Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water can be concentrated and prepared for destruction in a pretreatment phase. Following annihilation of the PFAS in supercritical conditions to levels below 5 parts per trillion (ppt), the water effluent can be used to recover heat, returned to sub-critical conditions, and then released back into the environment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning and/or drying endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, are provided. A drying device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a drying member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The drying element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force applied to the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively remove all of the moisture and fluid from the internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: There is disclosed a treatment of spinal trauma with a novel polymer solution.

Abstract: A coating device for coating components, in particular for nickel-plating spark plug housings. The coating device includes: a housing having an outer anode that is designed to receive the component, an inner anode that can be introduced into a through-opening of the component, and a voltage-generating device, the voltage-generating device being designed to generate a first voltage between the outer anode and the component, as well as a second voltage between the inner anode and the component. The housing has an inlet and an outlet for introducing and discharging a process medium into or out of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional surface from a segmented volume including a plurality of voxels are provided. The method includes executing a first pass over a plurality of cells to generate a list of active cells, and executing a second pass over the plurality of active cells to generate a quadrilateral mesh, the quadrilateral mesh including a plurality of points that define a plurality of quadrilaterals. The method further includes executing at least one additional pass over the quadrilateral mesh to generate a smoothed mesh, wherein executing the at least one additional pass includes computing, for at least one point, a balanced curvature for the at least one point based on curvatures at points that neighbor the at least one point and moving the at least one point to a new location based on the computed balanced curvature. The method further includes displaying the smoothed mesh.

Abstract: Two or more electrophysiology characteristics can be graphically represented in a single representation output, for example, by an electroanatomical mapping system. The system can generate or receive multiple electrophysiology maps, one for each of a corresponding number of electrophysiological characteristics. The system can also generate or receive a three-dimensional anatomical model, such as a cardiac surface model, that includes a focal point. The system can identify a display region about the focal point and transform the display region from a three-dimensional surface into a plane. One or more of the electrophysiology maps can be represented by varying the elevation of the plane, e.g., according to value(s) of the represented electrophysiological characteristic(s). One or more additional electrophysiology maps can be represented on the elevation-varied plane, e.g., in color scale, grey scale, or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional surface from a segmented volume including a plurality of voxels are provided. The method includes executing a first pass over a plurality of cells to generate a list of active cells, and executing a second pass over the plurality of active cells to generate a quadrilateral mesh, the quadrilateral mesh including a plurality of points that define a plurality of quadrilaterals. The method further includes executing at least one additional pass over the quadrilateral mesh to generate a smoothed mesh, wherein executing the at least one additional pass includes computing, for at least one point, a balanced curvature for the at least one point based on curvatures at points that neighbor the at least one point and moving the at least one point to a new location based on the computed balanced curvature. The method further includes displaying the smoothed mesh.

Abstract: A sealing element of a valve, e.g., a gas valve, for controlling a medium includes a base body having a sealing surface, the sealing surface either (i) being inclined in relation to a center axis of the sealing element or (ii) having at least one inclined area. In addition, a valve seat support of the valve for controlling a medium includes: a first ring-shaped valve seat in a first valve seat plane; a second ring-shaped valve seat in a second valve seat plane; and a passage aperture situated between the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the first and second valve seat planes being perpendicular to a center axis of the valve seat support.

Abstract: An injector system which is in particular used as an injector block for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines includes a fuel distribution rail, a counter bracket, a first injector, and at least one second injector. Here, the counter bracket has a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece. The first injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the first connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. The second injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the second connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. In this case, the counter bracket is connected to the fuel distribution rail. The fuel distribution rail is used for distributing compressed natural gas to the injectors. The injector system has a compact design.

Abstract: An acoustic driver system includes an active acoustic driver and a passive acoustic driver. The active acoustic driver is configured to produce oscillating acoustic energy. The passive acoustic driver is acoustically connected to the active acoustic driver and is configured to receive the oscillating acoustic energy and to convert it into shear waves. The passive acoustic driver includes a housing member and a vibrating member. The housing member includes a housing member cavity. The vibrating member is disposed at least partially within the housing member cavity. The vibrating member permanently retains a curved shape while disposed within the housing member cavity.

Abstract: An injector system used as an injector block for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines includes: a first block element which has a fuel distribution channel, and at least one second block element on which a first connecting piece and at least one second connecting piece are situated. Injectors are positioned within the first and second block elements in such a way that the first injector is assigned to the first connecting piece and the second injector is assigned to the second connecting piece. The fuel distribution channel of the first block element is used for distributing compressed natural gas to the injectors.

Abstract: A sealing element of a valve, e.g., a gas valve, for controlling a medium includes a base body having a sealing surface, the sealing surface either (i) being inclined in relation to a center axis of the sealing element or (ii) having at least one inclined area. In addition, a valve seat support of the valve for controlling a medium includes: a first ring-shaped valve seat in a first valve seat plane; a second ring-shaped valve seat in a second valve seat plane; and a passage aperture situated between the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the first and second valve seat planes being perpendicular to a center axis of the valve seat support.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a medium, e.g., a gaseous medium, includes: a valve support having at least one passage aperture; a closing element which is configured to open and to close the at least one passage aperture; and a valve seat including at least one area projecting in the axial direction of the valve, the projecting area being coated with an elastomeric sealing element, and the elastomeric sealing element being exclusively situated on the projecting area of the valve seat.

Abstract: An acoustic driver system includes an active acoustic driver and a passive acoustic driver. The active acoustic driver is configured to produce oscillating acoustic energy. The passive acoustic driver is acoustically connected to the active acoustic driver and is configured to receive the oscillating acoustic energy and to convert it into shear waves. The passive acoustic driver includes a housing member and a vibrating member. The housing member includes a housing member cavity. The vibrating member is disposed at least partially within the housing member cavity. The vibrating member permanently retains a curved shape while disposed within the housing member cavity.

Abstract: An injector system which is in particular used as an injector block for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines includes a fuel distribution rail, a counter bracket, a first injector, and at least one second injector. Here, the counter bracket has a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece. The first injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the first connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. The second injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the second connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. In this case, the counter bracket is connected to the fuel distribution rail. The fuel distribution rail is used for distributing compressed natural gas to the injectors. The injector system has a compact design.

Abstract: A male chastity apparatus, system and method are disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a housing, a protrusion, and a lock. The housing is configured to contain a shaft of a penis of a user. The housing, in certain embodiments, is made of a substantially rigid material that prevents the user from stimulating the shaft of the user's penis. The protrusion is configured to engage a piercing in the user's penis. The protrusion, in certain embodiments, is also made of a substantially rigid material. The lock is configured to engage the protrusion and to attach the protrusion to the housing.

Abstract: An atomization system for fuels, particularly for charging a chemical reformer for obtaining hydrogen, includes at least one metering device for metering fuel at at least one metering point into a connecting tube capable of receiving a temperature-adjusted substance stream. The connecting tube features at least one atomization point located downstream of the at least one metering point.

Abstract: A pet sanitation device comprises a frame, an elongated handle and an adjusting assembly. The frame includes a receiving bottom area receiving one part of a bag opening. A closing arrangement is provided for receiving another portion of the bag opening. The adjusting assembly is movably supported on the handle and includes a control member slidable along the handle and a transition element having distal and proximal ends thereof. The distal end is associated with the closing arrangement. In operation, upon slidable movement of the control member, the transition element is activated and the closing arrangement is moved within the frame to convert the bag opening from open to closed position and vise versa.

Abstract: A male chastity system comprises a housing and a partial ring configured for placement behind the scrotum of the user. The partial ring contains a gap. A bridge bridges the gap by attaching to the partial ring at first and second attachment points. The bridge comprises a rear portion and a front portion, and the partial ring and the bridge collectively form a ring. Guide pins extend at least partially through the rear bridge portion, attachment points, front bridge portion, and housing. A locking pin extends through the bridge and housing, a spacer on the locking pin spacing the housing from the ring, and a lock is applied to the locking pin.