Abstract: An apparatus for culturing suspended photosynthetic organisms, specifically a flowing thin film photobioreactor is disclosed herein, wherein the flowing thin film photobioreactor comprises a light source and a trickle-film insert comprising screen material.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a body, a frame, a button, and a support bridge. The body includes an opening arranged around a sprinkler axis. The frame is coupled with the body. The button includes a slanted surface to be received in the opening. The support bridge includes a center, a first arm extending from the c enter, a second arm extending from the center, opposite the first arm, and an arch extending from the first arm to the second arm.

Abstract: A fire protection system is provided for a space having a pitched roof constructed of structural members extending from a ridgeline to an eave, with respective channels therebetween. A first row of sprinklers is mounted to a first branch line extending generally parallel to the ridgeline. Each sprinkler is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive sprinklers spaced apart having no less than one, and no more than five, channels therebetween. A second row of sprinklers, downslope from the first row, is mounted to a second branch line extending generally parallel to the first branch line. Each sprinkler thereof is positioned within a respective channel, with consecutive second row sprinklers spaced apart as in the first row. Each second row sprinkler is also placed within a different channel from each first row sprinkler. A farthest number of channels between a first row sprinkler and a second row sprinkler is three.

Abstract: An apparatus for culturing suspended photosynthetic organisms, specifically a flowing thin film photobioreactor, wherein the flowing thin film photobioreactor comprises a light source and a trickle-film insert comprising screen material.

Abstract: A method for culturing suspended photosynthetic organisms is provided, comprising culturing the photosynthetic organism in a flowing thin film photobioreactor, wherein the flowing thin film photobioreactor comprises a light source and a trickle-film insert comprising screen material. In a preferred embodiment, the organism is Rhodobacter grown anaerobically; In an additional preferred embodiment, the organism is Botryococcus braunii.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an integrated display having a graphical user interface that combines aspects of a telematic system with a vehicle control system. The integrated display combines a touch screen and a manual input keypad. Using both the touch screen's graphical user interface and the keypad, the integrated display can operate in multiple operation modes, including a touch mode where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching predefined areas or tiles on the screen, and a keypad mode, where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching keys on the manual input keypad. The integrated display can be controlled in a mixed mode operation, where the operator can control the graphical user interface functions using both the touch screen (touch mode) and the manual input keypad (keypad mode) to complete data entry processes, for example, and the integrated display can automatically transition between modes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear component for use in a manufacturing process includes at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process and at least one wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a varying depth. In another embodiment, a wear component includes at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process, a first wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a first depth, and a second wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a second depth that is different from the first depth.

Abstract: A flexible container lid requiring only one hand to secure objects in an associated container is provided. The lid has a lid aperture providing a medial passageway from which a plurality of narrow openings radially extends so that the lid aperture expands as objects are urged onto it and the flexible lid moves from a flat condition to a bowed condition. Thereby accommodating items that are larger than the centrally located medial passageway by using the narrow openings in conjunction with the medial passageway to expand the size of the entire lid aperture in the bowed condition as the portions of the lid that define each narrow opening simultaneously move way from each other, respectively. Furthermore, the lid returns to its starting flat condition covering the associated container once an item has been placed therein, obviating the need for a user to initially remove the lid from the container.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs. More specifically, devices and methods described herein are for minimally invasive surgery permit improved diaphragmatic access to a body cavity to perform a surgical procedure, for example ablation and/or coagulation of cardiac tissue during minimally invasive surgical access to the heart. The diaphragmatic access described provides direct visualization of anatomic structures within the thoracic cavity such as the posterior left atrium, the posterior side of pulmonary veins, or any other such anatomic structure.

Abstract: A flexible container lid requiring only one hand to secure objects in an associated container is provided. The lid has a lid aperture providing a medial passageway from which a plurality of narrow openings radially extends so that the lid aperture expands as objects are urged onto it and the flexible lid moves from a flat condition to a bowed condition. Thereby accommodating items that are larger than the centrally located medial passageway by using the narrow openings in conjunction with the medial passageway to expand the size of the entire lid aperture in the bowed condition as the portions of the lid that define each narrow opening simultaneously move way from each other, respectively. Furthermore, the lid returns to its starting flat condition covering the associated container once an item has been placed therein, obviating the need for a user to initially remove the lid from the container.

Abstract: A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an integrated display having a graphical user interface that combines aspects of a telematic system with a vehicle control system. The integrated display combines a touch screen and a manual input keypad. Using both the touch screen's graphical user interface and the keypad, the integrated display can operate in multiple operation modes, including a touch mode where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching predefined areas or tiles on the screen, and a keypad mode, where the operator controls the graphical user interface functions by touching keys on the manual input keypad. The integrated display can be controlled in a mixed mode operation, where the operator can control the graphical user interface functions using both the touch screen (touch mode) and the manual input keypad (keypad mode) to complete data entry processes, for example, and the integrated display can automatically transition between modes.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, and methods of using a replaceable nut with built on fret for a stringed instruments, such as for guitars and banjos. The novel combined zero glide nut with fret can be used as a zero glide nut system that can be substituted for the existing standard nuts on stringed instruments. The novel combined zero glide nut with fret eliminates the need for filing and adjusting the slots on the nuts, since strings do not harshly rub against inner sides and do not rub against the bottom of the slots in the nut. Compared to a conventional nut, the zero glide improves tuning stability, playability without string buzz on the fret, does not wear slots as occurs in a conventional nut and is more easily installed than a conventional nut.

Abstract: A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

Abstract: Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.