Abstract: An auto changeover mechanism for a thermostat. A heat and cool mode auto changeover with single or crossed setpoints may be an approach for doing a single setpoint auto changeover, an approach that can handle auto changeover with separate heat and cool setpoints that do not require the cool setpoint to always be higher than the heat setpoint, and also an approach that does not necessarily require a dead band between the setpoints. A hysteresis may be associated with switching to the other mode. The thermostat having the auto changeover mechanism may have a display of a mode that automatically changes between heat and cool.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device and method of use for measuring the thickness of tissue is disclosed. The instrument includes an elongated tubular housing, an elongated shaft, a pair of jaws, an actuating mechanism and a tissue thickness indicator. The tissue thickness indicator includes an indicator scale on the housing and a marker located on a proximal portion of the shaft. The shaft is displaceable within the housing against the bias of a spring and is coupled to the jaws to open the jaws when the shaft is moved distally by the actuating mechanism, whereupon the tissue can be located between the open jaws. The actuator mechanism can then be released, whereupon the jaws close on the interposed tissue and move the shaft in the proximal direction so that marker is disposed adjacent to the indicator scale to thereby provide a readily visible indication of the thickness of the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside of the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The objective output is provided at a frequency (i.e., periodicity) that results in a clinically acceptable tracking error. In addition, the objective output can also be provided at least substantially contemporaneously with collecting the position data used to determine the location of the marker.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for repairing and reconstructing an injured intra-articular, extra-articular ligament or tendon to a bone. The system includes realigning the axis of a bone, and further includes fixing fragments of a bone together. Novel devices, instruments and methods are disclosed, including a cortical loop for engaging a bundle of soft-tissue and capturing the bundle against a bone surface, an anchor for stabilizing a fractured bone, a guide for directing an orthopaedic blade, and a hinged external jig arranged to position and guide the blade. Methods are disclosed for connecting soft-tissue to a bone and for bone alignment.

Abstract: Electromagnetic transponders as markers are used to localize and guide orthopedic procedures including: knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder replacement, damaged bone reconstruction, and spine surgery, and more particularly, to guide orthopedic surgical navigation and alignment techniques and instruments. For example, the marker could further be used in any number of guides or templates that attach to the bony anatomy; such as a surgical guide, cutting guide, cutting jig, resection block and/or resurfacing guide. Further, the marker could be incorporated into an existing intramedullary guide rod for a femur and an extramedullary guide rod for a tibia in a knee replacement surgery; or into an external surgical guide system, or the marker could eliminate the need for an external template altogether. According to yet another anticipated use of the tracking system, the marker could be used in conjunction with or replace an optical alignment system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic detection of misconnected cables are described herein. In one or more embodiments, a test circuit sends a signal through a first pin of a first connector that is coupled to a first cable of a plurality of cables. The test circuit monitors a second pin of a second connector that is coupled to a second cable of the plurality of cables to determine whether the signal is detected on the second pin of the second connector. Responsive to determining that the signal is not detected on the second pin, an alert signal is generated to indicate that at least one cable of the plurality of cables is misconnected.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring system with vibration sensors, a computer system connected to the vibration sensors, and a display connected to the computer system. The computer system gathers data from the vibration sensors and compares the gathered data to a first threshold. The display shows a first list of events where the gathered data exceed the first threshold. The computer system has a local computer connected to the vibration sensors, and a central monitoring station and/or a user computer connected to the local computer. The central monitoring station and/or the user computer is connected to the local computer via the Internet.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising multiple means of adjusting the location of the center of gravity, and the bias, is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the golf club head comprises a non-metal medallion comprising a channel that is affixed to one of the crown and the sole, a slidable weight sized to fit within the channel, and a cover that attaches to the medallion and locks the slidable weight within the channel at a location selected by a user. The cover preferably includes at least one cutout so that the slidable weight is at least partially visible to the user when it is locked within the channel. The cover also includes additional cutouts that receive protrusions extending from the medallion to more securely attach the cover to the medallion.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a refrigeration system comprises an emergency electric power supply configured to supply power to at least one motor drive of the system. The system further comprises a power switch coupled to the emergency electric power supply, a tank configured to store a refrigerant, a first compressor configured to compress the refrigerant of the tank, and a controller coupled to the power switch and the first compressor. The controller may receive an indication from the power switch that the system is using the emergency electric power supply, and in response to receiving the indication from the power switch that the system is using the emergency electric power supply, operate the system in a first power outage mode. The controller may determine an amount of power to supply to the first compressor based on the first power outage mode and transmit a signal to instruct the first compressor to turn on.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for reuse of cancelled products that are partially manufactured. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for reusing a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of defined target configurations. The method can further include executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with a target configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for real-time determination of the status of autonomous operation features of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, the operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be monitored to obtain operating data from one or more autonomous operation features. An operating status of the autonomous features may be determined based upon the operating data. After which, a change in the operating status of the autonomous features may be identified, and a report containing information regarding the change in the operating status of the autonomous features may be generated.

Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.

Abstract: An ablation electrode assembly is provided with improved irrigation cooling of the assembly and ablation site. The assembly includes a proximal end configured to be coupled to a catheter shaft and a distal end configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. The assembly further includes a fluid manifold extending from the proximal end to the distal end and configured to fluidly communicate with a fluid lumen in the catheter shaft. The fluid manifold defines an axial passageway centered about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the assembly. The axial passageway has a distal end terminating prior to the distal end of the electrode assembly. The assembly further includes means for creating turbulence in fluid exiting the first axial passageway.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing vehicular driver alerts. In various aspects a vehicle operating environment may be monitored by one or more sensors associated with a first vehicle operating within the vehicle operating environment. The first vehicle may be determined to be in proximity to a second vehicle based upon sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors. An identifier associated with the second vehicle may be determined based upon the sensor data and the identifier may be used to receive evaluation data associated with the second vehicle. The evaluation data may indicate a quality level associated with operation of the second vehicle. Based upon the evaluation data, it may be determined that the second vehicle is associated with a heightened risk of a vehicle accident. A warning regarding the heightened risk may be generated and presented, by an output device, to a vehicle operator of the first vehicle.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing multiaxial vibrations to simulate an environment for transporting a stack of products is provided. A lower platform is provided for inducing uniaxial vibrations. A link is connected to the lower platform by a lower end of the link. The upper end of the link has a universal joint, through which the link is connected to an upper platform. The upper platform has a top surface, on which the stack of products can be placed. In operations, the uniaxial vibrations of the lower platform are transferred to the upper platform through the link and the universal joint, to induce pivotal movement of the upper platform with respect to the shaft of the link. As a result, multiaxial vibrations can be induced to the stack of products placed on the top surface of the upper platform.