Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: The use of IL-2R??c agonist peptides in cell manufacturing is disclosed. The IL-2R??c agonist peptides can facilitate the selective growth of immune cell populations. Culture media comprising the IL-2R??c agonist peptides, methods of expanding a target immune cell population, and methods of manufacturing a target immune cell population are disclosed. The enriched immune cell populations can be used in immunotherapy.

Abstract: The use of IL-7R??c agonist peptides in cell manufacturing is disclosed. The IL-7R??c agonist peptides can facilitate the selective growth of immune cell populations. Culture media comprising the IL-7R??c agonist peptides, methods of expanding a target immune cell population, and methods of manufacturing a target immune cell population are disclosed. The enriched immune cell populations can be used in immunotherapy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates and on layers formed on substrates. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to planarization of surfaces on substrates for advanced packaging applications, such as surfaces of polymeric material layers. In one implementation, the method includes mechanically grinding a substrate surface against a polishing surface in the presence of a grinding slurry during a first polishing process to remove a portion of a material formed on the substrate; and then chemically mechanically polishing the substrate surface against the polishing surface in the presence of a polishing slurry during a second polishing process to reduce any roughness or unevenness caused by the first polishing process.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof comprising a targeting ligand and engineered cytotoxic cells comprising a targeting agent specific for the targeting ligand, for use in inducing cytotoxicity in a cancer cell, in delivering a cytotoxic cell to a cancer cell in a subject, and in treating cancer.

Abstract: Components for valve treatment systems are disclosed. Valve treatment systems can include a delivery system for an implantable device. The delivery system can include one or more of clasp control components slidably disposed on a catheter handle, a control element for opening and closing the implantable device, a catheter assembly with features to reduce friction with another catheter assembly, grips for attaching catheter assemblies to clamps, catheter assemblies with features that stiffen or provide variable stiffness, and catheter assemblies with one or more steering control lumens incorporated into a reinforcement layer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a class of reversible thermal gel polymers, formulations thereof, methods for using, and methods for making said reversible thermal gel polymers. Reversible thermal gel polymers and formulations are provided having versatile chemical, physical, mechanical and/or optical properties beneficial for a range of applications including medical treatment. In some embodiments, the architecture and composition of the polymer allows for tunable selection of one or more physical properties supporting a particular application.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof comprising a targeting ligand and engineered cytotoxic cells comprising a targeting agent specific for the targeting ligand, for use in inducing cytotoxicity in a cancer cell, in delivering a cytotoxic cell to a cancer cell in a subject, and in treating cancer.

Abstract: A rotating cutter apparatus including a housing having a housing interior surface defining a housing bore, a shaft extending through the housing bore such that an annular space is provided between the housing interior surface and the shaft, and at least one cutter carried on the shaft. The shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about a shaft axis. The at least one cutter extends radially toward the housing interior surface and is rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft axis. A method for reducing a size of solid objects contained in a fluid, including providing a rotating cutter apparatus, introducing the fluid containing the solid objects into the rotating cutter apparatus, and rotating a shaft and at least one cutter in order to reduce the size of the solid objects while passing the fluid through the rotating cutter apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof comprising a targeting ligand and engineered cytotoxic cells comprising a targeting agent specific for the targeting ligand, for use in inducing cytotoxicity in a cancer cell, in delivering a cytotoxic cell to a cancer cell in a subject, and in treating cancer.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

Abstract: A rotor catch system includes a catch stem having a proximal end coupled to a rotor of a mud motor system and a distal end positioned within a sub housing of a drill string, a catch feature having a top portion and a spindle portion extending from the top portion and coupled to the distal end of the catch stem, a housing catch feature extending radially inward from an inner surface of the sub housing, and a catch bushing positioned between the top portion of the catch feature and the housing catch feature. The housing catch feature restrains axial movement of the catch bushing in the active catch state via contact between the catch bushing and the housing catch feature, and the catch bushing restrains axial movement of the catch feature in the active catch state via contact between the catch feature and the catch bushing.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

Abstract: A detection panel for the universal detection of SARS-like coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and a method for using the detection panel are provided. The detection panel may be known as a Center for Discovery and Innovation (“CDI”) detection panel (CDI Enhanced COVID-19 Test) and may also include an additional primer/probe set in the detection panel to detect the human RNase P gene (RP) in control samples and clinical specimens. The detection panel is designed for both universal detection of SARS-like coronaviruses using an E gene (envelope) detection assay, and specific detection of the SARS-CoV-2, using an N2 (nucleocapsid) detection assay.

Abstract: A rotor catch system includes a catch stem having a proximal end coupled to a rotor of a mud motor system and a distal end positioned within a sub housing of a drill string, a catch feature having a top portion and a spindle portion extending from the top portion and coupled to the distal end of the catch stem, a housing catch feature extending radially inward from an inner surface of the sub housing, and a catch bushing positioned between the top portion of the catch feature and the housing catch feature. The housing catch feature restrains axial movement of the catch bushing in the active catch state via contact between the catch bushing and the housing catch feature, and the catch bushing restrains axial movement of the catch feature in the active catch state via contact between the catch feature and the catch bushing.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint for downhole power transmission has a first insert mounted in a radially extending drive shaft arm. The first insert engages a second insert mounted along a slot formed in a tubular housing disposed to receive the arm. The material for the two inserts may be different, having different galling properties. An insert may be shaped to have at least a flat surface, a cylindrical surface intersecting the flat surface, and a conical surface intersecting the cylindrical surface. The inserts may extend beyond the cavities in which they are mounted. Opposing cavity walls adjacent the cavity opening may be angled away from one another to permit the insert to flex under a load. The back wall of a cavity and back surface of an insert may be arcuate to permit rotational movement of the insert under a load.

Abstract: The handheld cleaning apparatus provides a handheld cleaning apparatus comprising a removable handle, abrasive particles, angled edges, open channels, and a flexible yet durable surface for scouring. The invention creates an abrasive, or “sanding,” cleaning apparatus that is better suited for cleaning dirty surfaces than a traditional cleaning sponge. The handheld cleaning apparatus retains the abrasive outer shell of a sanding sponge but is much more flexible and water permeable than current sanding sponges. To this end, the handheld cleaning apparatus comprises open channels, or “blow holes,” that promote water flow through the sponge and give the sponge flexibility. The size and the number of the channels vary by the material or density of the sponge. The handheld cleaning apparatus, additionally, contains a handle that is removably attached, which enables the consumer the ability to connect one or more cleaning apparatuses together to form the desired shape and form of the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: Nucleic acid amplification assays for mutations to two short sections of the fungal gene FKS1. Mutations in these target sequences have been shown to correlate with resistance to echinocandin-class drugs. Assays may include detection by sequencing or by labeled hybridization probes. Also, primers, probes and reagent kits for performing such assays.

Abstract: A rotating cutter apparatus including a housing having a housing interior surface defining a housing bore, a shaft extending through the housing bore such that an annular space is provided between the housing interior surface and the shaft, and at least one cutter carried on the shaft. The shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about a shaft axis. The at least one cutter extends radially toward the housing interior surface and is rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft axis. A method for reducing a size of solid objects contained in a fluid, including providing a rotating cutter apparatus, introducing the fluid containing the solid objects into the rotating cutter apparatus, and rotating a shaft and at least one cutter in order to reduce the size of the solid objects while passing the fluid through the rotating cutter apparatus.