Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of producing such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices configured for vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition that is contained in a reservoir and transported to a heating element by a liquid transport element. The liquid transport element may include a porous monolith.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes a manipulator, an instrument holder physically coupled to the manipulator arm, and a controller that includes a computer processor. The instrument holder includes an instrument holder carriage configured to releasably couple to an instrument and translate the instrument along a longitudinal axis. The controller applies a signal that represents a movement for the instrument along the longitudinal axis to a filter to differentiate between a first and a second motion component of the movement along the longitudinal axis, and causes the instrument to move in accordance with the movement along the longitudinal axis by commanding the manipulator arm to move based on the first motion component of the movement along the longitudinal axis. The controller further commands, based on the second motion component of the movement along the longitudinal axis, the instrument holder carriage to move relative to the manipulator arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive procedures include a computer-assisted system comprising a manipulator assembly configured to couple to a cannula and a controller coupled to the manipulator assembly. The cannula has a lumen configured to receive a shaft of an instrument. The controller is configured to position a remote center of motion for the manipulator assembly at a first location relative to the cannula, and in response to an indication to reposition the remote center of motion relative to the cannula, reposition the remote center of motion to a second location relative to the cannula while constraining the second location to be located along the cannula. The second location is different from the first location.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch. In an embodiment, the flexible pouch includes a first layer structure and a second layer structure. Each layer structure includes (i) an inner liner and (ii) an outer sheath. The first layer structure is superimposed on the second layer structure such that the inner liners oppose each other. The first layer structure superimposed upon the second layer structure defines a common peripheral edge. Each inner liner is composed of a flexible film of a polymeric material. Each outer sheath is composed of a post-consumer recycle (PCR) polymer material. The PCR polymer material has a GI200 value greater than 50. The flexible pouch includes a peripheral seal. The peripheral seal extends along at least a portion of the common peripheral edge. The peripheral seal seals the first layer structure to the second layer structure.

Abstract: An image-reading device, such as optical code readers used in retail environments to scan objects, is configured to select from various operational modes. The operational modes are selected based on an application of the image-reading device, such as optical code identification or image recognition. Red, white, and other color light sources are activated in patterns corresponding to an illumination sequence of the selected operational mode, while imagers are activated to capture an image based on an exposure pattern of the selected operational mode. Further, a repeating series of light pulses having different portions of light is provided. Various imagers are configured to capture images over one of the portions. This allows an operator to perceive one continuous light pattern, yet allows various imagers to capture an image under different light conditions used for different applications of the image-reading device.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device having a detachable power source is provided. A control body may be coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device. The cartridge may contain an aerosol precursor composition and be equipped with a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The control body may comprise a housing and a power source detachably coupled to an outer surface of the housing. A control component may be contained within the housing and configured to operate in an active mode in which the control body is coupled with the cartridge. The control component in the active mode may be configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes a manipulator arm and an instrument holder physically coupled to the manipulator arm. The instrument holder is configured to releasably couple to an instrument. The instrument holder includes an adjustable assembly and a cannula clamp physically coupled to the adjustable assembly. A physical adjustment of the adjustable assembly moves the cannula clamp relative to the manipulator arm. The cannula clamp is configured to releasably couple to a cannula configured to receive the instrument.

Abstract: A fluorescence evaluation apparatus includes a substrate configured to be inserted into a body through a channel having an inside diameter between about 5 millimeters (mm) and about 30 mm and a plurality of fluorescence swatches of a fluorescence imaging agent, each fluorescence swatch being arranged on the substrate and having a different concentration of the fluorescence imaging agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are plunger assemblies including various convertible plungers and methods of making the same. Each plunger assembly is configured for disposition within a barrel of a medical container, e.g., a syringe, and displaced within the barrel from an engagement position to a release position. The engagement position is configured to provide a compression seal between a storage sealing section of the plunger and an inner wall of the syringe barrel. In the release position, the compression seal is reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are methods for making convertible plungers and assembling them into syringes, e.g., pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: Vortex arc reactor apparatus and method provide a nozzle with converging, throat, and diverging portions. Input structure inputs a reactant and an oxidant into the converging portion. Ignition structure ignites the input reactant and oxidant. A vortex-creating structure creates a vortex of the ignited reactant and oxidant in the converging portion. The input structure, the vortex-creating structure, and the nozzle converging and throat portions are configured to provide a throat-portion-vortex of ignited reactant and oxidant that has an angular velocity which provides (i) negatively-charged particles in an exterior portion of the throat-portion-vortex, (ii) positively-charged particles in an interior portion of the throat-portion-vortex, and (iii) at least one arcing reaction between the positively-charged particles and the negatively-charged particles, to form syngas and at least one aromatic liquid in the nozzle diverging portion.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises a first elongated body portion formed of a first material and a second elongated body portion coupled to a proximal end of the first body portion. The second body portion is formed of a second material having a greater heat conductivity than the first material. The device further comprises an imaging window coupled to a distal end of the first body portion, a first housing within the first body portion, an image sensor mounted to the first housing, and an image processor mounted to the first housing and coupled to receive electrical signals from the image sensor. The device further comprises a second housing within the first body portion. The second housing is coupled to the first housing and to the window such that heat generated by the image sensor and image processor is transmitted through the second housing to the window.

Abstract: A three-position plunger is provided including a sleeve having an opening at a distal end, a pre-load cavity proximal to and in communication with the opening, a first cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, a second cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, and at least one rib. The rib(s) is generally aligned with the first cavity. The plunger further includes an insert configured to be displaced from the pre-load cavity to the first cavity and from the first cavity to the second cavity. The insert is configured to provide support for the compression of the rib(s) when the insert is positioned in the first cavity.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device having a detachable power source is provided. A control body may be coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device. The cartridge may contain an aerosol precursor composition and be equipped with a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The control body may comprise a housing and a power source detachably coupled to an outer surface of the housing. A control component may be contained within the housing and configured to operate in an active mode in which the control body is coupled with the cartridge. The control component in the active mode may be configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

Abstract: Vortex arc reactor apparatus and method provide a nozzle with converging, throat, and diverging portions. Input structure inputs a reactant and an oxidant into the converging portion. Ignition structure ignites the input reactant and oxidant. A vortex-creating structure creates a vortex of the ignited reactant and oxidant in the converging portion. The input structure, the vortex-creating structure, and the nozzle converging and throat portions are configured to provide a throat-portion-vortex of ignited reactant and oxidant that has an angular velocity which provides (i) negatively-charged particles in an exterior portion of the throat-portion-vortex, (ii) positively-charged particles in an interior portion of the throat-portion-vortex, and (iii) at least one arcing reaction between the positively-charged particles and the negatively-charged particles, to form syngas and at least one aromatic liquid in the nozzle diverging portion.

Abstract: A child-resistant container including a container body, a lid, and at least one resilient tab is provided. The lid is pivotable about an axis through a hinge joining the lid to the container body to open and close the container. The resilient tab has a proximal portion fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting from the lid, and at least one abutment on the distal portion. The abutment on the distal portion of the tab is normally biased into engagement with an abutment on the container body when the lid is in its closed position. The distal portion of the tab is displaceable against the bias to disengage the abutment of the tab from the abutment of the container. Displacement of the tab releases the lid so that it can be pivoted about the hinge to open the container.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to display an image of a surgical environment. The image includes an information icon corresponding to an instrument in the surgical environment. The instructions further cause the system to display an image of a body part of a user. The image of the body part is used to interact with the information icon. The instructions further cause the system to receive a gesture of the body part, via a gesture-based input device registering movement of the body part, to cause the image of the body part to interact with the information icon. The instructions further cause the system to display an information menu in the image of the surgical environment based on the interaction between the image of the body part and the information icon.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of certain diaryl macrocycle compounds, specifically (7S13R)-11-fluoro-7,13-di-methyl-6,7,13,14-tetrahydro-1,15-ethenopyrazolo[4,3-f][1,4,8,10]benzoxatriazacyclotridecin-4(5H)-one in the treatment of disease in mammals. This disclosure also relates to compositions including such compounds, and to methods of using such compositions in the treatment of diseases in mammals, especially in humans.