Abstract: Proposed are a device and method for checking for a surface defect, using an image sensor. The device can increase accuracy in detecting defects of various types, shapes, or directions, and include: a frame part for providing a transport path of an object to be checked, along the lengthwise direction parallel to the ground surface; a transport part provided on one side of the frame part so as to transport the object to be checked, along the transport path; and an image sensor part provided in the middle of the transport path so as to capture an image of the surface of the object to be checked, from above the transported object to be checked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intubation system comprising insertion unit to be connected to a bending section of a medical instrument comprising an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and an outer elongated shaft structure surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having a continuous outer surface, and an orientation controller being attached to the inner elongated shaft, such that when the orientation controller rotates, the bending section turns around itself.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an insertion unit, a bending section and an intubation system for use in a body lumen of a patient. The insertion unit comprises an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and having spring-like and flexibility properties and an outer elongated shaft structure at least partially surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having spring-like properties and a continuous and flat outer surface. The inner elongated shaft structure has a distal end, and is capable of being connected to an optical head. The insertion unit is configured to transmit pushing and rotation forces along a length of the insertion unit. The integral insertion unit is configured and operable to bend the distal tip in all directions and to fully rotate the distal tip.

Abstract: A granular encryption database management system characterized by hierarchical internal key management using asymmetric encryption of the user's keys, which are stored within a (local) encryption key table. Data is encrypted, decrypted, stored, and accessed from rows within the database (hereinafter ‘instances’). Instances are ordered in categories called Types. Instances are encrypted with Instance keys. All instances of the same type have their Instance keys generated by means of a hash function of their common Type's key, while Type keys are generated from the key of the higher category which is often the Master key of the whole system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intubation system comprising insertion unit to be connected to a bending section of a medical instrument comprising an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and an outer elongated shaft structure surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having a continuous outer surface, and an orientation controller being attached to the inner elongated shaft, such that when the orientation controller rotates, the bending section turns around itself.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sealing device comprising a sealing tube having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted to be inserted through an anus of a patient; and a rectal surface mounted at the distal end of the sealing tube and positioned substantially perpendicularly to a cross section of the sealing tube. The rectal surface is configured and operable to create a pressure on the anus externally and activate anal muscles, wherein the rectal surface is placed in contact with the anus when in use.

Abstract: Systems and methods may implement database technology using distributed logical unit repositories (DLURs). DLURs may use a database structure related to a specific logical unit such as a customer, employee, or the like. Information used in DLUR database structures may include data, database structure, functions, and the like that helps form a complete model for a logical unit. In one embodiment, queries to a system concerning entities can be answered immediately by accessing a database using DLURs, which obviates the need to consult a number of databases in parallel and greatly reduces memory and time required to provide the requested information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus comprising an elongated carrier adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract lumen; a piston head, coupled to a distal portion of the carrier, and configured to: be inflated so as to form and maintain a pressure seal with a wall of the GI tract lumen, and be advanced distally through the GI tract in response to pressure from a fluid pressure source; a distal balloon coupled to the carrier distal to the piston head and configured and operable to be inflated so as to dilate the lumen thereby creating a working space; and a control unit, configured and operable to control simultaneously a pressure level within the piston head and a pressure level within the distal balloon.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: A system and method for method for providing data to decision engines. The method includes: providing an alternate login frame to a user device accessing a website; receiving, from a host server, an authentication token for accessing data stored in an electronic mail server, when login credentials are successfully provided via the alternate login frame; sending the received authentication token to the electronic mail server; upon being granted access to at least a portion of the data stored in the electronic mail server, determining, based on the at least a portion of the data, a vector of variables, the vector including at least one set of variables; and sending, to a decision engine in real-time, the determined vector.

Abstract: An electronic voting method, system and apparatus is disclosed. A vote message is received at a network node, the vote message comprising a sender identifier, event identifier and a timestamp. The sender identifier, event identifier and timestamp are read, and it is determined from the timestamp that an event window was open and whether the window was a first or subsequent window. In the event that the window is the first window, the vote and sender identifier are stored at a database. In the event that the window is a second or subsequent window, the sender identifier is compared to sender identifiers stored at a previous window and if a match is found the vote is marked as validated and the vote stored at the database.

Abstract: A system is configured to display a video clip on a display of a user device. The system receives a request from the user device to display the video clip. The system then queries an advertiser server to identify the video clip. The system fetches the identified video clip. The system then extracts from the fetched video clip its video content. The video content is a plurality of frames. The system then determines a type of the user device. Then, the system determines a number of frames per second for the user device. The system generates a plurality of images from the plurality of frames. The system further generates a timing sequence for displaying each of the plurality of images of the imagized video clip on the display of the user device. The system then sends the imagized video clip and the timing sequence to the user device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.

Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for implementation of database technology using ‘Distributed logical unit repositories’ (DLUR). This is a new type of database which contains information and database structure related to a specific logical unit such as a customer, employee or the like. The information comprises data, database structure, functions, and any other data necessary to form a complete model of the information concerning the logical unit. Queries concerning entities can then be answered immediately by accessing this database, obviating the step of consulting a number of databases in parallel and greatly reducing memory and time required.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging system comprising a computerized interface operative to accept a sequence of 2d frames representing an object imaged, by an imaging user who is equipped with a single-lens camera, from a plurality of different viewing angles; an image sequence stereoscopic filtering subsystem operative to apply a right-eye stereoscopic filter to said sequence, thereby to yield a right-filtered sequence of frames and to apply a left-eye stereoscopic filter to said sequence, thereby to yield a left-filtered sequence of frames; and a frame combiner operative to combine frames from said right-filtered sequence with angularly separated frames from said left-filtered sequence respectively, thereby to yield a sequence of frames for viewing by a viewing user having a stereoscopic display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for use with a body of a subject. The system comprises a medical device, having a portion thereof configured to be placed inside the subject's body, said portion of the medical device being configured to be propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen; at least two pressure sensors accommodated remotely from the subject's body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject's body and configured and operable to detect pressure at the two spaced-apart remote positions; said at least two pressure sensors being in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject's body, a relation between the pressure at said at least one site and the pressures at said two spaced-apart remote positions being thereby indicative of the fluid pressure at said at least one site.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (10) is provided, including a guiding element (16) and an inflatable mechanical device (96), adapted to pull the guiding element (16) through a colon of a patient. A gastrointestinal tool (12) is shaped to define a bore (14) therethrough, and the guiding element (16) is adapted to pass through the bore (14). Other embodiments are also described.