Abstract: Circuitry and methods are provided that may be implemented to transfer digital signals between multiple voltage domains while some of these domains may be invalid, e.g., such as to transfer a digital signal from a source voltage domain to a destination voltage domain while the voltage of the source domain is zero or invalid. Possible implementations include, but are not limited to, for power selection and distribution in an integrated circuit chip that has multiple power sources (e.g., such as main power supply and a backup power supply), and in which at startup the chip is agnostic of (or is not aware of) which power supply or power supplies is actually powered and available.

Abstract: A wardrobe may be provided. The wardrobe may include a receiving element located in a housing that may be configured to receive and dispense clothing items. Each clothing item may include a unique RFID tag and a number of RFID readers may be connected to a computer configured to obtain information held in each RFID tag. The wardrobe may further include a linear actuator proximate a top surface of the housing; the linear actuator may be controlled by the computer. The linear actuator may be coupled to a gripper assembly on one end. Additionally, the wardrobe may include a number of hangers that may be disposed on one or more inner surfaces of the housing, each hanger may be configured to store one or more of the clothing items. A display screen may be embedded on the outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit, which includes a processor core, a plurality of input/output (I/O) circuits, and a plurality of over voltage tolerant (OVT) circuits. Each I/O circuit is associated with an I/O pad and is associated with an OVT circuit of the plurality of OVT circuits. At least one of the OVT circuits includes a passive circuit, which is adapted to receive a pad voltage from the associated I/O pad; receive a supply voltage of the associated I/O circuit; and based on a relationship of the received pad voltage relative to the received supply voltage, selectively couple a gate of a transistor of the associated I/O circuit to the pad voltage to inhibit a leakage current.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a multi-stage amplifier. The multi-stage amplifier includes first, second, and third amplifier circuits coupled in a cascade configuration. The multi-stage amplifier further includes first, second, and third compensation networks. The first compensation network is coupled between the output of the third amplifier circuit and the input of the second amplifier circuit. The second compensation network is coupled between the output of the third amplifier circuit and the input of the third amplifier circuit. The third compensation network is coupled between the output of the second amplifier circuit and the input of the second amplifier circuit.

Abstract: An actuator comprises: a cavity containing a working medium (B) that reversibly expands as it undergoes a phase change from a solid to a liquid state; a diaphragm disposed adjacent the cavity such that expansion and contraction of the expandable working medium (B) causes the diaphragm to deflect, and a semiconductor element (A) disposed in the cavity. The semiconductor element (A) is operable in a first mode to heat the working medium (B) to cause it to undergo the phase change into the liquid state, and is operable in a second mode to measure the temperature at the semiconductor element (A). The corresponding actuation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handset device is described, which comprises a first radio transceiver for receiving status information from a medical device worn by a patient, the first radio transceiver being operable only while the handset device is in an active state, and a second radio transceiver for communicating the status information to a remote server, the second radio transceiver being inoperable when the handset device is in the active state. The handset device also comprises a controller, responsive to a first predetermined condition to transition the handset device from the active state to a low power state in which both the first radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver are inoperable. During the transition from the active state to the low power state, the second radio transceiver is used to communicate the status information to the remote server. This process enables status data to be synchronised periodically to the remote server without impairing the function of the medical device.

Abstract: A communication method of managing communications to and from a handset device controlling a therapeutic product delivery device is described. The method comprises transmitting, to a server, at least part of a unique identifier for a handset device for controlling a therapeutic product delivery device, and patient information regarding a user to be associated with the handset device, and at the server, associating the handset device with the patient information, generating a handset specific code, and transmitting the handset specific code to the user. At the handset device, a manual input of the handset specific code is received, and the future transmission of data from the handset device to the server carried out in association with the handset specific code.

Abstract: A therapeutic product delivery device is described, which comprises a circuit layer, an actuator layer carrying an actuator, an occlusion detection layer (118), and a valve layer, through which a therapeutic product is conveyed by the action of the actuator. A plurality of conductive pins (155) extend from the circuit layer through or to each of the actuator layer, the occlusion detection layer and the valve layer, the conductive pins aligning the layers with each other. The occlusion detection layer comprises a plurality of contacts, each electrically connected to a respective one of the conductive pins, the contacts being provided at a detection region at which the therapeutic product is deposited in the event of a blockage. A blockage inhibiting the therapeutic product from being conveyed to the patient is detected when therapeutic product deposited in the detection region provides an electrical connection between the contacts.

Abstract: A therapeutic product delivery device is described which comprises a device body and a cartridge for holding a therapeutic product. An engagement structure is provided for releasably engaging the cartridge with the device body. A fault detector is provided for detecting a fault in the delivery of the therapeutic product from the cartridge. A release trigger is responsive to the detection of a fault to cause the engagement structure to release the cartridge from the device body. In this way, a fault causes the cartridge to be released from the device body, which will prevent any further delivery of the therapeutic product to the patient. This solution is strongly preferable to a solution in which a product delivery mechanism (e.g. a pump) is merely paused or stopped, since when the cartridge separates then no further delivery is possible at all, until the cartridge is reattached (or more probably replaced with a new cartridge in case the fault is with the cartridge).

Abstract: A method of pairing a therapeutic product delivery device to a handset is described. The handset is restricted to controlling only delivery devices which it is paired with. The method comprises the steps of: at the delivery device, setting, in response to the delivery device being connected to a charging device, a pairing indicator indicating that the delivery device is available for pairing, and broadcasting the pairing indicator using a radio transceiver; at the handset, discovering the delivery device based on the broadcast pairing indicator; and pairing the discovered delivery device and the handset together. By limiting the handset to pairing with devices which are broadcasting a pairing indicator, and by limiting the setting and/or broadcast of the pairing indicator to when the delivery device is connected to a charging device, the risk of accidentally pairing the wrong delivery device (for example someone else's) to the handset is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A hybrid, detachable dental attachment device having a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the dental attachment device. Further described herein is a dental attachment device for immediate load on a provisional denture and then incorporated into the final restoration.

Abstract: A hybrid, detachable dental attachment device comprising a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the dental attachment device. Further described herein is a dental attachment device for immediate load on a provisional denture and then incorporated into the final restoration.

Abstract: According to a further exemplary embodiment, a wardrobe may be provided. The wardrobe may include a receiving element located in a housing that may be configured to receive and dispense clothing items. Each clothing item may include a unique RFID tag and a number of RFID readers may be connected to a computing means configured to obtain information held in each RFID tag. The wardrobe may further include a linear actuator proximate a top surface of the housing, the linear actuator may be controlled by the computing means. The linear actuator may be coupled to a gripper assembly on one end. Additionally, the wardrobe may include a number of hangers that may be disposed on one or more inner surfaces of the housing, each hanger may be configured to store one or more of the clothing items. A display screen may be embedded on the outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device may generally comprise a remote ablation chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, a laser to deposit energy into a sample in the chamber to ablate the sample and generate ablation products in the chamber, a transport device in fluid communication with the outlet, an ionization source to ionize the ablation products to produce ions, and a mass spectrometer having an ion transfer inlet to capture the ions. The ablation products or the ions may be transported in a fluid stream from the ablation chamber through the transport device. The distance from the outlet of the ablation chamber to the ion transfer inlet may be from 1 cm to 10 m. Methods of making and using the same are also described.

Abstract: A hybrid, detachable dental attachment device having a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the dental attachment device.

Abstract: A hybrid, detachable dental attachment device comprising a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the dental attachment device.

Abstract: A linear capacitance displacement transducer (1) comprising first (2) and second (3) fixed capacitor plate and a dielectric structure (5) moveable longitudinally within a space (4) between the first (2) and second (3) capacitor plates, the dielectric structure (5) being operatively coupled to a moveable element (8). The capacitor plates and the dielectric material may be cylindrical and disposed coaxially and concentrically. The transducer (1) enables a displacement sensor that is capable of monitoring liquid levels in a syringe type drug reservoir (101) with sufficient sensitivity as to allow detection of erroneous drug delivery. The sensor is inexpensive to manufacture and provides reliable performance through robust design.

Abstract: In one form, a reference circuit includes a measurement circuit and a determination circuit. The measurement circuit has an output for providing a ratio of a difference in base-to-emitter voltage (VBE) of a bipolar device at different current densities to a VBE of the bipolar device at a first current density. The determination circuit has an input coupled to the measurement circuit, and an output for providing a digital value of a parameter in response to the ratio. In another form, the reference circuit further includes a voltage generation circuit having an input coupled to the determination circuit, and an output, for modulating an analog voltage using the digital value to provide a reference voltage to the output, wherein the reference voltage is temperature compensated over a temperature range.

Abstract: A linear capacitance displacement transducer (1) comprising first (2) and second (3) fixed capacitor plate and a dielectric structure (5) moveable longitudinally within a space (4) between the first (2) and second (3) capacitor plates, the dielectric structure (5) being operatively coupled to a moveable element (8). The capacitor plates and the dielectric material may be cylindrical and disposed coaxially and concentrically. The transducer (1) enables a displacement sensor that is capable of monitoring liquid levels in a syringe type drug reservoir (101) with sufficient sensitivity as to allow detection of erroneous drug delivery. The sensor is inexpensive to manufacture and provides reliable performance through robust design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a communication network. The system comprises a ‘network-connected server having input and access capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator, and memory. The site-builder receives instructions input from a first user and creates a dedicated network site based on the received instructions. The transmitter communicates the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated second user. The communicator provides accesses to the contents of the dedicated network site by the first and second users. The memory stores information input by the first and the second user in the dedicated network site.