Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound probe comprises customizing a fit of the ultrasound probe to an operator's hand, including, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the operator's hand, digitizing the 3D model of the operator's hand, including obtaining a set of manual attributes, and forming a manually grasped surface of the ultrasound probe based on the digitized 3D model, and coupling the manually grasped surface to the ultrasound probe. In this way, operator hand strain while conducting ultrasound exams can be reduced.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a dual mode hybrid electric thruster propulsion system. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster provides low thrust using ion/plasma exhaust only, and high thrust by mixing a neutral molecular gas with the ion/plasma exhaust. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster includes a main propellant duct defining a main propellant intake. Coupled to the main propellant duct is an accelerating element, which includes an ionization chamber and an exhaust output. In addition, a momentum exchange zone is located at the exhaust output of the accelerating element. The momentum exchange zone includes a secondary propellant duct defining a secondary propellant intake, which provides a secondary propellant into the momentum exchange zone. In high-thrust mode, the momentum exchange zone exchanges momentum between high velocity ions from the accelerating element with atoms of the secondary propellant.

Abstract: A handle for supporting an object. The handle includes a main body portion having a hanger opening defined therein, and a protection member extending forwardly from the main body portion. The main body of the handle also includes a support portion that partially defines the hanger opening and extends above the protection member. The support portion defines a plurality of spaced apart notches that form a portion of the hanger opening and a plurality of arcuate flanges extending therefrom that each correspond to one of the plurality of notches.