Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing (20), a syringe carriage (40), a movable handle (25), a shaft (30), a needle sheath (50), and a needle (60). The syringe carriage is operably coupled to the housing and configured to couple to a syringe. The movable handle is movable relative to the housing and operably coupled to the syringe carriage to distally advance the syringe carriage. The shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a lumen. The needle sheath extends through the lumen of the shaft, defines a lumen, and is movable relative to the shaft between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The needle extends through the lumen of the needle sheath and is configured to operably couple to a syringe coupled to the syringe carriage.

Abstract: Methods for delivery of a biologic agent to the dermis or superficial muscles by topical application of the agent are provided. The methods comprise, in one embodiment, treating or conditioning a skin area to disrupt the stratum corneum in the skin area to define a treated skin area and applying a formulation comprising a biologic agent to the treated skin area.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a robotic arm having an instrument drive unit. The surgical robotic system also includes a surgical instrument that is coupled to the instrument drive unit. The surgical instrument includes a hub assembly with a hub housing and a longitudinal shaft extending from the hub housing. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector that is coupled to a distal end portion of the longitudinal shaft. The end effector includes a container with a composition (e.g., contrast dye or drug). The end effector also includes a needle coupled to the container and a sheath disposed over the needle and longitudinally movable relative to the needle from an extended position in which the needle is enclosed within the sheath to a retracted position in which the needle extends out of the sheath.

Abstract: A suture device is utilized in forming a purse string suture during, e.g., laparoscopic end to end anastomosis procedure, to effect joining of two opposing intestinal sections. The suture device is utilized in other procedures such as, e.g., transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for removal of low rectal and ultra-low rectal tumors and preservation of anal sphincters to avoid permanent stomas. In particular, the suture device is utilized in forming surgical stitches used to close an internal anal structure or to narrow a passage for performing further transanal dissection to create total mesorectal excision.

Abstract: A plant-based food product that substantially emulates a ruminant meat may comprise one or more branched chain fatty acids to induce a sensory profile that is not significantly different from that of animal lamb, venison, or goat.

Abstract: Thin solid tablet compositions containing an active permeant can be used in methods for administering the permeant to a subject. The thin solid tablet can be incorporated into a patch. The patch can be used to administer the permeant, such as a drug and an excipient, to the subject by transdermal microporation.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising two or more therapeutically active agents, such as two or more anticancer agents, conjugated to one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the molar ratio of the agents and/or schedules of delivery provide a synergistic therapeutic effect, are described. Methods of making and using the pharmaceutical compositions are further described. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions contain topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors conjugated to the same or different biocompatible polymers. The two or more anticancer agents are covalently coupled to the polymer(s), and thereby can be delivered to a tumor at a molar ratio which provides a synergistic effect. Optionally, the agents are coupled indirectly to the polymer(s) via a linker.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is described herein including an articulating segmented endoscopic portion including at least two segments connected by an angled rotary interface.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising two or more therapeutically active agents, such as two or more anticancer agents, conjugated to one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the molar ratio of the agents and/or schedules of delivery provide a synergistic therapeutic effect, are described. Methods of making and using the pharmaceutical compositions are further described. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions contain topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors conjugated to the same or different biocompatible polymers. The two or more anticancer agents are covalently coupled to the polymer(s), and thereby can be delivered to a tumor at a molar ratio which provides a synergistic effect. Optionally, the agents are coupled indirectly to the polymer(s) via a linker.

Abstract: A portable hand tremor detection device has been reported. This device is composed of a detection unit, a flexible pressure sensor, a signal processing unit, and a power supply. The detection unit is composed of the sensor and press-knob. The flexible pressure sensor is a combination of usually spaced apart flexible polymer preferably polydimethylsiloxane, flexible substrate preferably paper, and a conductive coating preferably reduced graphene oxide (RGO). When the users put pressure on the press-knob through the fingers, the flexible pressure sensor actuates and bends so that conductive RGO layers on the flexible substrates come in contact with each other to generate an output current. The electrical circuits in the signal processing unit are laid down in such a manner that the magnitude of this output current varies with the tremor between the fingers, which eventually converted into an electrical signal showing the variation in the hand tremor with time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for parallel processing of datasets with dynamic skew compensation. The disclosed systems and methods may increase the efficiency of dataset processing by imposing maximum size limits on parallel processing environment tasks. The disclosed systems and methods may generate a target partition of a variable, a database storing data elements, a cluster that generates one or more output files based on the target partition and the data elements, and a display device that displays analysis results for the target partition using the one or more output files. Generation may comprise creating a calculation partition, mapping data elements according to the calculation partition, and generating the one or more output files based on the mapped data elements. The calculation partition may depend on a target partition and a uniform partition that partitions values based on one or more of statistical measures and pseudorandom functions.

Abstract: Design and development of an affordable, user-friendly, and portable POCT hand tremor detection device has been reported. This device is composed of a detection unit, a flexible pressure sensor, a signal processing unit, and a power supply. The detection unit is composed of the sensor and press-knob. The flexible pressure sensor is a combination of usually spaced apart flexible polymer preferably polydimethylsiloxane, flexible substrate preferably paper, and a conductive coating preferably reduced graphene oxide (RGO). When the users put pressure on the press-knob through the fingers, the flexible pressure sensor actuates and bends so that conductive RGO layers on the flexible substrates come in contact with each other to generate an output current.

Abstract: A single-use surgical instrument includes a break-away assembly configured to break when first and second housing halves of a handle assembly are separated for re-processing. In particular, the break-away assembly is configured to operatively support an actuation handle thereon such that damage to the break-away assembly inhibits proper actuation of the actuation handle, thereby rendering the surgical instrument inoperable.

Abstract: A suture device is utilized in forming a purse string suture during, e.g., laparoscopic end to end anastomosis procedure, to effect joining of two opposing intestinal sections. The suture device is utilized in other procedures such as, e.g., transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for removal of low rectal and ultra-low rectal tumors and preservation of anal sphincters to avoid permanent stomas. In particular, the suture device is utilized in forming surgical stitches used to close an internal anal structure or to narrow a passage for performing further transanal dissection to create total mesorectal excision.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising two or more therapeutically active agents, such as two or more anticancer agents, conjugated to one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the molar ratio of the agents and/or schedules of delivery provide a synergistic therapeutic effect, are described. Methods of making and using the pharmaceutical compositions are further described. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions contain topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors conjugated to the same or different biocompatible polymers. The two or more anticancer agents are covalently coupled to the polymer(s), and thereby can be delivered to a tumor at a molar ratio which provides a synergistic effect. Optionally, the agents are coupled indirectly to the polymer(s) via a linker.

Abstract: A passenger terminal AI system automatically connects with messaging apps on passenger smartphones over a wireless network when passengers enter the terminal. This creates a communication link between the server and each smartphone. When the passenger enters the terminal, the AI system identifies the passenger by facial recognition software or by tracked passenger transactions at the terminal, providing passenger identity. Passenger browser history information and travel information is retrieved from the smartphone. Passenger location is identified and tracked. The server provides the passenger's smart phone, via the messaging app, with 100 personalized messages related to possible purchase by the passenger of travel and other services, located in the terminal and elsewhere, based in part on the retrieved information. The server provides the passenger with terminal schedule and gate information, and also operates with service providers to meet the passenger's desired services.

Abstract: A passenger terminal AI system automatically connects with messaging apps on passenger smartphones over a wireless network when passengers enter the terminal. This creates a communication link between the server and each smartphone. When the passenger enters the terminal, the AI system identifies the passenger by facial recognition software or by tracked passenger transactions at the terminal, providing passenger identity. Passenger browser history information and travel information is retrieved from the smartphone. Passenger location is identified and tracked. The server provides the passenger's smart phone, via the messaging app, with personalized messages related to possible purchase by the passenger of travel and other services, located in the terminal and elsewhere, based in part on the retrieved information. The server provides the passenger with terminal schedule and gate information, and also operates with service providers to meet the passenger's desired services.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising two or more therapeutically active agents, such as two or more anticancer agents, conjugated to one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the molar ratio of the agents and/or schedules of delivery provide a synergistic therapeutic effect, are described. Methods of making and using the pharmaceutical compositions are further described. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions contain topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors conjugated to the same or different biocompatible polymers. The two or more anticancer agents are covalently coupled to the polymer(s), and thereby can be delivered to a tumor at a molar ratio which provides a synergistic effect. Optionally, the agents are coupled indirectly to the polymer(s) via a linker.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for parallel processing of datasets with dynamic skew compensation. The disclosed systems and methods may increase the efficiency of dataset processing by imposing maximum size limits on parallel processing environment tasks. The disclosed systems and methods may generate a target partition of a variable, a database storing data elements, a cluster that generates one or more output files based on the target partition and the data elements, and a display device that displays analysis results for the target partition using the one or more output files. Generation may comprise creating a calculation partition, mapping data elements according to the calculation partition, and generating the one or more output files based on the mapped data elements. The calculation partition may depend on a target partition and a uniform partition that partitions values based on one or more of statistical measures and pseudorandom functions.

Abstract: Methods for delivery of a biologic agent to the dermis or superficial muscles by topical application of the agent are provided. The methods comprise, in one embodiment, treating or conditioning a skin area to disrupt the stratum corneum in the skin area to define a treated skin area and applying a formulation comprising a biologic agent to the treated skin area.