15th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 40 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090093820 | ADJUSTABLE SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEMS - A spinal stabilization system includes a stabilization member with opposite end portions lying along a longitudinal axis and an adjustment mechanism between the end portions that allows the end portions to be moved toward and away from one another along the longitudinal axis. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093821 | Slide Guide Apparatus & Method - Methods of maintaining a consistent pathway through an already formed incision and for facilitating placement and removal of medical devices into and/or out of a surgical treatment site or cavity are disclosed. A method for removing and placing medical devices includes inserting a first medical device into an already formed incision, inserting a slide guide into the cavity through the already formed incision in surrounding relation to the first medical device to facilitate removal of the first medical device, and inserting a second medical device into the cavity using the slide guide as the pathway to guide and partially surround a circumference of the second medical device to guide the second medical into the cavity. A slide guide includes an elongated insertion member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section sized to receive and partially surround a circumference of a tubular insertion member of a medical device. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093822 | MAGNETIC STENT REMOVAL - A medical device and method for its use in the digestive system of a mammalian patient is provided. The medical device includes a stent and a retrieval device. The stent has a magnetic element connected to an end of the stent. The retrieval device includes a magnetic member, and the retrieval device is sized to be ingested by the patient. The magnetic member is capable of being magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the stent for removal of the stent through the natural forces of the digestive system. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093823 | Devices, Systems and Methods Useable for Treating Sinusitis - Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093824 | Wound closure fasteners and device for tissue approximation and fastener application - A tissue fastening device for approximating tissue edges with successive placement of fasteners therebetween comprising a proximal portion having a handle and a trigger; a distal portion having an effector end responsive to depression of the trigger; an actuator assembly operably coupled with the trigger; approximation arms disposed in the effector end. The approximation arms are rotatably coupled to the actuator assembly; and a gear mechanism enenmeshingly engageable with the trigger. The gear mechanism is configured to rotate an arcuate needle disposed in the effector end. Method to fasten opposing tissue comprises (a) approximating two opposing tissue edges, the tissue edges comprising a dermal layer; (b) driving an H-fastener vertically through the dermal layer of each of the tissue edges using a tissue fastening device, and (c) advancing the device to an adjacent position between the tissue edges and repeating steps (a) and (b). | 2009-04-09 |
20090093825 | System and Method for Providing a Coil Element in a Vascular Environment - An apparatus is provided in one example and includes a coil that receives one or more tips of an instrument. An interior of the coil interfaces with the tips and the coil and the tips can be positioned together in a hole cut in a surface of tissue. The coil operable to be unwound such that a portion of the tips is revealed as the coil is unwound. In more specific embodiments, the instrument is a vein-holding apparatus, and the tips hold a vein to be sutured at the hole. In still other embodiments, the coil is helically shaped and includes a tail element that is pulled to unwind the coil incrementally. The tail element can be pulled until the tips are exposed from the coil. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093826 | Patent Foramen Ovale Closure System - A tool for closing an opening in tissue may include a catheter, a clasp applicator positioned substantially at the distal end of the catheter; and at least one clasp held by the clasp applicator, where the clasp may include a plurality of tines and be plastically splayable by the clasp applicator. A patent foramen ovale in heart tissue may by closed by, for example, advancing that exemplary clasp applicator through the patient's vasculature to a location in proximity to the patent foramen ovale, anchoring the clasp applicator with respect to the patent foramen ovale, splaying the clasp, advancing the splayed clasp into contact with tissue; closing the clasp, and removing the clasp applicator from the heart. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093827 | SUBCUTANEOUS WAIST BAND AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - A subcutaneously placed abdominal band for waistline reduction and methods related thereto, wherein an abdominal band is subcutaneously wrapped around a person's waistline underneath the subcutaneous fat and adjacent to a facia and a muscle, the abdominal band being tightened and secured to the body thereby tightening the person's abdominal wall and reducing the person's waistline. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093828 | HANDLELESS CLAMPING DEVICE - The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093829 | Chronic total occlusion (CTO) removal device - There is disclosed a device for removing chronic total occlusions (CTO) from blood vessels or other body lumens. In one embodiment the device has a loop at a distal end connected by a shaft to a proximal end. The shaft is provided inside a catheter that has an opening at the distal end and a handle at the proximal end. By manipulating the position of the loop relative to the opening, the effective stiffness of the loop may be changed. This allows a physician to vary the loop stiffness so as to be appropriate with regard to the toughness of a CTO (some CTOs have a relatively tough exterior but a relatively soft interior). The loop may have a single turn or may comprise two or more turns. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093830 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ACCESS TO BONE MARROW - An apparatus and method for penetrating the bone marrow is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a penetrator assembly, operable to penetrate the bone marrow, a connector operable to releasably attach the penetrator assembly to a drill shaft, the drill shaft operable to connect the penetrator assembly to a gear assembly, a gear assembly operable to engage and rotate the drill shaft, a motor operable to engage the reduction gear assembly and drive the penetrator into the bone marrow by rotation of the drill shaft, and a power supply and associated circuitry operable to power the motor. The apparatus and method may be adapted to insert a probe through the skull and into the brain. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093831 | Reconfigurable intergrated lancet system - A reconfigurable integrated lancet system comprises a testing device having a housing, a lancet holding device frame, a lancet, and at least one connection mechanism. The lancet holding device frame is adapted to fasten around a periphery of the housing of the testing device. The lancet holding device frame has a first lock receiving region. The lancet has a second lock receiving region. The at least one connection mechanism has a first locking end and a second locking end. The first locking end is adapted to interact within the first lock receiving region of the lancet holding device frame, to connect the connection mechanism to the lancet holding device frame. The second locking end is adapted to interact within the second lock receiving region of the lancet, to connect the connection mechanism to the lancet. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093832 | LANCET DEVICE - A lancet device includes a shot prevention mechanism for preventing re-shooting using a used lancet, that inhibits movement to a shot-ready completion state where a puncture body is held at different positions within a casing before and after use. A holding position of the puncture body within the casing before use is different than a holding position after use. When the used lancet is fitted to a main body, a stopper plate does not operate, and a setting release button remains in a depressed state and does not pushed up. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093833 | BLADELESS OBTURATOR FOR USE IN A SURGICAL TROCAR ASSEMBLY - An obturator assembly for use in dissection of tissue includes an obturator housing, an obturator member mounted to the obturator housing and an obturator sleeve coaxially mounted about the obturator member and adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The obturator member includes an obturator rod and a penetrating end. The penetrating end defines a substantially planar dissecting segment and a central rod segment extending from the planar dissecting element. The planar segment of the penetrating end of the obturator member defines atraumatic outer edges which may be arcuate in character. The central rod segment defines a distal entry surface which is also atraumatic, and may be arcuate as well. In one embodiment, the distal entry surface of the central rod segment and the atraumatic edges of the planar dissecting segment are at least partially exposed from the nose shield when in the extended position of the obturator sleeve. The obturator sleeve may include a generally tapered nose shield for at least partially accommodating the penetrating end. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093834 | ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE TUBE - A new concept of an acupuncture needle tube is invented. The needle tube includes a cylindrical body, a large diameter portion defined on the upper portion of the cylindrical body, a small diameter portion defined on the lower portion of the cylindrical body, the small diameter portion extending from the lower end of the large diameter portion to the lower end of the cylindrical body, and a needle gateway formed along with the lateral of the upper and lower tube on the cylindrical body. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093835 | TWO-MODE BLADELESS TROCAR ASSEMBLY - An obturator assembly for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and defining a longitudinal axis, a bladeless penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the obturator shaft and an obturator shield mounted about the obturator shaft and having a distal shield nose. The obturator shield is adapted for longitudinal movement between an extended position where the bladeless penetration member is substantially enclosed within the shield nose and a retracted position where the bladeless penetrating member is at least partially exposed from the shield nose. A manually manipulative member is mounted to the obturator housing and is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis and relative to the obturator housing between an initial position corresponding to a first mode of operation where the obturator shield is secured in the extended position and the shield nose is used to penetrate tissue, and a release position corresponding to a second mode of operation operatively releasing the obturator shield to permit the obturator shield to move to the retracted position thereof to expose the bladeless penetrating member for further dissecting the tissue. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093836 | Methods for reducing hydrostatic organ pressure - A method for stretching at least a portion of an organ to decrease interstitial hydrostatic pressure and improve at least one organ function. The method comprises providing at least one elastically compressible anchor, compressing the at least one anchor, anchoring the at least one anchor to a portion of an organ from the group of organs consisting of: a kidney, a liver, a bladder, and a stomach. The method further comprises releasing the compressing, thereby stretching the portion and decreasing interstitial hydrostatic pressure. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093837 | ANASTOMOSIS PLUG FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY - Medical devices and methods for controlling the flow of contents through an opening, such as an anastomosis formed during bariatric surgery. Generally, the medical device includes a tube and first and second radially extendable anchors attached to the tube. The anchors keep the medical device centered at the anastomosis or other opening, while the inner diameter of the tube restricts the passage of contents therethrough. A limiter may also be employed to vary the smallest diameter of the tube's lumen. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093838 | SHAPE MEMORY INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON - An expandable intragastric balloon ( | 2009-04-09 |
20090093839 | Devices and methods for augmenting extragastric banding - The present invention is directed generically to a means for altering the ability of the mammalian body to absorb nutritive content from ingested foodstuffs, and more specifically to an apparatus and method of use for an endolumenal sleeve (referred to also as an “intragastrointestinal device” or “gastrointestinal device”) positioned in the mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A suitable endolumenal sleeve is comprised of an anchor element and an opening at a proximal end, an elongate lumen or hollow open-ended tube having a transverse dimension, and a distal orifice. Optionally, an exterior aspect of the elongate lumen may include additional modes of attachment to the tissues walls of the GI tract through the use of one or more means for promoting tissue in-growth. The endolumenal sleeve is retained in the GI tract such that a substantial fraction of the food and liquids passing through the GI tract is channeled into the proximal opening and through an interlumenal space defined within the interior space of the endolumenal sleeve. Within the endolumenal sleeve there may be one or more restrictive means to constrain, impede or otherwise control the operative flow of material through the device. An individual restrictive means can either be of a fixed geometry or such means may include one or more elements which are adjustable in nature or function. The elongate lumen of the endolumenal sleeve is formed of a polymer composition suitable for controlled ingress of biological secretions, egress of certain selected nutritional elements, and may comprise either a single tubular structure or a multi-section (i.e. articulated and/or multiple lumen) assembly. When the endolumenal sleeve is in situ within the mammalian gastro-intestinal system, ingested foodstuffs are conveyed from the proximal end to said distal orifice. In typical applications, the proximal end of the endolumenal sleeve is positioned within the physiological region extending from the lower esophagus to the duodenum and the distal orifice is positioned within the physiological region extending from the upper duodenum to the lower jejunum, though further extension into the lower intestine is possible. Through proper selection of position for the endolumenal sleeve proximal and distal ends, combined by selection of the composition used in the fabrication of the elongate lumen, it is possible to finitely control the degree of nutritive absorption performed by the gastrointestinal tract. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093840 | NASAL INSERTS - Devices for nasal insertion may include an open-ended tubular element which extends along a central tube axis between a first end and a second end, the first end being larger than the second end, and in which the tubular element includes at least one spiral strut extending from the first end to the second end, and/or a nodule having an internal face, a rounded external face, and a stalk extending from the internal face and terminating in an anchor sufficiently larger than a receptacle in the tubular element and sufficiently deformable as to be pressed through the receptacle to affix the nodule to the tubular element. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093841 | HANDLELESS CLAMPING DEVICE - The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093842 | HANDLELESS CLAMPING DEVICE - The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093843 | DYNAMIC SPINE STABILIZATION SYSTEM - Disclosed are devices and systems for spinal fixation and dynamic stabilization. Elongated members may be positioned lateral to spinous processes and coupled to two or more vertebrae. Interspinous members may be positioned between adjacent spinous processes and coupled to the elongated members. One embodiment of an interspinous member comprises a body and two lateral portions. The lateral portions may couple to the elongated members to position the interspinous members. An interspinous member and the positioning of the interspinous member may allow selected movement between the adjacent spinous processes. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093844 | Elastic covered dynamic stabilization connector and assembly - A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a dynamic longitudinal connector having a solid core with an elastic over-molded portion. The over-molded portion may be firmly adhered or clamped to at least a portion of the solid core. Alternatively, the over-molded portion may completely envelope the solid core and in some embodiments slide on the core. At least one bone anchor includes at least one insert for gripping the over-molded portion without crushing such portion into fixed relation with the core. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093845 | Flexible Member with Variable Flexibility for Providing Dynamic Stability to a Spine - The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093846 | Pre-Curved Flexible Member For Providing Dynamic Stability To A Spine - A pre-curved flexible member is provided for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. In one embodiment, the pre-curved flexible member includes a pre-curved body having an outer surface and opposing ends with a curved intermediate portion extending therebetween. Each of the opposing ends includes retention features, for example notches and/or protrusions, for cooperation with retention features on a corresponding anchor member to securely retain the pre-curved flexible member therebetween. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093847 | VARIABLE ANGLE ROD CONNECTORS AND THE METHODS OF USE - A spinal rod connector is disclosed that allows end-to-end connection of at least two spinal rods. The connector may allow for angular adjustment in the construct which is associated with the patient's anatomy. Percutaneous length adjustment of the spinal rods may be available with visual assessment of the length of the rods via viewing windows on the connector. A locking mechanism may be used to fix a determined angle of the connector dependent upon the anatomy of the patient. The angle may be adjusted if necessary during a subsequent procedure. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093848 | ENHANCED PEDICLE ROD CLAMP DEVICE - An enhanced pedicle rod clamp device for connecting two or more pedicle rods in spinal surgery is disclosed. The device may include an arm, an upper clamp, and a lower clamp, which are configured for coupling to a pedicle rod. The upper clamp may be coupled to the arm, and the lower clamp may be coupled to the upper clamp. The upper clamp may be rotationally and/or translationally movable with respect to at least one of the arm and the lower clamp. The lower clamp may be rotationally and/or translationally movable with respect to at least one of the arm and the upper clamp. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093849 | METATARSAL FIXATION SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a fixation system comprising a plate configured for fixation of one or more bones of the foot. The system utilizes at least two sets of screws which interconnect upon fixation of the plate. The two sets of screws cross several different planes of cortical bone tissue, which serves to increase stability of the fixation system. Also disclosed are methods of using the fixation system. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093850 | EXPANDING SEAL ANCHOR FOR SINGLE INCISION SURGERY - The present disclosure relates to a surgical anchoring apparatus for use during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The surgical anchoring apparatus includes a body member and a dilator element at least partially positionable therein. The body member includes a grip segment adapted for manual engagement by a user and an expandable section having a plurality of expandable segments and a plurality of cam surfaces. The grip segment resiliently transitions between a first or normal state and a second state in which the grip segment is at least partially inverted. The expandable section's cam surfaces are configured to engage a distal end of the dilator element upon its insertion such that the expandable section may transition from an initial condition to an expanded condition in which the body member is secured or anchored within an incision in tissue. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093851 | Transfacet-Pedicle Locking Screw Fixation of Lumbar Motion Segment - A transfacet-pedicle locking screw fixation assembly includes a plurality of pedicle screws each including threads at a distal end and a connecting receptacle at a proximal end. The connecting receptacle is oriented perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. A basic transfacet locking screw including threads at least at a distal end has the distal end engaging the connecting receptacle in one of the pedicle screws. The transfacet locking screw may also be interlocked with another transfacet locking screw. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093852 | SPINAL STABILIZATION TREATMENT METHODS FOR MAINTAINING AXIAL SPINE HEIGHT AND SAGITAL PLANE SPINE BALANCE - A proactive spinal treatment method is for maintaining axial spine height and sagital plane spine balance in a spine comprising vertebrae and intervertebral discs between adjacent vertebrae. The method may include collecting a plurality of spinal health parameters relating to predicted spinal degeneration risk for a given patient's spine, and analyzing the plurality of spinal health parameters to generate a proposed stabilizing implantation treatment using a finite element spinal model. The method may further include performing the proposed stabilizing implantation treatment on the given patient's spine to proactively treat the patient to maintain axial spine height and sagital plane spine balance. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093853 | System For Forming A Tendon-Bone Graft - A system for forming a tendon-bone graft. The system can include at least one support that is adapted to support the tendon-bone graft. The system can further include at least one clamp that is adapted to engage the tendon-bone graft to clamp the tendon-bone graft to the at least one support. The system can also include at least one cutting member that is operable to resect the tendon-bone graft. The at least one cutting member or the at least one support can be moveable relative to the other of the at least one cutting member or the at least one support to resect the tendon-bone graft. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093854 | Method of treating a rheumatic disorder using combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and a ginsenoside - The present invention relates to a method of treating rheumatic disorders, and symptoms of arthritis specifically. The method involves utilizing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in combination with administration of a ginsenoside, such as Rb1. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093855 | HOUSING FOR A MEDICAL IMPLANT - Housing for medical implant, such as cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, cardioverter, etc. Housing including hollow housing and terminal body attached to hollow housing, which has electrical terminal(s), situated in an externally accessible cavity of the terminal body, for connecting an electrode line, and terminal body including a base body made of electrically insulating plastic, connected to hollow housing and carries electrical supply lines and electrical contacts, which are electrically connected thereto, for the electrical terminal so that the contacts are connected via the electrical supply lines to electrical components in the interior of the hollow housing, electrical supply lines being welded to the electrical contacts and the electrical supply lines and electrical contacts, which are welded to one another, being embedded in the base body and thus fixed in their final position, and the base body being glued to the hollow housing an adhesive between hollow housing and terminal body. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093857 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO EVALUATE ELECTRODE POSITION AND SPACING - An IMD can be implanted into a patient to address various conditions. The IMD case and leads can have various electrodes and other portions to measure various physiological conditions. For example, a selected current can be generated between two electrodes, either external or internal in the patient, and a voltage can be measured by one or more electrodes of the IMD. A voltage can be measured at two or more locations to determine a relative motion of different electrodes. If the electrodes are in different portions of the heart, a determination can be made of a relative motion or position of the heart or portions of the heart. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093858 | IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATORS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE NERVE STIMULATION - An Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) includes a surgically implantable housing, a battery, a first waveform generator, a second waveform generator, a modulator, and electrodes. The IPG produces a pulse envelope, a carrier waveform, and a modulated waveform. The pulse envelope is a low frequency waveform with specific pulse width, amplitude and shape to selectively stimulate a target nerve or body part. The carrier waveform is a high frequency waveform with properties such as amplitude, frequency and the like chosen so as to overcome tissue impedance and the stimulation threshold of the target nerve. The modulated waveform is the waveform obtained by modulating the carrier waveform by the pulse envelope. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093859 | APPARATUS FOR TREATING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ELECTRIC CONDUCTION OF THE HEART - A new pacemaker apparatus for treating the physiological electric conduction of the heart that includes a conduction abnormality in a ventricle. The pacemaker includes a pulse generator and a pacing electrode located in the heart, the pulse generator providing pacing signals to the pacing electrode. The pacemaker further includes a signal generation circuit that generates electrical signals from heart-related feedback signals that indicate that the pacing electrode is delivering the pacing signals in a region at or near the His bundle of the heart. The combination of the pulse generator and the signal generation circuit indicates that the pacing electrode is delivering the pacing signals in the region, at or near the His bundle of the heart, to electrically bypass the conduction abnormality of the heart in the ventricle. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093860 | AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF T-SHOCK VULNERABLE WINDOW - A method and apparatus for determining a T-wave shock interval sense a cardiac electrogram (EGM) signal comprising a T-wave signal. A T-wave center is determined from the EGM signal, and a T-wave shock interval is determined in response to determining the T-wave center. A T-wave shock is delivered at the T-wave shock interval computed based on the T-wave center. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093861 | METHODS FOR TREATING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ELECTRIC CONDUCTION OF THE HEART - Treating the physiological electric conduction of the heart includes methods that involve guiding an electrode to a location, near the His bundle of the heart, that is determined by pacing the heart and sensing signals in response thereto, and electrically bypassing a conduction abnormality of the heart by presenting extrinsic pacing signals to the location near the His bundle of the heart. The pacing electrode may then be fixed at the location, near the His bundle, to provide subsequent pacing of the heart such that the subsequent pacing exhibits electrical bypassing of the conduction abnormality. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093862 | Systems and Methods for Automatically Optimizing Stimulus Parameters and Electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators - Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively, coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093863 | Method and Devices for Performing Stereotactic Microbeam Radiation Therapy - A radiation delivery system generally includes either a synchrotron source or a support frame and a plurality of microbeam delivery devices supported on the support frame, both to deliver a beam in a hemispherical arrangement. Each of the microbeam delivery devices or synchrotron irradiation ports is adapted to deliver at least one microbeam of radiation along a microbeam delivery axis, wherein the microbeam delivery axes of the plurality of microbeam delivery devices cross within a common target volume. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093864 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR APPLYING ENERGY TO TISSUE - Methods, systems, and devices to treat a region of skin; the treatment may be used to stimulate the production of collagen or destroy adipose tissue. The region of skin is exposed to a uniform energy application or series of applications. The region of skin may be exposed to positive and negative pressures. Therapeutic substances may be applied to the region of skin. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093865 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF MICROORGANISMS AMONG SUBJECTS IN A GROUP - A method of controlling the spread of an infectious microorganism, for example methicillin-resistant | 2009-04-09 |
20090093866 | Composite Light Source Apparatus for Phototherapy - The present invention provides a composite light source apparatus for phototherapy of skin disease, in which a light beam having the wavelength and optical power suitable for light-beam treatment is provided to a region to be treated (also called a ‘to-be-treated region’) through a light guide by using a composite light source so as to improve efficiency of phototherapy of skin diseases of the body including acne, malignant tumors and the like. According to the composite light source apparatus, uniform optical power can be provided through a combination of a plurality of light sources, the optical power can be provided through selection of light of a wavelength range that a user wants, and light from the light sources can be utilized to the maximum with increased light intensity. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093867 | LIGHT ACTIVATED GENE TRANSDUCTION USING LONG WAVELENGTH ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FOR CELL TARGETED GENE DELIVERY - In accordance with the present invention, methods are provided for treating a patient through the use of ultraviolet light activated gene therapy. Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the utilization of light activated gene therapy to repair and/or rebuild damaged cartilage by introducing a desired gene into a patient's tissue. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093868 | Laser Apparatus for Medical Treatment Using Pulse Trains - The present invention provides a laser apparatus for medical treatment using pulse trains, in which the skin is cooled to a given temperature and then one or more laser pulses are applied to a to-be-treated region at specific intervals, thereby alleviating a pain associated with a skin disease and activating a dermis layer. According to the present invention, a pain caused during the treatment process is alleviated by using laser pulse trains and a cooling unit, and heat energy is transferred to only a dermis layer of a to-be-treated region without eliminating an epidermis layer of the to-be-treated region, thereby remarkably improving the treatment recovery period and the frequency of treatments as compared to the conventional treatment method. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093869 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH CURVED STRUTS - A device for implantation in a vessel is provided with a geometry designed to reduce the drag experienced by the device when deployed using a sheathed delivery system. Sections of the device are provided with regions of high-points and low-points on the device's outer surface by curving one or more of the struts of the device. The high points serve as the contact points of the device with the sheath as the sheath and the delivery system are withdrawn from between the device and the vessel. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093870 | Method for Holding a Medical Device During Coating - The present invention is directed towards the holding of medical devices during manufacture to enable the application of therapeutic and/or protective coatings. More specifically, the present invention provides medical device holders that securely retain stents and other medical devices during the application of a coating while minimizing compressive and tensile forces applied to the stents. The invention avoids disruptions to coating quality due to holder blockage during coating deposition. The invention discloses an improved device containing a mandrel and frame that may improve coating uniformity by eliminating shadowing from the frame of the medical device holder when applying coatings to stents and other medical devices. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093871 | Medical Implant With Internal Drug Delivery System - A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter and a stent disposed on the catheter. The stent includes tubing having a wall defining a central lumen and a plurality of holes. The system further includes a therapeutic agent disposed within the central lumen of the tubing. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic agent carrying stent includes inserting a therapeutic agent within a therapeutic agent delivery system into the central lumen of a hollow metal tube and forming a stent framework from the hollow tube. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093872 | POLYMERIC, DEGRADABLE DRUG-ELUTING STENTS AND COATINGS - Absorbable stents and absorbable stent coatings have been developed with improved properties. These devices preferably comprise biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate, and optionally polylactic acid and other absorbable polymers and additives. Compositions of these materials can be used to make absorbable stents that provide advantageous radial strengths, resistance to recoil and creep, can be plastically expanded on a balloon catheter, and can be deployed rapidly in vivo. Stent coatings derived from these materials provide biocompatible, uniform coatings that are ductile, and can be expanded without the coating cracking and/or delaminating and can be used as a coating matrix for drug incorporation. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093873 | VASCULAR GRAFT AND METHOD OF USE - A vascular graft includes an elongated main body portion, a first sewing ring, a second sewing ring, and a third sewing ring. The elongated main body portion includes a first end defining a first opening, a second end defining a second opening, and an aperture defined by a perimeter. The first sewing ring is securely attached to the perimeter of the aperture. The second sewing ring is securely attached to the first end of the main body portion adjacent the first opening. The third sewing ring is securely attached to the second end of the main body portion adjacent the second opening. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093874 | Medical Devices and EFAB Methods and Apparatus for Producing Them - Various embodiments of the invention present miniature medical devices that may be formed totally or in part using electrochemical fabrication techniques. Sample medical devices include micro-tweezers or forceps, internally expandable stents, bifurcated or side branch stents, drug eluting stents, micro-valves and pumps, rotary ablation devices, electrical ablation devices (e.g. RF devices), micro-staplers, ultrasound catheters, and fluid filters. In some embodiments devices may be made out of a metal material while in other embodiments they may be made from a material (e.g. a polymer) that is molded from an electrochemically fabricated mold. Structural materials may include gold, platinum, silver, stainless steel, titanium or pyrolytic carbon-coated materials such as nickel, copper, and the like. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093875 | DRUG ELUTING STENTS WITH PROLONGED LOCAL ELUTION PROFILES WITH HIGH LOCAL CONCENTRATIONS AND LOW SYSTEMIC CONCENTRATIONS - A drug eluting stent can include a stent body having a polymeric coating with a lipophilic and/or hydrophilic element. A drug that has a bioactivity that inhibits cell proliferation can be disposed in the polymeric coating. The drug can be present in the polymer at an amount greater than or equal to about 150 ug/cm | 2009-04-09 |
20090093876 | RECOIL INHIBITOR FOR PROSTHETIC VALVE - A valve loading apparatus is provided for loading a crimped prosthetic valve into a lumen of a delivery system. The valve recoil adapter can counteract recoil of a compressed prosthetic valve, and maintain the valve at its desired crimp diameter. An integrated bioprosthesis/delivery system is provided for delivering a bioprosthesis to a target area within a body lumen is provided. The delivery system includes a valve covering member and a compressing member, which compresses the valve covering member to surround, hold, and/or compress the valve during delivery to the target area. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093877 | ACTIVE HOLDER FOR ANNULOPLASTY RING DELIVERY - An active annuloplasty ring holder having a template that can be folded or pivoted to the side allowing the template to align longitudinally with the handle and enter the patient's chest through a small incision. The holder may include a mechanism to remotely detach sutures fastening the ring to the holder, thereby detaching the ring while avoiding the risk associated with introducing a scalpel into the operating field. A detachment mechanism may include a movable pin actuated by a pull wire that releases a plurality of holding sutures, or a hot wire, knives, or pull wire that severs the sutures. The holder may have a built-in light source for better visualization of the ring inside the heart. The holder may also have an optical means of visualizing the inside of the heart from the proximal end of the handle. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093878 | Human implantable tissue expander - A human implantable tissue expander including a biocompatible implantable structural skeleton element having a predetermined overall three-dimensional shape and defining at least one wall portion having formed therein apertures extending from an interior thereof to an exterior thereof and being operative, when implanted in human tissue, to permit fluid flow through the apertures and to generally maintain the predetermined three-dimensional shape generally independently of its orientation relative to gravitational acceleration. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093879 | MICRO- AND NANO-PATTERNED SURFACE FEATURES TO REDUCE IMPLANT FOULING AND REGULATE WOUND HEALING - An exemplary embodiment provides a medical implant with implant surfaces that are exposed to body tissue when the medical implant is inserted into a body of a recipient. The implant has a micro- or a nano-sized pattern on at least a portion of the implant surfaces. Optionally, the micro- or nano-sized pattern may be a periodic (or “repeating”) pattern. Further, the micro- or nano-sized pattern may have geometric features, such as grooves, circles, triangles, rectangles, pentagons and hexagons. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093880 | APPARATUS AND METHOS FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LIGAMENT - Apparatus and method is disclosed for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. A method is disclosed comprising the steps of forming a first bone tunnel and a second bone tunnel being transverse to, and intersecting one another; positioning a closed loop of a flexible member within the first bone tunnel and a portion of the second bone tunnel such that the closed loop extends out of the first bone tunnel and the second bone tunnel, parting the closed loop outside the second bone tunnel so as to create a first free end and a second free end, and passing the second free end through the opposite end of a second free end through the opposite end of second bone tunnel, and positioning the graft ligament over a portion of the flexible member extending out of the first opening; and pulling the flexible member so as to draw the graft ligament into the first bone tunnel. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093881 | MODIFIED METAL MATERIALS, SURFACE MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE CELL INTERACTIONS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES, AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING METAL SURFACE PROPERTIES - The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093882 | SLIDING INTERBODY DEVICE - A method of performing a surgical procedure and a sliding intervertebral implant includes an inner member that connects to an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae, wherein the inner member includes a pair of arms spaced apart by a gap; an inclined plane configured in the gap; an arcuately-shaped back portion; and a fitting mechanism coupled below the pair of arms and the back portion, wherein the fitting mechanism includes a knob and neck. An outer member slidably attaches to the inner member, and includes a pair of curved arms spaced apart by a channel, wherein the pair of curved arms comprise an arcuate shape to match the arcuate shape of the back portion of the inner member, wherein the knob is configured to slide in the channel within a limitation of a pre-set curvature that is based on a pattern of a shape of the intervertebral space. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093883 | Interspinous implant - This invention consists in an implant to be placed between the lumbar spinous and lumbar-sacral apophysis in order to keep them separated and enable a normal flexion and extension range. The implant is a cuneiform body which frontal end is rounded and higher than the rear end thus forming an open angle towards the frontal part of the implant. It has two supporting surfaces, opposite to the spinous apophysis and having in its most rear end two sharp edges which are opposite to the spine and located transversally to the longitudinal axis of said faces, and wherein said supporting surfaces are confined by two rhomboidal surfaces which major axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093884 | Prosthetic Intervertebral Discs Having Expandable Cores That Are Implantable Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques - The described devices are spinal implants that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior approach. The discs are prosthetic devices that approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093885 | ANATOMIC INTERVERTEBRAL SPACER AND THE APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A multi-layer intervertebral spacer ( | 2009-04-09 |
20090093886 | Catalytic Surface for Hydrogen Release Reactor - There is disclosed a gold surface for the catalytic release of hydrogen from an alkane thiol. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a large surface area of gold on a carbon fiber scaffold that does not contain any sublayers of metals that can block the catalytic release of hydrogen from alkane thiols or form other reactions that remove the sulfur moiety from alkane thiol. There is further disclosed a method for forming a gold surface onto woven carbon fiber sheets wherein no sublayer or other intermediate material is used. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093887 | Implantable Joint Prosthesis - An implantable joint prosthesis configured such that it does not squeak during movements of a subject. The joint prosthesis includes a means to modify the dynamic response of parts of the prosthesis such the response is not audible to the human ear. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093888 | MEDICAL IMPLANT FORMED FROM POROUS METAL AND METHOD - Medical implants are formed at least in part from porous metal wherein the pores of the metal are filled with a hardenable material. The hardenable material can be used to assist in the manufacture of the implant, permitting detailed machining of the implant. Further, the hardenable material can be a resorbable material that strengthens the implant during implantation but is resorbed, once implanted, to permit bone growth and infiltration. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the hardenable material can be a thermoplastic material that can be heated by ultrasonic energy to create an adhesive bond between a fastener and bone structure. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093889 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A STENT OF A DESIRED LENGTH AT AN ENDOLUMINAL SITE - Described herein are a system and a method for forming a stent of a desired length endoluminally. The system includes an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body. An endoluminal cutting mechanism is operatively connected to a drive cable in communication with the outer sheath. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut the stent body in response to motion of the drive cable. The method of forming the stent of a desired length endoluminally includes directing a system including an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body into a body lumen, positioning the stent body at an endoluminal site, and severing the stent body to form a stent of a desired length at the endoluminal site. An undeployed portion of the stent body remains in the outer sheath for optional deployment in a subsequent severing operation. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093890 | Precise control of orthopedic actuators - An actuator is implanted inside the body and attached to a bone. The actuator is controlled from outside the body using a changing magnetic field or creating mechanical motion of the tissue. The changing field is used to create power inside the actuator and precisely control its operation without requiring a transdermal connection. The power generated inside actuator can also be used to transmit data to the outside. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093891 | Prosthetic limb with replaceable fairing - A prosthetic limb has an outer surface that is a mirror image of an intact limb. The intact limb is scanned and the surface data is manipulated to create a virtual mirror image. The end of the amputated limb is also scanned to obtain socket data. A virtual limb is designed using a computer program based upon the mirror image and end of the amputated limb data. The computer program is also used to design a removable fairing that provides color and texture to the prosthetic limb. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093892 | Automatic determination of the order of a polynomial regression model applied to abnormal situation prevention in a process plant - A system for preventing abnormal situations in process plants is provided. A polynomial regression model is employed to predict values of a monitored variable based on measured samples of a load variable. An abnormal situation is detected when a predicted value of the monitored variable differs from a measured value of the monitored variable by more than a predetermined amount. The system employs one or more algorithms for automatically determining an optimal order or degree of the polynomial regression model. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093893 | System and method for recognizing and compensating for invalid regression model applied to abnormal situation prevention - A system for preventing abnormal situations in process plants is provided. A polynomial regression model is employed to predict values of a monitored variable based on measured samples of a load variable. An abnormal situation is detected when a predicted value of the monitored variable differs from a measured value of the monitored variable by more than a predetermined. The system recognizes when a data model is invalid and takes steps to compensate for the invalid model. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093894 | Production management system and method of controlling the same - A system for managing an Ethernet/IP-based network production system and a control method thereof are disclosed. A production management system, minimizes the loss and negative influences caused by interrupted conventional installations when a new installation is added to the network production system, so that the production management system maximizes the efficiency of production installations. The production management system includes a conventional installation having tag information registered therein, and a control installation additionally registering tag information of a new installation in the conventional installation after the new installation has been added. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093895 | DATA OUTPUT APPARATUS AND DATA OUTPUT METHOD - A data output apparatus is provided. The data output apparatus includes a playback unit and an audio processing unit. The playback unit carries out playback of data at 2x speed from a tape-shaped recording medium, on which has been recorded video data with a field frequency of 59.94 Hz and audio data with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, by playing back video data in odd-numbered fields and audio data corresponding thereto and video data in even-numbered fields and audio data corresponding thereto in parallel. The audio processing unit writes the audio data corresponding to the odd-numbered fields and the audio data corresponding to the even-numbered fields played back in parallel in the playback unit into a memory, reads out the audio data from the memory at 96 kHz in order of the corresponding fields, and outputs the audio data to dual-link HD-SDI transmitters. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093896 | Signal Processing Apparatus, Signal Processing Method, and Program Therefor - A signal processing apparatus subjects an audio signal to musical pitch analysis using different analysis techniques for the higher and lower frequencies. When an audio signal is input, a first extractor extracts a high-frequency signal, and a second extractor extracts a low-frequency signal from the audio signal. A high-frequency processor extracts pitch components from the high-frequency signal by applying the short-time Fourier transform. A low-frequency processor extracts pitch components from the low-frequency signal by dividing the low-frequency signal into a plurality of octave components. A synthesizing unit then combines the pitch components thus extracted from the high-frequency signal and the low-frequency signal and outputs the analysis result. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093897 | METHOD OF RETRIEVING AUDIO DATA VIA CODED MEDIUM - A method of retrieving audio data using a coded medium is provided in which first and second coded data printed on the coded medium is sensed using an image sensor, the first coded data being printed in a linear pattern and encoding a medium identifier linked to the audio data and the second coded data being printed in a two-dimensional pattern and encoding the medium identifier and data on a two-dimensional coordinate grid, the medium identifier is determined from the sensed first and second coded data using a processor in communication with the image sensor, and the audio data is retrieved using the determined medium identifier and the processor. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093898 | AUDIO PLAYER FOR DOWNLOAD AND PLAYBACK OF AUDIO FILES - Provided is an audio player for download and playback of audio files. The audio player includes at least one sensor device capable of sensing an image, a decoder for extracting data from the sensed image data, and a transceiver for transmitting the decoded data to a computer system and for receiving one or more audio files associated with the decoded data from the computer system. The device also includes at least one audio output device for outputting an audio signal corresponding to the audio file, and a controller configured to control operation of the sensor device, the decoder, the transceiver and the output device. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093899 | PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER AND TRANSMITTER - A hand-held music player for use in conjunction with radios, including a casing, a receiver socket on the casing through which digital audio data is received, a digital-to-analog audio converter housed within the casing, a first transfer socket on the casing through which a song is transferred to a radio transmitter, a second transfer socket on the casing through which meta-data for the song is transferred to the radio transmitter, and a dial on the casing for selecting a song for playback. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also described. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093900 | Production Moving Line System and Method - A production moving line system. An illustrative embodiment of the production moving line system includes at least one metallic guide strip and at least one tow vehicle which may be adapted to follow the guide strip. The tow vehicle may include control circuitry and a power source and a wireless transceiver connected to the control circuitry. An assembly fixture cart may be coupled to the tow vehicle. A wireless communication link may be provided between a central control computer and the wireless transceiver of the tow vehicle. A production moving line method is also disclosed. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093901 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS ON MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS IN CONCEPTUAL DESIGN MODELS - A system and method for using design specification and measurements on manufactured products in conceptual design model are provided. In one aspect, a conceptual model is extended to map one or more model elements to corresponding external reference values. The corresponding external reference values include at least design specification values and manufacturing properties associated with one or more model elements. The model elements mapped to corresponding external reference values are presented, for example, for identification and consistency checks of attributes at various stages of product life cycle. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093902 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTION SCHEDULING IN A MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEM OF A SHOP FLOOR - In a method for production planning in a manufacturing execution system of a shop floor, the following steps are performed: obtaining shop floor data from the shop floor; analyzing the shop floor data using detection logic to detect a disturbance and to provide an opportunity for a corrective action; and generating a production schedule based on the detected disturbance and opportunity for a corrective action by a scheduler. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093903 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR AUTOMATING PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT QUALIFICATIONS IN A MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT - Methods, systems, and computer program products for automating process and equipment qualifications in a manufacturing environment are provided. A method includes defining a triggering event for initiating a qualification of an equipment, process module, or process. The qualification is configured to identify whether the equipment, process module, or process is operating according to specified criteria. The method also includes qualifying a monitor for use in the qualification. Upon the occurrence of the triggering event, the method includes running qualified monitors through the qualification. Based upon the results of qualifying the monitor for use in the qualification or the results of the execution of the qualification, the method includes determining and implementing a disposition for the monitor. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093904 | System and Method for Rule-Based Data Mining and Problem Detection for Semiconductor Fabrication - A fabrication history a group of wafers is provided, having a record for each wafer of the manufacturing events that did or did not occur in its fabrication, and having the measured value of a given target. A binary decision rule is formed based on the fabrication history, the rule being that if a wafer has a particular pattern of manufacturing events in its fabrication history then the statistic of the given fabrication target for that wafer is a first value; otherwise, the statistic is a second value having at least a given distance from the first value. The pattern of manufacturing events in the binary decision rule is identified in the generation of the binary decision rule. The identified pattern is significant with respect to the given target. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093905 | NUMERICAL CONTROLLER HAVING WORKPIECE SETTING ERROR COMPENSATION MEANS - A numerical controller controlling a 5-axis machine tool compensates setting error that arises when a workpiece is set on the table. Error in the three linear axes and the two rotation axes are compensated using preset error amounts to keep the calculated tool position and tool direction in a command coordinate system. If a trigonometric function used for error compensation has a plurality of solution sets, the solution set closest to the tool direction in the command coordinate system is selected from the plurality of solution sets and used as the positions of the two rotation axes compensated in the above error compensation. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093906 | POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM FOR SUBSTRATE TRANSFER ROBOT - A substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate handling chamber, a pair of position sensors, and a substrate transfer robot. Each of the sensors comprises an emitter configured to emit a beam of light, and a receiver configured to receive the light beam. The substrate transfer robot comprises an end effector and a robot actuator. The end effector is configured to hold a substrate such that the substrate has a same expected position with respect to the end effector every time the substrate is held. The robot actuator is configured to move the end effector within the handling chamber to transfer substrates among a plurality of substrate stations. An edge of a substrate held in the expected position by the end effector can partially block a light beam of one of the position sensors, while another end of the end effector partially blocks a light beam of the other position sensor. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093907 | Robot System - In a robot system constructed by a superior controller and a robot, it is necessary to carry out a high-speed computation in a system which simultaneously generate a map together with identifying a posture of the robot, there is a problem that the robot system becomes expensive because a computing load becomes enlarged, and it is an object to reduce the computing load. In order to achieve the object, there is provided a robot system constructed by a controller having a map data and a mobile robot, in which the robot is provided with a distance sensor measuring a plurality of distances with respect to a peripheral object, and an identifying apparatus identifying a position and an angle of the robot by collating with the map data, and the controller is provided with a map generating apparatus generating or updating the map data on the basis of the position and the angle of the robot, and the measured distance with respect to the object. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the computing load of the controller and the robot, and it is possible to achieve a comparatively inexpensive robot system. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093908 | Target Position detection apparatus for robot - A target position detection apparatus for a robot includes: a robot including an arm configured to be freely moved in at least two directions of X and Y axes, the arm having a wrist axis provided at a distal end of the arm and configured to be freely moved in a horizontal direction, and the wrist axis being provided with an end effector; and a control unit adapted for driving a memory to store a teaching point therein and controlling an operation of the robot such that the end effector will be moved toward the teaching point stored in the memory. The control unit is further adapted for changing a pressing force of the end effector against a target by changing a control loop gain, and bringing the end effector into contact with the target, while setting the control loop gain of the wrist axis lower than a predetermined value at least from a position adjacent to the teaching point at which the target is located, so as to capture a position in a state in which the end effector is in contact with the target, thereby detecting the position of the target. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093909 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM COMPRISING TWO OR MORE COMPRESSORS - A control system ( | 2009-04-09 |
20090093910 | Controllable Caliper - An embodiment of the invention is directed to an electronic caliper which combines positioning and measurement in one unit without the use of hydraulics for subsea use. In certain embodiments, several attachments can be affixed to accommodate a range of measurement tasks. In a preferred embodiment, one jaw is adjustable and the other, or opposing, jaw is fixed, e.g. by bolting it on to a mounting structure. The jaws typically allow for the removal and replacement of other attachments. In another embodiment, the unit communicates to computer software for position control, precise indication and clamping for adjustment. In a preferred embodiment, computer software displays all feedback via laptop computer on surface. The caliper is maneuvered to a position proximate an object and used to measure a predetermined physical characteristic of the object. The measurement can be displayed, e.g. at the surface, using a computer with control software. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093911 | Vibration Protection In A Variable Speed Compressor - Vibration protection in a compressor system with a variable speed compressor may include operating a variable speed compressor at a plurality of frequencies, measuring a plurality of vibration values associated with the plurality of frequencies, determining a frequency characteristic of the compressor system based on the plurality of vibration values, and identifying prohibited compressor frequencies based on the frequency characteristic. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093912 | AIR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT SURFACES - This disclosure describes a patient support surface having a cover defining an interior region, with a plurality of inflatable zones and a plurality of control nodes located within the interior region. Each control node comprises an air control system including an air supply and a processor. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093913 | DOOR CLOSER ASSEMBLY - A door closer assembly is provided, including a valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve. The amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controls a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door. A first sensor measures an angular position of the door, and a second sensor measures an angular position of the valve. The angular position of the valve determines the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. A controller controls the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093914 | Temperature Control System and Method - In a temperature control system and method, a compressor is left on during steady state operation even when cooling is not needed, and an electronically controlled valve (e.g., a solenoid valve) is used to enable and disable the flow of coolant through a heat exchanger system in order to selectively control whether cooling is enabled or disabled. A flow of air may be passed through the heat exchanger system to cool the flow of air, and the valve may be controlled based at least in part on temperature of the flow of air, e.g., in accordance with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control scheme. A heater may be controlled to selectively heat the flow of air. A cooling cycle may be provided in which the heater is disabled and the flow of coolant is enabled via the valve, and a heating cycle may be provided in which the heater is enabled and the flow of coolant is disabled via the valve. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093915 | PUMPING STATION CONFIGURATION TECHNIQUES - In accordance with some embodiments, a pumping station controller ( | 2009-04-09 |
20090093916 | UTILITY MANAGED VIRTUAL POWER PLANT UTILIZING AGGREGATED THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE - Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093917 | MONITORING SYSTEM - A monitoring system is provided that is capable of determining when the temperature of at least one point along a refrigeration unit is not within a standard temperature range known for the operation of the refrigeration unit at the at least one point. In particular, the monitoring system is capable of alerting a technician or operator if, after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after the refrigeration unit is expected to start, the temperature of the at least one point along the refrigeration unit is not within the standard temperature range known for operation of the refrigeration unit when the compressor is running. The predetermined elapsed time may be of a length of time necessary to allow for the refrigeration unit to complete a defrost and/or delog cycle and recover from such cycle. The monitoring of the at least one point along the system may be accomplished by the monitoring of a thermocouple. Further, the monitoring system may include sensors to monitor (i) when the door of the refrigeration compartment of the refrigeration unit is, or has been, open, as well as (ii) the temperature in the refrigeration compartment. In this regard, the monitoring system may alert a technician or operator when the temperature in the refrigerator is not optimal, taking into consideration whether the door of the refrigeration compartment has been, or is, open or closed and, optionally, also taken into consideration whether the refrigeration unit is operating properly. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093918 | Control Arrangement - An aerospace control arrangement comprising a control unit connected to a plurality of connecting node sets, each connecting node set having associated therewith a plurality of connecting nodes, and each node having associated therewith at least one effecter and/or sensor, resulting in at least some of the nodes being connected to the control unit in a fault isolated star, point to point, arrangement. | 2009-04-09 |
20090093919 | METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR OBTAINING A PREDICTIVE VERTICAL SPEED OF A ROTORCRAFT - The present invention relates to a method and a device for obtaining a predictive vertical speed of a rotorcraft, the device constituting a predictive vertical speed indicator ( | 2009-04-09 |
20090093920 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING END OF TRAIN DEVICES - ABSTRACT An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed. | 2009-04-09 |