49results about How to "Facilitate manipulation" patented technology

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument which includes a drive rod assembly having a hollow shaft portion. A central shaft is slidably disposed in and axially aligned with the hollow shaft portion. The instrument may further include a handle assembly coupled to hollow shaft portion and the central shaft of the drive rod assembly. A pair of opposing jaw members each operatively associated with the distal end of the hollow shaft portion, the jaw members being movable relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members are approximated towards one another. The instrument may further include a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member for conducting energy therebetween.

Nanowire dispersion compositions (and uses thereof) are disclosed comprising a plurality of inorganic nanowires suspended in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution comprising at least one low molecular weight and / or low HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) value dispersant. Methods of further improving the dispersability of a plurality of inorganic nanowires in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution comprise, for example, oxidizing the surface of the nanowires prior to dispersing the nanowires in the aqueous or non-aqueous solution.

A system and method for adding vector textures to images may employ a unified vector representation for images and textures based on extensions to diffusion curve representations, along with tools to facilitate the draping of texture maps over an image. This vector representation may support user-configurable parameters that allow artists to design and manipulate complex textures at a high-level, and to deform them directly in two-dimensional images. The vector representation may provide material descriptors and visual cues of three-dimensional shape in two-dimensional images. It may facilitate the creation of lighting and shading effects in such images. The system may include tools to manipulate the configurable parameters to create texels, to distribute texels in a texture map, to automatically generate new texture elements, to generate 2.5D surface approximations of two-dimensional images based on diffusible normal attributes, and / or to apply a texture by mapping or projecting it onto such 2.5D surface approximations.

A method an apparatus for manipulating particles (micro, nano, and pico) having one or more characteristics with an optical trap formed by modulating a laser beam with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). At least one characteristic of the material is selected; and a laser beam having a selected wavelength corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material is generated. Values of the DOE are calculated corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material. The beam and the DOE are modulated to produce a holographic optical trap having properties corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic; the trap is focused to a beam focus or selected spot size; and the beam focus is located near a particle location for trapping the particle therein.

Systems and methods to deliver crew, cargo and other logistics services to space platforms. In one embodiment, a rendezvous and docking vehicle (RDV) comprises two docking mechanisms coupled to the RDV body. A pressurizable passageway connects the docking mechanisms. In one embodiment, the two docking mechanisms are different. An alternative embodiment comprises docking mechanisms which are the same. Also included is a flight control system. The flight control system may vary between embodiments, being autonomous, automated, or remotely controlled (e.g., remote pilot). One embodiment can also include a docking control system in the RDV. A propulsion system is coupled to the RDV in some embodiments, and the RDV may be augmented by a mated spacecraft's propulsion system in other embodiments. The mated spacecraft's propulsion system may even be under the control of the RDV.

A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, which facilitates a terminal to be used in further consideration of user's convenience. The present invention includes a touchscreen and a controller, if a 1st touch gesture is received through the touchscreen, outputting a movable button pad including at least one 1st touch button to the touchscreen in response to the received 1st touch gesture, the controller, if a prescribed one of the at least one 1st touch button is selected, enabling a prescribed function corresponding to the prescribed 1st touch button. Accordingly, in controlling a touchscreen having a relatively large size, the present invention can provide a touch screen control environment for enhancing user's convenience.

Exemplary embodiments of an apparatus can be provided for obtaining portions or samples of tissue from a target region of a biological tissue. One or more needles can be provided that have a small internal diameter, e.g., about 1 mm or less, and the needles can be configured to extract the tissue portions when the needles are inserted into and withdrawn from the tissue. Windows and / or markings can be provided on the wall of the needles to facilitate access to the sample. The needles can be provided in an enclosure, and an actuator can be provided to direct the needles into the tissue and / or withdraw them. A plurality of tissue portions having known relative locations in the target region can be obtained, and extraction of the tissue portions can be well-tolerated by the tissue as compared with conventional punch biopsies or the like.

Edible animal chew and method of using the animal chew. The animal chew is edible and is configured to clean laniaries and gum tissue of an animal as the animal chews and eats the animal chew. The animal chew comprises all-natural ingredients and is, therefore, free of synthetic ingredients and unhealthy added ingredients, such as added sugars. The animal chew may further contain all-natural vitamins for improving health of the animal. A plurality of first projections and second projections on a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, respectively, are provided to clean laniaries and gum tissue for reducing risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. A plurality of raised nodules is also provided on the distal end portion for massaging gum tissue to reduce risk of periodontal disease.

Chimeric human-bovine parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and useful individually or in combination in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-PIV immune response or as vectors for introducing heterologous genes into a host. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric PIV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete human or bovine PIV “background” genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different PIV. Chimeric human-bovine PIV of the invention include a partial or complete “background” PIV genome or antigenome derived from or patterned after a human or bovine PIV virus combined with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different PIV virus to form the human-bovine chimeric PIV genome or antigenome.

A generic management definition object, described using a CIM MOF file or an Extensible Markup Language document, can be used to format display panels that are independent of a management console. A generic integration layer is created between the management data and the display and behavior of such data. A transformation engine is used to convert data definitions included in management data to a formatted structure that is stored in a repository. A translation engine renders the formatted structure into graphical user interface constructs that are independent of any particular management console architecture. The transformation and translation engines coordinate a set of processes that facilitate the display and manipulation of the management data object's data model. GUI display panels that support the management model are generated in a console neutral manner so that the same panels are displayed from a variety of management consoles.

ESR microscope systems and methods for examining specimens using both continuous wave and pulsed modes in the 9 to 60 GHz range. The ESR microscope uses an image probe comprising gradient coils in addition to conventional modulation coils (in continuous wave mode) or magnetic field bias coils (in pulse mode), and a resonator constructed from high permittivity material. The systems and methods also involves the use of sample containers that permit the precise placement of samples in relation to the image probe. The microscope uses a microstrip or thin coaxial or dielectric antenna to obtain a high coupling coefficient to the specimen being imaged. The microscope systems provide resolution at the single micron level, and permit the observation of images comprising tens to hundreds of pixels for each of two or three dimensions in a few minutes. Novel stable radicals used as the imaging media are also described.

The invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising mutant Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumolysin proteins. The invention further relates to such proteins and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. In particular embodiments, the invention is directed to an isolated mutant pneumolysin (PLY) protein, wherein the mutant PLY protein differs from the wild type PLY protein by the presence of a mutation within the region of amino acids 144 to 161 of the wild type sequence, such that the toxicity of the mutant is reduced relative to that of the wild-type protein. In particular embodiments, the mutant PLY protein differs from the wild type protein by the substitution or deletion of amino acids within this region, including the deletion of two adjacent amino acids within the region of amino acids 144 to 151 of the wild type sequence.

A system identifies document (e.g., text processing application document) data fields similarly to the way a spreadsheet application references cells, to facilitate copying data fields that contain references to other fields. A text processing system enables user creation or editing of a document. The system includes a display processor for initiating generation of data representing an image. The image includes a document area for display and editing of a document and includes on a side of the document area, individual row identifiers and above or below the document area, data field indicators identifying corresponding individual data fields incorporated in a particular row of the document. A document processor associates an individual text data item with a data field incorporated in a particular row of the document. The data field has an associated location identifier identifying a position of the data field in the document by identifying a row, and position within a row, of the data field and the location identifier is automatically updated in response to movement of the text data item occurring during editing of the document.

A touchscreen-enabled terminal and application control method thereof is provided for facilitating control of the currently running application by presenting function keys mapped to the touch regions on the screen in response of multi-touch detected on the touchscreen. The application control apparatus of the present invention includes a touchscreen including a display panel for displaying an application execution screen and a touch panel for receiving user input for controlling the application; and a control unit which controls, when a multi-touch event with at least three touch regions is detected, the touchscreen to display function keys mapped to the touch regions. The touchscreen-enabled terminal and application control method thereof according to the present invention facilitates user's manipulation of functions of an application.

An inflatable cargo dunnage bag comprises an inflatable bladder, a first inner bag, and a second outer bag, wherein the inner and outer bags are fabricated from polywoven thermoplastic material so as to render the dunnage bag light in weight and moisture resistant whereby the dunnage bag can be used in the maritime industry. The first inner and second outer bags are also provided with exterior coating so as to enhance the impact resistance, perforation resistance, and abrasion resistance of the dunnage bag. The dunnage bag is also provided with handles which not only facilitate the manipulation and handling of the dunnage bag, but in addition, permits the dunnage bag to be suspendingly attached to cargo loads so as not to be displaced from the cargo loads.

A line work tool device and method, wherein a tool guidance structure is provided for tool positioning assistance relative to the target workpiece, such as a high voltage switch, and wherein a unique inverted “L” shaped member extends from the device in such a manner as to facilitate interaction with the switch barrel.

A vehicle wheel axle assembly, including: an axle element that is rotationally stationary about an axial axis; a handle connected to the axle element that may be pivotally articulated relative to the axle element about a pivot axis and between an open position and a closed position; and a frame element with a first frame member to interface with the axle assembly. The handle includes a handle axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the pivot axis, a radially projecting lever portion, and a lever axis extending radially outwardly from the pivot axis and along the lever portion. The pivot axis is generally parallel to the lever axis. The axle assembly is secured to the first frame member by means of a threadable engagement. With the handle in the open position, the axle element may be manually manipulated by means of the handle to threadably adjust the threadable engagement.

An exhaust system having a pipe for conveying exhaust from an engine, the end of which has an outwardly-protruding lip; a first pipe flange having a hole large enough to allow the lipped end of the pipe to pass through it, and a recessed shoulder adjacent the hole; a collar, configured to releasably encircle said first pipe, to abut with the recessed shoulder at its outer periphery, and the lipped end of the pipe at its inner periphery, thereby preventing the collar and lipped pipe assembly from passing through said hole; and a second pipe flange configured to attach to said first pipe flange to connect a tail pipe to the first pipe, and to hold the pipe, flange and collar assembly together. The invention also provides counterweights for counterweighted lift trucks adapted to secure such exhaust systems, and methods of fitting such exhaust systems.

An apparatus for manipulating particles (micro, nano, and pico) having one or more characteristics with an optical trap formed by modulating a laser beam with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). At least one characteristic of the material is selected; and a laser beam having a selected wavelength corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material is generated. Values of the DOE are calculated corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material. The beam and the DOE are modulated to produce a holographic optical trap having properties corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic; the trap is focused to a beam focus or selected spot size; and the beam focus is located near a particle location for trapping the particle therein.

An exemplary apparatus can be provided for generating at least one image of a structure. The apparatus can include at least one first arrangement that has a structural configuration with a first aperture and a second aperture. At least one detector second arrangement can b provided which is configured to detect (i) a first electro-magnetic signal provided to or from the structure via the first aperture, and (ii) a second electromagnetic signal provided to or from the structure via the second aperture. The first and second signals can be associated with data regarding at least one portion of the structure. The exemplary apparatus can further include at least one processing third arrangement which is configured to combine an amplitude and a phase of each of the first and second signals with one another to form a combined amplitude and a combined phase of a combined signal, and then generate the image(s) based on the combined signal.

Database management and security is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, data sets containing sensitive data elements are analyzed using aliases representing sensitive data elements. In another embodiment, the sensitive data elements are stored in an encrypted form for use from a secure access, while the alias is available for standard access.

The invention provides a construction method of spinosad heterologous expression strain, a spinosad heterologous expression strain obtained by the method and use thereof in preparing spinosad. The method utilizes a plurality of homologous recombination to replace the erythromycin synthetic gene cluster of Saccharopolyspora erythraea with the spinosad synthetic gene cluster and the rhamnose synthetic gene cluster, such that the Saccharopolyspora erythraea produces spinosad.

A warning sign for mounting on a structural member, such as a cross arm of a utility pole, has an elongated U-shaped support member and a warning message disposed thereon. The warning sign is installed on the structural member by a utility worker at ground level by pushing it upward onto the structural member, about which it locks and cannot be easily removed. The support member and warning message are preferably extruded from high-density polyethylene which includes ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors.

The invention relates to a multi-layer thermal insulation element for thermally insulating a battery, comprising a first cover layer, a second cover layer and a compressible and / or flexible intermediate layer arranged between the cover layers, said intermediate layer having at least one heat-resistant fiber layer, wherein the fiber layer is formed from a needled nonwoven fabric and / or wherein thecover layers are flexurally weak and the thermal insulation element is overall compressible and flexible.

Systems and methods that facilitate magnetic collection and / or manipulation of individual micropallets are provided. The embodiments provided herein are directed to a new method for collecting micropallets once released from a substrate. It is accomplished by endowing the micropallets with magnetic properties by incorporating ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticles into the photoresist material or otherwise incorporating magnetically responsive material into the micropallet structure. The magnetic particles, which posses magnetic qualities, e.g., ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, paramagnetism, and are composed of iron, nickel, and / or other magnetic materials, are mixed into the bulk photoresist prior to its use in the fabrication of microstructures. Also covered are other methods of incorporating magnetically-attractable material into the micropallet structure, such as plating of the micropallets with a material that is magnetically responsive, such as nickel. Additionally, the embodiments provided include a “collection probe” that is used to collect the released magnetic micropallets.

A reptile lamp includes a support bracket, and at least one angle adjustable device. The angle adjustable device includes a pivot ring pivotally mounted on the support bracket, a socket pivotally mounted in the pivot ring, and an electric bulb mounted on the socket to move therewith. Thus, the electric bulb is rotatable relative to the support bracket in a two-directional way so as to adjust the angle and direction of the electric bulb freely, thereby enhancing the light effect of the electric bulb. In addition, the user only needs to operate the control knob to control the direction of the electric bulb, so that the direction of the electric bulb is controlled easily and quickly, thereby facilitating the user manipulating the control knob.