Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed for securing a catheter in place to facilitate puncturing a hole through a vessel wall. The securing mechanisms include mechanically releasing arms that press against the wall of the vessel. The mechanically releasing arms are advanced out of the catheter. Outside of the catheter, the securing mechanisms angle or curve toward the vessel wall to contact the wall. The more the mechanically releasing arms are advanced, the closer the approach to the wall and the more force placed against the wall to anchor the catheter in place. The mechanically releasing arms include a plurality of wires that angle or curve toward the vessel wall when deployed, one or more wires that coil away from the catheter to contact the vessel wall when deployed, or a stopper arm with a curved endcap that contacts the vessel wall when deployed.

Abstract: A cold gas thruster having a two-stage solenoid is provided. Pressurized gas from the inlet flows to the back side of the piston to hold the piston closed. The pressure is maintained by a check ball held by the solenoid armature. When the solenoid is energized, the armature allows the check ball to move to bleed off the pressure holding the piston closed. The piston moves away from its seat and allows the pressurized gas to flow to the outlet creating thrust. When the solenoid coil is de-energized, the check ball is forced against its seat, which blocks the escape of pressure on the back side of the piston, so that it can re-pressurize back up to the inlet pressure. This creates a force imbalance and moves the piston to close the valve and stop the thrust. Different nozzles can be used for different thrust profiles without changing the solenoid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling tuners in a content distribution system is described. The method and apparatus receive a request from a user device for a program stream over a local network at a receiver device that includes a join request at a network address. The method and apparatus further identify a channel associated with the network address, the channel being one of the channels received by the receiver device from a content service provider. The method and apparatus also determine if the identified channel is already tuned by a tuner in the receiver device. The method and apparatus additionally tune the channel using a tuner not currently being used if it is determined that the identified channel is not already tuned and provide the program stream from the tuned channel at the network address to the user device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed for securing a catheter in place to facilitate puncturing a hole through a vessel wall. The securing mechanisms include bubbles, meshes, flaps, or similar features that expand when activated to press against the wall of the vessel (e.g., coronary sinus). Activation of the securing mechanisms occurs through removal of a restraint (e.g., a cover) or by pushing or pulling a wire. The securing mechanisms activated by removal of a restraint may self-expand or may expand due to a spring within a mesh structure. The securing mechanisms activated by pushing or pulling a wire expand due to movement of the wire itself or due to movement of a component attached to the wire and to the anchor member.

Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources (102) or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens (124) to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle (150) and an aperture stop (118) can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for selecting a mouthpiece (25) for a user. The method includes receiving a signal with a personal care system (10) to initiate oral arch measurements using a personal care device (12). Data is collected from a position sensor (16) related to a location of a probe (14) of the personal care device as the probe is moved about an oral arch of the user. A controller (18) of the personal care system determines a dimension of the oral arch from the data. The controller selects a mouthpiece for the user based on the dimension of the oral arch. Information identifying the mouthpiece is transmitted to the user or other intended recipient.

Abstract: One or more boost pumps for a liquid hydrogen fuel system are disposed within the fuel tank and fully flooded. An electrical connector of each boost pump is sealed from the fuel tank and accessible from an exterior of the fuel tank while the boost pump is installed. Each boost pump can be independently replaced using a toolbox. Each boost pump is purged of fuel before being replaced by introducing a gas at a center region of the boost pump. The toolbox and new boost pump are purged prior to removal of the old boost pump. Each boost pump can be formed from modular components.

Abstract: Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uplink power control based on power spectral density are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for use by a terminal in a satellite communication system, the terminal having an antenna, a modem and a controller, the method comprising: determining the scan and skew of the antenna; obtaining, using the controller, a value representing a maximum allowed Power Spectral Density (PSD) for the determined scan and skew; determining, using the controller, a maximum allowable modem power based on the value representing a maximum allowed PSD, where the maximum allowable modem power is that which ensures that transmissions from the terminal do not exceed the maximum allowed PSD if the maximum allowable modem output power is not exceeded by the modem; sending, using the controller, an indication of the allowable modem output power to the modem; and performing one or more transmissions from the terminal based on modem outputs in accordance with the maximum allowable modem output power.

Abstract: The current invention features a rod screw for medical application that can be configured and used to fixate fracture of bones varying in shape and dimension, and treating maladies such as scoliosis, and securing an implanted device, to tissue such as bone. This is achieved by designing a flexible rod screw with a mechanism to lock the configuration in a rigid state. In an embodiment, a bone-fracture fixation device, such as a rod screw, includes a flexible body, a plurality of flexible members, and first and second interfaces. The flexible members are disposed longitudinally within the flexible body, such that the flexible body is rigid when the flexible members are fixed into position. And the first and second interfaces are respectively coupled to the flexible body, each of at least one of the first and second interfaces including a respective at least one hole each configured to receive a respective attachment member configured to engage a bone.

Abstract: A Multi-Phase Simulation Environment (“MPSE”) is provided. In one embodiment, a simulation environment controller is configured to select a waveform from a waveform playlist and initiate a trigger signal to one or more waveform generators of a plurality of waveform generators to generate the waveform. The plurality of waveform generators are configured to generate the waveform under a phase lock.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for measuring sweat that are substantially clogging free, having low dead volumes, and allowing a quick sensory response. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for use for radio frequency ablation. The systems can include one or more of an ablation tool, power source for use with the ablation tool and a backstop for use in conjunction with the ablation tool during surgical procedures. Preferred ablation tools comprise a series of three or more blade-shaped electrodes disposed in a linear, curved, curvilinear or circular array. The backstops are useful for reducing direct physical and thermal heat transfer injuries to the patient or surgeon during procedures using radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses an oral care device (100) comprising a head portion (102) having a protuberance (104) for engaging an interproximal region within an oral cavity. The oral care device (100) also comprises at least one sensor (108) for acquiring motion data for the oral care device, and a processor (110). The processor is configured to determine when the protuberance of the head portion engages an interproximal region in the oral cavity; and determine, based on motion data acquired by the at least one sensor as the protuberance moves between interproximal regions, a position of the head portion of the oral care device in the oral cavity. An oral care system and a method of determining a position of an oral care device in an oral cavity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress securement device having a generally planar substrate dimensioned to have one or more aperture that is circumscribed by peripheral multi-directional edges of the planar substrate. An adhesive along one side of the planar substrate enables the mattress securement device to be releasably adhered to a foundation on which a mattress is supported. The weight of the mattress urges a portion thereof into the one or more apertures and other portions of the mattress against the multi-directional edges, both of which resist the mattress moving or sliding relative to the foundation.

Abstract: A light emitting display can be formed from tiles mounted within a certain distance range with respect to each other and with an established blending region positioned towards the edges of the tiles. A tile can be a matrix of light emitting elements, such as LEDs, OLEDs, quantum dots, or other element that emits light. The tolerance of spacing between tiles can allow for less precision in alignment during installation in a theatre, thereby reducing display assembly cost but still maintaining a display for displaying an image at a high quality with reduced or eliminated appearance of visual artifacts between tiles.

Abstract: One or more complex lipids including gangliosides to achieve particular health benefits including maintaining or increasing cognitive development or maintaining or increasing growth in a foetal, infant or child subject.

Abstract: An imager such as a camera or other suitable device capable of identifying objects, including vehicles, using a variety of techniques. In one form the imager is a roadside camera situated to capture passing vehicles and identify the vehicles. The identification can be accomplished using license plate readers, etc., and can also include the identification of the type of vehicle, color, configuration, etc. The object imaged by the roadside camera can be matched with the object captured using an airborne or orbital imager. Such matching permits the object to be labelled in the images captured from the airborne or orbital imagers, using either the identification of the object or a characteristic of the object. Labelling the object also permits training of a data-driven model using images from the airborne or orbital imagers so that subsequent identification of the objects can be made using the airborne or orbital images with or without the terrestrial based imager.

Abstract: Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.