Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

Abstract: A device for treating skin includes a skin treatment member, a skin contacting surface, a mounting member for mounting the skin treatment member and the skin contacting surface, and a friction controlling device to control friction between the skin contacting surface and skin to be treated, in at least one controlled friction area of the skin contacting surface when the skin contacting surface is moved over the skin. The friction controlling device introduces a slip motion of the controlled friction area relative to the mounting member in a direction corresponding to a local direction of extension of the skin contacting surface. The device also includes a sensor for detecting a first parameter related to an amount of friction between the skin contacting surface and the skin during use, and the friction controlling device controls a second parameter of the slip motion in dependence on a value of the first parameter.

Abstract: A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: Sliding friction between a catheter and a guiding core is reduced by a rotating inner catheter member (12), introduced between the guiding core (13) and an outer catheter member (11). The inner catheter member (12) is rotated in the outer catheter member (11) by a motor (14), which may be controlled by a control unit (2). A lower catheter friction with respect to the guidewire allows the physician improved assessment of the forces resulting from collisions of the outer catheter member (11) and the vascular wall.

Abstract: A brush head assembly (100) comprising a sandwich assembly (200) comprising a flexible matrix (30?) positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material (220), a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), a bristle tuft retention element (250) for each bristle tuft (21), the bristle tuft retention elements (250) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts (21) to the sandwich assembly.

Abstract: Patient interface devices (8) structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient include a member (16) structured to contact and adhere to a face of the patient responsive to the patient interface being donned by the patient, the member having a contact surface and an adhesive layer (34) provided on the contact surface.

Abstract: Sliding friction between a catheter and a guiding core is reduced by a rotating inner catheter member (12), introduced between the guiding core (13) and an outer catheter member (11). The inner catheter member (12) is rotated in the outer catheter member (11) by a motor (14), which may be controlled by a control unit (2). A lower catheter friction with respect to the guidewire allows the physician improved assessment of the forces resulting from collisions of the outer catheter member (11) and the vascular wall.

Abstract: A brush head assembly (100) comprising a sandwich assembly (200) comprising a flexible matrix (30?) positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material (220), a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), a bristle tuft retention element (250) for each bristle tuft (21), the bristle tuft retention elements (250) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts (21) to the sandwich assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an electroactive polymer (30) and a controller (34) for delivering a drive signal to the electroactive polymer to make it deform. The controller is adapted to generate a signal which comprises an AC component for introducing a vibration (40, 42) of the electroactive polymer. This vibration is used to reduce friction between the electroactive polymer and an adjacent component (32). The AC component may be superposed on a low frequency AC or DC drive level.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: A device (100A) for treating skin (S) comprises a skin treatment member, a skin contacting surface (10), a mounting member (104) for mounting the skin treatment member (110) and the skin contacting surface (107), and friction controlling means (124, 126, 134) configured and arranged to control friction between the skin contacting surface (107) and the skin (S) to be treated, in at least one controlled friction area (122) of the skin contacting surface (107), during use when the skin contacting surface (107) is moved over the skin (S). In particular, the friction controlling means (124, 126, 134) are adapted to introduce a slip motion of the controlled friction area (122) relative to the mounting member (104) in a direction corresponding to a local direction of extension of the skin contacting surface (107).

Abstract: Patient interface devices (8) structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient include a member (16) structured to contact and adhere to a face of the patient responsive to the patient interface being donned by the patient, the member having a contact surface and an adhesive layer (34) provided on the contact surface.

Abstract: An electrode configured to provide electrical contact with a subject's skin and includes a conductive layer and a gel layer. The conductive layer spreads current and transmits electrical signals to and/or receives electrical signals from the subject's skin and has a first conductive surface through which electrical signals are transmitted to and/or received from the subject's skin. The first conductive surface is on a side of the conductive layer that faces toward the subject's skin if the electrode is installed on the subject. The gel layer is formed on the same side of the conductive layer as the first conductive surface. The gel layer has a first interface surface that directly contacts the subject's skin if the electrode is installed on the subject, and to conduct electrical signals between the subject's skin and the first conductive surface. The first interface surface has a surface area larger than that of the first conductive surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient interface device and system for delivering continuous airway pressure to a patient (14). The patient interface system comprises a patient interface (12) and at least one bone anchor (24, 26) fixed to the patient (14). The patient interface (12) is attached to the patient (14) by connection to the at least one bone anchor (24, 26). This is realized by coupling elements (32, 34) as part of the patient interface device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient interface device and system for delivering continuous airway pressure to a patient (14). The patient interface system comprises a patient interface device with a patient interface (12) and at least one connector pair (22), comprising itself two connector parts, attached to the patient interface (12) and the patient (14) via a tissue anchor, respectively. One of the connector parts comprises a magnet and the other one a magnetically responsive element. Both connector parts are attracted to one another through the magnetic forces.