Abstract: A device for connecting and transferring contents between a surgically created first orifice and a surgically created second orifice is provided. The device comprises a hollow body member and first and second tubular legs depending from the hollow body, and being adapted for insertion into the first and second surgically created orifices respectively. The device further comprises a cap for closing the hollow body and completing a sealed pathway between the tubular legs for passively conveying contents between the first and second surgically created orifices. Sealing features of the device are provided that in combination operate to keep the contents away from unwanted skin areas and/or provide an easy-to-use device.

Abstract: A liquid control tool enables users to control the timing and amount of liquid to be consumed. The liquid control tool includes a handle and a head attached to the handle. The handle has a cavity (e.g., for storing liquid). The head has a concave surface defining a bowl. The liquid control tool also has two one-way valves to control the flow of liquid into and out of the cavity. The first one-way valve allows fluid to transfer, through a first opening in the bowl, from an external environment into the cavity. The second one-way valve allows fluid to transfer, through a second opening in the bowl, from the cavity into the bowl. A user can use the liquid control tool to hold and combine their food with a liquid when the user squeezes the handle and is ready to eat the food.

Abstract: An improved feeding catheter is provided for feeding/recycling chyme to a distal stoma. The improved catheter includes a hollow tube having an end for insertion into stoma, and a second end adapted to be connected to a fluid source. The first end includes a retention feature comprising a plurality of ribs extending outwardly and longitudinally away from the tube and terminating at a nose junction. Web walls extend between at least one pair of adjacent ribs and the ribs further define a side facing opening configured for fluid to exit into the gastrointestinal tract. Further the retention feature can be moved between a relaxed condition and a stretched condition for insertion through the distal opening, wherein the maximum width of the retention feature in the stretched condition is less than the maximum width of the retention feature in the relaxed condition.

Abstract: A nutrient recycling device is provided that is configured to collect digestive contents from a first opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract and recycle and/or return the digestive contents to a second location in a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The device and associated method may find application in patients with a number of complaints, such as short bowel syndrome and/or prior to stoma reversal surgery. The device comprises a bag adapted to receive the digestive contents from a first GI opening, and a pump incorporated with the bag adapted to pump the digestive contents to a second GI location. The pump includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, and an outlet connected to an outlet conduit adapted to provide a flow pathway for the digestive content to flow from the pump to second GI location.

Abstract: A nutrient recycling device is provided that is configured to collect digestive contents from a first opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract and recycle and/or return the digestive contents to a second location in a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The device and associated method may find application in patients with a number of complaints, such as short bowel syndrome and/or prior to stoma reversal surgery. The device comprises a bag adapted to receive the digestive contents from a first GI opening, and a pump incorporated with the bag adapted to pump the digestive contents to a second GI location. The pump includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, and an outlet connected to an outlet conduit adapted to provide a flow pathway for the digestive content to flow from the pump to second GI location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable airflow accessory for temperature control of a room, which provides efficient directed airflow of conditioned air from a small air conditioning (AC) unit toward a location selected by a user. The airflow accessory comprises a flexible conduit including a plurality of segments, including a first segment having an air inflow aperture, and second segment having an air outflow aperture. The flexible conduit has attached thereto, adjacent to the air inflow aperture, at least a portion of a fastener that allows the flexible conduit to be removably attached to an air outflow vent of a room AC unit.

Abstract: A liquid control tool enables users to control the timing and amount of liquid to be consumed. The liquid control tool includes a handle and a head attached to the handle. The handle has a cavity (e.g., for storing liquid). The head has a concave surface defining a bowl. The liquid control tool also has two one-way valves to control the flow of liquid into and out of the cavity. The first one-way valve is configured to allow fluid to transfer, through a first opening in the bowl, from an external environment into the cavity. The second one-way valve is configured to allow fluid to transfer, through a second opening in the bowl, from the cavity into the bowl. A user can use the liquid control tool to hold and combine their food with a liquid when the user squeezes the handle and is ready to eat the food.

Abstract: A device for connecting and transferring contents between a surgically created first orifice and a surgically created second orifice is provided. The device comprises a hollow body member and first and second tubular legs depending from the hollow body, and being adapted for insertion into the first and second surgically created orifices respectively. The device further comprises a cap for closing the hollow body and completing a sealed pathway between the tubular legs for passively conveying contents between the first and second surgically created orifices. Sealing features of the device are provided that in combination operate to keep the contents away from unwanted skin areas and/or provide an easy-to-use device.

Abstract: A device for anorectal and/or gynaecological procedures is provided in order to improve surgical access and visual field. The device has a hollow elongate body, and an opening at the proximal end, defining an open working channel in the hollow body, and a window aperture for providing access to surrounding tissue. In addition, one or more wings are dependent from the body to aid manipulation of the device. The device further includes an illumination device and a suction passageway located within the body wherein the illumination device forms at least part of a perimeter wall of the suction passageway.

Abstract: A nutrient recycling device is provided that is configured to collect digestive contents from a first opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract and recycle and/or return the digestive contents to a second location in a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The device and associated method may find application in patients with a number of complaints, such as short bowel syndrome and/or prior to stoma reversal surgery. The device comprises a bag adapted to receive the digestive contents from a first GI opening, and a pump incorporated with the bag adapted to pump the digestive contents to a second GI location. The pump includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, and an outlet connected to an outlet conduit adapted to provide a flow pathway for the digestive content to flow from the pump to second GI location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the automatic adjustment of the height of the support elements of a structure of a solar concentrator, in order to achieve the approximation of a parabolic surface for mounting triangular mirrors. These adjustments are made by an automatic arm with a control unit based on computer vision, wherein the system displays the adjustment embodiment with a magnetic or pneumatic head that uses a control unit whose operation is based on stereo vision images with signals from one or more digital cameras.

Abstract: A salt water chlorinator (30) for a swimming pool includes an electrolysis cell having two anodes (98) and a cathode (94). Two scrapers (102), each of which is of titanium and includes scraping portions in the form of ribs (106) in contact with the opposite surfaces of the cathode, are reciprocated relative to the cathode (94) to remove scale deposits from the cathode (94). The scrapers (102) are mounted in a frame (110) and their scraping ribs (106) are curved such that the ribs (106) are self-biased against the cathode surfaces. A mechanism for reciprocating the scrapers (102) includes two solenoid coils (116) which act on cores (114) in a stem (112) of the frame (110). A control circuit for the electrolysis cell is contained in a housing (86) which is attached to a housing (82) for the electrolysis cell. The control circuit includes a flow sensor for sensing salt-water flow through the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: The present invention consists of developing a technology with different processes to realize an optimal solar approach using a solar concentrator where distance screws are used that, when moving, allow the positioning of the mirrors whereby the reflected solar beam is directed to a focal point; the advantage of these processes is that each movement of the screws involves adjusting the position of all the neighboring mirrors, which allow a perfect alignment and adjustment of the mirrors.

Abstract: A salt water chlorinator (30) for a swimming pool includes an electrolysis cell having two anodes (98) and a cathode (94). Two scrapers (102), each of which is of titanium and includes scraping portions in the form of ribs (106) in contact with the opposite surfaces of the cathode, are reciprocated relative to the cathode (94) to remove scale deposits from the cathode (94). The scrapers (102) are mounted in a frame (110) and their scraping ribs (106) are curved such that the ribs (106) are self-biased against the cathode surfaces. A mechanism for reciprocating the scrapers (102) includes two solenoid coils (116) which act on cores (114) in a stem (112) of the frame (110). A control circuit for the electrolysis cell is contained in a housing (86) which is attached to a housing (82) for the electrolysis cell. The control circuit includes a flow sensor for sensing salt-water flow through the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: The present invention consists of developing a technology with different processes to realize an optimal solar approach using a solar concentrator where distance screws are used that, when moving, allow the positioning of the mirrors whereby the reflected solar beam is directed to a focal point; the advantage of these processes is that each movement of the screws involves adjusting the position of all the neighboring mirrors, which allow a perfect alignment and adjustment of the mirrors.

Abstract: A system can include a rigid or semi-rigid container, a caddy and a cart. A connector can be provided which is operable to provide for a first connection between the cart and the container and a second connection between the container and the caddy. At least one of the first connection and the second connection is a releasable connection. The container is also releasably attachable to said cart. Also provided is a method of using the components of the system. The system and method are well suited for application in shopping environments.

Abstract: Methods of forming images on an outer surface of a golf bag are provided. A method can include the step of obtaining a photographic-type image to be formed onto a substantially flat side outer surface portion of a golf bag having a main bag body including an open end, a closed end, a club chamber positioned between the open and closed ends, and the substantially flat side outer surface portion. The method can also include controlling image production by sending the photographic-type image to a printer and activating at least one printer motor to form the photographic-type image onto the flat side outer surface portion of the golf bag, and printing the photographic-type image onto the substantially flat side outer surface portion of the golf bag so that the photographic-type image is readily visible and substantially permanently affixed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: A golf bag system, a golf bag having an image positioned thereon, and methods of forming and using the golf bag are provided. The system preferably includes a golf bag having a main bag body including an open end, a closed end, a club chamber positioned between the open and closed ends, an outer surface portion, and an image thereon positioned on the outer surface portion. The system can also include a memory having an image stored thereon, a controller to obtain the image and control printing, and a printing device. A method of forming images on a golf bag can include obtaining an image to be formed onto the golf bag and forming the image onto the golf bag. A method of using a golf bag having images thereon can include examining the golf bag, physically comparing an image on the golf bag with a known image associated with the alleged golf bag owner, determining ownership, and issuing the golf bag to the determined owner.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for human neural cell production. More particularly, the present invention provides cellular differentiation methods employing an essentially serum free MEDII conditioned medium for the generation of human neural cells from pluripotent and multipotent human stem cells.