Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel.

Abstract: Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Abstract: Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic apparatus reversibly insertable into a curved lumen of a patient, comprising: a. a flexible sleeve characterized by a proximal end and a distal end; said distal end of said flexible sleeve comprising: i. a flexible folded sleeve part comprising a portion of said flexible sleeve in a compact and folded arrangement; said compact and folded sleeve portion unfolds and evert; said folded sleeve part is characterized by a predetermined length Lfold; ii.

Abstract: Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Abstract: Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Abstract: Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media for processing an image are disclosed. The system comprises a processor, an image capturing unit in communication with the processor, an inspection surface positioned so that at least a portion of the inspection surface is within a field of view (FOV) of the image capturing unit, and an output device. The system has software that monitors the FOV of the image capturing unit for at least one event. The inspection surface is capable of supporting an object of interest.

Abstract: An electronic device is described that assists blind and/or low vision users in magnifying and reading printed text, fast book scanning and printing magnified images of said text. The device can also produce audio output that allows listening to the text being pronounced.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of sorting genes comprising: (1) preparing ds cDNA molecules from mRNA molecules (2) digesting the ds cDNA molecules (3) ligating to the digested cDNA molecules a set of dsDNA oligonucleotide adaptors; (4) amplifying the ligated cDNA molecules; and (5) sorting the amplified cDNA molecules into nonoverlapping groups. This invention also provides two additional methods of sorting genes. This invention further provides a method of making sub-libraries of ligation sets.

Abstract: Methods and compositions expand the options for making primers for use in amplifying nucleic acid segments. The invention eliminates the step of custom synthesis of primers for Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR). Instead of being custom-synthesized, a primer is replaced by a combination of several oligonucleotide modules selected from a pre-synthesized library. A modular combination of just a few oligonucleotides essentially mimics the performance of a conventional, custom-made primer by matching the sequence of the priming site in the template. Each oligonucleotide module has a segment that matches one of the stretches within the priming site.

Abstract: Methods and compositions expand the options for making primers for use in amplifying nucleic acid segments. The invention eliminates the step of custom synthesis of primers for Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR). Instead of being custom-synthesized, a primer is replaced by a combination of several oligonucleotide modules selected from a pre-synthesized library. A modular combination of just a few oligonucleotides essentially mimics the performance of a conventional, custom-made primer by matching the sequence of the priming site in the template. Each oligonucleotide module has a segment that matches one of the stretches within the priming site.

Abstract: A composite nucleic acid primer for a reaction of an enzymatic extension of primer on a template strand; which composite primer comprises two or more covalently unconnected oligonucleotides. Each of the oligonucleotides comprises a binding segment complementary to a binding site in the template strand. The binding segment and the binding site are selected to bind the oligonucleotide to the template strand by means of annealing between the binding segment and the binding site. The binding sites for different oligonucleotides are selected close enough in the template strand to enhance the sequence specificity of priming by the composite primer, as compared to the sequence specificity of priming by one of the oligonucleotides alone. Each of the two oligonucleotides has a segment, preferably 5 to 6 bases long, binding to the template strand. The total primer-to-template annealing length being 10 to 12 bases, the priming site is sufficiently unique in a plasmid size template.