Abstract: The use of ultrasonic transducers installed in utility meters is provided for the detection of fluid leaks in a conduit. Such transducers are normally used to transmit acoustic waves in order to measure the velocity of fluid flow, but it is disclosed that such transducers are also capable of detecting leak noises in addition to such transmitted acoustic waves.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system can include one or more adjustable arm supports that support one or more robotic arms. The adjustable arm supports can be configured to attach to either a table, a column support of the table, or a base of the table to deploy the adjustable arm supports and robotic arms from a position below the table. In some examples, the adjustable arm supports include at least four degrees of freedom that allow for adjustment of the position of a bar or rail to which the robotic arms are mounted. One of the degrees of freedom can allow the adjustable arm support to be adjusted vertically relative to the table.

Abstract: A circular, cylindrically shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on the outer surface into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment. Hexagonal shaped tools other than wrenches are able to be used with the handle of the present invention such as screwdrivers and socket wrenches. A tool container stores the tools and the tool handle.

Abstract: A robotically enabled teleoperated system can include a controller and an instrument capable of manipulation by the controller. The instrument can be a medical instrument. The controller can include a handle configured for actuation by an operator. The handle can be attached to a gimbal configured to allow manipulation of the handle in multiple rotational degrees of freedom. The gimbal can include a load cell. The gimbal can be configured for impedance control. The controller can also include a positioning platform coupled to the gimbal and configured to allow manipulation of the handle in multiple positional degrees of freedom. The controller can be configured for admittance control based at least in part on an output signal of the load cell in the gimbal.

Abstract: A universal ratcheting tool provides improved handling of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically, hexagonal wrenches. The universal ratcheting tool includes a handle and a body with a ratcheting mechanism within the handle. The body includes a first aperture for receiving a tool, and the first aperture includes slots to accept a plurality of sizes of tools. The body also includes a second aperture where the tool extends out of the body. A retaining component is coupled with the body to retain the tool and a retaining tab is able to be used to open and close the retaining component. Once the tool is positioned and retained within the universal ratcheting tool, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle and the ease of use of the ratcheting mechanism.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system can include one or more adjustable arm supports that support one or more robotic arms. The adjustable arm supports can be configured to attach to either a table, a column support of the table, or a base of the table to deploy the adjustable arm supports and robotic arms from a position below the table. In some examples, the adjustable arm supports include at least four degrees of freedom that allow for adjustment of the position of a bar or rail to which the robotic arms are mounted. One of the degrees of freedom can allow the adjustable arm support to be adjusted vertically relative to the table.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system can include one or more adjustable arm supports that support one or more robotic arms. The adjustable arm supports and/or robotic arms can be configured to be deployed from low mount positions, for example, from positions below the surface of the table. The robotic arms can include a plurality of joints providing a plurality of degrees of freedom. The joints may be grouped into a proximal shoulder, an elbow, and a distal wrist. The robotic arms can include one or more redundant degrees of freedom. An insertion mechanism, associated with the robotic arm and configured for providing insertion of an instrument along an assertion axis, can be provided at a distal end of the robotic arms.

Abstract: An intelligent web-enabled plant growing system controls environmental conditions inside it to grow sprouts, microgreens and plants from seeds placed in it without much intervention of humans through the growing process. Photographs of the sprouts, microgreens and plants are taken periodically by a camera. A computer then uploads the photographs to a server. The server runs artificial intelligence programs to determine the state of the growth and suggests back to the computer how to operate the controls for environment. A user application program on a remote computer or mobile device reports the state of the box, enables the user to buy seeds, enables the user to make own recipes, and enables multiple users to share their growing experience and custom recipes.

Abstract: A circular, cylindrically shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on the outer surface into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment. Hexagonal shaped tools other than wrenches are able to be used with the handle of the present invention such as screwdrivers and socket wrenches. A tool container stores the tools and the tool handle.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment adapted to receive the valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being slidable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame, a deployment actuator, a lever, and a hub, each of the deployment actuator, the lever, and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath relative to the inner shaft and to impede movement of the distal sheath relative to the frame, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the valve.

Abstract: A weighted vest includes weight attachment points that allow the user to customize the weight distribution when attaching resistance across a body surface. The vest is secured with shoulder straps, side support straps and a chest buckle and can be comfortably worn during any form of physical exercise, freeing the user's hands for other purposes. The vest is reinforced to withstand the stress of the added resistance with the interior of the vest being padded for comfort. Exchangeable rubber disks are removeably fastened to a back panel to modify the resistance in order to achieve the desired exercise intensity. The disks are shaped to fit together to form a continuous, tessellated layer, if desired, and are secured to attachment points on the weight panel with fasteners. The rubber disks are weighted to provide added mass with sufficient flexibility to conform to contours of the user's body.

Abstract: An electric powered lint blower that includes a housing body having an air intake and outlet, the outlet designed to force air flow through a tube connected to the blower housing and out through the dryer vent exhaust of a building structure. The housing further comprising a detachable component part having an intake opening to receive air flow from a clothes dryers, exhaust vent, and intake opening to receive air from the External Dryer Vent Lint Blower and an opening to expel air into the dryer exhaust vent of a building or structure. The electric motor comprising an attached impeller to generate a powerful air flow. A power supply cord. A second power cord attached to control the power—on/off positions of a power ON/OFF switch.

Abstract: The use of ultrasonic transducers installed in utility meters is provided for the detection of fluid leaks in a conduit. Such transducers are normally used to transmit acoustic waves in order to measure the velocity of fluid flow, but it is disclosed that such transducers are also capable of detecting leak noises in addition to such transmitted acoustic waves.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter is provided and is in the form of a self-locking and inverting canopy that can be moved between a collapsed state to an in-use state by applying an inversion force to a central hub.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator, The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.