Abstract: An interface device capable of communicating with a computer running a simulation program, such as a surgical simulation program, comprises an instrument capable of being manipulated by a user. The instrument is receivable within an orifice in an instrument receiving member, the instrument receiving member comprising a capture member engageable with the instrument and a sensor to sense a position of the instrument. The position of the instrument is then used by the computer to control a graphic image related to the simulation. In one version, the simulation is a simulation of a surgical instrument insertion procedure, such as an endoscopy procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement rendition-based graphical layout management techniques are shown. According to an embodiment, desired resizing of items within a program's user interface is managed through a developer graphically describing a plurality of different sized renditions of a desired user interface and other different sized renditions of the user interface being dynamically interpolated and/or extrapolated through operation of the program. According to embodiments, linear interpolation and/or extrapolation is provided with respect to windows sized differently than constraint images provided by a developer. In embodiments where more than two constraint images are provided, piece-wise liner interpolation and/or extrapolation may be provided. Non-linear interpolation and/or extrapolation may be implemented according to embodiments of the present teachings.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for editing controls for spatial deformations are described. One embodiment includes a method including the steps of causing an image having at least one unmodified object to be displayed in a window, receiving a deformation of the unmodified object, generating a deformed object based at least in part on the deformation and the unmodified object, and causing the deformed object to be displayed in the window. The method further includes the steps of causing a representation of the unmodified object to be displayed in the window with the deformed object, receiving a selection of a point within the representation of the unmodified object, receiving a modification of a first parameter associated with the unmodified object at the point, regenerating the deformed object based at least in part on the deformation, the unmodified object, and the modified first parameter, and causing the regenerated deformed object to be displayed in the window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implementing a user interface device, such as a mouse or trackball, having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness which is flexibly programmable. A user interface device effects positioning of a cursor within a limited area, such as on a display screen, with limits imposed by controllable tactile responsiveness. Programmable force-position characteristics relate the tactile responsiveness of the interface device to the position of the cursor within the limited area or on the display screen. In a described embodiment, the interface device includes at least two sets of wheels that move as the interface device is actuated. The at least two sets of wheels are aligned on mutually orthogonal axes. A servo motor is attached to each of the at least two sets of wheels.

Abstract: Cobalt salts have been found to be particularly effective against H. pylori and may therefore be used to treat gastrointenstinal infection with this bacteria. The cobalt salts have the advantage of showing a good degree of selectivity for H. pylori over other Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Treatment with the cobalt salts may be carried out at the same time as conventional treatment with an antibiotic and/or a proton pump inhibitor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide a protective fabric includes a plurality of inherently flame resistant fibers, and at least one ultraviolet-resistant additive incorporated into the inherently flame resistant fibers through a dye process using a carrier, wherein the ultraviolet-resistant additive significantly increases at least one of the strength retention and the colorfastness of the fabric when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A system and method is described for mapping a first uniform resource locator (URL) for a file of a first protocol server to a second URL for the file of a second protocol server comprising capturing entry of the first URL, comparing the first URL to a base URL of the first protocol server, removing a portion of the first URL that does not match the base URL, obtaining a root directory of the file of the second protocol server, adding the portion of the first URL to the root directory to create the second URL.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving assembly and a support structure for supporting the adjustable shelf assembly. The adjustable shelf assembly may include at least one extension shelf unit, slidably oriented with respect to a central shelf unit such that the width and/or depth of the shelf may be adjusted. The adjustable shelf assembly may be adjusted without removing the shelf from the accompanying support structure or causing the central shelf unit to be moved. The adjustable shelf assembly may also include structure for receiving advertisements, product identifiers or the like.

Abstract: Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and control the actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input device's activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.

Abstract: A three layer coated fabric has a bottom backing layer, a top coating layer and a middle coating layer that contains recycled coated fabric material. All of the constituent parts of coated fabrics being recycled are included in the middle layer. The middle layer also sometimes contains other materials that can blend with the recycled coated fabrics or other recycled post-consumer materials. The three layer coated fabric is manufactured by transforming the recycled coated fabrics and other materials into a form that can be used to create the middle layer.

Abstract: A vehicle hinge assembly (10) for hanging a vehicle door on a vehicle body. The assembly (10) comprises a first hinge leaf (12) hingedly connected to a second hinge leaf (14) by a pivot pin (15). The pivot pin (15) is immovably mounted in one hinge leaf (14) and is rotatably mounted in, and axially withdrawable from, the other hinge leaf (12). Hinge pin retention means (35) is associated with the other hinge leaf (12) for preventing axial withdrawal of the hinge pin (15) therefrom. The hinge pin retention means (35) having hinge pin engagement means (38) movably mounted between first and second positions. The engagement means (38) in its first position engages with the hinge pin (15) to permit rotation of the hinge pin (15) but prevent its axial movement relative to the other hinge leaf (12). The engagement means (38) in its second position is spaced from the hinge pin (15) to permit its axial withdrawal from the other hinge leaf (12).

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11) having a plurality of electrodes thereon. The electrodes are preferably disposed in a linear array on the carrier member (11) and are adapted to apply a preselected tissue stimulation to the cochlea. The carrier member (11) is preformed from a resiliently flexible biocompatible silicone and extends from a distal end (12) to a stop member (13). The carrier member (11) is adapted for intracochlear but extraluminar insertion within the cochlea of an implantee. In particular, the carrier member (11) is adapted to be implanted in the crevice (21) between the spiral ligament (22) and the endosteum (23) of the lateral wall of the cochlea (20). This is a quite different location to the normal placement of the cochlear implant electrode array in the scala tympani (24) of the cochlea (20).

Abstract: A zinc air-type battery comprising first and second cathodes each with positive contacts and an anode with a negative contact. The second cathode is situated proximal to the negative contact and proximal to the anode, which can enable air ingress to be substantially doubled and the internal resistance of the battery to be substantially halved, and further can provide for a relatively short diffusion length of ions from the second cathode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a portable metrology device are described. One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a first link, a first probe coupled with the first link by a first coupling operable to move in a first degree of freedom, a second probe coupled with the first link by a second coupling operable to move in a second degree of freedom, a first sensor operable to output a first sensor signal associated with a motion of the first coupling, and a second sensor operable to output a second sensor signal associated with a motion of the second coupling. The embodiment also includes a processor in communication with the first and second sensors and operable to: receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, and determine a distance between the first probe and the second probe based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: A transmitter (2) modulates information to be transmitted with an alternating-current signal having a predetermined frequency and includes a variable reactance section (16) which produces resonance with a stray capacitance (18) between a circuit ground (17) in the transmitter (2) and an earth ground (20) which strays from the earth ground (20) and a stray capacitance (19) between the human body (3) and the earth ground (20).