Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.

Abstract: A system is for thermal ablation and includes (a) a heating element heating an ablation fluid flowing through an ablation device and to a target region of a body and (b) a computing arrangement controlling power supplied to the heating element supplying power to heat the ablation fluid to a desired temperature. The computing arrangement reduces the supplied power when a detected ablation fluid temperature exceeds a desired temperature and increases the supplied power when the detected ablation fluid temperature is below the desired temperature. The computing arrangement monitors a percentage of heat supplied by the heating arrangement to heat the fluid to the desired temperature as a function of a maximum amount of heat which the heating element is capable of supplying.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages with a level of precision that can yield a uniform taste from cup to cup, and at a rapid rate. In one embodiment, a liquid is heated in a reservoir to a predetermined temperature. Prior to brewing a beverage with the liquid, the liquid may be passed through a temperature control unit to cool the liquid to a desired brewing temperature. By utilizing such a temperature control unit, the brewing temperature can be varied on a per-beverage basis. Moreover, utilization of a temperature control unit can enable the liquid to be brought to a desired brewing temperature relatively rapidly.

Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.

Abstract: A frame for an electric vehicle with a motor and a transmission, the frame including a steering head unit, a power unit casing, a left side frame and a right side frame. The steering head unit includes a steering head, a left extension and a right extension, wherein the left extension and right extension extend at an angle from the steering head. The power unit casing encloses the motor and the transmission, orienting the gearbox of the transmission vertically underneath the motor. The left and right side frames mount, on one end, to the left and right extensions of the steering head unit, respectively, wherein the other end mounts to the left and right sides of the power unit casing, respectively. The steering head unit, the power unit, the left side frame and the right side frame form an open cage, configured to accept a battery assembly.

Abstract: A method for ablating tissue comprising controlling a heating element using a variable phase angle control to heat an ablation fluid to a desired temperature and determining a heating percentage corresponding to a percentage of a maximum available heating power represented by a current level of power supplied to the heating element and, when the heating percentage remains below a threshold level for a predetermined period of time, indicating a flow obstruction condition of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for ablating tissue comprising controlling a heating element using a variable phase angle control to heat an ablation fluid to a desired temperature and determining a heating percentage corresponding to a percentage of a maximum available heating power represented by a current level of power supplied to the heating element and, when the heating percentage remains below a threshold level for a predetermined period of time, indicating a flow obstruction condition of the fluid.

Abstract: A frame for an electric vehicle with a motor and a transmission, the frame including a steering head unit, a power unit casing, a left side frame and a right side frame. The steering head unit includes a steering head, a left extension and a right extension, wherein the left extension and right extension extend at an angle from the steering head. The power unit casing encloses the motor and the transmission, orienting the gearbox of the transmission vertically underneath the motor. The left and right side frames mount, on one end, to the left and right extensions of the steering head unit, respectively, wherein the other end mounts to the left and right sides of the power unit casing, respectively. The steering head unit, the power unit, the left side frame and the right side frame form an open cage, configured to accept a battery assembly.

Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.

Abstract: A method for ablating tissue comprising controlling a heating element using a variable phase angle control to heat an ablation fluid to a desired temperature and determining a heating percentage corresponding to a percentage of a maximum available heating power represented by a current level of power supplied to the heating element and, when the heating percentage remains below a threshold level for a predetermined period of time, indicating a flow obstruction condition of the fluid.

Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.

Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for operating an incoherently beam combined (IBC) laser. The IBC laser may comprise an integrated set of emitters or a set of discrete emitters. Each emitter is associated with a high-pass, low-pass, or bandpass optical filter. The emitters and filters are disposed in an ordered arrangement thereby defining a common optical path. Near the end of the common optical path, a focusing lens may be utilized to focus the output beams from each of the emitters into a fiber. A partially reflective component may be embedded in the fiber to provide feedback to each of the emitters. By selecting the optical characteristics of the filters, light originating from a specific emitter is fed back to the same emitter and to no other emitter. Accordingly, multiple external laser cavities are created on the same optical path.

Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver head and mounting assembly to enable the FSO transceiver head to be mounted to a window. The FSO transceiver head has a binocular configuration including respective sets of transmit and receive optics configured to facilitate transmission and reception of optical signals. The mounting assembly provides a pair of adjustable axes to enable the FSO transceiver head to be rotated and tilted relative to an axis that is normal to the window. The mounting assembly also provides adjustable feet for fine-pointing. Upon assembly, the entire apparatus has a depth of approximately 3½ inches, enabling it to be deployed in a standard-sized window frame behind a window blind. The apparatus may also be deployed in vehicle windows and out-building windows. A breakaway feature is also provided such that the apparatus will break free from a window rather than having the window break when a sufficient force is applied to the mounting assembly and/or transceiver head.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting the presence of edema in a mammalian host. In the subject methods, a device comprising a planar surface and a probe extendable therefrom is contacted with the surface of the extremity. The probe is then extended from the planar surface in a manner sufficient to form a depression or “pit” in the skin surface of the extremity. The probe is then held in constant position relative to the planar surface and the extremity for a period of time during which a plurality of force measurements and a force profile is generated therefrom. The force profile is then related to the presence of edema in the patient. The subject methods find use in the diagnosis and management of diseases characterized by the presence of edema as a physical manifestation, particularly congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting the presence of edema in a mammalian host. In the subject methods, at least one limbic extremity of the host, preferably a lower limbic extremity such as an ankle or foot, is introduced into a container of a displaceable medium to result in displacement of a portion of the medium. The displaced portion is measured and the measured value is then compared to a control value to identify any difference. The difference is then related to the presence of edema in the patient. The subject methods find use in the diagnosis and management of diseases characterized by the presence of edema as a physical manifestation, particularly congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting the presence of edema in a mammalian host. In the subject methods, a device comprising a planar surface and a probe extendable therefrom is contacted with the surface of the extremity. The probe is then extended from the planar surface in a manner sufficient to form a depression or "pit" in the skin surface of the extremity. The probe is then held in constant position relative to the planar surface and the extremity for a period of time during which a plurality of force measurements and a force profile is generated therefrom. The force profile is then related to the presence of edema in the patient. The subject methods find use in the diagnosis and management of diseases characterized by the presence of edema as a physical manifestation, particularly congestive heart failure.