Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for providing access to a central compartment of a hip joint. The devices can access the central compartment by distracting all or a portion of the labrum. The labrum can be distracted by advancing a device underneath the bottom edge of the labrum, and using the device to further distract the labrum. Some devices can move underneath the labrum to provide a gap for other devices to access the central compartment.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive sensor data measurements associated with usage of a mobility aid device and extract sensor feature parameters from the sensor data measurements. The computer readable storage medium further includes executable instructions to derive a usage state corresponding to the usage of the mobility aid device, based on the sensor feature parameters.

Abstract: A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition; expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.

Abstract: A microfracture instrument for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the microfracture instrument comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a needle comprising a body terminating in at least one sharp point, the needle being movably mounted to the distal end of the shaft for movement between an extended position for engaging the bone with the at least one sharp point of the needle and a retracted position for withdrawing the at least one sharp point of the needle from the bone; and a drive shaft movably mounted to the elongated shaft, the drive shaft being connected to the body of the needle so that movement of the drive shaft relative to the elongated shaft moves the needle between its extended position and its retracted position.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: a suture anchor assembly comprising a suture anchor body and a suture; the suture anchor body being configured to be lockingly disposed within a hole formed in the bone, and having an opening formed therein for slidably receiving the suture therethrough; the suture having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween; the suture extending through the opening in the suture anchor body so that the intermediate portion forms a loop on one side of the opening and the first and second ends are disposed on the other side of the opening, such that when the first end of the suture is passed through the loop and securingly engages the object, pulling on the second end of the suture draws the loop and a captured portion of the suture along a path toward the opening in the suture anchor body; the suture anchor body being configured so that when the suture anchor body is disposed in the hole in the bone, a tapered bindi

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for building a knowledgebase of associated time-based events and displaying the associations between the events to a user. A chronology knowledgebase application is implemented that maintains a knowledgebase of facts and events that captures both the details of each event and the associations between them. The associated events can be readily retrieved by users of the chronology knowledgebase application and displayed in a way that makes apparent the temporal and causal relationship between the associated events.

Abstract: A suture passer comprising: a handle; a shaft extending distally from the handle; first and second jaw members mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the first jaw member having a suture support for supporting a length of suture; a pitch adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch of the first and second jaw members relative to the shaft; a lever mechanism for opening and closing the first and second jaw members relative to one another; and a needle mechanism for selectively urging a needle having a groove therein so that the groove in the needle can engage a length of suture supported by the suture support.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for packaging medical devices. Packages are described for constraining expansion of medical devices along at least one axis. Removal devices for removing the medical devices from the packages are described. Medical devices stored in and removed from packages can include shape memory materials (e.g., polymers, alloys) which can cause the medical device to expand due to activation of the shape memory material. Medical devices can also expand due to other reasons, such as elastic recoil and/or thermal expansion. The methods and systems described herein may be used to limit the expansion of a medical device along at least one axis while inside a package. The methods and systems described herein may be used to relieve some of the stored strain in the medical device upon the opening of the package. Methods and systems are also described for opening a package which is subject to expansive forces from the medical device.

Abstract: A wireless integrated network sensor (WINS) system is provided that integrates articulating tracking systems with WINS network components including visual or infrared sensors and imaging devices to enable precise tracking and targeting of objects moving through a sensor field or past a single integrated sensing and targeting unit. Further, arrays of sensors together with local signal processing are used to trigger cameras and tracking systems, and to provide an alternative location capability for improved robustness. The system is self-configuring and remotely controllable, and enables remote systems and operators to query for collected data, including sensory and image data, and control the system in response to the collected data.

Abstract: A multi-radio sensor node is provided that includes two or more communication devices. The communication devices include radio frequency (RF) devices like radios. Each communication device supports simultaneous communications among multi-radio sensor nodes of respective independent network clusters. A network structure is provided that includes two or more local network clusters. Each local network cluster includes numerous multi-radio sensor nodes. Each communication device of a multi-radio sensor node supports communication among the multi-radio sensor nodes of a different one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters. The multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters determine their locations relative to the other multi-radio sensor nodes of the independent network clusters with which they communicate.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating, based on the preferences of a potential borrower as entered by a third party, multiple alternative loan proposals requested by the third party, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid comprises: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, an alkane with a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide, under conditions which produce a product gas comprising the unsaturated carboxylic acid, unreacted alkane and a product alkene; (b) recovering unreacted alkane and product alkene from the product gas; and (c) recycling the recovered unreacted alkane and product alkene to the reaction zone; wherein the mixed metal oxide consists of a material having the formula AaMmNnXxOo wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, cerium and chromium, wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of tellurium, bismuth and selenium, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, chromium, manganese, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel,

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitriles are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: A bi-directional handheld planer is used to remove chips from a workpiece in order to make the surface planar. The handheld planer allows the user to choose between a pair of opposing exhaust ports from which the chips are to be expelled from the planer. Particular handheld planers have a normal direction of air flow that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the planer. The bi-directional handheld planer provides for exhaustion of the chips through either of a pair of exhaust ports, and an insert can be disposed within the cutting chamber to pre-direct the chips toward one of the exhaust ports in order to prevent the clogging of the exhaust port which caused by the turbulence and constant contact of the chips being re-directed in the direction opposite the normal flow of air through the housing of the planer.

Abstract: A table saw such as a chop saw, a miter saw, compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw that is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. An opaque shield or transparent shield having an opaque mask blocks the laser beam from being projected into a range of normal operator eye positions. One or more openings in the shield or opaque mask provide a sight line on a workpiece initially. As the saw is moved into engagement with the workpiece, the shield is pivoted away from the workpiece and a solid laser line is projected on the workpiece.

Abstract: An automated deal processing for customers is disclosed, and includes prompting a customer for at least one deal parameter, such as loan amount, prompting the customer for information relating to the customer, such as income and collateral offered by the customer, optionally accessing in real-time information relating to the credit history of the customer, applying a plurality of origination rules, such as exclusionary rules, pricing rules, risk rules, and edit preference rules, to the at least one deal parameter and the information relating to the customer, applying at least one strategy, such as compensation for risk, repair, or upsell, to the results of the application of the rules, generating at least one deal based on the accessing and applying of the strategy, and presenting the customer with the at least one option which may include a customer-preferred loan, a piggyback loan, a pre-qualification, or reduced term loan option,

Abstract: An automated deal processing for customers is disclosed, and includes prompting a customer for at least one deal parameter, such as loan amount, prompting the customer for information relating to the customer, such as collateral offered by the customer, accessing in real-time information relating to the credit history of the customer, applying a plurality of origination rules, such as exclusionary rules, pricing rules, risk rules, and edit preference rules, to the at least one deal parameter and the information relating to the customer, applying at least one strategy, such as compensation for risk, repair, or upsell, to the results of the application of the rules, generating at least one deal based on the accessing and applying of the strategy, and presenting the customer with the at least one option. In a preferred embodiment, the automated process of deal structuring is based on the needs and/or the preferences of the customer.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitrites are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitrites are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitrites are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.