Abstract: A transvascularly placed steerable microcatheter, further including internal steerability and the ability to articulate in a direction at right angles to its longitudinal axis at or near its distal end. The steerable microcatheter is generally fabricated from stainless steel, nitinol, or other metal and includes an outer tube, an inner tube, hub structures, and a distal articulating region. The steerable microcatheter can be advanced through a body lumen in its straight configuration and then be selectively articulated or curved to permit negotiation of tortuous curvature. The microcatheter is especially suited to robotic or powered control applications with user intervention or using artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: Automated workpiece transfer systems and methods of implementing thereof are disclosed. The system can include an imaging device operable to capture an initial image of workpieces loaded onto a loading area; an autonomous pick-and-place robot, and a processor in communication with the imaging device and the pick-and-place robot. The autonomous pick-and-place robot can include an end-of-arm-tooling component operable to retrieve pickable workpieces from the loading area and transfer the pickable workpieces to a receiving area according to a set of operating parameters. The processor can be operable to apply a machine-learning model to the initial image to identify pickable workpieces; identify a region of interest within the initial image; and based on the initial image, define the set of operating parameters for operating the end-of-arm-tooling component to retrieve the one or more pickable workpieces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.

Abstract: A motor-driven dental device has a motor control that is responsive to a load placed upon the motor. More specifically, the invention relates to a dental device having motor that drives a tool, wherein the tool is activated or otherwise controlled in response to a load placed upon the motor through the tool, such as by touching the tool to a surface. The tool may also be controlled by the sustenance, over a predetermined time period, of an increase or decrease in motor current beyond a predetermined hysteresis current threshold. The motor may be an electric motor, a rotary electric motor, and air driven motor, an ultrasonic device or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.

Abstract: Disclosed are peritoneal dialysis catheters comprising a distal region comprising a perforated portion and one or more expandable member configured to float the catheters on dialysate fluid within the peritoneal cavity of a patient, and methods for using the catheters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.

Abstract: A loudspeaker in which a plurality of speaker drivers is jointly tasked with reproducing sounds. The plurality of speaker drivers is arranged on the loudspeaker so as to achieve a desired sound effect at a listening position. The plurality of speaker drivers is arranged in an arcuate arrangement or in a sinusoidal arrangement. The desired sound effect may be facilitated or enhanced by modifying the timing of sounds emanated from each of the plurality of speaker drivers. Alternatively, sounds may be sent to each of the plurality of speaker drivers substantially simultaneously. The sound effect achieved may be a time-alignment effect such that the sound arriving at the listening position is time-aligned to maximize constructive interference between the various speaker drivers of the plurality of speaker drivers. Alternatively, the sound effect achieved by other implementations may be a progressive kick in sound waves moving along the arcuate or sinusoidal arrangement.

Abstract: Quick-change utility knives can be rapidly opened, often without tools, such that the blade of the knives can be rapidly and readily changed. The knife can be achieved with a variety of body materials and sizes, and can be applied to both fixed and retractable knives equally. The knife separates into body portions that are secured together at the blade end by a physical structure. The opposite end of the body portions are secured together by a magnetic force. When the blade is to be changed, a separation force between the body portions overcomes the magnetic force, the body is opened, and the blade rapidly changed.

Abstract: A motor-driven dental device has a motor control that is responsive to a load placed upon the motor. More specifically, the invention relates to a dental device having motor that drives a tool, wherein the tool is activated or otherwise controlled in response to a load placed upon the motor through the tool, such as by touching the tool to a surface. The tool may also be controlled by the sustenance, over a predetermined time period, of an increase or decrease in motor current beyond a predetermined hysteresis current threshold. The motor may be an electric motor, a rotary electric motor, and air driven motor, an ultrasonic device or the like.

Abstract: An MTM loudspeaker in which an array of smaller drivers replaces each of the larger drivers in a traditional MTM design. Doing so reduces the total moving mass of the drivers reproducing the lower-frequency sounds in the MTM design, while still allowing enough air to be moved for the loudspeaker to reproduce sounds in lower frequency ranges that would normally be produced by the larger drivers and could not be adequately produced by a single instance of the smaller driver. For example, a single tweeter or supertweeter, or a pair of tweeters or supertweeters still serves a traditional tweeter or tweeter function in the MTM design (handling high frequencies), but a plurality of tweeters or supertweeters arranged in two arrays placed on either side of the tweeter(s) or supertweeter(s) handling high frequencies is tasked with reproducing lower frequencies not traditionally handled in loudspeakers by tweeters or supertweeters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved localization of recorded and played back sound are provided by improved microphone arrays for recording sound and by improved systems for playback of sound. Microphone arrays include four microphones with sound transducers located and aimed to mimic capture of sound by human ears. Sound captured by two side-viewing microphones is attenuated, at the time of sound capture and/or recording, at a later processing stage, or at the time of sound playback, by low-pass filtering. The recording maintains four separate channels of sound. Playback occurs through four speakers arranged to reproduce sound in the way human ears hear sound, with appropriate attenuation for side speakers. Playback can also occur through four-channel headphones. Improved playback of two-channel stereo sound can also occur through low-pass filtering of each track and playing the filtered sound through side/rear speakers on the opposite sides.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure includes a fluid diode to control air flow into and/or out of the enclosure.

Abstract: A loudspeaker in which a plurality of speaker drivers is jointly tasked with reproducing sounds. The plurality of speaker drivers is arranged on the loudspeaker so as to achieve a desired sound effect at a listening position. The plurality of speaker drivers is arranged in an arcuate arrangement or in a sinusoidal arrangement. The desired sound effect may be facilitated or enhanced by modifying the timing of sounds emanated from each of the plurality of speaker drivers. Alternatively, sounds may be sent to each of the plurality of speaker drivers substantially simultaneously. The sound effect achieved may be a time-alignment effect such that the sound arriving at the listening position is time-aligned to maximize constructive interference between the various speaker drivers of the plurality of speaker drivers. Alternatively, the sound effect achieved by other implementations may be a progressive kick in sound waves moving along the arcuate or sinusoidal arrangement.

Abstract: A non-surgical treatment for receding gums utilizes the fact that tissue responds to continuous controlled mechanical forces with growth. The treatment system includes an impression of the upper and/or lower teeth, including the surrounding existing gums, so that a vacuum can be established within the impression around teeth and gums. Before use, selected portions of the impression are carved out a desired amount to create a location for the expansion and regrowth of the gums. Additionally, one or more channels may be included in the impression for delivery of the vacuum to all areas encompassed by the impression. The treatment system also includes a vacuum source operatively attached to the impression so as to be able to deliver a vacuum to the impression once the impression is place in the patient's mouth over the teeth and gums.

Abstract: Cajones or cajon drums include a variety of improvements over existing cajones. Improvements include improved rigidity of sides other than a side containing a striking surface to prevent loss of volume, a vent hole located on a same side as the striking surface, the use of layers of maple to provide the striking surface, the use of added masses on the striking surface to modify the fundamental frequency of the striking surface, the use of a receptacle containing small metal (copper or silver) items to provide a snare effect, internal dimensions of the cajon chosen to match resonant frequencies of a selected style of music, and the use of damping materials in the cajones to modify the tone.

Abstract: An MTM loudspeaker in which an array of smaller drivers replaces each of the larger drivers in a traditional MTM design. Doing so reduces the total moving mass of the drivers reproducing the lower-frequency sounds in the MTM design, while still allowing enough air to be moved for the loudspeaker to reproduce sounds in lower frequency ranges that would normally be produced by the larger drivers and could not be adequately produced by a single instance of the smaller driver. For example, a single tweeter or supertweeter, or a pair of tweeters or supertweeters still serves a traditional tweeter or tweeter function in the MTM design (handling high frequencies), but a plurality of tweeters or supertweeters arranged in two arrays placed on either side of the tweeter(s) or supertweeter(s) handling high frequencies is tasked with reproducing lower frequencies not traditionally handled in loudspeakers by tweeters or supertweeters.