Abstract: A tunnel thruster of a pleasure boat includes a propeller and a tunnel. The tunnel is installed through and across the at least one hull, from a first aperture at a first side of the hull to a second aperture at a second side of the hull. The propeller rotates about a propeller principal axis within the tunnel so that, when the pleasure boat is level, the propeller principal axis is substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to a disc swept by the propeller. The tunnel thruster is operable to drive water between the first and second apertures to provide lateral thrust to the hull. Each of the first and second apertures has a respective highest point, and the top of the disc swept by the propeller is located at a position higher than the respective highest points of the first and second apertures when the pleasure boat is level.

Abstract: An adjustable medical/veterinary suture crimp tool system includes a crimp tool with a stationary jaw at a distal end of fixed shank, a moveable jaw at a distal end of a linearly driven crossbar for deforming a crimp tube located between the stationary jaw and the moveable jaw, and an alignment fiducial associated with at least one jaw. A first handle is connected to a fixed shank, and a second handle is pivotably connected to the fixed shank and configured to drive the crossbar linearly with respect to the fixed shank to crimp the crimp tube. A stop is configured to limit the extent of travel of the crossbar and a mechanism cooperates with the stop for adjusting the extent of travel of the crossbar for crimp tube deformation. An internally threaded crimp tube has an outer alignment fiducial for alignment with the alignment fiducial of the at least one said jaw of the crimp tube.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing method and systems includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed about or around the growing system and comparing the sensor data against standard operating data protocols for operating conditions within the growing system. The growing method and system further detects if an operational risk exists based on the comparison of the sensor data and if the operational safety risk is detected, modify at least one of the plurality of growing components. The growing system may include a cabinet structure along with one or more processing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting visually impaired passengers, e.g., blind passengers, using rideshare services is provided. The system may identify a visually impaired passenger from image data captured by one or more exterior cameras of a rideshare vehicle, e.g., by detection of use of a cane by the passenger. The system may then generate audible instructions that may be emitted via exterior and interior speakers of the vehicle or via a wirelessly paired headset worn by the passenger, to guide the passenger to the vehicle entrance and to an available passenger seat within the vehicle. The system further may detect obstacles or features in the path of the passenger, and emit audible alerts to guide the passenger around the obstacle or feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for repairing cartilage defects by arthroscopic surgery to deliver cultured chondrocyte implants to defect sites. The implants may include bioresorbable matrices seeded with chondrocytes that are shaped to match cartilage defect sites, and which may be delivered to the cartilage defect sites by methods described in the present embodiments.

Abstract: An adjustable medical/veterinary suture crimp tool includes a stationary jaw at a distal end of fixed shank, a moveable jaw at a distal end of a linearly driven crossbar for deforming a crimp tube located between the stationary jaw and the moveable jaw, a first handle connected to a fixed shank, and a second handle pivotably connected to the fixed shank and configured to drive the crossbar linearly with respect to the fixed shank to crimp the crimp tube. A stop is configured to limit the extent of travel of the crossbar and a mechanism, cooperating with the stop, adjusts the extent of travel of the crossbar to vary the level of crimp tube deformation.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate surface, the method comprising: providing a substrate having a surface, optionally, treating at least a portion of the substrate surface with an oxidising agent, treating at least a portion of the substrate surface with a composition comprising a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, polyol or mixture thereof, and incubating the treated substrate with the composition for a predetermined time. Also disclosed are substrates comprising such a coating, vessels comprising such coated substrates and medicals devices comprising such substrates.

Abstract: A medical/veterinary suture crimp tool includes a stationary jaw at a distal end of a fixed shank and having across its width and extending at least partially along its length spaced fixed crimp members including at least first, second, and third crimp members and a moveable jaw at a distal end of a linearly driven crossbar and having across its width and extending at least partially along its length, spaced crimp members including at least fourth, fifth, and sixth crimp members opposing, respectively, the first, second, and third crimp members of the stationary jaw. An alignment fiduciary is associated with said fifth crimp member of the stationary jaw for alignment with an alignment fiduciary of a crimp tube. A first handle is connected to the fixed shank and a second handle is pivotably connected to the fixed shank and configured to drive the crossbar linearly with respect to the fixed shank to fully crimp the crimp tube.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing method and systems includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed about or around the growing system and comparing the sensor data against standard operating data protocols for operating conditions within the growing system. The growing method and system further detects if an operational risk exists based on the comparison of the sensor data and if the operational safety risk is detected, modify at least one of the plurality of growing components. The growing system may include a cabinet structure along with one or more processing devices.

Abstract: This invention is a hydroponic appliance that allows users to grow sufficient yields of fresh produce with relatively little maintenance. The appliance incorporates multiple features required for hydroponic plant cultivation into a plug-and-play system with a feedback loop to manage optimal growing conditions, comprising a growing area, a processor, a mixing chamber, and, in embodiments, more than one reservoir. In aspects, the grow area is divided between two or more reservoirs allowing users to stratify their crops or plant different crop types simultaneously. The apparatus and associated method provide the overall system with increased versatility, including removing aspects of day-to-day maintenance. The system automatically regulates the environment in response to various sensor readings. This includes automatically regulating the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide level, pH level, and/or nutrient concentration. Accordingly, the plants have more optimum conditions for growth.

Abstract: A method of coating a polymer surface, the method comprising: providing a polymer having a surface, optionally, treating at least a portion of the polymer surface with an oxidising agent, treating at least a portion of the polymer surface with a composition comprising a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, polyol or mixture thereof, and incubating the treated polymer with the composition for a predetermined time. Also disclosed are polymers comprising such a coating, vessels comprising such coated polymers and medicals devices comprising such polymers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting visually impaired passengers, e.g., blind passengers, using rideshare services is provided. The system may identify a visually impaired passenger from image data captured by one or more exterior cameras of a rideshare vehicle, e.g., by detection of use of a cane by the passenger. The system may then generate audible instructions that may be emitted via exterior and interior speakers of the vehicle or via a wirelessly paired headset worn by the passenger, to guide the passenger to the vehicle entrance and to an available passenger seat within the vehicle. The system further may detect obstacles or features in the path of the passenger, and emit audible alerts to guide the passenger around the obstacle or feature.

Abstract: A method for determining a geo-location of a target station is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of RTTs over a plurality of successive time intervals. Each successive time interval is equal to a predetermined amount of time. The plurality of RTTs is placed into a plurality of bins. Each bin has a predetermined time width and a count of RTTs placed in the bin. A bin with a highest count of RTTs (maxCb) and another bin with a next highest count of RTTs are selected and a maximum count ratio determined. The bin with maxCb to a maximum bin value is set based at least on a predetermined threshold of the maximum count ratio. During a next successive time interval, the RTTs that are placed in the bin that is set to the maximum bin value are selected to determine the geo-location of the target station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting signals, the transmitter including a memory storing instructions and a controller configured to execute the instructions to cause the transmitter to determine whether a value of transmitter power is less than a threshold, responsive to a determination that the value of transmitter power is less than the threshold: mix a baseband signal with a first oscillator signal to produce a very-low intermediate frequency (VLIF) signal; mix the VLIF signal with a second oscillator signal to produce a radio frequency (RF) signal, and transmit the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a geo-location of a target station is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of RTTs over a plurality of successive time intervals. Each successive time interval is equal to a predetermined amount of time. The plurality of RTTs is placed into a plurality of bins. Each bin has a predetermined time width and a count of RTTs placed in the bin. A bin with a highest count of RTTs (maxCb) and another bin with a next highest count of RTTs are selected and a maximum count ratio determined. The bin with maxCb to a maximum bin value is set based at least on a predetermined threshold of the maximum count ratio. During a next successive time interval, the RTTs that are placed in the bin that is set to the maximum bin value are selected to determine the geo-location of the target station.

Abstract: A video conferencing device having a vertically oriented video display device and a horizontally oriented video display device. The video conferencing device also has a desktop surface, a user facing camera, and a table facing camera. The user facing camera is for capturing images of a user positioned in front of the video conferencing device. The table facing camera is for capturing images of the desktop surface.

Abstract: A method for determining a geo-location of a target station is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of RTTs over a plurality of successive time intervals. Each successive time interval is equal to a predetermined amount of time. The plurality of RTTs is placed into a plurality of bins. Each bin has a predetermined time width and a count of RTTs placed in the bin. A bin with a highest count of RTTs (maxCb) and another bin with a next highest count of RTTs are selected and a maximum count ratio determined. The bin with maxCb to a maximum bin value is set based at least on a predetermined threshold of the maximum count ratio. During a next successive time interval, the RTTs that are placed in the bin that is set to the maximum bin value are selected to determine the geo-location of the target station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting signals, the transmitter including a memory storing instructions and a controller configured to execute the instructions to cause the transmitter to determine whether a value of transmitter power is less than a threshold, responsive to a determination that the value of transmitter power is less than the threshold: mix a baseband signal with a first oscillator signal to produce a very-low intermediate frequency (VLIF) signal; mix the VLIF signal with a second oscillator signal to produce a radio frequency (RF) signal, and transmit the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a geo-location of a target station is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of RTTs over a plurality of successive time intervals. Each successive time interval is equal to a predetermined amount of time. The plurality of RTTs is placed into a plurality of bins. Each bin has a predetermined time width and a count of RTTs placed in the bin. A bin with a highest count of RTTs (maxCb) and another bin with a next highest count of RTTs are selected and a maximum count ratio determined. The bin with maxCb to a maximum bin value is set based at least on a predetermined threshold of the maximum count ratio. During a next successive time interval, the RTTs that are placed in the bin that is set to the maximum bin value are selected to determine the geo-location of the target station.

Abstract: Devices to secure the hand of a patient to a limb positioning device while evenly distributing the applied traction load across the patient's hand and wrist are disclosed. The hand is placed in the open position into a soft mitten, while an anatomically-shaped plate is attached to the mitten for supporting the palm of the hand in the open position. Straps are then secured around the patient's wrist and hand. Finally, the entire device is overwrapped an elastic bandage and secured to the limb positioning device. When traction is applied, the shape of the plate, the construction of the mitten, and the straps combine to allow low-contact pressure across the patient's hand and wrist.