Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide systems and methods that can facilitate increased detector sensitivity and reliability in a scanning laser device. Specifically, the systems and methods utilize detectors with multiple sensors that are configured to receive reflections of laser light pulses from objects within a scan field. These multiple sensors are configured to receive these reflections through the same optical assembly used to scan the laser light pulses out to the scan field. Furthermore, the multiple sensors are configured to at least partially cancel the effects of back reflections from within the optical assembly itself. The cancellation of the effects of back reflections from within the optical assembly can improve the sensitivity of the detector, particularly for the detection of low energy reflections of laser pulses from within the scan field.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying a main group of people in an image via social relation recognition. The main group of people is identified within an image by identifying social relationships between people visible in the image. The identification of social relationships is performed by a Social Relation Recognition Network (SRRN) trained using deep learning. The SRRN combines two techniques for group identification, First Glance and Graph Reasoning, and fuses their outputs to generate a prediction of group membership. A group refinement module improves and filters the group membership after identification of an initial main group.

Abstract: The invention may be applied to selectively heat a diseased area in the lung while minimizing heating to the healthy area and surrounding tissue. This can be done by exposing the lung to an electromagnetic field causing dielectric or eddy current heating. The invention is particularly useful for treating emphysema as the diseased areas in emphysema patients have reduced blood flow. The diseased area will heat up rapidly while the healthy tissue will be cooled by the blood flow. This is particularly effective for treating emphysema because of the low mass of the lungs and the high blood flow. To avoid heating of surrounding organs the direction of the electromagnetic energy may be switched in a way it always passes through lungs but only intermittently passes through adjacent organs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining human-object interactions (HOIs) in images are provided. The method includes receiving an image. The method further includes detecting at least one human in the image, and at least one object in the image. The method further includes creating one or more proposals, wherein each proposal includes a human of the at least one human and an object of the at least one object. The method further includes determining whether an HOI exist in each of the one or more proposals. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating a mask for each proposal of the one or more proposals in which an HOI is determined to exist, the mask generated based on the determined HOI. In some embodiment, the HOI determination is based on one or more of extracted human feature information, extracted object appearance feature information, and extracted spatial feature information.

Abstract: The invention may be applied to selectively heat a diseased area in the lung while minimizing heating to the healthy area and surrounding tissue. This can be done by exposing the lung to an electromagnetic field causing dielectric or eddy current heating. The invention is particularly useful for treating emphysema as the diseased areas in emphysema patients have reduced blood flow. The diseased area will heat up rapidly while the healthy tissue will be cooled by the blood flow. This is particularly effective for treating emphysema because of the low mass of the lungs and the high blood flow. To avoid heating of surrounding organs the direction of the electromagnetic energy may be switched in a way it always passes through lungs but only intermittently passes through adjacent organs.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: The invention may be applied to selectively heat a diseased area in the lung while minimizing heating to the healthy area and surrounding tissue. This can be done by exposing the lung to an electromagnetic field causing dielectric or eddy current heating. The invention is particularly useful for treating emphysema as the diseased areas in emphysema patients have reduced blood flow. The diseased area will heat up rapidly while the healthy tissue will be cooled by the blood flow. This is particularly effective for treating emphysema because of the low mass of the lungs and the high blood flow. To avoid heating of surrounding organs the direction of the electromagnetic energy may be switched in a way it always passes through lungs but only intermittently passes through adjacent organs.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating concussions resulting from sharp blows to protective headgear. The method consists of attaching cushioning pads to the outside of the headgear, held in place by straps and anchors. The apparatus consists of substantially flat flexible pads, which are made to conform to any helmet by the pressure exerted by the straps wrapping around the curved helmet. The anchors consist of clips and hooks that attach the straps to features of the helmet such as holes, edges, and protrusions. The main pad is a strip that runs over the crown of the helmet, from front to back, making the helmet to resemble a “Mohawk” haircut. Optional side pads protect the sides of the helmet. All apparatus can be repeatedly installed and removed without using special tools.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and deploying a stent into a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony or body structure. In some instances, the system can include an elongate shaft for delivering a self-expanding, cement-directing stent and devices that may be used to perform the steps to deliver and deploy the stent.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.

Abstract: An amusement device includes a rotating assembly display rotatably mounted about a center point configured to create a plurality of images via a persistence of vision effect. The rotating assembly includes a sensor disposed on the rotating assembly at a location closer to an end of the rotating assembly than to the center point. The amusement device also includes a device for rotating the rotating assembly and a control circuit including a first microcontroller in operable communication with the sensor. The microcontroller controls a speed at which the device for rotating the rotating assembly rotates the rotating assembly based on communications with the sensor.