Abstract: Robotic medical systems can be capable of kinematic optimization using shared robotic degrees-of-freedom. A robotic medical system can include a patient platform, an adjustable arm support coupled to the patient platform, and at least one robotic arm coupled to the adjustable arm support. The at least one robotic arm can be coupled to a medical tool. The robotic medical system includes a first link and a second link. Each of the first link and the second link includes a first end coupled to the adjustable arm support and a second end coupled to a base of the patient platform, for rotating the adjustable arm support relative to the patient platform. The robotic medical system can also include a processor configured to adjust a position of the adjustable arm support and the at least one robotic arm while maintaining a remote center of movement of the medical tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining levels of gaseous elements and optionally utilizing the determined levels to calibrate one or more sensors of an air purifier. For example, in some implementations a first image is captured of a colorimetric sensor device at the start of a sensing period and a second image is captured of the colorimetric sensor device at the end of the sensing period. The colorimetric sensor device includes at least one colorimetric sensor configured to change colors in response to reaction with a gaseous pollutant. Values may be determined based on the colors of the colorimetric sensor in the first and second images and the values may be utilized to determine a pollution value indicative of the amount of the gaseous pollutant to which the colorimetric sensor was exposed during the sensing period.

Abstract: A particle sensing apparatus is provided for determining particle concentration in a fluid, e.g. air. The apparatus is based on fluid-flow passageway having an upstream inlet to receive the fluid and a downstream outlet to exhaust the fluid. It also includes a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the fluid-flow passageway. Between them, the fluid-flow passageway and the recirculation passageway define a recirculation loop. A first particle sensor is located in the recirculation loop, and other sensors may also be present at other options. A force applicator is included in the fluid-flow passageway to apply a force to the particles entrained in the fluid. The force is used to direct some or all of the particles into the recirculation loop. This provides a choice between increasing the detection limit or the detection range. A processor determines the concentration of particles in the fluid based on the concentration of particles detected at the first particle sensor.

Abstract: A dual lumen coaxial cannula, assembly includes a first infusion tube having a first elongate body defining a first lumen therethrough and a second drainage tube co-axially aligned with the first infusion tube and having a second elongate body with a second lumen defined by a space between the first infusion tube and second drainage tube. A connector is removably attached to the first infusion tube and the second drainage tube for coupling the dual lumen coaxial cannula to an extracorporeal blood circuit. The first infusion tube and the second drainage tube include a plurality of infusion and drainage apertures, respectively, provided at the distal end and extending through the sidewall of the first infusion tube and the drainage tube, respectively.

Abstract: Described herein is a shampoo composition and methods of using the same, the shampoo composition including a Class I and/or Class II chelant, a detersive surfactant, and a carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for kinematic optimization with shared robotic degrees-of-freedom are provided. In one aspect, a robotic medical system includes a base, an adjustable arm support coupled to the base, and at least one robotic arm coupled to the adjustable arm support. The at least one robotic arm is further configured to be coupled to a medical tool that is configured to be delivered through an incision or natural orifice of a patient. The system further includes a processor configured to adjust a position of the adjustable arm support and the at least one robotic arm while maintaining a remote center of movement of the tool.

Abstract: A profiled rolling apparatus for lowering rolling resistance in track-guided, load-bearing movement applications. The rolling body, as part of a track roller, cam follower, caster wheel, or the like, has a radial groove (e.g. a V-shape with some internal angle) on which a non-linear profile is implemented. Profiles for various embodiments may be, but are not limited to, circular arcs, polynomials or other mathematical functions, or made up of multiple shorter linear and/or arc segments, creating a convex or concave contour on either side of the groove. Such crowning profiles may additionally or alternatively be implemented on the guiding track.

Abstract: A dual lumen coaxial cannula assembly including a first infusion tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween, as well as a second drainage tube co-axially aligned with the first infusion tube, the second drainage tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending circumferentially therebetween. The assembly also includes a connector assembly, which has an inlet portion through which a portion of the first infusion tube is configured to extend and an outlet portion through which a portion of the second drainage tube is configured to extend. The connector assembly is configured to enable selective axial displacement of the first infusion tube through the second drainage tube.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a container opener for opening a planar portion of a sealed container by cutting the planar portion of the container, while leaving little to no sharp edges on the container at the point of the cut.

Abstract: A method of assisting a heart of a patient using a dual lumen cannula includes inserting the dual lumen cannula into the patient, positioning a first infusion tube of the dual lumen cannula in an artery near the heart to pump blood thereto, positioning a second drainage tube of the dual lumen cannula in a chamber of the heart to drain blood therefrom. The dual lumen cannula has a plurality of infusion apertures extending through a sidewall of the first infusion tube at a distal end of the first infusion tube; and a plurality of drainage apertures extending through a sidewall of the second drainage tube at a distal end of the second drainage tube. The distal end of the first infusion tube has a tapered portion extending distally beyond a distal-most infusion aperture of the plurality of infusion apertures and to a terminal surface at a tip of the first infusion tube.

Abstract: Described herein is a shampoo composition and methods of using the same, the shampoo composition including a copper chelant, a detersive surfactant, and a carrier.

Abstract: A method of preparing antimicrobial material sheets suitable for manufacturing a wide range of products having antimicrobial properties. In exemplary embodiments, a fabric having antimicrobial agents may be calendered with a polymer such as a silicone compound or an elastomer, in order to create a fused material sheet that contains the antibacterial properties of the fabric. In exemplary embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is copper, a copper alloy, silver, a silver alloy, or other suitable antimicrobial agent from which a fabric may be created. In some exemplary embodiments, an uncured silicone composition and copper alloy fabric are calendered to obtain an antimicrobial material sheet suitable for compression molding a wide range of products. In some exemplary embodiments, an uncured silicone composition and copper alloy fabric are calendered and roto-cured to obtain a cured antimicrobial material sheet or sheet rolls that maybe suitable for die-cutting.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a computerized device's display to provide a compact and informative graphical user interface providing historical data-based forecasting for clinical trial-related activities. The graphical user interface performs guided prompting for development of clinical trial plans on a per-study basis, historical data-based budgeting on a per-country basis, and budget negotiation on a per-supplier basis, to effectively form clinical trial agreements. Further, the system provides a high degree of flexibility and feedback to the user during these activities, including via graphical user interfaces providing mechanisms for accessing historical payment data and/or fair market value data derived therefrom, to allow for comparison and/or selection of countries/suppliers to be used in clinical trials and/or to negotiate clinical trial budgets based on actual historical payment data.

Abstract: A profiled rolling apparatus for lowering rolling resistance in track-guided, load-bearing movement applications. The rolling body, as part of a track roller, cam follower, caster wheel, or the like, has a radial groove (e.g. a V-shape with some internal angle) on which a non-linear profile is implemented. Profiles for various embodiments may be, but are not limited to, circular arcs, polynomials or other mathematical functions, or made up of multiple shorter linear and/or arc segments, creating a convex or concave contour on either side of the groove. Such crowning profiles may additionally or alternatively be implemented on the guiding track.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the taste of coffee, a method of controlling the taste of coffee and a coffee maker including the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit, configured to determine a target pH value of water corresponding to a desired coffee taste, and a corresponding adjustment control signal; and a pH adjustment unit, configured to adjust, in response to the adjustment control signal applied to the pH adjustment unit, the pH value of water to be fed into a brewing unit of a coffee maker to the target pH value. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the pH value of water to be fed to a brewing unit of a coffee maker may be adjusted for a desired coffee taste.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a computerized device's display to provide a graphical user interface that renders compact and informative graphical user interface images while also providing for flexible and accurate administration of clinical trial-related activities, namely, flexible allocation of payments in accordance with an applicable clinical trial agreement. Further, the system provides a graphical user interface providing tracking and feedback to the user during the payment allocation process to avoid allocation errors. More particularly, the graphical user interface provides guided prompting for allocation to approved/relevant persons, in accordance with clinical trial agreements, while providing a high degree of flexibility for specifying an allocations, and while displaying various visual elements providing feedback to ensure that allocations are made with internal consistency, to reduce and/or avoid human or other errors.

Abstract: A apparatus (100) for roasting coffee beans is disclosed comprising a compartment (110) for holding coffee beans (10); a roasting element (140) for roasting the coffee beans in said compartment; and a processor (130) comprising a control unit (134) for controlling the roasting element. Wherein, the processor (130) is adapted to determine a weight loss rate of the coffee beans, and the control unit (134) is adapted to control the roasting element as a function of the determined weight loss rate. A coffee machine including such an apparatus and a method for roasting coffee beans are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for providing an exacerbation risk score for a respiratory disease of a patient. The system measures a heart signal and/or a blood circulation signal of a patient and detects cough events and sneeze events in the measurement data. The cough events and sneeze events are indicative for an onset of a contagion and/or an allergy, which can rapidly exacerbate a respiratory disease of the patient. Thus, the system is configured for providing unobtrusively an exacerbation risk score to the patient and/or to a physician.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a control device (100) for operating an air treatment apparatus (10), the control device (100) comprising an input (102) arranged to receive measured data that is indicative of particle concentration from a sensing unit (130), a baseline processing module (104) arranged to derive particle concentration indicative information from the received measured data, an obtaining module (106) arranged to obtain augmenting information that is indicative of air quality, an air quality index augmenting module (108) arranged to determine an augmented air quality index based on the particle concentration indicative information and the augmenting information, and an operation control module (110) arranged to operate the air treatment apparatus (10) based on the augmented air quality index. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program.

Abstract: A golf ball with embedded electronics to allow proximity to be tracked and to monitor golfer performance is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a processor connected to an accelerometer, communications circuitry, a spin detector, and memory, wherein the processor stores accelerometer data from the accelerometer and rotation data regarding rotation of the spin detector in the memory. The processor converts the data regarding the rotation of the spin detector into a rotation speed and a rotation direction, said rotation speed determined by a frequency of the data, and said rotation direction determined by a magnitude of the data. The communications circuitry is configured to communicate the accelerometer data, the rotation direction, and the rotation speed to a central interrogator for analysis of a golfer's performance.