Abstract: A presence detection system (700) configured to detect a presence of a window (130) or a mirror (330) is disclosed. The system comprises a time-of-flight sensor (110, 310, 610) configured to detect a proximity to a target (105, 305, 605) based on reflected radiation sensed from a plurality of zones (620a-i). The system also discloses processing circuitry (750) configured to determine a presence of a mirror or window in a path from the time-of-flight sensor to the target based on one or more peaks in data corresponding to the sensed radiation reflected from each of the plurality of zones. A corresponding method of detecting a presence of a window or a mirror using the disclosed system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a lidar sensor system is described. A computing system is configured to determine that the lidar sensor system is to update a code that is included in light signals emitted by the lidar sensor system. The computing system transmits a command signal to the lidar sensor system, wherein the command signal causes the lidar sensor system to transition from emitting light signals with a first code therein to emitting light signals with a second code therein, wherein the first code is different from the second code.

Abstract: A reactor has a reactor vessel and one or more reaction tubes. One or more power input elements are guided into the reactor vessel for the electrical heating of the reaction tube(s). The one or more power input elements each have a rod-shaped section, and the rod-shaped section(s) each run in a respective wall passage through a wall of the reactor vessel. A connection chamber into which the rod-shaped section(s) project is arranged outside the reactor vessel and adjacent to the wall of the reactor vessel through which the rod-shaped section(s) run in their wall passages. Gas feed means apply an inerting gas to the connection chamber, and the wall passages with the rod-shaped sections received therein in a longitudinally-movable manner are designed to be gas-permeable so that at least a portion of the inerting gas fed into the connection chamber flows out into the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out a chemical reaction has a reactor vessel, one or more reaction tubes and means for the electrical heating of the one or more reaction tubes. The reactor vessel has one or more discharge orifices which are permanently open or are set up to open above a preset pressure level, and gas feed means are provided, which are set up to feed an inerting gas into an interior of the reactor vessel.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a lidar sensor system is described. A computing system is configured to determine that the lidar sensor system is to update a code that is included in light signals emitted by the lidar sensor system. The computing system transmits a command signal to the lidar sensor system, wherein the command signal causes the lidar sensor system to transition from emitting light signals with a first code therein to emitting light signals with a second code therein, wherein the first code is different from the second code.

Abstract: A compact dedusting apparatus for cleaning particulate materials of contaminates and has a housing defining a cleaning area in which the contaminants are removed to create cleaned particulate material with a product discharge opening through which cleaned particulate material can be discharged. The dedusting apparatus includes an infeed apparatus having a vibratory feed pan powered by a vibration generator to induce vibrations therein. The dedusting apparatus also includes a Venturi chamber to remove contaminants from the particulate material by a flow of air passing upwardly through the product discharge opening. The dedusting apparatus further includes an interchangeable carryover deflector having a chamber extension member that aligns with internal structure to control the flow of particulate material into said Venturi chamber and deflects particulate material entrained in the air flow through the Venturi chamber toward the product discharge opening.

Abstract: A method including performing a simulation to evaluate a plurality of metrology targets and/or a plurality of metrology recipes used to measure a metrology target, identifying one or more metrology targets and/or metrology recipes from the evaluated plurality of metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, receiving measurement data of the one or more identified metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, and using the measurement data to tune a metrology target parameter or metrology recipe parameter.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automated bone mineral density and fracture risk assessment from digital X-rays. A method includes: obtaining image data including information relating to cortical bone tissue of at least a part of a first bone; preprocessing the image data, by isolating a region of interest in the image data, to generate preprocessed image data; applying the preprocessed image data as inputs across a trained machine learning model to generate output indicative of bone mineral density of the first bone; determining a T-score value based on the bone mineral density of the first bone; and providing, on a user interface, an output based on the T-score value.

Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: An assembly, a system, and a method for protecting a portion of a pipeline from an impact in an excavation operation creating a void around the portion of the pipeline with a shell assembly are described. The shell assembly includes two half cylinders and fasteners to couple the two half cylinders together. Each half cylinder has a pipe cover shell, an inner shell, and an outer shell. The pipe cover shell is sized to conform to an outer surface of the pipeline. The inner shell is spaced apart from the pipe cover shell and coupled to the pipe cover shell by radially extended inner supports. Each inner support has a crumple component that is weaker than adjacent portions of the inner support. The outer shell is spaced apart from the inner shell with the inner shell disposed between the outer shell and the pipe cover shell.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a Nitinol basket for an electrophysiological (EP) mapping catheter. In one embodiment, the Nitinol basket comprises a plurality of basket splines, each basket spline having a distalmost portion and a proximal end, where the distal tip is uninterruptedly contiguous and continuous with the distalmost portions of the basket splines and formed from the same piece, slab or ingot comprising Nitinol as the splines. In such an embodiment, the basket splines and distal tip are cut and formed from a same single length or piece of Nitinol tubing or a Nitinol hypotube. The respective distal portions of each of the Nitinol splines can be continuous and contiguous with, and connected to, the Nitinol distal tip, each spline being configured to extend outwardly away from an imaginary central axis of the Nitinol basket and its proximal end and distal portion to form a curved shape therebetween when the Nitinol basket is in an undeformed and deployed state.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion-templated silica micro and nano-capsules- and methods for making them. In particular, the template emulsion is stabilized by a biosurfactant that also assists in nucleating the silica shell Mineralizing biosurfactants and stabilized micro- and nano-emulsions useful in forming the emulsion-templated micro- and nano-capsules, and methods for the use of the silica micro- and nano-capsules are also described.

Abstract: The shower system has a heat exchanger located in compartment vertically adjacent to the wall of the shower space and closed off by an openable or removable panel. The heat exchanger comprising a helically winding heat exchange conduit with successive windings around a vertical axis in said compartment above the floor of the shower space. A pump coupled to the shower drain pumps warm water to a warm water feed of the heat exchanger, from where it is sprayed on a top winding of the heat exchange conduit. Tap water is fed to the shower head successively via the heat exchange conduit and a heater and/or a mixing element for mixing water from the heat exchanger with water from a supply input for external hot water.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving only the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving only the second sheath in place.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.