Abstract: In a hair styling device (20), a light emitting diode (33) is configured to deliver optical energy to hair, wherein an energy fluence of the optical energy is between 0.5 and 9 J/cm2, and more preferably between 1 and 5 J/cm2. The light emitting diode (33) is pulse-driven, and a pulse width of the optical energy is at least 50 ms. An output wavelength of the optical energy may be between 400 and 900 nm. The pulse width of the optical energy is preferably between 50 and 300 ms. The hair styling device (20) may comprise an optical shield (32) configured to block stray light during light exposure of the hair. An inner surface of the optical shield (32) may be reflective and/or may have a parabolic shape.

Abstract: A capture device for capturing a target gas from a gas flow is disclosed that can be continuously used without requiring consumption of target gas binding salts. To this end, the device is arranged to generate separate acidic and alkaline streams of fluid by electrolyzing water, binding the target gas to the hydroxide ions in the alkaline fluid stream or the hydronium ions in the acidic stream, and recombining the generated streams to release the bound target gas and regenerating part of the electrolyzed water for further electrolysis. Such a capture device may for instance be used in a gas purification system, e.g. an air purification system for controlling target gas levels in a confined space such as a vehicle cabin, domestic dwelling or office space, a target gas generation system or a target gas enrichment system, e.g. for creating target gas-rich air for horticultural purposes. A method for capturing target gas from a gas flow and optionally utilizing the captured target gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining a distance to an object comprises an image capture device (101) which has a coded aperture and an image sensor which is positioned out of a focus plane of the coded aperture. A receiver (103) receives an image of a scene from the image sensor and a detector (105) detects at least two image objects of the image corresponding to ghost images of the object resulting from different openings of the coded aperture in response to an optical characteristic of the object. A distance estimator (107) then determines a distance to the object in response to a displacement in the image of the at least two image objects. The distance may be to a person and the image may be a bright pupil image wherein pupils are enhanced by reflection of light by the retina. The image may be compensated by a dark pupil image of the scene.

Abstract: A method for controlling a ventilator includes the steps of providing an inhalation pressure limit, determining when a pressure in a connection to a patient circuit is greater than the inhalation pressure limit, and opening the valve when the pressure is greater than the inhalation pressure limit. An associated computer readable medium for controlling the method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Abstract: A threshold value or range of values for results of a test used to assign patients to a particular level of treatment for a clinical condition is determined based on historical information on a plurality of patients having the clinical condition. The historical information may include values for the test performed on the patients, information on the treatment level for the clinical condition provided to the patients, information on the outcome of the clinical condition for the patients, and information on the cost associated with providing each of the treatment levels to the patients. The threshold value or range of values for results of the test is determined from the historical information, with the threshold value or range of values indicating the most cost effective treatment level for a given test result.

Abstract: A back strap for a patient interface device having a headgear component including a first strap member and a second strap member attached to the first strap member and structured to wraparound a back of the patient's head. The back strap member includes a first portion having a first attachment mechanism structured to couple the first portion to the second strap member, a connecting portion extending from the first portion, and a second portion having a second attachment mechanism structured to couple the second portion to at least one of the first strap member, a patient sealing assembly, or skin, hair, neck or clothing of the patient in a manner wherein the back strap member is configured to hold the second strap member and prevent it from riding up on a head of the patient during use.

Abstract: A device and method for initializing an ultrasound beamformer to image an object based on a tool-pose-estimation of the object include an ultrasound imaging array and an object. The ultrasound imaging array operates with the beamformer. The object has a sensor external to the ultrasound imaging array. The tool-pose-estimation includes an estimation of the location and/or the orientation of the object. The tool-pose-estimation of the object is derived by a processor that receives an output of the sensor disposed on the object external to the imaging array that operates with the beamformer. The processor supplies the tool-pose-estimation to the beamformer to initialize the beamformer using the tool-pose-estimation for operating the imaging array.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (100, 500) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (102) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: a main magnet (104) for generating a B0 magnetic field within the imaging zone; a memory (134, 136) containing machine executable instructions (160, 162, 164, 166) and pulse sequence commands (140); a processor (130) for controlling the medical instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling the operation of a first electronic device having a first display screen, the method comprising obtaining (101; 111) measurements of a position of the first electronic device relative to a second electronic device, an orientation of the first display screen, and/or an orientation of a second display screen of a second electronic device; determining (103; 113), using the obtained measurements, one or both of (i) whether a first user using the first electronic device can view the second display screen, and (ii) whether a second user using the second electronic device can view the first display screen; and controlling (105; 115) the display of information on the first display screen based on the result of the step of determining.

Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector includes a photodiode array with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array is part of the photo detector. A scintillator array includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector also includes readout electronics, which are also part of the photo detector. Electrical traces interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics.

Abstract: A subject support (12) includes a fixed portion (22) and a moveable portion (11) coupled to the fixed portion and configured to move along at least one axis relative to the fixed portion (22), and the coupling includes one or more points of friction (32) that move during movement of the moveable portion (11) and which wear due to at least movement by the moveable portion (11). The moveable portion (11) receives and supports at least one of an object or a subject during an imaging procedure with an imaging device (18). One or more inertial measurement units (IMUs) (50) are affixed to or embedded in the moveable portion (11) that directly measure acceleration of translation of the moveable portion (11) along one or more axes.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device is provided. The respiratory interface device includes a patient interface device, a patient circuit, and a pressure generating assembly. Pressure generating assembly includes a first pressure generating device and a second pressure generating device. Patient circuit includes a reduced conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining optimal C-arm angulation for heart valve positioning. In order to further improve the workflow in relation with the correct positioning of a valve prosthesis, it is described to provide (12) a 2D image of an aortic root of a heart of a patient, wherein the 2D image comprises three cusps of the heart in a visible and distinct manner. Further, 2D positions of the three cusps are indicated (14) in the 2D image. An analytical 3D model of the aortic cusp locations is provided (16), and the 3D positions of the three cusps are computed (18) based on the 2D positions and the analytical 3D model. Still further, an optimal C-arm angulation is computed (20) based on the computed 3D positions of the cusps, wherein, in the optimal C-arm angulation, the three cusps are aligned in a 2D image. The optimal C-arm angulation is then provided for further image acquisition steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical image editing. In order to facilitate the medical image editing process, a medical image editing device (50) is provided that comprises a processor unit (52), an output unit (54), and an interface unit (56). The processor unit (52) is configured to provide a 3D surface model of an anatomical structure of an object of interest. The 3D surface model comprises a plurality of surface sub-portions. The surface sub-portions each comprise a number of vertices, and each vertex is assigned by a ranking value. The processor unit (52) is further configured to identify at least one vertex of vertices adjacent to the determined point of interest as an intended vertex. The identification is based on a function of a detected proximity distance to the point of interest and the assigned ranking value. The output unit (54) is configured to provide a visual presentation of the 3D surface model.

Abstract: An added inertia resonant system (12) for a power toothbrush (10) comprises a drive shaft (16), a drive system (22), and at least one inertial weight member (24). The drive shaft (16) has a principal axis (26) that defines a center of rotation. The drive system (22) imparts a reciprocating motion to the drive shaft (16) about the principal axis(26). The at least one inertial weight member (24) couples to the drive shaft (16) and comprises a planar material having a complex shape balanced along an x-, y-and z-axis to enable the drive system (22) to achieve low power, high amplitude motion of the drive shaft (16) when placed under user loading. A method for providing added inertia in a resonant system for a power toothbrush is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the transmission power level or transmission data rate between a plurality of stations located within the coverage area of a basic service set (BSS) or in an independent basic service set (IBSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The receiving station extracts a transmission data rate from an incoming signal, determines a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the incoming signal, and then calculates noise margin information based on a difference between the SNR of the incoming signal and a minimum SNRMIN for the extracted data rate. The noise margin is then transmitted back to the original transmitting station and using the noise margin information, the transmit power level and/or the transmission rate of this station may be adjusted accordingly.