Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying neural networks in resource-constrained environments. A system may include a sensor located in a resource-constrained environment configured to generate sensor data of the resource-constrained environment. The system may also include a first computing device not located in the resource-constrained environment configured to produce a neural network structure based on the sensor data. The system may further include a second computing device located in the resource-constrained environment configured to provide the sensor data as input to the neural network structure. The second computing device may be further configured to determine a state of the resource-constrained environment based on the input of the sensor data to the neural network structure.

Abstract: A temperature therapy system and a method for temperature control for such a temperature therapy system are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a temperature therapy system has a retention mechanism and a plurality of temperature modulation systems attached to the retention mechanism, wherein each of the plurality of temperature modulation systems comprises a thermoelectric cooler. The wearable personal temperature therapy system may have a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of conductive flags, wherein each of the plurality of conductive flags is adhered to a respective thermoelectric cooler and a respective temperature sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying neural networks in resource-constrained environments. A system may include a sensor located in a resource-constrained environment configured to generate first sensor data and second sensor data of the resource-constrained environment. The system may also include a first computing device not located in the resource-constrained environment configured to produce a neural network structure based on the first sensor data. The system may also include a second computing device configured to determine a state of the resource-constrained environment based on input of the second sensor data to the neural network structure. The system may also include a controller located in the resource-constrained environment configured to control a device in the resource-constrained environment based on the state of the resource-constrained environment determined by the second computing device.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided with a dispensing system for applying a treating agent stored on the surface cleaning apparatus to the surface to be cleaned. The dispensing system can include at least one container for storing a supply of treating agent and a dispenser for dispensing the treating agent to the surface to be cleaned. The dispensing system uses filtered working exhaust air to blow treating agent off the treating agent dispenser.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring metabolic tissue state and oxygenation in human or animal models, through optical techniques capable of simultaneous measurement at single region of interest. Simultaneously measuring CCO, oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO), and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin is performed and metabolic activity of the tissue is determined. The methods employ a super-continuum light source and a probe to deliver light to the individual, and reflected light from the individual is analyzed to determine the metabolic function of the individual.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The membrane-based NEMS devices can be used as sensors, electrical relays, adjustable angle mirror devices, variable impedance devices, and devices performing other functions. The NEMS devices have a serpentine shape arrangement of the electrically conductive membrane. The electrically conductive membrane can be controllably wicked down on the edge of the oxide cavity to increase sensitivity of the NEMS device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing vibration and temperature therapy via a therapy device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a therapy device includes a pad comprising an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a skin surface of a user. The therapy device includes a control unit coupled to the pad. The control unit is configured to provide temperature therapy to the skin surface of the user and provide vibration therapy to the skin surface of the user. The pad includes a coupling connector configured to removably couple the control unit. The pad can include a heat generation module comprising a resistive wire and a heat spreader. The pad can include one or more electrical stimulation modules, wherein each electrical stimulation module comprises a conductor and a pad. The pad includes a temperature sensor coupled to the heat generation module. The adhesive layer can be coupled to the heat spreader.

Abstract: A system comprising a respirator, a biochip, and an atomizer for studying respiratory pathogens. The respirator of the system is configured to create breathe-mimicking air movement, the biochip comprises an airway lumen in fluid communication with the respirator, and the atomizer is in fluid communication with the airway lumen of the biochip, according to various embodiments. The atomizer may be configured to generate droplets of a respiratory pathogen (e.g., from liquid inoculum). In various embodiments, the breath-mimicking air movement comprises air volume as a function of time, wherein the respirator is configured to generate breathing cycles.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems, and methods for tissue resection in a body lumen of a patient, and may include an elongate body having a cavity at a distal end and a tissue retractor extendable distally from the distal end of the elongate body. The tissue retractor may include an expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism may include a plurality of arms each having a first end coupled around a distal cap and expandable radially outward from the distal cap such that an anchoring mechanism on a second end of the arms is engageable with selected tissue for resection of the body lumen. The tissue resection device may further include a tissue resecting device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying neural networks in resource-constrained environments. A system may include a sensor located in a resource-constrained environment configured to generate first sensor data and second sensor data of the resource-constrained environment. The system may also include a first computing device not located in the resource-constrained environment configured to produce a neural network structure based on the first sensor data. The system may also include a second computing device configured to determine a state of the resource-constrained environment based on input of the second sensor data to the neural network structure. The system may also include a controller located in the resource-constrained environment configured to control a device in the resource-constrained environment based on the state of the resource-constrained environment determined by the second computing device.

Abstract: Autoscrubbers are capable of being operated in a manual (e.g. walk-behind) mode and an autonomous (operator free) mode and capable of switching between such operational modes. Apparatus and methods for steering such autoscrubbers use steering torque mechanisms to apply steering torques independently to left and right drive wheels. Steering systems for autonomous operation may be retrofit onto existing walk-behind autoscrubbers to implement this functionality. The autonomous control capability may not detract appreciably from an operator's ability to use the autoscrubber in a manual (walk-behind) mode.

Abstract: A system for warming intravenous fluids is provided including a positioning holder configured to receive and support a tube for providing at least one intravenous fluid to a patient and a plurality of elongate heating fingers, wherein each elongate heating finger is configured to be independently manipulated such that said elongate heating finger contacts the tube to transfer heat to the at least one intravenous fluid provided via the tube.

Abstract: Nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) sensor devices that utilize thin electrically conductive membranes, which can be, for example, graphene membranes. The NEMS devices can have a trough shape (such as a serpentine shape arrangement) of the electrically conductive membrane. The thin, electrically conductive membrane has membrane-structures disposed upon it in an array of cavities. These membrane structures are between the thin, electrically conductive membrane and the main membrane trace. Such an arrangement increases the sensitivity of the NEMS sensor device. The electrically conductive membrane can be controllably wicked down on the edge of the oxide cavity to increase the sensitivity of the NEMS sensor device. Such NEMS sensor devices include NEMS sensor devices that are well suited to applications that measure magnetic fields that, operate below 10 kHz, such as brain-computer interfaces.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive therapy is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the device has a top layer and a bottom layer adapted to contact a body surface of a user. The device further includes a compressive element disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, where the compressive element is configured such that, upon activation of the compressive element: (i) a compressive force is applied to the body surface and (ii) the compressive element curves to more closely conform to the bottom layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and processes for gesture detection. A method includes capturing a series of images. The method includes generating motion isolation information based on the series of images. The method includes generating a composite image based on the motion isolation information. The method includes determining a gesture based on the composite image. The processes described herein may include the use of convolutional neural networks on a series of time-related images to perform gesture detection on embedded systems or devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques are disclosed for selecting and dispatching a worker to assist a robot. The system may include a computer comprising a processor and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory may include lists of worker criteria items for a plurality of workers and a list of assistance criteria items for a robot. The system may include a triggering application executable by the processor for identifying triggering data corresponding to a triggering item within sensor data from the robot. A ranking application may also be stored on the computer and may be executed in response to an identification of triggering data corresponding to the triggering item. The ranking application may be operable to cross-reference the worker criteria items on each of the first lists with the assistance criteria items on the second list and to generate a ranking of the plurality of workers based on the cross-referencing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube product comprising: blending an unaligned carbon nanotube material with solid solvent particles; activating a nanotube solvent by liquefying the solid solvent particles; producing a nanotube dope solution by mixing the nanotube solvent and the unaligned carbon nanotube material; forming a carbon nanotube proto-product by extruding the nanotube dope solution; and forming an aligned carbon nanotube product by solidifying the carbon nanotube proto-product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are kits and methods for quantifying the amount of collagen in a test sample. The kits and methods described involve the use of undenatured type II collagen as a standard for producing accurate and reproducible results with respect to quantifying the amount of collagen in a sample used in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements.