| 26th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 59 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20130165975 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSTERIOR DYNAMIC STABILIZATION OF THE SPINE - Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165976 | TRANSVERSE CROSSLINK DEVICE - A transverse crosslink device is presented. The transverse crosslink device has a connecting member, a first rod gripping assembly, and a second rod gripping assembly. The rod gripping assemblies can be pivotly connected to an end of the connecting member, such that the rod gripping assembly can selectively pivot in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connecting member. The rod gripping assemblies can also be configured to selectively grip a portion of a stabilizer rod. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165977 | POLYAXIAL BONE ANCHORING DEVICE - A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank and a head having an outer surface portion shaped as a segment of a sphere, a receiving part having a seat portion for receiving the head, and a pressure element having a head contacting surface portion having at least two circumferentially distinct projections and defining a recess for holding the head, the recess having a first region configured to receive the head and a second region defined by at least part of one of the projections and having an undersize compared to the shape of the head, such that when the head is held in the recess, the projections extend over a portion of the head with the largest outer diameter, and the head contacting surface portion corresponding to the second region is expanded from a neutral position to clamp the head by friction. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165978 | FIXATION DEVICE FOR THE FIXATION OF BONE FRAGMENTS - A fixation device for the fixation of bone fragments, applicable to the mutual fastening of bone fragments temporarily separated during a surgical operation or as a result of a trauma. The device is also suitable for the fixation of a bone flap in the replacement thereof in a corresponding aperture made in the cranium or cranial bone mass. The device is made of biocompatible material and comprises a flexible strip and fastening means, the strip having a length allowing the formation of a fastening loop tightly fastening the bone fragments to be joined together. The fastening means are provided with at least one opening provided with interlocking means allowing the passage of a free end of the strip and preventing its extraction in the direction opposite to the insertion. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165979 | WRIST FUSION PLATE - A wrist fusion plate has a proximal portion comprising at least one opening, wherein the proximal portion attaches to the radius by inserting bone screws through the proximal portion opening. A distal plate portion has a plurality of openings and is adapted to be attached to a metacarpal (M) by inserting bone screws through the distal portion attachment openings and into the metacarpal. A central plate portion has at least one attachment opening and is adapted to be attached to a carpal bone by inserting bone screws through the attachment opening. The proximal and distal portions are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the wrist fusion plate. One of the distal portion attachment openings is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165980 | PLATE AND SCREW APPARATUS AND METHODS THEREOF - This disclosure provides a plate having at least a first aperture and a second aperture, and at least a first annulus adaptable to be disposed within the first aperture and at least a second annulus adaptable to be disposed within the second aperture. Further provided is at least a first screw adaptable to be disposed within the first annulus and at least a second screw adaptable to be disposed within the second annulus, wherein the first and second screws are each engageable with its respective first and second annulus. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165981 | Bone Plate System for Osteosynthesis - A bone plate system for osteosynthesis comprises a bone plate, a swivel screw, a clamping screw, a swivel hole formed in the bone plate as a through hole for receiving the swivel screw polyaxially, and a clamping hole, which is associated with the swivel hole and is formed in the bone plate as a further through hole for receiving the clamping screw. When the swivel screw and the clamping screw are screwed in, they are fixed with angular stability in multiple dimensions, as the screw heads of the swivel screw and of the clamping screw are secured by one another and by the bone plate against relative movement. The swivel screw and the clamping screw are each designed as a bone screw. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165982 | System and Method for Bone Fixation - A fixation system for coupling a first and a second portion of bone together. The fixation system includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an interconnect. The first fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the first portion of bone and a first tapered mating surface. The second fixation element includes an external surface configured to engage the second portion of bone and a second tapered mating surface. The interconnect includes a first and a second tapered surface disposed at generally opposite ends. The first and the second tapered surfaces are configured to frictionally engage the first and the second tapered mating surfaces of the first and the second element, respectively, to form frictional interference connections therebetween. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165983 | MONITORING ACTIVATION TIMES FOR USE IN DETERMINING PACING EFFECTIVNESS - Methods and/or devices may be configured to track effectiveness of pacing therapy by monitoring activation times over time, e.g., between pacing stimulus and electrical activity resulting from the pacing stimulus. Generally, the methods and/or devices may determine whether the delivered pacing therapy was effective based on the measured activation times. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165984 | TIMING PACING PULSES IN SINGLE CHAMBER IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC PACEMAKER SYSTEMS - Methods for timing pacing pulses in an implantable single chamber pacemaker create a simulated, or virtual chamber in order to apply dual chamber-type algorithms and modes. For example, a virtual atrium may be constructed based on information provided by the ventricle, that is, the timing of actual intrinsic ventricular events, and the timing of paced ventricular events, both of which may be sensed as ventricular depolarization by electrodes of the implanted system. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165985 | MANAGING CROSS THERAPY DELIVERY IN A MULTIPLE THERAPY IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - An apparatus comprises a cardiac signal sensing circuit configured to sense an electrical cardiac signal from at least one of an atrium or ventricle of a heart of a subject, a therapy circuit configured to provide electrical pacing therapy and electrical neural stimulation therapy to the subject, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to initiate delivery of the electrical pacing therapy, initiate a blanking period in a time relationship to the delivery of electrical pacing therapy, and initiate delivery of the electrical neural stimulation therapy to the subject during the blanking period. At least one sense amplifier of the cardiac signal sensing circuit is disabled during the blanking period. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165986 | DETECTION OF TARGET VEIN FOR CRT THERAPY - A method for selecting a target vein for left ventricular lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy includes determining electrical dispersion for the first coronary vein by calculating the difference between (i) activation time at a location of the vein that has the latest activation time of a plurality of locations in the vein and (ii) activation time at a location that has the earliest activation time of the plurality of locations. The method may further include (ii) determining whether the magnitude of the electrical dispersion for the vein meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold selecting the vein if the vein meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold; or (ii) selecting, among several veins, the vein that has the highest electrical dispersion. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165987 | FAULT TOLERANT PACING - Methods and/or devices may be configured to monitor the performance of pacing therapy and provide fault-tolerant operation to provide therapy in the event of certain failure modes occurring in the pacing delivery circuits, leads, and/or lead/tissue interfaces. Generally, the methods and/or devices may provide fault-detection, fault-recovery and fault-handling to, e.g., handle potential faults. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165988 | EFFECTIVENESS OF VENTRICULAR SENSE RESPONSE IN CRT - A method for monitoring the effectiveness of VSR and for taking action to improve the effectiveness of VSRs, if they are determined to be ineffective, includes comparing the a VSR evoked electrogram to a template electrogram of a pure biventricular paced CRT beat. If the electrograms, or features thereof, are similar, the VSR is determined to be effective. If the VSR is determined to be ineffective, the AV delay of biventricular CRT is shortened in a step-wise fashion in an incremental manner. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165989 | System and Method to Modulate Phrenic Nerve to Prevent Sleep Apnea - An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic never through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165990 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR REMODELING TISSUE OF OR ADJACENT TO A BODY PASSAGE - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example method may include a method for treating a patient having congestive heart failure. The method may include positioning an expandable balloon in a renal artery of the patient. The expandable balloon may include a plurality of electrode assemblies. At least some of the electrode assemblies each may include at least two bipolar electrode pairs. The two bipolar electrode pairs may be longitudinally and circumferentially offset from one another. The method may also include expanding the balloon in the renal artery such that at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs are electrically coupled to a wall of the renal artery and energizing at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs so as to therapeutically alter at least one nerve proximate the renal artery to treat the patient's congestive heart failure. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165991 | NEUROSTIMULATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165992 | Stimulation Prosthesis with Configurable Data Link - The present application discloses systems and methods for operating a stimulation prosthesis that contains a command module and a stimulator module that communicate by a data link. The stimulation prosthesis has at least two operating states: a configuration state and a stimulation state. In one embodiment, the stimulation prosthesis may use a communication protocol that is suitable for the current operating state. The risk of unintended transitions between the operating states due to data transmission errors is substantially eliminated. And in accordance with another embodiment, in addition to switching stimulation strategies, the stimulation prosthesis may also switch stimulation data formats to a format that is optimized for the new stimulation strategy. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165993 | System for an Implantable Medical Device Having an External Charger Coupleable to Accessory Charging Coils - An external charger system is disclosed comprising an external charger with an internal charging coil, as well as an output port coupleable to one of a plurality of types of external accessory charging coils of varying shapes and sizes. If the internal charging coil of the external charger is sufficient for a given patient's charging needs, the accessory charging coils may be detached from the external charger, and the external charger may serve as a standalone self-contained external charger. The external charger can automatically detect which of the plurality of types of accessory charging coils is connected, and can adjust its operation accordingly. This versatile design allows the external charger system to be used by large numbers of patients, even if their particular implant charging scenarios are different. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165994 | MAINTAINING STIMULATION THERAPY EFFICACY - An apparatus comprises a therapy circuit configured to provide electrical neural stimulation therapy to a subject using a first set of a plurality of implantable electrodes, a switching circuit communicatively coupled to the therapy circuit and configured to change the delivery of therapy among the plurality of implantable electrodes, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to initiate delivery of the neural stimulation therapy to a first subset of the first set of electrodes during a therapy session, change the therapy delivery from the first subset of electrodes to at least a second subset of electrodes of the first set of the plurality of implantable electrodes, and recurrently alternate the therapy delivery between the first and second subsets of electrodes during the same therapy session. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165995 | Multiple Telemetry and/or Charging Coil Configurations for an Implantable Medical Device System - An implantable medical device system for orientation-independent telemetry to and from the device are disclosed. The system includes an external controller which produces an electromagnetic field to induce a current in a coil in the implantable medical device and vise versa. In a preferred embodiment, the external controller comprises three orthogonal coils, each of which is potentially activated to generate or receive the electromagnetic field. Algorithms are disclosed to allow for the choice of one or more of the coils best suited for telemetry based on the chosen coil's orientation with respect to the telemetry coil in the implantable medical device. Because all three of the orthogonal coils are potentially activated if necessary, the result is that at least one of the coils will be in a proper orientation with respect to the coil in the implantable medical device, thereby improving telemetry or power transfer efficiency. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165996 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Selective Stimulation - An implantable neurostimulator system is disclosed, the neurostimulator system comprising a hollow cylindrical electronics enclosure having a top, a bottom, and a side; a coil extending from a first part of the electronics enclosure; and at least one electrode operatively connected to the electronics enclosure. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165997 | Pressure-Sensitive External Charger for an Implantable Medical Device - An improved external charger for an implantable medical device is disclosed in which charging is at least partially controlled based on a sensed pressure impingent on its case, which pressure is indicative of the pressure between the external charger and a patient's tissue. The improved external charger includes pressure detection circuitry coupled to one or more pressure sensors for controlling the external device in accordance with the sensed impingent pressure. The sensed pressure can be used to control charging, for example, by suspending charging, by adjusting a maximum set point temperature for the external charger based on the measured pressure, or by issuing an alert via a suitable user interface. By so controlling the external charger on the basis of the measured pressure, the external charger is less likely to create potentially problematic or uncomfortable conditions for the user. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165998 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOSED-LOOP NEURAL STIMULATION - Various device embodiments comprise a pulse generator, a signal processing module and a controller. The pulse generator is adapted to provide a neural stimulation signal to be applied at a neural simulation site within an autonomic nervous system (ANS). The signal processing module is adapted to receive and process sensed neural traffic at a neural sensing site within the ANS. The controller is connected to the pulse generator and adapted to provide a neural stimulation control signal to the pulse generator to generate the neural stimulation signal, and to the signal processing module to receive a feedback control signal indicative of the sensed neural traffic. The controller is adapted to adjust the neural stimulation control signal to adjust at least one parameter of the neural stimulation signal to converge on desired sensed neural traffic at the neural sensing site. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130165999 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH AN ENERGY SUPPLY HAVING AT LEAST TWO ENERGY SOURCES - According to one embodiment, a medical device may include an energy supply. The energy supply may include a lithium-ion polymer battery including at least two battery stacks and a control unit. One of the at least two battery stacks may be a backup energy source. The control unit may monitor and control the energy supply such that when the control unit detects a fault in the at least two battery stacks, the control unit disconnects a faulty battery stack. The energy supply may be rechargeable. Each of the at least two battery stacks may include a positive potential terminal, a negative potential terminal and one or more battery cell. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166000 | SETSCREW CONTACT FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR - A header of an implantable medical pulse generator may include a lead connector end receiving receptacle for transmitting electrical pulses from the can to the lead through an electrically conductive setscrew contact in electrical communication with a terminal of the lead connector end. The setscrew contact includes a setscrew hole and a lead connector hole. The lead connector hole is aligned with the lead connector end receiving receptacle, and the setscrew hole includes a setscrew threadably received therein. Inner circumferential surfaces of the setscrew hole and lead connector hole are generally tangentially to each other such that a window is created by the overlap of the inner circumferential surfaces. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166001 | CONTINUOUS-WAVE OPTICAL STIMULATION OF NERVE TISSUE - An optical nerve stimulation system for optically stimulating and locating a nerve, includes: a laser radiation source positioned adjacent to the nerve and configured to deliver laser radiation to the nerve through one or more optical fibers, thereby heating it; wherein the laser radiation source is operated in a continuous-wave mode; and a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the nerve and a feedback loop configured to control the laser radiation source such that a predetermined temperature is maintained. The laser radiation source is one or more of an infrared laser and a near-infrared laser. Optionally, the laser radiation has a wavelength of between 1400 and 1900 nm. The one or more optical fibers are one or more single-mode fibers. The ONS probe includes one or more SMFs with chemically-etched tips and lenses for providing collimation and/or beam shaping to provide a flat-top spatial beam profile. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166002 | Wireless Magnetic Tracking - Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for wireless magnetic tracking are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a wireless magnetic tracking system may include a plurality of transmitting coils each configured to generate a magnetic field when energized, an active transponder configured to simultaneously (i) obtain measurements of the magnetic field when one of the plurality of transmitting coils is energized and (ii) transmit a wireless signal containing data concerning the measurements, and a computing device configured to (i) cause each of the plurality of transmitting coils to be sequentially energized, (ii) receive the data concerning the measurements, and (iii) determine a position and an orientation of the active transponder relative to the plurality of transmitting coils in response to the data concerning the measurements. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166003 | Systems, Apparatus, Methods and Procedures for the Noninvasive Treatment of Tissue Using Microwave Energy - The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using microwave energy. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166004 | 3D MICROWAVE SYSTEM AND METHODS - A therapeutic microwave system comprises a support unit having two or more separable segments; a microwave power assembly positioned between two separated segments of the support unit and including two or more microwave power supply devices; position adjustment componentry; and a central processing unit. The system may further include a temperature sensor for monitoring a treated subject's exhaled air temperature in real time and adjusting microwave irradiation accordingly, and a cooling device for controlling the patient's brain temperature during treatment. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166005 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEAK DETECTION IN EXTERNAL COOLING PAD - An externally-applied heat exchange pad has three layers laminated together, an inner and outer non-conductive layer and a middle conductive layer. A leak in the inner layer causes coolant to contact the middle layer and change impedance, which can be sensed and used as an indication of an impending total leak of the pad. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166006 | Neuromodulation Systems and Methods for Treating Epilepsy - A neuromodulation system for treating epilepsy provides therapeutic elements for modulating nerve activity to prevent or diminish (e.g. through reduced intensity or shortened duration) epileptic seizures. The therapeutic elements may be positioned in the vasculature of the patient and are energized to modulate nerve fibers positioned outside the vascular walls. Electrode positions may include the maxillary vein, inferior alveolar vein, lingual vein, retromandibular or facial vein, or the emissary vein of the foramen ovale. Target nerves include the mandibular branch (V | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166007 | DIRECTIONAL FEATURES FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS - An implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system for directing stimulation energy toward a target tissue and away from unwanted tissues for providing an appropriate stimulation is provided by the present invention. The implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable lead. The implantable lead includes a lead body and an electrically insulating member. The lead body includes at least one electrode extending substantially around the lead body. The electrically insulating member defines at least one window. At least one insulating member includes a protruding portion configured to urge at least one electrode toward the target tissue. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166008 | ELECTRODE ARRAY HAVING CONCENTRIC WINDOWED CYLINDER ELECTRODES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A device for brain stimulation includes a lead body having a distal end section and at least one inner conductive cylinder with at least one inner window cut out from the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is disposed at the distal end section of the lead body. The device also includes an outer conductive cylinder with at least one outer window cut out from the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder is secured to and disposed concentric to the inner cylinder with a portion of each of the at least one inner cylinder aligned with the at least one outer window of the outer cylinder. The device further includes an insulator configured and arranged to electrically insulate each of the at least one inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166009 | PERCUTANEOUS GATEWAY, A FIXING SYSTEM FOR A PROSTHESIS, A FIXTURE AND CONNECTING MEANS FOR SIGNAL TRANSMISSION - A percutaneous gateway is provided for permanently transmission between inside of a body and outside of the body, comprising an implant ( | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166010 | HYBRID BALLOON-EXPANDABLE/SELF-EXPANDING PROSTHESIS FOR DEPLOYMENT IN A BODY VESSEL AND METHOD OF MAKING - A hybrid prosthesis for deployment in a body vessel includes a tubular stent body comprising a wire comprising a shape memory alloy, where the tubular stent body has a self-expanding portion comprising a distal portion of the wire and a balloon-expandable portion comprising a proximal portion of the wire. The shape memory alloy comprises an A | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166011 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A STENT TO A SELECTED POSITION WITHIN A LUMEN - A method for determining and graphically marking a position within a lumen of the body of a patient indicative of occlusion includes providing a user interface, using a processor, configured to allow a user to select an occlusion percentage threshold, determining, using the processor, a percentage of occlusion in the lumen, comparing, using the processor, the determined percentage of occlusion with the selected occlusion percentage threshold and identifying a region of the lumen that is occluded more than the selected occlusion percentage threshold, and designating, using the processor, the identified region on an image of the lumen with at least one mark. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166012 | DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR STAGED STENT RELEASE - A prosthesis introducer system may include an introducer. A trigger wire release mechanism and a restraining member may be positioned near the distal end of the introducer. The system may include first and second trigger wires, each including a proximal portion releasably coupleable to a portion of a prosthesis and a distal portion coupled to the trigger wire release mechanism. The second trigger wire may be engaged by the restraining member. Each of the first and second trigger wires may include a taut portion. The second trigger wire may include a slack portion extending distally from the taut portion and positioned distal of the restraining member. Upon actuation of the trigger wire release mechanism, the first trigger wire may be releasable from the prosthesis and the second trigger wire may be releasable subsequent to the release of the first trigger wire. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166013 | Flared Ostial Endoprosthesis and Delivery System - An intraluminal endoprosthesis having a conically shaped first end and a tubular shaped balloon-expandable stent for a main body is disclosed. The conically shaped first end may form a flare to the main body and is particularly well suited for in ostium use. The first end is preferably self-expanding and the main body is preferably balloon-expandable. Also disclosed is a delivery device for delivering intraluminal ostial endoprosthetic devices, especially those disclosed herein, to a site for deployment. The delivery device may comprise an over-the-wire system or may comprise a rapid-exchange shuttle system. The self-expanding portion of the endoprosthesis is encapsulated in a sheath or other restraining apparatus on the delivery device. The balloon-expandable stent portion of the endoprosthesis is crimped onto a balloon delivery device. The delivery system and endoprosthesis of the present invention allow the endoprosthesis to be partially expanded and relocated if it is determined that it is not located in the proper location. To aid in positioning, the delivery device may comprise marker bands. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166014 | THERMOELASTIC AND SUPERELASTIC NI-TI-W ALLOY - A radiopaque nitinol stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element including tungsten. The added tungsten in specified amounts improve the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. Furthermore, the nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166015 | HYBRID AORTIC ARCH REPLACEMENT - A hybrid prosthesis may include a distal graft portion including a tubular main body including a biocompatible material and a support structure. The distal graft portion may have proximal and distal ends and a main lumen extending therebetween. A tubular branch may extend from the main body of the distal graft portion and may have a branch lumen in fluid communication with the main lumen of the distal graft portion. The proximal graft portion may include a tubular body including a biocompatible material. The body of the proximal graft portion may be unstented and may have proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end of the proximal graft portion may be attached to the proximal end of the distal graft portion. The lumen of the proximal graft portion may be in fluid communication with the main lumen of the distal graft portion. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166016 | EXPANDABLE STENT WITH WRINKLE-FREE ELASTOMERIC COVER - An improved stent-graft device is provided that delivers a smooth flow surface over a range of operative expanded diameters by applying a unique cover material to the stent through a technique that allows the cover to become wrinkle-free prior to reaching fully deployed diameter. The unique cover material then allows the device to continue to expand to a fully deployed diameter while maintaining a smooth and coherent flow surface throughout this additional expansion. Employed with a self-expanding device, when the device is unconstrained from a compacted diameter it will self-expand up to a fully deployed diameter with the graft being substantially wrinkle-free over diameters ranging from about 30-50% to 100% of the fully deployed diameter. Preferably, the graft component comprises an elastomeric material, such as silicone, polyurethane, or a copolymer of PAVE-TFE. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166017 | Actively Controllable Stent, Stent Graft, Heart Valve and Method of Controlling Same - Sealable and repositionable implant devices are provided to increase the ability of endovascular grafts and valves to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant. A surgical implant includes a self-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape. The stent has a wall with a portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a thickness greater than the first. The second portion defines a key-hole shaped longitudinal drive orifice. The implant includes a selectively adjustable assembly having adjustable elements and being operable to force a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent. The adjustable elements have a part rotatably disposed within the longitudinal drive orifice. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166018 | DEVICE FOR IN VIVO DELIVERY OF BIOACTIVE AGENTS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - The implantable structural element for in vivo controlled delivery of bioactive active agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Control over elution of the bioactive agents occurs through a plurality of cantilever-like cover members which prevent drug elution until an endogenous or exogenous stimulus causes the cover members to open and permit drug elution. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166019 | METAL ALLOY FOR MEDICAL DEVICES AND IMPLANTS - The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high strength, low modulus metal alloy comprising Niobium, Tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zirconium, Tungsten, and Molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to bio-compatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166020 | SYSTEM FOR LOADING A COLLAPSIBLE HEART VALVE - An assembly for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member, a support member, a constricting member, and a spacer which may be used for smaller sized heart valves. The compression member has a tapered wall between its first open end and its second open end, the tapered wall defining an open space adapted to receive the heart valve. The support member has a base and a recess adapted to receive an end of the heart valve. The support member and the compression member are movable toward one another to compress the heart valve and push it through a relatively small aperture in the second open end of the compression member. The second end of the constricting member is sized to receive the compressed heart valve from the second open end of the compression member for loading into a delivery device. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166021 | DURABLE MULTI-LAYER HIGH STRENGTH POLYMER COMPOSITE SUITABLE FOR IMPLANT AND ARTICLES PRODUCED THEREFROM - A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes at least one porous expanded fluoropolymer layer and an elastomer substantially filling substantially all of the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166022 | ANCHORING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REPLACING OR REPAIRING A HEART VALVE - A device for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve or annuloplasty ring to a valve annulus in a heart and a method of implanting same is disclosed. The device can include a prosthetic valve or annuloplasty ring with one or more anchors configured to be threaded or otherwise passed underneath a native leaflet and/or subvalvular tissue to secure the device at the native annulus. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166023 | COLLAPSIBLE HEART VALVE WITH ANGLED FRAME - A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly attached to the stent. The stent has a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end adapted to reside adjacent the aortic annulus of a patient. The proximal end of the stent is oriented at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166024 | Heart Valve Assemblies and methods for using them - A heart valve assembly includes a base including a multi-lobular annular shape within a plane, a valve member or other annular body including a multi-lobular shape complementary to the shape of the base, and cooperating connectors on the base and the annular body for connecting the annular body to the base. The base includes an anchoring ring, and a flexible cuff for attaching the base to a biological annulus. The base and the annular body include guides for aligning their multi-lobular shapes, e.g., visual, tactile, or other markers, or tethers that extend from the base that are slidable through the annular body. During use, the base is attached to a biological annulus, the annular body is directed adjacent the annulus, oriented such that the multi-lobular shape of the annular body valve member is aligned with the base, and the annular body is attached to the base. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166025 | VARIABLE FOCUS OPHTHALMIC DEVICE INCLUDING LIQUID CYRSTAL ELEMENTS - This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a Variable Optic Insert into an Ophthalmic Lens. An energy source is capable of powering the Variable Optic Insert included within the Ophthalmic Lens. In some embodiments, an Ophthalmic Lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various Ophthalmic Lens entities may include electroactive Liquid Crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166026 | INTRAOCULAR LENS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ACCOMMODATIVE VISION - An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision contains an optic and a haptic. The optic is disposed about an optical axis and includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a clear aperture of the optic. The haptic is at least partially disposed inside the optic and includes an inner structure, an outer structure, and a plurality of arms disposed between and connecting the inner structure and the outer structure. The inner structure is circumferentially disposed about the optical axis, while the outer structure is circumferentially disposed about the inner structure and has an outer face. Each arm has proximal portion adjacent the inner structure and a distal portion adjacent the outer structure that is bifurcated in a radial direction from the proximal portion. The intraocular lens also has an outer surface defined by outer surfaces of the plurality of arms and an outer surface of the outer structure. The inner structure and at least a portion of the arms are disposed inside the clear aperture. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent than an axial extent of the inner portion. The distal portion of each arm has a larger axial extent along the outer surface than an axial extent of the outer structure along the outer surface. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166027 | Lateral Cage with Integrated Plate - An intervertebral fusion cage having a plate pivotally attached thereto. The plate and cage are pivotally coupled but move independently of each other. The plate is made up of two smaller plate halves: a superior plate half and an inferior plate half Both plate halves form the larger plate. The plates are joined using a cross pin that provides a pivot point about which the plate halves rotate. The same pin also joins the plate halves to the cage, thus allowing the plate halves to pivot about the cage. It is believed that the device of the present invention will reduce the difficulties in placing a lateral plate down a port and manipulating it into position. Mating the plate to the cage will reduce the chances of micromotion and improve fusion rate, resulting in improved patient outcomes. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166028 | COMPOSITE LAYER INTERVERTEBRAL RETRIEVING DEVICE - A composite layer intervertebral retrieving device implantable between two vertebrae is provided, including a main carrier having a middle layer, and a securing groove on respective surfaces; multiple securing pieces stably coupled to the securing grooves; wherein the middle layer is a macromolecular material having an elastic modulus of between 2 to 22 GPa, close to the original elastic modulus of the spine of between 12 to 18 GPa. The securing pieces are affinitive to and easily fused with osteocytes, and capable of medically imaging. The securing pieces are coupled to the securing grooves, and when the device is implanted between vertebrae, the securing pieces come into direct contact with the osteocytes of the neighboring vertebrae, with securing bulges thereof pressing against the osteocyes, and the middle layer has an elastic modulus similar to that of the vertebrae to prevent the stress shielding effect. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166029 | Anchoring Device and System for an Intervertebral Implant, Intervertebral Implant and Implantation Instrument - Anchoring devices, anchoring systems for intervertebral implants, intervertebral implants, and instruments and methods for implanting implants are disclosed. In preferred configurations, these various objects share the feature of comprising or cooperating with an anchoring device having a body comprising at least one curved plate elongated along a longitudinal axis, designed to be inserted through a passage crossing at least a part of implant, in order to penetrate into at least one vertebral endplate and attach implant onto this vertebral endplate by means of at least one stop retaining the implant, characterized in that the body comprises at least one longitudinal rib on at least a part of at least one of its faces, said rib being designed to cooperate with a groove made in passage of implant. In some preferred configurations, anchoring device comprises withdrawal stops or latches, and/or means for withdrawing the anchor from an inserted position. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166030 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - An intervertebral implant is provided comprising a single piece hollow body with an upper wall configured to engage a first vertebral end plate and a lower wall configured to engage a second vertebral end plate, with two opposite sidewalls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, respectively, and with a load transmitting part configured to transmit load between the upper wall and the lower wall; wherein the body is configured to assume a compressed condition in which a distance between the upper wall and the lower wall defines a first height (h | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166031 | INTERVERTEBRAL SPACER, SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DISTRACT ADJACENT VERTEBRAE AND INSERT A SPACER - Intervertebral spacer being a longitudinal body with a cross-section that has a long axis and a short axis, at least one component of which may be deployed following an axis that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal body's long axis and to the axis of the spine. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166032 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF USE - An intervertebral implant frame that is configured to be attached to a spacer body can include a pair of arms that extend longitudinally from a support member such that the arms extend substantially around the spacer body. The arms may be configured to expand, crimp, or otherwise engage the spacer body to thereby hold the spacer body to the frame. The spacer body may be made from bone graft. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166033 | METHODS FOR LESS INVASIVE GLENOID REPLACEMENT - The invention features a glenoid (shoulder socket) implant prosthesis, a humeral implant prosthesis, devices for implanting glenoid and humeral implant prostheses, and less invasive methods of their use for the treatment of an injured or damaged shoulder. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166034 | INSTRUMENTS FOR KNEE PLACEMENT - There are provided various embodiments of medical instruments to perform knee surgery. In one embodiment a finned platform for mounting a cutting block is provided. The finned platform can be used don either a femor or tibia to allow for the proper cuts when performing a knee surgery. In another embodiment, a tibial trial is shown having a fin. The fin is useful to reinforce the bone to reduce the risk of fracture during bone preparation. In another embodiment, a reamer is provided having a plurality of cutting flutes. It may be desirable to utilize a guide with the reamer to allow the reamer to cut a noncircular portion of the tibial bone. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of fixation pegs are provided on the tibial implant to allow for easy removal of such implant if a revision surgery becomes necessary. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166035 | PATELLAR IMPLANTS - A patellar implant is provided being of a two part construction having a strong base portion | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166036 | ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE TO BE PROVIDED ON THE KNEE JOINT - An implantable orthopedic device for the knee, comprising at least two parts which are not connected to each other, which are capable of being positioned opposite each other, and each of which comprise a surface engaging with that of the other part in the operative position, one part is attachable onto the tibia side, and the other part is attachable on the femur side such that, according to the invention, both of said parts are to be attached onto the sides and outer side of the knee joint, one part being mobile relative to the other along a plane that is parallel to the vertical median plane of the knee joint, and onto one of the inner or outer sides of the knee. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166037 | TIBIAL PROSTHETIC COMPONENT FOR A PARTIAL OR UNICONDYLAR BEARING KNEE REPLACEMENT, METHOD OF SELECTING SUCH A TIBIAL PROSTHETIC COMPONENT, METHOD OF IMPLANTING SUCH A TIBIAL PROSTHETIC COMPONENT AND A KIT FOR A SURGEON - The invention concerns a tibial prosthetic component comprising a plate ( | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166038 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DEEPER KNEE FLEXION CAPABILITIES FOR KNEE PROSTHESIS PATIENTS - Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities, more physiologic load bearing and improved patellar tracking for knee prosthesis patients. Such systems and methods include (i) adding more articular surface to the antero-proximal posterior condyles of a femoral component, including methods to achieve that result, (ii) modifications to the internal geometry of the femoral component and the associated femoral bone cuts with methods of implantation, (iii) asymmetrical tibial components that have an unique articular surface that allows for deeper knee flexion than has previously been available, (iv) asymmetrical femoral condyles that result in more physiologic loading of the joint and improved patellar tracking and (v) modifying an articulation surface of the tibial component to include an articulation feature whereby the articulation pathway of the femoral component is directed or guided by articulation feature. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166039 | OSSEOUS IMPLANT AND METHODS OF ITS MAKING AND USE - The present invention relates to an osseous implant for osteogenesis promotion and maintenance, the implant having an exposed surface, and the improvement comprising an electrical circuit attached to the osseous implant. At least a portion of the electrical circuit comprises a trace of conductive particles deposited on the exposed surface of the osseous implant. The present invention also relates to a method of promoting and maintaining osteogenesis by implanting the osseous implant into a subject. Current is passed through the electrical circuit under conditions effective to promote and maintain osteogenesis in the subject. Also disclosed is a method of making an osseous implant for osteogenesis promotion and maintenance. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166040 | REAGENTS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING TEETH FOR IMPLANTATION - The invention provides reagents and method for replacing teeth lost to periodontitis and other diseases and disorders resulting in tooth loss, and provides materials and methods that result in replacement or reimplanted teeth that have a higher rate of stable, long-term implantation status. In a first aspect, the invention provides an implantable tooth, comprising a natural or artificial animal tooth having a microporous tooth root surface, wherein said tooth root surface comprises a plurality of periodontal ligament progenitor cells coating all or a portion of the tooth root. In particular embodiments, the tooth is a natural tooth, especially a human tooth. In alternative embodiments, the tooth is an artificial tooth. In particular embodiments, the tooth comprises a periodontal ligament progenitor cell coating that further comprises one or a plurality of extracellular matrix proteins. In a second aspect, the ivnention provides kits for preparing an implantable tooth. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166041 | PLANT MONITORING CONTROLLER - A plant monitoring controller, provided with a monitor, that obtains process information from a plant and provides an operation signal to the plant, comprising: a process information database in which process information about the plant is recorded and accumulated; an operation video information database in which operation video information, which is video information displayed on a screen on the monitor, is recorded and accumulated as history information; and a history information database in which manipulation histories of the manipulable devices displayed on a screen on the monitor are accumulated as manipulation history information; wherein the process information, the operation video information, and the manipulation history information are recorded along with time information; and an operation video screen is provided as a screen displayed on the monitor, the operation video screen displaying a change from previous operation video information, read from the operation video information database, along with the time information. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166042 | MEDIA CONTENT-BASED CONTROL OF AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT - Provided is a method of controlling an ambient environment based on content of a media. The content of a media is analyzed to identify a prevalent human emotion. A pre-defined ambient environment parameter corresponding to the identified human emotion is recognized. Control signals are generated based on the pre-defined ambient environment parameter and sent to an ambient environment unit for creating an ambient environment corresponding to the pre-defined ambient environment parameter. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166043 | OPTIMAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT OF A MICROGRID SYSTEM USING MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION - Systems and methods are disclosed to improve energy efficiency of a farm with livestock wastes by generating a cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) microgrid model; performing on a computer a multi-objective optimization to improve system efficiency of energy utilization and reduce environmental problems caused by animal wastes; and displaying results of the optimization for review. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166044 | MACHINE TOOL HAVING ONBOARD MEASURING DEVICE - A machine tool having an onboard measuring device automatically carries out various works which include ultra precision machining, washing and onboard measuring, by a numerical controller, without any interposition of a worker. For achieving this, an operation region of drive axes of the machine tool is previously divided into a machining region, a washing region and a measuring region. Positions of the drive axes are always monitored by the numerical controller, and when the drive axes enter each of the regions, a work allocated to each of the regions is automatically started and the work is continuously carried out until drives axes exit the region. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166045 | Command Interface - A command interface of a machine including a plurality of different control elements each of which generates a different control command when actuated by a user, wherein the plurality of control elements are arranged for actuation by a user and are categorized into different groups including: a first group of control elements including control elements that are most similar, according to a first similarity criterion, to a target control element specified by the user in a prior request; and a second group of control elements including a first additional control element that is dissimilar, according to the first similarity criterion, to the target control element specified by the user in the prior request, and that, when actuated by a user, specifies in a new request the first additional control element as a target control element. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166046 | OPERATION INPUT SYSTEM - An operation input system and method are provided. The operation input system includes protrusion members arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule along a flat surface. The distal end portions of the protrusion member are able to protrude from the flat surface. The system also includes a protrusion control section that controls a protrusion height of each of the protrusion members and a command reception section that receives input of a command for a value of an adjustment amount. The protrusion control section causes a plurality of the protrusion members disposed along a predetermined reference direction in a set region set on the flat surface to protrude and the command reception section sets a value of the adjustment amount corresponding to a position of the protrusion members along the reference direction. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166047 | FANTASY OPEN PLATFORM ENVIRONMENT - A fantasy server application may comprise a platform generator component to generate a resource document with a host segment arranged to present a host resource document and a guest segment arranged to present a guest resource document, a host manager component to send a request to generate the host resource document with fantasy content from a fantasy content database to a host server program, receive a response with the host resource document, and add the host resource document to the host segment, and a guest manager component to generate a guest reference for use by a client device, the guest reference arranged to refer the client device to a guest server program arranged to generate the guest resource document with fantasy content from the fantasy content database, and add the guest reference to the guest server program to the guest segment. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166048 | Fitness Activity Monitoring Systems And Methods - Apparatus, systems, and methods for tracking the location of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of tracking a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes determining a location of the participant during the fitness activity based on data received at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining a location of a spectator during the fitness activity based on data received at a mobile spectator device used by the spectator; from a server, sending an alert to a spectator at a spectator device during the fitness activity indicating that the participant is within a predetermined distance of the spectator; and sending an alert to the portable fitness device during the fitness activity indicating that the spectator is within a predetermined distance of the participant. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166049 | Fitness Activity Monitoring Systems And Methods - Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring the performance of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining participant performance data based on the received GPS signal; at a stationary position beacon, transmitting location data associated with the location of the stationary position beacon; at a mobile participant receiver supported by the participant, receiving the location data from the stationary position beacon; and modifying the participant performance data based on the data received from the stationary position beacon. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166050 | Meta-Parameter Control for Digital Audio Data - This specification describes technologies relating to modifying digital audio data using a meta-parameter. A method is provided that includes receiving digital audio data; receiving an input modifying a meta-parameter to a particular meta-parameter value associated with two or more parameters according to a particular mapping, each of the two or more parameters being associated with the digital audio data; modifying at least a first parameter of the two or more parameters based on the particular meta-parameter value and the particular mapping such that a first meta-parameter value causes a modification of the first parameter associated with a volume control of the digital audio data and a second meta-parameter value causes a modification of a second parameter of the two or more parameters associated with dynamic range control of the digital audio data; and generating modified digital audio data from the two or more modified parameters of the digital audio data. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166051 | HVAC UNIT WITH AUDIO MONITORING, A METHOD OF AUDIO MONITORING EVENTS OF AN HVAC UNIT AND A CONTROLLER CONFIGURED TO PERFORM THE METHOD OF AUDIO MONITORING - Disclosed herein are a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and a HVAC controller. Additionally, a computer program product is disclosed. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive audio data from a listening system of the HVAC unit and (2) a mechanical behavior evaluator coupled to the interface and configured to verify occurrence of an event of the HVAC unit based on the audio data. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166052 | TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING PLAYBACK OF AN AUDIO STREAM - Techniques to improve playback of an audio stream are described. In one embodiment, for example, an management module may be operable by a processor circuit to receive a notification of a pending delivery of encoded audio data, and transmit a silent audio stream after receiving the notification. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166053 | Editing Audio Assets - Systems, methods, and computer program products for editing digital audio data are provided. In some implementations a method is provided. The method includes receiving digital audio data incorporated in a plurality of audio tracks and receiving a selection of one or more audio tracks of the plurality of audio tracks for editing, the selected audio tracks being fewer than all of the plurality of audio tracks. The method also includes receiving an input specifying an audio effect to apply to the selected audio tracks and applying an inverse of the audio effect to one or more non-selected audio tracks in response to the input. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166054 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TERMINATING MUSIC REPRODUCTION IN A WIRELESS TERMINAL - The present invention relates to a device and a method for terminating music reproduction in a wireless terminal. The device includes a key input unit including at least one specific key for terminating reproduced music; and a controller for controlling termination of the reproduced music when an input of the specific key is maintained for at least a predetermined amount of time. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166055 | PRODUCTION SCHEDULE CREATING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - The present invention provides a production schedule creating apparatus that acquires daily operation record for each process and changes the production sequence so as to instruct an operation in order to meet due date. A production schedule creating method plans a production schedule of a production process. The production process includes a plurality of operation processes. The production schedule creating method estimates a future status of delivery delay using a current status of the production process, performs a production simulation using a plurality of dispatching rules on a production process where the future delivery delay is estimated by the estimation, selects the most appropriate dispatching method with respect to a threshold value of a production management index of an on-time delivery rate and total overtime hours based on a result of the performed production simulation, and provides a production instruction to the production process using the selected dispatching method. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166056 | METHOD FOR SELECTING A GEOMETRY OF A BLADE - A method selects from a plurality of predetermined blade geometries, a blade geometry for a blade wheel for a turbomachine, with for the predetermined blade geometries at least one characteristic value identifying an aerodynamic property of the blade geometry and at least one characteristic value identifying a structural mechanism of the blade geometry being filed in a memory. An evaluation unit ascertains for each blade geometry a total value, which is calculated from the assigned characteristic values. The evaluation unit selects at least that blade geometry whose total value has an extreme value of all computed total values of the blade geometries. At least one characteristic value identifying producibility of the respective blade geometry is filed in the memory additionally to the blade geometries. The evaluation unit also incorporates while ascertaining the total value of the respective blade geometry the characteristic value identifying producibility. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166057 | METHODS FOR FORMING SMALL-SCALE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - The present disclosure provides small scale capacitors (e.g., DRAM capacitors) and methods of forming such capacitors. One exemplary implementation provides a method of fabricating a capacitor that includes sequentially forming a first electrode, a dielectric layer, and a second electrode. At least one of the electrodes may be formed by a) reacting two precursors to deposit a first conductive layer at a first deposition rate, and b) depositing a second conductive layer at a second, lower deposition rate by depositing a precursor layer of one precursor at least one monolayer thick and exposing that precursor layer to another precursor to form a nanolayer reaction product. The second conductive layer may be in contact with the dielectric layer and have a thickness of no greater than about 50 Å. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166058 | Three-Dimensional Weave-Forming Equipment for Composites - A three-dimensional weave forming equipment for composites mainly comprises a main body portion and a specific numerical control software for three-dimensional weaving process. The main body portion comprises a movement system for a controllable digital template, a movement system for a pickup device and a movement control system for a guiding sleeve. Compared with the existing three-dimensional weave-forming equipment, the three-dimensional weave-forming equipment for composites is highly automatic. Products made by the equipment are smooth at inner and outer surfaces, and have advantages of high precise dimension, low porosity and stable performance. And it can be reinforced partially and have directional property according to requirements of design. So problems of simple cross-section of the finished part and too much pores in the products, which manufactured by the existing three-dimensional weave forming equipment are solved. The three-dimensional weave forming equipment for composites is especially suitable for producing products with large dimension and complex external structure. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166059 | NUMERICAL CONTROL DEVICE - A numerical control device that controls a machine in which a main set including an X1 axis, a Z1 axis and a first turret axis and a sub-set including an X2 axis, a Z2 axis and a second turret axis are arranged to be point-symmetric with respect to a C axis, wherein each of the turret axis of the main set and the turret axis of the sub-set are selectively designated as a reference side and a synchronized side and a simultaneous D-cut control mode command for selecting a mode in which both turret axes are simultaneously actuated in synchronization using the output of the turret axis of one of the sets is set; wherein the numerical control device comprises, simultaneous D-cut command processing means, X1/Y1/C axis interpolation processing means, X2/Y2 axis interpolation processing means, and H axis command selecting means. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166060 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COORDINATING ELECTRONIC PARCEL LOCKER AVAILABILITY - A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit may include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that may include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit may communicate with the one or several storage units, and may receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166061 | OBJECT GRIPPING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR OBJECT GRIPPING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An object gripping apparatus comprises an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a plurality of workpieces; a workpiece state estimation unit configured to estimate positions and orientations of the plurality of workpieces from the captured image; a pickup-target workpiece selection unit configured to select a pickup-target workpiece from among the plurality of workpieces based on a result of the estimation of the workpiece state estimation unit; a workpiece pickup unit configured to grip and pick up the pickup-target workpiece in accordance with an operation path associated with a position of the pickup-target workpiece; and a path setting unit configured to determine an evacuation path along which the workpiece pickup unit that has gripped the pickup-target workpiece evacuates to the outside of an imaging range of the imaging unit based on an estimated moving time required for the evacuation. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166062 | Methods And Apparatus For Stacking Receptacles In Materials Handling Facilities - Methods and apparatus for stacking receptacles in materials handling facilities. An automated receptacle stacker may be integrated into a materials handling system to receive empty receptacles from upstream stations via an input conveyance mechanism, add the receptacles to a stack in a stack hopper, detect when the stack is complete, and output the stack onto an output conveyance mechanism. The output conveyance mechanism may convey the stack to a palletization station, and the stacker may begin another stack. This process may continue to build and output stacks of empty receptacles. In some implementations the receptacles may be stackable only when oriented correctly; in these implementations, orientation of the receptacles may be detected prior to stacking and incorrectly oriented receptacles may be either rotated to the correct orientation or diverted to a second receptacle stacker. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166063 | FULLY AUTOMATED CARGO LOADING SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for the loading and unloading of cargo in transport means. In one example, a cargo loading system having a fully automated conveyor system and a fully automated bolt system for locking the cargo unit is provided. Manual interventions of the loading personnel in the cargo space may not be necessary. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166064 | TRANSFER APPARATUS AND TRANSFER METHOD - A transfer apparatus for mounting and transferring a transferred component on a driven means, the transfer apparatus includes: a driving means for rotating a driving side pulley by a rotational driving force of a motor to move a belt wound around the driving side pulley, thereby moving the driven means coupled to the belt in a predetermined direction; and a transfer monitoring means for monitoring a transfer state of the driven means, wherein the transfer monitoring means detects a torque value of the motor required to move the driven means, calculates a torque differential value of the torque value with respect to time based on the detected torque value, and detects the transfer state using the calculated torque differential value. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166065 | Method for Controlling Material Flows, E.G., in the Form of Bulk Material and the Like and Corresponding Device - A device for controlling material flows may include at least one feeding device for feeding material of at least one type of material, at least one output device for outputting material of at least one type of material, a transport device for transporting the material, at least one sensor for determining at least one state-dependent parameter of the device, and a control device for controlling the devices, the control device being designed to process event-based signals, e.g., signals from the at least one sensor. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166066 | METHODS FOR POINT OF USE MEDICATION CONTROL - Methods for controlling the dispensing of medication are provided. The method can include holding at least one medication within a dispenser and alerting a patient that a dose of medication is to be taken or an optional dose of medication is available to be taken. Once the patient is present for receiving a does of medication, the identification of the patient can be confirmed. Upon confirmation of the identification, a dose of medication for the patient can then be dispensed and removal of medication from dispenser can be confirmed. The method can also include providing a location determination device with the dispenser to permit locating the dispenser. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166067 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC PARCEL LOCKERS - A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166068 | NUMERICAL CONTROL PROGRAM EXECUTION BY ROBOT - A system and a method for converting a machine tool program in NC programming language to permit a robot controller to execute the program. A robot controller converts the NC program into robot language according to a conversion configuration table, and uses the converted language as pseudo program data internally stored in a data memory within the robot controller. Each M-code (Miscellaneous code) in the NC program is executed as a sub-program call using the robot language. The content of the sub-programs can be freely defined and programmed by the user and, therefore, can be customized for the specific application. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166069 | ROBOT AND POWER CONSUMPTION ESTIMATING SYSTEM - Provided is a robot comprising a device manipulating section that turns ON and OFF a plurality of devices that operate by receiving power from a power supply; a power value acquiring section that acquires a first total power value that is a power value before one of the devices is turned ON or OFF by the device manipulating section and a second total power value that is a power value after the device is turned ON or OFF, via a power sensor that measures a total power value supplied to the plurality of devices from the power supply; and a power consumption estimating section that estimates power consumption of the device based on the first total power value and the second total power value. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166070 | OBTAINING FORCE INFORMATION IN A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE - Methods of and a system for providing force information for a robotic surgical system. The method includes storing first kinematic position information and first actual position information for a first position of an end effector; moving the end effector via the robotic surgical system from the first position to a second position; storing second kinematic position information and second actual position information for the second position; and providing force information regarding force applied to the end effector at the second position utilizing the first actual position information, the second actual position information, the first kinematic position information, and the second kinematic position information. Visual force feedback is also provided via superimposing an estimated position of an end effector without force over an image of the actual position of the end effector. Similarly, tissue elasticity visual displays may be shown. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166071 | PROCESSING TOOL AND PROCESSING METHOD - A processing tool, especially drilling tool, includes a processing element ( | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166072 | RECIPROCATING MICROTOME DRIVE SYSTEM - An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166073 | METHOD FOR DETECTING PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL TO CONTROL HVAC SETTINGS - A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system includes a system controller configured to control the operation of a demand unit to maintain an environmental set point of a control zone. The system controller is further configured to control the demand unit in response to a location signal received from a location-reporting device. | 2013-06-27 |
| 20130166074 | AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND AIR CONDITIONING METHOD - The present invention adjusts the discharge rate or discharge direction of air-conditioned air discharged from the discharge openings of air conditioners ( | 2013-06-27 |
