Abstract: An assistive device for a metered dose inhaler decreases the force required to operate the inhaler. The assistive device has a body with a passage for receiving a replaceable conventional metered dose inhaler assembly that has a canister and a transverse mouthpiece with an axis of the canister aligning approximately with that of the passage. At least two symmetrically arranged levers extend in a direction away from the body and parallel to an axis thereof. A proximal end of each lever is attached to the body such that the free opposite ends of the levers may be moved towards and away from each other. An inwardly directed cam surface on each of the lever exerts a force on an end of the canister in use to move the canister longitudinally to cause a dose of medicament to be dispensed from the canister. An optional dose counter may form part of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing a first data object comprising a first set of immutable components, the first data object being associated with a corresponding second data object stored by a remote replication system. A difference is determined between the first set of immutable components of the first data object and a second set of immutable components of the corresponding second data object. A subset of immutable components is identified from the first set of immutable components based on the difference. The subset of immutable components from the first set of immutable components is provided to the remote replication system over a communication network.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, an extendable distal-end assembly, and two or more strengthening elements. The extendable distal-end assembly is coupled to the shaft and includes multiple splines, at least one spline includes a flexible circuit board having one or more electrodes disposed thereon, the circuit board is configured, when the distal-end assembly is extended in the organ, to conform to a surface of the organ so as to make contact between the electrodes and the surface. The strengthening elements are distributed along the circuit board of the spline and are configured to mechanically strengthen the spline.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject having a bacterial infection, which includes discriminating said subject from a subject having a viral infection or an inflammatory disease. Also provided is a gene signature employed in the method and to a bespoke gene chip for use in the method. Further provided are probes and/or primers specific to genes in a signature of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and systems for high density cell culture and/or high throughput cell assays. Methods of using the same are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices and systems described herein provide rapid and automated trapping of single embryos in ordered arrays.

Abstract: An assistive device for a metered dose inhaler decreases the force required to operate the inhaler. The assistive device has a body with a passage for receiving a replaceable conventional metered dose inhaler assembly that has a canister and a transverse mouthpiece with an axis of the canister aligning approximately with that of the passage. At least two symmetrically arranged levers extend in a direction away from the body and parallel to an axis thereof. A proximal end of each lever is attached to the body such that the free opposite ends of the levers may be moved towards and away from each other. An inwardly directed cam surface on each of the levers engages a closed end of a canister in use to move the canister longitudinally to cause a dose of medicament to be dispensed from the canister. An optional dose counter may form part of the device.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including an intrabody electrode. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which is derived from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating a flaw in the electrode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including a bidirectional semiconductor device. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which derives from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating that a property of the bidirectional semiconductor device is asymmetric. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing a first data object comprising a first set of immutable components, the first data object being associated with a corresponding second data object stored by a remote replication system. A difference is determined between the first set of immutable components of the first data object and a second set of immutable components of the corresponding second data object. A subset of immutable components is identified from the first set of immutable components based on the difference. The subset of immutable components from the first set of immutable components is provided to the remote replication system over a communication network.

Abstract: A signal return-path symmetry measurement apparatus includes a transformer and monitoring circuitry. The transformer is coupled to first and second return-path electrodes that are attached to a body of a patient and serve as a return path for an electrical signal applied to the patient. The transformer is configured to generate a return-path-difference electrical signal responsive to a difference between electrical signals returning from the first and second return-path electrodes. The monitoring circuitry is configured to generate an electrode symmetry measure responsive to the return-path-difference electrical signal.

Abstract: A data resolution system provides users with the ability to access and create associations between data items tagged in documents as part of an initial process of identifying data items to be tagged in the documents. Thus, the user that is adding tags to the documents is able to identify related data items from other data sources and create links with those data sources. This ability to identify links at the time of tagging reduces the need for later searching of data sources for related data items. Additionally, the system automatically stores information regarding each link so that information regarding the linked data items may be viewed alongside the original document and/or further information regarding the linked data item is easily accessible. Data items that are tagged in a document may be associated with data items representing the same object, but with different identifiers, names, etc. in external data sources.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for deactivating problematic secondary content are provided. This approach involves a deactivator component receiving data associated with an indication of a change to one or more secondary contents, a secondary content playback report, and/or a secondary content quality of experience (QoE) via data sources. After identifying the problematic secondary content, the deactivator component may request a secondary content provider to deactivate the problematic secondary content by deactivating a target resource associated with the secondary content instance, the secondary content, the secondary content unit, or the placement. In particular, the deactivator component may also provide feedback or reason for deactivating the secondary content.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject having Kawasaki disease (KD), which includes discriminating the subject from a subject having another condition, for example other infectious and inflammatory conditions, such as those that present similar symptoms to KD. Also provided is a minimal gene signature employed in the method, as well as primers, probes and gene chips for use in the method.

Abstract: An implant, disposed within a catheter, comprises a ring, anchors, and adjustment elements. The ring comprises struts arranged in a pattern of alternating peaks and troughs. Each strut has a first end-portion and a second end-portion. Each peak is defined by convergence of adjacent first end-portions disposed at an angle with respect to each other, and each trough is defined by convergence of adjacent second end-portions. Each of the anchors has a longitudinal axis, is coupled to the ring at a respective trough, and is configured to be driven along the longitudinal axis with respect to the trough and into tissue of the heart. Each of the adjustment elements is configured to adjust an angular disposition between a respective pair of the struts. A first adjustment element is coupled to its pair, and a second adjustment element is coupled to its pair distal to the first adjustment element.

Abstract: An assistive device for a metered dose inhaler decreases the force required to operate the inhaler. The assistive device has a body with a passage for receiving a replaceable conventional metered dose inhaler assembly that has a canister and a transverse mouthpiece with an axis of the canister aligning approximately with that of the passage. At least two symmetrically arranged levers extend in a direction away from the body and parallel to an axis thereof. A proximal end of each lever is attached to the body such that the free opposite ends of the levers may be moved towards and away from each other. An inwardly directed cam surface on each of the levers engages a closed end of a canister in use to move the canister longitudinally to cause a dose of medicament to be dispensed from the canister. An optional dose counter may form part of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for deactivating problematic secondary content are provided. This approach involves a deactivator component receiving data associated with an indication of a change to one or more secondary contents, a secondary content playback report, and/or a secondary content quality of experience (QoE) via data sources. After identifying the problematic secondary content, the deactivator component may request a secondary content provider to deactivate the problematic secondary content by deactivating a target resource associated with the secondary content instance, the secondary content, the secondary content unit, or the placement. In particular, the deactivator component may also provide feedback or reason for deactivating the secondary content.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an expandable structure, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and a plurality of conducting elements coupled to the expandable structure. Each of the conducting elements comprises a respective coil and has an insulated portion that is electrically insulated from tissue of the subject, and an uninsulated portion configured to exchange signals with the tissue, while in contact with the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A data resolution system provides users with the ability to access and create associations between data items tagged in documents as part of an initial process of identifying data items to be tagged in the documents. Thus, the user that is adding tags to the documents is able to identify related data items from other data sources and create links with those data sources. This ability to identify links at the time of tagging reduces the need for later searching of data sources for related data items. Additionally, the system automatically stores information regarding each link so that information regarding the linked data items may be viewed alongside the original document and/or further information regarding the linked data item is easily accessible. Data items that are tagged in a document may be associated with data items representing the same object, but with different identifiers, names, etc. in external data sources.