Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a disposal unit; a control unit configured to stop operation of the disposal unit; and a metal detector coil and associated circuitry, the metal detector coil located such that waste passing into the disposal unit for shredding passes through the metal detector coil. The control unit is triggered to stop operation of the disposal unit upon the detection of metal passing through the metal detector coil.

Abstract: An under-sink disposal unit includes a motor, a disposal chamber, and a disposal throat. The disposal throat extends from the disposal chamber to an opening in a top of the disposal unit and defines a passageway through which objects pass into the disposal chamber for grinding. The disposal unit further includes a coil assembly including an arrangement of coils. The arrangement of coils is used to detect the passing of a metallic object in the passageway through the disposal throat. Furthermore, the arrangement of coils includes at least one coil having a loop that is oriented with respect to an axis of the passageway through the disposal throat such that objects passing through the disposal throat into the disposal chamber pass by and proximate to, but do not pass through, such loop. Preferably DC injection braking is used to stop the motor upon detection of a metallic object.

Abstract: A multi-appendage device for holding, suspending, or gripping an object. The device includes: a body, and a plurality of flexible appendages attached to and extending from the body. Each appendage in turn includes an elongate integral piece of molded material, and an elongate integral piece of material that is located within an interior of the elongate integral piece of molded material, and that is generally flexible and inelastic. In accordance with this aspect, each appendage is bendable into various different shapes and is generally inelastic so as to remain in a shape into which it is bent. Preferably, the device further includes an add-on component that attaches to the body to extend from a top of the body and serve as a handle. Alternatively, or additionally, the add-on component may include a light, a storage compartment, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the location of target regions in imaging applications are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to devices and/or methods for image-guided identification of suitable regions at which to insert needles, catheters, and the like. Such systems and methods can be used in association with a variety of imaging technologies, including ultrasound imaging. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used in association with hand-held ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.

Abstract: An under-sink disposal unit includes a motor, a disposal chamber, and a disposal throat. The disposal throat extends from the disposal chamber to an opening in a top of the disposal unit and defines a passageway through which objects pass into the disposal chamber for grinding. The disposal unit further includes a coil assembly including an arrangement of coils. The arrangement of coils is used to detect the passing of a metallic object in the passageway through the disposal throat. Furthermore, the arrangement of coils includes at least one coil having a loop that is oriented with respect to an axis of the passageway through the disposal throat such that objects passing through the disposal throat into the disposal chamber pass by and proximate to, but do not pass through, such loop. Preferably DC injection braking is used to stop the motor upon detection of a metallic object.

Abstract: A dental prosthetic structure for implant, including a tubular interface part with an axial through passage for a fixing screw; a tubular-shaped prosthetic element coupled to the interface part with an axial through passage for the fixing screw; and a securing element for securing the prosthetic element to the interface part, with an axial through passage for the fixing screw, and being introduced in the passage of the interface part and in the passage of the prosthetic element for securing the interface part and the prosthetic element, such that the axial through passages of the interface part, the prosthetic element and the securing element are aligned forming a passage for the fixing screw.

Abstract: A canine restraint harness for controlling pulling behavior by a dog while being led includes a cord having first and second ends, a clasp for attachment to a dog collar, a cam for receiving and clamping a segment of the cord to reduce the length thereof, a closed loop at the clamped segment of the cord for attachment to a dog lead, and a fastener for fastening the first and second ends of the cord together. The cord is adapted to extend from the dog collar, between the front legs of the dog, and around the back of the dog to the dog lead such that the cam is disposed close to the back of the dog with the cord adapted to apply a tightening force when the dog exhibits pulling behavior while being led.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the location of target regions in imaging applications are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to devices and/or methods for image-guided identification of suitable regions at which to insert needles, catheters, and the like. Such systems and methods can be used in association with a variety of imaging technologies, including ultrasound imaging. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used in association with hand-held ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: A multi-appendage device for holding, suspending, or gripping an object. The device includes: a body, and a plurality of flexible appendages attached to and extending from the body. Each appendage in turn includes an elongate integral piece of molded material, and an elongate integral piece of material that is located within an interior of the elongate integral piece of molded material, and that is generally flexible and inelastic. In accordance with this aspect, each appendage is bendable into various different shapes and is generally inelastic so as to remain in a shape into which it is bent. Preferably, the device further includes an add-on component that attaches to the body to extend from a top of the body and serve as a handle. Alternatively or additionally, the add-on component may include a light, a storage compartment, or both.

Abstract: A disposal system includes a sink; a disposal unit located under the sink and connected in fluid communication with a drain of the sink; a control unit configured to operate the disposal unit; and means for detecting an unintended object that passes through the drain of the sink and enters the disposal unit, resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit. The means for detecting an unintended object that enters the disposal unit resulting in stopping operation of the disposal unit comprises a sensor and associated circuitry that detects an unintended object and triggers the control unit to stop operation. In different preferred embodiments the sensor respectively includes a capacitive sensor; a capacitive plate; magnetic shielding surrounding the disposal unit in the area of the sensor; a double “D” coil arrangement; a concentric detection coil for detecting magnetic ringdown; an ultrasonic sensor; a microphone; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for symbolic correction in human-machine interfaces that comprise (a) implementing a language model; (b) implementing a hypothesis model; (c) implementing an error model; and (d) processing a symbolic input message based on weighted finite-state transducers to encode 1) a set of input hypothesis using the hypothesis model, 2) the language model, and 3) the error model to perform correction on the sequential pre-segmented symbolic input message in the human-machine interface. According to a particular embodiment, the processing step comprises a combination of the language model, the hypothesis model, and the error model performed without parsing by employing a composition operation between the transducers and a lowest cost path search, exact or approximate, on the composed transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a disposal unit; a control unit configured to stop operation of the disposal unit; and a metal detector coil and associated circuitry, the metal detector coil located such that waste passing into the disposal unit for shredding passes through the metal detector coil. The control unit is triggered to stop operation of the disposal unit upon the detection of metal passing through the metal detector coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing opened packaging includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, a strap attached to the base, and two complementary handle sections attached to the base. The handle sections extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base, and together form a grippable handle. A space exists between the handle sections to receive the strap therethrough. The handle sections can be releasably attached to each other.

Abstract: An epilation apparatus includes a support and a glass pad adhered to the support. The glass pad has an exposed roughened surface that, when placed against human skin and manually manipulated in a rotational motion, is adapted to remove hair from the human skin. A method of using the epilation apparatus involves configuring the support such that the roughened surface of the glass pad is placed against human skin that has hair and manually manipulating the support in a rotational motion such the glass pad removes the hair from the human skin.

Abstract: The concept is to use a material that is a microwave susceptor as a heat source to provide the energy necessary to instantly turn water into steam. One or more surfaces of susceptor are housed in a steam chamber. When the steam is generated, the pressure built up inside the steam chamber exhausts the steam through an exhaust duct that directs the steam to the cleaning surface. A sponge or other cleaning element is attached to the bottom of the product to allow the user to scrub the cleaning surface.

Abstract: In another aspect, a cooking grill includes a housing and a lid defining an enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is closed; a heating element located in the housing; and a rack movable between a first location extending over the heating element and a second location not over the heating element. The cooking grill further includes a plurality of grilling modules that are individually removable from, and supported on, the rack. Each grilling module defines a cooking surface having passageways therein for directly exposing food to rising heat from the heating element when the rack is in the first position. The passageways preferably are in the form of slots.