Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time bidding for leads utilize lead grades from a predictive grading model to calculate optimized bid prices as a function of lead grades. A baseline cost per lead is established. Incoming leads are graded to estimate performance. Bid prices apply boost factors based on lead grades to the cost per lead. Winning bids distribute higher graded leads to buyers. Winning prices adjust the baseline cost per lead over time.

Abstract: An implant comprises (i) first and second anchors, (ii) a tether extending between the first anchor and the second anchor, and (iii) a shape-memory band that extends alongside the tether, between the first anchor and the second anchor. A delivery assembly is adapted to (a) contract the implant at the heart, by applying energy to the shape-memory band, such that the shape-memory band draws the first and second anchors closer together, and (b) secure the implant in its contracted state by locking a stopper to the tether. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Braille display with protection against the ingress of contaminants. In one embodiment, contaminant protection is provided by a flexible film that is secured beneath the Braille dots of the display. This film both secures the dots and prevents contaminants from coming into contact with pin actuators within the display housing. In another embodiment, ingress protection is provided by air pressure supplied to a plenum located at the base of the dot pins.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce unwanted effects caused by mismatch in amplifier circuits having components that are trimmable during and post-production to minimize DC offset. Various embodiments of the invention trim out amplifier mismatch by determining trim codes for two or more phases of operation of an amplifier circuit and use those trim codes to determine a final trim code for use in regular operation.

Abstract: The current invention comprises devices and methods for performance of retrograde angiography, viz, devices and methods of occlusion of a blood vessel and injection of contrast to flow proximal to the direction of blood flow, thereby enabling retrograde clinical angiograms of blood vessels and grafts to be obtained.

Abstract: A router includes a motor unit, a base that receives the motor unit, a threaded shaft supported on one of the motor unit or the base, and a slide supported on the other of the motor unit and the base. The slide engages with the shaft in a first position of the slide in which micro-adjustments to a cutting depth are permitted. The slide disengages with the shaft in a second position of the slide in which macro-adjustments to the cutting depth are permitted. The router includes a lever movable to an unlocked position in which the lever disengages the slide from the shaft to permit macro-adjustments.

Abstract: The current invention comprises devices and methods for performance of retrograde angiography, viz, devices and methods of occlusion of a blood vessel and injection of contrast to flow proximal to the direction of blood flow, thereby enabling retrograde clinical angiograms of blood vessels and grafts to be obtained.

Abstract: A bassinet includes a base, a column assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the column assembly, an arm rotatably connected to a second end of the column assembly, a tub frame pivotably connected to the arm, an infant tub retained within the tub frame, the infant tub including a front wall, a back wall, and two side walls and having areas of reduced height along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to the infant located within the infant tub, and an insert configured to reversibly fit within an interior of the infant tub.

Abstract: Embodiments include herein are directed towards various circuit topologies. A self-correcting latch circuit may include a plurality of memory loops, a plurality of clock inputs, a plurality of data inputs, and a plurality of outputs. Each of the plurality of memory loops may be configured to store data in parallel.

Abstract: A stabilizer for use with a delivery system is provided. The stabilizer receives a delivery system, such as a handle portion, and prevents unwanted movement of the delivery system during a medical procedure. The stabilizer desirably includes an elongate rail that is adapted to be secured to a base or table. A rail dock is adapted to releasably couple to the delivery system. The rail dock is slidably mounted along an upper surface of the rail and includes a brake assembly. The brake assembly preferably includes a toggle member with at least one push button, wherein actuation of the push button may release or lock the brake assembly. Components of the stabilizer are provided for allowing the stabilizer to be used with different delivery systems and the stabilizer is capable of being secured to different sized tables.

Abstract: An anchor driver is transluminally advanceable to a heart of a subject, and comprises (a) a shaft; (b) a head, coupled to the shaft at a distal part of the anchor driver, and configured to engage a tissue anchor; and (c) a stiffening element that, while the head remains engaged with the tissue anchor, is repositionable from outside of the subject in a manner that transitions the anchor driver between (i) a first state, and (ii) a second state in which the distal part of the anchor driver is stiffer than in the first state. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A testing platform tests an electrical and mechanical system such as an HVAC unit according to an algorithm that reduces the total testing time of the components of the system, while ensuring the safety of the system during system-wide testing. The platform uses constraints that are checked both before and during the testing to ensure that HVAC operating conditions are acceptable for starting and maintaining component tests. Preferably, the platform uses finite-state machines for each device to organize the component tests, allowing for monitoring of constraints and starting, pausing, and stopping component tests. Preferably, total test execution time is reduced by running component tests in parallel, running component tests based on loads of the components, or combinations of both.

Abstract: A router includes a motor unit and a base that receives the motor unit. A threaded shaft is supported on either the motor unit or the base. A slide is supported on the other of the motor unit and the base. The slide engages with the shaft in a first position of the slide in which micro-adjustments to a cutting depth are permitted. The slide disengages with the shaft in a second position of the slide in which macro-adjustments to the cutting depth are permitted. With a lever in a locked position, neither macro-adjustments nor micro-adjustments are permitted regardless of the slide being in the first position or the second position. With the lever in a micro-adjustment position, only micro-adjustments are permitted with the slide in the first position. With the lever in an unlocked position, the lever disengages the slide from the shaft to permit macro-adjustments.

Abstract: An implant includes a tether and a series of anchors. Each anchor includes (i) a tissue-engaging element, (ii) a head that is slidably coupled to the tether and that includes a lock that is biased to lock in a manner that locks the head to the tether, and (iii) a push-button operatively coupled to the lock. A delivery tool includes a flexible tube that is transluminally advanceable to the heart, and a driver. The driver is configured to, for each of the anchors sequentially, (i) advance the anchor through the flexible tube to the heart while the lock is maintained unlocked by the flexible tube constraining the push-button, (ii) anchor the anchor to tissue of the heart, and (iii) release the push-button by deploying the head out of the flexible tube, the lock responsively locking. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are overload protection pins (“OP Pins”) for use in a Braille display. Each OP Pin in the display is placed above an associated actuator pin, which allows the OP Pins to be selectively driven upwardly or downwardly. This, in turn, allows the OP Pins to be selectively positioned to generate Braille characters that can be sensed by a BLV user. However, when excessive forces are encountered (defined as forces beyond the standard sensing pressures applied by BLV users) the OP Pins yield and are retracted to a position beneath the upper surface of the Braille display. This serves both to protect both the OP Pins and the underlying actuator mechanisms. Once the excessive force is removed, the OP Pin recovers to its original height.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a tissue anchor and an anchor driver. The apparatus includes a housing, shaped to define a channel. The channel includes (i) an anchor-storage zone, and (ii) a proximal opening configured to provide access for the anchor driver to the anchor-storage zone. The channel is configured to enable sliding of the tissue anchor therewithin to be stored in the anchor-storage zone. The apparatus also includes a retaining member, shaped to define a cradle for cradling and holding the tissue anchor in the anchor-storage zone. The retaining member includes a pillar pivotable with respect to the cradle, and configured to support the tissue anchor at the cradle. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Method for colouring hair comprising pretreating the hair with at least one primer composition before treating the hair with a polymeric hair colouring system.

Abstract: There is provided a method including the steps of receiving mine operations data from a set of data sources in a mine, the mine operations data, processing the mine operations data to detect a set of events meeting at least one operator attention triggering condition, mapping the set of events to a mine model on the basis of location information associated with the events in the set of events, determining an affected location area of the set of events mapped to the mine model, and generating an operator attention indicator dependent on density of events in the affected location area for display for the set of events in the affected location area in the mine model to an operator to adjust operation of one or more mine operations devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a braille display that is impact resistant and that employs a modular construction. The impact resistance is achieved, in part, by molded and resilient end caps. Each end cap includes a centrally positioned slit that functions in absorbing lateral impacts to the display. The impact resistance is further achieved by an over molded housing that is positioned about an associated USB connector. The modularity of the display is achieved by way of a subassembly that is releasably secured within the interior of a main housing. The subassembly, in turn, includes a series of cell compartments that are arranged in groups. Each group of cell compartments is controlled by an individual shift register. This allows a grouping cell compartments to be removed and replaced as needed without disturbing the remaining cell components.

Abstract: An ergonomic suction syringe and method for performing medical procedures in which suction is generated and can be delivered to a medical device by a single-handed compression motion, with suction actuated by forward motion of a piston into a cylinder, and in which suction can be maintained essentially permanently once activated without any further effort by the operator, even hands-free.