Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of gases supplied to a patient by a respiratory assistance device includes controlling the supply gases flow rate so as to deliver gases to the patient according to a predetermined gases pressure/flow rate profile for at least a portion of the breathing cycle. A profile may be achieved that provides the patient with a particular benefit or therapy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying one or more territories are provided. An example method includes receiving, from a data source, a territory file. The territory file can include data describing territory details such as a geographic territory name, territory geometry information, territory data attributes, and a territory color. Territory data is retrieved from a server, based on data in the territory file. A spatial fabric layer including polygonal regions is loaded from the territory data. A visual representation of one or more polygonal regions is displayed with a video display. User data indicating a selection of one or more polygonal regions can be received to create or update one or more selected territory polygonal regions. Changes made to a territory allocation can be displayed on a video display. The territory file can be updated with data identifying the one or more selected polygonal regions, and stored.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance apparatus is configured to provide a heated and humidified glow of gases and has a control system that is configured to detect a fault in the flow path. A flow path is provided for a gases stream through the apparatus from a gas inlet through a blower unit and humidification unit to a gases outlet. A flow rate sensor is provided in the flow path and is configured to sense the flow rate and generate an flow rate signal and/or a motor speed sensor is provided that is configured to sense the motor speed of the blower unit and generate an indicative motor speed signal.

Abstract: Robots have the capacity to perform a broad range of useful tasks, such as factory automation, cleaning, delivery, assistive care, environmental monitoring and entertainment. Enabling a robot to perform a new task in a new environment typically requires a large amount of new software to be written, often by a team of experts. It would be valuable if future technology could empower people, who may have limited or no understanding of software coding, to train robots to perform custom tasks. Some implementations of the present invention provide methods and systems that respond to users' corrective commands to generate and refine a policy for determining appropriate actions based on sensor-data input. Upon completion of learning, the system can generate control commands by deriving them from the sensory data. Using the learned control policy, the robot can behave autonomously.

Abstract: Natural Killer (NK) cells and NK cell lines are modified to increase cytotoxicity, wherein the cells and compositions thereof have a use in the treatment of cancer. Modified NK cells and NK cell lines are produced via genetic modification of CD38low NK cells to transiently express the Fc receptor CD16 (F158V) from mRNA introduced into the NK cell, rather than from a chromosomal coding sequence. The cytotoxicity of the modified NK cells against CD38-expressing cancer cells is increased by administration of these modified cells in combination with a CD38-binding antibody. Separately, cytotoxicity against breast cancer is exhibited by the modified NK cells in combination with Herceptin.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.

Abstract: A delivery and collection system comprises a plurality of automated locker assemblies, each comprising a plurality of contiguous lockers which are monitored and controlled by a central computer system. Each locker has an autonomous lock unit including a processor, memory and short range wireless transceiver which communicates with any of a plurality of mobile phones or other wireless devices. Customers of the system are granted access to the lockers by validation codes which are communicated via an enabling message from the central computer system to an app running on the customer's device. The app is configured to send an access request to the lock unit based on the enabling message, and to transmit event details downloaded from the lock unit back to the central computer system. Each enabling message may authorise the user device to perform multiple deliveries or collections or may be a one-time code.

Abstract: An adhesive article is described comprising a foamed adhesive layer and a non-foamed adhesive layer. The adhesive of each adhesive layer comprises a tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate copolymer; an epoxy resin; a polyether polyol; and optionally a hydroxy-functional film-forming polymer. The adhesive may be used in structural and semi-structural bonding applications and is designed to fail cohesively.

Abstract: Headgear and a patient interface, or components of headgear or a patient interface, such as a nasal cannula are provided. In one embodiment is a size adjustable headstrap to be provided as a headgear or a part thereof, in another is a portion of a headstrap or component for association therewith in which the portion or component facilitates improved location of the strap upon a user's face, in another embodiment is a system for encapsulating or covering a connector from contact with a user's face or facial skin, in another embodiment is a face mount part or body for a patient interface of a particular configuration, and in yet a further embodiment is a gases flow manifold for delivering of gasses to a patient interface of a particular configuration for improved patient comfort.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance apparatus has a gases inlet configured to receive a supply of gases, a blower unit configured to generate a pressurised gases stream from the supply of gases; a humidification unit configured to heat and humidify the pressurised gases stream; and a gases outlet for the heated and humidified gases stream. A flow path for the gases stream extends through the respiratory device from the gases inlet through the blower unit and humidification unit to the gases outlet. A sensor assembly is provided in the flow path before the humidification unit. The sensor assembly has an ultrasound gas composition sensor system for sensing one or more gas concentrations within the gases stream.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance apparatus is configured to provide a heated and humidified glow of gases and has a control system that is configured to detect a fault in the flow path. A flow path is provided for a gases stream through the apparatus from a gas inlet through a blower unit and humidification unit to a gases outlet. A flow rate sensor is provided in the flow path and is configured to sense the flow rate and generate an flow rate signal and/or a motor speed sensor is provided that is configured to sense the motor speed of the blower unit and generate an indicative motor speed signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying one or more territories are provided. An example method includes receiving, from a data source, a territory file. The territory file can include data describing territory details such as a geographic territory name, territory geometry information, territory data attributes, and a territory color. Territory data is retrieved from a server, based on data in the territory file. A spatial fabric layer including polygonal regions is loaded from the territory data. A visual representation of one or more polygonal regions is displayed with a video display. User data indicating a selection of one or more polygonal regions can be received to create or update one or more selected territory polygonal regions. Changes made to a territory allocation can be displayed on a video display. The territory file can be updated with data identifying the one or more selected polygonal regions, and stored.

Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time quality inspection of objects is disclosed. The system and method include a transport to move objects being inspected, allowing the inspection to be performed in-line. At least one optical acquisition unit is provided that captured optical images of the objects being inspected. The captured optical images are matched to CAD models of objects, and the matched CAD model is extracted. A laser with an illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range then conducts scans of the objects, which are formed into three-dimensional point clouds. The point clouds are compared to the extracted CAD models for each object, where CTF are compared to user input or CAD model information and the object is determined to be acceptable or defective based on the extent of deviation between the point cloud and the CAD model.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance apparatus has a gases inlet configured to receive a supply of gases, a blower unit configured to generate a pressurized gases stream from the supply of gases; a humidification unit configured to heat and humidify the pressurized gases stream; and a gases outlet for the heated and humidified gases stream. A flow path for the gases stream extends through the respiratory device from the gases inlet through the blower unit and humidification unit to the gases outlet. A sensor assembly is provided in the flow path before the humidification unit. The sensor assembly has an ultrasound gas composition sensor system for sensing one or more gas concentrations within the gases stream.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly includes an anchor portion and a head portion, such as a rod-receiving portion, movably mounted to the anchor portion to allow for controlled angulation between the anchor portion and the head portion. The anchor portion is pivotable in one or more selected directions about an axis relative to the head portion. A restriction member, which may be a rod seat, prevents the anchor portion from pivoting in one or more different directions about another axis relative to the head portion and/or a spinal fixation element received in the head portion. The restriction member may be inserted in the head portion to control direction that the anchor portion pivots relative to the head portion. The restriction member may also serve as a compression member and/or rod seat for seating a spinal rod coupled to the bone screw assembly.

Abstract: Systems and method for conducting respiratory therapy in a respiratory system can adjust a flow of respiratory gases to a patient based upon a detected patient breath cycle. The respiratory system can include a non-sealed patient interface. The respiratory system can be configured to deliver a high flow therapy. A patient breath cycle may be determined using one or more measured parameters, such as a flow rate, a blower motor speed, and/or a system pressure. A flow source may be adjusted to have a phase matching that of the patient's breath cycle, such that flow in increased in response to the patient inhaling, and decreased in response to the patient exhaling.

Abstract: A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

Abstract: The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermister 23), of gases flowing through a heated tube (3), supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire (21, 28) within the tube.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of gases supplied to a patient by a respiratory assistance device includes controlling the supply gases flow rate so as to deliver gases to the patient according to a predetermined gases pressure/flow rate profile for at least a portion of the breathing cycle. A profile may be achieved that provides the patient with a particular benefit or therapy.

Abstract: A surround for protecting an acoustic device for sending and/or receiving acoustic signals positioned therein from impact as the surround is rolled along an interior surface of a fluid-containing pipeline, the surround comprising: a shell comprising an exterior segment configured to roll along the interior surface, the exterior segment defining at least one acoustic aperture configured to allow the passage of acoustic signals therethrough; and a lattice configured between the exterior segment and the acoustic device, the lattice comprising a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell defining an opening, wherein the plurality of unit cells are interconnected and define a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings allow fluid to move between the interior of the surround and the exterior of the surround and enable the passage of the acoustic signals transmitted and/or received by the acoustic device such that the surround reduces the diminution of the quality and/or strength of the acoustic signals.