Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. A method of loading the tympanostomy tube onto the placement device is also presented.

Abstract: A fluidic bridging tube (1), for bridging membranes in the human or animal body allowing the passage of fluid, has a proximal flange (2), an inter lumen connector (3) with a lumen (5) and a distal flange (4). The tube comprises a metal skeleton or scaffold structure (51) and a surrounding polymer which is softer than the scaffold structure. The scaffold structure (51) has a tubular mesh providing structural strength to the inter lumen connector. The tubular mesh has members (61) defining substantial rectangular mesh apertures, and distal crowns (64). At its proximal end the scaffold structure comprises spines (68) extending from a proximal tubular mesh rim (63). The spines provide structural strength to the proximal flange (2). In the preferred embodiment the tube is a tympanostomy tube. A method of manufacturing the tube comprises providing the scaffold structure and over-moulding the outer material to form the shape of the proximal flange, the inter lumen connector with a lumen, and the distal flange.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for raising and feeding debris such as fallen branches from an orchard floor to a processor such as a wood-chipper is provided. The conveyor assembly comprises a body including a floor having a leading end for location adjacent ground level and a trailing end for location above the leading end in use. A ground contact arrangement is located toward the leading end extends beneath the leading end to thereby raise the leading end above ground level. A powered leading feed roller is disposed adjacent the leading end of the floor to direct members from ground on to the floor. A powered, primary infeed roller is located rearward the leading infeed roller and is arranged to move toward and away from the floor to accommodate members between said roller and the floor and urge the members, such as fallen branches rearward for entry into an inlet of the wood-chipper.

Abstract: A battery-powered liquid pump air-assist misting sprayer that includes an air outlet ducting system that significantly improves both the ergonomic target focus and the pattern orientation efficiency, especially as when spraying insecticides along bushes and trees.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a needle with a tip, and a retainer at the needle tip. The retainer is within and retains by pulling radially inwardly a tympanostomy tube distal flange in a folded configuration extending distally. Movement of the needle tip in the proximal direction causes the adhesive bond to break and the distal flange releases to an unconstrained deployed position. Due to the axial folding of the distal flange its radial dimension does not affect deployment through the membrane.

Abstract: A therapeutic device (1) has a stem (3) having a distal end (60) configured for insertion in a patient's ear canal with latching by suction to the tympanic membrane so that there is no relative movement despite patient head movement. A needle (63) punctures the membrane after suction is applied by negative pressure via a lumen (66). The needle tip is located within a suction cup which grips the membrane. A hand-held control device (2) is coupled to the stem and has a user-actuated controller (8) for controlling application of negative pressure (7) to the suction lumen.

Abstract: A fluidic bridging tube (1), for bridging membranes in the human or animal body allowing the passage of fluid, has a proximal flange (2), an inter lumen connector (3) with a lumen (5) and a distal flange (4). The tube comprises a metal skeleton or scaffold structure (51) and a surrounding polymer which is softer than the scaffold structure. The scaffold structure (51) has a tubular mesh providing structural strength to the inter lumen connector. The tubular mesh has members (61) defining substantial rectangular mesh apertures, and distal crowns (64). At its proximal end the scaffold structure comprises spines (68) extending from a proximal tubular mesh rim (63). The spines provide structural strength to the proximal flange (2). In the preferred embodiment the tube is a tympanostomy tube. A method of manufacturing the tube comprises providing the scaffold structure and over-moulding the outer material to form the shape of the proximal flange, the inter lumen connector with a lumen, and the distal flange.

Abstract: Training corpus refinement and incremental updating includes obtaining a training corpus having training samples, refining the training corpus to produce a refined training corpus of data, by applying to the training corpus overlap and noise reduction treatments, maintaining an incremental intelligence database based on filtered user feedback and having candidate feedback training samples to augment the refined training corpus, controlling integration of the candidate feedback training samples with the refined training corpus, and augmenting the refined training corpus with at least some of the candidate feedback training samples to produce an augmented training corpus.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a sprinkler elevation device comprising an elongate member having a first end comprising a ground engaging portion, and a second end comprising a sprinkler attachment portion, and a hose retaining member located on the elongate member. The present invention alleviates some the problems associated with presently available sprinkler systems.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter/attachment includes features that facilitate use and protects the user from possible fluid exposure. The nozzle attachment is configured with features that both align and clamp onto an existing nozzle. In one embodiment, there are three sets of alignment and clasping features.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for raising and feeding debris such as fallen branches from an orchard floor to a processor such as a wood-chipper is provided. The conveyor assembly comprises a body including a floor having a leading end for location adjacent ground level and a trailing end for location above the leading end in use. A ground contact arrangement is located toward the leading end extends beneath the leading end to thereby raise the leading end above ground level. A powered leading feed roller is disposed adjacent the leading end of the floor to direct members from ground on to the floor. A powered, primary infeed roller is located rearward the leading infeed roller and is arranged to move toward and away from the floor to accommodate members between said roller and the floor and urge the members, such as fallen branches rearward for entry into an inlet of the wood-chipper.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a sprinkler elevation device comprising an elongate member having a first end comprising a ground engaging portion, and a second end comprising a sprinkler attachment portion, and a hose retaining member located on the elongate member. The present invention alleviates some the problems associated with presently available sprinkler systems.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter/attachment includes features that facilitate use and protects the user from possible fluid exposure. The nozzle attachment is configured with features that both align and clamp onto an existing nozzle. In one embodiment, there are three sets of alignment and clasping features.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube applicator has a hand-held housing and a stem extending from the housing and having a shape arranged for engagement in the ear canal. A tympanostomy tube inserter has a user actuator, a rod having a tip to pierce a patient's tympanic membrane and to support a tympanostomy tube through the membrane where it is pierced. The inserter inserts a collapsed tympanostomy tube through the membrane and expands the tube in situ to provide a distal flange in the tympanostomy tube. A myrongotomy tip expands the tube to a final state having a distal flange as it is retracted.