Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling an endoscope having a flexible tubular body, the method comprising: deploying an anchor to stabilise at least a part of the flexible tubular body; and performing active image stabilisation to stabilise the position of a camera at a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to antenna apparatus comprising: an antenna, a signal conductor and one or more RF MEMS switches, the antenna being conductively connected to the signal conductor, the MEMS switches and at least a portion of the signal conductor being supported by a crystalline MEMS substrate; and a capping substrate comprising a capping portion, wherein an enclosed volume is formed around the said MEMS switches between the capping portion and at least a portion of the crystalline MEMS substrate, and wherein the capping substrate comprises the said antenna.

Abstract: A consumable cartridge for a particle sorter system, the consumable cartridge comprising: an inlet for receiving a particle-containing fluid; a microfluidic chip comprising: an input channel in fluidic connection with the inlet; and a particle sorter junction in fluidic connection with the input channel and comprising an output positive channel and an output negative channel; and first and second outlets in fluidic connection with the output positive channel and the output negative channel respectively, for discharging the fluid from the consumable cartridge, such that at least one enclosed fluidic path is provided in the consumable cartridge between the inlet and the first and second outlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to antenna apparatus comprising: an antenna, a signal conductor and one or more RF MEMS switches, the antenna being conductively connected to the signal conductor, the MEMS switches and at least a portion of the signal conductor being supported by a crystalline MEMS substrate; and a capping substrate comprising a capping portion, wherein an enclosed volume is formed around the said MEMS switches between the capping portion and at least a portion of the crystalline MEMS substrate, and wherein the capping substrate comprises the said antenna.

Abstract: The invention provides an antenna array comprising: a plurality of antenna modules, each of the antenna modules comprising an antenna, a signal conductor and one or more microelectromechanical (MEMS) switches, the antenna being conductively connected to the signal conductor, the MEMS switches and at least a portion of the signal conductor being supported by a MEMS substrate; and one or more integrated circuits comprising MEMS control circuitry configured to control the said one or more MEMS switches and/or signal processing circuitry configured to process signals received and/or to be transmitted by the antennas of the antenna modules, wherein the antenna modules and integrated circuits are supported by a common carrier substrate comprising the antennas of the antenna modules, the MEMS switches; or the said one or more integrated circuits. A hierarchy of MEMS controllers includes a master MEMS controller and local MEMS controllers which send control signals to a plurality of MEMS switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to antenna apparatus comprising: an antenna, a signal conductor and one or more RF MEMS switches, the antenna being conductively connected to the signal conductor, the MEMS switches and at least a portion of the signal conductor being supported by a crystalline MEMS substrate; and a capping substrate comprising a capping portion, wherein an enclosed volume is formed around the said MEMS switches between the capping portion and at least a portion of the crystalline MEMS substrate, and wherein the capping substrate comprises the said antenna.

Abstract: The invention provides an antenna array comprising: a plurality of antenna modules, each of the antenna modules comprising an antenna, a signal conductor and one or more microelectromechanical (MEMS) switches, the antenna being conductively connected to the signal conductor, the MEMS switches and at least a portion of the signal conductor being supported by a MEMS substrate; and one or more integrated circuits comprising MEMS control circuitry configured to control the said one or more MEMS switches and/or signal processing circuitry configured to process signals received and/or to be transmitted by the antennas of the antenna modules, wherein the antenna modules and integrated circuits are supported by a common carrier substrate comprising the antennas of the antenna modules, the MEMS switches; or the said one or more integrated circuits. A hierarchy of MEMS controllers includes a master MEMS controller and local MEMS controllers which send control signals to a plurality of MEMS switches.

Abstract: A backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz includes a dielectric core having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from a distal core surface portion towards a proximal core surface portion; a feed structure having an axially extending elongate laminate board including a transmission line section acting as a feed line which extends through a passage in the core from the distal core surface portion to the proximal core surface portion, and an antenna connection section having an integrally formed proximal extension of the transmission line section the width of which, in the plane of the laminate board, is greater than the width of the passage; and a

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus including: (a) a backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz comprising: an electrically insulative dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface including oppositely directed distal and proximal surface portions extending transversely of an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the transversely extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from the distal core surface portion towards the proximal core surface portion; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongate laminate board comprising at least a transmission line section acting a

Abstract: A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna.

Abstract: A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna.

Abstract: A backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz includes a dielectric core having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from a distal core surface portion towards a proximal core surface portion; a feed structure having an axially extending elongate laminate board including a transmission line section acting as a feed line which extends through a passage in the core from the distal core surface portion to the proximal core surface portion, and an antenna connection section having an integrally formed proximal extension of the transmission line section the width of which, in the plane of the laminate board, is greater than the width of the passage; and a

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus including: (a) a backfire dielectrically loaded antenna for operation at a frequency in excess of 200 MHz comprising: an electrically insulative dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface including oppositely directed distal and proximal surface portions extending transversely of an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the transversely extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume the major part of which is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent the side surface portion of the core and extending from the distal core surface portion towards the proximal core surface portion; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongate laminate board comprising at least a transmission line section acting a

Abstract: A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for investigating a sample particularly a pharmaceutical tablet. An emitter and/or the sample are initially positioned so that the emitter is at a predetermined distance and normal angle to a first point on a surface of the sample. The emitter then irradiates the sample with radiation having a plurality of frequencies in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz at a plurality of points on the surface of the sample. Relative motion is possible between the emitter and the sample so that the surface of the sample can be tracked to maintain the predetermined distance and normal angle at each of the plurality of points, and allow radiation transmitted and/or reflected from the sample at the plurality of points to be detected. This has particular application to imaging the structure or composition of a coating on a pharmaceutical tablet.

Abstract: A unitary feed structure for sliding installation in a passage in the insulative core of a dielectrically-loaded antenna comprises the unitary combination of a tubular outer shield conductor and elongate inner conductor which extends through the shield conductor and is insulated from the latter. The shield conductor and inner conductor have oppositely directed radially extending connection members at an end of the feed structure, these connection members being integrally formed as part of the respective conductors so that the feed structure can be inserted as a unit into the passage in the antenna core so that the connection members engage respective connection portions formed on an end face of the core adjacent on end of the passage. Soldering of the connection members to the connection portions can be performed as a single operation so as to connect the feed structure to conductive antenna elements plated on the outer surface of the core.