Abstract: A strap system comprising a first strap extending between a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a first attachment mechanism. The strap system further comprises a second strap extending between a third end and a fourth end. The fourth end is connected to a second attachment mechanism. The strap system comprises a load transmission device connected to the second end of the first strap and to the third end of the second strap. The load transmission device is arranged to transmit a signal in response to a tension force in the first and second straps falling below a threshold force.

Abstract: A head-mounted display may include a display system and an optical system in a housing. The display system may have displays that produce images. Positioners may be used to move the displays relative to the eye positions of a user's eyes. An adjustable optical system may include tunable lenses such as tunable cylindrical liquid crystal lenses. The displays may be viewed through the lenses when the user's eyes are at the eye positions. A sensor may be incorporated into the head-mounted display to measure refractive errors in the user's eyes. The sensor may include waveguides and volume holograms, and a camera for gathering light that has reflected from the retinas of the user's eyes. Viewing comfort may be enhanced by adjusting display positions relative to the eye positions and/or by adjusting lens settings based on the content being presented on the display and/or measured refractive errors.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a burner mounted on the cooktop. At least one coupling member is coupled to the cooktop. A grate, a griddle, or a reversible griddle is selectively coupled to the at least one coupling member and is operable between a raised position and a lowered position when the grate, the griddle, or the reversible griddle, is engaged with the coupling member.

Abstract: Bicycle dropouts to secure a rear axle of a bicycle include a dropout with locking channels formed over a portion of its face, and a corresponding locking plate with complementary channels formed over one face. The locking plate surrounds the rear axle and the locking and complementary channels engage to prevent the rear axle from moving in the dropout. When the locking plate is loosened so that the channels can disengage, the rear axle position can be adjusted forward and backward to loosen or tighten the chain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pre-treating swabs prior to collection of specimens to reduce false positive detections by immersing a swab in a liquid chemical pre-treating agent for a treatment period of time. Then the swab is removed and circulated in a rinse agent. The pre-treating agent may be an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, a bleaching agent (e.g. sodium hypochlorite solution) or a fluorescence suppressing dye (such as Evans blue, Trypan blue, or black dye).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving signal-to-noise ratio in a Fountain Flow cytometer by reducing the background light intensity. One approach includes constraining an interrogated volume of the sample (e.g., by adding a light absorbing reagent to the sample or introducing a bend into a flow cell through which the sample flows). Another approach includes minimizing Raman scattering from the sample by choosing an excitation filter and an emission filter configured to narrowly encompass light at wavelengths within system excitation and emission peaks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving signal-to-noise ratio in a Fountain Flow cytometer by reducing the background light intensity. One approach includes constraining an interrogated volume of the sample (e.g., by adding a light absorbing reagent to the sample or introducing a bend into a flow cell through which the sample flows). Another approach includes minimizing Raman scattering from the sample by choosing an excitation filter and an emission filter configured to narrowly encompass light at wavelengths within system excitation and emission peaks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the background light intensity measured by a Fountain Flow cytometer. One approach includes constraining an interrogated volume of the sample (e.g., by adding a light absorbing reagent to the sample or introducing a bend into a flow cell through which the sample flows). Another approach includes minimizing Raman scattering from the sample by choosing an excitation filter and an emission filter configured to narrowly encompass light at wavelengths within system excitation and emission peaks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the background light intensity measured by a Fountain Flow cytometer. One approach includes constraining an interrogated volume of the sample (e.g., by adding a light absorbing reagent to the sample or introducing a bend into a flow cell through which the sample flows). Another approach includes minimizing Raman scattering from the sample by choosing an excitation filter and an emission filter configured to narrowly encompass light at wavelengths within system excitation and emission peaks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pre-treating swabs prior to collection of specimens to reduce false positive detections immerse a swab in a liquid chemical pre-treating agent for a treatment period of time. Then the swab is removed and circulated in a rinse agent. The pre-treating agent may be an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, a bleaching agent (e.g. sodium hypochlorite solution) or a fluorescence suppressing dye (such as Evans blue, Trypan blue, or black dye).

Abstract: Shell deflectors or redirectors according to embodiments of the invention block a shell ejected from a firearm after firing, absorb some of its kinetic energy to cause the shell to slow down, and reflect or redirect the shell to a convenient area near the shooter, thus simplifying cleanup and brass-collection after operating the firearm.

Abstract: A hand-held pneumatic impact tool for striking and planishing metal panels includes a monostable, reciprocating impact mechanism in a small form factor, with an air pressure regulator to control striking force and interchangeable toolheads to apply the force as necessary to repair dented or crumpled vehicle bodies.

Abstract: An invention is described which allows measurement of the concentration of fluorescent particles in a flowing (laminar) fluid by imaging the flow with a video camera. A beam of illumination is used to illuminate the target particles. Imaging optics are arranged to view the focal plane to form an image of the multiple fluorescent sample particles in the flow stream; a camera records the image formed by the imaging optics, and a counting algorithm enumerates the particles. Operational parameters of the system are adjusted according to an initial estimate of particle density, for example flow rate, exposure time, and sampling interval. In addition, the counting algorithm is selected according to the estimated particle density.

Abstract: There are provided a method, system and medium having instructions embedded to determine an attribute of a simulated patient's state resulting from a patient-physician encounter. The method includes receiving a current treatment move and an initial value of the attribute; calculating a maximal expected incremental effect value of the current treatment move over a previous treatment move on the attribute; attenuating the maximal expected incremental effect value based on amount of time between the previous treatment move and the current treatment move; summing the attenuated maximal expected incremental effect value with the initial value to generate an updated attribute of the simulated patient's state; and generating a patient-physician encounter that includes the updated attribute.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the fluorescence of large multi-cellular organisms in a sample of liquid includes a pumping mechanism, a fluorescence measuring device, a method of analyzing the measurements, and optionally, a sorting mechanism. The pumping mechanism transfers large multi-cellular organisms from a reservoir through a fluorescence-measuring device causing minimum physical damage and/or stress. The pressure differential driving the organisms from a sample container/reservoir through the measuring device can be derived from gravity, air pressure, or liquid pressure, or some combination of the three. The fluorescence can be measured in a cytometer using a light detector or imager. Generally the detection element will include a filter, isolating the wavelength of fluorescent emission. The illumination may be provided by a laser or by an LED, combined with the use of dichroic mirrors to allow multiple wavelength simultaneous illumination.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting a small number of target microorganisms found in a large volume of aqueous solution by diverting small volumes containing fluorescent microorganisms, including target microorganisms, into a smaller specimen of solution, followed by selectively staining the specimen to tag the target microorganisms and detecting the tagged target microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for selectively flagging target microorganisms in a liquid sample also including background particles comprises the steps of adding a lysing agent selected to breach the background particles to the sample, adding a dye selected to flag the target microorganisms to the sample, adding a suppressing agent selected to penetrate the breached background particles and suppress the dye within the breached background particles to the sample, and measuring the flagged target microorganisms in the sample. The method is particularly useful in organic samples such as dairy and blood product solutions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the fluorescence of large multi-cellular organisms in a sample of liquid includes a pumping mechanism, a fluorescence measuring device, a method of analyzing the measurements, and optionally, a sorting mechanism. The pumping mechanism transfers large multi-cellular organisms from a reservoir through a fluorescence-measuring device causing minimum physical damage and/or stress. The pressure differential driving the organisms from a sample container/reservoir through the measuring device can be derived from gravity, air pressure, or liquid pressure, or some combination of the three. The fluorescence can be measured in a cytometer using a light detector or imager. Generally the detection element will include a filter, isolating the wavelength of fluorescent emission. The illumination may be provided by a laser or by an LED, combined with the use of dichroic mirrors to allow multiple wavelength simultaneous illumination.

Abstract: An imaging fountain flow cytometer allows high resolution microscopic imaging of a flowing sample in real time. Cells of interest are in a vertical stream of liquid flowing toward one or more illuminating elements at wavelengths which illuminate fluorescent dyes and cause the cells to fluoresce. A detector detects the fluorescence emission each time a marked cell passes through the focal plane of the detector. A bi-directional syringe pump allows the user to reverse the flow and locate the detected cell in the field of view. The flow cell is mounted on a computer controlled x-y stage, so the user can center a portion of the image on which to zoom or increase magnification. Several computer selectable parfocal objective lenses allow the user to image the entire field of view and then zoom in on the detected cell at substantially higher resolution. The magnified cell is then imaged at the various wavelengths.