Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080266742 | Apparatus and method for increasing switching life of electromechanical contacts in a hybrid power switching device - A circuit and related methods for use in a hybrid power switching device are provided that include at least one electromechanical relay having a coil and a contact, the electromechanical relay defining a release time and a sticking time during an on-to-off transition. At least one solid state switch is electrically connected to the contact, and a timing circuit is electrically connected to the electromechanical relay and the solid state switch. The timing circuit includes a capacitor electrically connected to a control signal input and at least one resistor electrically connected to the capacitor and to the solid state switch, wherein the capacitor and the resistor are sized such that the capacitor discharges through the resistor to activate the solid state switch for a period of time that is longer than the electromechanical relay release time and sticking time. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266810 | Heat management system for a power switching device - A power switching device is provided that includes a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing, and a plurality of electrical components mounted to the printed circuit board, including at least one relay. At least one pair of load terminals is connected to the printed circuit board on opposite sides of the relay, and a plurality of heat transfer elements are formed through and in the printed circuit board and are dispersed proximate the relay, around the load terminals, and extending to the peripheral portion. | 10-30-2008 |
20090287265 | AGITATOR TO STIMULATE THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM - A tactile and audible sensation can be provided to a patient using a coiled or scrolled film in response to a received control signal. The tactile and audible sensation can be configured to stimulate the patient's central nervous system to sufficiently interrupt and undesirable sleep behavior of the patient, but avoid significantly changing a sleep state of the patient. | 11-19-2009 |
20090318781 | RESPIRATORY AIR TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE SENSOR - An apparatus and method can be configured to detect respiratory air temperature information and respiratory air pressure information from a patient using a first piezoelectric film and a second piezoelectric film, wherein at least a portion of the second piezoelectric film overlaps at least a portion of the first piezoelectric film. In an example, the first and second piezoelectric films can be sized and shaped to be disposed on an upper lip of a subject. In certain examples, the first piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to nasal respiration, and the second piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to oral respiration. | 12-24-2009 |
20100048985 | EMI/ESD hardened transducer driver driver for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for protecting electronics of a closed loop neuromodulator, configured to optimize sleep therapy for a patient, from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or electrostatic discharge (ESD). A transducer signal can be provided, at an output of a hardened sensor interface, to a sleep therapy transducer. EMI can be reduced between the output and the electronics using an EMI filter and a grounded metal shield, and an ESD protection device, coupled to the grounded metal shield, can be provided to protect the electronics of the closed loop neuromodulator from an energy surge. | 02-25-2010 |
20100048986 | Dosage optimization for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for optimizing a sleep therapy using a closed loop neuromodulator. A first sleep disorder can be detected using first activity information, and a first stimulus can be provided, in response to the first sleep disorder event, using a set of stimulation parameters. The first sleep disorder can be detected using second activity information, at least one of the set of stimulation parameters can be adjusted, and a second stimulus can be provided using the adjusted set of stimulus parameters, wherein the second stimulus has more energy than the first stimulus. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049264 | Diagnostic indicator and PSG interface for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for providing diagnostic information from a closed loop neuromodulator, configured to provide sleep therapy for a patient, to a user or a polysomnograph (PSG). A first portion of the diagnostic information can be received at a diagnostic indicator register of the closed loop neuromodulator and an LED driver can be switched using the first portion of the diagnostic information. A second portion of the diagnostic information can be received at a PSG interface of the closed loop neuromodulator and provided to the PSG for display. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049265 | EMI/ESD hardened sensor interface for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and mthiods for protecting an input and electronics of a closed loop neuromodulator. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can be reduced using an EMI filter. Energy surges can be dissipated using a electrostatic discharge (ESD) device. An analog and a digital output can be produced using respiration information received at an input, each output indicative of resiration effort. | 02-25-2010 |
20100056852 | Stimulus escalator for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for modulating an energy level of a sleep therapy stimulus signal for a patient. A stimulus driver signal can be provided to a closed loop neuromodulator using a stimulus signal and a stimulus duration signal, and an energy level of the stimulus signal can be adjusted using a selected escalation envelope function. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056853 | Stimulus generator for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for providing a stimulus signal of a closed loop neuromodulator configured to optimize sleep therapy for a patient. A stimulus select signal can be received at a plurality of stimulus type generators from a stimulus sequencer of the closed loop neuromodulator, and a stimulus signal can be provided using one of the plurality of stimulus type generators in response to the stimulus select signal. An amplified stimulus signal can be provided to a stimulus escalator of the closed loop neural modulator to optimize sleep therapy for the patient. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056855 | Closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for optimizing a sleep therapy using a closed loop neuromodulator. A first sleep disorder event can be detected using first activity information, and a first stimulus can be provided, in response to the first sleep disorder event, using a set of stimulus parameters. Termination of the first sleep disorder event can be detected using second activity information, and at least one therapy parameter can be adjusted to decrease an energy level of a subsequent stimulus. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056941 | Device controller and datalogger for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for communicating sleep therapy information between a closed loop neuromodulator, configured to optimize sleep therapy, and a remote diagnostic terminal. A state machine can control the closed loop neuromodulator, by exchanging the sleep therapy information with using a device register, and the sleep therapy information can be routed between the device register and the state machine using an internal data bus. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056942 | Activity detector for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, method and apparatus for detecting abnormal respiration activity. Clock pulses can be passed through a first gate when digital airflow information indicates a first respiration state, summed, and compared to a first count threshold, and a respiration activity output can be generated using the comparison. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057148 | Stimulus timer for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for preventing stimulus delivery to a patient for a predetermined interval after commencing sleep therapy to ensure that the patient is asleep. An indication of abnormal respiration activity can be received from an activity detector of a closed loop neuromodulator at a therapy delay gate. The indication of abnormal respiration activity can be provided to a sleep disorder gate after a predetermined delay interval following commencement of the sleep therapy. A sleep disorder event can be detected if the indication of abnormal respiration activity exceeds a predetermined sleep disorder interval, and a stimulus start signal can be provided to the closed loop neuromodulator in response to the detected sleep disorder event. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063348 | Stimulus sequencer for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for generating a sleep therapy stimulus waveform for a patient. Stimulus sequence information can be selected from a sequence memory array, and stimulus sequence information can be received from the sequence memory array at a stimulus generator selector. A generator select signal can be provided to a stimulus generator of a closed loop neuromodulator using the stimulus sequence information and a stimulus duration signal, wherein the generator select signal can include stimulus type information related to stimulus pulses generated using the closed loop neuromodulator. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063350 | Anti-habituating sleep therapy for a closed loop neuromodulator - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for anti-habituating sleep therapy using a closed loop neuromodulator. A first sleep disorder event can be detected using first activity information, and a first series of stimuli can be provided, in response to the first sleep disorder event, using a set of stimulus parameters. A habituation event can be detected and anti-habituation stimulation parameter can be adjusted to avoid patient habituation to the stimuli. | 03-11-2010 |
20100069769 | WIRELESS PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR BASE STATION - This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus and method for receiving biomedical data of a patient. Biomedical data of the patient can be wirelessly received using a wireless sensor base station including a transceiver to receive the biomedical data from a wireless sleep sensor. A demultiplexer of the wireless sensor base station can separate respiration information from the biomedical data. Examples include providing the biomedical data to a polysomnograph (PSG) machine or a sleep therapy device using an output of the wireless sensor base station. | 03-18-2010 |
20100069771 | WIRELESS PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for detecting biomedical data of a patient. Biomedical data of the patient can be detected using one or more wireless sensors. The wireless sensor can include pyro electric and piezo electric properties and can be coupled to a wireless transceiver to receive the biomedical data. Examples include wirelessly communicating the biomedical data to a base station coupled to a polysomnograph (PSG) machine or a sleep therapy device. | 03-18-2010 |
20100069772 | WIRELESS PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR TRANSCEIVER - This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus and method for transmitting biomedical data of a patient. Biomedical data of the patient can be transmitted using one or more wireless transceivers. The wireless transceiver can include a pyro/piezoelectric sensor for detecting the biomedical data of the patient. Examples include wirelessly communicating the biomedical data to a base station coupled to a polysomnograph (PSG) machine or a sleep therapy device. | 03-18-2010 |
20100069773 | WIRELESS PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR SYSTEM - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for detecting biomedical data for diagnosing sleep disorders of a patient. Biomedical data of the patient can be detected using one or more wireless sensors. The biomedical data can be processed to separate various information including respiration temperature and pressure information. The various information can be wirelessly communicated to a base station coupled to a polysomnograph (PSG) machine configured to display the information for diagnosing sleep disorders. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076251 | PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR AND STIMULATOR - This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus and method for detecting respiration information of a patient and for providing a stimulation to the patient. A sleep sensor transducer includes a pyro/piezoelectric film. A first and second electrode can attach to the film to transmit the detected respiration information to a closed loop neuromodulator and to receive stimulation energy from the closed loop neuromodulator to provide the stimulation. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076252 | PYRO/PIEZO SENSOR AND STIMULATOR HYBRID CIRCUIT - This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus and method for receiving respiration information of a patient and for providing a stimulation to the patient using a hybrid circuit. The hybrid circuit includes a control input for receiving a control signal having a first and second state. A sense switch of the hybrid circuit can provide respiration information from a pyro/piezoelectric film sleep sensor and stimulator to a closed loop neuromodulator in response to the first state. A stimulation switch of the hybrid circuit can provide stimulation energy from the closed loop neuromodulator to the pyro/piezoelectric film sensor and stimulator in response to the second state. The hybrid circuit can couple to the pyro/piezoelectric film sensor and stimulator using a single wire pair. | 03-25-2010 |
20110222191 | Two Terminal Arc Suppressor - A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions. | 09-15-2011 |
20140078623 | Two Terminal Arc Suppressor - A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions. | 03-20-2014 |
20140091059 | ARC SUPPRESSOR, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - Device, circuit, system, and method for arc suppression. A contact separation detector is configured to output an indication of a separation state of a pair of electrical contacts. A contact bypass circuit, coupled to the contact separation detector, is configured to provide an electrical bypass between the pair of contacts based on the indication. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091060 | ARC SUPPRESSION CONTROL AND METHODS THEREFOR - A device, circuit, system, and method for arc suppression is described. A processor, including an input terminal and an output terminal, is configured to output pulses on the output terminal based on an indication at the input terminal of a separation of a pair of electrical contacts. A contact bypass circuit, coupled to the output terminal and in parallel with the pair of electrical contacts, is configured to provide an electrical bypass between the pair of electrical contacts based on the plurality of pulses as generated by the processor. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091061 | ARC SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - System and method for arc suppression. An electrical contact includes a pair of contacts configured to couple a power source to a load. An arc suppressor, coupled to the electrical contact, includes a contact separation detector configured to output an indication of a separation state of the pair of electrical contacts and a contact bypass circuit, coupled to the contact separation detector, configured to provide an electrical bypass between the pair of contacts based on the indication as provided by the contact separation detector. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091808 | CONTACT SEPARATION DETECTOR AND METHODS THEREFOR - A device, circuit, system, and method for contact separation detection is described. A contact separation detector includes a capacitive element configured to be coupled across a pair of electrical contacts and a current sensor coupled to the capacitive element, configured to measure a current through the capacitive element and output an indication of a separation state of the pair of electrical contacts based on the current as measured. | 04-03-2014 |
20140334050 | PASSIVE ARC SUPPRESSOR - At least one of an electrical circuit, and arc suppression device, and an arc suppressor includes a pair of terminals, an event detection element, and a non-linear current shunt element in series with the event detection element. | 11-13-2014 |
20150065789 | STIMULUS SEQUENCER FOR A CLOSED LOOP NEUROMODULATOR - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for generating a sleep therapy stimulus waveform for a patient. Stimulus sequence information can be selected from a sequence memory array, and stimulus sequence information can be received from the sequence memory array at a stimulus generator selector. A generator select signal can be provided to a stimulus generator of a closed loop neuromodulator using the stimulus sequence information and a stimulus duration signal, wherein the generator select signal can include stimulus type information related to stimulus pulses generated using the closed loop neuromodulator. | 03-05-2015 |