Abstract: An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).

Abstract: An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).

Abstract: A method of comparatively evaluating the efficacy of a series of hair products, the method comprising, in any order, the steps of applying each individual product or product system to an individual test hair switch; each hair switch being subjected to the same regime of two or more aggressors, once a day for 4 or more days; and the condition of the switches being assessed and compared.

Abstract: A method of comparatively evaluating the efficacy of a series of hair products, the method comprising, in any order, the steps of applying each individual product or product system to an individual test hair switch; each hair switch being subjected to the same regime of two or more aggressors, once a day for 4 or more days; and the condition of the switches being assessed and compared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for selectively coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under methods and processes of the invention, a target surface of a workpiece may be positioned in contact with a roller to coat a target surface of the workpiece. In some embodiments, the roller may also be positioned in contact with a metering device during portions or all of the treating and coating process. The workpiece may be an implantable medical device and the coating may include therapeutic, the workpiece may be other devices as well.

Abstract: A medical device, e.g., a stent, is provided with different coatings on different surfaces, or with a coating on only one of the inside or outside surface. In accordance with certain embodiments, two different stent members are provided, one to fit inside of the other. When the two stent members are separate, both stent members are coated, each with a different composition, or only one stent member is coated. Then, one stent member is placed inside the other to form the final stent. The resulting stent has one composition on its outside surface and a different composition on its inside surface, or coating only on either the inside or outside surface.

Abstract: A medical device, e.g., a stent, is provided with different coatings on different surfaces, or with a coating on only one of the inside or outside surface. In accordance with certain embodiments, two different stent members are provided, one to fit inside of the other. When the two stent members are separate, both stent members are coated, each with a different composition, or only one stent member is coated. Then, one stent member is placed inside the other to form the final stent. The resulting stent has one composition on its outside surface and a different composition on its inside surface, or coating only on either the inside or outside surface.

Abstract: Image data such as binary mask image data is compressed by partitioning the data into blocks. An arithmetic encoder is initiated for each block and terminated at the end of the block. For each block, there is a fixed template/PDF table pair model which is chosen at the beginning of the block according to motion compensation and other inputs. One model has a template with spatially-correlating samples only, the other having both temporally and spatially-correlating samples. Estimations are made for values of samples which border the current block according to simple rules for the particular template.