Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing the processing of hydrocarbons in a FCC unit by introduction of the coked FCC catalyst from the FCC reactor and a renewable feedstock to the FCC regenerator to facilitate regeneration of the coked FCC catalyst. The renewable feedstock can contain biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and coke from the coked FCC catalyst are oxidized by oxygen to provide a regenerated catalyst that is recycled to the FCC reactor.

Abstract: A portable sanitizing arrangement is disclosed comprising essentially a protective case for a mobile productivity device such as a smartphone together with an ultraviolet light source for convenient disinfecting of high-touch objects and surfaces. The arrangement further comprises user controls and interfaces to enable the ultraviolet light source to safely emit light at wavelengths known to kill and destroy bacterial and viral species among other potentially harmful microorganisms. The sanitizing arrangement may irradiate the mobile productivity device itself as well as commonly encountered objects and surfaces in work, travel, entertainment and home environments with substantially greater ease and convenience and at potentially lower cost than with known sanitizing devices and methods.

Abstract: A system and method using a microphone to collect sound data produced by a potential patient's respiration and speech. The system preferably uses a microphone on a portable electronic device—such as a smart phone. The analysis of the collected data is preferably performed locally—such as by a software application running on the smartphone. The software is used to analyze the data and therefore determine and track useful parameters such as respiration rate and respiratory tidal volume. The software also analyzes phonation patterns. Using the parameters, the inventive system can detect the onset of respiratory distress.

Abstract: A virtual camera placement system is provided which includes a user input device configured to receive user input and a display device configured to display images captured by a virtual camera. The virtual camera placement system further includes non-volatile memory configured to store instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to generate a three-dimensional simulation including a plurality of challenge points for a user, navigate the simulation including the challenge points in response to the user input, and control the virtual camera in the simulation differently in a plurality of camera stages based on at least the user input and an outcome of navigating one or more of the challenge points.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: There is provided a personal display headset for use upon a head of a user. The headset includes a user video display to display images viewable by the user with the headset worn upon the head adjacent a face of the user. The headset includes a display chamber defined by the user video display and the face of the user upon the headset being worn by the user. The headset includes headphones that have first and second ear cups, a first speaker disposed within the first ear cup, and a second speaker disposed within the second ear cup. A variety of electronic components may be included in the display chamber, in the ear cups and about the headset to mitigate against the user accessing unapproved resources. The headset may also be used in conjunction with an input device. Methods of use of the headset and input device are also provided.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The valve includes a string coupled to the valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the valve. The valve may be a series of self-sealing two-way valves, a check valve, or two-way valve. A method of using a valve in a gastrointestinal balloon is also described.

Abstract: A deep media bed filter is combined with an oil skimmer integrated into the filter, the oil skimmer including an arrangement for collecting oil floating on the water to be filtered in a filter tank. In an unpressurized version of the filter, the level of water to be filtered in the tank is controlled so as to normally not flow over an annular trough inside wall located at the top of the tank. The inside wall of the trough thereby acting as a weir extending around the inner perimeter of the annular trough to be able to receive oil flowing over the weir. When a predetermined oil accumulation atop the water is detected by an interface detector, the water level in the tank is increased sufficiently so that the oil be high enough to pass over the weir and into the annular trough. The collected oil is thereafter drained out of the annular trough as by gravity into a vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and an anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A virtual camera placement system is provided which includes a user input device configured to receive user input and a display device configured to display images captured by a virtual camera. The virtual camera placement system further includes non-volatile memory configured to store instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to generate a three-dimensional simulation including a plurality of challenge points for a user, navigate the simulation including the challenge points in response to the user input, and control the virtual camera in the simulation differently in a plurality of camera stages based on at least the user input and an outcome of navigating one or more of the challenge points.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to detecting small moving entities or targets in radar imagery. Two SAR images can be captured for a common scene, wherein the scene is imaged twice from the same flight path. The first image is captured at a first instance and the second image is captured at a second instance, and differences between the two images are determined using a complex SAR change measure, excess coherency factor or DeltaC, based in part upon quantification of incoherent (or magnitude) change between the two images. A plurality of operations are performed to enable extraction of coherent change measures relating to the small moving entities from measures relating to large objects, stationary reflective structures, radar focusing artifacts, etc.

Abstract: There is provided a personal display headset for use upon a head of a user. The headset includes a user video display to display images viewable by the user with the headset worn upon the head adjacent a face of the user. The headset includes a display chamber defined by the user video display and the face of the user upon the headset being worn by the user. The headset includes headphones that have first and second ear cups, a first speaker disposed within the first ear cup, and a second speaker disposed within the second ear cup. A variety of electronic components may be included in the display chamber, in the ear cups and about the headset to mitigate against the user accessing unapproved resources. The headset may also be used in conjunction with an input device. Methods of use of the headset and input device are also provided.

Abstract: The elongated substantially tubular introducer extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a sharpened distal end. The introducer includes at least one side window positioned at a predefined location along the longitudinal axis from a distal tip. The elongated stylet is adapted to be received in a lumen of the tubular introducer to provide structural support for the introducer during insertion and removal. The introducer can be inserted as part of a procedure that includes generating a first image to identify target tissue for biopsy, inserting the introducer into the location of the target tissue based on the first image and then taking a second image, in a substantially transverse or orthogonal direction from the first image in order to ensure proper alignment of target tissue in relation to the at least one side window or to allow for repositioning of the introducer.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a stomach of a subject includes a balloon adapted for placement in the stomach and having an opening to an interior of the balloon, an internal tube in the interior of the balloon with a proximal end coupled to the opening of the balloon, and an inflation tube. The inflation tube has a distal end in the interior of the balloon and a proximal end that can receive a fluid on an exterior of the balloon. The inflation tube can stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon and has a resting position that is substantially within the interior of the balloon. The internal tube is disposed around at least a portion of the inflation tube that is in the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus (90) is provided for use in a stomach of a subject. The apparatus includes a balloon (92), adapted for placement in the stomach, and an anchor (102), coupled to the balloon. The anchor is adapted to prevent the balloon from passing into a duodenum of the subject. The apparatus further includes an inflation tube (96), coupled to the balloon to permit inflation of the balloon, and is adapted to stretch from the stomach to a mouth of the subject to facilitate inflation of the balloon. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A dispense head is removably joined to a bottle, such as a wine bottle, by having a hollow cylinder extend into the bottle and on one end sealed to a neck of the bottle with gasket means for sealing the bottle in a gas tight manner and supporting the bottle, allowing the bottle to hang from the dispense head. In one embodiment a set of annular gaskets of different diameters may be provided for bottles of different neck sizes.