Abstract: A drill bit for improving performance of a drilling machine is provided. The drill bit includes a drill bit body with a rear end adapted to be connected to a drilling machine, and a leading end with a flat face perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (X-X) of the drill bit body. The drill bit body includes a first tapered portion with diameters increasing from the flat face of the leading end to a maximum diameter (Dmax), a second tapered portion with diameters decreasing from the maximum diameter (Dmax) to the rear end of the drill body, at least three partly-circular recesses formed in the drill bit body thus delimitating as many tapered drilling faces, each of them extending from the flat face of the leading end to the maximum diameter (Dmax). The flat face and the tapered drilling faces have a plurality of protruding teeth and the teeth are cylindrical and have a longitudinal axis (Y-Y) forming an angle with the face supporting the teeth which is less than or equal to 90°.

Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

Abstract: A spare tire presentation apparatus includes a base, a four bar linkage and a sliding platform. The four bar linkage connects the base to the motor vehicle. The sliding platform is supported on the base. A spare tire is carried on the sliding platform.

Abstract: This invention provides a vision system that is arranged to compensate for optical drift that can occur in certain variable lens assemblies, including, but not limited to, liquid lens arrangements. The system includes an image sensor operatively connected to a vision system processor, and a variable lens assembly that is controlled (e.g. by the vision processor or another range-determining device) to vary a focal distance thereof. A positive lens assembly is configured to weaken an effect of the variable lens assembly over a predetermined operational range of the object from the positive lens assembly. The variable lens assembly is located adjacent to a front or rear focal point of the positive lens. The variable lens assembly illustratively comprises a liquid lens assembly that can be inherently variable over approximately 20 diopter. In an embodiment, the lens barrel has a C-mount lens base.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for inhibiting transmission of a sexually transmitted infection that contain one or more polyanionic microbicides, such as carrageenans, including lambda carrageenan, as well as water-soluble metal salts and specified lectins. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Sterilization tray fasteners are disclosed herein. The disclosed sterilization tray fasteners may be formed to join sterilization tray bases stacked directly on top of one another together. In some embodiments, sterilization tray bases may be formed to have slots or apertures to accommodate features of the disclosed fasteners. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosed sterilization tray fasteners include an elongate body and two curved arms that can extend into apertures of the sterilization tray bases. In many embodiments, the disclosed fasteners can be attached to and detached from sterilization tray bases without tools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chip equipped with a plurality of compact microfluidic valves with multiple inlets and outlets, actuated by means of a flexible membrane system. The chip preferably comprises a deformable sealing layer made of at least one flexible, elastic, and insulating material; a structure formed by a succession of one or several microstructured layers, wherein said structure comprises one or several micro-chambers, one or several microfluidic channels, and one or several fluidic inlets and outlets; and wherein said structure is installed on a base substrate. The invention likewise relates to a microfluidic device that comprises the aforementioned chip, to a method for the fabrication of the chip, and to the uses associated with the chip and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The document describes a sensor, apparatus and method for the direct analysis of fluids in order to determine concentration of solutes in solutions. Transductors with porous birefringent monolayer or multilayer structures (such as a planar photonic structure in the form of a Bragg microcavity) may be used as sensors. The method of the invention can be performed in two possible implementations; a first one, wherein the sensor is a photonic crystal in a microfluidic device which comprises two transparent windows, data being retrieved in transmission mode and a second one, wherein the photonic crystal sensor is located on the tip of an optical fiber, data being retrieved in reflection mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of sensing devices include one or more integrated circuit (IC) die, a housing, and a fluid barrier material. Each IC die includes an electrode-bearing surface and a contact surface. One of the die includes an SFET with a sensing electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The same or a different die includes a reference electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The die(s) also include IC contacts at the contact surface(s), and conductive structures coupled between the SFET, the reference electrode, and the IC contacts. The housing includes a mounting surface, and housing contacts formed at the mounting surface. The IC contacts are coupled to the housing contacts. The fluid barrier material is positioned between the mounting surface and the IC die. The fluid barrier material provides a fluid barrier between the IC and housing contacts and a space that encompasses the sensing electrode and the reference electrode.

Abstract: An elevator car panel (16, 16a), which is configured to be attached to at least one structural element (14) of an elevator car (2) comprises at least one opening (18) formed in a surface of the elevator car panel (16, 16a) for receiving at least one magnet (28); and at least one magnet (28) arranged within said one opening (18), wherein the at least one magnet (28) is configured for magnetically fixing the elevator car panel (16, 16a) to the at least one structural element (14).

Abstract: Embodiments of sensing devices include one or more integrated circuit (IC) die, a housing, and a fluid barrier material. Each IC die includes an electrode-bearing surface and a contact surface. One of the die includes an SFET with a sensing electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The same or a different die includes a reference electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The die(s) also include IC contacts at the contact surface(s), and conductive structures coupled between the SFET, the reference electrode, and the IC contacts. The housing includes a mounting surface, and housing contacts formed at the mounting surface. The IC contacts are coupled to the housing contacts. The fluid barrier material is positioned between the mounting surface and the IC die. The fluid barrier material provides a fluid barrier between the IC and housing contacts and a space that encompasses the sensing electrode and the reference electrode.

Abstract: A stowable hydraulic crane for a vehicle load bed includes a boom, a mast configured to pivot between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration in a load bed sidewall receiver, and a base. A hydraulic member is provided to tilt the boom. The base includes a locking member for retaining the mast in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A spare tire presentation apparatus includes a base, a four bar linkage and a sliding platform. The four bar linkage connects the base to the motor vehicle. The sliding platform is supported on the base. A spare tire is carried on the sliding platform.

Abstract: An elevator car comprises a ceiling and two bars extending parallel to and spaced apart from each other along the ceiling, wherein each of the bars comprises a first opening and a second opening. The elevator car further comprises a ceiling panel with two protrusions extending from opposite sides of the ceiling panel and configured such as to be received within the first openings, thereby allowing for a pivoting motion of the ceiling panel around an axis extending between the two protrusions; and at least one locking mechanism, which is switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state. In its locked state, the at least one locking mechanism engages with one of the second openings for locking the ceiling panel to at least one of the bars when the ceiling panel is pivoted into an operating position.

Abstract: Embodiments of sensing devices include one or more integrated circuit (IC) die, a housing, and a fluid barrier material. Each IC die includes an electrode-bearing surface and a contact surface. One of the die includes an SFET with a sensing electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The same or a different die includes a reference electrode proximate to the electrode-bearing surface. The die(s) also include IC contacts at the contact surface(s), and conductive structures coupled between the SFET, the reference electrode, and the IC contacts. The housing includes a mounting surface, and housing contacts formed at the mounting surface. The IC contacts are coupled to the housing contacts. The fluid barrier material is positioned between the mounting surface and the IC die. The fluid barrier material provides a fluid barrier between the IC and housing contacts and a space that encompasses the sensing electrode and the reference electrode.

Abstract: A governor includes a housing, a pulley, a belt, a first flyweight, and second flyweight. The housing defines a housing cavity. The pulley is disposed at least partially within the housing cavity. The belt is in contact with the pulley. The belt is operable to rotate the pulley at a rotational speed. The first and second flyweights are pivotably connected to the pulley, and are biased towards one another. At least a portion of the first and second flyweights are operable to move away from the pulley when the rotational speed of the pulley is increasing toward a predetermined threshold rotational speed. The first and second flyweights are operable to contact the housing, and thereby transmit rotational energy to the housing, when the rotational speed of the pulley is equal to at least the predetermined threshold rotational speed.

Abstract: An elevator car (2) comprising a passenger compartment defining an interior space (4) surrounded by sidewalls (62, 63, 64) and at least one car door; and at least one lighting arrangement (11) configured to illuminate the interior space (4). Said lighting arrangement (11) is associated with a ventilation system (18) configured to ventilate the interior space (4) even in a situation where the car door is closed.

Abstract: A movable car mounted governor assembly for an elevator car is provided. The assembly includes a chassis releasably mounted to an upright of an elevator car and a governor operationally mounted to the chassis. The chassis is configured to move from a first position to a second position relative the upright, wherein in the first position the chassis is fixedly secured to the upright and in the second position the chassis is not fixedly secured to the upright.

Abstract: A drill system for forming a curved tunnel in a bone includes a drill bit guidance device. The drill bit guidance device includes an elongated stationary outer tube extending along a first axis and an elongated inner tube. The elongated inner tube is configured to slidably move within the elongated stationary outer tube along the first axis and to exit from a distal end of the elongated outer tube. The elongated inner tube has a partially slotted distal end portion including a plurality of semi-cross-sectional slots extending perpendicular to the first axis. Each slot is configured to collapse inward in the slot direction when exiting the distal end of the elongated outer tube, thereby curving the distal end portion of the elongated inner tube.

Abstract: A method for determining the complex amplitude of the electromagnetic field associated with a scene, comprising a) capturing a plurality of images of the scene by means of a photographic camera, the images being focused in planes of focus arranged at different distances, wherein the camera comprises a lens of focal length F and a sensor arranged at a certain distance from the lens in its image space, taking at least one image pair from the plurality of images and determining the accumulated wavefront to the conjugate plane in the object space corresponding to the intermediate plane with respect to the planes of focus of the two images of the pair.