Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: A maintenance system for a medical device includes a user device configured to communicate with the medical device and execute maintenance tasks on the medical device and communicate with a user via a user interface of the user device or the medical device. The maintenance tasks may be executed by either device or both devices, and communication with a user may occur via a user interface of either device or both devices. The system may also include a server configured to communicate with one or both of the user device and the medical device. The maintenance tasks may include an electrical safety check, a physical check, a performance check, and a functional check. Examples of functional checks include validation of a transient current detector and a thermal cutout.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for an inspiratory limb for a breathing circuit that includes a first segment that comprises a first heater wire circuit and a second segment that comprises a second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can include an intermediate connector that includes a connection circuit that electrically couples the first heater wire circuit to the second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can be configured to operate in two modes wherein, in a first mode, electrical power passes through the first electrical connection to provide power to the first heater wire circuit without providing power to the second heater wire circuit, and in a second mode, electrical power pass through the first electrical connection to provide power to both the first heater wire circuit and the second heater wire circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that improves the stability of despeckling using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. Optical modes in the fiber are scrambled by physical movement of the optical fiber, focusing assembly, or laser beam. The improvement in stability may include a reduction in flicker or reduction in long-term drift.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for performing laser operations in boreholes and other remote locations, such operations including laser drilling of a borehole in the earth. Systems, apparatus and methods for generating and delivering high power laser energy below the surface of the earth and within a borehole. Laser operations using such downhole generated laser beams.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that improves the stability of despeckling using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. Optical modes in the fiber are scrambled by physical movement of the optical fiber, focusing assembly, or laser beam. The improvement in stability may include a reduction in flicker or reduction in long-term drift.

Abstract: Nano-particle based mode strippers for removing undesirable laser energy for laser systems. Nano-particle mode strippers having matched indices of refraction to the outer cladding remove cladding light converting it into heat. There are provided fibers having evanescent mode strippers having annular outer cores and claddings.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the spectrum of stimulated Raman scattering that is used for despeckling of digitally projected images. The stimulated Raman scattering is utilized to add wavelength diversity for reduced speckle and to change the color of the light to a more desirable combination of wavelengths. Digital projection with color-sequential projectors may be enabled by alternately switching the Raman spectrum between green and red. Improved projector transmission may be achieved by minimizing the amount of yellow light generated in the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the spectrum of stimulated Raman scattering that is used for despeckling of digitally projected images. The stimulated Raman scattering is utilized to add wavelength diversity for reduced speckle and to change the color of the light to a more desirable combination of wavelengths. Digital projection with color-sequential projectors may be enabled by alternately switching the Raman spectrum between green and red. Improved projector transmission may be achieved by minimizing the amount of yellow light generated in the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for an inspiratory limb for a breathing circuit that includes a first segment that comprises a first heater wire circuit and a second segment that comprises a second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can include an intermediate connector that includes a connection circuit that electrically couples the first heater wire circuit to the second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can be configured to operate in two modes wherein, in a first mode, electrical power passes through the first electrical connection to provide power to the first heater wire circuit without providing power to the second heater wire circuit, and in a second mode, electrical power pass through the first electrical connection to provide power to both the first heater wire circuit and the second heater wire circuit.

Abstract: A method of assembling a device including, taking a casing including a body having an opening and a lid for the opening, locating at least one electronic component within the body; locating a first end of a cable for electrically connecting the electronic component within the body to an external device, and deforming at least one of the body and the lid so as to secure the lid to the body and such that the cable is secured to the casing by the lid.

Abstract: A plurality of UAVs may be operated in a fleet, each of the UAVs in the fleet being configured to work collectively to achieve one or more functions, such as to create a display or implement an antenna array. The fleet of UAVs may operate individually and/or may be coupled to one another to operate as a collective unit. In some embodiments, one or more UAVs in the fleet may operate individually, while two or more UAVs in the fleet may be connected to one another. In such embodiments, the individual UAVs and the connected UAVs may together comprise the fleet.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin-type active region; a gate dielectric layer covering an upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region; and a gate line extending on the gate dielectric layer to cover the upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region and to cross the fin-type active region. The gate line includes an aluminum (Al) doped metal-containing layer extending to cover the upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region to a uniform thickness, and a gap-fill metal layer extending on the Al doped metal-containing layer over the fin-type active region. Related fabrication methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the spectrum of stimulated Raman scattering that is used for despeckling of digitally projected images. The stimulated Raman scattering is utilized to add wavelength diversity for reduced speckle and to change the color of the light to a more desirable combination of wavelengths. Digital projection with color-sequential projectors may be enabled by alternately switching the Raman spectrum between green and red. Improved projector transmission may be achieved by minimizing the amount of yellow light generated in the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing light using stimulated Raman scattering in a potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW) crystal. The stimulated Raman scattering is utilized to add wavelength diversity for reduced speckle and to change the color of the light to a more desirable combination of wavelengths. Digital projection is one application that may benefit from lower speckle and shifted color. Color-based stereoscopic projection is enabled by the addition of stimulated Raman bands at specific wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that improves the stability of despeckling using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. Optical modes in the fiber are scrambled by physical movement of the optical fiber, focusing assembly, or laser beam. The improvement in stability may include a reduction in flicker or reduction in long-term drift.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that reduces speckle from continuous-wave lasers by using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. The fiber core diameter and length are selected to achieve a desired output color and level of despeckling. Single-mode fiber may be utilized to achieve a sufficiently high power density to generate stimulated Raman scattering.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin-type active region; a gate dielectric layer covering an upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region; and a gate line extending on the gate dielectric layer to cover the upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region and to cross the fin-type active region. The gate line includes an aluminum (Al) doped metal-containing layer extending to cover the upper surface and opposite lateral surfaces of the fin-type active region to a uniform thickness, and a gap-fill metal layer extending on the Al doped metal-containing layer over the fin-type active region. Related fabrication methods are also described.