Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steamer head for a fabric steamer. The hand-held steamer head has a body (2) with one or more steam vents (9) and a friction surface (23) for locating against a fabric to be steamed. The friction surface (23) is configured to act on the fabric to resist movement of the fabric relative to the body (2) as the body (2) is drawn over the fabric. The present invention also relates to a fabric steamer having a hand-held steamer head and a hand-held steamer head kit.

Abstract: An imaging system (1400) includes a first and a second focal spot (1410I and 1410N), a first pre-patient radiation beam filter (1416) disposed between the first focal spot and the examination region and having a first profile and a second pre-patient radiation beam filter (1416N) disposed between the second focal spot and the examination region and having a second profile, and a source controller (1412) that controls an operation of the focal spots by modulating the operation during a scan based on at least one of an angular position of focal spots, a shape of a region of interest of subject or object being scanned, or based on a change in size between two adjacent regions of the subject or object being scanned.

Abstract: A brewing unit includes two brewing chamber portions movable with respect to each other, and a guide for guiding a capsule from an insertion aperture to a brewing position. The guide includes guiding channels configured to engage a flange of the capsule and a respective retention member arranged on each guiding channel for retaining the capsule in the brewing position before and during closing the brewing chamber portions, and to disengage the capsule when the brewing chamber portions are moved apart after completion of a brewing cycle. A control member is configured to space apart the retention members upon completion of the brewing cycle, so that a spent capsule is released from the guiding channels when the brewing chamber portions are moved towards an open position. The control member is configured to prevent spacing apart of the retention members when the brewing chamber portions are moved towards a closed position.

Abstract: Radiation source and detector arrangement for a differential phase contrast CT scanner, in which the detector tiles are placed asymmetrically such that direct rays, which hit gaps between tiles are sampled by tile centers for the complementary rays. This may provide for good image quality without any approximate processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breast pump (10) for extracting milk (30) from a human breast, comprising: a first breast receiving funnel (16) for receiving a first breast (28) of a user; a vacuum pump (20) for generating an underpressure within the first breast receiving funnel (16); and a control unit (22) for controlling the vacuum pump (20); wherein the control unit (22) is configured to operate the vacuum pump (20) in at least two different modes, an attachment mode (48) and a milk extraction mode (50); wherein in the attachment mode (48) the control unit (22) is configured to control the vacuum pump (20) to generate a constant underpressure within the first breast receiving funnel (16) allowing the user to attach the first breast receiving funnel (16) to the first breast (28); and wherein in the milk extraction mode (50) the control unit (22) is configured to control the vacuum pump (20) to generate a time-variable underpressure profile within the first breast receiving funnel (16) for extracting

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device (10) for heating food (12) in a container (14), in particular milk in a baby bottle, comprising a chamber (16) configured to contain a fluid (18) and to receive the container (14), a heating unit (20) for heating the fluid (18) in the chamber (16), a temperature measuring element (22) for measuring a temperature of the fluid (18) over a time range, a calculation unit (24) for determining, for each time point of the time range being a first time point, a temperature difference of the fluid (18) between the first time point and a corresponding second time point of the time range different from the first time point, the calculation unit (24) being configured to compare the determined temperature difference to a predefined amount of temperature, and an estimation unit (26) for estimating an arrival time point, at which a pre-set temperature for the food (12) contained in the container (14) is reached, based on the comparison result of the calculation unit (24).

Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus includes a receiver which receives an audio signal including audio data for at least a first audio object associated with a three dimensional image. The audio signal also includes depth position data indicative of a target depth position for the first audio object. A determiner determines a visual rendering depth range for a target three dimensional display for presenting the three dimensional image, and a mapper for mapping the target depth position to a rendering depth position for the audio object where the mapping is dependent on the visual rendering depth range. The visual rendering depth range may specifically be a depth range in which the three dimensional display can accurately render objects, and the mapper may amend the positions of audio object sound sources such that these match the depth positions of corresponding visual objects presented by the three dimensional display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (34) and a method (70) for determining a status of an X-ray tube (10) of an X-ray system (36). Due to ageing and/or wear of the X-ray tube, the spectrum of the X-ray radiation (30) provided by the X-ray tube may change over the operation time of the X-ray tube. The present invention therefore suggests evaluating spectrally different values detected with an X-ray detector arrangement (32) of the X-ray system. A reference data set representing a reference condition of the X-ray tube by a plurality of spectrally different reference-values (44) and a working data set representing an aged condition of the X-ray tube by a plurality of spectrally different working-values (46) of detected X-ray radiation are used to determine an equivalent filtration function for an filtration material influencing a source X-ray radiation (26) emitted by an anode (16) of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for using electronic medical records (EMRs) (118, 124, 130, 306, 402, 502) to predict and treat medical conditions. A database (102, 202) of EMR data can be used to compile family trees for different patients. Patterns of medical conditions affecting relatives can be identified and used to predict medical conditions for other relatives. Furthermore, similarities between patients of different family trees (104, 204) can be identified in order to predict and treat medical conditions. In order to accurately predict and treat medical conditions, patient data can be coded to consolidate the amount of patient data available for comparison. Furthermore, coded patient data can be weighted to emphasize data that may be more useful for predicting certain medical conditions.

Abstract: The invention proposes to combine spectral image data with non-spectral image data in order to overcome limitations of the different data taking methods. Results from the methods are preferably combined as functions of spatial frequency so that spectral image data provide high accuracy at low frequencies, whereas the non-spectral image data helps reducing the noise at high frequencies. The invention enables a range of applications in different fields of X-ray imaging such as improved tissue contrast and tissue characterization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequencing with reagent cycling on the wiregrid. The sequencing approach suggested with which allows to use a single fluid with no washing steps. Based on strong optical confinement and of excitation light and of cleavage light, the sequencing reaction can be read-out without washing the surface. Stepwise sequencing is achieved by using nucleotides with optically cleavable blocking moieties. After read-out the built in nucleotide is deblocked by cleavage light through the same substrate. This ensures that only bound nucleotides will be unblocked.

Abstract: A computer implemented image processing method is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system (10) for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, an imaging method for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, a computer program element for controlling such system for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The imaging system (10) comprises an acquisition unit (11) and a processing unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) is a C-arm acquisition unit and configured to acquire first image data of the object to be imaged with a first imaging parameter. The acquisition unit (11) is further configured to acquire second, different image data of an object to be imaged with a second imaging parameter. The second geometric imaging parameter is defined based on object specific data for the volume data to be aligned with the elongated region of interest of the object to be imaged. The processing unit (13) is configured to combine the first and second image data into volume data.

Abstract: The following relates generally to image segmentation. In one aspect, an image is received and preprocessed. The image may then be classified as segmentable if it is ready for segmentation; if not, it may be classified as not segmentable. Multiple, parallel segmentation processes may be performed on the image. The result of each segmentation process may be marked as a potential success (PS) or a potential failure (PF). The results of the individual segmentation processes may be evaluated in stages. An overall failure may be declared if a percentage of the segmentation processes marked as PF reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pre-curved steerable catheter includes a catheter body (102) having a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a permanently curved flexible end portion (110). A pull wire (108) is disposed in a pull wire lumen within the catheter body. The pull wire extends from the distal end portion to a proximal end portion of the catheter body wherein the pull wire, when tensioned, provides a change in an angle of the curved flexible end portion of the catheter body.

Abstract: In a video processing system, such as e.g. a set top box or a BD player wherein in a merger video can be merged with one or more overlays a video/overlay pixel indication (A) is encoded in one or more of the least significant bits of one or more of the color components in the video signal. The video signal is transmitted over the interface between VPS and display. The display subject the image to an adaptation. This adaptation is performed dependent on the video/overlay pixel indication (A).

Abstract: A battery chassis with stroke limiter (70) for a power toothbrush (10) configured to improve the durability of a power toothbrush (10) and to simplify the assembly process. The battery chassis stroke limiter (70) provides a secure housing for the battery (80), while tolerance compensation leaves (71, 72), and battery hardstops (75, 76, 77) provide for drop mitigation protection and shock protection, as well as vibration mitigation.

Abstract: A method and device for resampling an audio frequency signal in an audio frequency signal coding or decoding. The method includes the following acts for each signal block to be resampled: determining, by adaptive linear prediction, a number of future signal samples, this number being defined as a function of a chosen resampling delay; constructing a resampling support vector from at least samples of the current block and determined future signal samples; applying a resampling filter to the samples of the resampling support vector.

Abstract: A defibrillator (AED) and method for using a defibrillator using two different ECG analysis algorithms which work sequentially to improve the accuracy of AED shock decisions. A first algorithm, such as (ART), is particularly suited for analysis in the presence of CPR periods. A second algorithm, such as (PAS), is particularly suited for analysis during hands-off periods. The AED switches algorithms depending on the period and on the current analysis of the cardiac rhythm. The inventions thus provide an optimized ECG analysis scheme in a manner that improves the effectiveness of the rescue, resulting in more CPR “hands-on” time, better treatment of refibrillation, and reduced transition times between CPR and electrotherapy.