Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.

Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.

Abstract: A submersible inspection drone used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The cameras on the submersible can be fixed in place and can be either static or motion picture cameras. The submersible can include an input/output selector capable of switching between the camera images, either through commanded action of a user or through computer based switching. In one form the input/output selector is a multiplexer. The base station can be configured to display images from the cameras one at a time, or can include a number of separate viewing portals in which real time images are displayed. The base station can include a demultiplexer synchronized to the multiplexer of the submersible.

Abstract: A robot is disclosed which includes a dynamic safety zone feature capable of defining a space around the robot to be monitored to provide safe operating conditions for personnel or property. The dynamic safe zones can be a volume around one or more moving components of the robot. Such dynamic safe zones can be scaled depending on the nature of the operation (fast moving robot having a larger dynamic safety zone). Multiple different zones can be used in some embodiments. The zones can further be scaled depending on the nature of the sensors used in the operation of the robot. Multiple different moving components can have different dynamic safety zones.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning composition including: at least 80 wt. % liquid solvent; a cationic quaternary amine biocide; and a non-cationic moisturizing agent, wherein the composition reduces bacteria by at least 2.0 log 10 when assessed using ASTM E1174 and reduces drying of the stratum corneum compared with a water control between 30 and 180 minutes after application.

Abstract: A system and method for filling pot holes. The system includes transferring aggregate from an aggregate tank. Activator is likewise transferred from an activator tank. The activator is mixed with the aggregate to form a homogenized mixture. A liquid is introduced into a homogenized mixture to form a slurry and then a pot hole filler. The pot hole filler is directed through an exit end of a mixing tube.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and determining characteristics of an inflatable medical instrument that is configured for interventional deployment. The system includes a guidewire that is positioned within a lumen of the inflatable medical instrument. The guidewire includes an optical fiber for a FORS system. The FORS system is configured to measure a shape of the guidewire during the interventional deployment of the inflatable medical instrument. A shape analysis module is configured to analyze the FORS data from the FORS system and determine characteristics of the inflatable medical instrument, including the diameter of the inflatable instrument, the pressurization of the instrument, whether the instrument has ruptured and the position of the inflatable instrument during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: A robotic system for operating a endovascular deployment device (40) including a treatment device (43) mounted to a delivery tool (42) connected to a proximal control (41), and further including an optical shape sensor (44) (e.g., an endograft endovascular deployment device incorporating an optical shape sensor). The robotic system employs a robot (50) attachable to proximal control (41) and/or delivery tool (42) for navigating the treatment device (43) within a cardiovascular system (e.g., a robot controlling an axial rotation and/or axial translation of an endograft mounted to a sheath catheter). The robotic system further employs a robot controller (74) for controlling a navigation of treatment device (43) within the cardiovascular system by the robot (50) derived from a spatial registration between a shaping sensing by the optical shape sensor (44) of a portion or entirety of endovascular deployment device (40) to a medical image of the cardiovascular system (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for filling pot holes. The system includes transferring aggregate from an aggregate tank. Activator is likewise transferred from an activator tank. The activator is mixed with the aggregate to form a homogenized mixture. A liquid is introduced into a homogenized mixture to form a slurry and then a pot hole filler. The pot hole filler is directed through an exit end of a mixing tube.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an internal component of a machine includes a remote controlled vehicle constructed to fit inside a desired portion of the machine; a controller operative to control an operation of the remote controlled vehicle; a tether coupled to the controller and to the remote controlled vehicle, wherein the tether is operative to transmit control signals from the controller to the remote controlled vehicle; and an imaging device extending from a front portion of the remote controlled vehicle and operative to view the internal component. The imaging device has a flexible articulating tip spaced apart from the front portion of the body.

Abstract: A submersible inspection drone used for inspection can include a ballast system used to control depth of the submersible inspection drone. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The ballast system can include a pressure vessel for storing fluid and a bag for inflating and deflating as it receives a fluid. Buoyancy of the submersible inspection drone can be provided by change in density of the pressure vessel as a compressible gas is expanded when the ballast bag is caused to inflate or deflate. A pump can be used to draw fluid from the ballast bag and store the fluid in the pressure vessel. In one form the pressure vessel can include a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid, where the incompressible fluid is used to inflate and deflate the bag.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle which includes a plurality of cameras can be used to collect visual images of an object of interest submerged in a liquid environment, such as in a tank (e.g. transformer tank). In one form the submersible vehicle is remotely operated such as an ROV or an autonomous vehicle. Image information from the submersible along with inertial measurements in some embodiments is used with a vision based modelling system to form a model of an internal object of interest in the tank. The vision based modelling system can include a number of processes to form the model such as but not limited to tracking, sparse and dense reconstruction, model generation, and rectification.

Abstract: A submersible inspection device used for inspection of, for example, liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a number of wireless transmitters and receivers. Signals transmitted to the submersible include command signals useful to effect an action on the submersible but also a heartbeat signal to indicate health of the transmitted signal. A redundant channel selection logic is provided to switch from a channel which no longer receives a heartbeat to another channel that includes a current heartbeat. Multiple signals can be received and evaluated in software, and another signal received via a firmware radio.

Abstract: An ultrasound calibration system employs a calibration phantom (20), an ultrasound probe (10) and a calibration workstation (40a). The calibration phantom (20) encloses a frame assembly (21) within a calibration coordinate system established by one or more phantom trackers. In operation, the ultrasound probe (10) acoustically scans an image of the frame assembly (21) within an image coordinate system relative to a scan coordinate system established by one or more probe trackers. The calibration workstation (40a) localizes the ultrasound probe (10) and the frame assembly image (11) within the calibration coordinate system and determines a calibration transformation matrix between the image coordinate system and the scan coordinate system from the localizations.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a coating to a surface. The coating can include any typical coating, but in some examples includes a styrenated acrylic coating. The coating is first applied. Thereafter, a quick-set formula which includes a brine solution is applied atop the first coating. The quick-set formula sets the first coating. Thereafter, a second coating, or multiple coatings, can be applied atop the first coating. Due to the quick-set formula, the second coating can be applied in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A system and method for filling pot holes. The system includes transferring aggregate from an aggregate tank. Activator is likewise transferred from an activator tank. The activator is mixed with the aggregate to form a homogenized mixture. A liquid is introduced into a homogenized mixture to form a slurry and then a pot hole filler. The pot hole filler is directed through an exit end of a mixing tube.

Abstract: An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes a hull adapted to be received in the fluid container and a control mechanism carried by the hull. The control mechanism movably positions a weight about the hull so as to adjust an angular orientation of the hull within the fluid container.

Abstract: A system and method for image guided assisted medical procedures using modular units, such that a controller, under the direction of a computer and imaging device, can be utilized to drive and track low cost, purpose specific manipulators. The system utilizes modular actuators, self tracking, and linkages. The systems can be optimized at a low cost for most effectively performing surgical procedures, while reusing the more costly components of the system, e.g. the control, driving, and tracking systems. The system and method may utilize MRI real time guidance during the above procedures.

Abstract: A medical device deployment system includes a main body (101) and a guidewire (103) capable of being passed through the main body and including a lumen. An optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) is configured to pass through the lumen in the guidewire. The OSS system is configured to measure shape, position or orientation of an endograft (102) relative to a blood vessel for placement of the endograft.

Abstract: An endograft (102) includes a stent structure. An optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) is associated with the endograft and is configured to measure shape, position and/or orientation of the stent structure. The OSS system (104) is connected to the stent structure and removable in a plurality of ways. Methods for deployment and removal of the OSS system are also provided.