Abstract: The end effector of a surgical robotic manipulator includes a body member and a conductive element disposed circumferentially about a portion of the body member. The end effector includes a handle being rotatably mounted to the body member and being rotatable about the conductive element. The handle includes a tactile interface that is operatively coupled to a target and, for any rotational position of the handle, the conductive element is configured to sense the target in response to actuation of the tactile interface.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first member that extends along a rotational axis and has a surface disposed circumferentially about the rotational axis. A conductive element is disposed on the surface of the first member and disposed about the rotational axis. A second member extends along the rotational axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. A target is mounted to and rotatable with the second member and is movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is spaced further from the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element detects a change in movement of the target from the first position to the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first member that extends along a rotational axis and has a surface disposed circumferentially about the rotational axis. A conductive element is disposed on the surface of the first member and disposed about the rotational axis. A second member extends along the rotational axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. A target is mounted to and rotatable with the second member and is movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is spaced further from the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element detects a change in movement of the target from the first position to the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first member extending along a rotational axis and having a surface disposed circumferentially about the axis. The sensor system further includes a conductive element fixed to the first member and disposed on the surface and about the rotational axis and a second member extending along the axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. The sensor system further includes a target mounted to and rotatable with the second member and being movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is closer to the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element is configured to sense the target in the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. A reservoir is supported on a portable cart for storing a liquid on the portable cart when positioned away from a docking station. A sprinkler may be coupled to the waste container and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The sprinkler is configured to direct the liquid from the reservoir towards the waste container. The reservoir is configured to receive additional liquid from the docking station to urge the liquid from the reservoir towards the sprinkler. A prefill pump may be supported on the portable cart and in fluid communication with the waste container and operable to convey the liquid from the reservoir to the waste container. A controller may be in electronic communication with a valve assembly to control flow of the liquid from the docking station into at least one of the reservoir and a second waste container.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.

Abstract: A method for peer-to-peer learning of a common language by a plurality of students. A first student selected from the plurality of students acts as a speaker in the common language with a second student selected from the plurality of students acting as a speller. A word-deck is generated for use by the student-group. The word-deck includes a plurality of words that are selected because they are related to another word, respectively, found in the common language based on a phonetic similarity between the respective words. The first student is provided with a word selected from the plurality of words included in the word-deck where the word has a correct spelling. An audio output is provided to the second student where the audio output includes the word as spoken by the first student. An entry includes a spelling of the word as spelled by the second student following a receipt of the audio output. If the spelling of the word matches the correct spelling of the word, a score for the student-group is improved.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease without invasive techniques or complicated wet-laboratory equipment. The method utilizes the rapid detection of both the CD38 protein and alpha-synuclein protein at a specific concentration that reflects the pathological state of Parkinson's disease, and CD38 protein and the tau protein which are found in significantly elevated concentrations in blood plasma and serum in the disease states. The blood plasma or serum can be collected and utilized as the test material for the pre- and post-symptom Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first member extending along a rotational axis and having a surface disposed circumferentially about the axis. The sensor system further includes a conductive element fixed to the first member and disposed on the surface and about the rotational axis and a second member extending along the axis. A rotational position between the first member and the second member is adjustable. The sensor system further includes a target mounted to and rotatable with the second member and being movable relative to the second member between first and second positions. The target is spaced apart from the conductive element in both the first and second positions and is closer to the conductive element in the second position compared to the first position. The conductive element is configured to sense the target in the second position for any rotational position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A method for peer-to-peer learning of a common language by a plurality of students. A first student selected from the plurality of students acts as a speaker in the common language with a second student selected from the plurality of students acting as a speller. A word-deck is generated for use by the student-group. The word-deck includes a plurality of words that are selected because they are related to another word, respectively, found in the common language based on a phonetic similarity between the respective words. The first student is provided with a word selected from the plurality of words included in the word-deck where the word has a correct spelling. An audio output is provided to the second student where the audio output includes the word as spoken by the first student. An entry includes a spelling of the word as spelled by the second student following a receipt of the audio output. If the spelling of the word matches the correct spelling of the word, a score for the student-group is improved.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing concussions and other CNS afflictions is provided. A diagnostic kit includes a tube containing a predefined amount of lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles, a fluid for mixing with the lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles within the tube, so as to reconstitute the lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles, resulting in a reconstituted mixture, and a swab comprising an absorbent hydrophobic material, the swab configured for absorbing cerebrospinal fluid when swabbed on a patient, wherein when the swab that has absorbed cerebrospinal fluid is placed in the tube containing the reconstituted mixture, the swab is configured to change color.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing concussions and other CNS afflictions is provided. A diagnostic kit includes a tube containing a predefined amount of lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles, a fluid for mixing with the lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles within the tube, so as to reconstitute the lyophilized tau-specific antibody conjugated to colored latex nanoparticles, resulting in a reconstituted mixture, and a swab comprising an absorbent hydrophobic material, the swab configured for absorbing cerebrospinal fluid when swabbed on a patient, wherein when the swab that has absorbed cerebrospinal fluid is placed in the tube containing the reconstituted mixture, the swab is configured to change color.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing concussions, TBI, CTE and other central nervous system disorders is provided. A diagnostic kit includes a tube containing a predefined amount of lyophilized biomarker-specific antibody conjugated to a conjugate with a color functionality, a fluid for mixing with the lyophilized biomarker-specific antibody conjugated to the conjugate within the tube, so as to reconstitute the lyophilized biomarker-specific antibody conjugated to the conjugate, resulting in a reconstituted mixture, and a swab comprising an absorbent hydrophobic material, the swab configured for absorbing cerebrospinal fluid when swabbed on a patient, wherein when the swab that has absorbed cerebrospinal fluid is placed in the tube containing the reconstituted mixture, the swab is configured to change color.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator that draws smoke generated during a medical surgical procedure away from the site at which the smoke is generated. The smoke evacuator includes a pump that draws air into a filter. A sensor internal to the filter monitors the smoke in the air stream drawn through the filter. Normally the pump runs at a low speed, a speed sufficient to draw some air in the filter. When the sensor detects the presence of an appreciable amount of smoke in the air stream the sensor sends a signal indicating the air stream is in this state to the pump controller. The controller then increases the pump speed to result in a like increase in the volume of air drawn through the smoke evacuator. Since the sensor is contained in the filter, a new sensor is installed in the system each time a new filter is installed.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that includes a motor for actuating a cutting accessory. The handpiece has a housing with a bore for receiving the cutting accessory and a coupling member internal to the bore that releasably engages and actuates the cutting accessory. A coil is mounted to the housing adjacent the bore. More particularly, the coil is located so that when the cutting accessory is seated in the bore, the coil is able to exchange signals with a complementary coil integral with the cutting accessory. A locking assembly mounted to the housing releasably holds the cutting accessory in the bore.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device to direct fluid into the medical waste collection device while filtering material from the fluid. The assembly includes a manifold housing having a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom about a first axis, with an outlet port disposed on the manifold housing. A support structure disposed on the bottom has a filter support surface and defines a plurality of open spaces between the filter support surface and the bottom. A manifold cap having a unitary skirt is connected to the manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween, and has an intake port disposed thereon to direct the fluid into the chamber. A filter is supported by the filter support surface to filter the material from the fluid, the periphery of the filter positioned between the skirt and the support structure to prevent fluid received in the chamber from bypassing the filter as the fluid moves from the chamber to the outlet port.