Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dispensing system for applying a treating agent stored on the vacuum cleaner 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: An animal-harness includes a line, two crimps along the line, and a ring. The line is formed at one end. The two parallel lines formed by the bight are crimped together by both crimps. The two crimps are spaced apart, and the lines therebetween form a gap. Through this gap, the line may be passed through to form a loop. The line of the bight may pass through the ring. This ring is large enough for the long end of the line to pass through it as well, so that another loop may be formed. Thusly, in use, two loops or formed. One loop may be passed around an animal collar region, and another around an animal girth, to form a secure and safe harness around the animal. The remaining length of the line is available to be used as a leash.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of using medical devices are disclosed. An example tissue retraction device includes a first tissue engagement member coupled to an elastic member by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly including a first coupler body having a first end region and a first compression member. Further, the first end region of the first coupler body is configured to extend into a portion of a lumen of the elastic member and the compression member is designed to compress the elastic member onto the first coupler body such that the elastic member is fixedly engaged with the coupler body.

Abstract: An optical processing system comprises at least one spatial light modulator, SLM, configured to simultaneously display a first input data pattern (a) and at least one data focusing pattern which is a Fourier domain representation (B) of a second input data pattern (b), the optical processing system further comprising a detector for detecting light that has been successively optically processed by said input data patterns and focusing data patterns, thereby producing an optical convolution of the first and second input data patterns, the optical convolution for use in a neural network.

Abstract: The Earthginuity Composting System is an organic waste composting system. It consists of three steps/components. The first step is using a free-standing cylindrical tube that goes in the kitchen. Organic waste goes into the tube. The second step is the Phase 1 Bin. It is a square-shaped plastic bin that sits on raw earth, and it's about thirty three gallons in volume. It has drainage holes at the bottom and two pegs protruding from the front to serve as “anchors” for dumping. The final component is the two Earth Grids. They are three by three feet, sandbox-like squares with NO bottoms and liquid-tight lids. The lack of a bottom to the Earthgrids allows for sitting on raw earth to attract ground bugs/bacteria. The lids have rain holes. You can open, close, and empty the Earth Grids with a Shepherd's Staff (hooked pole).

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: The Earthginuity Composting System is an organic waste composting system. It consists of three steps/components. The first step is using a free-standing cylindrical tube that goes in the kitchen. Organic waste goes into the tube. The second step is the Phase 1 Bin. It is a square-shaped plastic bin that sits on raw earth, and it's about thirty three gallons in volume. It has drainage holes at the bottom and two pegs protruding from the front to serve as “anchors” for dumping. The final component is the two Earth Grids. They are three by three feet, sandbox-like squares with NO bottoms and liquid-tight lids. The lack of a bottom to the Earthgrids allows for sitting on raw earth to attract ground bugs/bacteria. The lids have rain holes. You can open, close, and empty the Earth Grids with a Shepherd's Staff (hooked pole).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of charging a medical device includes receiving radiofrequency signals from a remote machine remote from the medical device via a receiver of the medical device. The method includes converting the radiofrequency signals into electrical energy via a generator of the medical device. The method includes storing the electrical energy in an energy cell of the medical device. The method also includes powering a power consumption component of the medical device by transmitting the energy from the energy cell to the power consumption component.

Abstract: An endoscopic device has a handle including an adapter, a shaft connected to the handle, and one or more wires within the handle. The adapter defines one or more openings in a side or proximal end of the adapter. The shaft has a plurality of lumens extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A first lumen of the plurality of lumens is a working channel for receiving a medical instrument. Each of the one or more wires enter through the one or more openings in the adapter for guiding the one or more wires to a corresponding lumen other than the first lumen and to the distal end of the shaft.

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: An embodiment of a system is described that comprises an ionization chamber electrically coupled with a charge amplifier circuit by a reed switch. The reed switch of the embodiments described herein produces substantially no leakage current and electrically insulates the charge amplifier from the ionization chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of charging a medical device includes receiving radiofrequency signals from a remote machine remote from the medical device via a receiver of the medical device. The method includes converting the radiofrequency signals into electrical energy via a generator of the medical device. The method includes storing the electrical energy in an energy cell of the medical device. The method also includes powering a power consumption component of the medical device by transmitting the energy from the energy cell to the power consumption component.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to consumable electrode wires and more particularly to consumable electrode wires having a core-shell structure, where the core comprises chromium. In one aspect, a welding wire comprises a sheath having a steel composition and a core surrounded by the sheath. The core comprises chromium (Cr) at a concentration between about 12 weight % and about 18 weight % on the basis of the total weight of the welding wire, manganese (Mn) at a concentration between about 12 weight % and about 18 weight % on the basis of the total weight of the welding wire, nickel (Ni) at a concentration between zero and about 5 weight % on the basis of the total weight of the welding wire, and carbon (C) at a concentration greater than zero weight %, wherein concentrations of Ni, C and Mn are such that [Ni]+30[C]+0.5[Mn] is less than about 12 weight %, wherein [Ni], [C], and [Mn] represent weight percentages of respective elements on the basis of the total weight of the welding wire.

Abstract: A system and method for separating a layer from a layer assembly when the layer assembly includes a backing layer and a material layer. The system includes an automated machine having a controller and an end effector. A separating tool is attached to the end effector of the automated machine. The separating tool includes a displacing member, with an outer face, configured to establish a void between the backing layer and the material layer by displacing a portion of the backing layer. The separating layer also includes a securing member configured to establish a mechanical connection with a displaced portion of the backing layer.

Abstract: A medical treatment system comprising a housing; a recess defined by the housing; and a keyboard connected to the housing by a mechanism configured to permit the keyboard to move between: a deployed position in which the keyboard is disposed outside of the recess at an angle of 10° to 80° relative to a front surface of the housing; and a stored position in which the keyboard is at least partially disposed in the recess and keys of the keyboard are exposed for use by a user.

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: A method of determining the volume of organic material in a composting device includes rotating a mixing paddle in a composting bin that stores the organic material; monitoring the torque from a motor that rotates the mixing paddle as the mixing paddle rotates; and determining the height of the organic material in the composting bin based on the motor torque and the angular displacement of the mixing paddle. The resulting height can be used to determine the volume of the organic material.

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: A wearable cooling and heating system for placement at a body region of a user, including a retention mechanism defining an internal side, and an external side; a temperature modulation subsystem, coupled to the retention mechanism, including a temperature-controllable substrate arranged at the internal side of the retention mechanism, a shield, defining a shield cavity, the shield arranged at the external side of the retention mechanism and coupled to the temperature-controllable substrate, and a heat exchanger in thermal contact with the temperature-controllable substrate and arranged within the shield cavity; a control module, retained by the retention mechanism, communicatively coupled to the temperature modulation subsystem, wherein the temperature modulation subsystem is operable between a cooling mode and a heating mode by the control module, wherein the cooling mode includes generating a low temperature at the temperature-controllable substrate, and wherein the heating mode includes generating a high

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of using medical devices are disclosed. An example tissue retraction device includes a first tissue engagement member coupled to an elastic member by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly including a first coupler body having a first end region and a first compression member. Further, the first end region of the first coupler body is configured to extend into a portion of a lumen of the elastic member and the compression member is designed to compress the elastic member onto the first coupler body such that the elastic member is fixedly engaged with the coupler body.