Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument comprises a body, first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of a shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to detect a short circuit between the first and second electrodes when in use.

Abstract: A robotic system and methods for performing spine surgery are disclosed. The system comprises a robotic manipulator with a tool to hold a screw and to rotate the screw about a rotational axis. The screw is self-tapping and has a known thread geometry that is stored by one or more controllers. A navigation system tracks a position of a target anatomy. Movement of the robotic manipulator is controlled to maintain the rotational axis of the surgical tool along a planned trajectory with respect to the target anatomy based on the tracked position of the target anatomy. In autonomous or manual modes of operation, the rotational rate of the screw about the rotational axis and/or an advancement rate of the screw linearly along the planned trajectory is controlled to be proportional to the known thread geometry stored in the memory.

Abstract: A plugging tool includes an elongated inner housing allowing a first fluid to flow through a hollow interior of the inner housing, a retractable plunger positioned within the inner housing and operable to obstruct the flow of the first fluid into a discharge chamber and resume the flow of the first fluid into the discharge chamber based on a pressure exerted by the first fluid on the retractable plunger, and at least one pressure release valve (PRV) operable to open and release at least a portion of the first fluid from the inner housing based on a pressure exerted by the first fluid on the at least one PRV, wherein operation of the retractable plunger and the at least one PRV generates pulses of the first fluid used to deposit a sealing plug at a target interval of a wellbore.

Abstract: A non-curable injectable ester containing packing material for use in the repair of leaking valves contains a calcium sulfonate grease containing at least one polyalphaolefin, an ester, an anti-wear/anti-galling agent, a binding/thickening agent and a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: A plugging tool includes an elongated inner housing allowing a first fluid to flow through a hollow interior of the inner housing, a retractable plunger positioned within the inner housing and operable to obstruct the flow of the first fluid into a discharge chamber and resume the flow of the first fluid into the discharge chamber based on a pressure exerted by the first fluid on the retractable plunger, and at least one pressure release valve (PRV) operable to open and release at least a portion of the first fluid from the inner housing based on a pressure exerted by the first fluid on the at least one PRV, wherein operation of the retractable plunger and the at least one PRV generates pulses of the first fluid used to deposit a sealing plug at a target interval of a wellbore.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of the onion hybrid designated SVNS7044. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of onion hybrid SVNS7044, and to methods for producing an onion plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another onion plant, such as an onion plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of onion hybrid SVNS7044 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits, including the bulbs and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an anti-theft device for use with a motorized vehicle, such as a riding lawn mower. The device comprises a main body defined by first and second ends. Each end of the device comprises a pair of arms, each with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of each arm includes an aperture sized and shaped to allow a lock or other securing element to pass therethrough. For example, with riding lawn mowers, the disclosed device can be used to lock the mower handles in an “off” position, so that the mower cannot be started until the device is removed.

Abstract: A non-curable injectable ester containing packing material for use in the repair of leaking valves contains a calcium sulfonate grease containing at least one polyalphaolefin, an ester, an anti-wear/anti-galling agent, a binding/thickening agent and a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: Reaming tools for reaming a borehole and related systems and methods are described herein. In an embodiment, the tool includes a body having a central axis, and a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes an uphole section that extends in a first helical direction, a downhole section that extends in a second helical direction that is opposite the first helical direction, and an arcuate central section that continuously extends from the uphole section to the downhole section. The plurality of blades are eccentric about the central axis such that the reaming tool is configured to pass axially through a first diameter and is configured to ream a borehole to a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter when the tool is rotated about the central axis in a cutting direction.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly may include a housing and a shifting sleeve disposed within the housing. The shifting sleeve may have one or more sleeve ports formed therein. An actuator may be coupled with the shifting sleeve. The actuator may be electrically actuated between a plurality of positions. One or more inflatable packers may be coupled with the housing, the housing having one or more ports formed therein. Actuation of the actuator may shift the shifting sleeve in order for the one or more sleeve ports to enter into fluid communication with the one or more ports of the housing in order to inflate or deflate the inflatable packers.

Abstract: Reaming tools for reaming a borehole and related systems and methods are described herein. In an embodiment, the tool includes a body having a central axis, and a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes an uphole section that extends in a first helical direction, a downhole section that extends in a second helical direction that is opposite the first helical direction, and an arcuate central section that continuously extends from the uphole section to the downhole section. The plurality of blades are eccentric about the central axis such that the reaming tool is configured to pass axially through a first diameter and is configured to ream a borehole to a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter when the tool is rotated about the central axis in a cutting direction.

Abstract: A coiled tubing system includes a coiled tubing unit with a coiled tubing string carried by the unit, the coiled tubing string having a stinger end; an injector support frame having an upper and lower ends; a coiled tubing injector disposed at the upper end of the support frame and engaging the coiled tubing string; and a loading device supported between the coiled tubing injector and the lower end of the frame, the loading device attached to the stinger end of the coiled tubing string. The system may include a riser tube disposed between the upper end of the frame and the loading device, coupling a housing of the loading device to a base of the coiled tubing injector, the coiled tubing string extending through the riser. The system may include a support device supporting the loading device, the support device pivotally supporting the loading device relative to the frame.

Abstract: A non-curable injectable ester containing packing material for use in the repair of leaking valves contains a calcium sulfonate grease containing at least one polyalphaolefin, an ester, an anti-wear/anti-galling agent, a binding/thickening agent and a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: An assembly for a surgical arm includes a tool to position a prosthesis and an end effector. The tool has a tool shaft extending along a tool axis and a tool engagement surface. The end effector has a mount attachable to the surgical arm, a body portion extending from the mount, a distal end, and a guide portion is at the distal end of the body portion to receive the tool. The guide portion has a pair of arms, each arm extending to an arm end and the arm ends are spaced apart from one another to provide an opening between the arm ends. A channel is formed between the arms and extends along a guide axis. The arms define an arc-shaped guide engagement surface to enable contact with the tool engagement surface for facilitating alignment of the tool axis and the guide axis.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled chamber system. The system includes an insulated enclosure having an access door and a humidification/dehumidification chamber enclosure arranged and disposed to provide humidification or dehumidification to the insulated enclosure. The system also includes a refrigerant loop having an enclosure evaporator, a dehumidification evaporator, at least one condenser, a variable speed compressor and piping for directing refrigerant from the variable speed compressor to the enclosure evaporator, the dehumidification evaporator, and the at least one condenser. An electrical heating element is arranged and disposed adjacent to the enclosure evaporator to selectively provide heat to at least a portion of the enclosure evaporator. A method for controlling the environmentally controlled chamber system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robotic system and methods for performing spine surgery are disclosed. The system comprises a robotic manipulator with a tool to hold a screw and to rotate the screw about a rotational axis. The screw is self-tapping and has a known thread geometry that is stored by one or more controllers. A navigation system tracks a position of a target anatomy. Movement of the robotic manipulator is controlled to maintain the rotational axis of the surgical tool along a planned trajectory with respect to the target anatomy based on the tracked position of the target anatomy. In autonomous or manual modes of operation, the rotational rate of the screw about the rotational axis and/or an advancement rate of the screw linearly along the planned trajectory is controlled to be proportional to the known thread geometry stored in the memory.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an anti-theft device for use with a motorized vehicle, such as a riding lawn mower. The device comprises a main body defined by first and second ends. Each end of the device comprises a pair of arms, each with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of each arm includes an aperture sized and shaped to allow a lock or other securing element to pass therethrough. For example, with riding lawn mowers, the disclosed device can be used to lock the mower handles in an “off” position, so that the mower cannot be started until the device is removed.

Abstract: A robotic system and methods for performing spine surgery are disclosed. The system comprises a robotic manipulator with a tool to hold a screw and to rotate the screw about a rotational axis. The screw is self-tapping and has a known thread geometry that is stored by a controller. A navigation system tracks a position of a target site. Movement of the robotic manipulator is controlled to maintain the rotational axis of the surgical tool along a planned trajectory with respect to the target site based on the tracked position of the target site. In autonomous or manual modes of operation, the rotational rate of the screw about the rotational axis and/or an advancement rate of the screw linearly along the planned trajectory is controlled to be proportional to the known thread geometry stored in the memory.

Abstract: A coiled tubing system includes a coiled tubing unit with a coiled tubing string carried by the unit, the coiled tubing string having a stinger end; an injector support frame having an upper and lower ends; a coiled tubing injector disposed at the upper end of the support frame and engaging the coiled tubing string; and a loading device supported between the coiled tubing injector and the lower end of the frame, the loading device attached to the stinger end of the coiled tubing string. The system may include a riser tube disposed between the upper end of the frame and the loading device, coupling a housing of the loading device to a base of the coiled tubing injector, the coiled tubing string extending through the riser. The system may include a support device supporting the loading device, the support device pivotally supporting the loading device relative to the frame.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly may include a housing and a shifting sleeve disposed within the housing. The shifting sleeve may have one or more sleeve ports formed therein. An actuator may be coupled with the shifting sleeve. The actuator may be electrically actuated between a plurality of positions. One or more inflatable packers may be coupled with the housing, the housing having one or more ports formed therein. Actuation of the actuator may shift the shifting sleeve in order for the one or more sleeve ports to enter into fluid communication with the one or more ports of the housing in order to inflate or deflate the inflatable packers.