Abstract: An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging methods for identifying an anatomical feature of a spine are described. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a transverse ultrasound image of a portion of the spine; extracting features of the portion of the spine from the image based on a distinct pattern associated with the anatomical feature of the spine; identifying a midline of the portion of the spine in the image; extracting midline features using pixel intensity values of the image; and identifying, based on a combination of the extracted features of the portion of the spine and the extracted midline features, the anatomical feature in the image. In another embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a paramedian sagittal ultrasound image of a portion of the spine; identifying morphological features of the image; and determining if the portion of the spine includes a sacrum using a Support Vector Machine classifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for incision and insertion of a ventilation tube during myringotomy, comprising a cutter member configured to make an incision; a holder member configured to dispose the ventilation tube in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis of the ventilation tube is substantially perpendicular to the cutter member; and a pusher member configured to apply a pushing force to a first end of the ventilation tube in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first end of the ventilation tube being disposed closer to the cutter member than a second end of the ventilation tube; wherein the holder member comprises a pivot element configured to releasably engage the second end of the ventilation tube such that the ventilation tube is pivotable under the pushing force applied to the first end of the ventilation tube by the pusher member, for insertion of the first end of the ventilation tube into the incision.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for incision and insertion of a ventilation tube during myringotomy, comprising a cutter member configured to make an incision; a holder member configured to dispose the ventilation tube in an orientation in which a longitudinal axis of the ventilation tube is substantially perpendicular to the cutter member; and a pusher member configured to apply a pushing force to a first end of the ventilation tube in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first end of the ventilation tube being disposed closer to the cutter member than a second end of the ventilation tube; wherein the holder member comprises a pivot element configured to releasably engage the second end of the ventilation tube such that the ventilation tube is pivotable under the pushing force applied to the first end of the ventilation tube by the pusher member, for insertion of the first end of the ventilation tube into the incision.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device for inserting an implant on a human or animal body may be provided. The device may include an operable portion configured to make an incision on the human or animal body and configured to hold the implant for insertion on the human or animal body. The device may further include an actuator mechanism coupled to the operable portion, the actuator mechanism configured to move the operable portion along a first axis and configured to vibrate the operable portion along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device for inserting an implant on a human or animal body may be provided. The device may include an operable portion configured to make an incision on the human or animal body and configured to hold the implant for insertion on the human or animal body. The device may further include an actuator mechanism coupled to the operable portion, the actuator mechanism configured to move the operable portion along a first axis and configured to vibrate the operable portion along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A device for extracting and collecting blood from a delivered placenta comprising a compartment to contain and support a delivered placenta and umbilical cord. The compartment includes a flexible membrane which can be displaced (preferably under the influence of a fluid (preferably gas) pressure differential between the compartment side and non compartment side of the membrane) to impart onto the placenta a pressure to encourage the displacement of fluid carried by the placenta towards the umbilical cord. The compartment includes at least one outlet opening via which the umbilical cord can extend (preferably in a sealed manner) to allow the flexible membrane pressure induced flow of fluid carried by the placenta to displace from the compartment for external to the compartment collection of the fluid.

Abstract: A device for extracting and collecting blood from a delivered placenta comprising a compartment to contain and support a delivered placenta and umbilical cord. The compartment includes a flexible membrane which can be displaced (preferably under the influence of a fluid (preferably gas) pressure differential between the compartment side and non compartment side of the membrane) to impart onto the placenta a pressure to encourage the displacement of fluid carried by the placenta towards the umbilical cord. The compartment includes at least one outlet opening via which the umbilical cord can extend (preferably in a sealed manner) to allow the flexible membrane pressure induced flow of fluid carried by the placenta to displace from the compartment for external to the compartment collection of the fluid.

Abstract: A ripple suppressor/compensator useful in the general area of motion control and applicable to a wide range of servomechanisms exhibiting a force ripple characteristics, including the permanent magnet linear motors. An adaptive feed-forward control signal is generated which compensates for the ripple force, thus allowing for more precise tracking performance to be achieved.

Abstract: A predictive and self-tuning PI controller includes an apparatus for variably assigning gains thereto in accordance with specified time functions following a change in set-point. The control gains are computed in accordance with a plurality of input parameters and subsequently continuously adjusted to set-point errors based on a GPC approach thereby to optimize performance indices derived from simple and classical user specifications. Variation and tuning of control gains in accordance with set-point errors permits the PI controller to be useful in the general area of process control and applicable to a wider range of processes compared to traditional PI control, including time-delay processes, unstable processes and processes with time-varying dynamics.

Abstract: A ripple suppressor/compensator useful in the general area of motion control and applicable to a wide range of servomechanisms exhibiting a force ripple characteristics, including the permanent magnet linear motors. An adaptive feed-forward control signal is generated which compensates for the ripple force, thus allowing for more precise tracking performance to be achieved.