Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating emulsion solution into separate particles by passing the emulsion solution through a passive filter. The separated particles can then be sorted into separate chambers through active filtering.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a main body and a collecting chamber releasably held on the main body. The collecting chamber includes a closure member which is movable between a closed position and an open position in which the collecting chamber can be emptied and an actuating member adapted and arranged to release the collecting chamber from the main body and, when the collecting chamber is released from the main body, to release the closure member from the closed position. By providing such an arrangement, a single actuating member can be used to release the collecting chamber from the main body of the cleaning appliance and also to open the closure member to empty the collecting chamber. A single actuating member is less complex, requires less space and is more intuitive for a user to operate.

Abstract: Compounds the following formula: wherein Z is as described in the specification, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising the same, and methods of treating bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder or schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder with said compounds.

Abstract: Novel gap fill schemes involving depositing both flowable oxide films and high density plasma chemical vapor deposition oxide (HDP oxide) films are provided. According to various embodiments, the flowable oxide films may be used as a sacrificial layer and/or as a material for bottom up gap fill. In certain embodiments, the top surface of the filled gap is an HDP oxide film. The resulting filled gap may be filled only with HDP oxide film or a combination of HDP oxide and flowable oxide films. The methods provide improved top hat reduction and avoid clipping of the structures defining the gaps.

Abstract: A bone preparing tool for use with a percutaneous bone access system. The bone access system penetrates the interior of a bone. The bone preparation tool allows a surgeon to prepare the interior of a bone for therapeutic treatments. The tool includes a handle, flexible rod and, bone preparation tip, which may include an off-set wedge, a banana wedge, a tapered tip, and a pedestal tip. Each tip has specialized functionality in bone preparation. The flexible rod and specialized tip are inserted through a curved cannula and employed for bone preparation. This tool is useful when implementing a variety of bone therapeutic treatments which benefit from internal bone access and preparation. Current tools are limited and cannot properly be used on bone that is healed or hardened. This invention allows a transpedicular or extrapedicular approach to a bone and provides sufficient tensile strength but flexibility to affect optimum functionality.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.

Abstract: Application gallery connections to dynamic server-hosted content may be provided. An application may be instantiated on a client device. Upon loading, the application may connect to an available content server and download a content manifest. An application setting, such as a privacy setting or an administrative restriction may prevent connections to the content server; otherwise the application may determine whether the content manifest lists any new content for download. New content may be downloaded and made available to users of the application. The application may also determine whether any previously downloaded content is out of date according to the content manifest and remove unused content.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.

Abstract: A series of connectors for connecting panels of a shipping crate or box together. The invention will allow the user to make a box from a kit. A set of uniquely shaped corner pieces that will accommodate the sides, top and bottom of the structure will be used and provide the framework for the finished product. Because of these corner pieces the finished crate or box will be as strong as a box that is made by a skilled carpenter. Intermediate reinforcement pieces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles as can be used to stabilize emulsions for hydrocarbon extraction and/or recovery.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Abstract: A combination of an electrically powered toothbrush incorporating an electric power supply which comprises a capacitor, and a charging unit which incorporates one or more replaceable or rechargeable battery cells, enabling recharging of the capacitor without connection to the main electricity supply.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Abstract: Compounds the following formula: wherein Z is as described in the specification, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising the same, and methods of treating bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder or schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder with said compounds.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.

Abstract: A color mixer for producing a colored beam of light in combination with a light source. The color mixer includes a plurality of color media configured to pass a light beam such that the color media may be repositioned relative to one another to produce a color mixing effect resulting in many available combinations of color and hue.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a slidably extendible wand and a connecting portion that includes a first locking arrangement releasably securing the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance, a second locking arrangement releasably locking the wand in a pre-determined position with respect to the connecting portion and an actuator. The actuator is adapted and arranged to move the first and second locking arrangements between locked and unlocked positions. The first locking arrangement is movable independently of the actuator. This arrangement allows a single actuator to be operated by a user to unlock both the first and second locking arrangements simultaneously. However, because the first locking arrangement can move independently of the second locking arrangement, it is possible to secure the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance while keeping the wand in a locked position.

Abstract: A method of linearising a non-linear opto-electronic apparatus that includes an opto-electronic Mach-Zehnder modulator that receives an incoming electrical signal for modulating a light signal passing through the modulator, where the transfer characteristic of the modulator is sinusoidal, and including means for detecting the modulating light signal and for digitizing the detected signal, wherein the method comprises the following steps: injecting one or more calibration tones as an input electrical signal and obtaining a digitized form of the output signal obtaining the spectrum of said digitized form and measuring the spectral values at the frequencies of the input tone or tones and at the frequencies of spectral lines arising from the non-linearity; providing, from said spectral values, an inverse form of the non-linearity; and performing linearization on subsequent output signals for arbitrary input signals by applying said inverse form of the non-linearity to the output signal.

Abstract: An electrically powered portable device, the device including means for providing a function to be performed by the device, an electrical power supply which incorporates in combination a voltage source and at least one capacitor for storing electrical charge to power the device, the voltage source and the at least one capacitor being arranged so that the voltage source progressively charges the at least one capacitor for any period that the at least one capacitor is not fully charged, and electronic control circuitry to control electrical power drawn from the electrical power supply for driving the function providing means.