Abstract: A nebuliser comprises an outlet aperture and a liquid capillary. A method of operating the nebuliser comprises supplying a gas to the outlet aperture, measuring a flow rate of the gas supplied to the outlet aperture, and determining a position of the liquid capillary relative to the outlet aperture based on the measured flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a level of gas in a closed environment from a gas supply having a gas sensor for detecting the level of gas in the closed environment. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the gas supply which is automatically opened without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release gas from the gas supply into the environment when the level of gas in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop gas from being released from the gas supply into the environment when the level of gas in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of gas in a closed environment from a gas supply. A refuge chamber.

Abstract: In various examples, a deep neural network(s) (e.g., a convolutional neural network) may be trained to detect moving and stationary obstacles from RADAR data of a three dimensional (3D) space. In some embodiments, ground truth training data for the neural network(s) may be generated from LIDAR data. More specifically, a scene may be observed with RADAR and LIDAR sensors to collect RADAR data and LIDAR data for a particular time slice. The RADAR data may be used for input training data, and the LIDAR data associated with the same or closest time slice as the RADAR data may be annotated with ground truth labels identifying objects to be detected. The LIDAR labels may be propagated to the RADAR data, and LIDAR labels containing less than some threshold number of RADAR detections may be omitted. The (remaining) LIDAR labels may be used to generate ground truth data.

Abstract: In one aspect, a movable barrier operator system is provided that includes a motor configured to be coupled to a movable barrier. The motor has a power rating indicative of a minimum power to be supplied to the motor in order for the motor to move the movable barrier. The system further includes an external power supply configured to connect to an electrical outlet. The external power supply has a plurality of outputs each having a power rating indicative of a maximum power the output supplies, the output power rating being less than the motor power rating. The movable barrier operator system includes combiner circuitry configured to combine power from the outputs of the external power supply and provide the combined power to the motor. The system further includes a monitoring circuit configured to detect a fault condition of any of the outputs of the external power supply.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of diagnostic testing to confirm the presence of target pathogens in a test sample, typically obtained from a human or animal. The test has particular application in testing for viruses, but could include cancer cells or other particulate pathogens, including bacteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that relate to freespace detection using machine learning models. First data that may include object labels may be obtained from a first sensor and freespace may be identified using the first data and the object labels. The first data may be annotated to include freespace labels that correspond to freespace within an operational environment. Freespace annotated data may be generated by combining the one or more freespace labels with second data obtained from a second sensor, with the freespace annotated data corresponding to a viewable area in the operational environment. The viewable area may be determined by tracing one or more rays from the second sensor within the field of view of the second sensor relative to the first data. The freespace annotated data may be input into a machine learning model to train the machine learning model to detect freespace using the second data.

Abstract: A prolapse prevention device formed by a continuous wire-like structure having a first end and a second end disconnected from each other. The continuous wire-like structure of the prolapse prevention device is substantially straight in a delivery configuration. The prolapse prevention device in a deployed configuration includes a centering ring of the continuous wire-like structure configured to seat adjacent to and upstream of an annulus of a heart valve in situ, a vertical support of the continuous wire-like structure which extends from the centering ring and includes an apex configured to seat against a roof of an atrium in situ, and a leaflet backstop of the continuous wire-like structure extending radially inward from the centering ring and configured to contact at least at least a first leaflet of the heart valve in situ to exert a pressure in a downstream direction on the first leaflet to prevent the first leaflet from prolapsing into the atrium.

Abstract: A medical device such as a stent or medical balloon is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material, specifically by carboxylic acidification of the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device. The preferred process involves washing a stent or other medical device in a washing solution which may be sodium hydroxide, soaking in a carboxylic acid solution, rinsing in water to remove excess carboxylic acid, allowing to dry before applying a bioactive agent layer. It has been found that washing after functionalisation removes excess carboxylic acid and enhances the retention of bioactive agent on the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device leading to a more uniform and consistent layer of bioactive agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating data in a computer network. An exemplary method includes: scanning to capture a first set of signals; identifying from the first set of received signals a second set of signals having on times longer than a specified minimum dwell time; providing a plurality of signal profiles associated with a plurality of pulsed patterns of a signal of interest; identifying from the second set of signals a third set of signals that match at least one of the signal profiles; receiving demodulated data regarding the third set of signals; obtaining characteristic information for each of the third set of signals; verifying for each of the third set of signals their relevant information; determining whether the verification of the third set of signals produced a match; and upon determining of the match, providing an indication of a signal of interest.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of improving the reliability of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, with bioactive material in the absence of a carrier material such as a matrix or polymer layer. The method involves cleaning volatile components from the exposed surfaces of the medical device, removing carbon deposits and then applying a uniform carbon layer in a controlled environment. The deliberately applied carbon layer masks impurities of the underlying native oxide layer and leads to more uniform bioactive material coating not only a over the surfaces of a single medical device but also from device to device within a batch and between batches of devices. This improves production as well as optimising the amount and release of drug on the medical device without the need for a carrier material.

Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A container having an inverted active cage generally includes an enclosed base portion, a body portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a top portion with a finish extending upwardly from the body portion. The body portion further includes a central longitudinal axis, a periphery, a plurality of rigidified and non-active surfaces, and a network of pillars or channels. Unlike the prior art, each of the plurality of non-active surfaces is outwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis, while each of the network of pillars or channels is inwardly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of rigidified or non-active surfaces, together with the network of rigidified channels or pillars, are spaced about the periphery of the container in order to accommodate vacuum-induced volumetric shrinkage of the container resulting from a hot-filling, capping and cooling thereof.

Abstract: A method of modifying a surface of a medical device for implantation or disposition inside a patient is described. The medical device comprises a structure having at least one surface. The method includes the steps of: placing the medical device into a plasma chamber substantially free from contaminants and substantially sealing the plasma chamber from the atmosphere; removing at least an outermost layer of any oxide layer from the at least one surface of the structure by a plasma oxide-removal process, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere; and subsequently forming a new oxide layer at the least one surface of the structure by introducing at least one gas into the plasma chamber, whilst maintaining the plasma chamber under seal from the atmosphere. A medical device including a bulk material and an oxide layer disposed over at least one surface of the medical device. The oxide layer is substantially pure and free from contaminants.

Abstract: A method for determining properties of hydraulic fractures from measurements of pressure in a well made after stopping pumping fracturing fluid into the well (shut in) includes determining a first time after shut in whereinafter a decrease in measured pressure is caused by fluid leak off in a fracture. A second time after shut in is determined whereinafter the decrease in pressure is caused by fluid leak off, fracture growth and fluid pressure equilibration in the fracture. A third time after shut in is determined whereinafter the decrease in pressure is caused by fluid leak off, fracture growth, fluid pressure equilibration in the fracture and pressure drop in a near wellbore zone. Values of fluid efficiency, minimum stress and net pressure which are determined result in a calculated pressure with respect to time matching the pressure measurements within a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating data in a computer network. An exemplary method includes: scanning to capture a first set of signals; identifying from the first set of received signals a second set of signals having on times longer than a specified minimum dwell time; providing a plurality of signal profiles associated with a plurality of pulsed patterns of a signal of interest; identifying from the second set of signals a third set of signals that match at least one of the signal profiles; receiving demodulated data regarding the third set of signals; obtaining characteristic information for each of the third set of signals; verifying for each of the third set of signals their relevant information; determining whether the verification of the third set of signals produced a match; and upon determining of the match, providing an indication of a signal of interest.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system for a vehicle comprising an axle having a center pivoting axis and a frame coupled to the axle at the center pivoting axis, the control system comprising: one or more controllers; a control circuit; and one or more actuators located on one side or opposite sides, respectively, of the center pivoting axis and coupled to the axle and the frame of the vehicle, the one or more actuators configured by the one or more controllers and the control circuit to prevent tipping based on forces imposed on the vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of improving the reliability of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, with bioactive material in the absence of a carrier material such as a matrix or polymer layer. The method involves cleaning volatile components from the exposed surfaces of the medical device, removing carbon deposits and then applying a uniform carbon layer in a controlled environment. The deliberately applied carbon layer masks impurities of the underlying native oxide layer and leads to more uniform bioactive material coating not only a over the surfaces of a single medical device but also from device to device within a batch and between batches of devices. This improves production as well as optimising the amount and release of drug on the medical device without the need for a carrier material.

Abstract: A medical device such as a stent or medical balloon is functionalised prior to coating with a bioactive material, specifically by carboxylic acidification of the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device. The preferred process involves washing a stent or other medical device in a washing solution which may be sodium hydroxide, soaking in a carboxylic acid solution, rinsing in water to remove excess carboxylic acid, allowing to dry before applying a bioactive agent layer. It has been found that washing after functionalisation removes excess carboxylic acid and enhances the retention of bioactive agent on the contact surface or surfaces of the medical device leading to a more uniform and consistent layer of bioactive agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to handle security events of a device based on remediation actions and recovery actions. In some aspects, a method comprises: receiving, by a security gateway, a security event notification associated with a device; determining, by the security gateway and based on the security event notification, a risk level of the device; determining, by the security gateway and based on the risk level, a set of remediation actions and recovery actions; and sending, by the security gateway, an action plan indicating the set of remediation actions and recovery actions.