Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end (10) and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length through the transmission element and determines the temperature at the distal end from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Abstract: A particle sensor is provided for sensing the number or mass concentration of particles within a particular particle size range, the particles having a particle size distribution. The sensor comprises a light source (14) for providing light which is scattered by the particles to generate scattered light; a light detector (16, 18) for detecting the scattered light to provide a light detector signal; and a controller (24) for analyzing the light detector signal to determine information relating to the particle size distribution. Based on that information relating to the particle size distribution, the controller selects a mode of operation of the particle sensor to sense the particles only within the particular size range.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end (10) and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length through the transmission element and determines the temperature at the distal end from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus for applying energy to an object. A plurality of energy application elements (4) applies energy to the object at different locations and at least one ultrasound element (18) generates an ultrasound signal being indicative of a property of the object at the different locations, wherein at least one energy application element is individually controlled depending on an energy application influence, in particular, an ablation depth, determined for the location at which the at least one energy application element applies energy from the ultrasound signal. Thus, at least one local control point for applying energy to the object is provided, thereby improving the control of applying energy to the object.

Abstract: A capture device for capturing a target gas from a gas flow is disclosed that can be continuously used without requiring consumption of target gas binding salts. To this end, the device is arranged to generate separate acidic and alkaline streams of fluid by electrolyzing water, binding the target gas to the hydroxide ions in the alkaline fluid stream or the hydronium ions in the acidic stream, and recombining the generated streams to release the bound target gas and regenerating part of the electrolyzed water for further electrolysis. Such a capture device may for instance be used in a gas purification system, e.g. an air purification system for controlling target gas levels in a confined space such as a vehicle cabin, domestic dwelling or office space, a target gas generation system or a target gas enrichment system, e.g. for creating target gas-rich air for horticultural purposes. A method for capturing target gas from a gas flow and optionally utilizing the captured target gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Abstract: A coffee grinder having a grinding tool (20) for grinding coffee beans, a motor (30) for driving the grinding tool (20), a stall detector (41) for detecting a stall condition of the grinding tool (20) and/or of the motor (30), and a reversal unit (40) configured to temporarily reverse a direction of rotation (28,28?) of the grinding tool (20) and/or of the motor (30) if the stall detector (41) detects a stall condition. Further, a corresponding coffee grinding method and a coffee machine having a coffee grinder are presented.

Abstract: At least two consumables of a set for use in a beverage dispenser wherein each consumable includes a filtering body defining a space containing a food substance, from which the beverage is obtained by use of liquid, and a recognition element representing a surface of the filtering body configured to face a plurality of nozzles of the beverage dispenser that provide a flow of liquid through the consumable. The recognition element has a mechanical property, which is recognizable and/or interpretable by the beverage dispenser when said beverage dispenser obtains a sensor signal by sensing a flow characteristic of the flow of liquid, when the flow of liquid through the consumable is started by the plurality of nozzles. Said mechanical property is different for each type of consumable of the set of consumables so that a characteristic of said sensor signal depends on the mechanical property of the recognition element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purification system (10) including an air purification apparatus (100) comprising an air inlet (112); an air outlet (114) for expelling air in a target direction (116) into a region and including an adjustment mechanism (121) arranged to adjust said target direction in response to a target direction adjustment signal from a control system for aiming the air outlet at the face of a person in said region; at least one pollutant removal structure (101) in between the air inlet and the air outlet; and an air displacement apparatus (113) for displacing air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the at least one pollutant removal structure, and a sensor (151, 160, 135) adapted to determine a breathing parameter of the person, wherein the air purification apparatus is configured to expel said air as a function of said breathing parameter. A computer program product for configuring such a control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for combined ablation and ultrasound imaging of associated tissue (40), which is particularly useful for use in an ablation process. The system comprises an interventional device (20) with an ultrasound transducer and an ablation unit. During an ablation process, the interventional device (20) can be applied for both ablation and imaging of the tissue (40) subject to the ablation. A controlling unit (CTRL) is further comprised within the system, and arranged to calculate a predictor value based on one or more signals from the ultrasound transducer, where the predictor value relates to a risk of impending tissue damage due to a rapid release of bubble energy. According to a specific embodiment, a primary signal is sent if the predictor value exceeds a threshold value, so that proper measures can be taken.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for purifying and/or humidifying air, and a related method for purifying and/or humidifying air. The apparatus comprises a rotary filter (1), a fan (9, 10) for passing air through the rotary filter (1), and a reservoir (4, 5), and wherein the rotation speed of the rotary filter (1) and the settings of the fan (9, 10) depend on the ambient relative humidity and ambient gas pollutant concentration. The apparatus combines the feature of chemisorption with the use of a rotary filter (1), thereby providing an apparatus which is able to purify air and/or regulate the ambient humidity based on humidity levels and levels of a target gas pollutant in the air. The invention removes the need for a pump for liquid transport, removes the need for frequent and expensive filter changes by the user, and instead only requires the user to periodically refresh the filtration solution in the reservoir (4, 5).

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor device which comprises an input flow channel (10) for receiving a gas flow with entrained matter to be sensed. A thermophoretic arrangement (14a, 14b) is used to induce a thermophoretic particle movement from a first, warmer, region (16) of the input flow channel to a second, cooler, region (18) of the input flow channel (10). A sensor (24) comprises a particle sensor component at or downstream of the first region (16) of the input flow channel (10). The invention provides the benefit of pre-filtering (e.g. removal of most suspended solids/liquids) without the need for a physical filter that can become blocked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purification system (10) including an air purification apparatus (100) comprising an air inlet (112); an air outlet (114) for expelling air in a target direction (116) into a region and including an adjustment mechanism (121) arranged to adjust said target direction in response to a target direction adjustment signal from a control system for aiming the air outlet at the face of a person in said region; at least one pollutant removal structure (101) in between the air inlet and the air outlet; and an air displacement apparatus (113) for displacing air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the at least one pollutant removal structure, and a sensor (151, 160, 135) adapted to determine a breathing parameter of the person, wherein the air purification apparatus is configured to expel said air as a function of said breathing parameter. A computer program product for configuring such a control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for purifying and/or humidifying air, and a related method for purifying and/or humidifying air. The apparatus comprises a rotary filter (1), a fan (9, 10) for passing air through the rotary filter (1), and a reservoir (4, 5), and wherein the rotation speed of the rotary filter (1) and the settings of the fan (9, 10) depend on the ambient relative humidity and ambient gas pollutant concentration. The apparatus combines the feature of chemisorption with the use of a rotary filter (1), thereby providing an apparatus which is able to purify air and/or regulate the ambient humidity based on humidity levels and levels of a target gas pollutant in the air. The invention removes the need for a pump for liquid transport, removes the need for frequent and expensive filter changes by the user, and instead only requires the user to periodically refresh the filtration solution in the reservoir (4, 5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing a quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value which is a depth value indicative of the depth to which the applied energy has altered the object, representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image as a transmural region calculated using depth value(s) with respect to a wall of the object. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied.

Abstract: A surface treatment device (100) is disclosed that comprises a conduit (110) including an air inlet (105) and an air outlet (115). The conduit comprises a reactive particles generator (130) for generating reactive particles from air and arranged to subject the surface to the generated reactive particles. The reactive particles generator (130) is also used for generating an air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet through the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing a quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value which is a depth value indicative of the depth to which the applied energy has altered the object, representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image as a transmural region calculated using depth value(s) with respect to a wall of the object. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor device which comprises an input flow channel (10) for receiving a gas flow with entrained matter to be sensed. A thermophoretic arrangement (14a, 14b) is used to induce a thermophoretic particle movement from a first, warmer, region (16) of the input flow channel to a second, cooler, region (18) of the input flow channel (10). A sensor (24) comprises a particle sensor component at or downstream of the first region (16) of the input flow channel (10). The invention provides the benefit of pre-filtering (e.g. removal of most suspended solids/liquids) without the need for a physical filter that can become blocked.