Abstract: A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: A method of performing preventative maintenance on an auger in a tire filling mixing machine, by: (a) mixing a polyurethane isocyanate and a catalyst in a first mixer to form a virgin polyurethane; (b) grinding polyurethane core bits in a grinder, the grinder having an auger and a motor; (c) mixing the virgin polyurethane and the ground core bits in a second mixer thereby forming a mixed flatproofing material; (d) injecting the mixed flatproofing material into a tire; (e) measuring vibration of the auger; and (f) comparing the measured vibration of the auger to a predefined maximum vibration; and (g) removing the auger from the grinder if the measured vibration exceeds the pre-defined maximum vibration for a predefined period of time, or removing the auger from the grinder if the measured temperature of the auger exceeds the pre-defined maximum temperature for a predefined period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrosurgical generator capable of supplying energy in a waveform that causes electroporation in biological tissue. The electrosurgical generator may comprise an electroporation waveform supply unit that is integrated with means for generating microwave electromagnetic signals and radiofrequency electromagnetic signals for treatment. The electrosurgical generator may be configured to deliver different types of energy along a common feed cable. The electroporation waveform supply unit comprises a DC power supply and a DC pulse generator. The DC power supply may include a DC-DC converter for up-converting a voltage output by an adjustable voltage supply. Each DC pulse may have a duration in the range 1 ns to 10 ms and a maximum amplitude in the range 10 V to 10 kV.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument capable of performing both thermal ablation and electroporation in a minimally invasive manner. The instrument is dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel of an endoscope to enable non-percutaneous insertion. The instrument comprises a radiating tip mounted at a distal end of a coaxial transmission line to receive microwave EM energy from the coaxial transmission line and emit it as a field around the radiating tip. The instrument further comprises an auxiliary transmission line arranged to convey electromagnetic energy having an electroporation waveform to a microelectrode array mounted on the radiating tip. The electroporation waveform may be a radiofrequency or low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signal. The microelectrode array may comprise a plurality of nanoscale conductive electrode elements.

Abstract: A modular power storage device comprises a container configured to store one or more rechargeable batteries. The container is contemplated to receive an electric current via a conduit that taps a source of electricity to power the container and charge the contents therein. The rechargeable batteries are further contemplated to comprise any one or more additional features/functionalities.

Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus comprising a sterilisation instrument configured inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilisation instrument from the instrument channel predetermined rate. The sterilisation instrument comprises an elongate probe having probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy whilst being withdrawn through the channel.

Abstract: Sterilization apparatus comprising a sterilization instrument configured to be inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilization instrument from the instrument channel at a predetermined rate. The sterilization instrument comprises an elongate probe having a probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy while being withdrawn through the channel.

Abstract: Sterilization apparatus comprising a sterilization instrument configured to be inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilization instrument from the instrument channel at a predetermined rate. The sterilization instrument comprises an elongate probe having a probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy whilst being withdrawn through the channel.

Abstract: A method of processing a remotely sensed multispectral or hyperspectral image captured in respect of an area of interest including a body of water so as to identify a submerged target, the method comprising obtaining (206), from hydrographic LiDAR measurements, data representative of water depth in respect of said body of water in said area of interest, performing (210) geo-rectification in respect of said hyperspectral image and said water depth data, applying a hydrologic radiative analysis process (211) to said multispectral or hyperspectral image so as to calculate, using said water depth data obtained from said hydrographic LiDAR measurements, data representative of (i) scattered solar radiation and (ii) spectral transmission between a surface of said body of water and a submerged target and subtracting (212) data representative of said scattered solar radiation from said multispectral or hyper spectral image and multiplying a resultant image by data representative of said spectral transmission so as to

Abstract: A robust multiple compartment animal feeder. The device has multiple hoppers or containers, each of which is filled with feed. The device periodically releases a door, allowing food to fall from one of the hoppers. The use of a pin inserted into a latch allows substantial weight to be placed in the hopper. Pins are withdrawn from the latches by a line. The line periodically pulls one of the pins from a latch to release feed from the container with which the pin and latch are associated.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling the illumination throughout an area where even and constant lighting is not required. The invention includes one or more light sources, such as luminaires, the status of which is controlled by a controller responsive to a sensor for detecting a parameter of interest. Preferably the sensor detects motion of a subject moving through the area of controlled illumination. Each independent controller may receive and transmit signals indicative of the status of one or more nearby light source for determining and controlling the lighting status of the light source with which it is in controlling communication. The determining by the controller is preferably carried out by a programmed microprocessor. The communication between controllers may be wireless. The signals communicated among controllers may be hierarchical for determining whether a response is required and what the response might be.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-component inhibitors of nucleic acid polymerases, methods of making, and methods of using same. One component of the multi-component inhibitor is a molecule that binds to a polymerase (i.e., a polymerase-binding molecule (PBM)), but does not thereby substantially inhibit its polymerase activity. Another component is a molecule or complex of molecules that binds to a PBM (i.e., a PBM-binding molecule). The combination of the PBM and PBM-binding molecule/complex substantially inhibits polymerase activity. The disclosed multi-component inhibitors are useful for DNA sequencing, nucleic acid amplification, cloning and synthesis, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sample assessment device. By way of example, the sample assessment device may include a substrate including a sample application region; an amplification region comprising a plurality of amplification reagents; a waste region comprising an entrance fluidically coupled to the amplification region and extending away from the amplification region; and a detection region spaced apart from the amplification region. The sample assessment device may also include a valve coupled to the substrate and configured to separate the amplification region from the detection region in a closed configuration, wherein the amplification region and the valve are positioned on the sample assessment device between the sample application region and the detection region and wherein the sample assessment device is configured to permit lateral flow from the amplification region to the detection region when the valve is in an open configuration.

Abstract: A calibration method and apparatus for surgical antennas arranged to deliver microwave radiation into biological tissue. An emitting region of the antenna is exposed to a plurality of calibration standards having different complex impedances at the treatment frequency. Calibration standards are created in a short-circuit-terminated waveguide cavity of variable length. In another variation, each calibration standard is a different mixture of liquids. Measurement of the magnitude and phase of signals reflected from the emitting region when exposed to the calibration standard permits calibration of the antenna; Also disclosed is a tissue treatment apparatus having an ablation channel for conveying microwave radiation to a surgical antenna at a high power level, with a separate measurement channel for conveying radiation at a low power level. A surgical antenna having an impedance transformer for matching a coaxial feed structure that terminates in radiating elements with tissue to be treated is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric fence monitor is operable to provide an audible and/or visual indicator of an operating condition (i.e., falter no-fault) of an electric fence and electric fence box. The electric fence monitor is operable to remain continuously connected between the electric fence and earth ground during normal operation of the fence.

Abstract: A lighting control apparatus for controlling one or more light sources, the lighting control apparatus including: at least one sensor for detecting or sensing a parameter of interest; a transmitter for transmitting one or more wireless signals to one or more other lighting control apparatuses; a receiver for receiving one or more wireless signals from one or more other lighting control apparatuses; and a controller having at least one processor and a memory in communication with the processor to store configuration data representing one or more processes to be executed by the processor; wherein the stored configuration data represents one or more processes that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive, via the receiver, configuration update data representing one or more further processes to be executed by the processor; and modify the stored configuration data to represent the one or more further processes to be executed by the processor.

Abstract: A device or system, including: a control component and a controlled non-lighting component, wherein the control component is operatively coupled to the controlled component to control the operation thereof; wherein the control component includes: (i) a wireless receiver for receiving wireless signals representing occupancy data indicative of real-time occupancies of locations and respective distances to said locations; (ii) a control interface to output at least one control signal or power to the controlled component; and (iii) a controller configured to process said occupancy data to selectively output the control signal or to control the supply of power to the controlled component in order to control the controlled component on the basis of said occupancy data.

Abstract: A system and method for hyperspectral image processing receives (202) partial hyperspectral image data representing a portion of a complete hyperspectral image. The method computes (204) estimated mean and covariance values for the partial hyperspectral image data, and executes (206) a hyperspectral image processing algorithm using the estimated mean and covariance values as estimates of global mean and covariance values for the complete hyperspectral image.

Abstract: A lighting control apparatus for controlling one or more light sources, the lighting control apparatus including: at least one sensor for detecting or sensing a parameter of interest; a transmitter for transmitting one or more wireless signals to one or more other lighting control apparatuses; a receiver for receiving one or more wireless signals from one or more other lighting control apparatuses; and a controller having at least one processor and a memory in communication with the processor to store configuration data representing one or more processes to be executed by the processor; wherein the stored configuration data represents one or more processes that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive, via the receiver, configuration update data representing one or more further processes to be executed by the processor; and modify the stored configuration data to represent the one or more further processes to be executed by the processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for classifying and/or ablating tissue. By directing microwave radiation through a probe (5) into tissue (6) and detecting the amplitude and phase of radiation reflected back through the probe and a reference signal, the tissue type can be classified. An impedance tuner which is actuated by magnetostrictive material (800) is also disclosed.