ical Method and apparatus for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and apparatus are provided for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device or processing line, which organ or organs form part of an organ package and wherein said organ or organs are separated from the organ package. The organ package is spatially oriented by the processing device without notably breaking tissue connections in the package, and in a preselected order so as to cause harvesting of organs from the package to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the location of the organ package in the processing device or processing line. Full Article
ical Fish transporting device for automatically feeding fish to a fish processing machine and device for aligning fish in a head/tail orientation having such a fish transporting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns a fish transporting apparatus for automatically feeding fish to a fish processing machine. The fish transporting apparatus can include a transport device with a bottom element for receiving the fish and lateral boundary elements for guiding the fish as well as a vibrating member for vibratory driving of the transport device, which is distinguished in that the bottom element is constructed as a grid plate with rectangular apertures. Furthermore, the invention concerns a device for aligning fish in a head/tail orientation with such a fish transporting apparatus. Full Article
ical Modular intrinsically-safe field device power module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A modular, intrinsically-safe power module assembly is provided. The assembly includes a rigid conduit adapter configured to mount to a conduit of a field device. A housing, having an interior, is operably coupled to the rigid conduit adapter and is physically supported by the rigid conduit adapter. At least one non-rechargeable battery is disposed within the housing. Intrinsic safety circuitry is coupled to the at least one non-rechargeable battery, and is coupled to a connector that mates with a cooperative connector in the rigid conduit adapter. Full Article
ical Battery pack with cells of different capacities electrically coupled in parallel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack for use with a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a first set of cells with different capacities electrically coupled in a parallel configuration. Cells within the first set of cells may also have different thicknesses and/or dimensions. The first set of cells is arranged within the battery pack to facilitate efficient use of space within a portable electronic device. For example, the first set of cells may be arranged to accommodate components in the portable electronic device. Full Article
ical Electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer, and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density. Full Article
ical Application of force in electrochemical cells By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance. The application of force to the electrochemical cell has been found, in accordance with the invention, to reduce such behavior and to improve the cycling lifetime and/or performance of the cell. Full Article
ical Electrochemical cell packaging material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a packaging material for electrochemical cells which has an identification mark that can be recognized from the outside and that is difficult to forge. The packaging material comprises a multilayer film which has a structure formed by laminating a base layer (11), an adhesive layer (13), a metal foil layer (12), an acid-modified polyolefin layer (14), and a heat-sealable layer (15) in this order, wherein the base layer (11) comprises both a oriented polyester film (11b) and a oriented nylon film (11e) with a printed layer (11c) provided on the surface of the oriented polyester film (11b) that faces the oriented nylon film (11e). Full Article
ical System and method for printing a pharmaceutical label By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system of printing a pharmaceutical label is disclosed. The method and system includes a mechanism for receiving patient prescription information, with is entered into a prescription entry system. The vial size may be calculated based on the patient prescription information. Spacing for printing dosing indicia on a pharmaceutical label is calculated and printed on the pharmaceutical label. The pharmaceutical label may then be applied to a vial, which may include an indexing mechanism to aid tracking of doses. Full Article
ical Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with recessed near-field transducer and optically transparent protective film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) air-bearing slider has an optically-transparent protective film over the near-field transducer (NFT) to protect the NFT from excessive heat caused by the accumulation of carbonaceous material on the slider's overcoat. The NFT is thus separated from the overcoat by the protective film. The protective film does not cover the write pole end, which is covered only by the overcoat, so there is no spacing loss between the write pole end and the recording layer on the disk. In one embodiment the protective film is coplanar with the recording-layer-facing surface of the slider and the overcoat covers both the protective film and the write pole end. In another embodiment the overcoat has a window that surrounds the protective film, with the protective film being substantially coplanar with the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider. In both embodiments the smooth topography of the slider's ABS is maintained. Full Article
ical Non-volatile memory physical networks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for communication between computing devices includes identifying the parameters of a data transfer between a source computing device and a target computing device and identifying communication paths between a source computing device and target computing device, in which at least one of the communications paths is a physical network. A communication path is selected for the data transfer. When a data transfer over the physical network is selected as a communication path, a nonvolatile memory (NVM) unit is removed from the source computing device and placed in a cartridge and the cartridge is programmed with transfer information. The NVM unit and cartridge are transported through the physical network to the target computing device according to the transfer information and the NVM unit is electrically connected to the target computing device. Full Article
ical Disk drive measuring fly height by applying a bias voltage to an electrically insulated write component of a head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, and a slider comprising a head, where the head comprises a write component electrically insulated from the slider. A bias voltage is applied to the write component, and a current flowing between the write component and the disk is measured, wherein the current is indicative of a fly height of the head. Full Article
ical Cylindrical roller bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A guide piece projects from an outside surface of a cage bar of a cage so as to make sliding contact with a raceway surface of an outer ring. As the cage rotates, the guide piece operates to guide the rotation of the cage while removing an excess grease on the raceway surface and transferring the excess grease to axially opposite ends of the outer ring. The guide piece is formed with a through-hole extending from an inner periphery of the cage to an edge of the guide piece for supplying the lubricant from the inner periphery side of the cage to the raceway surface. Full Article
ical Bearing ring for a radial rolling bearing, in particular for a cylindrical roller bearing or a needle roller bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bearing ring for a radial rolling bearing, in particular for a cylindrical roller bearing or needle bearing which has, on one of the radial surface areas thereof, a track for a set of cylindrical rolling bodies which are cageless or are guided by a cage and one or two guide flanges axially bounding the track of the rolling bodies is/are fastened to the axial end surfaces of said bearing by adhesive bonding. Each guide flange has a rectangular profile cross section with a horizontal fastening limb and a vertical flange limb and, by way of the horizontal fastening limb thereof, is adhesively bonded in an encircling axial groove in an axial end surface of the bearing ring. The width of each axial groove is greater than the material thickness of each fastening limb, and each guide flange can be fixed radially in position in the particular axial groove of a profiling of the fastening limb of said guide flange, the profiling being in contact both with the outer wall and with the inner wall of the associated axial groove. Full Article
ical Dynamically-lubricated bearing and method of dynamically lubricating a bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Dynamically-lubricated bearings and methods of dynamically lubricating bearings, including bearings used in gas turbine engines. Such a bearing includes an inner race having an inner race groove between a pair of inner race cage lands, an outer race having an outer race groove between a pair of outer race cage lands and opposes the inner race groove, rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races and in rolling contact with the inner and outer race grooves, and a cage disposed between the inner and outer races to maintain separation between the rolling elements. A lubricant is introduced into a cavity between the inner and outer races, and rotation of the inner race relative to the outer race causes the lubricant to exit the cavity through recessed surface features in at least one of the inner and outer race cage lands. Full Article
ical Spherical roller bearing cage with inward flange turned radially outward By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A roller bearing cage has a cage element adapted for retaining the generally cylindrically shaped rollers and allowing the rollers to be rollable therein. The cage element includes a main portion having a plurality of pockets, an outward flange portion extending outwardly in a radial direction and an inward flange portion extending outwardly in the radial direction. The outward flange portion is formed on a side edge of the main portion and the inward flange is formed on an opposite side edge portion thereof. The main portion defines the smallest diameter of the bearing cage and is less than the roller pitch diameter. Full Article
ical Virtual machine migration with direct physical access control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data processing system facilitates virtual machine migration with direct physical access control. The illustrative data processing system comprises a software-programmable trap control associated with hardware registers of a computer that selectively vectors execution control of a virtual machine (VM) between a host and a guest. The data processing system further comprises a logic which is configured for execution on the computer that programs the trap control to enable the virtual machine to directly access the hardware registers when the virtual machine is not migrated and to revoke direct access of the hardware registers in preparation for virtual machine migration. Full Article
ical Methods and systems for dynamically establishing one or more connections between a software application and a cluster of message broker By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exemplary method includes a broker-based messaging system detecting a request provided by a software application for the software application to connect to any one of a plurality of brokers included in a cluster of brokers, dynamically identifying, in response to the request and in accordance with a connection distribution heuristic, a broker included in the cluster of brokers and that is available for connection to the software application, and attempting to establish a connection between the software application and the broker. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. Full Article
ical Handling dynamically linked function calls with respect to program code conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A technique is provided for handling dynamically linked subject function calls arranged pass subject control flow to an intermediate control structure such as a procedure linkage table, then to subject linker code for modifying link information associated with the subject function calls during translation of subject code into target code in a dynamic binary translator. The subject code for execution on a subject processor is received by a translator, and corresponding target code for execution on the target processor is generated. The translator is arranged to build a function linkage table containing an entry giving the location of each function called by the subject code, so that code can be generated by the translator in which subject function calls are associated with code for performing the function, without generating target code corresponding to the intermediate control structure. Full Article
ical Polymerizable compound, polymerizable composition, polymer, and optically anisotropic body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a polymerizable compound represented by the following formula (I), a polymerizable composition that includes the polymerizable compound and an initiator, a polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound or the polymerizable composition, and an optically anisotropic article that includes the polymer. The polymerizable compound, polymerizable composition, and polymer have a practical low melting point, exhibit an excellent solubility in a general-purpose solvent, can be produced at low cost, and may produce an optical film that achieves uniform conversion of polarized light over a wide wavelength band, and an optically anisotropic article. Full Article
ical Process of free-radical polymerization or crosslinking in the presence of a selected organic peroxide prepared by an ex situ process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to free-radical polymerization and free-radical cross-linking and more particularly provides a process of free-radical polymerization or cross-linking wherein at least one polymerizable monomer or at least one compound to be cross-linked is contacted in the presence of at least one selected organic peroxides, characterized in that the organic peroxide is prepared continuously by an ex situ process with the aid of a closed plate exchanger. In the process according to the invention, it's possible to introduce the above selected organic peroxide continuously during the polymerization or cross-linking reaction. Full Article
ical Ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups comprising polycarbosiloxane monomers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present application relates to novel monomers comprising polycarbosiloxane monomers useful in certain specific embodiments in the manufacture of devices. More particularly, the present application relates to certain ethylenically unsaturated free radical polymerizable monomers comprising polycarbosiloxane monomers. Even more particularly, the present application pertains to monomers comprising polycarbosiloxane monomers which further comprise at least two ethylenically unsaturated free radical polymerizable groups. Full Article
ical Vertically actuated vehicle barrier system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle barrier system comprises a housing, substantially vertical members, a barrier member, and an actuation assembly. The barrier member is coupled with the substantially vertical members. The barrier member is configured to stop a moving vehicle when the substantially vertical members are in a raised position relative to the housing. The actuation assembly is operable to selectively raise and lower the substantially vertical members relative to the housing to selectively deploy and retract the barrier member relative to the housing. The actuation assembly comprises a powered rotary actuator mounted to the barrier member. The actuation assembly is operable to convert rotary motion from the rotary actuator into linear movement of the barrier member. A counterweight provides opposing mass and vertical motion relative to the barrier member. Full Article
ical Physical broadcast channel (PBCH) transmission for reliable detection of antenna configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Reliable detection of the configuration of transmit antennas includes obtaining a data for transmission, encoding the data, and modulating the data. During the modulating of the data, the data may be configured in such a way as to convey the configuration of the antennas through the modulation of the data. An antenna configuration is obtained by obtaining a representation of the antenna configuration, and masking the data with an error correcting code, where the mask corresponds to the antenna configuration. Full Article
ical Communicating physical layer wireless parameters over an application programming interface By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and devices are described for communicating physical layer wireless parameters over an application programming interface. A wireless modem of a wireless device may measure at least one physical layer wireless parameter. The wireless modem may report the at least one physical layer wireless parameter to an application running on the wireless device over an application programming interface between the wireless modem and the application. A behavior of the application may be adapted to control wireless communications between the application and a network based on the at least one physical layer wireless parameter reported by the wireless modem. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. Full Article
ical Chassis having an internal air plenum and an arrangement of multiple chassis to form a vertical air plenum By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A chassis and rack system is disclosed in which a chassis separated into two separate enclosures by a central partition. Each of the enclosures is sized to receive a computer system. The partition includes a pair of vertically oriented vents, with each of the vents in fluid communication with one of the enclosures and the computer system contained therein. Heated air is removed from each computer system through the vent in the partition that is associated with the computer system. Multiple chassis may be placed one atop another in a vertical configuration in which each chassis is either directly above or directly below another chassis. In this vertical configuration, the vents form a vertically oriented common plenum that can be used to evacuate air from multiple chassis arranged in a rack. Full Article
ical Device for cooling an electrical cabinet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Device for cooling an electrical cabinet including a hollow upright beam having a lower end, an upper end and a cavity inside, the upright beam having an air inlet at the lower end and an air outlet at the upper end, the upright beam supporting the electrical cabinet on a side of the upright beam. The device further includes a first flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the lower end of the electrical cabinet; a second flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the upper end of the electrical cabinet; and a sealing element at an intermediate level between the first and second flow connections to block the cavity of the upright beam. Full Article
ical Lens for asymmetrical light beam generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an optical device for imparting an asymmetrical light beam. The optical device comprises a lens (10) having an exit diopter (12) having an exit surface consisting of a convex surface (16) defining a curved rear portion (18) having a first curvature and a curved front portion (19) having a second curvature different from the first curvature. Furthermore the lens (10) comprises an entry diopter (11) including at least one concave lodging (13) for lodging at least one light source, the surface of the concave lodging (13) facing at least partly the curved rear portion (18). Full Article
ical Optical unit for a vehicular lamp By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical unit includes: a heat sink that radiates heat from a light source; and a base portion including a reflector mounting section, a lens mounting section and a connecting section connecting the reflector mounting section and the lens mounting section. The base portion is configured such that the light from the light source is reflected by a reflector mounted onto the reflector mounting section and is incident onto a projection lens mounted onto the lens mounting section. The heat sink is exposed to a space surrounded by the lens mounting section, the connecting section and the reflector mounting section. Full Article
ical Microscope having a transmitted-light illuminating device for critical illumination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A microscope includes a light source including an LED device having a light radiating surface and a light directing element including a larger coupling-out surface. The light directing element is disposed so as to couple in light radiated by the light source and couple out the radiated light from the coupling-out surface. The light directing element is disposed so that the light is radiated out in an angular range of ±10° to ±50° and illuminates an area at 5 meters in an angular range of at least ±5° with intensity fluctuations of less than 50%. A condenser is disposed between the coupling-out surface of the light directing element and the object to be viewed. The condenser has an aperture with an aperture dimension and is disposed such that the aperture is irradiated completely with the light coupled out from the coupling-out surface. Full Article
ical Surgical instrument with ratcheting rotatable shaft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a reusable housing including an internal transducer and an internal end effector rotation assembly. An exemplary rotation assembly is a ratchet and pawl assembly, which allows the transducer to rotate in a first direction but not in a second, opposite direction. The end effector, including an integral torque wrench, is attached to the transducer to form a single unit that is rotatable relative to the housing. The transducer attaches to a stationary cable via slip rings. The cable communicates with a generator, which provides electrical power to the transducer. The transducer converts the electrical power into ultrasonic vibrational energy, which is transmitted to the end effector. Full Article
ical Surgical puncture access By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surgical device mitigates over-puncture with a bias spring that biases a leading, cutting edge in the opposite direction of the anticipated over-puncture. An associated locking mechanism is configured to release the force of the bias spring in a direction counter to the direction of insertion when the tension force of tissue against the cutting edge is released. Thus, when an opening in the tissue forms, the tension is released and the cutting edge can move opposite to the direction of insertion of the surgical device at the same time that an applied force drives the instrument in the direction of insertion. In this manner, the spring and locking mechanism cooperate to move the cutting edge opposite to the direction of insertion as soon as an incision is made. Full Article
ical Surgical forceps including blade safety mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A forceps includes first and second jaw members and at least one handle movable between an open position and a closed position for moving the jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A ratchet mechanism includes first and second ratchet components configured to engage one another upon movement of the at least one handle to the closed position to retain the jaw members in the approximated position. A knife is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the jaw members to cut tissue therebetween. A safety mechanism is configured to inhibit extension of the knife when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position. Movement of the ratchet components into engagement with one another to retain the jaw members in the approximated position disengages the safety mechanism, thereby permitting extension of the knife. Full Article
ical Surgical forceps By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A forceps includes first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. One (or both) of the first and second jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a jaw frame fixedly engaged to the first shaft member and a disposable jaw housing releasably engageable with the jaw frame. The disposable jaw housing includes a knife assembly disposed therein. The knife assembly includes a knife blade biased toward an initial position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within the jaw housing. The knife blade is moveable between the initial position and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends at least partially from the jaw housing to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. Full Article
ical Surgical stapling device with dissecting tip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue. Full Article
ical Medical device with orientable tip for robotically directed laser cutting and biomaterial application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medical device used in a medical robotic system has a conduit and an orientable tip. An optical fiber coupled to a laser source and/or a catheter coupled to one or more biomaterial sources extends through the conduit and tip so that the tip of the medical device may be robotically directed towards a target tissue for laser and/or biomaterial application as part of a medical procedure performed at a surgical site within a patient. A protective sheath covers the fiber as it extends through the conduit and tip. A first coupler adjustably secures at least the sheath to the medical device and a second coupler adjustably secures the fiber to at least the sheath. A similar dual coupler mechanism may be used to secure the sheathed catheter to the medical device. Full Article
ical Apparatus and method of user interface with alternate tool mode for robotic surgical tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one implementation, a method is disclosed in which a lock sensing mode is entered for a robotic surgical instrument. In the lock sensing mode, the degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument are switchably reduced. Further in the lock sensing mode, one or more end effectors of the robotic surgical instrument are switchably clamped together in the robotic surgical instrument. An increased level of torque may also be applied to the end effectors to increase a gripping force applied by the one or more end effectors in response to the reduced degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument. Full Article
ical Medical device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT An attachment for a surgical instrument including a drive input hub for connection to a power source; a drive output hub for connection to a surgical instrument; and a body connecting the drive input hub to the drive output hub, the body including a mechanism for transferring drive from the input hub to the output hub, and wherein the body, the drive input hub and the drive output hub are at least in part not coaxial. A method for surgically preparing a bone using the attachment is also provided. Full Article
ical Flexible harmonic waveguides/blades for surgical instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises an articulable harmonic waveguide. The articulable harmonic waveguide comprises a first drive section comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first drive section may be configured to connect to an ultrasonic transducer. The articulable harmonic waveguide further comprises a first flexible waveguide coupled to the distal end of the first drive section. An end effector extends distally from the first flexible waveguide. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation actuator to flex the first flexible waveguide. Full Article
ical Anterior cervical plate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT An anterior cervical plate system is provided. The cervical plate includes a retention ring with a deflectable flange that is upwardly spaced from the top surface of the ring and configured to prevent an inserted bone fastener from backing out of the plate. The plate includes a locking pin having a camming surface and a blocking surface. When the camming surface is moved into position adjacent to the flange, the flange is free to flex out of the way of a bone screw being inserted into or removed from the plate. When the blocking surface is positioned adjacent to the flange, outward deflection of the flange is prevented to retain the bone screw inside the plate. The locking pin is rotated through a camming surface to bring a blocking surface against the flange deflecting the flange onto the head of the bone screw. Full Article
ical Joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. Full Article
ical Joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. Full Article
ical Medical device inserters and processes of inserting and using medical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Full Article
ical Optical film and process for producing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical film of high planarity that even in the use of an optical film material containing a non-resinous additive in an amount of 5 mass % or more, would exhibit inexpensive satisfactory roll cleaning effects, and that would find application in, especially, various functional films such as a retardation film and a protective film for polarization plate for use in a liquid crystal display apparatus, etc.; and a process for producing the optical film. There is disclosed a process for producing an optical film according to a melting casting film forming method, including extruding a melt of resin blend containing a resin and 5 mass % or more of non-resinous additive through a casting die into a film form, wherein a first roller (5) for cooling has a temperature of the melting point of the additive to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin blend. Preferably, the first roller (5) for cooling has a peripheral speed (S1) exhibiting a ratio between the same and the peripheral speed (S3) of a third roller (7) for cooling, S3/S1, of 1.001 to 1.05. Preferably, a filmlike molten blend is pressed against the first roller (5) for cooling at a linear pressure of 0.5 to 50 N/mm by means of a second roller (6) for pressure application. Full Article
ical Synchronous fusion of video and numerical data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to typical practice of the present invention, temporal identifiers are simultaneously associated with (i) video and (ii) numerical data while these data are contemporaneously collected by, respectively, (i) a video camera filming an event and (ii) a data acquisition system acquiring numerical data from sensor(s) obtaining sensory information relating to the event. Various modes of inventive practice provide for time codes and/or markers as the temporal identifiers. The video and the numerical data are each converted to a digital form that furthers their mutual compatibility, the video to a compressed/encoded video file, the numerical data to an Adobe XMP data file. The compressed/encoded video file and the XMP data file are merged whereby the temporal identifiers are aligned with each other. The merged video file has numerical data embedded therein and is displayable so that the video and the numerical data are synchronized in comportment with actual real-time occurrence. Full Article
ical Substrate device or package using embedded layer of voltage switchable dielectric material in a vertical switching configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substrate device includes an embedded layer of VSD material that overlays a conductive element or layer to provide a ground. An electrode, connected to circuit elements that are to be protected, extends into the thickness of the substrate to make contact with the VSD layer. When the circuit elements are operated under normal voltages, the VSD layer is dielectric and not connected to ground. When a transient electrical event occurs on the circuit elements, the VSD layer switches instantly to a conductive state, so that the first electrode is connected to ground. Full Article
ical Elastomeric particle having an electrically conducting surface, a pressure sensor comprising said particles, a method for producing said sensor and a sensor system comprising said sensors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An elastomeric particle (1, 1, 1″) comprises a non-conducting elastomeric body (2) having an electrically conducting surface (4a, 4b, 6). Pressure sensor elements (20, 20', 20″; 30, 30', 30″, 30'″) comprising such elastomeric particles are disclosed, as well as sensor clusters (50″, 50'″, 50IV, 50V, 50VI, 50VII, 70) comprising such sensor elements. There is also disclosed a pressure sensor element (40, 40', 40″, 40'″, 40IV, 40V, 40VI, 40VII), comprising a resistive element (44, 44', 44″) providing a conduction path, a first electrode (42a, 42a-1, 42a-2, 42a-3, 42a-4, 42a-5, 42a-6), connected to the resistive element, a second electrode (42b, 42b'), which in a quiescent state is spaced from said first electrode, wherein the second electrode, when the pressure sensor element is subjected to a pressure, is arranged to contact said first electrode or said resistive element. Systems comprising such sensor elements and sensor clusters are disclosed, as well as methods of their fabrication. Full Article
ical Optical fiber fusion splicer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a windshield cover having a rotating shaft and rotating around the rotating shaft so as to be openable and closable; a cable member wrapping unit coupled and fixed to the windshield cover on the same axis as the rotating shaft of the windshield cover or formed as a portion of the windshield cover, the cable member wrapping unit being rotatable in a normal direction or in a reverse direction around the rotating shaft; a first cable member winding unit that is a rotary pulley, a non-rotary pulley, or a rotary gear; and a closed-loop member including a deformable cable member wound around the cable member wrapping unit and the first cable member winding unit, the closed-loop member constituting a closed loop. Full Article
ical Optical fiber fusion splicer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical fiber fusion splicer that heats and fusion-splices optical fibers to each other, the optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a coating clamp installation base; a coating clamp that is attached to the coating clamp installation base and has a coating clamp lid that is openable and closable; and a first power source for advancing the coating clamp installation base and opening the coating clamp lid. An operation of opening the coating clamp lid is performed using the first power source after the fusion splicing is completed. Full Article
ical Optical writing controller, image forming apparatus, and optical writing control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical writing controller that controls a light source to expose a photoconductor and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor calculates a correction value for correcting a superimposing position where the developed images for different colors developing each of the electrostatic latent images formed on each of the multiple photoconductors are superimposed based on the detection signal output by a pattern detection sensor that detects a pattern for correcting the superimposing position, controls the multiple light sources to draw a predetermined pattern repeatedly in the sub-scanning direction so that stepwise patterns whose width in the main scanning direction varies with repetition are formed, and determines the width in the main scanning direction of the patterns for correcting based on the strength of the detection signal output by the pattern detection sensor. Full Article
ical Optical scanning device, optical scanning device control method, and image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical scanning device includes: a driving unit that drives a light source that outputs multiple light beams; a deflecting unit that scans a scanning surface in a main-scanning direction by deflecting the light beams, the scanning surface moving at a predetermined line speed in a sub-scanning direction; and a control unit that changes number of the light beams according to the line speed by controlling the driving unit, changes a scanning speed of the deflecting unit in the main-scanning direction according to a difference between an exposure amount per unit length in the main-scanning direction after a change in the number of the light beams and a predetermined exposure amount, and changes light intensity of each of the light beams output by the light source according to an amount of a change in the scanning speed. Full Article