Abstract: The present invention is directed to topical ophthalmic compositions of a lipophilic compound and an oligomeric or polymeric carrier wherein the compositions are useful in the treatment and prevention of macular degeneration. The invention also includes methods of treating macular degeneration by using a topical ophthalmic composition of a lipophilic compound and an oligomeric or polymeric carrier.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a single agitator rotatably mounted within a housing, the agitator being arranged transversely within the housing such that it is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaner head during use, the agitator being conical in shape, such that a first end has a larger diameter than a second end.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a single agitator rotatably mounted within a housing, the agitator being arranged transversely within the housing such that it is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaner head during use, the agitator being conical in shape, such that a first end has a larger diameter than a second end.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a single agitator rotatably mounted within a housing, the agitator being arranged transversely within the housing such that it is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaner head during use, the agitator being conical in shape, such that a first end has a larger diameter than a second end.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has an agitator rotatably mounted within a housing. The agitator has a main body having a wall, and bristles mounted adjacent the wall. Tips of the bristles are located at a first radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the agitator. A tip of the wall is located at a second radial distance from the central longitudinal axis. The bristles have a first configuration in which the first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance, and a second configuration in which the first radial distance is less than or equal to the second radial distance. The bristles flex from the first configuration to the second configuration when the bristles move into contact with a surface to be cleaned, and flex from the second configuration to the first configuration when the bristles move out of contact with the surface.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a housing, an agitator rotatably mounted within the housing, and first and second debris removal members. The first debris removal member is movable relative to the second debris removal member between a first position in which the first) and second debris removal members are spaced apart to define a debris collection channel, and a second position in which the first and second debris removal members are contiguous or overlapping. Movement of the first debris removal member from the first position toward the second position removes debris from the debris collection channel, and movement of the first debris removal member is governed by rotation of the agitator.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient lift orthosis system including an input controller and at least one orthosis. The at least one orthosis including an upper orthosis assembly and a lower orthosis assembly rotatably attached to the upper orthosis assembly via a joint. The at least one orthosis further including an output controller attached to at least one of the upper orthosis assembly, the lower orthosis assembly, and the joint, the output controller being in communication with the input controller. The at least one orthosis further including an actuator attached to at least one of the upper orthosis assembly, the lower orthosis assembly, and the joint, the actuator being in communication with the output controller. The output controller is configured to actuate the actuator to rotate one of the upper orthosis assembly and the lower orthosis assembly about the joint based upon an input communicated from the input controller.

Abstract: A coupling including female and male couplers configured to be coupled by first and second stage connections. In the first stage connection, a plurality of detents in the female coupler are urged into a detent recess in the male coupler to coupled the female and male couplers. To make the second stage connection after the first stage connection has been made, threads on the male coupler are mated with threads on a release sleeve, which causes valves disposed in the female and male couplers to move to an open position to allow fluid flow through the coupling. In this way, reduced force is employed to engage the female and male couplers while avoiding contact between the detents and the threads on the male coupler, thereby preventing the detents and threads on the male coupler from damaging one another.

Abstract: A coupling including female and male couplers configured to be coupled by first and second stage connections. In the first stage connection, a plurality of detents in the female coupler are urged into a detent recess in the male coupler to coupled the female and male couplers. To make the second stage connection after the first stage connection has been made, threads on the male coupler are mated with threads on a release sleeve, which causes valves disposed in the female and male couplers to move to an open position to allow fluid flow through the coupling. In this way, reduced force is employed to engage the female and male couplers while avoiding contact between the detents and the threads on the male coupler, thereby preventing the detents and threads on the male coupler from damaging one another.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating a rights management system (RMS) with superior layers and subordinate layers is described. A separate trust network for one or more layers of the RMS is established. The trust network includes one or more computing nodes within the one or more layers. A data object is created on a computing node that is a member of trust network in a superior layer. The data object is encrypted to a ciphertext data object. A publishing license is created for each of the one or more layers of the RMS. Access rights and attributes associated with the ciphertext data object are controlled within each layer based on the publishing license of each of the one or more layers of the RMS.