05th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 57 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140031891 | INSERT TOOL FOR SELECTIVELY POWERING AN IMPLANT UNIT - An implant unit delivery tool is disclosed having an implant tool and an implant activator. The implant tool may be configured to retain an implant unit during an implantation procedure in which the implant unit is fixated to tissue. The implant activator may be associated with the implant tool. Additionally, the implant activator may be configured to selectively transfer power to the implant unit during the implantation procedure to cause modulation of at least one nerve in the body of a subject prior to final fixation of the implant unit to the tissue. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031892 | FLEXIBLE ANTENNA ON FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE WITH ADHESIVE BACK - A medical device may be configured to transmit energy from a position outside of a subject's body to a position inside the subject's body. The device may include a flexible substrate having a thickness of between 5 and 100 micrometers and a flexible antenna comprising between 10 and 15 windings on a first surface of the flexible substrate, the antenna having a transmission frequency of between 6.4 to 8.3 MHz, and wherein the antenna is configured to transmit energy to a penetration depth of at least 1 cm into the subject's body. The device may also include an adhesive disposed on at least one surface of the flexible substrate for adhering to skin of the subject. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031893 | LINKED AREA PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT FOR SPINAL CORD STIMULATION AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for managing pain in a patient using an electrical waveform that link the modulation of a waveform parameter for different areas of a patient. One embodiment in a system for managing pain in a patient comprises an electric device configured to be implanted into the patient and including a plurality of electrodes having at least a first electrode associated with a first area of the patient and a second electrode associated with a second area of the patient. The system further includes an implantable device configured to be coupled to the electrode device and having a computer-operable medium programmed to change the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode and automatically set the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode based on a relationship between a first therapy range and a second therapy range of the waveform parameter. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031894 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR POST-OPERATIVE APPLICATION OF PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY FOR PREVENTION OF PAIN AND CARTILAGE LOSS - A pain alleviation method as well as cartilage sparring or repairing method in the intraoperative as well as perioperative time of treatment device are disclosed herein. Pain maybe alleviated by applying a pulsed radio frequency (PRF) signal in the intraarticular as well as intrabursal or intracapsular area of a joint, while controlling the fluids in the joint area using suction. A device for carrying out the method includes a PRF electrode, a suction device, removing the fluids in the intraarticular and/or intracapsular and/or intrabursal area of a joint. The PRF electrode and suction device maybe collocated in a flexible tube that maybe applied through a cannula. PRF signal is applied to the electrode for approximately 10 minutes at 2 Hz with a pulse width of approximately 10 ms and approximately 55 V at approximately 42 degrees or similar setting. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031895 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PAIN - A system and method for managing pain, configured to be worn by a patient, comprising an electrode array comprising a first electrode and a second electrode for providing a TENS treatment to the patient; a connector configured to couple at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to an electronics subsystem; a muscle twitch sensor subsystem configured to detect a muscle twitch profile induced by the electrode array at the patient; and an electronics subsystem comprising a power module configured to power the system, a pulse generator coupled to the electrode array and configured to transmit the TENS treatment, and a control module configured to receive an input, from the muscle twitch sensor subsystem, characterizing the muscle twitch profile, wherein the electronics subsystem is configured to modulate a parameter of the TENS treatment based upon the input, until a threshold is satisfied. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031896 | SELECTIVE HIGH FREQUENCY SPINAL CORD MODULATION FOR INHIBITING PAIN WITH REDUCED SIDE EFFECTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031897 | DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SKIN - A skin treatment device includes a roller rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis and having needles protruding radially outwardly from its peripheral surface, and a device for establishing electrical contact between at least part of the needles and a voltage source having first and second poles, including first and second terminals capable of being electrically connected to the first and second poles, respectively, a first contacting zone electrically connected to first needles, a second contacting zone spaced and electrically insulated from the first contacting zone and electrically connected to second needles, the terminals and the contacting zones being configured such that when the first terminal is connected to the first contacting zone, the second terminal is likewise connected to the second contacting zone. The first and the second needles are each arranged in a row, the rows being separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the roller. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031898 | Shabbat-Compatible Auditory Prosthesis Systems and Methods - An exemplary method includes a Shabbat-compatible auditory prosthesis system (a) detecting a transition of a clock signal from being in an on state to being in an off state, (b) directing, in response the transition of the clock signal to being in the off state, a sound processor to turn off and enter an extended off state during which the sound processor remains off for a first predetermined amount of time, and (c) directing, in response to an elapsing of the first predetermined amount of time, the sound processer to turn on and enter a search state for up to a second predetermined amount of time during which the sound processor searches for an implanted auditory prosthesis. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031899 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANT SIGNAL PROCESSING - An exemplary speech processor configured to be used in a cochlear implant system includes signal processing circuitry that 1) separates an incoming audio signal into a plurality of channels, wherein each channel included in the plurality of channels includes a channel signal included in a plurality of channel signals and representing a portion of the audio signal, 2) selects one or more channel signals from the plurality of channel signals that have a spectral power that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the selected one or more channel signals corresponding to one or more channels included in the plurality of channels, and 3) designates only the one or more channels that correspond to the selected one or more channel signals to be used for stimulation representative of the incoming audio signal. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031900 | THERAPY PROGRAM MODIFICATION BASED ON AN ENERGY THREHOLD - A therapy program is modified to decompose an electrical stimulation signal defined by the therapy program into a plurality of subsignals based on a comparison between an energy associated with the stimulation signal and a threshold value. An electrical stimulation signal defined by a therapy program may be decomposed into a plurality of subsignals when an electrical stimulation energy of the stimulation signal exceeds the maximum energy output of the medical device or of a channel of the medical device. The energy associated with each one of the subsignals may be less than the energy threshold value of the medical device. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031901 | TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONICALLY ASSESSING ELECTRODE CONDITION AND PERI-ELECTRODE TISSUE CONDUCTIVITY CHANGE PRE- AND POST-MRI - A neurostimulation system and method of operating an implantable neurostimulation device configured for outputting electrical stimulation energy to at least one electrode in accordance with a set of stimulation parameters. The implantable neurostimulation device may be switched from a normal operating mode to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) operating mode. Electrical parameter measurements may be repeatedly acquired at each of the electrode(s) in response to the placement of the implantable stimulation system in the MRI mode. A corrective action may be performed based on at least one of the repeatedly acquired electrical parameter measurements. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031902 | SELF RESONANT TRANSMITTING DEVICE - A device for powering an implant within a body of a subject from a location external to the subject, wherein the implant requires a threshold rate of power increase in order to operate in at least one mode, may include an antenna configured to wirelessly transmit energy to the implant. The device may also include a power storage unit configured to store energy from a power source incapable of delivering the threshold rate of power increase to enable the implant unit to operate in the at least one mode and a power release unit configured to release a pulse of energy from the power storage unit to the antenna after the power storage unit collects an amount of energy sufficient to enable the implant unit to operate in the at least one mode. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031903 | EXTERNAL RESONANCE MATCHING BETWEEN AN IMPLANTED DEVICE AND AN EXTERNAL DEVICE - Some embodiments of the disclosure may include a device for wirelessly powering an implant unit in a body of a subject from a location outside of the body of the subject, wherein the implant unit includes a secondary antenna for wirelessly receiving energy. The device may include a primary antenna configured to be located external to the body of the subject, a circuit electrically connected to the primary antenna, and at least one processor electrically connected to the primary antenna and the circuit. The at least one processor may determine a resonant frequency mismatch between a first resonant frequency associated with the primary antenna and a second resonant frequency associated with the secondary antenna associated with the implant unit; and apply an adjustment to at least one component of the circuit to cause a change in the first resonant frequency associated with the primary antenna and a reduction in the resonant frequency mismatch. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031904 | THERAPY PROTOCOL ACTIVATION TRIGGERED BASED ON INITIAL COUPLING - The present disclosure is directed to a control unit for cooperating with an adhesive patch to convey power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject. The control unit may include a housing configured for selective mounting on the adhesive patch and may further include at least one processor within the housing. The at least one processor may be configured to activate when the housing is mounted on the adhesive patch and to delay, for a predetermined amount of time following activation of the at least one processor, generation of therapeutic control signals for modulating at least one nerve in the subject's body. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031905 | BURST PULSE TISSUE STIMULATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for stimulating nerve tissue of an organism includes a step of electrically connecting an electrical signal source to at least a first nerve. The method also includes applying a periodically repeating burst pulse signal pattern to the first nerve. The burst pulse signal pattern has a pattern frequency defining a frequency of repetition of the burst pulse signal pattern and a pattern duty cycle defining a first time period of the burst pulse signal pattern, the burst pulse signal pattern having a plurality of pulses, the pulses having a frequency within the pattern that exceeds the pattern frequency by at least an order of magnitude. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031906 | PORTABLE PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICE - Disclosed is a portable phototherapy device capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength and intensity sufficient to obtain a desired phototherapeutic effect to a subject, without being in direct physical contact with said subject. The device is portable, capable of being flattened, folded, rolled, compressed, or otherwise collapsed, to a size smaller than that of its operating size. The device may be of any size or shape, and may optionally comprise a frame support. The device may be powered by a variety of sources, including one or more batteries. The device may be configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation sufficient to obtain one or more of a variety of desired phototherapeutic effects. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031907 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COMPATIBLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD HAVING LUBRICIOUS INNER TUBING - An implantable medical lead body has a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body includes an inner tubing defining a lumen and formed of one or more non-conductive materials, a plurality of coiled conductors wound around the inner tubing, and an outer jacket extending over the plurality of coiled conductors. The inner tubing of the lead body may be design with a reduced coefficient of friction. For example, an inner surface of the inner tubing may have a lower coefficient of friction than an outer surface of the inner tubing. In another example, the inner tubing may be formed of a polymer having a surface modified to provide a reduced coefficient of friction. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031908 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING LARGE DIAMETER NERVE FIBER STIMULATION USING SEQUENTIAL ACTIVATION OF ELECTRODES - A system and method of providing therapy to a patient with electrodes extending along the longitudinal axes of large and small diameter nerve fibers. Electrical energy is delivered from a first electrode at an initial axial location, thereby evoking initial action potentials in the large and small fibers. The initial action potentials are allowed to be conducted along the large and small fibers in a first axial direction. Electrical energy is delivered from a second electrode at a second axial location at an instant in time when the initial action potential conducted along the large fiber has passed the second axial location and the initial action potential conducted along the small fiber is at the second axial location, thereby allowing a subsequent action potential to be evoked in the large fiber while preventing a subsequent action potential from being evoked in the small fiber. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031909 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE METHODS FOR IMPLANTING A SACRAL STIMULATION LEAD - Methods and apparatus for implanting a neural stimulation lead in a patient's body are described. A lead assembly comprises a pointed-tip stylet, a stimulation lead, and an optional tube to deploy a fixation element attached to the lead. One embodiment of the implant methods starts with inserting the pointed-tip lead assembly directly into tissue. After the desired implant position is determined, the pointed-tip component is separated from the stimulation lead and removed from the tissue, leaving the stimulation lead implanted. After confirmation that the stimulation lead is in the right, tissue location, the pointed-tip component is removed from the body, leaving the stimulation lead in place. The stimulation lead can be connected to a neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat neural disorders, such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual, dysfunction, and pelvic pain, etc. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031910 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STIMULATING MOTOR UNITS - Systems and methods are provided for stimulating motor units. An electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes configured to provide stimulation to respective motor units of a plurality of independent, mutually agonist motor units. A stimulator assembly is configured to provide a stimulation current to each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. The stimulation current is provided such that a sum of respective time-varying moments at the plurality of motor units remains substantially constant and non-zero. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031911 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COMPATIBLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - This disclosure describes an implantable medical lead, and method of making such a lead, that reduces the undesirable effects the fields generated by an MRI device may have on the implantable medical lead and the implantable medical device. The implantable medical lead has a proximal end configured to connect to an implantable medical device and a distal end. The lead also includes at least one electrode located near the distal end and at least one coiled conductor that extends along a length of the lead from the proximal end to a respective electrode. The lead further includes an outer jacket that is configured to only partially extend between turns of one or more of the coiled conductors. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031912 | Anchorage Devices Comprising an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient - An anchorage device comprising a mesh substrate coupled to an implantable medical device is disclosed, where the mesh substrate has a coating comprising a polymer, and the mesh further comprises at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient. The active pharmaceutical agent is designed to elute from the mesh over time. The mesh substrate can be configured to reduce the mass of the anchorage device such that tissue in-growth and/or scar tissue formation at the treatment site is reduced. In some embodiments, the mesh substrate can be formed with a mesh having a low areal density. In some embodiments, the mesh substrate can include one or more apertures or pores to reduce the mass of the substrate. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031913 | SUTURE HOLES ON A FLEXIBLE IMPLANT - A device according to some embodiments may include an implant unit which may include a flexible carrier, an antenna arranged on the flexible carrier, at least one pair of modulation electrodes on the flexible carrier, at least one implantable circuit electrically connected to the at least one pair of modulation electrodes and the antenna; and at least one pair of suture holes passing through the flexible carrier. The at least one pair of suture holes may be arranged on the flexible carrier such that the flexible carrier may be configured to conform to tissue in a subject's body, and such that each suture hole of the at least one pair of suture holes may be positioned to allow suturing to tissue adjacent to the suture holes. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031914 | IMPLANT SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT DEVICE INCLUDING AN ANTENNA - A sleep apnea treatment device may include a flexible carrier configured to be implanted in a body of a subject. The device may also include at least one electrode disposed on the flexible carrier, the at least one electrode being configured to modulate nerve fibers of the subject. A flexible antenna may be disposed on the flexible carrier, the flexible antenna electrically connected to the at least one electrode in a manner permitting at least some energy received by the flexible antenna to be transferred to the at least one electrode. The flexible antenna may include: at least a first conductive trace arranged on a first side of the flexible carrier, the at least a first conductive trace defining at least a first elongated space between portions thereof; and at least a second conductive trace arranged on a second side of the flexible carrier, the at least a second conductive trace defining at least a second elongated space between portions thereof, wherein the at least a first conductive trace is at least partially offset from the at least a second conductive trace such that portions of the first conductive trace overly the at least a second elongated space and wherein portions of the second conductive trace underlay the at least a first elongated space. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031915 | IMPLANT ENCAPSULATION - An implant unit may include a substrate and an implantable circuit arranged on the substrate. An encapsulation structure may be disposed over at least a portion of the substrate and at least a portion of the implantable circuit, the encapsulation structure including a parylene layer and a silicon layer disposed over the parylene layer. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031916 | ELECTRICAL TRACES IN AN IMPLANT UNIT - The present disclosure is directed to a device. The device includes a flexible carrier and at least one implantable circuit arranged on the flexible carrier. The device further includes at least one meandering electrical trace disposed on the flexible carrier and arranged to establish an electrically conductive path between a first contact point and a second contact point associated with the at least one implantable circuit. The at least one meandering electrical trace is configured to maintain the electrically conductive path during flexing of the flexible carrier. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031917 | Matched End Stiffness Stent and Method of Manufacture - The matched end stiffness stent system and method of manufacture includes a stent delivery system including a catheter, balloon, and stent. The stent includes a wire bent into a waveform having a constant frequency and wrapped into a hollow cylindrical shape, the wire having a body portion having body struts connected between body crowns, the body struts having substantially equal lengths, and the waveform in the body portion having a constant amplitude; and at least one end portion attached to the body portion, the at least one end portion having end struts connected between end crowns, the waveform in the at least one end portion having an amplitude different from the constant amplitude of the waveform in the body portion. The cross sections of the end struts are selected so that the body struts and the end struts have a substantially equal stiffnesses in response to an applied load. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031918 | LUMINAL STENTING - A stent delivery system, a core assembly, and methods of operating the same are provided. The delivery system can comprise a catheter and the core assembly. The core assembly can comprise a constraining member, protruding member, a core member, and a stent extending along the core member. The tubular constraining member can be spaced apart from the core member and define a capture area. The protruding member can be disposed along the core member at least partially distal of the capture area. The stent can have a first portion disposed within the capture area and a second portion, distal to the first portion, extending across or over an outer surface of the protruding member so that the protruding member and the constraining member cooperate to inhibit expansion of the first portion of the stent. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031919 | Drug Eluting Implantable Medical Device With Hemocompatible And/Or Prohealing Topcoat - The present invention relates to implantable medical devices coated with polymer having hemocompatible and/or prohealing moieties appended thereto and to their use in the treatment of vascular diseases. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031920 | ENDOVASCULAR STENT - An intravascular stent is provided for treatment of an aneurysm in a vessel wall of a cranial blood vessel. The stent includes at least one a flow-shaping member including a flow-facing surface that protrudes from an inner surface of the stent and is configured to control at least one of the direction, velocity and secondary flow characteristics of the blood flow within the aneurysm. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031921 | CRUSH RECOVERABLE POLYMER SCAFFOLDS - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold has a pattern including an asymmetric closed cell connecting links connecting the closed cells. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031922 | Delivery Catheter With Distal Moving Capsule for Transapical Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery - Heart valve delivery systems and methods of delivering and implanting heart valves using delivery catheters are disclosed. The delivery systems can include a handle assembly with a rotatable control knob and a catheter including an introducer shaft, an intermediate shaft extending from the handle assembly, an inner shaft extending from the handle assembly, and a capsule for containing a prosthesis. The distal end of the capsule can be connected to a distal end of the inner shaft, which can be moved in a distal direction by the rotatable control knob to deploy the prosthesis. By advancing the introducer through the deployed prosthesis and retracting the capsule to mate with the introducer, a smooth profile can be created for retraction of the system through the deployed prosthesis, minimizing hang-ups and snagging. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031923 | Trans-Aortic Surgical Syringe-Type Device for Deployment of a Prosthetic Valve - Prosthetic valve introducer systems and methods for deploying a heart valve prosthesis within a body lumen are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the valve introducer can include a delivery shaft to house a prosthetic valve and a distal tip, and a deployment element to push a prosthetic valve out of the distal tip of the delivery shaft. The valve introducer can include at least one finger gripping element. The delivery shaft can be inserted into a body lumen and advanced to a desired deployment location. In certain embodiments, the prosthetic valve can be deployed by pushing the deployment element in a distal direction, thereby pushing the prosthetic valve out of the distal tip of the delivery shaft. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031924 | EVERTING TRANSCATHETER VALVE AND METHODS - Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening, leaflet valve devices and systems for transcatheter delivery having a two-piece valve body as well as methods of making and delivering the two-piece valve devices. A transcatheter valve comprises a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The transcatheter valve can further comprise an everted configuration and a non-everted configuration. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031925 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSCERVICAL AORTIC VALVE TREATMENT - Devices and methods are configured to allow transcervical or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide means for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031926 | Device and Method for Heart Valve Repair - The invention provides a device ( | 2014-01-30 |
20140031927 | MULTI-FRAME PROSTHETIC VALVE APPARATUS AND METHODS - Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame coaxially disposed within a body frame, as well as methods of making the valve devices. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031928 | Implant Device - An implant device for a heart having a first chamber and a second chamber and a native valve between the chambers, the device having an elongate body having opposing ends, the body being configured to be implanted within the heart and extend through the native valve with a first end in the first chamber and a second end in the second chamber; a first resiliently compressible part of the body being adapted to be compressively engaged by the heart within the first chamber; and a second resiliently compressible part of the body being adapted to be compressively engaged by the heart within the second chamber; so that the first and second parts hold the elongate body in a desired position within the heart by said compressive engagement. The device can be employed as a prosthetic device replace or supplement a native valve such as the mitral valve. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031929 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING THE INTERNAL CIRCUMFERENCE OF AN ANATOMIC ORIFICE OR LUMEN - An implantable device for controlling the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants area disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive producers and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031930 | CARDIAC IMPLANT CONFIGURED TO RECEIVE A PERCUTANEOUS PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE IMPLANTATION - The invention is a cardiac implant, and associated methods therefore, configured to repair and/or replace a native heart valve, and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded/changed form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein. The implant may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace/repair a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally non-rigid and/or expanded/expandable form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon. The implant may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031931 | RETINAL PROSTHESIS WITH EFFICIENT PROCESSING CIRCUITS - A medical device includes an array of electrodes, configured for implantation in contact with tissue in an eye of a living subject. Driver circuitry is configured to drive the electrodes in an alternating pattern, such that different groups of the electrodes are driven to stimulate the tissue during different, predetermined respective time periods. A power sensor, may be coupled to deactivate a first group of the electrodes when the available electrical power drops below a predetermined threshold, while a second group of the electrodes remains active. Other embodiments are also described. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031932 | DOUBLE BUNDLE ACL REPAIR - A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031933 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE AND METHOD TO REPLACE THE MENISCUS OF THE KNEE AND OTHER BODY STRUCTURES - A meniscus implant including a c-shaped scaffold having an arcuate middle section extending between an anterior end and a posterior end. A reinforcing network of fibers independent from the scaffold is embedded therein. Fibers of said network fibers exit each end of the scaffold to form respective anterior and posterior attachment segments which extend parallel to a central axis of the scaffold. The network of fibers is configured to convert an axial compressive force on said scaffold to tensile loads on said attachment points. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031934 | SACRO-ILIAC JOINT IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sacro-iliac implant includes an inner member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner member extends between a first end and a second end configured for penetrating a sacrum. An outer member extends between a first end including a flange and being configured to engage an outer non-articular surface of an ilium and a second end. The inner member is rotatable relative to the outer member such that the outer surface of the inner member adjacent its first end engages the outer member to cause axial translation of the inner member relative to the outer member in a configuration such that separated articular surfaces of the sacrum and the ilium are drawn into fixation. Systems and methods of use are disclosed. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031935 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF FUSING A SACROILIAC JOINT - Systems for and methods of fusing a sacroiliac joint are provided which include an implant assembly adapted to be inserted into the joint space defined by the bones of a sacrum and an ilium, a delivery tool and means for inserting the implant assembly into the joint. The implant assembly includes a body disposed intermediate distal and proximate end portions thereof and having oppositely disposed side members adapted to expandably engage the sacroiliac joint following insertion of the assembly into the joint space. A tool is provided and provides a means for placing the implant assembly adjacent the sacroiliac joint, inserting it into the joint space and expanding means are thereafter applied to expand the oppositely disposed side members into operative engagement with the joint. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031936 | Expandable Fusion Device and Method of Installation Thereof - The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031937 | BONE IMPLANT DEVICE - An osteoimplant device is provided. The osteoimplant device includes a body of nondemineralized cortical bone and an outer surface having at least one region including demineralized bone. The osteoimplant device is formable into a shape and size configured for implantation at a surgical site. A disc shaped osteoimplant can be used for a facet joint fusion. A method of treating a patient having a bone defect in a host bone is also provided, the method including inserting the osteoimplant into the bone defect, for example, one associated with a facet joint. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031938 | Expandable Implant - An expandable implant for inserting within a skeletal space is provided, and a method for using the implant to expand the skeletal space. The implant is preferably designed to be inserted into an intervertebral space to replace at least part of an intervertebral disc between adjacent vertebral bodies. The expandable implant contains at least one first expansion compartment and at least one second expansion compartments, which compartments can be inflatable balloons that are inflated by a catheter. Inflating the first expansion compartment expands the implant in a first direction and inflating the second expansion compartment expands the implant in a second direction. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031939 | MESH SPACER HYBRID - A modular implant for performing an intervertebral fusion on adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient including a first spacer portion, a second spacer and a container having a first end and a second end, the first end of the container constructed to operably engage a first spacer and the second end of the container constructed to operably engage the second spacer. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031940 | Expandable Orthopedic Device - Methods and apparatuses for restoration of human or animal bone anatomy, which may include introduction, into a bone of an expansible implant capable of expansion in a single determined plane, positioning the expansible implant in the bone in order to correspond the single determined plane with a bone restoration plane and opening out the expansible implant in the bone restoration plane. A first support surface and a second support surface spread tissues within bone. The embodiments of the disclosure may also include injecting a filling material around the implant. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031941 | INTERBODY SPACER - An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031942 | ENDPLATE-PRESERVING SPINAL IMPLANT HAVING A ROUGHENED SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY - An interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, a substantially hollow center, and single vertical aperture, as well as an integration plate having a roughened surface topography on its top surface. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031943 | VERTEBRAL INTERBODY SPACER - An interbody spacer includes an elongated body with a maximum width between opposite side walls and a maximum height between upper and lower bearing surfaces. The interbody spacer also includes a leading end nose connecting the side walls to facilitate insertion of the interbody spacer into a disc space between vertebrae in an insertion orientation, from which the interbody device is then rotated to position the upper and lower bearing surfaces in contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. The leading end nose forms a blunt convex nose between the upper and lower bearing surfaces to maximize the bearing surface area available to contact the adjacent endplates. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031944 | CYLINDRICAL GRAFT AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A RECIPIENT SITE AND IMPLANTING A CYLINDRICAL GRAFT INTO ALVEOLAR JAW BONE - A method of fixating a graft to an area of deficient bone in the jaws comprising: exposing the area of deficient bone by incising and retracting soft tissue; selecting a drill bit having a diameter corresponding to the area of deficient bone to receive a graft; contacting the selected drill bit with the exposed deficient bone to form a generally cylindrical seat transversely into the side of the deficient bone for receiving the graft; selecting a cylindrical graft having a length and circular cross-sectional corresponding to the diameter and depth of the formed seat; fixating the graft to the formed seat with at least one screw; and closing the soft tissue to cover the previously exposed deficient bone. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031945 | CEMENT PRESSURIZING GLENOID - A prosthetic glenoid component has a body having a concave bearing surface and a convex glenoid contacting surface. First and second pegs extend outwardly from adjacent respective first and second ends of the bone contacting surface of the body, the first and second pegs have portions with a first diameter at the bone contacting surface extending for a first length and a second diameter extending from the first diameter for a second length, the first diameter larger than the second diameter. A third peg extends outwardly from the bone contacting surface intermediate the first and second pegs. The third peg has a third diameter greater than the second diameter portion of the first and second pegs and a third length greater than the first length of the first diameter portion of the first and second pegs. The third length is less than the sum of the first and second lengths. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031946 | SHOULDER PROSTHESIS - A prosthesis is provided and may include a central body having a longitudinal axis and an opening that receives an installation tool. The prosthesis may additionally include a plurality of arms each including a solid body attached to the central body and a porous coating covering the solid body. The porous coating may provide each of the plurality of arms with an outer shape having a different shape than the solid body. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031947 | TIBIAL TUBEROSITY ADVANCEMENT IMPLANT - A tibial tuberosity advancement implant and method includes a spacer body made of biocompatible, biodegradable material and having a main section with at least one bony growth orifice therethrough and a proximal slot and at least one fin extending from the main section by at least one connector. A metal clip is slideable into the proximal slot of the spacer body main section and includes spaced screw holes for securing the spacer body to the advanced tibial tuberosity and the tibia when the implant is placed in the space between the advanced tibial tuberosity and the tibia. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031948 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT - A prosthesis including a hemiarthroplasty cup including an inner surface shaped and sized to accommodate a reamed or unreamed femoral head outer surface, and an outer surface shaped and sized to accommodate a reamed or unreamed acetabulum outer surface of an acetabulum socket, wherein the hemiarthroplasty cup is configured to maintain allowance of articulation of the femoral head outer surface and the acetabulum socket relative to the hemiarthroplasty cup after implantation. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031949 | Ceramic antibacterial - Bacterial growth or infection, especially with respect to an implant and/or tissue about the implant, can be ameliorated, controlled or eliminated by identifying a potential for or a presence of bacterial growth or infection with respect to tissue about an implant proposed for implantation; selecting as the implant a ceramic implant; and implanting the ceramic implant under conditions such that bacterial growth or infection, especially with respect to the implanted ceramic implant and/or tissue about the implanted ceramic implant, is ameliorated, controlled or eliminated at least in part from the presence of the implanted ceramic implant. Among ceramics that may be employed is a magnesium oxide stabilized transformationally toughened zirconia. The ceramic implant may be a prosthesis, which may be a load-bearing joint replacement implant or implant component. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031950 | BONE GRAFT MATERIALS AND METHODS - Compositions, materials, methods and kits for bone grafting are described. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes about 15% to about 20% by weight collagen, about 55% to about 70% by weight bioactive glass, and about 15% to about 30% by weight a calcium phosphate. The bioactive glass and the calcium phosphate together are about 80% to about 85% by weight of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a bone graft composition includes a collagen matrix and a plurality of bioactive glass particulates dispersed throughout the collagen matrix. The collagen matrix is about 20% to about 60% by weight of the bone graft composition, and the bioactive glass is about 40% to about 80% of the bone graft composition. In some embodiments, a majority of the bioactive glass particulates are about 53 μm to about 425 μm in size. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031951 | Two-Way Valve - A medical device and a method for controlling flow through a bodily lumen are provided. The medical device includes a valve device positioned within the bodily lumen. The valve device includes a movable member movable within the bodily lumen and a magnetic portion operably connected to the movable member to facilitate positioning the movable member in a first configuration. The magnetic portion has a magnetic attraction to another magnetic portion or a portion of the valve device having a charge opposite a charge of the magnetic portion. The valve device is movable from the first configuration substantially closing the bodily lumen in the presence of a first pressure within the bodily lumen to a second configuration in response to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. The valve device is open in the second configuration and the movable member is normally positioned in the first configuration. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031952 | MULTI-MODAL NEURAL INTERFACING FOR PROSTHETIC DEVICES - Methods and systems to interface between physiological devices and a prosthetic device, including to receive a plurality of types of physiological activity signals from a user, decode a user movement intent from each of the plurality of signals types, and fuse the movement intents into a joint decision to control moveable elements of the prosthetic device. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031953 | Mounting Plate System, Vacuum Reservoir Plate and Electronic Pump System for Prosthetic Socket and Related Methods - The mounting plate system is for use with a prosthetic socket, the socket having at least one aperture in a distal end thereof and in fluid communication with an interior portion of the socket which receives a residual limb. The mounting plate system includes a mounting plate having a top face to interface with the socket, and a bottom face for attachment to lower portions of a prosthetic limb. An opening in the mounting plate extends from the top face to the bottom face thereof, and a valve housing is positioned in the opening and has a channel therein for fluid communication with the interior portion of the socket via the at least one aperture. A one-way expulsion valve is secured between the valve housing and the socket adjacent the aperture and for regulating fluid communication between the interior portion of the socket and the channel in the valve housing. A vacuum reservoir seal plate is also provided. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031954 | OPERATING UNIT FOR A CONSTRUCTION MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE OPERATING UNIT - An operating unit for a construction machine, wherein the operating unit is attached to the construction machine so it can be folded or lowered. The operating unit has a touch screen for displaying and inputting. The selection and/or the arrangement and/or the display size of the information panels ( | 2014-01-30 |
20140031955 | CONNECTING DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL TRANSMISSION BETWEEN A CONTROL CENTER AND AT LEAST ONE FIELD DEVICE IN AN INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATION - A connecting device, system and method for use in an industrial installation is disclosed, which includes at least one first industrial bus interface configured to receive first industrial bus input data and transmit first industrial bus output data using a first industrial bus protocol, and a second industrial bus interface configured to receive second industrial bus input data and transmit second industrial bus output data using a second industrial bus protocol. A modulator is configured to produce first energy bus output data by modulating the first industrial bus input data onto an industrial Ethernet protocol and configured to produce second energy bus output data by modulating the second industrial bus input data onto the industrial Ethernet protocol. An energy communicator is configured to transmit the first and second energy bus output data together as an energy bus output signal on the energy supply line using a carrier frequency method. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031956 | DATA CENTER INTELLIGENT CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION - Systems and methods of monitoring, analyzing, optimizing and controlling data centers and data center operations are disclosed. The system includes data collection and storage hardware and software for harvesting operational data from data center assets and operations. Intelligent analysis and optimization software enables identification of optimization and/or control actions. Control software and hardware enables enacting a change in the operational state of data centers. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031957 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL RELIABILITY OPERATIONS - In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031958 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RULE-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM RELIABILITY - In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031959 | Determining authenticity of reported fitness-related activities - An activity tracking system is configured to receive an activity report identifying a fitness-related action that is reported to have been completed by a participant. Upon receipt of the activity report, the activity reporting system verifies the workout, e.g., by obtaining data that can be used by the activity reporting system to determine whether the activity report represents actual activity as reported by the participant or, in the alternative, suspect activity. Based on the data obtained from the one or more data sources and the information in the activity report, the activity tracking system determines a probability that the activity report represents legitimate fitness activity. This probability determination may then be output or reported to other systems (e.g., fitness history databases, websites, and the like, third party systems (e.g., incentive systems, reward systems, and the like). | 2014-01-30 |
20140031960 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISEMENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH MEDIA STREAMS - A system and related method are provided for presenting advertisements in association with a media stream in a network environment, without interrupting the media stream. The advertisements are provided in a real-time and targeted manner to maximize advertisement revenue. The advertisements replace advertisements otherwise provided within the media stream. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031961 | Method and System for Generating Location-Based Playlists - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for generating location-based playlists. The disclosed method includes providing a music service for generating playlists for a location, identifying users having respective user devices within the defined boundaries of the location, and aggregating music preferences of the identified users. Each of the user devices have access to the music service and the aggregated music preferences of the identified users identify a plurality of music tracks. The disclosed method further includes generating a playlist having the plurality of music tracks based on the aggregated music preferences and providing an access to the generated playlist to the identified users at the location. The plurality of music tracks of the playlist is provided for listening by the music service to one or more of the user devices. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031962 | ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS SETTING SUPPORT SYSTEM AND ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS SETTING APPARATUS - An audio setting application of a smart phone acquires tuning data from a tuning data setting server, which meets a search condition specified by a user. The audio setting application performs filtering of tuning parameters included in the tuning data. The tuning parameters are parameters of a plurality of acoustic characteristic items of an audio apparatus, and such parameters are excluded if the parameter cannot be expected to achieve an appropriate effect when the parameter is applied to the audio apparatus. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031963 | Computerized System for Chemical Production Scheduling - A scheduling system for chemical processing provides an electronic computer that models the process as a set of tasks with known production ranges. A desired output from the process is back projected through the process to determine production quantities of each task of the process within the production ranges. These values are used to constrain a mixed integer programming evaluation of the schedule which may be used to control operation of the equipment. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031964 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING AN ARTICLE - A system and method for manufacturing an article comprising at a receiving station receiving an order for the manufacture of an article at a receiving station from a purchaser, determining a geographic location of the order, selecting at least one manufacturing location from a database containing a list of a plurality of manufacturing locations having computer numerical controlled machine tools and transmitting to the computer numerical controlled machine tools at the at least one manufacturing location computer readable instructions for forming the article. At the at least one manufacturing location, the computer readable instructions for forming the article are received, transmitted to a computer numerical controlled machine tool the article is provided to the purchaser. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031965 | PRODUCTION SCHEDULING MANAGEMENT - In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for production scheduling management by scheduling production events for each of a plurality of production resources used to manufacture one or more products relative to one or more time intervals while considering constraints related to product dependency trees for each of the one or more products. The systems and methods may include determining the constraints related to the product dependency trees for each of the one or more products, generating one or more potential production scheduling schemes for use of each production resource within the one or more time intervals while considering the constraints related to the product dependency trees for each of the one or more products, and generating a production schedule for the production events within the one or more time intervals based on the one or more potential production scheduling schemes. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031966 | Large Inventory-Service Optimization in Configure-To-Order Systems - A manufacturing process is migrated from an existing operation to a configure-to-order (CTO) system. As the CTO operation will eliminate the “machine-type model” (MTM) inventory of the existing operation, the emphasis is shifted to the components, or “building blocks”, which will still follow the build-to-stock scheme, due to their long leadtimes, and hence still require inventory. The solution involves an inventory-service trade-off of the new CTO system, resulting in performance gains, in terms of reduced inventory cost and increased service level. Other benefits include better forecast accuracy through parts commonality and risk-pooling, and increased customer demand, as orders will no longer be confined within a restricted set of pre-configured MTMs. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031967 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RAPID PROTOTYPING OF COMPLEX STRUCTURES - A method is provided for rapid prototyping of complex structures, such as complex bone structures and internal neural and cardiovascular pathways. The method involves loading the triangles from a polygonal mesh computer model of a 3D object having one or more internal void spaces, converting the triangles to voxels, separating the voxels of the model into watertight pieces, and printing the pieces using a 3D printer such as a ZPrinter™. The method allows realistic internal void space representation through removal of excess powder from printing which would otherwise be trapped in the whole object and also allows the application of a resin to internal surfaces which may provide realistic internal object density useful for medical and other applications. Pegs and holes may also be added to and subtracted from the pieces to allow for assembly of the printed object. A system and computer program product is also provided. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031968 | Run-to-Run Control Utilizing Virtual Metrology in Semiconductor Manufacturing - A method for run-to-run control and sampling optimization in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes the steps of: determining a process output and corresponding metrology error associated with an actual metrology for a current processing run in the semiconductor manufacturing process; determining a predicted process output and corresponding prediction error associated with a virtual metrology for the current processing run; and controlling at least one parameter corresponding to a subsequent processing run as a function of the metrology error and the prediction error. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031969 | Run-to-Run Control Utilizing Virtual Metrology in Semiconductor Manufacturing - An apparatus for performing run-to-run control and sampling optimization in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes at least one control module. The control module is operative: to determine a process output and corresponding metrology error associated with an actual metrology for a current processing run in the semiconductor manufacturing process; to determine a predicted process output and corresponding prediction error associated with a virtual metrology for the current processing run; and to control at least one parameter corresponding to a subsequent processing run as a function of the metrology error and the prediction error. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031970 | AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL COMMAND GENERATING METHOD - To generate a control command for performing machining while reducing useless machining as much as possible, in an automatic programming apparatus, a machining-process-data generating/editing unit generates machining shapes (second machining shapes) for each of machining processes from each of an externally-input plurality of machining shapes (first machining shapes), a tool/machining order/tool direction editing unit | 2014-01-30 |
20140031971 | LIFT APPARATUS FOR STABLE PLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS INTO A RACK - A method uses scales onboard a lift apparatus to weigh an uninstalled component that is positioned on the lift apparatus for installation into a rack. Data is accessed that identifies the weight and rack location of components currently installed in the rack, and one or more available rack locations are identified where the component may be installed without violating one or more predetermined rack stability rules. The method then uses the lift apparatus to raise the component into a selected one of the one or more available rack locations. The components are preferably information technology components, such as servers, network switches and power distribution units. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031972 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING OR RETREIVING ITEMS - A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031973 | Moving Cartridges Between Library Strings - The present description is directed to moving a cartridge including a storage medium between library strings (LS) using a car able to move within a shuttle connection in a shuffle complex system in which, in one embodiment, a first cartridge is to be moved from a first LS to a second LS, a car located in the LS nearest to the first LS due to movement of a second cartridge is used to move the second cartridge to the first LS , and the empty car is used to move the first cartridge from the first LS to the second LS. In one aspect, movement of empty cars may be reduced, and cartridges may be moved between library strings more efficiently in less time. Other features and aspects are described. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031974 | Apparatus, Method, Software & Graphical Interface for Flexible Dispensing of Coins in a Coin Handling Apparatus - A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus has a control means for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus also comprises a filling compartment comprising a plurality of dispense locations. Each dispense location is adapted for receiving a portable coin receptacle for collecting dispensed coins from a specific dispenser. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific amount of coins under control of said control means to at least one portable coin receptacle at a specific dispense location in said filling compartment. The control means is adapted to only start the dispense operation at said specific dispense location if a portable coin receptacle is present at the location. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031975 | STORAGE AND DISPENSING DEVICES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL TRANSMUCOSAL DOSAGE FORMS - Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031976 | CLOSED SYSTEM TRANSFER DEVICE AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A robotic intravenous automation system, including a robotically controlled holder configured to manipulate an intravenous (IV) bag and a closed system transfer device (CSTD). The controller includes a processor configured to control the holder. The IV bag includes a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and the CSTD includes a CSTD port, a spike adapter that is fluidically separated from the CSTD port, and a flexible member connecting the CSTD port to the spike adapter. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031977 | MODULAR MOBILE ROBOT - A mobile robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. Each drive system component has a predetermined size that is compatible with the chassis. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all compatible with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031978 | ROBOT HAND, ROBOT SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH THE ROBOT HAND, METHOD OF PRODUCTION USING THE ROBOT SYSTEM AND PRODUCT PRODUCED BY THE METHOD - A robot hand for receiving, processing, and placing a workpiece is provided. The robot hand is configured to receive the workpiece conveyed by a conveyor at a lower side of the conveyor, process the workpiece, and place the processed workpiece in a specified position. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031979 | Robot, A Docking System and A Docking Method - The present invention refers to a robot, a docking system and a docking method therefor. The docking system comprises a first circuit located in a robot. The first circuit comprises a power storage unit for supplying power to the robot and a first main control unit for controlling the movement of the robot. The docking system further comprises a first group of terminals electrically connected with the first circuit, and a second circuit located in a docking station. The second circuit comprises a power supplying unit. The docking system further comprises a second group of terminals electrically connected with the second circuit. The power storage unit or the power supplying unit provides a detection power. The detection power generates a detection current when it flows across a detection circuit. The detection circuit is constructed by the first circuit and the second circuit through the first group of terminals docking with the second group of terminals. The detection circuit further comprises a current detection unit, and the first main control unit confirms that the first group of terminals dock with the second group of terminals when the detection current is detected by the current detection unit. The robot according to this invention can reliably dock to the docking station without human intervention, which brings extreme convenience to production and life. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031980 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTENDING SLAM TO MULTIPLE REGIONS - Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031981 | AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS, AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR AUTONOMOUS LOCOMOTION APPARATUS - The autonomous locomotion apparatus has a human information acquisition unit which detects a person. When there is probability of contact between the detected person and the autonomous locomotion apparatus based on movement information of the person, the autonomous locomotion apparatus controls a traveling speed or a rotational speed of the autonomous locomotion apparatus to perform a guide operation which presents a path of the autonomous locomotion apparatus which is intended to cause the person to predict, so that it causes the person to avoid the path without giving the person a sense of uneasiness. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031982 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE - A robotic system determines whether or not a movable section including an arm having a plurality of links and a plurality of joints and an end effector disposed at a tip of the arm and an obstacle interfere with each other based on positional information of a plurality of teaching points and positional information of the obstacle when moving the movable section along the plurality of teaching points. The robotic system changes the position of predetermined one of the teaching points based on limitation information in the case in which the movable section and the obstacle interfere with each other at the predetermined one of the teaching points. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031983 | DEXTEROUS TELEMANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A robotic manipulator has a body and a stereoscopic video system movably coupled to the body. The stereoscopic vision system produces a stereoscopic video of an environment of the robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator also includes two independently remotely controlled arms coupled to opposite sides of the body. Each arm moves in proprioceptive alignment with the stereoscopic video produced by the stereoscopic video system in response to commands received from a remote control station based on movements performed by an operator at the remote control station. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031984 | Mobile Robot for Telecommunication - A system including a mobile telepresence robot, a telepresence computing device in wireless communication with the robot, and a host computing device in wireless communication with the robot and the telepresence computing device. The host computing device relays User Datagram Protocol traffic between the robot and the telepresence computing device through a firewall. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031985 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TAKING OUT BULK STORED ARTICLES BY ROBOT - An article take-out apparatus comprising: a robot having a hand capable of holding an article; a 3D measuring device measuring surface positions of a plurality of articles stored in bulk in a 3D space to acquire a 3D point set composed of a plurality of 3D points; a local maximum point selecting unit selecting from the 3D point set a 3D point, where a coordinate value with respect to a predetermined coordinate axis is maximum; a processing unit determining a hand position and posture including a target position and target posture of the hand enabling an article near the local maximum point to be taken out based on the selected local maximum point; and a robot control unit controlling the robot so as to move the hand to the determined hand position and posture and take out the article from the hand position and posture. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031986 | Robot, device and a method for central pattern generator (CPG) based control of a movement of the robot - A robot, a method and a device for controlling a movement of a robot are provided. The method can include controlling multiple steps of the robot. Thus, the method can include multiple iterations of: (i) calculating or receiving a first slope attribute indicative of a slope of a first area of a terrain on which a first leg of the robot steps; (ii) feeding the first slope attribute to a central pattern generator (CPG); and (iii) generating, by the CPG and in response to the slope attribute, at least one control pulse for controlling a torque characteristic of a torque applied by at least one leg of the robot. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031987 | CONFIGURING A SET OF DEVICES OF A STRUCTURE - Systems, methods and apparatuses for configuring a set of devices of a structure are disclosed. One method includes loading a structure plan to a mobile computing device, wherein the structure plan is associated with the structure, communicating, by the mobile computing device, with one or more of the set of devices, communicating, by each of the one or more of the set of devices, a device identifier and proximity dependent information of the device back to the mobile computing device, wherein the proximity dependent information allows the mobile computing device to estimate a proximate location of the device, and placing, by the mobile computing device, each of the one or more of the set of devices on the structure floor plan based at least in part on the proximity dependent information. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031988 | WIRELESS SENSOR DEVICE WITH WIRELESS REMOTE PROGRAMMING - The disclosure relates generally to wireless sensor devices, and more particularly, to remote programming of wireless sensor devices. A wireless sensor device wirelessly may receive messages from a remotely located device to a wireless sensor device. The wireless sensor device may be programmed via the receive messages. In one example, a building controller may be programmed to wirelessly send one or more messages to a wireless sensor device in order to change the behavior of the wireless sensor device, even while the wireless sensor device and building controller are on-line and actively controlling a building control system. In some instances, a technician or installer may use a diagnostic or setup tool to send one or more messages to a wireless sensor device to change the behavior of the wireless sensor device. These are just some examples. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031989 | HVAC CONTROLLER WITH WIRELESS NETWORK BASED OCCUPANCY DETECTION AND CONTROL - An HVAC controller that can detect if a user's mobile wireless device is currently connected to and recognized by a building's wireless local area network is disclosed. Depending on whether or not the user's mobile wireless device is currently connected to and recognized by the building's wireless local area network, the HVAC controller basis its control on unoccupied or occupied settings. | 2014-01-30 |
20140031990 | HVAC CONTROLLER AND A HVAC SYSTEM EMPLOYING DESIGNATED COMFORT SENSORS WITH PROGRAM SCHEDULE EVENTS - A HVAC controller, a computer program product and a HVAC system are provided that advantageously employ comfort sensors with program schedule events for operating a HVAC system. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive programming data for the controller and (2) a memory configured to associate a program schedule event for the HVAC system to at least one comfort sensor of the enclosed space according to the programming data. | 2014-01-30 |