20th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 59 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120123511 | PROSTHESIS DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM FOR VASCULAR REPAIR - A deployment system for vascular repair of a transected body vessel is provided. The system can include a prosthesis, an inner sheath, and an outer sheath. The inner sheath can be configured to selectively retain a first portion of the prosthesis in the compressed configuration, leaving a remaining portion of the prosthesis uncovered by the inner sheath. The outer sheath can be configured to retain the remaining portion of prosthesis in the compressed configuration and the first portion of the prosthesis within the inner sheath. The outer sheath is removable from the prosthesis to allow an expansion of the remaining portion of the prosthesis to the expanded configuration at a first opening in the transected vessel. The inner sheath is removable from the prosthesis first portion to allow an independent expansion of the first portion to the expanded configuration at a second opening in the transected vessel. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123512 | SUTURELESS VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS CONNECTION - Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including an incision seal including a base configured to partially house an outer surface of a main vessel, the base being formed using a material that is configured to be penetrated by a barb disposed on a connector the main vessel being secured to the base when the base is at least partially pierced by the barb, an upper lumen configured to guide a graft vessel, and a housing opening configured to receive the graft vessel. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123513 | SUTURELESS VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS CONNECTION - Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including an incision seal including a base configured to partially house an outer surface of a main vessel, the base being formed using a material that is configured to be penetrated by a barb disposed on a connector the main vessel being secured to the base when the base is at least partially pierced by the barb, an upper lumen configured to guide a graft vessel, and a housing opening configured to receive the graft vessel. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123514 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF ARRHYTHMIAS AND OTHER MALADIES - Devices and methods are described for treating maladies such as atrial fibrillation. The devices and methods, in some implementations, include two rings separated by a helical winding. The rings and at least one helical winding provide mechanical pressure against an adjacent tissue, e.g., the tissue of a vessel, and the pressure works to inhibit the propagation of electrical signals along the vessel. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123515 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING AN IMPLANTED OBJECT IN A PASSAGEWAY IN A PATIENT - A system for removing an implanted stent or other object from a passageway in a patient includes a housing, an expansion element that operates between an enlarged mode in which the expansion element may radially expand to a diameter larger than the object diameter and a collapsed mode in which the expansion element radially contracts, and a plurality of radially contractible members configured to circumferentially engage the implanted object. A method for moving an implanted stent or other object from an initial location in a passageway includes positioning an expansion element proximate to the stent, expanding the expansion element thereby creating a tapered annular space between the stent and the passageway, advancing a plurality of members towards the tapered annular space, engaging the stent with the members, radially contracting the members to radially compress the stent, and moving the compressed stent from the initial location. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123516 | STENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND LOCKING MEMBERS FOR USE WITH STENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS - Stent delivery systems, locking members for preventing unwanted actuation of a actuation member on a stent delivery system, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A deployment sheath may be disposed about the inner member. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath. A handle may be coupled to the inner member and to the deployment sheath. The handle may include an actuation member. The actuation member may be configured to shift the longitudinal position of the deployment sheath relative to the inner member. A locking member may be disposed on the actuation member. The locking member may be configured to prevent unwanted actuation of the actuation member. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123517 | DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERING AND DEPLOYING STENT GRAFTS - A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a curved guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the curved guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123518 | Flow-Deflecting Medical Device - The disclosure relates to a flow-deflecting medical device comprising a support structure and two flow-deflecting members attached to the support structure. The first flow-deflecting member is movable to a position in which it contacts and substantially seals against the second flow-deflecting member. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123519 | TUBULAR SILK COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - Described are tubular silk fibroin compositions and methods for their manufacture and use. Tubular compositions as described herein can be produced in a range of high burst strengths, can easily be made in a range of inner diameters, can be derivatized with functional moieties, and can be produced in a range of permeabilities suitable for particularized uses. In one aspect, the tubular compositions can be used in the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased blood vessels, including, but not limited to vessels smaller than about 6 mm. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123520 | BLOOD-FLOW TUBING - An artificial or modified natural blood flow tubing has a helical-flow inducer to induce helical flow in such a fashion as to eliminate or reduce turbulence. One inducer is a tubular stent of expansible mesh having a helical vane. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123521 | BIOABSORBABLE STENTS WITH REINFORCED FILAMENTS - According to an aspect of the present invention, a stent is provided, which contains at least one filament that has a longitudinal axis and comprises a bioabsorbable polymeric material. Polymer molecules within the bioabsorbable polymeric material are provided with a helical orientation which is aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament. The stent is at least partially bioabsorbed by a patient upon implantation or insertion of the stent into the patient. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123522 | METHOD OF TREATING A DILATED VENTRICLE - A method of reducing ventricular dilation comprises placing one or more cardiac bridges into vessels extending along a length of the ventricle. Each cardiac bridge preferably includes a pair of anchors and a bridge member secured therebetween. The tension in the bridge member compresses the ventricle and thereby reduces the dilation along the ventricle wall. In another embodiment, the bridge member is tensioned to reshape the left ventricle for reducing tension on the chordae tendinae in the heart for improving valve function. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123523 | REINFORCING RING - A reinforcing ring ( | 2012-05-17 |
20120123524 | Flexible Stent With Improved Axial Strength - A stent comprises a generally cylindrical band having a pattern of alternating first and second struts, the first struts being wider than the second struts, the first and second struts being of substantially the same length. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123525 | RADIOPAQUE INTRALUMINAL STENTS COMPRISING COBALT-BASED ALLOYS CONTAINING ONE OR MORE PLATINUM GROUP METALS, REFRACTORY METALS, OR COMBINATIONS THEREOF - Embodiments are directed to radiopaque implantable structures (e.g., stents) formed of cobalt-based alloys that comprise cobalt, chromium and one or more platinum group metals, refractory metals, or combinations thereof. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium. Here, the term “refractory metals” include zirconium, niobium, rhodium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, as well as the precious metals silver and gold. In one embodiment, the one or more included platinum group or refractory metals substitute for nickel, such that the alloy is substantially nickel free. The stents exhibit improved radiopacity as compared to similar alloys including greater amounts of nickel. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123526 | THORACIC AORTIC STENT STRUCTURE - A thoracic aortic stent structure, including a main stent having at least one sub-stent which is formed as a piece on the main stent; and a membrane covering the main stent and the at least one sub-stent, and having at least one side-opening corresponding to a free end of the at least one sub-stent. The membrane compresses the main stent and the at least one sub-stent, which causes diameter of the main stent and the at least one sub-stent narrower. Upon removing the membrane, the main stent and the at least one sub-stent can extend to reconstruct a vascular pathway. The thoracic aortic stent is able to simplify the process, of placement, save time and provide easy operation. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123527 | HYDROGEL ENHANCED MEDICAL DEVICES - The present disclosure generally provides a stent-graft for insertion into a body vessel that comprises hydrophilic polyurethane hydrogel cuffs and an elongated cylindrical body. This stent-graft exhibits an enhanced ability to maintain its original position when placed into a patient and resist the potential of migration without causing excessive discomfort to the patient. Upon exposure to bodily fluids, the cuffs of the stent-graft expand to exert a sealing or anchoring force against the wall of the body vessel. Such a stent-graft overcomes many of the problems associated with conventional stent-grafts as currently used in many different applications, for example, endovascular repair and ureteral drainage. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123528 | STAGED DEPLOYMENT DEVICES AND METHOD FOR TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE DELIVERY - A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle includes a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, and a coupler having locked and unlocked conditions, the coupler being operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith. The catheter assembly includes a shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the shaft being operatively connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123529 | PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - Embodiments of a radially collapsible and expandable prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. A valve frame can have a tapered profile when mounted on a delivery shaft, with an inflow end portion having a smaller diameter than an outflow end portion. The valve can comprise generally V-shaped leaflets, reducing material within the inflow end of the frame. An outer skirt can be secured to the outside of the inflow end portion of the frame, the outer skirt having longitudinal slack when the valve is expanded and lying flat against the frame when the valve is collapsed. A diagonally woven inner skirt can elongate axially with the frame. Side tabs of adjacent leaflets can extend through and be secured to window frame portions of the frame to form commissures. The window frame portions can be depressed radially inward relative to surrounding frame portions when the valve is crimped onto a delivery shaft. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123530 | PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE WITH DISSIMILAR LEAFLETS - An anatomically approximate prosthetic heart valve includes dissimilar flexible leaflets, dissimilar commissures and/or a non-circular flow orifice. The heart valve may be implanted in the mitral position and have one larger leaflet oriented along the anterior aspect so as to mimic the natural anterior leaflet. Two other smaller leaflets extend around the posterior aspect of the valve. A basic structure providing peripheral support for the leaflets includes two taller commissures on both sides of the larger leaflet, with a third, smaller commissure between the other two leaflets. The larger leaflet may be thicker and/or stronger than the other two leaflets. The base structure defines a flow orifice intended to simulate the shape of the mitral annulus during the systolic phase. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123531 | PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER REPAIR OF HEART VALVES - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123532 | Devices and Methods for Reducing Mitral Valve Regurgitation - A mitral valve annulus reshaping device includes at least a portion that is formed of a biocompatible shape memory alloy SMA having a characteristic temperature, A | 2012-05-17 |
20120123533 | CORNEAL IMPLANTS AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PLACEMENT - A system comprising a hollow member is used to deliver a constrained corneal implant into a corneal pocket. The hollow member may be tapered and the system may further include an implant deformation chamber and an axial pusher to advance the implant through the hollow member. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123534 | MODIFIED MONOVISION BY EXTENDING DEPTH OF FOCUS - Depth-of-focus (DoF) is extended in a presbyopic patient by inducing different higher order aberrations, e.g. spherical aberration, to each of the two eyes. That method will result in improving binocular through-focus visual performance and outperform traditional monovision. The aberration can be induced in any suitable way, such as by an intraocular lens or a contact lens. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123535 | Therapeutic Breast Implants - A breast implant and process to optimize the treatment of breast cancer patients that offers more effective alternatives in breast reconstruction and simultaneously administers regional therapies in order to minimize the possibility of local recurrences. The breast implant comprises an inner porous core contained by an elastic holding layer with a system of tubes and conducts within it covered with biodegradable chemotherapeutic and attaching layers. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123536 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION - Methods for optimal breast reconstruction are disclosed. The methods include steps for performing a mastectomy that preserves a breast skin envelope. A prosthesis may be inserted into the breast and may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may include, a base, a balloon coupled to the base, where the balloon may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may also include tube coupled to port for filling the balloon to a predetermined volume. A needle-lock system, coupled to the port may be used to inject, for example, fluids into the balloon. If a patient requires post-mastectomy radiation, breast reconstruction may be delayed and the prosthesis may remain in the breast cavity during the treatment. The treatment may be external beam radiation. Alternatively, the treatment may include brachytherapy technique for treating the internal breast cavity. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123537 | TISSUE EXPANDER WITH SELF-HEALING ANTERIOR SIDE - A tissue expander includes an elastomeric shell having an anterior inside surface and a posterior inside surface with a self-healing layer abutting only a portion of the anterior inside surface. The layer is spaced apart from the posterior inside surface while facilitating folding of the shell prior to insertion into a tissue pocket and also enabling inflation of the shell subsequent to insertion by a fluid injected between the self healing layer and posterior surface. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123538 | Ossicular Prosthesis Having Helical Coil - An ossicular prosthesis includes a proximal end provided with an open conically helical coil for engaging a first ossicular structure, and a distal bell head, piston, or shoe for engaging a second ossicular structure. A connecting element extends therebetween the two to hold the helical coil structure which engages the second ossicular engagement structure in a preferably fixed relationship. The helical coil defines a plurality of spaced apart adjacent windings, with open spaces between the windings. Each adjacent winding decreases in diameter from the proximal to distal end. The windings of the coil may be adjusted relative to each other in length or angle to fit the anatomy. In accord with a one method of use, the helical coil and optionally other portions of the prosthesis function as an armature or endoskeleton. A cement may be provided over the prosthesis to reconstruct the eroded or missing ossicles. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123539 | MOLDABLE CUSHION FOR IMPLANTS - Custom moldable cushions for covering medical implants fastened to a bone are provided. Such cushions inhibit irritation of the surrounding soft tissue by covering the bone-implant interface and by reducing friction caused by movement of soft tissue adjacent the implant. Such cushions may also be employed to spread and absorb forces reducing patient discomfort and risk of injury and infection associated with such implants. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123540 | Canine ligament bone anchor and method - The canine ligament bone anchor of the invention includes a first femoral tunnel, a transverse femoral tunnel in communication with the first femoral tunnel, the first femoral tunnel and the transverse femoral tunnel forming a chamber, an end portion of a graft positioned through the first femoral tunnel and into an inner portion of the transverse femoral tunnel, and a set bone cement disposed in the chamber. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123541 | ADJUSTABLE SUTURE-BUTTON CONSTRUCTS FOR LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION - An adjustable suture-button construct for ligament reconstruction. The construct is a knotless, adjustable, flexible suture loop, a first fixation device (a free or removable slotted button) and optionally a second fixation device (a fixed, non-removable button). Suture ends of the knotless suture loop provide a variable-length graft support that can be adjusted prior to, during, or after deployment of the constructs. The removable, detachable fixation device is provided with attachment feature(s) to permit assembly onto the adjustable loop. The removable, detachable fixation device is attached to the tibia end of the loop construct after the loop construct is passed through the tibial tunnel (i.e., once the loop exits the anterior tibia cortex). If a fixed, non-removable button is employed, the fixed, non-removable button is securely attached (by stitching, for example) to the graft. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123542 | Artificial Bone Constituent Unit And Artificial Bone Constituent System - Provided are an artificial bone constructing unit which is capable of being built into a free shape according to build-up design, and effectively guiding bone replacement, and an artificial bone system. Specifically disclosed are an artificial bone constructing unit and an artificial bone constructing system, wherein in principal, the artificial bone constructing unit which constructs an artificial bone is so made into a block shape that when blocks are assembled, continuous holes through a plurality of blocks are formed. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123543 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES IN THE SPINE - Methods for correcting a deformity in the spine by forming a trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and providing a therapy to the spine employing the axial bore. Curved or relatively straight anterior axial bores are formed from the anterior starting positions. The therapies performed through the axial bores include discoscopy, full and partial discectomy, vertebroplasty, balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, drug delivery, electrical stimulation and various forms of spinal disc cavity augmentation, spinal disc replacement, fusion of spinal motion segments and implantation of radioactive seeds. Axial spinal implants and bone growth materials can be placed into single or multiple parallel or diverging axial bores to fuse two or more vertebrae, or distract or shock absorb two or more vertebrae. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123544 | Intervertebral Spacer and Method of Installation Thereof - The present invention provides an intervertebral spacer capable of being installed into an intervertebral disc space. In one embodiment, the intervertebral spacer comprises a body portion. The body portion comprises a first end, a second end, a first side portion connecting the first end and the second end, and a second side portion connecting the first end and the second end. An entrance port is defined in the first end of the body portion. A first exit port is defined in the first side portion of the body portion. A second exit port is defined in the second side portion of the body portion. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123545 | Total disc implant - A total disc implant (TDI) is provided for total replacement of a spinal disc or discs in a human patient or other mammal, wherein the TDI is designed to maintain a substantially full range of natural motion (ROM) following implantation. The TDI generally comprises, in one preferred form, upper and lower end plates for affixation to adjacent vertebral bodies, with an intervening insert disposed therebetween. The end plates each include elongated part-cylindrical surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to each other, with one of said surfaces extending in an anterior-posterior direction and the other extending in a medial-lateral direction. The intervening insert defines concave upper and lower part-cylindrical seats oriented for respectively engaging these part-cylindrical surfaces, wherein these part-cylindrical seats are defined by offset radii to include a somewhat flattened central base region merging smoothly with upwardly curving radiused sides. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123546 | IMPLANT APPARATUS FOR SPINAL FUSION - An implant apparatus and a method for spinal fusion from oblique, lateral, ALIF, PLIF, and TLIF approach are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured to include an expandable implant cage and an inserter. The cage can be inserted between endplates of upper and lower vertebra using lateral, ALIF, PLIF, and TLIF approach. The cage generally includes a male and female screw configuration and a cage expansion mechanism. The inserter inserts the cage in a spinal disc space and tightens the male and female screw arrangement. Once the cage is inserted to the desired position, viewed by X-ray you will begin to tighten the male portion of the screw in the device, and continue to tighten until final deployment of cage has been achieved. This provides a much greater footprint that allows the device to reach the cortical ring or apophyseal ring of the vertebral body. Tightening of male and female screw arrangement operates the cage expansion mechanism to expand the cage size. The cage can be inserted through a smaller surgical opening and then expanded to a full size assembly between the vertebrae. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123547 | INTERVERTEBRAL DISC STRAIN-RELIEF SUPPORT - The invention relates to an intervertebral disk strain-relief support as an implant between spinous processes of adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising a carrier element having an opening and having first retaining wings, and a central element that has second retaining wings and that can be inserted into the opening of the carrier element. In the implanted state, the retaining wings lie outside on the spinous processes of adjacent vertebral bodies, and the spinous processes can be supported on opposite pressure surfaces on the carrier element and/or on the central element. According to the invention, at least one exposed spring slot, which is oriented transversely to the sagittal direction of extension of the spinal column and which extends over the area between two opposite pressure surfaces, is arranged in at least one of the elements in such a way that a resilient bridge is formed between the spring slot and one of the pressure surfaces of the implant, wherein the resilient bridge is resilient when the spinous processes are loaded. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123548 | METHODS OF DELIVERING AN IMPLANT TO AN INTERVERTEBRAL SPACE - According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123549 | Jawbone Prosthesis and Method of Manufacture - A biological jawbone prosthesis is made according to a method that includes the steps of collecting animal material from a bovine or porcine source, the animal material being a jawbone, shaping the animal material to provide a desired shape for the jawbone implant, removing cells from the animal material, crosslinking the animal material, removing antigens from the animal material, subjecting the animal material to an alkaline treatment, coupling into the animal material active substances which are capable of adhering growth factor and stem cell, and packing the animal material in a container that contains a sterilization solution. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123550 | IMPLANTABLE PATELLA COMPONENT HAVING A THICKENED SUPERIOR EDGE - An orthopaedic implant includes a patella component having a posterior bearing surface configured to articulate with the femoral condyles of a femur, and an anterior surface having a number of pegs extending outwardly therefrom. The superior edge of the patella component is thickened relative to conventional dome-shaped patella components. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123551 | Femoral and Tibial Bases - Various embodiments are directed to femoral and tibial bases that form structures of an implantable mechanical energy absorbing system. According to one embodiment, the bases include a low-profile body having a elongate and a curved body portion. One end of the base is elevated as compared to another end. An inner surface of the low-profile body has a raised portion extending along the elongate, straight portion of the low-profile body. The bases also include a plurality of openings positioned along the low-profile body for alignment and purposes of affixation to body anatomy. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123552 | KNEE JOINT DEVICE AND METHOD - A medical device for implantation in a knee joint of a human patient is provided. The medical device comprises: an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface comprises: a first point, a second point, a third point, a fourth point, a fifth point, and a sixth point, all points located on different places along a length axis of said inner surface. A first straight line, reaching from the first point to the second point is parallel to a second straight line reaching from the third point to the fourth point, which in turn is parallel to a third straight line reaching from the fifth point to the sixth point. The first and third straight lines are of equal length and the second straight line is longer than the first, furthermore the third straight line is positioned between the first and third straight lines. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123553 | JOINT IMPLANT FIXATION SYSTEM - Disclosed are embodiments of an improved joint prosthesis that can provide the option to improve initial stability without removing the implant or altering the preparation. Embodiments of improved joint implant components can comprise one or more expandable, hollow segmented posts. Methods of implant fixation are also disclosed. Disclosed methods can provide the opportunity for establishing initial biologic fixation (bone ingrowth), and can also provide an adjunct fixation through injecting cement down the center of the post if initial stability is not achieved or is questionable. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123554 | Proximally Self-Locking Long Bone Prosthesis - A femoral stem hip implant for insertion into a surgically created aperture in a femur includes a monolithic femoral stem made of shape memory material. The stem is configured to be inserted into the aperture, has a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis. The shape memory material within the proximal portion has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the shape memory material within the proximal portion is in a compressed state by application of a plurality of compressive forces at a temperature below an austenitic finish temperature of the shape memory material so that the cross-section expands through shape memory effect via the formation of austenite in response to a temperature increase after insertion into the aperture thereby causing a locking-force to be exerted against an inner surface of the aperture, the locking force being sufficient to stabilize the implant in the aperture. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123555 | Ceramic-Ceramic Articulation Surface Implants - A prosthesis for articulation (e.g., hip or joint prosthesis) is provided, which includes a pair of articulation components respectively defining a pair of articulation surfaces movably engageable with each other. In some embodiments, each of the articulation surfaces is formed from a biocompatible ceramic (e.g., doped silicon nitride ceramic) having a flexural strength greater than about 700 Mega-Pascal (MPa) and a toughness greater than about 7 Mega-Pascal root meter (MPam | 2012-05-17 |
20120123556 | PYLORIC OBESITY VALVE - The pyloric obesity valve includes a tubular valve body having proximal and distal ends. The valve body has an intermediate section which is between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is enlarged transversely relative to the intermediate section. The valve body has an inner surface and a lumen. The inner surface which is within the intermediate section has a cross-sectional area which is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the inner surface which coincides with the proximal end to resist a flow through the lumen of the valve body from the proximal end to the intermediate section. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123557 | DOUBLE CROSS-LINKAGE PROCESS TO ENHANCE POST-IMPLANTATION BIOPROSTHETIC TISSUE DURABILITY - Bioprosthetic tissues and methods for making same, comprising fixing bioprosthetic implant tissue by treatment with 0.1 to 10 wt. % glutaraldehyde at elevated temperature, capping said fixed tissue by treatment with a diamine crosslinking agent, and treating said capped tissue with about 0.6 wt. % glutaraldehyde. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123558 | PROSTHETIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - The invention provides a prosthetic apparatus ( | 2012-05-17 |
20120123559 | PUMP COMPRISING A MOVING WALL AND USE OF A PUMP OF THIS TYPE - The invention relates to a pump comprising a wall, which forms an enclosed fluid volumetric space and which can be moved by a first force in a direction resulting in a decrease in volume and, after a preceding decrease in volumetric space, can be moved by a second force in a direction resulting in an increase in volume. The pump also comprises an inlet valve, which communicates with an inlet valve, and comprises an outlet valve in an outlet line of the fluid volumetric space. The inventive pump has a compact design due to the fact that it is provided in the form of a vacuum pump whose volumetric space can be decreased by the external first force acting against an elastically deformable material whose restoring force, after the external force ceases, generates the second force acting counter to the generated vacuum. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123560 | SILICONE LINER UNIT USED FOR PROSTHETIC LIMBS - A silicone liner unit used for prosthetic limbs includes a silicone liner portion, a smooth outer layer, an inner layer and an innermost layer. The silicone liner portion is made of silicone elastoomer liner and has an open end. The smooth outer layer is made of Hl a—methyl-Disilane or a compound containing poly-p-xylene and may have a slightly protrusive pattern on its outer surface. The inner layer is made of fibrous tissue and is flexible. The innermost layer is disposed on top of the inner layer and is made of silicone elastomer liner to enhance the strength of the improved silicone liner unit. The smooth outer layer allows the improved silicone liner unit to be put on and taken off easily. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123561 | CUSTOMIZED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES USING REMOTE DEVICE - A remote device having an electrical appliance control function and an electrical appliance control system are provided. The remote device includes an appliance communication module for communicating with an electrical appliance which is used by a user inside or outside home using power; a network communication module for supporting communication with outside to obtain user set optimal control data which controls the electrical appliance to operate in some other mode than an operation mode basically provided by a manufacturer of the electrical appliance; and a control part for controlling the electrical appliance based on the user set optimal control data. Hence, user's convenience can be promoted by allowing the user to control the electrical appliance on the optimal condition. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123562 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A PROCESS - The invention relates to a control system for controlling a process, comprising a safety module ( | 2012-05-17 |
20120123563 | Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Zones - The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for monitoring a zone, which is a contiguous or non-contiguous, two-dimensional (2D) area or three-dimensional (3D) volume. Among its several advantages, the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors that monitor portions of the zone and report intrusion status to a control unit that provides monitoring boundary information to each of the sensors based on user input and further “maps” or otherwise associates each sensor to control unit outputs in accordance with user-defined behaviors. Still further, as a meaningful aid for configuring monitoring boundaries used by the sensors for objection intrusion detection, in one or more embodiments of the apparatus and method, at least a subset of sensors use a common coordinate frame of reference, based on a common origin located within overlapping sensor fields of view. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123564 | DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD FOR ACTUATOR - An actuator drive control apparatus is equipped with a movement distance setting means for setting a movement distance of a displaceable member, a movement time setting means for setting a movement time, a target value calculating means for calculating a target value of a displacement amount or a displacement velocity of the displaceable member at an arbitrary timing based on the movement distance and the movement time, and a drive controller for generating driving power based on the displacement amount or the displacement velocity target value of the displaceable member and sending the drive power to an actuator. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123565 | METHOD FOR OPERATING MACHINERY USING A BROWSER - A method for operating machinery uses a control unit and a display device for displaying a first user interface of a first application program and at least one second user interface of a second application program. The first user interface and the second user interface form a common display window on the display device. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123566 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECORDING AND DISPLAYING GAMING METRICS FOR PLAYERS AND PRODUCTS INCORPORATING THE SAME - Systems and methods for recording and displaying gaming metrics for poker players are provided herein. According to some embodiments, the methods may include receiving, via a gaming server, a signal that a felting event has occurred, the felting event including a first player successfully winning an all in bet against at least one additional player during a hand of poker, storing information indicative of the felting event in a player record, and providing the information indicative of the felting event to the client device. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123568 | Game Apparatus for Combined Play Including a First Play and Web Site Play - A game for a plurality of players includes a set of instant win tickets and a programmed computer system creating a web site associated with the tickets to be accessed by the player to play second games. The system provides a ticket validation program for prize redemption at a retailer and provides entry of the player into the second game such that the player who is a winner of prize on the first game can select to accept the prize redemption or to enter the site to use the prize to play said at least one second game. Additional credit can be purchased and applied by a certificate or smart card to the site. The validation data base is maintained separate from the site to prevent access by the players through the site to avoid encryption. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123569 | Multi-Mode Acceleration-Based Athleticism Measurement System - A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123570 | USING BOTS IN A WAGERING GAME SYSTEM - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include generating game history for each of a plurality of wagering games, associated with a first wagering game title, played by a first player via a wagering game system. The operations can also include randomly selecting, from the game history, a subset of the plurality of wagering games previously played by the first player, and generating a computer bot for the first player, based on the subset of the plurality of wagering games, to be used during a multiplayer wagering game competition to play for the first player. The operations can further include initiating, via the wagering game system, the multiplayer wagering game competition, replaying, during the multiplayer wagering game competition, the subset of the plurality of wagering games using the computer bot, and determining results of the multiplayer wagering game competition. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123571 | ENHANCED PARIMUTUEL WAGERING - A wagering system and method may include a processor that presents indicative odds in a parimutuel wagering system to the user such that the user may place a bet of one of the presented bets, besides for a win bet and an exacta bet. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123572 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADDING LYRICS TO DIGITAL MEDIA - The present invention describes a method and system for displaying and adapting lyrical content for digitally downloaded media such as audio media to a portable media device. The invention provides that an individual having a portable media device may download digital content from a remote third party server, and if desired may also download a separate and distinct lyrical data which may or may not be synchronized with the originally downloaded digital audio media. Further, the invention may allow for digital images, pictures, and video content to be downloaded along with the lyrical content to add entertainment and visual qualities to both the first downloaded digital content such as audio data and to the lyrical content desired by the individual user. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123573 | ALWAYS ON HEADWEAR RECORDING SYSTEM - A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123574 | Plating method of substrate and manufacturing method of circuit board using the same - A method of plating a substrate and a method of manufacturing a circuit board using the method of plating a substrate. The method of manufacturing a circuit board may include: providing a panel substrate, the panel substrate divided into a circuit board area and a dummy area; calculating a ratio of an area of a circuit pattern to be formed by plating in the circuit board area; determining a ratio of an area being plated in the dummy area by considering the ratio of the area being plated in the circuit board area; setting a plating part in the circuit board area and the dummy area; and forming the circuit pattern by electroplating the panel substrate. Accordingly, deviation in thickness of plating between circuit patterns can be improved. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123575 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING COMPONENT MOUNTING SEQUENCE WITH VARIABLE PITCH HEADS AND COMPONENT MOUNTING DEVICE USING THE SAME - A method is provided for determining a sequence of mounting a plurality of components on a board by using variable pitch heads having a plurality of pitches. The method includes: partitioning the board into a plurality of sectors, each of the sectors including a plurality of mounting points arranged in parallel with a direction in which the heads are arranged; dividing the board into a plurality of sub-boards including first sub-boards based on the sectors, each of the first sub-boards including as many mounting points as the heads; and determining a combination of a sequence of mounting the components on the board and at least one pitch among the pitches required to mount the components on the board in a shortest time, compared to another sequence or other sequences of mounting the components on the board and another pitch or other pitches among the pitches, based on the first sub-boards. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123576 | METHOD AND SYSTEM PROVIDING IMPROVED DATA MATCHING FOR VIRTUAL PLANNING - A scanning structure having at least one surface with a shape adapted to conform to a portion of a craniofacial space is described. The scanning structure includes at least one surface object, which is at least partly identifiable from a first set of data, and where a first coordinate is identifiable based on the surface object. The scanning structure includes at least one volume object, which is at least partly identifiable from a second set of data, and where a second coordinate is identifiable based on the volume object. The surface object can be arranged in relation to the at least one volume object such that the first coordinate and the second coordinate have a pre-defined relationship to each other. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123577 | CUSTOM ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method by which an orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient to produce a three-dimensional digitized model of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123578 | MARKET OPTIMIZATION OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PROCESS - A method includes controlling a process control system for coordinating the operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) process. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123579 | METHOD AND COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING A SHEET-METAL-FORMING PROCESS - In a method for designing a formed sheet-metal part performed by a processor of a computing system, by means of:
| 2012-05-17 |
20120123580 | MES WITH EMBEDDED REPEATABLE SEGMENT REQUIREMENTS - A manufacturing executing system (MES) contains computing devices and software tools to control machines involved in a production process. The MES is configured to realize production requirements having at least one segment requirement. The MES further contains measures for a user to define whether a segment requirement is repeatable, and a database configured to store segment requirements. The database contains for each segment requirement: a dedicated area to store each segment requirement repeatability status; a dedicated area to store at least a current value of a parameter acquired during an execution of the segment requirement and representing the result of the execution of the segment requirement; and a dedicated area to store expected values of the parameter. Finally, the MES contains a coordinator operable to communicate with the database to access the segment requirement, and operable to determine whether the execution of a segment requirement has to be repeated. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123581 | Metrology Method and Inspection Apparatus, Lithographic System and Device Manufacturing Method - Methods are disclosed for measuring target structures formed by a lithographic process on a substrate. A grating structure within the target is smaller than an illumination spot and field of view of a measurement optical system. The optical system has a first branch leading to a pupil plane imaging sensor and a second branch leading to a substrate plane imaging sensor. A spatial light modulator is arranged in an intermediate pupil plane of the second branch of the optical system. The SLM imparts a programmable pattern of attenuation that may be used to correct for asymmetries between the first and second modes of illumination or imaging. By use of specific target designs and machine-learning processes, the attenuation patterns may also be programmed to act as filter functions, enhancing sensitivity to specific parameters of interest, such as focus. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123582 | Tracing processes between precursors and products by utilizing isotopic relationships - Methods and systems are provided that utilize measured isotopic abundance data to correlate a product to the synthesis process by which it was made. By utilizing the principles described herein, isotopic process profiles for synthetic products can be constructed, products of unknown origin can be inferentially identified to the processes by which they were made, and synthesis processes can be monitored for consistency of process parameters. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123583 | Controlling a Discrete-Type Manufacturing Process with a Multivariate Model - Described are methods, systems, and a computer-readable storage medium for controlling a discrete-type manufacturing process (e.g., an injection molding process) with a multivariate model. Data representing process parameters, operating parameters, or both of the manufacturing process are received. The received data is compared with a multivariate model that approximates the manufacturing process to provide a result. Upon the result of the comparing satisfying a condition, one or more values for a set of operating parameters for the manufacturing process are determined. When the one or more determined values for the set of operating parameters satisfies a criterion, at least one operating parameter of the manufacturing process is updated. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123584 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING BATCH PRODUCT MANUFACTURING - A system and method for monitoring product through a batch manufacturing plant is provided. The system includes, a parallel flow mode when product flows concurrently from at least two units to a single unit; and a serial flow mode where product flows from one unit to another at a given time, wherein the batch manufacturing plant is modeled based on the parallel and serial flow modes. A lot association is built based on product flow and a parent/child record is created for lot association. The system also includes a data collection system that collects phase information for every unit and a procedure identifier is used to create a batch identifier, where a batch identifier is associated with each lot on each unit through which product is flowing to and/or from at a given time. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123585 | PARTS ASSEMBLY SYSTEM - In a parts assembly system which assembled subsidiary parts with main parts, the main parts are conveyed through a first conveying path to an assembly robot provided along the first conveying path, and the subsidiary parts are supplied through the first conveying path to stockers provided along the first conveying path. In consequence, the travel space of the conveying cart is saved. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123586 | THERMAL DISPLACEMENT COMPENSATION METHOD AND THERMAL DISPLACEMENT COMPENSATION DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOL - In a thermal displacement compensation method for a machine tool, in which a feed shaft thermal displacement amount is obtained and an amount which cancels the obtained feed shaft thermal displacement amount is added as a thermal displacement compensation amount to a position command for a feed axis, a position where a signal is first output by a position sensor for detecting the position of a movable part of the machine tool is first stored as an initial position. Then, the position where the signal is output by the position sensor is detected, and the thermal displacement compensation amount is modified according to a compensation error, which is the difference between the detected position (actual position) and the initial position. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123587 | INVENTORY STORAGE AND DISPENSING MECHANISM - A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or full-sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. The inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. The inventory modules comprise dispensing modules adjustably configurable to adjust the storage density of items to be vended. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls movement of the gantry elevator and dispenser module conveyor to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by controlling the gantry conveyor. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123588 | COMMUNITY-BASED PLATFORM FOR CUSTOM ITEM DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION - A system is described that uses data connectivity of dispensing units and an online community of users to develop, publicize, distribute, test, customize, and popularize user- and company-created, custom-formulated items. In one example, users can use “Build a Drink” software to create their own drink formulas from a palette of three or more ingredients, preferably dozens. They make custom designs for the labels on the beverage containers. Users/purchasers in the community rate and comment on drinks they try, earn rewards for community participation, and share in the profits from sales of their designer drinks. Custom-formulated items are instantly available at the whole network of dispensing units (or a subset thereof) immediately upon publication of the custom formulation and/or label design. A social network of consumers and designers share and evaluate items, and a recommendation engine suggests purchases based on data available to system. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123589 | CONTROL OF ROBOT HAND TO CONTACT AN OBJECT - A robot control method and apparatus estimates an error based on information of an object obtained using a motor drive current sensor, a force sensor or a tactile sensor mounted at a robot hand and information of the object obtained using an optical sensor and compensates for the error. The robot control method and apparatus includes measuring information of an object using an optical sensor or calculating information of the object input by a user, moving a robot hand to the object based on the information of the object, controlling the thumb and fingers of the robot hand to contact the object based on the information of the object, determining whether the thumb and fingers have contacted the object through a motor drive current sensor, a force sensor or a tactile sensor, and grasping the object depending upon whether the thumb and the fingers have contacted the object. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123590 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING ROBOTS - This invention relates to a robot programming method that is carried out at a first location (i.e., teaching station) and a second location (i.e., application station). The second location is different from the first location. At the first location, teach data is prepared to teach motions to a robot to drive an end effector through a series of desired path points along a desired path of motion with respect to the application station. The teach data comprises at least one of robot position data elements and at least one of robot motion pattern data elements. At the second location, teach data is communicated to the robot and the robot is programmed in accordance with the teach data to drive the end effector through the series of desired path points along the desired path of motion with respect to the application station. This invention also relates to a robot programming system. The robot programming method and system are useful, for example, in thermal spray coating applications. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123591 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY MIXING PHOSPHOR - An apparatus and method for automatically mixing a phosphor are provided, which are capable of automatically supplying accurate quantities of a phosphor and silicon to a mixing container using a phosphor supply unit and a silicon supply unit. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123592 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT MOTION SIMULATION - A joint motion simulator to simulate biomechanical motion includes a mount to which a prosthetic device is mounted, actuators coupled to the mount to drive the mount, and a programmable controller to drive the actuators to translate the mount and to rotate the mount with a center of rotation controllable independent of translation. The simulator can include a linear actuator to translate the mount in a linear direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The linear actuator can include a piston within a sleeve, the piston being coupled to the mount and being hydraulically driven to translate the mount, and the actuators can be coupled to the sleeve. The controller may be programmed to vary the center of rotation with linear translation and rotation of the mount. Sensors may be included that measure displacement of the actuators. The controller may drive the actuators based on the measured displacement. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123593 | AIR CONDITIONER - Disclosed is an air conditioner with functions for deciding room shape by determining, based on a temperature difference, information between the room's floor and walls occurring during operation, a human body detection position log, and a capacity zone of the air conditioner. In an embodiment, an infrared sensor detects a temperature of an area of the room by scanning the area and a control unit acquires thermal image data of the area scanned by the sensor and then controls the air conditioner based on the thermal image data. The control unit sets a boundary line between a wall and floor of the room at a position on the thermal image data, calculates a temperature difference between vertically adjacent pixels located above and below the boundary, corrects a position of the boundary based on temperature difference, and determines that areas parted by the boundary correspond to the wall and floor, respectively. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123594 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL BASED ON ENERGY PRICE - A system is disclosed comprising memory configured to store a temperature value based on a cost of a given energy resource, wherein the cost-based temperature value differs from a temperature value based on a temperature schedule. The system also comprises a controller operatively coupled to the memory and configured to compare the cost-based temperature value to the schedule-based temperature value, and to direct one of a cooling system and a heating system to maintain a temperature of an environment at the one of the cost-based temperature value and the schedule-based temperature value that results in an energy cost savings. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123595 | CONTROLLING FLUID COOLANT FLOW IN COOLING SYSTEMS OF COMPUTING DEVICES - Methods and systems for controlling fluid coolant flow in cooling systems of computing devices are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method may include determining a temperature of a fluid coolant in a cooling system of a computing device. For example, a temperature of water exiting a cooling system of a server may be determined. The method may also include determining an operational condition of the computing device. For example, a temperature of a processor, memory, or input/output (I/O) component may be determined. Further, the method may include controlling a flow of the fluid coolant through the cooling system based on the temperature of the fluid coolant and/or the operational condition. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123596 | Topologies, Systems and Methods for Control of Solar Energy Supply Systems - A control system or controller solar module array may be operated by (i) programmatically determining, for a given time period, a demand for an output of the solar module array by one or more energy consuming resources at the target location; and (ii) affecting an efficiency of the solar module array based at least in part on the determined demand. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123597 | ENCLOSURE AIRFLOW CONTROLLER - A system and method for controlling airflow in a computer system enclosure are described herein. A computer system includes an enclosure and an airflow controller. The enclosure is configured to contain a plurality of compute nodes. The airflow controller configured to control a flow of air provided to each of the plurality of compute nodes. The airflow controller is configured to receive unsolicited requests for airflow from each of the plurality of compute nodes. The airflow controller is further configured to control airflow provided to a given compute node based on the unsolicited airflow requests received from a subset of the compute nodes, including the given node. The subset of the compute nodes is assigned to a same airflow zone by the airflow controller. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123598 | VARIABLE FLOW CONTROL USING LINEAR PUMPS | 2012-05-17 |
20120123599 | Jet irrigator device - A jet irrigator for soil (T) irrigation plants includes a launch pipe ( | 2012-05-17 |
20120123600 | SMART ENERGY CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT - A method for optimizing energy efficiency in a manufacturing process includes monitoring power consumption of each of a plurality of manufacturing entities of the manufacturing process using a power metering device assigned thereto; collecting, from the power metering devices, a first data stream that includes information about the power consumption; collecting a second data stream that includes information about the manufacturing entity and process; determining an optimized product routing of products to be manufactured by the manufacturing process from one manufacturing entity to another manufacturing entity, based on the collected first and second data streams, by simulating different product routings and determining the optimal product routing with respect to the overall energy consumption of the manufacturing process; and adjusting, via a manufacturing control system, the manufacturing process based on the optimized product routing. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123601 | ENHANCED PLANT LEVEL SUPPORT OF GRID RECONSTRUCTION - Methodology is provided for enhancing plant level support for grid reconstruction following a blackout. A plant based grid reconstruction manager develops solutions for reconstruction sequence steps to be carried out automatically or to be communicated to site personnel for manual implementation. The sequence steps are based on high-fidelity modeling of the capabilities all of the power production units present in a power plant and take into consideration grid specified load expectations, ambient conditions including ambient temperature and gas turbine operating levels. The methodology also provides for consideration of possible subsequent steps in the sequence to maximize the ability to pick-up additional load in such subsequent steps. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123602 | APPLICATION OF PHASOR MEASUREMENT UNITS (PMU) FOR CONTROLLED SYSTEM SEPARATION - This invention relates to a PMU-based controlled system separation method to protect against a catastrophic blackout. The method includes the steps of performing an offline analysis of an electrical transmission network to partition generators into a number of coherent groups, performing online monitoring of the transmission network to determine a separation interface and frequencies and damping ratios of dominant inter-area modes, and estimating the risk of system separation to perform real-time control. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123603 | SUBSTATION AUTOMATION SYSTEM WITH PROTECTION FUNCTIONS - A Substation Automation (SA) system is configured to perform protection functions for a bay of an electrical power distribution substation, receive, via a communication link, redundancy protection commands from a remote center, and execute the redundancy protection commands for the bay. The SA system is configured to transmit to a redundant protection server of the remote center, process values measured by measurement equipment of the substation, and to receive, from the redundant protection server, and forward, via the process bus, the received redundancy protection commands directed to operating equipment of the substation. Thus, for multiple SA systems, redundant protection functions are implemented and provided cost-efficiently by one common remote central unit. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123604 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR DEMAND RESPONSE OF BATTERY-POWERED DEVICES - A power management device for use with an electrical device configured to receive electrical power from at least one of a power grid and a battery, wherein the power management device includes a switch configured to selectively connect the electrical device to the power grid and the battery, and a processor coupled to the switch and configured to detect a demand event while the electrical device is connected to the power grid, cause the switch to disconnect the electrical device from the power grid and enable the electrical device to receive electrical power the battery, and cause the switch to reconnect the electrical device to the power grid. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123605 | Spatial information correlation for control of an energy park - A spatial correlation system and method is disclosed to infer and anticipate the environmental and other conditions of an energy park from individual energy collector information. Individual collector information is acquired and formatted into a pixelized image according to the spatial location of the collector. Image processing and other spatial correlating algorithms are applied to generate spatially correlated descriptions of the energy park. The descriptions are of the current and anticipated conditions. The collectors are made to respond to the descriptions in order to maximize energy collection, avoid disruptive conditions, and reduce stress loading. The system combines locally acquired collection information in a manner that replaces costly collector instrumentation. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123606 | System and Method for Providing Voltage Regulation in Power Distribution System - A system and method of regulating the voltage of the power supplied to a plurality of power customers via a power distribution system that includes low voltage power lines and medium voltage power lines is provided. A method may include measuring the voltage of a plurality of low voltage power lines at one or more customer premises in the power distribution system with corresponding voltage monitoring devices. The voltage monitoring devices transmit voltage data in real time to a remote computer system. The computer system receives the real time voltage data of the voltage measured from the voltage monitoring devices. The computer system compares the real time voltage data with a first threshold value; and if the real time voltage data is beyond the first threshold value, transmitting a first voltage adjustment instruction to a voltage control device configured to adjust the voltage supplied to a low voltage power line. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123607 | FREE COOLING SOLUTION FOR A CONTAINERIZED DATA CENTER - A heat exchanger system having an IT container having an inner chamber containing the media from which heat is to be pulled, and further having an outer surface to which is attached corrugated columns of thermally conducting material, cooling water pipes through the corrugated columns supplied with cooling water, at least the outer surface of the container and the corrugated columns is composed of metal and the outer surface of the container is separated from the inner surface by insulator material. It also contains a temperature monitor and controller for controlling the cooling system based upon the environment temperature to save energy. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123608 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR FUSER ASSEMBLY POWER CONTROL - A fuser assembly stepped power control system includes a controller that outputs control signals to independently control individual lamps in the fuser assembly. Multiple lamps are turned on with a delay between actuation of each lamp to reduce in-rush current. Control signals are output by the controller as a function of temperature error. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123609 | POWER SAVING METHOD FOR A TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED ELECTRICAL HEATING FOOD PROCESSING DEVICE - The present invention provides with a power saving method for the electrical heating food processing device of temperature-controlled, which applied the thermal sensor dynamic senses the temperature of the heater; and the microprocessor judges that whether the real-time sensed temperature signal is within the corresponding temperature interval, then deals with the data. The microprocessor judges that whether the continuous-time length of the corresponding temperature interval exceeds the preset time threshold on the basis of the judgment of the temperature interval. If does, reduce the temperature or shutdown the power, otherwise return to the normal working mode. It realizes automatically temperature reduction and automatically shutdown when the food processing device is unused. The temperature reduction automatically can reduce the temperature difference of the heater and the surrounding environment, which can realize the energy consumption reduction; the shutdown automatically can avoid energy wasting due to long period of empty load of the food processing device, which can realize the power saving. | 2012-05-17 |
20120123610 | Cooling Device Control - A computing system can include a monitor ( | 2012-05-17 |
20120123611 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING THE COMPONENTS OF A VEHICLE - A system for identifying a plurality of components of a vehicle that includes a plurality of non-volatile memories for storing identifiers associated with the plurality of vehicle components, a controller of the plurality of the vehicle components, a communication network configured for connecting the controller to the plurality of memories, and an identifiers memory including a portion to store a list of a plurality of type-approved identifiers associated with the plurality of type-approved vehicle components. The controller receives the identifiers, reads from the portion of the identifiers memory the list of type-approved identifiers, and checks if the identifiers of the plurality of components are included in the list of the type-approved identifiers, and when the controller detects that an identifier associated with a component out of the plurality of components is not included in the list, the controller blocks operation of the component. | 2012-05-17 |