Abstract: Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to determine behavior characteristics of one or more modules of a laser system. The method includes applying inputs to the one or more modules of the laser system, measuring outputs resulting from the application of the inputs, and determining an equation-based mathematical relationship relating the inputs to the resultant outputs of the one or more modules of the laser system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to determine behavior characteristics of one or more modules of a laser system. The method includes applying inputs to the one or more modules of the laser system, measuring outputs resulting from the application of the inputs, and determining an equation-based mathematical relationship relating the inputs to the resultant outputs of the one or more modules of the laser system.

Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing sheet products includes an infrared proximity sensor operative to detect a presence of a user's hand at a predetermined location near the dispenser and a feed mechanism configured to engage a sheet product roll to cause a quantity of sheet product to be dispensed therethrough. The infrared proximity sensor is configured to have an adjustable sensitivity to vary a detection range of the infrared proximity sensor. The feed mechanism has a motor operative in response to the infrared proximity sensor to engage the feed mechanism.

Abstract: The article holder for a ladder is formed of a flexible sheet of material (e.g., coated fabric, flexible plastic, etc.) and includes two opposed ladder attachment edges with a generally central fold line therebetween and parallel thereto. At least one pocket opening is provided through the sheet, with the pocket depending from the sheet rather than being coplanar therewith. The opening(s) may be provided with closures or left open. Preferably, at least one magnet is secured to the sheet, opposite the depending pocket(s), in order to hold hand tools, nails, screws, and other articles formed of ferrous metal. Various attachments may be used to secure the device to the ladder, e.g., wire hooks, tie strings or cords, mating fabric hook and loop fastener material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons and/or snaps, etc., but plastic locking ties (e.g., Ty-Raps®) are preferred for ease of use, economy, security, and ease of removal when desired.

Abstract: An easy-to-gasp sputum collecting tool facilitating sputum collection work. The present sputum-collecting tool has a sputum-collecting device with a base part having a sputum-collecting portion for collecting sputum at one end and a handle portion at the other end, and a collection sample container for receiving the sputum-collecting device inside it. Grip faces positioned at both ends in a thickness direction of the handle portion are formed substantially flat, and a left/right width dimension of the handle portion is set larger than a left/right width dimension of the base portion.

Abstract: A consumer-centric service for matching local consumers with local service providers. A matching is performed between consumer needs and local vendor capabilities and the results are presented back to the consumer so that the choice of which vendors to be contacted is left to the consumer. Mechanisms are provided for immediately and automatically contacting the chosen vendor in one or more of a plurality of communication media and offering the chosen vendor the details of the consumer's request, including the preferred method of contact information, for a fee. Also, the system immediately informs the consumer about the status of the vendor contacts, including whether or not the vendor has accepted the lead. Once a chosen vendor accepts the lead, the consumer is contacted by the vendor, in the manner requested by the consumer. Thus, the invention enables consumers to maintain control over the selection and contact process with matched vendors.

Abstract: A method and structure for calculating a risk exposure for a disaster recovery process, including loading a user interface into a memory, the user interface allowing control of an execution of one or more risk models. Each risk model is based on a specific disaster type, and each risk model addresses a recovery utilization of one or more specific assets identified as necessary for a recovery process of the disaster type. One of the risk models is executed at least one time.

Abstract: System for electronically managing a project. The system includes subsystems for identifying one or more project requirements, creating a project strategy, defining a schedule based upon the project strategy, identifying and obtaining one or more project phases within the project, integrating the one or more phases with the time schedule, identifying which of one or more stored exit criteria are applicable to at least one of the phases of the project, establishing the identified one or more stored exit criteria for the at least one phase, determining whether each of the identified one or more stored exit criteria have been satisfied for the at least one phase, and implementing the project by enabling the project to advance to a next one of the phases based on the determination of whether each of the identified one or more stored exit criteria have been satisfied for the at least one phase.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle assembly, comprises a body; a nozzle head secured to the body, the nozzle including a chamber and an orifice for permitting water to flow out; a stem disposed within the chamber, the stem including a tip adapted to slide into or out of the orifice, thereby closing or opening the orifice, respectively; a piston secured to a rear end of the stem, the piston being slidably disposed within a cavity in the body; a spring disposed behind the piston adapted to bias the piston forward such that the tip is disposed within the orifice to close off the orifice when liquid to the nozzle assembly is cut off; a passageway within the body communicating with the chamber and the orifice, the passageway for connecting to a liquid supply to be atomized; and the tip including a resilient tubing adapted to provide a seal against the orifice when the tip is the closed position.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle assembly, comprises a body; a nozzle head secured to the body, the nozzle including a chamber and an orifice for permitting water to flow out; a stem disposed within the chamber, the stem including a tip adapted to slide into or out of the orifice, thereby closing or opening the orifice, respectively; a piston secured to a rear end of the stem, the piston being slidably disposed within a cavity in the body; a spring disposed behind the piston adapted to bias the piston forward such that the tip is disposed within the orifice to close off the orifice when liquid to the nozzle assembly is cut off; a passageway within the body communicating with the chamber and the orifice, the passageway for connecting to a liquid supply to be atomized; and the tip including a resilient tubing adapted to provide a seal against the orifice when the tip is the closed position.