Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid conduit module for attaching a receptacle holding sterile water or detergent to air and water ports of an endoscope. A fluid conduit module comprises a first port for connection to an air line of an endoscope; a second port for connection to a water line of an endoscope; a connector configured to attach said receptacle to the fluid conduit module; a first fluid flow path between the first port and the connector; and a second fluid flow path between the second port and the connector.

Abstract: A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes sensing a temperature and using the sensed temperature to define a current limit. A lower current limit is then defined for a lower sensed temperature. A winding of the motor is sequentially energized and de-energized, with the winding being de-energized when current in the winding exceeds the defined current limit.

Abstract: A surface cleaning appliance having a cleaner head that includes an agitator and a motor for driving the agitator. The appliance includes a switch coupling the motor to a supply voltage, a voltage sensor for measuring the magnitude of the supply voltage, a current sensor for measuring the magnitude of current through the motor, and a controller configured to output a PWM signal for controlling the switch. The controller then adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal in response to changes in the supply voltage and in response to changes in the current through the motor.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a battery source and a power controller. The battery source supplies the power controller with an output having a first voltage which decreases as the battery source is discharged. The power controller modulates the output to produce a drive signal for driving a motor that has a second voltage and a variable duty cycle. The power controller increases the duty cycle of the drive signal as the first voltage decreases in order to maintain the second voltage at a substantially constant average value per unit time. By providing the above arrangement, the motor can be supplied with a constant voltage throughout the available run time of the battery. When forming part of a cleaning appliance having a motor, the above arrangement allows the motor to operate at a substantially constant speed throughout the run time of the battery.

Abstract: A surface cleaning appliance having a cleaner head that includes an agitator and a motor for driving the agitator. The appliance includes a switch coupling the motor to a supply voltage, a voltage sensor for measuring the magnitude of the supply voltage, a current sensor for measuring the magnitude of current through the motor, and a controller configured to output a PWM signal for controlling the switch. The controller then adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal in response to changes in the supply voltage and in response to changes in the current through the motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes sensing a temperature and using the sensed temperature to define a current limit. A lower current limit is then defined for a lower sensed temperature. A winding of the motor is sequentially energised and de-energised, with the winding being de-energised when current in the winding exceeds the defined current limit.

Abstract: A controller for a brushless motor that includes a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs. The processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input. The first timer then generates an interrupt after a first period. In response to the interrupt, the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs. The processor also loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to either the input signal or the interrupt. The comparator then generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller.

Abstract: A controller for a brushless motor that includes a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs. The processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input. The first timer then generates an interrupt after a first period. In response to the interrupt, the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs. The processor also loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to either the input signal or the interrupt. The comparator then generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method and a device for measurement of a flow in an object, especially a lumen or a vessel, comprising: generating a temporal sequence of images of the object; determining reliability maps, whereas a reliability map corresponds to an image of the object. Another exemplary embodiment is a method and a device for calculating flow parameters (13), comprising: comparing (15) of a predicted image of a flow (16) with an image of a flow (17) with respect to a reliability map (18) of an image of the flow; and adaptation (12) of the predicted flow (16) with respect to the result of the comparing (15). Furthermore, it is described a computer program having instructions recorded thereon in order to execute one of the above-mentioned methods.

Abstract: A unit for compacting waste prior to disposal provides a waste compaction unit for fitting into a housing comprising a lid and an interior for collecting waste. The compaction unit comprises a plunger comprising bellows housed in the lid; a pneumatic locking mechanism housed in the lid; and a pump connected to the plunger via the locking mechanism wherein the pump is arranged in operation to activate the locking mechanism prior to inflating the bellows to extend the plunger axially towards the interior of the housing such that any waste collected therein is compacted.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a battery source and a power controller. The battery source supplies the power controller with an output having a first voltage which decreases as the battery source is discharged. The power controller modulates the output to produce a drive signal for driving a motor that has a second voltage and a variable duty cycle. The power controller increases the duty cycle of the drive signal as the first voltage decreases in order to maintain the second voltage at a substantially constant average value per unit time. By providing the above arrangement, the motor can be supplied with a constant voltage throughout the available run time of the battery. When forming part of a cleaning appliance having a motor, the above arrangement allows the motor to operate at a substantially constant speed throughout the run time of the battery.

Abstract: A mascara applicator in the form of a tube (10) has an applicator brush (22, 24) captive in the cap (12). To enable the brush to be moved within the body of mascara (16) in the tube, a mechanism is provided which produces movement of the brush relative to the mascara-containing tube, before the cap is released from the tube. Various different mechanisms, which will produce this movement, are described. The invention is not limited to use for mascara application.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids through a sample channel comprises: a reservoir having a reservoir inlet, the reservoir inlet being for connection to a source of a first fluid; a sample channel having a sample channel inlet, the sample channel inlet being for connection to a source of a second fluid; a syphon connected between the reservoir and the sample channel; means for trapping fluid in at least part of the sample channel; wherein the apparatus is configured such that in use air can be allowed into the syphon to create an air gap in the syphon, the air gap preventing first fluid in the reservoir from contacting trapped fluid in the sample channel; the apparatus further comprising pump means for pumping fluid out of the sample channel and for pumping air out of the syphon such that fluid in the reservoir can flow through the syphon and into the sample channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unit for compacting waste prior to disposal. The invention provides a waste compaction unit for fitting into a housing comprising a lid and an interior for collecting waste, the compaction unit comprising a plunger comprising bellows housed in said lid; a pneumatic locking mechanism housed in said lid; and a pump connected to the plunger via said locking mechanism wherein the pump is arranged in operation to activate the locking mechanism prior to inflating the bellows to extend the plunger axially towards the bin interior such that any waste collected therein is compacted.

Abstract: A bulk bag for the storage and transport of bulk materials, comprises: a bottom panel; a plurality of side panels; a pair of substantially parallel collapsible tubular guide members, each tubular guide member having a first end and a second end and being secured on or adjacent to the top of a side panel; and a plurality of lifting straps; each end of each tubular guide member supporting a lifting strap and the tubular members being connected together by a first spacer; wherein the first spacer comprises at least one axially stiff elongate member and is provided with a pair of jaws at each end, each pair of jaws comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member and being adjustable between an open position and a closed position and biased to the open position by spring means; each pair of jaws being connected to a tubular member at or adjacent to the first end thereof in a manner whereby when the jaws are in the closed position they will cause at least the first end of each tubular member to lie substantia