion secured to a distal face of an anvil head of the anvil assembly. In use, the stapling device is fired to secure the first end portion of the stomal sleeve to dermal and intestinal tissue within a stoma and to separate the first end portion of the stomal sleeve from the anvil assembly. When the stapling device is withdrawn from the stoma, the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is withdrawn from the stoma and subsequently disengaged from the anvil head of the anvil assembly such that the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is positioned externally of the stoma.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for system level function based access control for smart contract execution on a blockchain. Access control rules control function calls at a system level by utilizing function boundary detection instrumentation in a kernel that executes smart contracts. The detection instrumentation generates a call stack that represents a chain of function calls in the kernel for execution of a smart contract. The access control rules are applied to the function call stack to allow or prohibit specific functions or function call chains. Access control rules can also define allowed or prohibited parameter data in the function call chain. If the function call chain or parameters do not meet the requirements defined in the access control rules, then the function call can be blocked from executing or completing execution. The access control rules can produce sophisticated access control policies based on complex function call chains.

Abstract: A stomal diverter device includes a catheter, a stoma rod, and a bracket. The catheter includes a first tube having an open end, a second tube spaced from the first tube having a closed end, and a drain tube. The stoma rod is positioned between the first and second tubes and includes structure to releasably attach the stoma rod to the abdomen of the patient. The bracket is supported on the catheter and the stoma rod and defines a locking feature that is configured to engage a mating feature of the stoma rod to secure the catheter between the stoma rod and the bracket.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for function level permissions control for smart contract execution to implement permissions policy on a blockchain. Permissions control rules control function calls at a system level utilizing function boundary detection instrumentation in a kernel that executes smart contracts. The detection instrumentation generates a call stack that represents a chain of function calls in the kernel for a smart contract. The permissions control rules are applied to the call stack to implement permissions control policy. Permissions control rules can use dynamic state data in the function call chain. If the dynamic state data observed in function call chains does not meet the requirements defined in the permissions control rules, then the function call can be blocked from executing or completing execution. The permissions control rules can be generated for a variety of different entities, such as a domain, user or resource.

Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument includes first and second jaw members each defining a hole for detachable receipt of opposite ends of a curved needle. The first jaw member is rotatable relative to the second jaw member to move and transfer the curved needle between the jaw members. A first elongate locking element is slidable within the first jaw member between non-locking and locking positions. When the first elongate locking element is in the locking position and the curved needle is disposed within the hole of the first jaw member, a portion of the first elongate locking element is received in a notch defined in an end of the curved needle to selectively secure the curved needle to the first jaw member.

Abstract: A tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly or a heating assembly along with an anvil assembly, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a working member and a laser probe that is pivotally supported on the working member and emits a laser beam. The laser probe is positioned between the cartridge and anvil assemblies such that the laser beam extends across a tissue gap of the tool assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for system level function based access control for smart contract execution on a blockchain. Access control rules control function calls at a system level by utilizing function boundary detection instrumentation in a kernel that executes smart contracts. The detection instrumentation generates a call stack that represents a chain of function calls in the kernel for execution of a smart contract. The access control rules are applied to the function call stack to allow or prohibit specific functions or function call chains. Access control rules can also define allowed or prohibited parameter data in the function call chain. If the function call chain or parameters do not meet the requirements defined in the access control rules, then the function call can be blocked from executing or completing execution. The access control rules can produce sophisticated access control policies based on complex function call chains.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for function level permissions control for smart contract execution to implement permissions policy on a blockchain. Permissions control rules control function calls at a system level utilizing function boundary detection instrumentation in a kernel that executes smart contracts. The detection instrumentation generates a call stack that represents a chain of function calls in the kernel for a smart contract. The permissions control rules are applied to the call stack to implement permissions control policy. Permissions control rules can use dynamic state data in the function call chain. If the dynamic state data observed in function call chains does not meet the requirements defined in the permissions control rules, then the function call can be blocked from executing or completing execution. The permissions control rules can be generated for a variety of different entities, such as a domain, user or resource.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for real-time processing in wireless communications systems. An interruption of processing of one or more first symbol packets at one or more wireless communication components is detected. A predetermined period of time for a delay in processing of one or more second symbol packets is determined. Processing of one or more second symbol packets is delayed until expiration of the predetermined period of time. Processing of one or more second symbol packets is then performed.

Abstract: A mesh deployment device is configured to place a surgical mesh on tissue retro muscularly. In particular, the mesh deployment device includes an arm assembly that is transitionable between a retracted configuration, in which, stationary and covering arms are in superposed relation such that the surgical mesh is supported by the supporting arm therebetween, and a deployed configuration, in which, the stationary, covering, and supporting arms are circumferentially spaced apart to support the surgical mesh thereon.

Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies may include a platen characterized by a first surface configured to support a semiconductor substrate. The assemblies may include a first stem section coupled with a second surface of the platen opposite the first surface of the platen. The assemblies may include a second stem section coupled with the first stem section. The second stem section may include a housing and a rod holder disposed within the housing. The second stem section may include a connector seated within the rod holder at a first end of the connector. The second stem section may include a heater rod disposed within the first end of the connector and a heater extension rod coupled with the connector at a second end of the connector. The second stem section may include an RF rod and an RF strap coupling the RF rod with an RF extension rod.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes an end effector including a jaw assembly and a needle assembly. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws movable between open and closed positions. Each of the first and second jaws includes a tissue facing surface having an elongated rail and a longitudinal row of teeth. Each tooth of the longitudinal rows of teeth of the first and second jaws includes a needle channel extending therethrough. The elongated rails and the longitudinal rows of teeth of the first and second jaws are disposed in opposed relation relative to each other. The needle assembly includes a first needle, a second needle, and a suture coupled to the first and second needles. The first needle is slidable through the needle channels of the first jaw and the second needle is slidable through the needle channels of the second jaw.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, an articulating section coupled to the shaft, and an end effector coupled to the articulating section. The handle assembly includes a rotatable knob, a first lever, a second lever, and an actuating handle. A flexible drive rod extends through the shaft to the end effector. First and second articulation cables extend through the shaft and are coupled to the articulating section. A proximal end of the flexible drive rod is coupled to the actuating handle and a distal end of the flexible drive rod is coupled to the end effector. A proximal end of the first articulation cable is coupled to the first lever and a proximal end of the second articulation cable is coupled to the second lever. Distal ends of the first and second articulation cables are coupled to the articulating section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for a social interaction by a robot device. The method includes receiving an input from a user, determining an emotional state of the user by mapping the received input with a set of emotions and dynamically interacting with the user based on the determined emotional state in response to the input. Dynamically interacting with the user includes generating contextual parameters based on the determined emotional state. The method includes determining an action in response to the received input based on the generated contextual parameters and performing the determined action. The method further includes receiving another input from the user in response to the performed action and dynamically updating the mapping of the received input with the set of emotions based on the other input for interacting with the user.

Abstract: A load balancer receives a sequence of requests for computing service and distributes the requests for computing service to a computing node in an ordered list of computing nodes until the computing node reaches its maximum allowable compute capability. Responsive to an indication that the computing node has reached its maximum allowable compute capability, the load balancer distributes subsequent requests for computing service to another computing node in the ordered list. If the computing node is the last computing node in the ordered list, the load balancer distributes a subsequent request for computing service to a computing node other than one of the computing nodes in the ordered list of computing nodes. If the computing node is not the last computing node in the ordered list, the load balancer distributes a subsequent request for computing service to another computing node in the ordered list of computing nodes.

Abstract: A shear bolt including a head portion and a shaft portion extending along an axis from the head portion is described. The shaft portion has a threaded outer surface and a stepped bore where the stepped bore has a plurality of regions along the axis and a plurality of steps. Each step in the plurality of steps separates adjacent regions in the plurality of regions and an inner diameter of the stepped bore is constant in each region in the plurality of regions and changes discontinuously at each step in the plurality of steps. The inner diameter increases from a first region in the plurality of regions closest to the head portion to a second region in the plurality of regions farthest from the head portion.

Abstract: A circular stapling device is described that is particularly suited for creating stomas. The circular stapling device includes two tool assemblies. The first tool assembly is adapted to create a reinforced incision in tissue, e.g., the rectus sheath, through which a vessel portion, e.g., colon, small intestine, etc. can be pulled through during a surgical procedure. The second tool assembly is adapted to attach a stomal sleeve within the vessel portion such that the stomal sleeve extends from the stoma.