Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-destructive method comprising placing a tissue sample on a porous matrix, centrifuging the tissue sample under a negative pressure, applying a vacuum on the tissue sample, and collecting extracted extracellular vesicles from the tissue sample. The method does not cause physical rupturing of the tissue sample and maintains integrity of the tissue sample for further histopathological analysis. Moreover, the invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response of a host by immune sensitization using harvested extracellular vesicles.

Abstract: A system for real-time monitoring of movement of a person on a mattress includes sensor devices positioned on one or more peripheral surfaces of the mattress and configured to sense motions of the one or more peripheral surfaces. The sensor devices includes at least first and second sensor devices positioned on a first side surface of the mattress. A processing subsystem is configured to receive signals indicative of the sensed motions of the peripheral surface(s) from the sensor devices, determine whether at least the sensed motions to one or more alert conditions, and selectively cause, or not cause, one or more visual and/or audio indicators to be generated based on whether at least the sensed motions correspond to the alert condition(s).

Abstract: A bicycle has a front fork, within which the front wheel is mounted, attached to the head tube. Extending downwardly from each end of a lateral member are downwardly projecting forks, each comprising a primary portion, the respective primary portions extending downwardly and substantially parallel to each other. The longitudinal axes of both the main portion and a rider's lower leg are aligned. By aligning the wakes created by the forks and the lower leg a reduction in overall system drag is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the rear wheel may be provided between downwardly projecting stays, each comprising a primary portion, the respective primary portions extending downwardly and substantially parallel to each other. By aligning the downwardly projecting stays with the lower leg beneficial drag reduction is achieved.

Abstract: A transvaginal stimulation device comprises a probe body sized to fit entirely within a vaginal cavity of a female patient. The probe body has a stimulating side defined by a length and a width of the probe body. The transvaginal stimulation device further comprises a pair of electrodes disposed on the stimulating side of the probe body and laterally spaced from each other. A method for treating stress urinary incontinence in a female patient comprises inserting the intravaginal device into a vaginal cavity of the female patient, positioning the pair of electrodes against an anterior wall of the vagina of the female patient, and conveying stimulation energy between the pair of electrodes to stimulate at least one muscle of a urethral sphincter muscle of the female patient without substantially stimulating pelvic floor muscles of the female patient.

Abstract: An anorectal expulsion device includes a balloon having a wall that extends between proximal and distal ends of the balloon and defines a balloon interior. The balloon interior contains a self-expanding, low compression-set material (e.g., open cell foam). The device also includes a catheter that extends through the proximal end of the balloon and at least a portion of the balloon interior. An interior of the catheter is in fluid communication with the balloon interior. The device also includes a termination component (e.g., a cap or a valve) coupled to the catheter at a position along the catheter that is outside of and proximal to the proximal end of the balloon (e.g., at the proximal end of the catheter). The physical configuration of the termination component is adjustable, and controls whether the balloon interior is in fluid communication with the external environment.

Abstract: Wearable uroflowmetry systems having wearable uroflowmeters, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example uroflowmetry system comprises a wearable uroflowmeter including: a funnel portion having an end configured to secure the funnel portion against a person, an outlet opposite the end, and a funnel configured to capture urine excreted by the person when the end is secured against the person, and to direct the captured urine into the outlet; a fluid passage portion having an opening configured to receive the urine from the outlet of the funnel portion, and a fluid channel to pass the received urine along a length of the fluid passage portion; and a measuring portion having a sensor in the fluid channel configured to collect one or more measurements of the urine as the urine passes the sensor, the measurements representative of at least one of a property of the urine, or a flow characteristic of the urine.

Abstract: A toy construction set comprising a number of toy building blocks with one or more coupling knobs and coupling sockets adapted for releasable frictional engagement with the couplings knobs on another building block in the toy construction set, and wherein the toy construction set further comprises a building element comprising a bistable band, and where the band has a first stable shape where it is curved about a first curvature axis extending parallel with the longitudinal direction of the band and at a distance from a first side of the band, and a second stable shape where it is curved about a second curvature axis extending substantially perpendicular with the first curvature axis, and where the bistable band on the first side of the bistable band comprises multiple coupling knobs arranged in a uniform, preferably square pattern, and where each coupling knob is adapted for frictional engagement with a coupling socket of another building block in the toy construction set.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a method comprising: loading, with an application, a webpage comprising an embedded activity recognition module; causing collection of activity sensor data from at least one sensor of a mobile device with a sensor polling module; causing transmission of the activity sensor data to the embedded activity recognition module; causing processing of the collected sensor data with the embedded activity recognition module to form processed activity sensor data; and receiving the processed activity sensor data from the activity recognition module.

Abstract: A single-use, sterile, disposable catheter placement assist device to aid in the sterile placement of transurethral urinary catheters in female patients, and a method for catheter placement using the device. The catheter placement assist device includes a labia separator with flared wings having a curved profile. The wings meet at a valley. The catheter placement assist device also includes a posterior shield that covers the perineal tissues including the anus to prevent contamination of the sterile catheter with bacteria and may further include a spout that may be shallowly inserted into the vagina to position the catheter device to optimize labial separation, retraction of the posterior vaginal wall, perineal shielding, and visualization of the urethral meatus. The additional features of a light, a handle, a catheter tip holder, a swab storage location, and a stackable configuration may further be included with the catheter placement assist device.

Abstract: A single-use, sterile, disposable catheter placement assist device to aid in the sterile placement of transurethral urinary catheters in female patients, and a method for catheter placement using the device. The catheter placement assist device includes a labia separator with flared wings having a curved profile. The wings meet at a valley. The catheter placement assist device also includes a posterior shield that covers the perineal tissues including the anus to prevent contamination of the sterile catheter with bacteria and may further include a spout that may be shallowly inserted into the vagina to position the catheter device to optimize labial separation, retraction of the posterior vaginal wall, perineal shielding, and visualization of the urethral meatus. The additional features of a light, a handle, a catheter tip holder, a swab storage location, and a stackable configuration may further be included with the catheter placement assist device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for inferring the stress valence of an individual from sensor data are provided. One method includes collecting a first set of data from sensor(s) of user device(s), collecting a second set of data including a partial or complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) response from a user, establishing a set of physiological time-series data for the user based on the first set of data and the second set of data, identifying habit information of the user based on the first set of data. Based on the first set of data and the habit information, detecting a potential trigger point for sending a subsequent EMA to the user, and, at the time of the potential trigger point, calculating an estimate of a stress valence value associated with the subsequent EMA for which an EMA response was at least partially not received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for playing a game involving two or more players and a referee. The game requires players to complete physical tasks, and submit recordings to task completion to the referee. Typically, the winner of the game is the player who completes a set of tasks before any other player does so. The is in the form of a portable device, possibly a mobile telephone having suitable software. The portable device includes at least a recording module, a display module and a transmitting module, and is adapted to reveal instructions for performing tasks, record an attempt at a task, and transmit the recording to the referee.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed. The system includes a sensing unit adapted to perform measurement of a parameter and produce an electrical signal based on the measurement; a memristive unit electrically coupled to the sensing unit and adapted to receive the produced electrical signal from the sensing unit, wherein the memristive unit is further adapted to produce a cumulative value of the received electrical signal over time; and a processing unit electrically coupled to the memristive unit and adapted to receive the produced cumulative value from the memristive unit, wherein the processing unit is further adapted to digitize the received cumulative value. A method and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe system includes a finger-mountable housing having a distal end and a proximal receptacle end. The proximal receptacle end defines an opening to receive a finger. The probe system also includes a probe assembly disposed on or within the finger-mountable housing and having at least a first sensor. The first sensor is positioned to measure a physical characteristic of a first tissue when the finger-mountable housing and probe assembly are inserted in a rectum of the patient.

Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the around to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.

Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the ground to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a cleaning head and a lower portion that supports the cleaning head above the operator. The lower portion includes a both a fluid supply tube and a support rod that is separate from the fluid supply tube. The support rod is a rigid, telescoping rod. The fluid supply tube is a highly flexible tube that can shortened as needed by folding or gathering to match the length of the support rod, and can be folded or rolled into a small volume for storage.

Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the around to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.

Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the ground to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.