Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical palpation device for evaluating a mechanical property of a sample material. The device comprises a body having a sensing portion and a sensing layer positioned at the sensing portion of the body and having a sensing surface positioned for direct or indirect contact with a surface area of the sample material. The sensing layer is deformable and has a predetermined deformation-dependent optical property. The device further comprises a light detector positioned to detect light transmitted through at least a portion of the sensing layer.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle with a chassis; one or more dampers coupled to chassis; and a gimbal sleeve configured to couple to a gimbal of the aerial vehicle, the gimbal sleeve at least partially extending into the chassis, the gimbal sleeve comprising: a tube structured to couple with a gimbal connector of the gimbal, and an attachment mechanism configured to couple the tube to the chassis.

Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may furthermore comprise a ball joint coupled to a back surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.

Abstract: A safety device allows selective opening or closing of a drain opening of a tank, to render such action more difficult for a child. The device has a body, a plug, a means for restricting axial movement of the plug in a conduit that runs through the body, and, optionally, a tether. The conduit is adapted for engagement in the drain opening. The plug is frictionally engaged in the conduit. The means for restricting axial movement has complementary elements disposed on the plug and on the body, such that, in a first rotational position, the plug is axially retained relative to the conduit and, in a second rotational position, the plug is not restricted from axial movement out of the conduit. The tether attaches to the plug and the body to keep the plug proximate to the body.

Abstract: A safety device allows selective opening or closing of a drain opening of a tank, to render such action more difficult for a child. The device has a body, a plug, a means for restricting axial movement of the plug in a conduit that runs through the body, and, optionally, a tether. The conduit is adapted for engagement in the drain opening. The plug is frictionally engaged in the conduit. The means for restricting axial movement has complementary elements disposed on the plug and on the body, such that, in a first rotational position, the plug is axially retained relative to the conduit and, in a second rotational position, the plug is not restricted from axial movement out of the conduit. The tether attaches to the plug and the body to keep the plug proximate to the body.

Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical palpation device for evaluating a mechanical property of a sample material. The device comprises a body having a sensing portion and a sensing layer positioned at the sensing portion of the body and having a sensing surface positioned for direct or indirect contact with a surface area of the sample material. The sensing layer is deformable and has a predetermined deformation-dependent optical property. The device further comprises a light detector positioned to detect light transmitted through at least a portion of the sensing layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterizing a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analyzing received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.

Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis and a pair of connection points to upper dampers on a ceiling surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.

Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.

Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis and a pair of connection points to upper dampers on a ceiling surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.

Abstract: A device (10) for dispensing cold water has a modular disinfection system (100) that maintains the water near a dispensing spout (40) in a disinfected condition. The modular disinfection system has an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator, a fluid entrance (104), a fluid exit (106) and a UV-transparent tube (108) that connects the fluid entrance to the fluid exit and maintains the next water to be dispensed. A housing (70) receives the modular disinfection system with the fluid entrance is vertically above the fluid exit. A control means (80) operates both the UV radiation generator and a valve means that allows water to be dispensed through the dispensing spout.

Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterising a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analysing received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Described herein are nasal devices. In particular, layered nasal respiratory devices are described. Layered nasal device may include a layered airflow resistor that is configured to resist airflow in a first direction more than airflow in a second direction and that includes a flap valve adjacent to a flap valve limiting layer and an adhesive holdfast layer that is configured to secure the layered airflow resistor in communication with the subject's nasal cavity. Methods of using and methods of assembling layered nasal device are also described.

Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.

Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A hard-disk drive insertion mechanism includes carrier mechanism that moves longitudinally with the hard-disk drive as it is being inserted toward said electrical connector. The carrier mechanism includes engagement features for engaging the hard-disk drive as it is being inserted. The insertion mechanism also includes a clamping mechanism that gradually clamps the hard-disk drive with elastomeric material before it engages an electrical connector.