Abstract: Leaf Free provides users with an easier way to get rid of unwanted, fallen leaves. Specially designed to provide with battery or electric options, allowing for versatility for the user. The uniquely designed Leaf Free comes with an expandable hose, battery that last up to 4 hours, and an expandable bag with disposable liners. The ingenious canister with the expandable bag and disposable liner, snaps into place for ease of placement and removal. The Leaf Free also has glows in the dark features, helping you with removal during the shorter daytime hours of the fall season.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for minimally-invasive capillary blood extraction comprising an apparatus capable of the harnessing the energy from frequent natural mammalian movements and then converting it into forces needed to execute skin lancing, specifically an insertion of a lancet in the body of the mammal. The apparatus consists of a rotational and a translational member which work together to effectively translate an angular displacement of the rotational element caused by mammalian movements to translational displacement of a sliding element at an angle to the plane which the force from the mammal was applied in. The ability of the invention to harness free energy and efficiently use that energy for actuating a lancet and facilitating blood extraction allows for the miniaturization of blood sampling technology into a wearable device.

Abstract: A method of event tracking in a production environment includes storing each of at least one production event identifier in association with a respective plurality of expected production events prior to production. During production, a production event identifier is received from a user interface associated with the production environment to signal occurrence of one of the expected production events. In response to the receiving, it is automatically determined which one of the expected production events has occurred based on previous receipt of the received production event identifier. Event occurrence data relating to the expected production event determined to have occurred is then stored.

Abstract: A method for producing an output image defined by output pixels comprises capturing a focus stack of input images, each input image defined by input pixels and having a resolution higher than the output image, determining a group of input pixels in each input image corresponding to one of the output pixels, calculating a figure of merit and a summary pixel value for each group of input pixels, and computing a value for each output pixel by mathematically combining the figures of merit and the summary pixel values corresponding to each output pixel. The output image values are calculated such that the entire output image is sharply in focus.

Abstract: An active retina implant (10) for implantation into an eye has a multiplicity of stimulation electrodes (22) that emit electrical stimulation signals to cells of the retina that are to be contacted. Further, the implant has a multiplicity of image elements (18) that convert incident light into the stimulation signals. Said multiplicity of stimulation electrodes (22) are divided into at least two groups of stimulation electrodes (22) that are triggered in chronological succession to emit stimulation signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting multi-lumen conduits is described. The apparatus may include a conduit adapter and a conduit collar. The conduit adapter may include a housing, a bayonet connector, and a support member connecting the housing and the bayonet connector. The support member has an aperture that permits fluid communication through the support member. One end of the conduit collar is sized for insertion into the housing, and a second end is adapted to receive a first multi-lumen conduit. The housing also is adapted to receive a second multi-lumen conduit. The bayonet connector engages a primary lumen of the first multi-lumen conduit and the second multi-lumen conduit such that the primary lumen of the second multi-lumen conduit fluidly communicates with the primary lumen of the first multi-lumen conduit. The conduit adapter and the conduit collar are capable of 360 degree rotation relative to each other about a common axis.

Abstract: A portable pet booster seat apparatus is provided which is adapted to be fitted securely on the seat of a vehicle. The booster seat includes a base, a back, a front and side portions that are all interconnected. A strap is provided that extends across the back and/or base of the includes a base portion which includes attachment fittings that are adapted to be fitted to the attachment brackets of a LATCH infant seat device. The booster seat apparatus may also include an additional strap for use in attaching the device to vehicle seats not fitted with the LATCH device. The portable pet booster seat apparatus may also include a removable and replaceable cover assembly. The booster seat apparatus is attached to the seat at or near the base of the booster seat, and thus has improved stability. It can also be more firmly attached to the vehicle seat and is less likely to move or shift during use.

Abstract: A wound closure system and a method of closing a wound are disclosed. The disclosure is directed to a wound closure system comprising a skin anchor mechanically attached to external skin tissue on a first side of a generally linear wound, an anchorable tensioning apparatus mechanically attached to external skin tissue on an opposite side of the wound, and a line extending between the skin anchor and the tensioning apparatus to movably connect the anchor to the tensioning apparatus. The line is fixedly engaged with an anchor on one side of the wound while the tensioning apparatus provides tension on the line to draw the skin anchor and the tensioning apparatus toward each other and toward the wound.

Abstract: A wound closure system and a method of closing a wound are disclosed. The wound closure system includes a plurality of skin anchors mechanically attached to external skin tissue around a periphery of a wound, a line extending between the skin anchors, the line slidably engaged with each skin anchor, and a biasing member that provides tension on the line to draw all of the skin anchors toward the wound. The method of closing a wound includes the steps of attaching a plurality of skin anchors to external skin around a periphery of a wound, extending a line between the skin anchors around substantially the entire periphery of the wound, and providing tension to the line to draw the skin anchors toward the wound.

Abstract: A wound treatment dressing for applying negative pressure wound therapy to a wound of an extremity, such as on the heel of a foot. The dressing comprises a fluid manifold 14 positioned within a fenestrated drape 16 to form a contoured occlusive wrapping 10 for placement over a wound on an extremity. A contoured porous pad 26 is placed adjacent or within the wound, such that the contoured pad 26 is enveloped by the occlusive wrapping 10. Flexible tubing 42 is attached to or through a fluid communication port 18, which forms an opening to the outer layer 16b of the occlusive wrapping 10, so as to allow for fluid communication of negative pressure to the contoured pad 26 from a source of negative pressure 44 connected to an opposite end of the flexible tubing 42. The negative gauge pressure is communicated from the source 44, through the tube 42, through the fenestrations 19 of the occlusive wrapping 10, such that negative gauge pressure is applied to the wound on the extremity.

Abstract: A single layer papermaking machine forming fabric which is woven from a single layer of warps interlaced with primary wefts, secondary wefts, and, if desired, tertiary wefts. The secondary and tertiary wefts are located between the primary wefts. The fabric is woven in a first pattern which repeats once in N sheds, and N is at least 10. The primary, secondary, and, if present, tertiary weft are woven to second, third, and, if present, fourth patterns in a lower number of sheds and which repeat at least twice within the first pattern. This weave provides a forming fabric having good first pass retention, good drainage properties, reduced wire mark, good fabric height and good release characteristics. In certain pattern combinations a forming fabric can be woven exhibiting a level of visual discontinuity or randomness in the paper side face.

Abstract: A motor control circuit for a d.c. commutator-type motor includes a semi-conductor driver circuit with a current sensor which provides an output voltage signal representing the instantaneous current in the motor. A detector circuit analyses the output signal of the sensor to provide pulses indicating the motor shaft position. The detector circuit includes a level-shifting, scaling and filtering circuit which substantially removes frequency components below a predetermined level and a pulse generator driven by the level shifting, scaling and filtering circuit.

Abstract: A passive aspirator based on the Venturi effect has a pivotable flap in the inlet portion of a first air passage. The flap reduces the air flow through the passage when high pressure is present. A spring biases the flap toward an open position. Increasing air flow overcomes the spring force and tends to close the flap. This variable-volume flow allows use of a large enough passage to aspirate sufficient air at low flow rates but does not produce excess waste air at high flow rates.

Abstract: This is concerned with an electronic variable speed blower control system primarily used for automotive installations which provides light gauge wiring between a potentiometer on or in the dashboard and infinitely variable speeds are acquired in the blower unit.

Abstract: A seed monitor for a multiple station planter includes a light source adjacent each seed path and a pair of phototransistors positioned in alignment with each light source. The phototransistors for each seed path are connected to pulse generating means, each of which provide a constant width pulse in response to an interruption in light received by a phototransistor from its light source. An OR gate is connected to the pulse generating means so as to provide an output signal whenever there is a pulse at one of its inputs. The light sources for the multiple seed paths may be operated to periodically monitor each planting station.