An assembly including a joining element and an object, the object having a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a middle layer between the first and second outer layers. The object has an opening that extends through the first outer layer and the middle layer, and the joining element is anchored in the opening. The joining element includes a proximal end, a distal end, a contact face in the area of the proximal end, a wall anchoring portion, and a tubular portion. The contact face is engaged by a vibrating tool that applies mechanical vibration and axial force to the joining element. The joining element includes a thermoplastic material at least at the circumferential surface of the wall anchoring portion and at the distal end to anchor the joining element to the first and second outer layers, respectively.

A unitary fastening pin the design of which has flexible protrusions on the lower ⅔ of its shank (2), preferably in the shape of convergent geometrical figures (spade-shaped), molded round the longitudinal axis. The outer overall diameter of the protrusions (2) is greater than the hole into which it is to be inserted. The pin includes a flexing neck (6) between the lower shank and the head (4) and also has tapered alignment splines (16). The pin is particularly suitable for fastening threshold strips to cover floor-covering joints.

A gutter downspout is provided and includes an integrated rainwater holding chamber for collecting and holding rainwater and also includes a bypass chamber. Rainwater collected by the gutter system is directed into the gutter downspout where at least a portion of the rainwater is directed into the rainwater holding chamber where it accumulates over time. When the rainwater holding chamber is filled, the additional rainwater directed into the gutter downspout is directed into a bypass chamber disposed adjacent the rainwater holding chamber. Rainwater flows through the bypass chamber and out the bottom of the gutter downspout.

The invention relates to a paint mixing room (1) comprising a base portion (2), four walls (3), a top portion (4) and at least one door (5) located in one the walls (3); at least one shelf (6), particularly for water-borne products, solvent-borne products and/or color tools; at least one workbench (7); a color station (8) comprising e.g. a personal computer, a spectrophotometer, and a barcode reader; a connector for an electrical power supply; and a ventilation system (11); wherein the paint mixing room (1) is portable.

Anchor positioning equipment for pre-fabricating panels of reinforced cement mortar (10) that includes a prestressed biaxial reinforcement (9). The panel has some versatile actuator means (6) embedded into the mass of cement mortar (10), that do not project from any of the faces (11) thereof, for handling and/or securing said panel to the structure of a building. The means (6) comprise, on the one hand, means for retaining (13) in the set mortar mass and, panel anchoring means (14). The equipment has a fixed base structure (2) for supporting stable seat elastic arrangements (5), which receive means (6) and, on the other hand, movable frameworks (1) comprising gripping arrangements (3) for gripping means (6). Movable frameworks (1) are responsible for removing means (6) from stable seat elastic arrangements (5).

An elevated building surface assembly including a plurality of surface tiles, a plurality of support pedestals disposed in spaced-apart relation on a fixed surface and having a support plate with a top surface operatively supporting the surface tiles in horizontally spaced-apart relation, and a plurality of elongate restraining members configured to restrict movement of the surface tile(s) in directions away from first and second adjacent support pedestals and/or relative to one or more adjacent surface tiles to advantageously limit movement or displacement of the surface tile(s) that may otherwise occur due to uplift forces (e.g., generated by winds and/or the like).

A ceiling system in one embodiment includes a support grid including intersecting grid support members and grid openings formed between the grid support members. A vertical baffle is positioned in a grid opening and is attached to the support grid. The baffle includes opposing front and rear faces extending between opposing lateral sides of the baffle. First and second mounting grooves formed in the baffle engage and support the baffle from the grid. In one embodiment, one of the mounting grooves is disposed in each lateral side to support the baffle from opposite sides. The baffle may further include a third mounting groove formed in the rear face which engages the support grid to help align and squarely register the baffle with respect to the grid for clean linear visuals. In one embodiment, the grid support members may have a standard T-shaped cross section.

An adjustable photovoltaic panel mounting system that allows for variations in roofs and roof elements, while still maintaining a rigid and secure assembly. The specific location for supporting feet and structural elements of the mounting system may be varied to allow for variations in roof features and different panel configurations. The mounting mechanisms are adjustable in both a North/South and a East/West direction to provide for maximum layout flexibility.

A composite shield comprises a panel including an outer thin metallic strike surface layer, a highly strain rate hardening polymer layer and an inner structural armor plate layer. The structural armor plate layer has a multiplicity of traversing ports. The traversing ports have sufficient lateral area to allow deformation of the thin metallic strike surface layer and highly strain rate hardening polymer layer through the structural armor plate layer on the occurrence of explosive blast.

A system and method providing a facade for portable toilets and other structures includes a plurality of panels that mimic or emulate a more aesthetically pleasings structure. The facade may provide the appearance of a house or other structure to disguise the less appealing form of a portable toilet. One, two, three or more panels connect about a portable toilet structure and may partially or completely connect to the portable toilet structure itself. The facade is optionally comprised of lightweight and easily transportable material.

The present invention provides in one aspect for a bracket for use with insulated forms for concrete walls. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior of the insulated form to provide for a means of attaching the header or rim joist to the bracket. The bracket is provided an anchoring plate extending from the attaching plate for insertion into the interior of the insulated form. The present invention also provides for a method of attaching a header or rim joist to a concrete wall formed using insulated forms. The method involves cutting a vertical slot in the insulated form and inserting a bracket into the slot. The bracket has an attachment plate for overlying the exterior surface of the insulated form and an anchoring plate extending from the attachment plate through the slot into the interior of the insulated form. Concrete is poured into the form and allowed to set, after which the header or rim joist is attached to the brackets.

In an embodiment, an interchangeable corner hanger to ornament framing protruding corner structures is provided. The interchangeable corner hanger includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion is designed to rest on an exposed edge of a corner structure, and the vertical portion is designed to hang over the corner of the corner structure and rest against a wall upon which the trim is attached. The vertical portion has a length sufficient to stabilize the corner hanger without the use of other adhesives or attachments. In an embodiment, the vertical portion is configured to allow one or more interlocking elements to be suspended from the vertical portion. For example, the vertical portion may include an interlocking pattern configured to accept a complimentary interlocking pattern on an interlocking element. Further interlocking elements may be attached to the interlocking element.

A flooring system for installation over a surface that provides flooring using artificial wood panels over a plastic base formed from recycled plastics for even durable support over cement or dirt surfaces. The flooring system comprises a plurality of interlocking bases and a plurality of removable clips, wherein each clip has a pair of grippers for engaging at least one board of a plurality of boards, the base and clips supporting the boards apart from the surface and the plurality of boards connected between the grippers are capable of supporting a load of at least 300 pounds.

The invention relates to a prefabricated construction element (1) having a permanent form, such as a longitudinal beam or a panel, consisting of two parallel plates that are formed, through molding and spaced apart from each other, from a hydraulic mixture such as concrete and from a built-in metal reinforcement, said plates being separated by an insulating block and connected together by transverse spacers (not shown), characterized in that said construction element (1) comprises consecutive prepositioning and bottom (6, 7) and/or top (8, 9) linking means, said bottom means (6, 7) consisting of a metal male connector (6) secured to the metal reinforcement of a first element (1) and arranged at the end of the bottom portion of said first element, and a metal female connector (7) secured to said metal reinforcement of a consecutive second element and arranged at the end of the bottom portion of said second element, the relative positioning of the male connector (6) and female connector (7) being such that said connectors can be connected together when the two consecutive elements (1) are assembled.

A suspended ceiling system for a building structure includes a plurality of parallel struts for supporting a plurality of parallel vanes suspended from the struts in perpendicular relationship thereto. The vanes can be suspended in downwardly spaced relationship to the struts or in contiguous relationship therewith and occur in different forms including illuminated vanes, adjustable vanes and the like.

This specification describes a tray substrate for tile flooring that can be used in narrow grout line modular floating tile assemblies. The tray is preferably made of plastic and has vertical tray edges around the top of the tray substrate with upward and downward tabs protruding from the sides of the tray substrate wherein some of the tabs are at least partially recessed under the surface of the tray.

A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define an internal cavity. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and inner protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and inner protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90° relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the inner protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90° corner of a segmental wall structure.

Trusses comprising natural round timbers as top and bottom cords are provided. Also provided are truss and column assemblies comprising natural branched round timber columns connected to a truss.

An extrudable keder rail and a clamping anchor for the keder rail are cooperative to secure keder fabric to a building support beam. The clamping anchor allows the keder rail to be securely attached to a standard beam without drilling holes or strapping about the beam. A temporary clamp and movable tensioning device allow the keder rails and keder fabric to be applied to the building support beams after the support beams have been assembled and installed.

A dovetail anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a sheetmetal dovetail anchor and one-piece sheetmetal dovetail veneer tie. The anchoring system is used in conjunction with building structures that have a masonry outer wythe anchored to a poured masonry inner wythe. A thermally-isolating coating is optionally applied to the high-strength veneer tie, which is interconnected with the wall anchor. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated veneer ties provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

Thermally-isolating wall anchors and reinforcement devices and anchoring systems employing the same are disclosed for use in masonry cavity walls. A thermally-isolating coating is applied to the wall anchor, which is interconnected with a wire formative veneer tie. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated wall anchors provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

A pole splint, generally for use with a broken wooden utility pole, which can provide for a strong repair at a pole breakpoint and which uses relatively little manpower and equipment to install, even under difficult conditions. The splint generally comprises two panels which are designed to be interconnected with elongated connectors. The connectors will generally interact with one of the panels through the use of a nut and washer, and may connect with the other panel through a nut and washer or via a chain formed of chain links.

An incremental forming machine binder is provided that has a blank holding opening that may be subdivided into smaller blank holding openings. The opening is subdivided by one or more clamping modules that are connected by connecting modules to each other and the frame. Clamps are attached to the clamping modules to clamp blanks in the blank holding openings. Multiple blanks may be secured to the binder for incremental forming.

An ambulatory surgical center can include a hybrid operating room. The hybrid operating room can include at least four lead-shielded walls, a floor, and a ceiling. The ambulatory surgical center can also include an imaging device disposed in a central area of the hybrid operating room. The ambulatory surgical center can further include an operating table disposed in the central area of the hybrid operating room. The ambulatory surgical center can additionally include a power room adjacent to the operating room. The power room can include a power supply for the imaging device. The ambulatory surgical center can also include a conduit from the power room to the imaging device configured to deliver power to the imaging device. The ambulatory surgical center can further include an emergency power source for the imaging device configured to permit continuity of surgery in the hybrid operating room during a power outage.

A method of modulating oxygen saturation levels can include measuring oxygen saturation levels in a patient, administering inhaled nitric oxide, adjusting the dose of oxygen in real time to a second dose based on the inhaled nitric oxide.

A method comprises receiving an input coupling adjacent to a drive input, the drive input being driven by an actuating element, the input coupling being coupled to a joint output, the joint output being connected to a movable object. The method further comprises rotating the actuating element until a resistance torque is experienced by the actuating element and determining, based upon the resistance torque, whether the drive input has engaged the input coupling.

The present disclosure provides devices for preventing or absorbing fluid (e.g., sweat) and/or odors from the intergluteal cleft of a subject. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices for treating or preventing hemorrhoids and methods of using same.

A method of forming oral orthotic systems includes providing an upper dental member adapted to be placed in connection with upper dentition of the patient, providing a lower dental member adapted to be placed in connection with lower dentition of the patient and providing a plurality of posterior mounting structures. Each of the posterior mounting structure is configured to be attached to one of the upper dental member or the lower dental member at a posterior, buccal position thereon. Force may be applied to the mandible of the patient via at least one of a plurality of different types mechanisms via attachment of a component of a selected type mechanism to at least one of the posterior mounting structures.

A system and method for creating a medicated atmosphere in an organ, or body cavity is disclosed. The system includes a flexible nebulization catheter that can be manipulated during use, a device for the introduction of the nebulization catheter, a medication delivery apparatus configured to control delivery of a medication to the catheter, a gas delivery apparatus in communication with the catheter, a gas pressure relief apparatus configured to relieve pressure in the organ or body cavity, and a central controller. The system may include a liquid source having a mixture of hyaluronic acid and heparin that, in conjunction with the nebulizing catheter, are designed to generate an aerosol with a particle size of 10-25 microns in a body cavity. The method includes providing an aerosol of anti-adhesive medication to an organ or body cavity while controlling overall pressure in the organ or cavity.

In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method of guiding transitions between therapy modes in connection with the treatment and/or diagnosis of a patient for a respiratory disorder is/are provided. Respiratory disorder treatment according to a first therapy mode is provided. Input indicating a second therapy mode to be transitioned to following provision of the first therapy mode is received, with the second therapy mode being different from the first therapy mode. At least one default treatment parameter suitable for the second therapy mode is assigned or calculated. Each default treatment parameter of the second therapy mode is presented, with each default treatment parameter being adjustable by an operator during the presenting. Transitioning from the first therapy mode to the second therapy mode is performed by providing respiratory disorder treatment in accordance with the second therapy mode and each default treatment parameter and any adjustments made thereto prior to the transitioning. Advantageously, the chances of a patient being disturbed by transitioning from mode-to-mode are reduced.

An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.

The present disclosure provides a device that can be used to secure an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, the device is a one-time use device that has a flexible construction with an adhesive side. The device is configured to be adhered to the endotracheal tube and subsequently secure unto the patient's face. The device is quick and easy to deploy, it reliably secure the endotracheal tube, is comfortable for the patient, and that minimized the chances of infection.

A patient tube securement apparatus is disclosed that may be used for oral or nasal intubation of a patient. The apparatus may comprise an endotracheal tube securement apparatus for securing an endotracheal tube to a patient, the apparatus comprising a dermal patch arranged to be positioned on the skin of the patient, and at least one tube holder on the dermal patch.The apparatus may comprise a patient tube securement apparatus for securing a patient tube to a patient, the apparatus comprising a dermal patch arranged to be positioned on the skin of the patient, and at least one tube holder on the dermal patch.Examples are provided in which the tube holder is adjustably mounted on the dermal patch such that the position of the tube holder on the dermal patch can be adjusted without removing the dermal patch from the skin of the patient.

A patient interface assembly having an improved support for use in securing a patient interface device to the head of a patient overcomes the shortcomings of conventional headgear. The improved support provides a self-adjusting anchor point situated anterior to the ear of the patient that provides enhanced stability in mounting the patient interface device to the patient.

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a capsule container configured to contain at least one capsule, a discharge structure configured to discharge a material included in the capsule, a transceiver configured to transmit data to an external device or to receive data from the external device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to receive, user state information and biometric information from the external device via the transceiver, select at least one capsule in the capsule container on the basis of the received user state information and biometric information, determine a spray amount of a material contained in the selected at least one capsule, and spray the material via the discharge structure.

An example method for detecting respiratory disturbances experienced by a subject can include receiving an airflow signal and at least one of an acoustic or vibration signal, where the airflow, acoustic, and/or vibration signals are associated with the subjects breathing. At least one feature can be extracted from the airflow signal and at least one feature can be extracted from at least one of the acoustic or vibration signal. Based on the extracted features, at least one respiratory disturbance can be detected. The respiratory disturbance can be flow limited breath or inspiratory flow limitation (“IFL”).

The invention pertains to positioning a patient in prone position, comprising: positioning a patient in a supine position,attaching a chest body contact sheet to the chest of the patient with an attached inflatable chest cushion in the deflated state,attaching a pelvic body contact sheet to the pelvic region of the patient with an attached inflatable pelvis cushion in the deflated state,transferring the patient from the supine position to a prone position,with the chest body contact sheet attached to the chest of the patient and the pelvic body contact sheet attached to the pelvic region of the patient and the patient in the prone position, inflating the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion, thereby making that the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion together bear the weight of the torso of the patient with the abdominal region of the patient being decompressed. The invention is based on a combination of anatomy and physiology that is used for a reliable positioning the patient, which is safe for the patient and safe, hygienic and user friendly for the medical team.

A method and a control program for operating an anesthesia apparatus, as well as an anesthesia apparatus (12), which operates according to the method are provided. The anesthesia apparatus includes a breathing gas feed unit (22) intended for displacing a breathing gas volume in a breathing circuit (10). A piston (23) brings about the displacement of the breathing gas. Switching over between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the return of the piston (23) allows for a presetting of a corresponding piston return velocity. The piston return velocity depends on a volume flow in an exhalation branch (34) of the breathing circuit (10) in the first mode of operation. The piston return velocity depends on a minimally necessary piston return velocity in the second mode of operation.

A system for determining an optimal hardness of a patient interface device includes a fit score determination unit structured to receive a 3-D model of the patient interface device and a 3-D model of a patient's face and to determine a fit score between the patient interface device and the patient's face based on the 3-D model of the patient interface device and the 3-D model of the patient's face, and a hardness determination unit structured to determine a hardness value of the patient interface device based on the determined fit score.

A mask with cushion that has an outer film is disclosed. The film may be self-skinning or a film formed about or glued to the cushion body. In another form the cushion may be formed with at least a portion having a plurality of adjacent voids having honeycomb-like structure.

A respiratory mask or other sealing interface can be used in combination with a nasal cannula or other unsealing interface in providing respiratory therapies for the treatment of COPD or OSA. The mask can act as a pressure vessel over the top of a nasal cannula, with the intention of increasing expiratory pressure whilst allowing the nasal cannula to provide a user with breathing gases of a high humidity and temperature. The ability to selectively apply increased expiratory pressure may be effective in reducing a user's breathing rate and thus beneficial in the treatment of respiratory distress.

A patient monitoring system is configured to monitor oxygen saturation and/or oxygenation of a patient's blood. The system is configured to re-oxygenate the patient in response to a determination that the patient's oxygen saturation and/or oxygenation has fallen below a threshold (e.g., if the patient is experiencing hypoxemia). A re-oxygenation routine may include an initial step of rapidly oxygenating the patient, followed by a reduction of oxygenation to make the oxygenation process more gradual. For instance, after the initial step of rapid oxygenation, the patient may be oxygenated with oxygen at an atmospheric level. The system may dynamically adjust the ratio of delivered oxygen versus delivered air, the duration of oxygenation, and the incidence of oxygenation. The system may also adjust the automated delivery of one or more drugs to the patient based on the patient's condition and/or the state of re-oxygenation.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described that indicate an amount at which various gas flow rates should be manually adjusted in order to achieve targeted total flow rates and concentration levels.

The invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting a plurality of tunable passive antennas, for instance a plurality of tunable passive antennas of a radio transceiver using several antennas simultaneously. The invention also relates to an automatically tunable antenna array using this method. An automatically tunable antenna array of the invention has 4 user ports, and comprises: 4 tunable passive antennas, the 4 tunable passive antennas operating simultaneously in a given frequency band and forming a multiport antenna array; 4 sensing units; 4 feeders; a signal processing unit delivering a tuning instruction; and a tuning control unit, the tuning control unit receiving the tuning instruction from the signal processing unit, the tuning control unit delivering tuning control signals to the tunable passive antennas, the tuning control signals being determined as a function of the tuning instruction.

A device comprising: a substrate; a transmit antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals; a receive antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to receive RF signals; and circuitry, disposed on the substrate and differentially coupled to the transmit and receive antennas, and configured to provide to the transmit antenna RF signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna and to process RF signals received by the receive antenna, wherein the substrate comprises material for reducing harmonic coupling between the transmit antenna and the receive antenna.

A circuit board includes a substantially planar component carrier and a microstrip which is applied to a surface of the component carrier. The microstrip extends towards a connection transition which is arranged on a lateral edge of the component carrier. A waveguide portion of an antenna element which is produced by a 3D printing process is coupled to this connection transition.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure having a feed point for coupling to a dielectric core of a cable that propagates electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path, and a dielectric antenna, substantially or entirely devoid of conductive external surfaces, coupled to the feed point, the dielectric antenna facilitating receipt, at the feed point, the electromagnetic waves for propagating the electromagnetic waves to an aperture of the dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A 2×2 MIMO array antenna is provided which includes two separate radiating elements mounted to an antenna reflector. Each element is linear polarized with two orthogonal polarizations, one polarization excited by a transmit port and the other polarization receiving radiated signals destined for a receive port. The two elements are aligned that the polarizations excited by the transmit ports of the two elements are along a common axis, or the polarizations received by the receive ports of the two elements are along a common axis.

Antenna system for a georadar, comprising two plate like antenna devices, where said two antenna devices comprise at least one sender antenna (1) and at least one receiver antenna (2), respectively, as the antennas (1,2) in each antenna device comprise monopoles formed by applying to metal surfaces an electrically insulating plate base (3) located on the underside of a layer of radar absorbing material (4), where the top side of the material layer is covered by a metallic ground plane (5). The antenna device is also arranged to lay against the ground (10). A layer of radar absorbent material (4) is arranged on the top side of the ground planes (5), and the ground planes (5) are not connected electrically to each other.

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for an antenna-based detection method and system for sensing an environmental change condition. The method and system is adapted such that the states comprising the environmental change condition are capable of being determined at the location of the detection point utilizing only the magnitude component of the antenna impedance as altered by the discrete change in the environmental condition.