Abstract: A monocular and/or a binocular system may be used to generate one or more images, or videos, of a subject's retina by scanning in one or two directions in one or two dimensions to, for example, measure and/or report fixation, smooth pursuit, and/or saccadic responses of the subject's eye. The scanning and/or image generation process may be optimized to correct for distortions in the subject's eye and/or improve SNR among one or a plurality of retinal images. In some cases, the retinal images may be used to train a retinal feature detection model and/or algorithm that may be used to make predictions and/or inferences regarding a visual pattern showing features of subsequently received retinal images. These models and/or predicted patterns present within the models may be used by the retinal feature detection model and/or algorithm to monitor features of the retina and, in some instances, track voluntary and/or involuntary eye motion.

Abstract: An interactive communication system includes a primary interface device, at least one location-specific interface device, and at least one caregiver interface device. Each of the interface devices include functionality for sending and receiving secure communications across a wireless network. The primary interface device includes a data bank library that contains user-specific locations, each having a specific set of verbs and corresponding nouns. At least one of the locations is assigned a location-specific interface device. The primary interface device also includes a library of caregivers, and at least one of the caregivers is assigned one of the caregiver interface devices. The primary interface device includes functionality for formulating a request containing a selected caregiver name, location-specific verb, and location specific noun.

Abstract: A system compatible for use with ATCA includes a chassis comprising a first and a second plurality of slots for receiving circuit boards. The chassis further includes a midplane having a front surface and a back surface. The midplane extends between the first plurality of slots and the second plurality of slots. The midplane has a first plurality of connectors affixed to the front surface and has a second plurality of connectors affixed to the back surface. Each connector is arranged to accept a circuit board. The midplane forms an interconnection scheme such that one of the first plurality of slots is directly connected to one of the second plurality of slots. The one of the first plurality of slots and the one of the second plurality of slots extend in opposite directions from their respective connections on the midplane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning ophthalmoscope for scanning the retina of an eye and a method of scanning the retina of an eye. The ophthalmoscope (10) comprises a source of collimated light (12), a first scanning element (14), a second scanning element (16) and a scan relay device (18) having two foci (18a, 18b). The source of collimated light (12), the first and second scanning elements (14, 16) and the scan relay device (18) combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan (21) from an apparent point source (19).

Abstract: A system compatible for use with ATCA includes a chassis comprising a first and a second plurality of slots for receiving circuit boards. The chassis further includes a midplane having a front surface and a back surface. The midplane extends between the first plurality of slots and the second plurality of slots. The midplane has a first plurality of connectors affixed to the front surface and has a second plurality of connectors affixed to the back surface. Each connector is arranged to accept a circuit board. The midplane forms an interconnection scheme such that one of the first plurality of slots is directly connected to one of the second plurality of slots. The one of the first plurality of slots and the one of the second plurality of slots extend in opposite directions from their respective connections on the midplane.

Abstract: A scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) that includes at least one adjustable scanning system adapted for a variable field of view; at least one light source having at least a first spectral emission band suitable to effect at least one of a fluorescence signal and a reflectance signal from a retinal cell; and at least one detector configured to detect at least two different spectral bands from the at least one of the fluorescence and reflectance signals.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for illuminating, imaging and treating the retina of an eye. The apparatus (10) comprises at least one light source (16), wherein the at least one light source (16) is adapted to provide collimated light (20) from a plurality of point sources (22), and wherein each point source (22) lies on an arc (18), and wherein the at least one light source (16) is configured to direct collimated light (20) from each point source (22) along the radius (24) of the arc (18) towards a centre point (26) of the arc (18), and wherein, in use, the apparatus (10) is arranged such that the centre point (26) of the arc (18) is substantially coincident with the pupillary point (40) of the eye (14), such that collimated light (20) is transmitted from the point source through the pupillary point (40) of the eye (14) to illuminate the retina (12).

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for illuminating, imaging and treating the retina of an eye. The apparatus (10) comprises an illuminating device (16) including a planar light source capable of producing light in a plane, such that the illuminating device (16) is capable of illuminating a circumferential line on the retina (12) and a support structure, wherein the illuminating device (16) is pivotably mountable to the support structure and is rotatable about an axis (18) which lies substantially on the plane defined by the light source, such that, in use, the illuminating device (16) may be rotated about the axis (18) to illuminate an area of the retina (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning ophthalmoscope for scanning the retina of an eye and a method of scanning the retina of an eye. The ophthalmoscope (10) comprises a source of collimated light (12), a first scanning element (14), a second scanning element (16) and a scan relay device (18) having two foci (18a, 18b), The source of collimated light (12), the first and second scanning elements (14, 16) and the scan relay device (18) combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan (21) from an apparent point source (19).

Abstract: A scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) that includes at least one adjustable scanning system adapted for a variable field of view; at least one light source having at least a first spectral emission band suitable to effect at least one of a fluorescence signal and a reflectance signal from a retinal cell; and at least one detector configured to detect at least two different spectral bands from the at least one of the fluorescence and reflectance signals.

Abstract: A method for in vivo imaging of at least one cell including: first obtaining a first image of at least one cell; second obtaining a second image of the at least one cell; adjusting at least one of the first image and the second image to account for a movement of the at least one cell; generating a final image based at least in part on the adjusting.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ceramic foam, including impregnating polymer foam having an open porosity with a first suspension of ceramic particles in a solvent; drying the impregnated polymer foam; heat treating the dried polymer foam by thermally decomposing the dried polymer foam; unbinding the organic compounds contained in the polymer foam, and pre-sintering the ceramic particles contained in the polymer foam; impregnating the polymer foam with a second suspension of ceramic particles in a solvent; drying the polymer foam, sintering the ceramic particles contained in the polymer foam.

Abstract: A weatherized pet house including means for supplying HVAC from a building for keeping the air in the pet house at desirable levels in hot or cold weather which in turn keeps water drinkable in a water dish inside the structure.

Abstract: A trolley-style suitcase having a reversibly deployable seat unit is disclosed. The suitcase has a rear frame member, a rear compartment in which the seat unit may be stowed, two runner means, each having a fixed part attached to the rear frame member and a moveable part attached to the seat unit by means of a pivot arrangement, and a retractable handle to facilitate movement of the suitcase, the retractable handle being mechanically independent of the two runner means. When the seat unit is stowed the seat unit is pivoted to be in a vertical position and the moveable part of the runners is retracted inside the fixed part and when the seat unit is deployed the moveable part of the runners is extended from within the fixed part of the runners so that the seat unit may be lifted out of its compartment until such point where the pivot unit allows the seat to be rotated into a horizontal position for use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sharing information with third parties and providing mechanisms whereby those third parties may legitimately pass the personal information on to other, for example affiliated, third parties. In one example of information sharing, information is shared electronically between an information provider and an information requester, the information provider storing a body of information and associated sharing criteria provided by an originator, receiving a first information request from a first requestor and revealing the information and the sharing criteria to the first requestor if the first request is authorised by the originator, receiving a second information request from a second requestor and revealing the information to the second requestor if the second request contains an information identifier obtained from the first requester and the sharing criteria so permits, and storing evidence of information requests.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improved Christmas tree stand employing a Velcro® hook and loop strap to lock in place the clamping means for the tree trunk.

Abstract: A method for retrieving water samples from a body of water comprises positioning a remotely controlled boat on a body of water, moving the boat to a predetermined location on the body of water, lowering a probe attached to the boat into the body of water, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sample tubes contained therein, rotating a disc positioned above the plurality of sample tubes to line up a mouth of one of the sample tubes with an aperture to flow water into the sample tube.

Abstract: A method for in vivo imaging of at least one cell including: first obtaining a first image of at least one cell; second obtaining a second image of the at least one cell; adjusting at least one of the first image and the second image to account for a movement of the at least one cell; generating a final image based at least in part on the adjusting.

Abstract: A muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys. The simulator is driven through the circular motion of the wheel. The bicycle wheel is engaged by a drive wheel that in turn manipulates a drive shaft that acts upon an actuator. The actuator rotates, striking the hammer. The duel action of the load spring and the repositioning spring allow the hammer to interface repeatedly against the tympanic membrane. The sound derived from the resonation of the membrane is directed through the hollow casing, amplifying the sound that is generated. Another embodiment of the device is a muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys that is a mechanically driven actuator that compresses a switch tab against a momentary contact switch that is electrically connected to a printed circuit, and a speaker for the reaction output of the printed circuit.

Abstract: A system where commodity hardware can be utilized to act at least as a front-end to a database system, while maintaining transaction commitment reliability. A separate table to track if a transaction has been previously committed is provided. Preferably this separate stateless transaction protocol (STP) table utilizes indices relating to the user and to the particular request to determine if the particular transaction has been previously committed. By inspecting this table prior to providing the transaction to the primary transaction database, a determination can be made whether the transaction has been previously committed. If so, the response, which is stored in the STP table, is simply provided. If not, then the transaction is committed and an entry is made in the STP table to indicate the commitment. In the preferred embodiment the primary transaction database table entries and the entry into the STP table are committed with the same transaction.