Abstract: A pickleball paddle including a handle portion configured to be gripped by a user, a head portion having a proximal portion which is connected to the handle portion and a distal portion opposite to the proximal portion. The head portion defines two opposing striking surfaces configured to strike a pickleball. The two striking surfaces are connected to each other by connecting bars extending from one striking surface to the other striking surface. The connecting bars extend from the proximal portion of the head portion to the distal portion of the head portion, and wherein the distance between adjacent connecting bars varies along their extension from the proximal portion of the head portion to the distal portion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for manipulating a medical instrument from the perspective of another medical instrument (such as an endoscope). The present implementations more specifically relate to techniques for controlling a medical instrument having an elongate shaft that is symmetrical in shape about its roll axis (such as a catheter). When a catheter is within a field-of-view (FOV) of a camera disposed on an endoscope, the catheter can be seen in real-time images captured by the camera. In some aspects, the elongate shaft may include markings or labels on its outer surface so that it appears asymmetric about its roll axis. Example suitable markings can include any visual cue or other indication that reduces or eliminates the rotational symmetry of the catheter (such as colors, shapes, lights, patterns, and/or various other features that can be seen in the FOV of the camera or projected onto the images).

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for percutaneous access. The present implementations more specifically relate to needle incision guidance techniques that provide real-time information about the coaxiality of a scope and a needle. In some aspects, a coaxiality indication system may generate a graphical interface that indicates a coaxiality of a needle and a scope based, at least in part, on first sensor data indicating a pose of the needle and second sensor data indicating a pose of the scope. The coaxiality of the needle and the scope may be represented by a three-dimensional model of the needle projected onto an image received from a camera disposed on the scope. Alternatively, or in addition, the coaxiality of the needle and the scope may be represented by a graphical feature depicting the orientation of the scope and orientation of the needle in relation to a common frame of reference.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for planning and performing medical procedures. The present implementations more specifically relate to techniques for identifying an object (such as a medical instrument or a nodule) in an anatomy based on image data representing a three-dimensional (3D) model of the anatomy. In some aspects, a controller for a medical system may filter the image data based on known properties of the object (such as an expected image intensity distribution associated with the object) and generate a volumetric view of the anatomy based on the filtered image data so that the object is highlighted in the volumetric view. The controller further displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes the volumetric view of the anatomy and determines a pose of the object within the anatomy based on one or more user inputs received via the GUI.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for planning and performing medical procedures. The present implementations more specifically relate to techniques for navigating an instrument within an anatomy. In some aspects, a controller for a medical system may generate a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be toggled to display a first navigation feature or a second navigation feature based on one or more user inputs, where the first navigation feature depicts a first spatial relationship between the instrument and a target within the anatomy, and the second navigation feature depicts a second spatial relationship between the instrument and the target. In some implementations, the controller may determine the first spatial relationship based on image data captured during a preoperative phase of a medical procedure and may determine the second spatial relationship based on image data captured during an intraoperative phase of the medical procedure.

Abstract: Techniques for updating navigation information associated with an instrument are discussed herein. For example, graphical interface data can be provided during a procedure to assist a user navigating the instrument within the anatomy to reach a target and/or other locations within the anatomy. The graphical interface data can indicate a first spatial relationship between the instrument and the target. Further, image data from an externally located imaging system can be used to determine a second spatial relationship between the instrument and the target. The graphical interface data can be updated based on the second spatial relationship.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for planning and performing medical procedures. The present implementations more specifically relate to techniques for determining the pose of a medical instrument within an anatomy. In some aspects, a controller for a medical system may estimate a pose of the medical instrument based on image data representing a three-dimensional (3D) model of the anatomy and generate a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to fine-tune or correct the estimated pose via one or more user inputs. For example, the GUI may overlay or superimpose an interactive model of the instrument on a cross-section of the 3D model of the anatomy, where the interactive model has a pose associated with the estimated pose of the instrument. A user may adjust the interactive model, via the user inputs, to more accurately reflect the pose of the instrument.

Abstract: A medical system includes a scope configured to capture at least one endoscopic image, a display device configured to display the endoscopic image, one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors, the stored instructions including instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine an orientation of the scope associated with the endoscopic image. The stored instructions may include instructions to determine at least one reference axis associated with a luminal network. The reference axis may indicate a first anatomical direction and a second anatomical direction. The stored instructions may include instructions to generate an orientation indicator based on the reference axis. The stored instructions may include instructions to cause the display to present the endoscopic image and the orientation indicator, the orientation indicator overlaid on the endoscopic image.

Abstract: Provided is a faucet including a faucet body having first and second ends and a through passage, a faucet cap positioned at the first end of the faucet body and movable relative to the faucet body, and a cartridge having a cartridge body disposed in the through passage and a cartridge cap connected to the faucet cap and movable relative to the cartridge body and faucet body, the cartridge body having a mixing chamber that receives fluid from one or more fluid sources, the mixing chamber being non-concentric to allow for a linear volume change rate during rotation of the faucet cap.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method monitors, within a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) limited zone, an intra-zone location of a vehicle having a GNSS receiver, the intra-zone location being within the limited zone. The method determines a simulated intra-zone location of the vehicle based on the intra-zone location monitored to calculate a likely location of the vehicle. The method calculates a global location of the vehicle based on the intra-zone location and the location of the GNSS limited zone within a global network of limited zones. The method broadcasts, from a transmitter within the GNSS limited zone, a GNSS signal representing the global location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A contactless tire inspection apparatus for tire tread depth measurement using 3D reconstruction includes a driver side (DS) measurement device (MD) and a passenger side (PS) MD. The DS MD includes a DS light source configured to, responsive to receiving a trigger signal (TS), project a first structured illumination (SI) onto a DS tire of a vehicle and at least one DS camera configured to, responsive to receiving the TS, capture DS image(s) of the first SI projected onto the DS tire for 3D reconstruction. The PS MD includes a PS light source configured to, responsive to receiving the TS, project a second SI onto a PS tire of the vehicle and at least one PS camera configured to, responsive to receiving the TS, capture PS image(s) of the second SI projected onto the PS tire for 3D reconstruction when the at least one DS camera captures DS image(s).

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method monitors, within a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) limited zone, an intra-zone location of a vehicle having a GNSS receiver, the intra-zone location being within the limited zone. The method determines a simulated intra-zone location of the vehicle based on the intra-zone location monitored to calculate a likely location of the vehicle. The method calculates a global location of the vehicle based on the intra-zone location and the location of the GNSS limited zone within a global network of limited zones. The method broadcasts, from a transmitter within the GNSS limited zone, a GNSS signal representing the global location of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for characterizing the deformation properties of a string pattern of a ball game racket frame as well as to the representation of a string pattern image of a strung ball game racket frame.

Abstract: A method of determining a condition of a printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) printing a test image using the printhead, (ii) optically imaging the test image and determining optical densities along a length of the test image; (iii) converting the optical densities into a single-dimensional signal; (iv) analyzing one or more portions of the signal using a convolutional neural network to provide a classification for corresponding portions of the signal; and (v) using each classification to determine the condition of corresponding portions of the printhead.

Abstract: A class may be determined of a term from a database. The term may be blocked from being presented to a user, if the determined class does not include a permission for the user to view the term. The term may suggest a remainder of an incomplete query input by the user.

Abstract: A method of printing an image using a printing system having first and second overlapping printhead segments. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying a strip of the image to be printed in an overlap region of the first and second printhead segments; (ii) determining a stitching technique for the first and second printhead segments; and (iii) printing the image using the first and second printhead segments, the printing including stitching the first and second printhead segments in the overlap region using the determined stitching technique. The stitching technique may be a butt stitch or a feathered stitch, dependent on image content in the strip.

Abstract: A method of printing an image using a printing system having first and second overlapping printhead segments. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying a strip of the image to be printed in an overlap region of the first and second printhead segments; (ii) identifying a foreground image and a background image for image content contained in the strip; (iii) determining a seam in the foreground image; (iv) printing the foreground image using only nozzles from the first printhead segment at one side of the seam and only nozzles from the second printhead segment at the other side of the seam; and (v) printing the background image using nozzles from both the first and second printhead segments across the overlap region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frame for a ball game racket comprising a handle region and a head region with a bridge, wherein a part of the head region and/or the handle region comprise(s) a carbon fiber composite material and wherein the bridge comprises magnesium and is formed as one part.

Abstract: A method of printing an image using a printing system having first and second overlapping printhead segments. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying a strip of the image to be printed in an overlap region of the first and second printhead segments; (ii) determining a stitching technique for the first and second printhead segments; and (iii) printing the image using the first and second printhead segments, the printing including stitching the first and second printhead segments in the overlap region using the determined stitching technique. The stitching technique may be a butt stitch or a feathered stitch, dependent on image content in the strip.

Abstract: A method of printing an image using a printing system having first and second overlapping printhead segments. The method includes the steps of: (i) identifying a strip of the image to be printed in an overlap region of the first and second printhead segments; (ii) determining a continuous seam in the strip based on a cost function, the cost function including a parameter selected from the group consisting of: (a) minimizing a density of printed ink along the seam; and (b) maximizing a luminance along the seam; and (iii) printing the image using the first and second printhead segments, the printing including stitching the first and second printhead segments across the seam. The strip contains variable image content and the seam has a varying position within the strip.