Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a subject. The system can include a power source and a neuromuscular stimulator in electrical communications with the power source. The neuromuscular stimulator can include a controller and at least one electrode. The controller can be configured to receive certain power and stimulation parameters associated with a therapy signal from the power source. The at least one electrode can be configured to deliver the therapy signal to a target tissue associated with control of a posterior base of the tongue of the subject.

Abstract: Methods for improved imaging of internal tissue structures, such as lesions in the peritoneum, are disclosed employing color-weighted Polarization Enhanced Light (mPEL) imaging. A target tissue can be Illuminated with light of defined polarization at a plurality of wavelengths or wavelength bands. Scattered light from the tissue is collected and its polarization states analyzed and detected either via a polarization sensitive camera or a combination or polarizing filters and a standard camera. Light detected at distinct polarization states and colors is weighted by a factor and combined to yield an image that results in optimized visualization of lesions and/or discrimination of malignant from benign lesions. The factors may be identified based on a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and regression analysis to yield enhanced sensitivity to the tissue scattering power. Alternatively, the factors may be identified through machine learning based optimization algorithms to optimize tissue classification.

Abstract: A holder for dental hygiene instruments is disclosed. The holder is removably attachable to the forearm of a dental hygienist to facilitate access to dental instruments while cleaning teeth. The holder includes a main body having an attachment piece affixed thereto for removable attachment of an instrument tray having the instruments removably attached thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically detecting annotation discrepancies in annotated training data samples and repairing the annotated training data samples for a machine learning-based automated dialogue system include evaluating a corpus of a plurality of distinct training data samples; identifying one or more of a slot span defect and a slot label defect of a target annotated slot span of a target training data sample of the corpus based on the evaluation; and automatically correcting one or more annotations of the target annotated slot span based on the identified one or more of the slot span defect and the slot label defect.

Abstract: A portable and low-cost tool for testing a VOR and oculomotor functions. Such a tool is achieved by programming a smartphone for use in performing such testing. Described herein are computer executable programs for assessing vestibular-ocular reflex including visual acuity and oculomotor function.

Abstract: A laser ionization therapy assembly having a reservoir defined by a peripheral wall and a base; a support device having a support coupling member and a support opening; and a laser module accommodating a laser diode, the laser module having an opening and a laser module coupling member, wherein the support device is fixedly attached to the peripheral wall of the reservoir and the laser module is detachably coupled thereto, wherein the laser diode is positioned at an angle relative to the base of the reservoir so that laser light is directed through the openings of the laser module and support device to a predetermined location within the reservoir at a height of between ½ inch to 1 inch above the base, and wherein the laser light has a wavelength of between about 630 and 640 nm and a peak power of about 10 mW.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and quantifying metabolites in a biological sample by measuring the concentration of a test metabolite in the sample and comparing that concentration against the concentration of the reference metabolite; enabling accurate metabolite concentration measurements to determine aberrant drug usage patterns. Also disclosed is an analytical testing device and related computer-assisted products for detecting and quantifying metabolites in a biological sample efficiently and accurately.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.

Abstract: A surgical tissue ligation clip and an applicator device for delivery of multiple ligation clips is provided. The surgical ligation clips have first and second leg members joined by a resilient hinge at one end and a deflectable hook member and a locking element on the opposite end. The surgical tissue ligation clip has a proximal tissue shield that prevents tissue from being pinched at the hinge, and/or a distal tissue shield that prevents tissue from being pinched between the hook member and locking element and interfering with securely closing the ligation clip for implantation. A minimally invasive applicator for the surgical ligation clip is provided for delivering individually arranged ligation clips in line, incising target tissue and delivering a plurality of surgical ligation clips at the tissue site.

Abstract: The invention consists of an expert system supporting non-experts in their capacity to develop, implement, monitor and evolve therapy plans. Therapy plans in this application are educational and non-medical. The purpose of the therapy plan is to guide the caregiver or therapist in what to do for a client and how to do it. The client is a person with a previously diagnosed condition (psychological, cognitive, or physical) which responds to a teaching process. The plans are developed based on expert system analysis of user input. This analysis is reflective of decision making processes in the fields of both special needs education and rehabilitative medicine, including speech language pathology, psychology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods and kits to control bleeding through the use of an internal occluder based on polymeric solutions, including use of reverse thermosensitive polymers in nephron-sparing surgeries, which produces a completely bloodless surgical field, allowing speedy resection. In certain embodiments, after a certain amount of time, the flow gradually resumes, with no apparent adverse consequences to the kidney. In certain embodiments, return of blood flow may be accelerated by cooling the kidney. The compositions, methods and kits for perfusive organ hemostasis can also be used to simplify or to enable other organ surgeries or interventional procedures, including liver surgery, prostate surgery, brain surgery, surgery of the uterus, spleen surgery and any surgery on any highly vascularized organs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery of waste heat in a boiler system, wherein heat from the hot condensate water in the system, which otherwise would be lost through dissipation, is used for other applications. Particularly, the waste heat energy recovered in the form of hot condensate water can be used to heat makeup water for a hot water tank.

Abstract: A computer network implemented method, system, and software provides personalized services using a digital dialog between a service provider and a user of the personalized services by establishing an audio/video communication channel for a service session between the user and the service provider, and receiving and storing inputs from the service provider and the user in a data store while the audio/video communication channel between the user and the service provider is established. The service provider and the user are provided interactive access to the data store while the audio/video communication channel is established between service provider and the user. Prior to establishing the service session using the audio/video communication channel, the service session is scheduled based on input from the user; and service session related information is received and stored from the user.

Abstract: A massager for giving vibratory hits on a skin face. A multiplicity of stimulative projections each having an acute apex are provided on an impingement vibrating member impinging on the skin face. The impingement vibrating member is fitted with an ion electrode for energizing pointwise the minus ions on the skin face. The ion electrode is formed with an energizing projection, whereby the minus ions act pointwise on the skin face.

Abstract: The present invention entails a partial denture formed of a relatively hard acrylic material. Molded into a selected portion of the denture is an area of relatively soft material. A teeth opening is formed in the soft material, the opening being at least slightly elongated to receive at least two successive existing teeth of the subject. Forming a part of the soft material and the existing teeth opening is an elastic retainer strip that engages the gum area of the subject adjacent the existing teeth. The elastic retainer strip engages or grips the subject's gum, resulting in the partial denture being secured within the subject's mouth.

Abstract: A housing (18) is provided for maintaining the plugs (14, 16) of a pair of extension cords (10, 12) connected. The housing (18) includes first and second members (24, 26) which are connected by a hinge (28) along one edge. The interior surfaces (38, 44) of each of the first and second members (24, 26) include a series of grooves (54, 56) distributed along the length of the members. Retaining washers (30, 32) are designed to be engageable with the grooves (54, 56) to hold the plugs of a connected pair of extension cords in engagement. The provision of a series of grooves (54, 56) permits the housing (18) to be adapted for use with a wide range of plug lengths. The slots (88) in the retaining washers (30, 32) are designed so that the cable passing therethrough is slightly offset from the central axis to resist motion in the plugs.