Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for navigating or tracking the navigation of a materials handling vehicle along a surface that may include a camera and vehicle functions to match two-dimensional image information from camera data associated with the input image of overhead features with a plurality of global target locations of a warehouse map to generate a plurality of candidate optical targets, an optical target associated with each global target location and a code; filter the targets to determine a candidate optical target; decode the target to identify the associated code; identify an optical target associated with the identified code; determine a camera metric relative to the identified optical target and the position and orientation of the identified optical target in the warehouse map; calculate a vehicle pose based on the camera metric; and navigate the materials handling vehicle utilizing the vehicle pose.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for navigating or tracking the navigation of a materials handling vehicle along a surface that may include a camera and vehicle functions to match two-dimensional image information from camera data associated with the input image of overhead features with a plurality of global target locations of a warehouse map to generate a plurality of candidate optical targets, an optical target associated with each global target location and a code; filter the targets to determine a candidate optical target; decode the target to identify the associated code; identify an optical target associated with the identified code; determine a camera metric relative to the identified optical target and the position and orientation of the identified optical target in the warehouse map; calculate a vehicle pose based on the camera metric; and navigate the materials handling vehicle utilizing the vehicle pose.

Abstract: The invention provides an inflatable insertion device capable of being percutaneously introduced into a patient's body. The insertion device comprises an inflatable element having a distal end and a proximal end and which is operable between a collapsed condition and an inflated condition by introducing an inflating fluid therein. An elongate member extends internally of the inflatable element from its distal end. The internal member is capable of being withdrawn towards the proximal end of the inflatable element to result in the distal end of the element being withdrawn towards the proximal end internally of the element. The invention further provides a locating device comprising a catheter having a catheter tube fitted with one or more inflatable insertion devices at a distal end thereof.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for navigating or tracking the navigation of a materials handling vehicle along a surface that may include a camera and vehicle functions to match two-dimensional image information from camera data associated with the input image of overhead features with a plurality of global target locations of a warehouse map to generate a plurality of candidate optical targets, an optical target associated with each global target location and a code; filter the targets to determine a candidate optical target; decode the target to identify the associated code; identify an optical target associated with the identified code; determine a camera metric relative to the identified optical target and the position and orientation of the identified optical target in the warehouse map; calculate a vehicle pose based on the camera metric; and navigate the materials handling vehicle utilizing the vehicle pose.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for navigating or tracking the navigation of a materials handling vehicle along a surface that may include a camera and vehicle functions to match two-dimensional image information from camera data associated with the input image of overhead features with a plurality of global target locations of a warehouse map to generate a plurality of candidate optical targets, an optical target associated with each global target location and a code; filter the targets to determine a candidate optical target; decode the target to identify the associated code; identify an optical target associated with the identified code; determine a camera metric relative to the identified optical target and the position and orientation of the identified optical target in the warehouse map; calculate a vehicle pose based on the camera metric; and navigate the materials handling vehicle utilizing the vehicle pose.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprises a cylindrical wall made up of lattice members connected to each other, at least one first arm and at least one second arm. The first arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member at respective first junctions; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second member of the first arm is generally U-shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the first arm.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airway dilation device comprising a catheter; an inflation tube within the catheter, and having a lumen defined by its inner wall; a duct within the catheter, for the insufflation of a fluid, the duct being sealed against any fluid flow between it and the tube; a cluster of balloons, arranged about the catheter, the balloons being manipulated between a stowed condition, in which the balloons are deflated, and a deployed condition, in which the balloons are inflated; and inflating means, for inflating the balloons; characterised in that, when stowed, each balloon is folded and staggered relative to each adjacent balloon, and such that continuous insufflation remains possible, even when deployed. This invention relates, further, to corresponding methods of deployment of devices.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve (10) which includes a stent (14) having three leaflets (12) attached thereto is provided. The stent (14) is compressible so as to be capable of being introduced into a patient's body through a minimally invasive procedure and has a ring-like body (16) defining in its height three arch-shaped elements (18). Each element (18) includes an arc (20) and a pair of haunches (22) extending from opposite sides thereof, with three commissural posts (26) formed by the haunches (22) of adjacent elements (18). The leaflets (12) each have an attachment edge (28) and a free edge (30) with a belly (32) extending therebetween. The leaflets (12) are movable between a coapted condition, in which the free edges (30) abut and prevent fluid flow through the valve (10), and an open condition, in which fluid flow through the valve (10) is permitted. The leaflets (12) are made from a polymeric material and are moulded directly onto the stent (14) so as to provide for continuous attachment thereof.

Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for navigating or tracking the navigation of a materials handling vehicle along a surface that may include a camera and vehicle functions to match two-dimensional image information from camera data associated with the input image of overhead features with a plurality of global target locations of a warehouse map to generate a plurality of candidate optical targets, an optical target associated with each global target location and a code; filter the targets to determine a candidate optical target; decode the target to identify the associated code; identify an optical target associated with the identified code; determine a camera metric relative to the identified optical target and the position and orientation of the identified optical target in the warehouse map; calculate a vehicle pose based on the camera metric; and navigate the materials handling vehicle utilizing the vehicle pose.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprises a cylindrical wall made up of lattice members connected to each other, at least one first arm and at least one second arm. The first arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member at respective first junctions; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second member of the first arm is generally U-shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the first arm.

Abstract: The invention provides an inflatable insertion device capable of being percutaneously introduced into a patient's body. The insertion device comprises an inflatable element having a distal end and a proximal end and which is operable between a collapsed condition and an inflated condition by introducing an inflating fluid therein. An elongate member extends internally of the inflatable element from its distal end. The internal member is capable of being withdrawn towards the proximal end of the inflatable element to result in the distal end of the element being withdrawn towards the proximal end internally of the element. The invention further provides a locating device comprising a catheter having a catheter tube fitted with one or more inflatable insertion devices at a distal end thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve (10) which includes a stent (14) having three leaflets (12) attached thereto is provided. The stent (14) is compressible so as to be capable of being introduced into a patient's body through a minimally invasive procedure and has a ring-like body (16) defining in its height three arch-shaped elements (18). Each element (18) includes an arc (20) and a pair of haunches (22) extending from opposite sides thereof, with three commissural posts (26) formed by the haunches (22) of adjacent elements (18). The leaflets (12) each have an attachment edge (28) and a free edge (30) with a belly (32) extending therebetween. The leaflets (12) are movable between a coapted condition, in which the free edges (30) abut and prevent fluid flow through the valve (10), and an open condition, in which fluid flow through the valve (10) is permitted. The leaflets (12) are made from a polymeric material and are moulded directly onto the stent (14) so as to provide for continuous attachment thereof.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit. Cleaning substances or additives can be introduced into the system.

Abstract: The mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant (MASP) provides an improved method and device for the highly efficient collection, storage, transport, and wireless delivery of renewable energy from an airborne platform. This energy can be used to supply electrical power to clients or be used to power directed energy weapons.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for obtaining, in vivo, a measurement of retinal response to an optical stimuli. Light sources provide optical stimuli to the retina in accordance with predetermined stimulation sequences, and images of the retina are obtained and correlated with the predetermined stimulation sequences so as to determine responses of the retina to the optical stimuli. In one particular embodiment, optical stimuli are provided according to m-sequences and correlated with corresponding optical coherence tomography images to determine a functional response of the retina.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant (MASP) provides an improved method and device for the highly efficient collection, storage, transport, and wireless delivery of renewable energy from an airborne platform. This energy can be used to supply electrical power to clients or be used to power directed energy weapons.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for obtaining, in vivo, a measurement of retinal response to an optical stimuli. Light sources provide optical stimuli to the retina in accordance with predetermined stimulation sequences, and images of the retina are obtained and correlated with the predetermined stimulation sequences so as to determine responses of the retina to the optical stimuli. In one particular embodiment, optical stimuli are provided according to m-sequences and correlated with corresponding optical coherence tomography images to determine a functional response of the retina.