Abstract: There is disclosed a method of simulating the output of a medical imaging device, the medical imaging device being operable to image an anatomical structure, and the method including: accessing model data representing a model of the anatomical structure; accessing selection data representing a selected region of the anatomical structure to be imaged; and processing the selection data and the model data to generate output data representing a simulation of the output of the medical imaging device when imaging the selected region.

Abstract: Embodiments for calling variations in a sample polynucleotide sequence compared to a reference polynucleotide sequence are provided. Aspects of the embodiments include executing an application on at least one computer that locates local areas in the reference polynucleotide sequence where a likelihood exists that one or more bases of the sample polynucleotide sequence are changed from corresponding bases in the reference polynucleotide sequence, where the likelihood is determined at least in part based on mapped mated reads of the sample polynucleotide sequence; generating at least one sequence hypothesis for each of the local areas, and optimizing the at least one sequence hypothesis for at least a portion of the local areas to find one or more optimized sequence hypotheses of high probability for the local areas; and analyzing the optimized sequence hypotheses to identify a series of variation calls in the sample polynucleotide sequence.

Abstract: A refillable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush has a toothpaste containing capsule for dispensing toothpaste through the bristle head of the toothbrush. The toothpaste capsule can be filled using any standard toothpaste tube. Grooves in the toothpaste passageway prevent clogging of toothpaste in the toothbrush. In an alternate embodiment, the dispensing toothbrush also contains a sonic vibrating device.

Abstract: A furnace includes a chute extending from the back of a combustion chamber to allow for the material in the combustion chamber to be pushed into the chute and ejected from the chute by the force of new fuel being pushed into the furnace. No time is lost in cleaning out the furnace as the cleaning of the furnace happens as a byproduct of fuel being loaded into the furnace. The ease and efficiency of operation, in that the cleaning happens by performing the necessary task of loading the furnace with fuel, will allow furnace operation in a more simple, convenient, and safe manner without requiring the furnace to be shut down.

Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a flush of a pressure assisted toilet includes a generally cylindrical housing having a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface and a discharge aperture having a first predetermined area. The apparatus also includes a first member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a plurality of apertures formed therein; a second member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a generally cylindrical hollow body with a top opening, a tapered upper portion adjacent the top opening, a sealing portion, and a lower extension defining a lower opening; a stem portion extending at least partially through the first member and the second member; and a first flow path extending at least from the bottom end of the housing, through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed in the first member, and through the lower opening of the second member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for storing data relating to network conditions in a mobile unit. A mobile station receives a signal from a base station. The mobile station stores data associated with the signal in memory within the mobile unit. When the mobile unit determines that the signal has been dropped, the mobile unit freezes the memory until it can transmit the data to a network outage data center. This helps the system diagnose and correct transient service outages.

Abstract: An apparatus for initiating a flush of a pressure assisted toilet includes a generally cylindrical housing having a top end, a bottom end, an internal surface and a discharge aperture having a first predetermined area. The apparatus also includes a first member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a plurality of apertures formed therein; a second member at least partially interposed within the housing and having a generally cylindrical hollow body with a top opening, a tapered upper portion adjacent the top opening, a sealing portion, and a lower extension defining a lower opening; a stem portion extending at least partially through the first member and the second member; and a first flow path extending at least from the bottom end of the housing, through at least one of the plurality of apertures formed in the first member, and through the lower opening of the second member.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying thermal energy using thermally conductive solid objects within a closed circuit.

Abstract: A furnace includes a chute extending from the back of a combustion chamber to allow for the material in the combustion chamber to be pushed into the chute and ejected from the chute by the force of new fuel being pushed into the furnace. No time is lost in cleaning out the furnace as the cleaning of the furnace happens as a byproduct of fuel being loaded into the furnace. The ease and efficiency of operation, in that the cleaning happens by performing the necessary task of loading the furnace with fuel, will allow furnace operation in a more simple, convenient, and safe manner without requiring the furnace to be shut down.

Abstract: An improved method for treating the eye includes the step of providing an ophthalmic instrument including an integral wavefront sensor. The wavefront sensor measures phase aberrations in reflections directed thereto to characterize aberrations of the eye. The wavefront sensor may be operably coupled to a display device, which displays a graphical representation of the aberrations of the eye. Such graphical representation may include: two dimensional contour maps that graphically depict contribution of pre-specified terms (such as spherical aberration, astigmatism and coma) for the aberrations of the eye, coefficients corresponding to such pre-specified terms that characterize the aberrations of the eye, or predefined two-dimensional icons that provide a general graphical depiction of such pre-specified terms.

Abstract: A co-sleeper convertibly adapted for use as a changing table is described. The invention includes a collapsible rigid frame designed to support an enclosure at a predetermined height. The enclosure has padded walls and is sized and shaped to fit over the rigid frame. The back, first and second side walls of the enclosure are of a first height above a floor of the enclosure while the front wall is of a lower height. The floor of the enclosure is designed to be slightly lower that the top surface of a parental bed. A mattress pad is sized and shaped to fit within the enclosure and is segmented to use as a containing cover for the co-sleeper when the frame is collapsed. A strapping member is provided to hold the co-sleeper to the parental bed. A number of variations of this strapping member are provided. Several styles of support members for the enclosure are provided.

Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.

Abstract: A bassinette having a front wall that may selectively be set at a height substantially equal to the height of other walls of the bassinette, or alternatively released to allow the front wall to have a lower height than remaining walls, wherein the method of attachment of a cross-member supporting the top edge comprises receiver cups, and a retractable tongue to allow the cross-member to be selectively trapped between the receiver cups, in a manner requiring only a single hand for insertion and removal of the cross-member from the structure of the bassinette.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging instrument includes a wavefront sensor-based adaptive optical subsystem (201) that measures phase aberrations in reflections derived from light produced by an imaging light source (207) and compensates for such phase aberrations when capturing images of reflections derived from light produced by the same imaging light source (207). In another aspect, a modular fundus camera (1) includes an adaptive optical module (201) that detachably interfaces to a fundus camera body and image capture subsystem (205). In another aspect, an ophthalmic instrument includes an integral wavefront sensor (213) and display device (223), wherein the wavefront sensor (213) measures phase aberrations in reflections directed thereto to characterize aberrations of the eye and is operably coupled to the display device (223), which displays a graphical representation of the aberrations of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for establishing a multi-user call in a communication system. The communication system receives a call request to establish a group call with a shared group of users. The communication system determines which of the plurality of individual users should be excluded from the call and connects each of the group of included users to establish a multi-user call. The communication system preferably indicates that a unit was not currently available, for example by playing a prerecorded message, playing a tone and also preferably indicates why a unit was not available.

Abstract: The present invention has been made in consideration of thin devices efficiently communicating ideas and transactions into data networks by using other devices with full functional user interface in the networks. According to one aspect of the present invention, the thin device exclusively controls the authentication of a rendezvous that is associated with a user account in a server. The thin device running a micro-browser provisions the rendezvous with a set of credential information in an authenticated and secure communication session so that the provisioning process is truly proprietary. To access the user account, the other devices equipped with well-known browsers must submit the correct credential information to the rendezvous for verification in the server.

Abstract: The present invention has been made in consideration of thin devices efficiently communicating ideas and transactions into data networks by using other devices with full functional user interface in the networks. According to one aspect of the present invention, the thin device exclusively controls the authentication of a rendezvous that is associated with a user account in a server. The thin device running a micro-browser provisions the rendezvous with a set of credential information in an authenticated and secure communication session so that the provisioning process is truly proprietary. To access the user account, the other devices equipped with well-known browsers must submit the correct credential information to the rendezvous for verification in the server.

Abstract: A co-sleeper convertibly adapted for use as a changing table is described. The invention includes a collapsible rigid frame designed to support an enclosure at a predetermined height. The enclosure has padded walls and is sized and shaped to fit over the rigid frame. The back, first and second side walls of the enclosure are of a first height above a floor of the enclosure while the front wall is of a lower height. The floor of the enclosure is designed to be slightly lower that the top surface of a parental bed. A mattress pad is sized and shaped to fit within the enclosure and is segmented to use as a containing cover for the co-sleeper when the frame is collapsed. A strapping member is provided to hold the co-sleeper to the parental bed. A number of variations of this strapping member are provided. Several styles of support members for the enclosure are provided.

Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a first playpen enclosure that converts easily to a bassinet, changing table or bed-side crib or “co-sleeper” that attaches securely to the parents' bed. A second enclosure support system maintains a padded enclosure and rigid floor panel at one or more predetermined levels below the top of the playpen to form the bassinet and co-sleeper. The second enclosure has a back, two sides, a bottom and a front flap that converts into a front wall for use in the bassinet mode and overhangs the front horizontal rail for use in the co-sleeper mode. The upper front corners are segmented into a movable section and a fixed section to facilitate lowering the front horizontal rail to at least one lower second position to accommodate various parental bed heights. Extensions of the fixed section are affixed to the front vertical rails and accept the movable sections in several positions to secure the rail in the second positions.