Abstract:
A wheelchair comprises wheels 1 driven by a propulsion system comprising reciprocating levers 5. The lever may include a freewheel element and may be connected to the wheel 1 by means of a chain 3 and sprockets 4. The wheel may be suspended using a swing arm 6 supported by a spring element 7. The swing arm 6 and propulsion lever 5 may pivot about a common axis, ensuring that propulsion is unaffected by the suspension. Directional control is provided by a steering mechanism comprising a single pivoting lever 13 controlled by the user's hand and connected to a pivotable steering wheel. The steering lever may be connected to the steering wheel by means of cables.
Abstract:
A wheelchair fitted with propulsion and steeling mechanisms enables wheelchair users to travel effectively over rough and sloped terrain. The wheelchair consists of front wheels 1 which are driven via a propulsion system consisting of chain and sprockets, 3, 4 and a propulsion lever 5 including a freewheel element. A sprung suspension strut 7 may facilitate vertical displacement of the ground contacting wheel. The propulsion system may be supported by a swing arm 6 which pivots about the same point as propulsion lever 5, such that propulsion is unaffected by vertical displacement of the ground contacting wheel. Directional control may be provided by a steering mechanism consisting of a pivoting lever 12 and cables, which cause a rear steeling wheel 2 to steer the device. This steering system may be supported by member 9 and suspension strut 10, such that vertical displacement of the steering wheel cushions impacts from an uneven ground surface.
Abstract:
Evaluating tissue characteristics including identification of injured tissue is provided by obtaining a first image of tissue including a region of interest from a first acquisition, for example, after administration of a contrast agent and obtaining a second image of the tissue including the region of interest during a second, subsequent acquisition, for example, after administration of a contrast agent. A global characteristic of the region of interest of the first image and of the second image is determined to allow a comparison of the global characteristic of the first image and the second image to determine a potential for a change in global tissue characteristics. Such a comparison may include comparison of mean, average characteristics, histogram shape, such as skew and kurtosis, or distribution of intensities within the histogram.
Abstract:
Methods, systems and circuits predict cardiotoxicity induced cardiac injury prior to an irreversible state by electronically generating at least one histogram of mean intensities of voxels/pixels in an MRI image of a left ventricle myocardium and electronically determining a likelihood of cardiac injury due to cardiotoxicity based on data from the at least one histogram.