Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a media server a request for distribution of media content to one or more targeted recipients according to a user profile associated with the communication device that is stored in the media server. The format of the media content can be adjusted by the media server based at least in part on the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A suction device is shown and described. The suction device includes a body, an input port configured to receive a flow of matter, a suction port, and a suction lumen that couples the suction port to the input port. In some embodiments the suction device is configured to couple with a surgical instrument for use in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A scanning display system includes two detectors for rangefinding. Round trip times-of-flight are measured for reflections of laser pulses received at the detectors. A proportional correction factor is determined based at least in part on the geometry of the scanning display system. The proportional correction factor is applied to the measured times-of-flight to create estimates of more accurate times-of-flight.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a device that includes a rotary union body. Included with the rotary union body is a circumferential air channel, a seal channel, and an intake air channel. The intake air channel is connected to the circumferential air channel. Also disclosed is a hub assembly system that includes a hub and a rotary union body. Included with the rotary union body is a circumferential air channel, a seal channel and an intake air channel. Here the intake air channel is connected to the circumferential air channel.

Abstract: A scanning rangefinding system includes a MEMS device with a scanning mirror that sweeps a beam in two dimensions. Actuating circuits receive angular extents and offset information and provide signal stimulus to the MEMS device to control the amount and direction of mirror deflection on two axes. The scan angle and offset information may be modified to create a repeating pattern of different fields of view.

Abstract: An automated dental drill includes a dental drill housing that includes a mouthpiece housing section and a one or more degrees of freedom drive housing section; an end effector drive support having a shaft section that is at least partially positioned in the mouth piece housing section, and an end effector for the cutting of a native tooth or dental appliance to a desired tolerance. The end effector is positioned on the end effector drive support. The automated dental drill also includes a power source that drives the end effector and is coupled to the end effector and a one or more degrees of freedom drive assembly to direct the end effector along one or more degrees of freedom relative to the mouth piece housing section.

Abstract: A suction device is shown and described. The suction device includes a body, an input port configured to receive a flow of matter, a suction port, and a suction lumen that couples the suction port to the input port. In some embodiments the suction device is configured to couple with a surgical instrument for use in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated dental treatment having a tooth clamp (48, 700) which connects an automated dental drill (10). The tooth clamp (700) has a rigid frame (704A, 704B) with a coupling point (703) for reversibly coupling the tooth clamp (700) to an automated dental drill (10) and a pair of jaws (701A, 701B) for coupling the clamp to a tooth of a user. A first jaw surface has a shape adapted to mate the tooth surface and is fabricated based on surface data or a three-dimensional model of the scanned tooth. The tooth clamp (700) has suction ports (702) and the system (900) has irrigation nozzles (903).

Abstract: A humidification system comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first and second sensors are adapted to sense flow characteristics within the system. The first and second sensors are isolated from the flow by barriers formed by respective first and second sealing members. The sealing members extend through apertures formed in the system and have a portion that contacts the sensing elements of the respective first and second sensors. A cartridge can hold the sensors and provide repeatable penetration depths into a flow passage of the system. A medical tube has a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. One component can be a spirally wound elongate hollow body; the other component can be an elongate structural component spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body.

Abstract: A set of commands for each of a plurality of actuators to alter an aircraft's state responsive to one or more inputs is produced. The set of commands is provided to fewer than all actuators comprising the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating a variable liquid vacuum with an accompanying stable gas flow rate. In particular, when a suction device suctions a liquid and gas mixture it is advantageous to provide a variable vacuum or vacuum to apply to the liquid component while the flow rate of the gas stays constant or essentially constant.

Abstract: A humidification system comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first and second sensors are adapted to sense flow characteristics within the system. The first and second sensors are isolated from the flow by barriers formed by respective first and second sealing members. The sealing members extend through apertures formed in the system and have a portion that contacts the sensing elements of the respective first and second sensors. A cartridge can hold the sensors and provide repeatable penetration depths into a flow passage of the system. A medical tube has a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. One component can be a spirally wound elongate hollow body; the other component can be an elongate structural component spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body.

Abstract: A scanning light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a scanning apparatus that scans laser light pulses sinusoidally in a vertical direction, and quasi-statically through angular extents in a horizontal direction. Multiple light sensors, each with a substantially nonoverlapping field of view, are multiplexed during the scan of the laser light pulses. Multiple scanning LIDAR systems may be combined to increase the effective horizontal angular extents.

Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for generating a variable liquid vacuum with an accompanying stable gas flow rate. In particular, when a suction device suctions a liquid and gas mixture it is advantageous to provide a variable vacuum or vacuum to apply to the liquid component while the flow rate of the gas stays constant or essentially constant.

Abstract: A set of commands for each of a plurality of actuators to alter an aircraft's state responsive to one or more inputs is produced. The set of commands is provided to fewer than all actuators comprising the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

Abstract: A device performing operations including instantiating at least one vENUM instance, wherein the at least one vENUM instance responds to a query by determining if at least one of: a service or a record is operating; when the at least one of: the service or the record is operating, initiating, by the at least one vENUM instance, a query for the at least one of the service or the record; defining at least one virtual availability zone; instantiating a propagation module responsible for the at least one virtual availability zone, wherein the propagation module communicates with a database associated with the virtual availability zone and a name server, and updates the database based on the determining step of the at least one vENUM instance; instantiating a provisioning module within the propagation module.

Abstract: An apparatus having an agent that includes a processor and a memory coupled with the processor and communicates with at least one of a fault, configuration, accounting, performance, security module. The processor effectuates operations including determining that a service is operating properly. The processor further effectuates operations including if the service is operating properly and the service is disabled, enabling the service. The processor further effectuates operations including if the service is not operating properly, generating an alarm and if the service is enabled, disabling the service.