Abstract: A method of presenting axes of documents along timelines on a display is displaying pluralities of documents with a plurality of time-spaces on a display, the documents being displayed along axes of documents adjacently displaying documents in a substantially rectilinear fashion on the display along a chronological order including a respective timelines representing a chronological order including a plurality of time units in respective time-spaces along the chronological order over a plurality of time units including a non-linear timescale and a time distribution that is substantially variable, with equal lengths of time not being visually represented with equal lengths of distance along the axes of documents, wherein the units of time of the plurality of time-spaces are chronologically of a different durations and at least one unit of time can be absent from the timelines.

Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes first means for moving the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and second means for selectively holding the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

Abstract: A mobile unit for animal ovarian tissue processing comprises an enclosure supported on a wheeled chassis. A collecting chamber defined within the enclosure comprises a restraint mounted to the enclosure and configured to restrain an animal in a standing position, at least one access sized to provide the animal ingress to, and egress from, the collecting chamber, an ovum aspiration system disposed in the collecting chamber to retrieve oocytes from the animal and an imaging scanner disposed in the collecting chamber to guide the ovum aspiration system to the oocytes. A processing chamber defined within the enclosure contiguous to the collecting chamber is isolated from the collecting chamber by at least one dividing wall extending between the collecting chamber and the processing chamber. The processing chamber includes an incubator to incubate the oocytes. A temperature control unit maintains a temperature of the retrieved oocytes between a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A knife with a hidden tang, and a computerized method selecting the pre-fitted knife parts and assembling them into a customized knife product, based on the consumer's selections including use of a natural material for the knife handle, but without the need for grinding, polishing or processing the pre-fitted parts after assembly. A knife assembly utilizing a rounded filet surface and a hidden tang for the precise fitting and connection of a butt of a knife tang, handles and a cylindrical back surface of a generally cylindrical blade bolster. A method of assembly of a knife with a hidden tang, using a larger diameter channel in the handle and providing specific geometric requirements for the components in order to accomplish a more precise fit of the pre-ordered components.

Abstract: A knee orthosis is provided. In described embodiments, the knee orthosis is designed to follow a natural movement of a wearer's knee along an asymmetric helicoidal axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the knee orthosis has hinges with shells having displacing geometric centers which do not coincide. In some embodiments, the knee orthosis is made of femoral and tibial hinges manufactured as single integral pieces. In some embodiments, the orthosis is configured to realign the wearer's knee in a frontal plane. Corresponding methods for designing and manufacturing a custom knee orthosis are also provided.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detector for detecting a gas which includes a resonant cavity having an inner wall capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation and a passageway for circulating the gas through the resonant cavity. The detector also includes an electromagnetic source for generating an electromagnetic energy and an optical window associated with the electromagnetic source for introducing the electromagnetic energy into the resonant cavity towards the absorbing inner wall surface, thereby preventing the electromagnetic energy from radiating throughout the whole length of the resonant cavity. A pressure sensor is provided for detecting a pressure signal inside the resonant cavity which is representative of the gas being detected. A method is also provided for detecting a gas using the photoacoustic detector.

Abstract: A method of retrieving multiple copies of an information element on a display is presented, the method comprising displaying a plurality of information elements along a first axis including a first axial direction thereof, displaying a second plurality of information elements along a second axis including a second axial direction thereof parallel with the second direction, the first axis displaying a first information element thereon, the second axis including the first information element thereon, the first information element on the second axis being not transversally aligned with the first information element displayed on the first axis and displacing at least one of the first axis of information elements and the second axis of information elements to display the first information element from the first axis of information elements adjacent to the first information element from the second axis of information elements.

Abstract: A method for treating skin tissues including irradiating the skin tissues with infrared light between about 16 and about 72 hours prior to photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting object motion within a monitored scene are disclosed. In an embodiment, an infrared motion sensing device can include an infrared detector configured to receive infrared radiation from the monitored scene within a detection field of view and to generate an output waveform signal indicative of time-dependent variations in the received infrared radiation in response to object motion within the detection field of view. The infrared motion sensing device can also include a processor configured to receive the output waveform signal generated by the infrared detector and perform a signal analysis based on the output waveform signal to determine whether a motion event has occurred, which can involve finding a match between the output waveform signal and the one or more reference waveform signals. Upon determination that a motion event has occurred, the processor can be controlled, for example, to trigger an image sensor to capture an image.

Abstract: A bedding system, method and kit for the automation and ventilation of an existing duvet are disclosed. The system has an inflatable lining configured to be inserted and affixed into a cover together with the duvet, the inflatable lining comprising a network of pneumatic chambers defining a plurality of openings extending through the lining allowing air to circulate through the lining; and an air blower operatively connected to the inflatable lining for blowing air into the network of pneumatic chambers, so as in use, the inflatable lining is inflated to allow for the duvet and its cover to be straightened back into position after every use of the bed. The system can also include a sub-network for providing warm or cold air to control the temperature of the bedding. In contrast to traditional systems, the proposed invention is light weight and easily adaptable to current commercially available beds.

Abstract: A flow control valve for a liquid conduit, such as a fire hydrant valve for insertion in a fire hydrant conduit, comprises a fixed valve body mountable inside the liquid conduit, a displaceable valve body, and an actuator assembly operatively engageable with the displaceable valve body. The fixed valve body has a peripheral wall and defines a longitudinal passageway, and at least one upstream port and a downstream port. The displaceable valve body is inserted into the longitudinal passageway of the fixed valve body and is linearly displaceable therealong between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The actuator assembly is operable to linearly displace the displaceable valve body along the longitudinal passageway of the fixed valve body between the closed configuration and the at least one open configuration.

Abstract: A pill manipulating system for filling a packaging with pills is provided, as well as a corresponding method. The system comprises a vacuum pump, a pill manipulator including a hose connected to the vacuum pump, and at least one prong. The prong(s) has/have an opening at one end sized to retain a pill when the pill manipulator is in a retain configuration and suction is applied, and to release the pill when the pill manipulator is in a release configuration and suction is reduced. The system includes a vacuum pump controlling assembly including a variable frequency drive, for adjusting an air flow of the vacuum pump based on a selected input, which is representative of a size of the pills being manipulated, thereby reducing the likelihood of having the at least one prong retaining more than one pill at a time.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for connecting two angled tubular structures, comprising: a male section comprising a curved tubular element extending between a first beveled end and a second beveled end, a connecting flange extending linearly and outwardly from the first beveled end and comprising a connection lip extending radially and outwardly therefrom, the second beveled end being rotatably connectable to a first angled tubular structure; and a connector rotatably connectable to the connecting flange of the male section and comprising a linear tubular element between a first connecting end and a second connecting end and a connection means secured to the first connecting end of the linear tubular element and connectable to a second angled tubular structure, the linear tubular element comprising a lip receiving recess located on an internal face thereof and adapted to receive the connecting lip when the male section is inserted into the connector.

Abstract: A connector to be used with straps of variable lengths comprises a body and two locking blades. The connector comprises a first passage and a second passage distant from the first passage that extends throughout the body along a direction perpendicular to the first passage. The passages house the locking blades. The passages comprise an entrance and an abutment wall. The second passage also comprises an exit. The entrances are for the insertion of an extremity of a strap, with the sloped locking blades preventing exit of the extremities of the strap through the entrances by blocking a portion of the strap between themselves and an abutment wall. An extremity of the strap can exit out of the connector through the exit of the second passage to be pulled to tighten the strap. Kits comprising the herein connectors are also described.

Abstract: A shelving system for storing and displaying bottles within a cellar. The shelving system includes at least one rack for supporting and displaying bottles, the least one rack being mountable onto a given wall of the cellar and being displaceable with respect to said given wall so as to be displaced in and out of the cellar along an operative directional axis. The shelving system also includes at least one recess provided about the at least one rack, each recess being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bottle, and each recess being disposed about the at least one rack, at an angle with respect to the operative directional axis of the at least one rack, so as to allow peripheral side surfaces of bottles resting on the at least one rack to face a front portion of the cellar.

Abstract: A method is presented to combine a plurality of arrays of computer-readable files along a common collation function. The arrays can be embodied as axes of documents disposed along a timeline. Such a combination creating a group of axes of documents improving the graphical interactions among two groups of documents. An interface, a computerized system and a method for enabling same is equally hereby presented.