Abstract: An anti-rat flap member for sewer/draining pipe check is removably attached to the valve body. The valve body defines an interior volume therein which is preferably substantially open and unobstructed (except for the flap member). The flap member acts both as a seal to prevent the back-flow of sewage/drainage water and is normally in a closed position to prevent the passage of rats. The flap member comprises a row of sharp projections attached by known means (such as integrally molded, glued, rivetted or screwed) to the outermost side of the flap member facing the downstream section of the valve. The projections must be at an angle to the surface of the sheet, preferably at an angle which will prevent the rodent from gnawing and biting or even lifting the flap member with their mouth.

Abstract: A method and a system of imaging a scene are disclosed. The method can include acquiring, at a frame chip acquisition rate, a plurality of frame chip images of the scene while repeatedly scanning the scene across a range of focus positions. The method can also include generating, from the plurality of frame chip images, a sequence of fused frame images. A fused frame image is generated by a focus-stacking operation on a stack of N consecutive ones of the plurality of frame chip images, at least one of the N frame chip images used in generating one of the fused frame images also being used in generating at least another one of the fused frame images. The fused frame images can be displayed at a refresh rate greater than 1/N times the frame chip acquisition rate. A method of motion artifact reduction in focus-stacking imaging is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the near elimination of second-hand smoke or vapour from the process of smoking or vaporizing tobacco or Cannabis are provided. A vaporizing article is provided whereby a user may exhale into the article to capture a high percentage of the smoke and contaminants before they are released back into the surroundings. The article also provides for filtering gaseous by-products when the article is in idle mode. A prepackaged container for use with a vaporizing article is also provided. The container may be configured so as to optimize the heat distribution and consumption of product within the container.

Abstract: An anti-rat flap member for sewer/draining pipe check is removably attached to the valve body. The valve body defines an interior volume therein which is preferably substantially open and unobstructed (except for the flap member). The flap member acts both as a seal to prevent the back-flow of sewage/drainage water and is normally in a closed position to prevent the passage of rats. The flap member comprises a row of sharp projections attached by known means (such as integrally molded, glued, rivetted or screwed) to the outermost side of the flap member facing the downstream section of the valve. The projections must be at an angle to the surface of the sheet, preferably at an angle which will prevent the rodent from gnawing and biting or even lifting the flap member with their mouth.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for imaging a sample is provided. The OCT system includes an optical circuit and a digitization circuit. The optical circuit includes an interferometer and is configured to probe the sample and generate an analog OCT signal representative of the sample. The digitization circuit includes a frequency down converter and an analog-to-digital converter. The digitization circuit is configured to receive, down convert and digitize the analog OCT signal, thereby outputting a digitized down converted signal. A method for imaging a sample is also provided. The method includes steps of optically probing the sample to generate the analog OCT signal representative of the sample and processing the analog OCT signal to obtain the digitized down converted signal.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining an image of object, for example an optical section of a sample, are disclosed. The image includes a plurality of scan lines to be acquired. The method includes, for a current one of the scan lines to be acquired, a step of determining positions of one or more predicted regions of interest along the current scan line based on at least one previously acquired predictive scan line. The method also includes a step of acquiring the current scan line along a scan path in accordance with a variable scan speed profile including at least one slower speed component along segments of the scan path corresponding to the positions of the one or more predicted regions of interest and at least one faster speed component elsewhere along the scan path.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for imaging a sample is provided. The OCT system includes an optical circuit and a digitization circuit. The optical circuit includes an interferometer and is configured to probe the sample and generate an analog OCT signal representative of the sample. The digitization circuit includes a frequency down converter and an analog-to-digital converter. The digitization circuit is configured to receive, down convert and digitize the analog OCT signal, thereby outputting a digitized down converted signal. A method for imaging a sample is also provided. The method includes steps of optically probing the sample to generate the analog OCT signal representative of the sample and processing the analog OCT signal to obtain the digitized down converted signal.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining an image of object, for example an optical section of a sample, are disclosed. The image includes a plurality of scan lines to be acquired. The method includes, for a current one of the scan lines to be acquired, a step of determining positions of one or more predicted regions of interest along the current scan line based on at least one previously acquired predictive scan line. The method also includes a step of acquiring the current scan line along a scan path in accordance with a variable scan speed profile including at least one slower speed component along segments of the scan path corresponding to the positions of the one or more predicted regions of interest and at least one faster speed component elsewhere along the scan path.

Abstract: There is described a system and a method for analyzing spots in a micro-array, the spots containing targeted specimen, the method comprising the steps of: providing a slide with a micro-array of the spots thereon; illuminating at least one of the spots; directing the light onto the at least one spot; collecting light emitted from the at least one spot; forming an image of the at least one spot using the collected light; and analyzing the image to distinguish at least one unit of the targeted specimen located within the at least one spot from any undesired material. The analysis results are aimed at the detection, classification and quantification of optically resolvable specimen such as micro-organisms or cells.

Abstract: There is described a system and a method for analyzing spots in a micro-array, the spots containing targeted specimen, the method comprising the steps of: providing a slide with a micro-array of the spots thereon; illuminating at least one of the spots; directing the light onto the at least one spot; collecting light emitted from the at least one spot; forming an image of the at least one spot using the collected light; and analyzing the image to distinguish at least one unit of the targeted specimen located within the at least one spot from any undesired material. The analysis results are aimed at the detection, classification and quantification of optically resolvable specimen such as micro-organisms or cells.