Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate cryopreservation of a cell or a mass of a plurality of cells such as oocytes or embryos. A device of the disclosure can, for example, store oocytes or embryos during the vitrification and/or warming processes of in vitro fertilization.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating radionuclides for use in production of radiopharmaceuticals; synthesizing the radionuclides generated and removing any unwanted products; measuring the quantity and activity level of the synthesized radionuclides; distributively delivering the radionuclides in appropriate quantities to modular cassette synthesis units in a modular cassette subsystem for contemporaneous/parallel production of radiopharmaceutical output and that allow reuse and/or quick, safe, and disposable replacement of portions of the subsystem; delivering non-radionuclide components to the modular cassette synthesis units as part of production of radiopharmaceutical output; measuring the quantity and activity level of each stream of radiopharmaceutical output; purifying the radiopharmaceutical output; dispensing individual doses in sterile vial(s); automatically producing labeling and dose related information; performing automated quality control on extracted samples of produced radiopharmaceuti

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating radionuclides for use in production of radiopharmaceuticals; synthesizing the radionuclides generated and removing any unwanted products; measuring the quantity and activity level of the synthesized radionuclides; distributively delivering the radionuclides in appropriate quantities to modular cassette synthesis units in a modular cassette subsystem for contemporaneous/parallel production of radiopharmaceutical output and that allow reuse and/or quick, safe, and disposable replacement of portions of the subsystem; delivering non-radionuclide components to the modular cassette synthesis units as part of production of radiopharmaceutical output; measuring the quantity and activity level of each stream of radiopharmaceutical output; purifying the radiopharmaceutical output; dispensing individual doses in sterile vial(s); automatically producing labeling and dose related information; performing automated quality control on extracted samples of produced radiopharmaceuti

Abstract: A pet toy includes two distinct noisemaking elements. The first element includes an air tube and reed housed within a middle section of the toy. Rotation of the pet toy activates noise by the air tube and reed. The second element includes a squeaker mounted within a compressible dome. Compression or re-inflation of the dome activates noise by the squeaker. A method includes providing a pet toy with the two distinct noisemaking elements and presenting the pet toy to an animal resulting in enhanced interaction with the animal by multiple sounds produced by the pet toy.

Abstract: A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate cryopreservation of a cell or a mass of a plurality of cells such as oocytes or embryos. A device of the disclosure can, for example, store oocytes or embryos during the vitrification and/or warming processes of in vitro fertilization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable feeding apparatus or bowl, more particularly to a travel feeding apparatus for pets having a hinged lid that converts to legs for supporting the bowl in an upright manner. The hinged lid has a lock for locking the lid in a closed position.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods to aid in the manipulation of cells. The devices, methods, and systems disclosed herein can be applied towards, for example, automation of the in vitro fertilization process.

Abstract: A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dog toy, the dog toy including a rope, at least a segment of which is non-linear and a thermoplastic rubber coating surrounding some but not all of the rope. The dog toy is characterized as having exposed rope and rope covered by the thermoplastic rubber along its length such that a dog using the dog toy has access to the rope for chewing but the rope is resistant to degradation due to the thermoplastic rubber coating. The method includes bending the rope for a sufficient period of time such that the rope maintains its non-linear configuration, thereupon the rope is applied together with a pre-molded thermoplastic round core to a mold and the thermoplastic rubber is bonded to the rope to create the shape of the toy and to surround some, but not all of the rope with the thermoplastic rubber coating.

Abstract: A treat dispensing pet toy comprises a hub assembly having first and second hubs and an axle interconnecting the hubs. A barrel is mounted over the axle and is disposed between the hubs. The barrel has an interior chamber to hold treats. A treat dispensing opening is formed on the barrel and communicates with the interior chamber. When the pet toy is contacted with sufficient force, the hub assembly and barrel independently rotate thereby establishing a rotational differential. Treats fall through or are otherwise ejected from the opening in the barrel. According to a method of dispensing treats, the barrel and hub assembly independently rotate at different rotational speeds to affect the rate of dispensing treats.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging fibre apparatus comprises arranging rods to form a plurality of stacks each comprising a respective plurality of rods, wherein: for each stack, the respective plurality of rods comprises rods having different core sizes, the rods of different core sizes being arranged in a selected arrangement, and the rods of different core sizes being arranged such that each stack has a respective selected shape; wherein the selected shape or shapes are such that the stacks stack together in a desired arrangement; the method further comprising: drawing each of the plurality of stacks; stacking together the plurality of drawn stacks together in the desired arrangement to form a further stack;drawing the further stack; and using the drawn further stack to form an imaging fibre apparatus, wherein the selected arrangement of the rods in each stack and the selected shape or shapes of the stacks are such that the further stack comprises a repeating pattern of rods of different core sizes.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.