Abstract: An example endotracheal device includes: a tube having an end surface at a first end of the tube, the end surface having a rounded edge and configured to be aligned with a target obstruction; an adaptor disposed at a second end of the tube, the adaptor having: a bronchoscope connector comprising an aperture configured to admit a bronchoscope through the second end along a length of the tube to the first end of the tube to guide the tube to the target obstruction; and a suction port configured to connect to a suction device to apply suction to the tube to engage the target obstruction at the end surface.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a laser galvanometer to an XY stage by directing a defocused laser beam through a galvanometer and onto an XY stage and re-centering the laser beam at subsequent positions on the XY stage. Offsets are calculated based on the required movement of the galvanometer to recenter the laser beam at each of the positions on the XY stage. The laser beam may be defocused by focusing the laser beam at a distance Z both above or below the XY stage for each position and then calculating the offset for each position by averaging the values calculated at the focus distances Z above and below the XY stage. The laser beam may also be defocused by passing it through a pinhole.

Abstract: A fall-protection system and method are described. The system has at least one sensor for sensing if the person is falling and for outputting a status signal. The system also has a processor configured for receiving the status signal from the at least one sensor, and for outputting a corresponding command signal. The system also has a support for the at least one sensor and the processor, the support being portable by the person. The system also has a fall-protection device mountable to the support and configured for receiving the command signal from the processor. The fall-protection device has inflatable membranes, at least some of which are deployable as elongated extensions so to protect a part of the person by forming a substantially flower-like enclosure before said part contacts the ground surface. The fall-protection device is deployable upon the processor outputting a command signal indicative that the person is falling.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic delivery to an animal of a beneficial agent such as analgesia by infusion with the pain of the animal being taken into account when determining the rate of dispensing the agent. As the pain experienced by an animal and therefore its distress is manifested in increased agitation, the apparatus includes elements for the measurement of the frequency and amplitude of an animal's movement and the generation of a trigger signal when the either the frequency or the amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold. The trigger can be used to generate a visual or audible alarm. The apparatus also preferably includes a dispensing means for delivering doses of beneficial agent to the animal in response to the trigger signal. The apparatus serves primarily to reduce the post-operative distress experienced by an animal by providing for timely administration of analgesic compounds.