Abstract: A cervix probe is equipped with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer and configured for simultaneous acquisition of stress data and ultrasound strain data for the same sector of the cervix. Acquired and recorded stress and strain data are transmitted to a data processor for calculating cervix elasticity and cervix length, followed by calculating a probability of spontaneous preterm delivery using a clinically validated predictive model.

Abstract: A cervical probe, equipped with both a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer array, is engineered for the simultaneous acquisition of stress and ultrasound strain data from cervical sectors, as well as for the measurement of cervical length. The collected stress and strain data from various cervical sectors are transmitted to a data processor. This processor calculates cervical elasticity using a strain-to-stress ratio. Subsequently, the arithmetic mean of the stress-to-strain ratios is compared with a predetermined cutoff value, and the measured cervical length is evaluated against another predetermined value, to predict preterm birth during gestational weeks 24-28.

Abstract: A cervical probe, outfitted with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer, is designed for simultaneous collection of stress and ultrasound strain data from the same cervical sector. The gathered stress and strain data from multiple cervical sectors are sent to a data processor, which calculates cervical elasticity as a strain-to-stress ratio. Subsequently, an average stress-to-strain ratio is compared to a predetermined cutoff value to predict preterm birth at 24-28 gestational weeks.

Abstract: The Biomechanical Integrity Score and its five components are calculated as a result of vaginal tactile probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary pelvic muscle contraction, reflex contraction, and relaxation while the probe is in contact with vaginal walls for a comprehensive biomechanical characterization of the pelvic floor. The probe is equipped with a plurality of tactile sensors recording various static and dynamic pressure patterns during a vaginal examination.

Abstract: A comprehensive evaluation of the female pelvic floor tissues and structures is facilitated by a method of image fusion of two different imaging modalities, a tactile response data or tactile image is described as fused with ultrasound image. Both tactile response and ultrasound images may be acquired at the same time using a vaginal probe equipped with adjacent arrays of tactile sensors and ultrasound transducer elements.

Abstract: Methods for biomechanical mapping of the female pelvic floor may include the steps of inserting a vaginal tactile imaging probe into vagina; recording tactile responses for vaginal walls during vaginal wall deformation by moving a probe as well as dynamic pressure patterns during voluntary or involuntary muscle contractions in multiple test procedures; followed by calculating multiple biomechanical parameters characterizing vaginal tissue elasticity, pelvic support structures and dynamic pelvic functions. Individual biomechanical parameters may be visually represented by positioning their value within the established physiological parameter ranges varying from normal to diseased conditions. The methods may be used for identification of pelvic floor tissues with low elasticity, deteriorated or damaged pelvic support muscles and ligaments, and muscles with low contractive capability.

Abstract: A cervix probe is equipped with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer and configured for simultaneous acquisition of stress data and ultrasound strain data for the same sector of the cervix. Acquired and recorded stress and strain data are transmitted to a data processor for calculating cervix elasticity and cervix length, followed by calculating a probability of spontaneous preterm delivery using a clinically validated predictive model.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium battery includes an organic solvent; and a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein, in Formula 1, X1 to X4, A1 to A4, and R1 to R4 are further defined in the specification.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium battery includes an organic solvent; and a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein, in Formula 1, X1 to X4, A1 to A4, and R1 to R4 are further defined in the specification.

Abstract: Methods and a probes are disclosed for vaginal tactile and electromyographic imaging, and location-guided female pelvic floor therapy. Methods include the steps of inserting a vaginal probe equipped with tactile sensors and electrodes acting as electromyographic sensors into a vagina along a vaginal canal to separate apart two opposing vaginal walls, recording a tactile response and an electromyographic response from at least one of two opposing vaginal walls during pelvic floor muscle contraction, determining locations along the vaginal canal for delivery of therapy based on presence of tactile response above a predetermined tactile threshold and/or presence of electromyographic response above a predetermined EMG threshold along the vaginal probe, selecting at least one of target locations to be used for location-guided therapy, and applying the therapy such as electrical muscle stimulation to at least one of selected locations using the same electrodes at these locations.

Abstract: In an aspect, a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a positive electrode; negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and including a porous substrate and a coating layer formed on at least one side of the porous substrate; and an electrolyte including a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and an additive is provided.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery including a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and an additive, wherein the additive includes a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: A silicone-containing compound is an additive for a lithium secondary battery electrolyte for improving high-temperature lifetime characteristics and/or high-temperature stability of a lithium secondary battery. An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery includes the silicon-containing compound. A lithium secondary battery includes the electrolyte. A method of preparing the silicon-containing compound is also provided.

Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution and a lithium battery using the same are disclosed. The organic electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt, an organic solution, a thiophene-based compound and a nitrile-based compound.

Abstract: A vaginal probe is equipped with tactile sensors and ultrasound elements and configured for simultaneous acquisition of tactile images and ultrasound images for the same portion of vaginal tissues and pelvic floor muscles. The probe is configured for placement into vagina to record tactile images and ultrasound images in static, during tissue deformation as well as pelvic floor muscle contraction. Acquired and recorded tactile data are transmitted to a data processor for composing elasticity images of pelvic floor structures and muscle functional images and visually presenting thereof on a display.

Abstract: Methods and a probes are disclosed for vaginal tactile and electromyographic imaging, and location-guided female pelvic floor therapy. Methods include the steps of inserting a vaginal probe equipped with tactile sensors and electrodes acting as electromyographic sensors into a vagina along a vaginal canal to separate apart two opposing vaginal walls, recording a tactile response and an electromyographic response from at least one of two opposing vaginal walls during pelvic floor muscle contraction, determining locations along the vaginal canal for delivery of therapy based on presence of tactile response above a predetermined tactile threshold and/or presence of electromyographic response above a predetermined EMG threshold along the vaginal probe, selecting at least one of target locations to be used for location-guided therapy, and applying the therapy such as electrical muscle stimulation to at least one of selected locations using the same electrodes at these locations.

Abstract: An additive, the additive being for an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery and represented by Chemical Formula 1: R1 to R4 each independently being hydrogen or a non-polar hydrocarbon group, is disclosed. An electrolyte, the electrolyte being for a lithium secondary battery and including: a non-aqueous organic solvent; a lithium salt; and the additive is also disclosed. A lithium secondary battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode facing the positive electrode; and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the separator being impregnated with an electrolyte including the additive, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Laparoscopic tactile imaging probe equipped with pressure sensors is configured for placement into a body cavity to provide real time tactile feedback for a region of interest during a surgical procedure. A method for providing tactile feedback in laparoscopic surgery by calculating a two-dimensional tactile feedback image using a three-dimensional tactile image, and imposing said tactile feedback image on said region of interest for review in real time by a surgeon is disclosed. A laparoscopic tactile imaging probe consists of a probe housing with a plurality of tactile sensors are located over a cylinder surface and a visual markers over said probe housing for visual acquiring probe positioning data during said deformation by a laparoscopic video camera.

Abstract: A system and method can support an object-oriented scripting tool. The system can comprise a parser that operates to parse a document that specifies a software class in a scripting language using one or more tags that are defined in a markup language environment. Furthermore, the system can include a type definition table that includes a plurality of type definitions, wherein this type definition table operates to use a tag name of a said tag as a key that is associated with a type definition. Additionally, the system can include an instance pool that operates to store one or more instances of the software class for the object-oriented scripting tool.

Abstract: In an aspect, a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a positive electrode; negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and including a porous substrate and a coating layer formed on at least one side of the porous substrate; and an electrolyte including a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and an additive is provided.