Abstract: A non-destructive testing device includes a tubular housing including a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit section is arranged at the proximal end, and a bendable articulation section secured to the conduit section and arranged at the distal end. A plurality of actuation systems each includes a control cable extending along the tubular housing and arranged at a respective circumferential position within the bendable articulation section, and an actuator disposed at the proximal end of the tubular housing and secured to the control cable.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing device includes a tubular housing including a proximal end and a distal end. A conduit section is arranged at the proximal end, and a bendable articulation section secured to the conduit section and arranged at the distal end. A plurality of actuation systems each includes a control cable extending along the tubular housing and arranged at a respective circumferential position within the bendable articulation section, and an actuator disposed at the proximal end of the tubular housing and secured to the control cable.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting an instruction to a motive power supply of an elastically deformable device to drive the elastically deformable device in accordance with a drive setting; measuring a force exerted on the elastically deformable device with a sensor; outputting an observed value representative of the force; comparing the observed value with a reference value corresponding with a predetermined force to be exerted on the elastically deformable device; and adjusting the drive setting based on a determination that the observed value is outside of a predetermined range of the reference value. The method prevents slack in the elastically deformable device over time. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an outer cannula having a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising a sharp bevel facilitating insertion of the needle assembly into a subject. The needle assembly further includes an inner cannula slidably disposed coaxially in the lumen of the outer cannula and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the inner cannula having a blunt distal end portion extending beyond the sharp bevel of the outer cannula whenever the inner cannula is in the extended position. The needle assembly further includes a bias coupled to the inner cannula in a manner favoring automatic positioning of the inner cannula at the extended position. The needle assembly includes a valve located in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula to allow fluid to exit the subject through the inner cannula, and to prevent ingress of fluid into the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for treating tension pneumothorax. A needle assembly may include an outer cannula defining a lumen and having a distal end portion with a sharp bevel, and an inner cannula slidably-disposed through the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula moves between an extended and retracted position and includes a blunt distal end portion configured to extend beyond the sharp bevel of the outer cannula when the inner cannula is in the extended position. The blunt distal end portion can retract within the lumen of the outer cannula when the inner cannula is in the retracted position, thereby exposing the sharp bevel. The needle assembly further includes a bias disposed inside the housing and coupled to the inner cannula. A proximal end portion of the inner cannula is configured to extend through the housing when the inner cannula is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An odour free toilet system comprises a vent head having an inlet which is magnetically attached to a toilet bowl. The inlet is positioned under a toilet seat and a toilet lid in between a pair of mounting assemblies for mounting the toilet seat and the toilet lid. The vent head is positioned behind the toilet seat and the toilet lid. The vent head having the inlet is out of the way of the toilet seat and the toilet lid in any position of the toilet seat and the toilet lid. The odour free toilet system further comprises an outlet fitting in the rear part of the top surface of the toilet bowl with the vent head covering the outlet fitting. A suction fan and plumbing provides air suction to the outlet fitting thereby providing air suction to the inlet close to the source of toilet odours.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided that facilitate reducing wear of threads of a camera head of an imaging system (e.g., a borescope), thereby increasing the lifespan of an imaging system. In some embodiments, an imaging system is provided that includes a camera head made of anodized TiAl6V4 and coated with a solid film lubricant. The imaging system can also include a probe tip made of 303 stainless steel and coated with a diamond-line carbon coating. By using a camera head made of anodized TiAl6V4 and coated with a SFL in combination with a probe tip made of 303 SS and coated with a DLC, wear on threads of the camera head can be reduced, thereby increasing the lifespan of the imaging system.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an outer cannula having a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising a sharp bevel facilitating insertion of the needle assembly into a subject. The needle assembly further includes an inner cannula slidably disposed coaxially in the lumen of the outer cannula and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the inner cannula having a blunt distal end portion extending beyond the sharp bevel of the outer cannula whenever the inner cannula is in the extended position. The needle assembly further includes a bias coupled to the inner cannula in a manner favoring automatic positioning of the inner cannula at the extended position. The needle assembly includes a valve located in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula to allow fluid to exit the subject through the inner cannula, and to prevent ingress of fluid into the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for treating tension pneumothorax. A needle assembly may include an outer cannula defining a lumen and having a distal end portion with a sharp bevel, and an inner cannula slidably-disposed through the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula moves between an extended and retracted position and includes a blunt distal end portion configured to extend beyond the sharp bevel of the outer cannula when the inner cannula is in the extended position. The blunt distal end portion can retract within the lumen of the outer cannula when the inner cannula is in the retracted position, thereby exposing the sharp bevel. The needle assembly further includes a bias disposed inside the housing and coupled to the inner cannula. A proximal end portion of the inner cannula is configured to extend through the housing when the inner cannula is in the retracted position.

Abstract: This disclosure describes markers that can identify patients at risk of developing castration-resistant prostate cancer. The markers, and analyses that use the markers, can be used by health professionals to guide treatment decisions by, for example, helping to evaluate the likelihood that a patient will respond to or develop resistance to prostate cancer therapies targeted to the androgen receptor. Thus, in some cases, methods described herein may be used to identify subjects under treatment for prostate cancer as at risk for developing castration-resistant prostate cancer. Such an evaluation may indicate that a change in prescribed therapy is appropriate. In some of these instances, the change may involve modifying the subject's treatment regimen to include administration of a pharmaceutical composition effective for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer before resistance to androgen receptor-based treatments develops.

Abstract: A method of real time data accessing and initializing commands via a wireless communication device includes the steps of: storing unified data in a unified data repository from corporate databases; logically configuring the unified data to leverage data-driven components and to prepare the unified data to be routed for a wireless user; distributing the unified data into requested data when a request is sent by the wireless user; establishing a wireless network for the wireless user, wherein the requested data is transmitted in secured data packet through the wireless network; and wireless transmitting the requested data to the wireless user through the wireless network by the wireless communication device, such that the wireless user is able to real time access the unified data and to initialize command by the wireless communication device through the wireless network.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a thrombin peptide derivatives and a chelating agent and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable thiol-containing compound. The pharmaceutical compositions optionally further comprise an antioxidant. Also, disclosed are methods for activating the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor in a subject in need of such treatment. The methods comprise the step of administering an effective amount of a thrombin peptide derivative in the pharmaceutical composition described above.