Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the generation of electrical power from acousto-mechanical vibrations originating from the vocal folds of the human body. The apparatus and methods can include one or more beams comprising a piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), coupled to a power circuitry. Each of the one or more beams can also have a predetermined resonance frequency that is within the dominant frequency range of the human voice. The power circuitry can be adapted to receive the electrical charge received by the one or more piezoelectric beams and to convert the electrical charge into an electric current. The power circuitry can also be coupled to a battery for the storage of the converted energy, which in turn can provide power to implantable medical electronic devices (e.g., neurostimulators or cochlear implants) and/or wearable electronics.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for modulating the generation of charge current by operational circuitry included in an implantable medical device (IMD) for delivery of an induction stimulation pulse waveform by the IMD. The modulation may include modulating a charging circuit of the operational circuitry to facilitate the regulation of the induction stimulation pulse waveform. The techniques include monitoring an electrical parameter of a charging path during the delivery of the induction stimulation pulse and modulating the charging circuit based on the monitored electrical parameter.

Abstract: A defibrillation device for administering an electrotherapy, such as a dual-sequential defibrillation (DSD) electrotherapy. The defibrillation device can include a defibrillation therapy module, a physiological parameter module and a control module. The defibrillation therapy module can output one or more energies and the physiological parameter module can receive one or more physiological parameters, including electrocardiogram (ECG) data. The control module can analyze the physiological parameters to determine an indication for the administration of an electrotherapy and can determine a DSD electrotherapy. The DSD electrotherapy can be based at least in part on the physiological parameters, the indication for the administration of an electrotherapy or a review of the ECG data.

Abstract: A method and system for treating Alzheimer's disease in a patient is provided. The system includes a magnetometer configured for measuring a directional component of a local magnetic field located in a vicinity of the patient's head, thereby producing a measurement B, a mat such that the patient may rest his head on said mat, the mat comprising coils that produce a uniform magnetic field emanating perpendicularly to a plane of the mat, a current generator for generating and transmitting a current to the coils of the mat, and a computing system for: receiving the measurement B, calculating a frequency f of a current necessary for the coils to produce ion cyclotron resonance of amyloid beta, wherein the following formula is used to calculate said frequency f: f=(½?)(qB/m), where q/m is a charge to mass ratio of amyloid beta, and generating said current.

Abstract: A magnetic field therapy apparatus includes a magnetic field generation device for generating a magnetic field that can be applied to a patient, and a control device for controlling an intensity of the magnetic field in such a way that the magnetic field intensity increases incrementally during a first interval T1 and is set to a constant level during a second interval (T2), the ratio of the first interval T1 to the second interval T2 corresponding to the golden section +/?0.1, preferably +/?0.01.

Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for medial brain regions or lateral brain regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a first direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The multiple stimulating elements are distributed around a central axis of the coil.

Abstract: A device for non-invasive treatment of a disorder in a patient comprising a magnetic portion having a first side and a second side, a first metal portion having a first end and a second end, and a second metal portion configured for hand holding and having a first side and a second side, wherein second side of the second metal portion: (i) is coupled to the first side of the magnetic portion; and (ii) has a surface area that is less than the surface area of the first side of the magnetic portion; and wherein the first metal portion is coupled to the second side of the magnetic portion. The first metal portion is optionally fitted with a head. The disclosure further relates to non-invasive methods for treating a disorder in a patient, wherein said methods use said magnetic device.

Abstract: A head assembly for a therapeutic device for providing light and heat to a user's skin includes a transparent cover member through which both light and heat are transmitted. The transparent cover member presents a comfortable flat surface at its exterior, and couples to a heating element that surrounds a plurality of visible light LEDs. The transparent cover member can include retaining features to assist in assembling the head assembly of the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A restraint system for a patient to be exposed to a radiation beam is disclosed. The system includes a patient support panel and a head restraint assembly in the form of a face mask to which plural clips are secured. The patient support panel includes plural connectors, which may include fixed or adjustable connectors. The clips include are configured to engage the plural connectors in a snap-on manner, without the need for tools or separate fastening devices.

Abstract: A pierce and fill connector cap for a vial sealed by an elastomeric septum includes a vial collar and a needle holder. The vial collar body defines a collar aperture to be positioned in overlying registry with the septum of the vial, and the needle holder includes a needle holder body providing a means for holding an elongate needle in registry with the collar aperture. The needle holder body being moveable with respect to said vial collar between a first position spaced from the vial collar and a second position proximate the vial collar, such that a needle held by the needle holder will puncture through the vial septum.

Abstract: A control circuit forms a radiation therapy treatment plan. By one approach this comprises displaying a structure dose volume histogram on a display and detecting when a user directly manipulates the displayed structure dose volume histogram. In response to detecting that manipulation the control circuit uses a corresponding virtual set of optimization objectives to optimize a radiation therapy treatment plan. If desired, the control circuit can also use weighted optimization objectives when optimizing the radiation therapy treatment plan. Also if desired, the control circuit can use only a low-resolution approximate geometry to represent a particular trajectory as corresponds to different exposure fields for the radiation therapy to be administered when initially optimizing the radiation therapy treatment plan. The control circuit can then subsequently use a high-resolution geometry to represent that trajectory to further optimize the radiation therapy treatment plan.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for treating a tumor of a patient with positively charged particles in a treatment room, comprising the steps of: (1) controlling a cancer therapy treatment system with a main controller, the main controller comprising hardware and software; (2) generating at least one image of the tumor using at least one imaging system controlled by the main controller; (3) using the at least one image and a software coded set of radiation treatment directives, the main controller auto-generating a radiation treatment plan; and (4) the main controller auto-delivering the positively charged particles, via a beam transport system and a nozzle system, from a synchrotron to the tumor according to the radiation treatment plan.

Abstract: A particle irradiation system includes three or more scanning magnets that scan a beam in a vertical direction (first direction) or a horizontal direction (second direction) perpendicular to each other. The three or more scanning magnets are configured such that the scanning magnets and the scanning magnets for scanning in the same direction between the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, are disposed in series on a progressing direction axis of a beam, and a volume of a magnetic field feeding region decreases as the scanning magnet is installed at a position farther from an isocenter on the progressing direction axis.

Abstract: A radiotherapy tracking apparatus for tracking a position of a specific region with markerless tracking even when visual recognition of the specific region of the subject is poor and for eliminating preliminary work such as preparation of a template. A control element comprises a DRR image generation element, a phase-based position calculation element, an X-ray fluoroscopic image obtaining element, a phase adjuster, a frame-based position calculation element, a gating element and a memory storage. The frame-based position calculation element calculates the position of the specific region of the subject in the X-ray fluoroscopic image having the plurality of frames frame-by-frame based on the DRR image adjusted with the X-ray fluoroscopic image in the phase adjustment element and the position of the specific region calculated by the phase-based position calculation element.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to real-time treatment margin adaptation based on in-treatment imaging are provided. The system and method may utilize the potential of motion mitigation techniques such as couch tracking, DMLC, beam tracking, and the like to freeze tumor motion within the treatment aperture. A standard internal target volume (ITV) based margin plan and a minimum margin plan is created for the patient. The minimum margin plan assumes frozen intrafractional tumor motion. Depending on tumor location confidence in the motion mitigation technique, MLC leaf positions can be interpolated between the two plans to adjust margins during treatment delivery. If motion mitigation fails, the plan can be disabled resulting in the delivery of the current clinical standard of care. Dynamic aperture tracking may be employed with an electronic portal imaging device as the in-treatment imaging modality.

Abstract: A method for colouring hair, wherein the method comprises: (i) the formation of a first plurality of coated hair fibre portions, wherein the coating comprises a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises a first hair colouring agent, a hydrophobic phase, a hydrophilic phase, a surfactant, and a thickener capable of interacting with the hydrophobic phase and the hydrophilic phase; and subsequently (ii) styling the hair wherein the first plurality of coated hair fibre portions is contacted with a second plurality of hair fibre portions; wherein the method does not comprise the application of a solid barrier means in order to separate the first plurality of coated hair fibre portions from the second plurality of hair fibre portions, and wherein the first composition is substantially free of persulfate.

Abstract: An improved gauze structure capable of separating inhalation and exhalation includes: an outer layer member, a top and a bottom portions thereof are formed with at least one first through hole, a center at the bottom portion is formed with a first front hole; an inner layer member, a top and a bottom portions thereof are formed with at least one second through hole, a center at the bottom portion is formed with a second front hole, at least one fastening unit is disposed at two sides; an inner mask member, used for covering a mouth, and formed with at least one third through hole and a connection part; and at least two air valves, disposed corresponding to the first and the second through holes at the top and bottom portions of the outer and the inner layer members and the third through hole of the inner mask member.

Abstract: A blower filter respirator system (1) has a filter element (3) for filtering ambient air (33), a blower unit (30) and a face part (7) with a tube element (9)—face part/tube combination (79)—for feeding an amount of breathing air (37) to a user (100). A pressure sensor (8) is on an outlet side (35) of the blower unit (30) measuring breathing air pressure values (81) by detecting a pressure difference on the outlet side (35) of the blower unit (30) against the ambient air (33). A control unit (5) is configured to operate the blower unit (30) and control breathing air (37) and is configured to determine a desired pressure value (83) for current operation with the face part/tube combination (79) from operation-related properties (530) of the blower unit (30) and specific properties of the face part/tube combination (79) and for comparing with the current pressure value (81).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an impregnated filter material includes preparing at least one impregnating solution comprising sulphate and phosphate; providing a filter material; and impregnating the filter material with at least one impregnating solution, at least once. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture an impregnated filter material for the removal of noxious substances and/or toxins, which includes sulphate and phosphate. The noxious substances and/or toxins can thereby be present in the form of gases and/or vapours.

Abstract: A connector includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a pass-through opening extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The connector further has a gate positioned between the first end and the second end of the frame and movable between a closed position to close the pass-through opening and an open position to open the pass-through opening. A locking mechanism selectively locks the gate in the closed position. The locking mechanism has a rotatable knob connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the frame and rotatable in a direction about the longitudinal axis, and a locking indent on the gate configured for receiving at least a portion of the rotatable knob when the gate is in the closed position. The rotatable knob is rotationally biased by a biasing mechanism.

Abstract: Fall protection apparatus includes a self-retracting lifeline, a tether line and a link member enabling connection of the self-retracting lifeline to the tether line. An anti-connection device is fitted to the link member permitting connection to the self-retracting lifeline but inhibiting connection to other devices when connected to the self-retracting lifeline.

Abstract: A method for supplying fire suppressing agent to the interior of a container for an extended duration includes detecting sensor signals indicative of a temperature associated with a container, determining via a controller that the fire suppressing agent should be supplied to the interior of the container based at least in part on the sensor signals, and initiating via the controller expulsion of fire suppressing agent from a chamber containing fire suppressing agent. The method may further include puncturing a surface of the container with a puncture mechanism to provide flow communication between the chamber and the interior of the container to permit supply of fire suppressing agent into the interior of the container at a first time, initiating via the controller expulsion of fire suppressing agent from a second chamber containing fire suppressing agent at a second time after the first time, and supplying fire suppressing agent from the second chamber into the interior of the container.

Abstract: The present application provides water-enhancing, fire-suppressing hydrogels that are formulated to minimize toxicity and negative environmental impact. The present application provides a composition comprising: (i) at least one thickening agent; (ii) at least one liquid medium; and, optionally, (iii) one or more suspending agents, wherein the composition consists of >75%, by weight, consumer-grade components and wherein the composition is a concentrate that can be mixed with water or an aqueous solution to form a fire-suppressing, water-enhancing hydrogel. Each of the at least one thickening agent, suspending agent and liquid medium can be non-toxic and biodegradable. Also provided are the fire-suppressing, water-enhancing hydrogel and methods of production and use thereof during fire fighting or fire prevention.

Abstract: An exerciser that is discreet, portable, wearable, and easy-to-install and remove is presented. It is designed to custom-fit to the body for isometric and isotonic exercises to strengthen and develop the upper torso and leg muscles through resistive movement of opposing muscle groups. One example of the exerciser consists of support and grip straps and 360° swivel. The support strap is a loop that is fastened to either or both wrists, arms, legs, or ankles with a buckle or equivalent closure, and designed to form fit to the appendages with ½-inch spaced holes. The grip strap is a continuous loop used as a grip for the hands. The exerciser can facilitate many range-of-motion exercises in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes.

Abstract: A garment including a garment body configured to be wearable by a person. The garment also includes a first tube selectively coupled to the garment body. The first tube is configured to receive a first desired amount of liquid through a first opening of the first tube. The garment further includes a second tube selectively coupled to the garment body independently of the first tube. The second tube is configured to receive a second desired amount of liquid through a second opening of the second tube. The second tube is fluidly distinct from the first tube.

Abstract: A training apparatus includes exercise equipment mounted to a side surface or a roof of a land vehicle or for mounting to a surface such as a wall of a building or a ship. The exercise equipment includes a support structure which is attached to the surface or roof and is manoeuvrable by pivoting with respect thereto whilst remaining attached thereto, between a stowed condition and an exercising condition.

Abstract: An exercise device that exercises both flexor and extensor muscles. The exercise device includes a base. First and second sidewalls upwardly extend from opposing sides of the base. Each of the first and second sidewall has a plurality of teeth formed on an upper rim extending from the front end to the rear end of the base. At least a first gear is secured to a first end of an elongated rod and at least a second gear is secured to a second end of the elongated rod. A plurality of teeth of the first gear interlock with the plurality of teeth of the first sidewall and a plurality of teeth of the second gear interlock with the plurality of teeth of the second sidewall. A board rests on the elongated rod in between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Provided is an exercise device for performing exercises suitable to strengthen thigh and hip muscles such as a leg press machine, a total hip, a stationary bicycle, or a moving bicycle, and more particularly provides an exercise device for strengthening thigh and hip muscles while protecting the knees and ankle joints by enabling a user to locate a lower end of an arm on the user's thigh in a sitting or lying position and move the user's legs in order to minimize a load or stress added to the knee and ankle joints.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, a seat track of the frame, a seat movably attached to the seat track of the frame, at least one resistance mechanism connected to the frame, a pull cable in communication with the resistance mechanism, a crank assembly in communication with the resistance mechanism, a first swing arm connected to the frame, and a second swing arm connected to the frame.

Abstract: A lower back exercise apparatus exercises or imparts laterally and upwardly directed movements into a user's lower back when seated thereupon. The lower back exercise apparatus includes a lower base assembly, an upper seat assembly, and a motor assembly. The lower base assembly includes an upper, laterally concave base surface. The upper seat assembly includes a lower, laterally convex seat surface and an upper seat surface. The upper seat assembly is laterally ridable upon and movable relative to the lower base assembly. The motor assembly is drives a laterally directed, cylindrical arc length trajectory of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower base assembly. The concave and convex surfacing have a common radius of curvature with a common fulcrum point spatially located adjacent an upper portion of a user's lumbar spinal region. Lateral flexion is thus imparted into a user's lower back when a user is seated thereupon.

Abstract: An exercise device (200) which a user (220) communicates with a base unit (260) whose shape comprises of a first arm projection (340) that ends with a first end (380) located along a radiating line from the base unit (260), and comprises of a second arm projection (440) that ends with a second end (420) ending somewhat away from the base unit (260) in a shape that contacts the user's head, whereby upon the urging of the user of the first end (380) produces at the second end (420) a force onto the user when the second end (420) is at least in contact with the user's head.

Abstract: Tracking and monitoring athletic activity offers individuals with additional motivation to continue such behavior. An individual may track his or her athletic activity by completing goals. These goals may be represented by real-world objects such as food items, landmarks, buildings, statues, other physical structures, toys and the like. Each object may correspond to an athletic activity goal and require an amount of athletic activity to complete the goal. For example, a donut goal object may correspond to an athletic activity goal of burning 350 calories. The user may progress from goal object to goal object. Goal objects may increase in difficulty (e.g., amount of athletic activity required) and might only be available for selection upon completing an immediately previous goal object, a number of goal objects, an amount of athletic activity and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for tracking the location of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of tracking a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes determining a location of the participant during the fitness activity based on data received at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining a location of a spectator during the fitness activity based on data received at a mobile spectator device used by the spectator; from a server, sending an alert to a spectator at a spectator device during the fitness activity indicating that the participant is within a predetermined distance of the spectator; and sending an alert to the portable fitness device during the fitness activity indicating that the spectator is within a predetermined distance of the participant.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for obtaining metrics associated with a user's athleticism. In an embodiment, the user performs a workout using the apparatus, and the workout is scored based on a scoring system. In an embodiment, the scoring system may be objective, thereby facilitating score standardization, and individual users for which scores have been recorded may be ranked by the system. In an embodiment, individual users may associate their system profiles with one or more positions for one or more sports. The rankings may be filtered by position and sport to facilitate identification of one or more users of interest, such as for a college recruiting purposes or professional sports team drafts.

Abstract: A more efficient exercise system can be facilitated by interactive components. The interactive components can communication with mobile devices, users, server devices, weight lifting machines, etc. The interactive components can also generate exercise data and provide prompts to a user to facilitate a more efficient workout. Additionally, third-parties can receive user workout data and manipulate exercise equipment remotely to assist a user in attaining his or her goals.

Abstract: A golf ball with improved durability is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core comprising a polybutadiene material and methyl methacrylate, butadiene, styrene (MBS) with a weight percentage of MBS ranging from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of the core.

Abstract: A method and a bowling ball enclosure are provided for encasing and reducing temperature fluctuations of and within a bowling ball. The bowling ball enclosure includes a flexible inner vapor barrier layer and a flexible outer layer that are made of a polymer material, the inner layer forming an interior region that receives the bowling ball. The bowling ball enclosure also includes a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the top portion is positionable from a first position to a second position to encapsulate the bowling ball. In the first position, the top portion being in an open position to receive the bowling ball into the interior region. In the second position, the top portion being in a closed position to encapsulate the bowling bowl. A thermal resistor can be located between the bowling ball enclosure and a support surface.

Abstract: A first improvement to racket stringing machines, for the sport racquets in badminton, tennis, racquetball, and squash/etc. sports, includes a tensioning of two opposite strings with one string tensioning mechanism. A movable base for the racket mounting mechanism is used to link the two ends of tensioning mechanism together and achieve the object to string two strings with one action of string tensioning mechanism. A second improvement is specific for the drop weight tensioning method and includes a moving of the support frame of the drop weight, instead of the rotating the drop weight. A third improvement includes a cross-stringing aid for weaving the cross string during the stringing process. Each of these improvements, either alone or together, are believed to speed up the stringing process so that it is much faster than convention stringing equipment.

Abstract: A golf club head including a face having a flat ball-striking surface and a body that forms a flexure. The golf club head has a feature formed in a sole of the golf club head that provides the flexure.

Abstract: A golf club having unique mass properties and all the benefits afforded therefrom.

Abstract: Described herein is a golf club head that comprises a body and a strike plate. The body comprises a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, and a top portion. The strike plate comprises an outer peripheral edge and at least a portion of a strike face. Furthermore, the strike plate is welded to the body via a peripheral weld between the outer peripheral edge of the strike plate and the body. The outer peripheral edge of the strike plate comprises at least one welded portion, welded to the body via the peripheral weld, and at least one non-welded portion, not welded to the body.

Abstract: A golf club head including a club head body including a back portion, a striking face, and an interior cavity formed between the back portion and the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a deformable element residing between the back portion and the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the deformable element comprises a front surface in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein an aperture is formed through the back portion; and an adjustment driver residing within the aperture, the adjustment driver including a recess adjacent the interior cavity, wherein the deformable element resides within the recess, wherein the back portion comprises a shelf surrounding the aperture, wherein the adjustment drive comprises a flange, the flange in contact with the shelf.

Abstract: An adjustable knob assembly for a ball bat having a tubular handle portion extending about a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a base and an annular knob. The base includes an end wall and a cylindrical outer wall extending from the end wall. The outer wall is configured to be fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the handle portion of the bat. The outer wall includes a first set of interlocking structure. The annular knob includes an inner radial surface defining a central opening. The inner radial surface includes a second set of interlocking structure. The first and second sets of interlocking structure are positionable between at least a first locked knob position and a second locked knob position.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with apertures and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A flip toy assembly provides a launcher having and a projectile that is launched and can be caught by the launcher. The launcher has an elongate handle. The handle has a top end and a bottom end, distal from the top end. A head is fixedly attached to the bottom end. A projectile has an apex having a first side and a second side. A first leg extends away from the first side of the apex and a second leg extends away from the second side of the apex. A method of playing a game with the flip toy assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A game machine makes it possible to make an accurate determination of not only success but also failure with regard to a predetermined play action, and can handle various play rules. The game machine includes at least one game machine main body, and at least one game machine sub unit configured to enable a play by being arranged in a predetermined position on the game machine main body, and is characterized in that, to provide an evaluation of successful play when the game machine sub unit is positioned in the predetermined position on the game machine main body, the game machine main unit and/or the game machine sub unit is provided with a position grasping unit for grasping a positional relationship of the main body and the sub unit. The position grasping unit includes a sensing device utilizing an electric change.

Abstract: A portable system for setting up swinging target games featuring an anchored tossable object, such as a hook or a ring, and a target for receiving the tossable object. The entire assembly is designed to break down and collapse into a compact arrangement for easy transport. It should be storable in a bag or box. The system includes a central bracket which connects three telescoping or collapsible tripod legs for standing the bracket at a location. The bracket includes a connection for a telescoping arm to radiate up and away from the bracket and legs to a terminal point a distance away from the bracket. A target can be mounted to the bracket and a string can be anchored to the terminal point of the telescoping arm. The tossable object is hung from the string and can be tossed towards the target.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a golf swing. The system includes a club lie angle calculator, a golf club grabber, and a propeller channel for creating and supporting a swing plane for a user equal to the lie angle of a given golf club.

Abstract: A golf training device for practicing putting, chipping, or other golf shots includes a target suspended from a support frame. The diameter of the target simulates the diameter of a standard golf cup, and the height of the target above the surface is adjustable via one or more adjustment mechanisms so that the golf training device can be used on actual golf course surfaces. A lower base provides a containment area for golf balls hit into the device, a resilient cover on the lower base absorbs the impact of hit golf balls and directs them into the containment area. The device is easily repositioned via a carrying handle, and folds via hinge mechanisms to provide compact storage.

Abstract: A ball launching apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a funnel residing at an upper end of a housing. The funnel includes a channel for gravitationally directing a ball into a launch point within an interior compartment of the housing. The apparatus includes a hammer that strikes a ball through a chute, thereby releasing the ball from the housing. Both the distance at which the ball travels and the angle at which the ball leaves the chute may be adjusted by the operator. A method of exercising a dog is also provided herein.