Abstract: The present invention relates to adjustable flow control valves, for example to an Adjustable Pressure Limiting (APL) valve. The adjustable valve (2) described comprises a valve body (4) comprising a valve seat (6), a valve member (10) movable relative to the valve seat (6), a first valve cap (20), a second valve cap (50) and a biasing element (30) to bias the valve member (10) away from the first valve cap (20). The first valve cap (20) is movable to increase the biasing force applied by the biasing element (30). The second valve cap (50) is engageable with the first valve cap (20) to prevent such movement of the first valve cap (20) beyond a selected position, but to allow movement of the first valve cap (20) in an opposite direction, way from said position.

Abstract: Face masks, including filter masks, having improved stability, including face masks having a sealing member (25) depending from the mask body for engagement with the wearer's face, the mask body comprising a nasal portion (27) for accommodating the nose of the wearer, a mouth portion (26) for accommodating the mouth of the wearer, and cheek portions (28) extending laterally across the wearer's cheeks.

Abstract: Face masks, including filter masks, and methods for their production. The disclosed masks include a face mask comprising a mask body that defines a cavity for accommodating the nose and mouth of a wearer and a sealing member depending from the mask body for engagement with the wearer's face, the mask body comprising a filter (91) and a gas inlet (142), the filter being located in a first region of the mask body and the gas inlet being located in a second region of the mask body; and a nasal portion for accommodating the nose of the wearer, a mouth portion for accommodating the mouth of the wearer, and cheek portions (134, 135) extending laterally across the wearer's cheeks.

Abstract: The disclosed methods of manufacturing filter masks include using an overmoulding step to both form a sealing member and to fix the sealing member to a support frame and a sheet of filtering material.

Abstract: Face masks, including filter masks, and methods for their production. The disclosed methods include using an overmoulding step to both form a sealing member and to fix the sealing member to a support frame and a sheet of filtering material.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a sealing member (42). The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mould having a cavity, a polymer injection port and a gas inlet port (38); (b) injecting a polymer and a blowing agent through the polymer injection port (28) into the cavity of the mould; and (c) introducing gas through the gas inlet port (38) into the cavity of the mould, to form a sealing member (42). The sealing member (42) comprises an internal chamber (44) at least partially bounded by a resiliently deformable enclosing wall formed of the polymer, the enclosing wall including an external surface, the external surface having a form that is determined by the cavity of the mould.

Abstract: Disclosed is a respiratory interface device (1) and components thereof. The respiratory interface device (1) comprises a body (2), a frame (3), and an inlet conduit (4). The frame has a front wall (10a), side walls (10b), and side arms (12), and a support platform (11) extending rearwardly from the front wall (10a). An inlet opening (13) is defined in the support platform (11). The body (2) forms a chamber with the support platform (11) and comprises at least one nasal outlet (5), a base opening (7), and at least one further opening (6), through which the support platform (11) extends. The inlet conduit (4) comprises a connector (18) that clamps the body (2) and the support platform (11) together.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a sealing member for a respiratory interface device. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mould having a cavity, a polymer injection port and a gas inlet port; (b) injecting a polymer through the polymer injection port into the cavity of the mould; and (c) introducing gas through the gas inlet port into the cavity of the mould, to form a sealing member of the respiratory interface device, thereby forming a sealing member of the respiratory interface device. The sealing member of the respiratory interface device comprises an internal chamber at least partially bounded by a resiliently deformable enclosing wall formed of the polymer, the enclosing wall including a patient-contacting surface, the patient-contacting surface having a form that is determined by the cavity of the mould and provides an anatomical fit with a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adjustable flow control valves, for example to an Adjustable Pressure Limiting (APL) valve. The adjustable valve (2) described comprises a valve body (4) comprising a valve seat (6), a valve member (10) movable relative to the valve seat (6), a first valve cap (20), a second valve cap (50) and a biasing element (30) to bias the valve member (10) away from the first valve cap (20). The first valve cap (20) is movable to increase the biasing force applied by the biasing element (30). The second valve cap (50) is engageable with the first valve cap (20) to prevent such movement of the first valve cap (20) beyond a selected position, but to allow movement of the first valve cap (20) in an opposite direction, way from said position.

Abstract: An EMD drive system includes an on-device adapter removably fixed to a shaft of an EMD. The on-device adapter received in a cassette. The cassette is removably secured to a drive module. The drive module is operatively coupled to the on-device adapter to move the on-device adapter and EMD together.

Abstract: Some battery chemistries, such as “advanced carbon” battery chemistries may have improved battery health if maintained with longer intervals between “full” recharge. Accordingly, methods, systems, and devices are provided in which a state of charge of a battery is determined; the state of charge of the battery is compared to at least one threshold; a charge profile is selected from a plurality of charge profiles based on a result of the comparison of the state of charge of the battery to the at least one threshold; and a charger configured to charge the battery is modified based on the selected charge profile.

Abstract: A mechanism to secure the base of a pole to the lid of a flatbox finisher is provided. The mechanism utilizes at least one spring grasping device on the lid of the flat box finisher to grasp and secure the base of the pole. The grasping mechanism is depressed and grasps a generally flat rectangular edge of the base of the pole and secures the base of the pole to the lid of the flatbox finisher by friction. In particular, as the base having the pole of the flatbox finisher is first slid over the grasping mechanism, the grasping mechanism is first pushed downward. After the base slides over the grasping mechanism, the grasping mechanism springs back upward and locks the base of the pole into place on the lid of the flatbox finisher.

Abstract: Small diameter tools are provided, and methods of use described, to facilitate less invasive surgical procedures employing laser beams. Such tools include distal tips that enhance the precise placement of optical waveguides, as well as enable cutting and dissecting procedures. A rotary coupler allows precise control of flexible conduits in which waveguides may be disposed. Waveguide tips with conical features protect waveguide ends and allow unobstructed propagation of the laser beam out of the waveguide. A preferentially bending jacket for waveguides may be used to control an orientation of a waveguide disposed therein. Surgical waveguide assemblies may include various combinations of these components.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparascopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for estimating values that could be derived from a large data set, were it available, from values computed from an available smaller data set. A specific example of the currently described methods and systems are methods and systems that estimate various medical-record-related statistics and values computed from hypothetical datasets. In order to extrapolate the desired statistics and computed values from the observed smaller data set, multiple models are employed by the currently disclosed methods and systems. These models can be employed sequentially to generate relatively fine-grained estimates over various multi-dimensional data-set volumes.

Abstract: The present document is directed to an automated experimentation platform that provides a visual integrated development environment (“IDE”) that allows a user to construct and execute various types of data-driven workflows. The automated experimentation platform includes back-end components that include API servers, a catalog, a cluster-management component, and execution-cluster nodes. Workflows are visually represents as directed acyclic graphs and texturally encoded. The workflows are transformed into jobs that are distributed for execution to the execution-cluster nodes.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of use during laparoscopic surgery, the tool including a shaft having a distal region with an elastic modulus E. Distal and proximal regions of the shaft have outer diameters D1 and D2 respectively, with D2>D1. The distal region has a bend and terminates in a working feature having a distal end. The distal region has a length L1 measured in a direction parallel to the shaft axis in the proximal region, and has an offset doff relative to the proximal region where doff>D2. The elastic modulus E and the length of L1 are selected so that the working feature is insertable through an access device yet the distal region does not deflect noticeably when a force of 10 N is applied perpendicular to the distal end of the working feature.