Abstract: The present invention relates to a transrectal probe and method for real time mechanical imaging of a prostate. The probe is equipped with dual-array pressure sensors—one on the probe head and another on the shaft of the probe spaced away from the head with an angular and linear offset forming an S-shaped transition between the shaft and the head of the probe. The addition of the shaft pressure sensor array together with orientation tracking sensors allows precise calculation of the current head position throughout the examination of the prostate. Display means are used to guide the user in the proper manipulation of the probe in order to reduce the forces on surrounding tissues and organs and to minimize patient's discomfort.

Abstract: A bottomhole tool and a method for optimizing oil production rate from an oil well with high gas-to-oil ratio and stabilizing thereof in case of occurrence of a gas cone or gas skin conditions are disclosed. The resistance of the adjustable multi-stage flow resistor is determined by a position of a telescoping needle, which in turn is defined by a driving means including a motor and a gearbox. The motor is driven via a cable from a surface by a control means adapted to receive information about the bottomhole parameters from local sensors via a sensor cable. Methodology explaining the principles of maintaining well stability is also disclosed. Automatic adjustment of the bottomhole pressure is maintained over a wide range of operating parameters throughout the life of the well to maximize its oil output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the axial thrust in rotary machines such as compressors, centrifugal pumps, turbines, etc. includes providing additional peripheral restrictive means (7) attached at the peripheral portion of the disk forming the subdividing means (4) on the side facing the rotating rotor (2). An additional ring element at the periphery of the subdividing means forms additional radial (11) and axial restrictive means (15). Such peripheral restrictive means (7, 11 and 15) function as sealing dams, which combined with the outward flow induced by the rotating impeller, form self-pressurizing hydrodynamic bearings in the axial and radial planes, improving rotordynamic stability. Additionally, a stationary ring element in the center of the cavity forms a seal with the rotor, reducing leakage to suction.

Abstract: A time-reversal acoustics system includes a wireless beacon with a piezoelectric element adapted to receive an initial acoustic signal from each of a plurality of transducers combined in a single transmitter and controlled individually by an electronic unit. The initial acoustic signal is transformed by the piezoelectric element into an electromagnetic wave feedback signal and transmitted wirelessly to the receiver connected to the input of the electronic unit. The electronic unit receives the feedback signal and transforms it using the time-reversal principles to generate a driving signal for each transducer. All such driving signals are then sent simultaneously to all transducers to deliver high intensity acoustic energy to the beacon. The invention can be used advantageously to non-invasively recharge implant batteries, control drug eluting from an implant, in an image-guided drug-delivery apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A portable rolling carpentry workshop includes a table saw mounted on a sliding means to allow the blade of the saw to be shifted to the left or to the right of the longitudinal centerline of the workshop so that more supporting surface is available on either side of the blade to allow cutting large workpieces on a relatively narrow tabletop surface. The workshop of the invention is sized to allow easy maneuvering through the narrow hallways of apartment buildings but affords the functionality of larger worktables due to this unique ability to slide the table saw. Also provided is an extendable miter saw table located above the main tabletop surface and allowing passing of the longer workpieces underneath thereof when ripping with table saw. Therefore the use of both the table saw and the miter saw can be accomplished at the same time without the need to rearrange the configuration of the power tools on the workshop.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tactile input device includes a first rigid electrode layer, a compressible dielectric structure, and a second flexible electrode layer forming together a tactile sensor with appropriate electrode connection means to a control means. The control means may include a mixed-signal IC mounted next to the input device in a compact package and capable of measuring capacitance in real time. The dielectric structure may include a matrix of compressible geometric elements with voids therebetween optionally vented to atmosphere, making the entire assembly thin and facilitating its use for mobile phones and other small, portable electronic devices. Some embodiments provide the user wit tactile feedback upon compression of the electrodes. An optional flexible display may be mounted over the input device to indicate the present configuration to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device housing with a seemless user input zone that measures the level of force applied by the user is described. It is particularly advantageous when used with small hand-held consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, game- and media players. A housing for an electronic device includes a seamless user input zone defining a contact force-sensitive deformable area. A capacitance sensor is formed between the conductive inside surface of the housing and the electrode of the rigid base facing that inside surface. Linear support means such as columns support the housing away from the rigid base defining an air gap. Capacitance measurement circuit is deployed to detect the location and force applied by the user onto the housing and send a user input signal to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for focusing broadband acoustic signals with flat spectral content based on Time-Reversed Acoustics (TRA) principle is disclosed. The method of the invention differs from the conventional TRA focusing in that it includes an additional step of adjusting the spectral content of time-reversed signal, prior to applying it to the radiating transducer. This additional step, which includes attenuation of the spectral components with high amplitude and amplification of the spectral components with low amplitude, leads to flattening of the spectra of the radiated signal and widening of its frequency band. TRA focusing with this additional step of adjusting spectral content of the radiated signal allows generation of shorter pulses and provides better concentration of acoustic energy than standard TRA focusing.

Abstract: A peristaltic roller pump includes a rotor carrying a pumping roller on one end and an occluding roller on the other end. Occluding roller has a number of protrusions designed to only occlude the tubing section that is located under that roller as it moves over it in order to prevent any back flow through that section of the tube. Occluding roller is designed to not cause any pumping of fluid through the section of the tubing under that roller. Such design is useful in a single-needle dialysis system and in other alternating pumping systems in which during a first phase of the pumping the fluid is moved in one direction and during the second phase of operation the fluid is moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hybrid tactile sensor includes a flexible cloth-based tactile sensor array including a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes connected to a corresponding connecting zone of an intermediate connecting harness made from a flexible film such as Kapton®. The harness includes a common bundle of parallel conductors etched or printed onto the harness and connecting each of the connecting zones to a common terminal for further attaching to a control unit of the sensor. The use of the harness allows repeatable manufacturing of sensor arrays with large number of electrodes or when they are located close to each other. Each connecting zone may include an interconnecting pad for crimping, soldering, or adhering the electrode thereto using a conductive epoxy. Alternative embodiments describe the use of U-shaped malleable connectors, jumper wires including those equipped with U-shaped clips, and other means of attaching electrodes to corresponding connecting zones.

Abstract: Disclosed are human tissue phantoms mimicking the mechanical properties of real tissue, and methods for manufacturing thereof including the steps of obtaining a computer aided three-dimensional design of a phantom mimicking the tissue in shape and size; fabrication of a mold form facilitating the production of the designed phantom; molding said phantom with the use of two-component silicon gels as a bulk tissue-mimicking material having Young's modulus in the range of 2 to 30 kPa; filling the enclosed volume of said phantom with anatomical and pathological tissue structures mimicking their respective mechanical properties and having Young's modulus in the range of about 30 to 600 kPa; covering said phantom by a protective layer having mechanical properties to a human tissue protective layer; and securing the phantom perimeter on a supporting plate by a rubber barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed devices and methods for droplet microchromatograhy are aimed at optical monitoring and rapid analysis of a drying droplet. The device includes droplet deposition component preferably made as a modified disk adapted to fit in a modified CD disk drive, an optical recorder, and a computer control and image analysis. Recorded timed sequence of images of the process of drying of the droplet is digitally filtered and analyzed using windows selected in each image. Changes of predetermined parameters in each window for each image are calculated to assess temporal and spatial dynamics within the sequence of images reflecting sedimentary pattern formation of a drying droplet. Humidity can be selectively controlled to slow down the drying process allowing “zooming” onto the critical periods of drying of the droplet. Various chemical coatings of the deposition means can be used to enhance the test further.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool alignment device that aids the operator in positioning a hand tool such as a drill or driver perpendicular, parallel or a specific angle to the target surface. Importantly, the operator can observe the device an omni-directional line-of-sight. The device includes of a light beam emitting/detecting device, which is affixed to the tool, and a flat optical reflector, which is placed on the target surface. The light-emitting device is used to project a beam of light onto the reflector, collinearly with the axis of the tool. The beam is reflected back to the device and lights up a light guide indicating when the tool is perpendicular to or at a specific angle to the target surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for measurement of properties of a sample as a function of temperature. The method and apparatus are based on formation of a stable temperature gradient through the holding fixture such as a cell or a plate containing the sample under study, measurement of the property of interest as a function of position, and relating the positions of the measurements to the temperature of the studied sample at that position. In the preferred application, thermal and thermodynamic properties of solutes are obtained. Provisions are described to combine optical interrogation with Raman spectroscopy. Alternate technique of interrogation is total internal fluorescence reflection. Chemical reaction rates as function of temperature can be advantageously studied including reactions catalyzed by enzymes.

Abstract: A device for animal waste retrieval comprises a handle having a first latching member with a releasing member disposed at a first end of a guide, a support having a second latching member and a bag gripper disposed at a second end of the guide surface with a pull slidely coupled to it and biased toward the second end, an elongated flexible restrain with apertures proximate to its ends, wherein the restrain is so disposed that the apertures are substantially symmetrical to the support and generally opposite to the second end, and a flexible member is inserted through the apertures and attached to the pull thereby forming a loop. The device is simple, light-weighted, entirely sanitary, capable to pick up with one bag or more times, scoop, and catch the waste, comfortable and unobtrusive in use.