Abstract: An impedance sensing circuit includes three impedance elements and a sensing element arranged in a bridge configuration. A first input terminal is coupled to two of the impedance elements to apply a stimulus signal. In a mutual-sensing mode, a second input terminal is coupled to the third impedance element and the sensing impedance element to apply an opposite phase stimulus signal. The impedance sensing circuit may be configured in a self-sensing mode, in which the opposite phase stimulus signal is decoupled from the third impedance element and the sensing impedance element. At least one of the impedance elements is variable and may be adjusted to balance an offset impedance load on the sensing element.

Abstract: A system for automating the removal of cooking racks or trays laden with food items. The automatic rack lifting system includes a fryer assembly having a frypot and a liftable traveler assembly with a removable rack carrier or cooking carriage that carries a plurality of removable cooking baskets for food into and out of the cooking medium or oil disposed within the frypot. The system may further include lift arms removably secured to an actuation support structure. The automatic rack lifting system comprises a lift system for automated (e.g. under software program control) or manually controlled automatic lifting of a cooking carriage.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a wafer processing device for optimizing wafer shape. For example, the wafer processing device can include a first hot plate, a second hot plate and a controller. The first hot plate can be configured to heat a wafer. For example, the first hot plate can provide uniform heating across a surface of the first hot plate. The second hot plate has multiple heating zones with each heating zone independently controllable such that each heating zone can be set to a temperature value independent of other heating zones. The controller is configured to control the first hot plate to provide the uniform heating, receive a bow measurement from wafer curvature measurement of a wafer, and set the multiple heating zones of the second hot plate to their respective temperature values that correspond to the bow measurement.

Abstract: An implant system for a knee comprising a femur and a patella. The implant system includes a patella implant comprising an implant body. The implant body comprises a bone facing surface, an articular facing surface, and at least one dimple. The bone facing surface engages bone beneath an implant site formed in the patella. The articular facing surface faces towards an articulating surface of the femur and has a non-anatomical shape (such as a dome). The dimples are formed in the articular facing surface and have a load bearing surface to engage against the articulating surface of the femur. The load bearing surface may have a contour that substantially corresponds to a spherical portion of a generally spherical segment or has an elongated, partially oval shape, and may be configured to increase contact area with the articulating surface of the femur, reduce stress concentrations, and increase resistance to dislocation subluxation.

Abstract: A swirler assembly includes a swirler having primary swirler with a primary swirler venturi, a swirler ferrule plate connected to the primary swirler, and a fuel nozzle disposed in the swirler ferrule plate. The swirler ferrule plate has an aft wall, an annular conical wall, and an annular cavity wall that together form an annular cavity. The annular cavity includes a plurality of inlet orifices, and at least one outlet orifice. A flow of oxidizer through the plurality of inlet orifices into the annular cavity incurs a first pressure drop from a first pressure of a pressure plenum to a second pressure lower than the first pressure, and a flow of the oxidizer from the annular cavity through the at least one outlet orifice into the primary swirler venturi incurs a second pressure drop from the second pressure to a third pressure lower than the second pressure.

Abstract: A vapor cartridge for a non-combustible vaping device may be configured to receive a flavor cartridge, generate a vapor, and direct the generated vapor through the flavor cartridge to provide a flavored vapor. The flavor cartridge may include an instance of electrically conductive material extending at least partially around the flavor cartridge. The vapor cartridge may include an authentication assembly including a set of electrically conductive instruments may independently and directly contact the instance of electrically conductive material of the flavor cartridge inserted into the vapor cartridge, such that the electrically conductive instruments are electrically connected to each other through the instance of electrically conductive material of the flavor cartridge.

Abstract: A spinal cord stimulator includes: (1) a flexible substrate; (2) a power source embedded in the flexible substrate; (3) a controller embedded in the flexible substrate and connected to the power source; and (4) an array of electrodes, including an array of stimulation electrodes, disposed over the flexible substrate and connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to direct the array of stimulation electrodes to deliver a stimulation pattern to a spinal cord of a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle can include a mower having a cutting deck. The deck can include an upper wall and downwardly extending sidewalls forming a cutting chamber. The vehicle may include a cutting blade assembly contained within the cutting chamber. A distance between the cutting blade assembly and a trim edge of the mower deck can be changed.

Abstract: A multicomponent implant system includes a multicomponent implant comprising a base plate and a load plate. The base plate includes a bone facing surface and a base plate interface surface. The load plate includes a load plate interface surface and a load bearing surface, the load bearing surface being substantially parallel to the load plate interface surface and having a contour substantially corresponding to a contour of a removed portion of the articular surface. Both the load plate interface surface and base plate interface surface have a contour substantially corresponding to the contour of the load bearing surface. The load plate is configured to be advanced in an arcuate direction to slidably couple the load plate to the base plate after the base plate has been secured within the first excision site by an anchor.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus (20) for a cutting machine (10). The extraction apparatus (20) comprises first and second portions (21, 22) rotatable one relative to the other for angular movement between two opposed positions. A slidable coupling (27) defines a fluid flow path (29) for fluid communication between the first and second portions (21, 22) during said angular movement between the two opposed positions, whereby fluid can flow from the interior (45) of the first portion (21) into the second portion (22). The slidable coupling (27) comprises first and second coupling sections (61, 62) slidable one with respect to the other. The second coupling section (62) is hollow to define an open interior (63). The first coupling section (61) defines a duct (65) opening onto the interior (63) of the second coupling section (62), whereby the duct (65) and the interior (63) of the second coupling section (62) cooperate to define the fluid flow path (29).

Abstract: A trocar assembly that includes a trocar and a seal cartridge configured to be releasably coupled to the trocar. The seal cartridge includes a top cap that includes a main body and a latch ring. The latch ring is grounded to the main body at a first angular position and has a latch located at a second angular position angularly offset from the first angular position. Applying a radial load on the latch causes the latch ring to flex in torsion at an intermediate portion that angularly interposes the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: An information preservation and conveyance system for providing information and effects to intelligent creatures in the future. The system provides durable containers with components secured inside and durable structure components, such as building bricks for example, mountable to a durable building, pyramid, or other structure, with at least one structure component having external surface information readable by a human. Higher density durable information providing components may be secured inside a durable container by resilient devices to absorb impact forces. Durable optical magnifier pictographic instructions and an optical magnifier or projector may be secured by durable containers, which can have a container opener durably mounted to exposed sections on the durable containers. The durable containers can contain audio generation apparatus, which optionally may teach a language, and any of a wide variety of types of information and articles of possible interest and value to a discoverer in the future.

Abstract: A method of generating three dimensional shapes for a cornea and lens of an eye, the method including illuminating an eye with multiple sections of light and obtaining multiple sectional images of said eye based on said multiple sections of light. For each one of the obtained multiple sectional images, the following processes are performed: a) automatically identifying arcs, in two-dimensional space, corresponding to anterior and posterior corneal and lens surfaces of the eye by image analysis and curve fitting of the one of the obtained multiple sectional images; and b) determining an intersection of lines ray traced back from the identified arcs in two-dimensional space with a known position of a section of space containing the section of light that generated the one of the obtained multiple sectional images, wherein the determined intersection defines a three-dimensional arc curve.

Abstract: A more robust packaging structure for maintaining the integrity of compressible biologically active materials during storage and especially during transportation is provided. These containers protect the materials from shock, vibration, deformation, or separation from agitation. The compressible materials may be in the form of synthetic fibers, and may include a composite of fibers and beads or granules. Suitable materials that may benefit from such a robust packaging structure include synthetic materials that comprise a biologically active ceramic or glass.

Abstract: A coalescing filter element provides an integrated filter element with a three stage design with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic coalescing layer. A coalescing filter element comprises: a) At least one particulate filtration layer; b) A coalescing layer promoting coalescing of water particles, wherein the coalescing layer is downstream of the at least one particulate filtration layer relative to the flow of fluid through the element; c) An annular coalescing space downstream of the coalescing layer; d) A sump in a lower portion of the filter element in fluid communication with the annular coalescing space; and e) A hydrophobic layer downstream of the annular coalescing space, wherein fluid being cleaned by the element flows through the hydrophobic layer. The coalescing layer may be a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic coalescing layer. A filter assembly will include the coalescing filter element of the present invention.

Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a main exhaust aftertreatment system with a main catalytic converter, and a light-off catalyst bypass system with a bypass passage and a bypass catalytic converter. An emissions control system includes a controller in signal communication with a first temperature sensor disposed upstream of the bypass catalytic converter, and a second temperature sensor disposed downstream of the bypass catalytic converter.

Abstract: An automated medication dispenser system is disclosed. The system includes a dispenser device comprising a medication dispensing and storage module, a dispensing drive and control mechanism, and a communications interface. A third party communications host is in communication with the dispenser device, and has administration software with executable instructions for control of the dispensing drive and control mechanism to dispense medication from the medication dispensing and storage module. The communications interface is in communication with the third party communications host.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.

Abstract: A rapid-entry and rebounding fit shoe having one or both of a rapid-entry heel element and a rapid-entry tongue element and both snap back for fit. The rapid-entry shoe directs a user's foot into or otherwise accommodates a user's foot with respect to, a shoe opening, and thereafter secures a rear portion of rapid-entry shoe about a user's heel as well as forefoot.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Ceanothus plant named ‘UMNCNS01’ that is characterized by its inflorescences that are light pink in color, its coral red fruit capsules, and its crown cold hardiness to U.S.D.A Zone 4a.