Abstract: Embodiments for determining an orientation of a scanned image. In an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises receiving image data of an image of one or more objects. Each object of the one or more objects in the image includes a plurality of points on a surface of the object. The method further comprises generating a plurality of subsets of points of the plurality of points and fitting a parametric model to more than one subset of the plurality of subsets to generate a plurality of parametric models. Further, the method identifies a parametric model of the plurality of parametric models that includes the largest number of points and orients the image based on the parametric model that includes the largest number of points.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques include mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. an operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine retrieval technique that involves spearing the mine for later retrieval to the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to the filed of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques includes mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. and operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine excavation technique that involves excavation of the mine by means of an explosive charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to indicators of surface preparation and methods of making such indicators.

Abstract: This invention relates to the filed of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques include mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. an operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine excavation technique that involves excavation of the mine by means of an explosive charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to indicators of surface preparation and methods of making such indicators.

Abstract: Polymer compositions and articles incorporating them are provided that possess antimicrobial activity, preferably in both the light and the dark. Such compositions include one or more polymers and one or more photosensitizers.

Abstract: A stethoscope has a dual-sided stethoscope head. The stethoscope head includes a body member having first and second opposite sound collecting sides. Each of the first and second sound collecting sides has a suspended diaphragm member. Preferably, one side is specially adapted for use with adult patients while the other side is specially adapted for use with pediatric or thin patients where it is difficult to obtain good surface contact.

Abstract: A stethoscope with a chestpiece which has two microphones oriented at a very obtuse angle to each other. The user of the stethoscope can switch from one microphone to the other with just a slight tilt of the hand. In preferred embodiments, no special action needs to be taken to activate the selected microphone as merely touching it to the patient's body selects it for activation.

Abstract: An ear tip having a central portion and two end portions is described. The end portions each have ear contacting surfaces that are sized and shaped to contact the ear of the user. The ear tips are easily cleaned. The ear tips also contribute to user comfort and convenience.

Abstract: An ergonometric chestpiece for a stethoscope adapted to receive auscultatory sounds from a body and adapted to be coupled to an earpiece for a user. The chestpiece is adapted to be grasped by a thumb and at least one finger of the user. The chestpiece has a bottom surface which is generally planar and is adapted to be placed near the body for receiving the auscultatory sounds. The chestpiece has an upper portion opposite the bottom surface. The upper portion has a raised center portion defining left and right indented gripping surfaces which form recesses defined by the left and right indented gripping surfaces and by a surface generally parallel to but opposite the bottom surface. The left and right indented gripping surfaces are adapted to receive the thumb and at least one finger of the user, respectively. The indented gripping surfaces have indented impressions adapted to be easily, securely and comfortably grasped by the thumb and fingers of the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a flexible, heat resistant mold member. The mold member is useful in molding processes such as dip or slush molding. The mold member maintains its structural integrity and may therefore be used as an insert in the article being molded to provide flexible stability at specific locations within the article. The mold member is made of a material which is substantially non-reactive with the molded article. The molded article may be any article made from a plastisol such as a binaural for a stethoscope having single or double lumens.