Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal body portion configured to be gripped by a user, a distal body portion that terminates at a spreading tip configured to spread a topical skin adhesive along an application surface, and a flexural body portion that interconnects the proximal and distal body portions to define a monolithic body. In response to an input force applied by a user to the proximal body portion when the spreading tip is positioned against the application surface, the flexural body portion is configured to buckle non-uniformly along a lateral width of the apparatus. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexural body portion is configured to elastically deform so that the distal body portion angularly deflects relative to the proximal body portion to thereby limit to a predetermined range a resultant normal force exerted by the spreading tip on the topical skin adhesive along the application surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.

Abstract: A device for preventing unwanted opening of a locked enclosure includes a lock bolt moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A face gear is meshable with and rotatable by the worm gear between locking and unlocking positions when the worm gear is driven in the first and second directions, respectively. A blocker member is rotatable between first and second positions. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the face gear and the blocker member to bias the blocker member in a biasing direction. A sliding member selectively disengages the blocker member to allow the blocker member to rotate in the biasing direction. A lever arm is operatively coupled to the sliding member such that the lever arm is in the disengaged and engageable positions when the sliding member engages the blocker member in the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: As part of a start-up sequence, a controller of a machine causes one or more activation components of a battery of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more electrical components associated with the battery to be enabled, then causes one or more non-accumulator components of a hydraulic system to be enabled, then causes one or more accumulator components of the hydraulic system to charge, and then causes one or more propulsion components to be enabled. As part of a shut-down sequence, the controller causes the one or more propulsion components to be disabled, then causes the one or more accumulator components of the hydraulic system to bleed, then causes the one or more non-accumulator components of the hydraulic system to be disabled, and then causes the one or more electrical components associated with the battery to be disabled.

Abstract: A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.

Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a material handling vehicle between a manual mode and a remote mode is provided. The method includes automatically transitioning the material handling vehicle from the remote mode to the manual mode in response to a determination, by a floor mat sensor, that an operator is positioned within an operator compartment of the material handling vehicle. The vehicle is prevented from entering the remote mode while the floor mat sensor indicates that the operator is positioned within the operator compartment. A mode selection switch, positioned on the material handling vehicle, is actuated from a first position to a second position and back to the first position, permitting the vehicle to enter the remote mode after the floor mat sensor ceases to indicate that the operator is positioned within the operator compartment.

Abstract: An electrical system and apparatus for powering and cooling a static transfer switch (STS) assembly are provided. The electrical system includes an STS assembly, which includes at least two silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) for at least one power phase of the STS assembly, where the at least two SCRs are for incoming power sources that are opposing to each other. The electrical system includes a cooling system located between the at least two SCRs for the incoming power sources that are opposing to each other for the at least one power phase of the STS assembly. The electrical system further includes a plenum structure, where the cooling system is mounted in a middle of the plenum structure, and the STS assembly is arranged around the cooling system.

Abstract: A system includes memory, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuitry configured to: determine at least one of: a cross-electrical signal measurement at a first electrode on a first lead implanted within a tongue of the patient based on a stimulation signal between a second electrode on the first lead or a second lead implanted within the tongue of the patient and a third electrode, or a strain measurement of at least one of the first lead or the second lead. The processing circuitry is configured to determine movement of the tongue based on at least one of the cross-electrical signal measurement or the strain measurement, and generate information indicative of the movement of the tongue.

Abstract: An electrical connector and a ground system which includes ground contacts and ground shields positioned proximate the ground contacts. The ground contacts have receiving sections, securing sections and mounting sections. The receiving sections have first engagement portions and second engagement portions. The ground shields have a nonplanar configuration, with portions of the ground shields passing between signal contacts. Surfaces of the securing sections of the ground contacts are positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with surfaces of the ground shields, providing first ground contact areas across which ground currents may flow. The first engagement portions of the ground contacts are provided in electrical and mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the ground shields, providing second ground contact areas across which the ground currents may flow.

Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network. The guest configuration profile may further enable the control of in-room amenities, such as temperature control, lighting, shades, and availability, for example.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing and treating patients afflicted with acne, including diagnosing one as having acne if the individual possesses RT4, RT5, RT7, RT8, RT9, or RT10. Methods for treating acne include administering an effective amount of a drug specifically targeting RT4, RT5, RT7, RT8, RT9, or RT10, such as small molecules, antisense molecules, siRNAs, biologics, antibodies, phages, vaccines, or combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to barcoded polymer nanoparticles for in vivo screening and for in vivo therapeutic delivery, and methods therefor. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer nanoparticles, such as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymer compositions, associated with polynucleotide barcodes, for therapeutic delivery, and for high throughput in vivo screening of drug delivery nanoparticles.

Abstract: A cleaning system configured to clean and regenerate resin is disclosed, including a vessel and a draw chamber having a separation screen disposed inside the bottom of the vessel. The system also includes an eductor, a plenum discharging at the top of the vessel, and a fouled/exhausted resin. The system includes a first resin regeneration chemical flowing into the vessel, and a sulfite solution circulating through the eductor into the vessel along with the resin. The system includes a scrubber module having at least one helical pathway having a conduit rotating about and propagating along an axis with a pitch. The helical pathway includes a pathway inlet in fluid communication with the bottom of the vessel and a pathway outlet in fluid communication with the top of the vessel. Resin is recirculated throughout the vessel as the separation screen and the sulfite solution work together to clean the resin.

Abstract: Devices and methods for mixing and preparing therapeutic pellets are described. In one aspect, the present disclosure may include a medical device for mixing and preparing pharmaceuticals. The medical device may include a body sized and shaped to be supported by a human hand. The body may be elastically flexible between a relaxed shape and a flexed shape. In the relaxed shape, the body may form a basin and may be shaped and sized to receive a vessel for mixing or forming the therapeutic pellets. In the flexed shape, the bowl may be configured for controlled pouring of the therapeutic pellets.

Abstract: Location mapping and navigation user interfaces may be generated and presented via mobile computing devices. A mobile device may detect its location and orientation using internal systems, and may capture image data using a device camera. The mobile device also may retrieve map information from a map server corresponding to the current location of the device. Using the image data captured at the device, the current location data, and the corresponding local map information, the mobile device may determine or update a current orientation reading for the device. Location errors and updated location data also may be determined for the device, and a map user interface may be generated and displayed on the mobile device using the updated device orientation and/or location data.

Abstract: A lighting system for a ceiling grid system may provide lighting at a location below the ceiling grid system. The light fixture includes a light source and a support member, and the light fixture may provide diffusely reflected light to a ceiling grid opening. The light fixture may include a wall assembly that is adapted to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: Compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”). The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.