Abstract:
A deformable actuating device comprises at least one inflatable tube having an inlet for inflating a space within the tube by a pressurized fluid. The tube has a wall with sections of different elasticity along the tube so as to cause the tube to bend in a predetermined direction when inflated
Abstract:
A self-propelled device for locomotion through a lumen, comprising a set of serially arranged inflatable chambers, and incorporating a number of novel aspects. To enable easy insertion and use, the rigidity of the device is increased by means of rigid inserts in the balloons, or by use of stiff springs between segments. The working channel can be attached to the distal chamber of the device, such that it is pulled from the leading end of the device during inflation, rather than being pulled from the trailing end of the device during deflation. Lumen wall inspection or treatment facilities are enabled by means of a camera or treatment arm mounted between two distally positioned balloons, the device is able to provide observation capabilities to the lumen wall, yet without becoming excessively dirty by exposure to the front end of the device, as in prior art camera units.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a nonwoven structure is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a nonwoven layer of polymer fibers on the collector liquid surface, transferring the layer to a solid surface, and repeating the formation and the transfer in a layerwise manner.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for treating microbial infections associated with an emergence of resistance of a pathogenic microorganism to an antimicrobial agent, following treatment with antimicrobial agent are disclosed. The methods are effected by using a polymer which exhibits antimicrobial re-sensitizing activity, for re-sensitizing the pathogenic microorganisms to the antimicrobial agent, in combination with the antimicrobial agent. Further disclosed are novel polymers having an antimicrobial re sensitizing activity.
Abstract:
In recent years piezoelectric actuation has been identified as a promising means of driving miniature Stirling devices. It supports miniaturization, has a high power to volume ratio, can operate at almost any frequency, good electrical to mechanical efficiencies, and potentially has a very long operating life. This invention uses a valve-less hydraulic amplification, creating an oscillating pressure wave sufficiently large to drive a high frequency miniature pulse tube cryocooler. The actuator may be separated from the main body of the cryocooler. The system lack of rubbing parts in the power conversion processes.
Abstract:
A method of stimulating neurons present in a living body is disclosed. The method comprises directing light to an artificial light absorbing medium implanted extracellularly at a target location having the neurons therein, wherein wavelengths and intensities of the light are selected so as to heat the light absorbing medium by light absorption. The heating is sufficient to stimulate neurons nearby the light absorbing medium. In some embodiments, the light is spatially modulating so as to encode a stimulation pattern therein.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for integrating maps in which roads are represented as polylines. The main novelty of the invention is in using only the locations of the endpoints of the polylines rather than trying to match whole lines. Experiments on real-world data are given, showing that this approach of integration based on matching merely endpoints is efficient and accurate (that is, it provides high recall and precision).
Abstract:
Enteric coated capsules or tablets for oral delivery of a protein, polypeptide or peptide drug, in particular for oral delivery of insulin, are provided, comprising microparticles of the protein, polypeptide or peptide drug, microparticles of a protease inhibitor and, optionally, microparticles of an absorption enhancer. The protease inhibitor and the absorption enhancer may be together in the same microparticles. The microparticles of each component are embedded in an enteric polymer matrix. The enteric coated tablet or capsule of the invention enables fast release of the protein, polypeptide or peptide drug at different times at desired loci in the gastrointestinal tract
Abstract:
Method for parallel approximation of distance maps on a discrete representation of a manifold, the method comprising: for at least one Euclidean grid applied on the discrete representation of a manifold, iterating over rows of the Euclidean grid in a first direction, and for each row currently visited during the iterating in the first direction, calculating a distance value for each single cell of the currently visited row in parallel, wherein the calculating is carried out according to a predefined approximation rule, using a distance value calculated for each one of respective cells of a row visited immediately before the currently visited row, wherein the cells of the row visited before the currently visited row are adjacent to the single cell in the Euclidean grid.
Abstract:
The subject matter discloses a method of determining whether a point in a computerized image is visible from a viewpoint; said image is represented as a point cloud, the method comprising: performing inversion on a the vicinity of the point thus creating a computerized inversed object, each point in the vicinity of the point is related to a parallel point in the computerized inversed object and obtaining a convex hull of the inversed object; the point is likely to be visible from the viewpoint in case it belongs to the point set composing the convex hull. The method is also useful for shadow casting and for determining the location of an image-capturing device within a volume.