Abstract: A needle package having a sealed outer pouch made of a first material, which is permeable to a sterilizing gas but that is impenetrable to microbes and an inner pouch filled with needles, and made of a second material, which is tough and flexible. Also, an intermediate holder, holding the inner pouch, is sealed within the outer pouch, the intermediate holder being made of a third material having greater rigidity than the second material, and defining an interior volume. Further, sterile surgical needles are held within the inner pouch and the intermediate holder constrains the inner pouch to the interior volume, thereby restricting freedom of movement of the needles to reduce needle repositioning during shipment.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to identification of anthropometric information for fitting of compression garments. In one example, a method of generating compression garment fit information includes acquiring images including a selected body part or body area in need of compression therapy; processing the acquired images along with a library of compression garment fit information; generating a 3D reconstruction of the selected body part/area; deriving anthropometric information for the selected body part/area from the 3D reconstruction; providing a compression value corresponding to a prescribed or intended amount of compression therapy applied to the selected body part/area; and generating compression garment fit information for the selected body part/area.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to identification of anthropometric information for fitting of compression garments. In one example, a method of generating compression garment fit information includes acquiring images including a selected body part or body area in need of compression therapy; processing the acquired images along with a library of compression garment fit information; generating a 3D reconstruction of the selected body part/area; deriving anthropometric information for the selected body part/area from the 3D reconstruction; providing a compression value corresponding to a prescribed or intended amount of compression therapy applied to the selected body part/area; and generating compression garment fit information for the selected body part/area.

Abstract: A system for using actuators to control an image sensor and/or lens based on sensor data received from position sensors and position information for the image sensor and/or lens received from a host processor includes a primary camera controller device, at least one secondary camera controller device, and at least one communication link connecting the primary camera controller device and the secondary camera controller device. The primary camera controller device processes the received sensor data and the received position information to generate control data, sends a secondary portion of the control data to the secondary camera controller device via the communication link, and drives a primary portion of the control data to the actuators. The secondary camera controller device drives the received secondary portion of the control data to the actuators concurrently with the primary camera controller device driving the primary portion of the control data to the actuators.

Abstract: A system for using actuators to control an image sensor and/or lens based on sensor data received from position sensors and based on position information for the image sensor and/or lens received from a host processor includes a primary camera controller device, at least one secondary camera controller device, and at least one communication link connecting the primary camera controller device and the at least one secondary camera controller device. The primary and secondary camera controller devices receive respective primary and secondary sensor data from the position sensors, send the respective primary and secondary sensor data to the other camera controller device via the communication link, process the primary and secondary sensor data and the position information to generate respective primary and secondary control data, and drive the respective primary and secondary control data to the actuators concurrently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fitting for pre-fabricated compression garments via digital imaging of a wearer body part and measurement of body part circumferences and, optionally, lengths therefrom. The present invention also relates to methods of generating a shape description derived from digital imaging of a patient body part or body area of interest and use of such shape description. Such shape description includes geometric information from which measurement information can optionally be derived. Included herein are methods for diagnosing and monitoring edema and other conditions in patients using shape descriptions acquired from a patient in need of such diagnosis and monitoring. The invention also includes use of the generated shape descriptions to make compression garments specifically configured for a patient's body part or body area. Compression garments generated from the generated shape descriptions are also included herein.

Abstract: Provided is a process that includes obtaining a directed acyclic graph describing a plurality wireless connections between a plurality of downstream nodes forming a multi-path route to an Internet connected wireless transceiver; determining an encoding kernel specifying transformations to be performed by the plurality of downstream nodes on data received from upstream nodes; transmitting at least part of the encoding kernel to at least some of the downstream nodes; and transmitting data from a data source to a downstream node in the directed acyclic graph specified by the encoding kernel such that the data is conveyed through the multi-hop, multi-path route to the Internet connected wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A portable charger capable of jump starting a 12 V car battery includes a charger battery, a jump start circuit operatively electrically connected with the charger battery and with an ignition power outlet, and a microcontroller for coordinating safety functions to establish or interrupt the operative electrical connection of the jump start circuit with the ignition power outlet. The ignition power outlet comprises a positive power socket, a negative power socket, a positive sensing socket and a negative sensing socket. The sensing sockets are electrically isolated from the power sockets, and the microcontroller senses voltage across the sensing sockets and is configured to interrupt the operative electrical connection of the jump start circuit to the ignition power outlet until proper voltage is sensed across the sensing sockets.

Abstract: A system for atomically transferring vectors of data from a transmitter of the vectors of data to a receiver of the vectors of data may include a plurality of memory buffers configured to store the vectors of the data, each buffer configured to store one vector of the vectors of data at a time, the plurality of memory buffers comprising at least three memory buffers and a controller for controlling the plurality of memory buffers. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a condition for transferring information represented by the vectors of data to the receiver, determine which of the plurality of buffers from which the receiver may receive most-recently updated information completely written to the plurality of buffers by the transmitter.

Abstract: An outer container for an aerosol dispenser. The outer container has a closed end bottom and a longitudinally opposed open, open neck. A complementary valve can be received in the neck. A cap overlays the valve and engages the outer container, valve, or both, to prevent removal of the valve. The cap may have threads, ratchets/pawls, splines, spikes, bayonet fitting or combination thereof to engage the valve or outer container.

Abstract: A scanning microwave ellipsometer includes: a microwave ellipsometry test head including: a polarization controller; a transmission line; and a sensor that produces sensor microwave radiation, subjects a sample to the sensor microwave radiation, receives a sample reflected microwave radiation from the sample that results from subjecting the sample with the sample reflected microwave radiation, and produces a sensor-received microwave radiation from the sample reflected microwave radiation, wherein a polarization of the sensor microwave radiation is controlled by the polarization controller; an electrical signal measurement system that produces an electrical readout signal such that a magnitude of reflection coefficient ? and an angle of reflection coefficient ? of the sample reflected microwave radiation is determined from the electrical readout signal; and a position controller that adjusts a relative position of the sensor and the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fitting for pre-fabricated compression garments via digital imaging of a wearer body part and measurement of body part circumferences and, optionally, lengths therefrom. The present invention also relates to methods of generating a shape description derived from digital imaging of a patient body part or body area of interest and use of such shape description. Such shape description includes geometric information from which measurement information can optionally be derived. Included herein are methods for diagnosing and monitoring edema and other conditions in patients using shape descriptions acquired from a patient in need of such diagnosis and monitoring. The invention also includes use of the generated shape descriptions to make compression garments specifically configured for a patient's body part or body area. Compression garments generated from the generated shape descriptions are also included herein.

Abstract: A multi-composition product dispenser capable of concurrently dispensing at least a first and second composition is provided.

Abstract: A portable power charger is provided for charging an electronic device from a rechargeable battery internally disposed within the charger. An attachment system is also provided for connecting the electronic device to the portable charger and maintaining the connection during charging, whether by wireless means or by direct charging connection. The attachment system can also ensure that respective wireless transmission components in the portable charger and the electronic device, where available, are properly aligned for optimal and efficient wireless charging. The alignment system can comprise an arrangement of magnets on each of the portable charger and the electronic device, whereby said magnets are geometrically arrangement is spaced apart relationship to one another. The alignment system may alternatively comprise a sticky pads, suction cups or hook-and-loop fasteners to physical attach the electronic device to the portable charger.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to identification of anthropometric information for fitting of compression garments. In one example, a method of generating compression garment fit information includes acquiring images including a selected body part or body area in need of compression therapy; processing the acquired images along with a library of compression garment fit information; generating a 3D reconstruction of the selected body part/area; deriving anthropometric information for the selected body part/area from the 3D reconstruction; providing a compression value corresponding to a prescribed or intended amount of compression therapy applied to the selected body part/area; and generating compression garment fit information for the selected body part/area.

Abstract: A preform suitable for blow molding into for an outer container usable for a pressurized aerosol dispenser. The preform has a longitudinal axis and a closed end bottom, an open neck. The neck has threads for accepting a valve having complementary threads. At least one pawl or ratchet is operatively juxtaposed with the periphery of the preform. The at least one pawl or ratchet allows onward rotation of the complementary valve in an onward direction, and prevents detachment of the valve in a reverse rotation direction. Any such preform can be blow molded into a corresponding outer container, and any such outer container can be blow molded from a corresponding preform.

Abstract: An aerosol container for an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container has an outer container. The outer container has a closed end bottom and a longitudinally opposed threaded open neck. The open neck has one or more pawls or ratchets disposed near the neck. The pawls or ratchets allow a complementary valve to be threaded onto the neck. The valve has complementary ratchets or pawls. The ratchet and pawl combination co-acts to impede or even prevent reverse rotation and subsequent removal of the valve. The outer container may be made from a preform having the ratchets and/or pawls integrally molded as part of the injection molding process. A valve having a housing may have ratchets and or pawls integrally molded as part of the injection molding process.

Abstract: A dispensing package for a spreadable personal care product and its respective methods for dispensing the product. The dispensing package comprises a reusable dispenser, a replaceable cartridge and optionally a top cap. The reusable dispenser comprises a tubular body and a telescopic actuator. The telescopic actuator comprises a hand wheel, a leading screw, a tubular screw and an elevator. The replaceable cartridge comprises a push plate. The telescopic actuator is able to engage with the push plate of the replaceable cartridge to deliver the personal care product such that a top surface of the elevator telescopes with a bottom surface of the push plate of the replaceable cartridge.

Abstract: A compact, decorative and multi-functional portable power charger and cable apparatus includes a portable charger unit with a housing where the housing encloses an internal rechargeable battery unit for connecting to and recharging one or more electronic devices, and a charging cable extending from the charger housing and in operative communication with the rechargeable battery. At least the charger housing is surrounded by an aesthetic feature, which can comprise a tasseled fitting, a puffball, a luggage tag, or a doll or teddy bear to hide the charger unit. Electrical fittings including power connection interfaces for connecting the charger and cable apparatus with at least one electronic device, or an external power source, or both, can be provided on the charging cable and also hidden by the aesthetic feature. The power charger and cable apparatus can be attached to a fashion accessory, such as a purse, a bag, luggage or clothing.

Abstract: A beverage-ingredient cartridge for storing and dispensing beverage ingredients. The cartridge includes a container for storing a first beverage ingredient, and a cap secured within an open upper end of the container that seals the open upper end. The cap includes a storage compartment for storing a second beverage ingredient having a base and a sidewall extending from a the base. A line of weakness defines a separable region of the base, and a column extends from the separable region of the base and is spaced apart from the sidewall. A plastic film is secured to the sidewall and to the column that seals the storage compartment. Upon application of a force to the column, the separable region separates from the base and the plastic film tears such that the storage compartment and container are open to the outside of the beverage-ingredient cartridge.