Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090076438 | Method for treating a sphincter - A method for treating a sphincter provides a polymer material having a liquid state. The method also provides a catheter having a distal end, a tissue piercing device carried by the distal end, and an energy delivery device coupled to the tissue piercing device. The tissue piercing device has a lumen. The method introduces the catheter into an esophagus and pierces an exterior sphincter tissue surface within with the tissue piercing device. The method advances the tissue piercing device into an interior sphincter tissue site and conveys the polymer material while in a liquid state through the lumen into the interior sphincter tissue site. The method delivers energy to the tissue piercing device to transform the polymer material into a less liquid state within the interior sphincter tissue site, to thereby remodel the sphincter. | 03-19-2009 |
20090093805 | Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices - A usage key card is adapted to be handled separate from a device tissue treatment deice. The usage key card has a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code, which is unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is also adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device. The storage medium is also formatted, when inserted into the reader, to retain data generated pertaining to operation of the de | 04-09-2009 |
20090254079 | Methods for treating the cardia of the stomach - Methods treat a tissue region. In one arrangement, the methods deploy an endoscope in an esophagus and visualize with the endoscope a Z-line that marks a transition between esophageal tissue and stomach tissue by observing tissue color change at or near the Z-line. The methods deploy an electrode support structure over the endoscope at or near the Z-line visualized by the endoscope, wherein the endoscope serves as a guide for the electrode support structure. The methods introduce from the electrode support structure a tissue-piercing needle electrode into tissue at or near the Z-line and observe introduction of the tissue-piercing needle electrode using the endoscope. The methods couple the tissue-piercing electrode to a source of radio frequency energy to ohmically heat tissue and create a subsurface tissue lesion in tissue at or near the Z-line, and observe creation of the tissue lesion using the endoscope. | 10-08-2009 |
20100063495 | SYSTEM FOR TISSUE ABLATION - Systems for treating a mucosal surface of an alimentary canal tissue region are provided. The systems can include an elongate support structure, an expandable member positionable at a distal portion of the support structure and one or more radio frequency (RF) ablation electrodes carried by the expandable member. The elongate support structure and the expandable member can be adapted to place the one or more electrodes in contact with a mucosal surface of an alimentary canal tissue region. The system can further include an RF energy source connected to the one or more electrodes. | 03-11-2010 |
20110098698 | Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling use of medical devices - A device carries a use monitoring element that possesses a state or condition that changes in response to use of the device and that is sensed when the device is presented for use. Reuse of the device is not permitted, if the use monitoring element indicates a prior use. | 04-28-2011 |
20110257646 | Method for treating fecal incontinence - A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region. | 10-20-2011 |
20130211400 | UNIFIED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING USE AND OPERATION OF A FAMILY OF DIFFERENT TREATMENT DEVICES - Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body. | 08-15-2013 |
20130299577 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING USE OF MEDICAL DEVICES - A system comprising a storage medium associated with a device for treating a tissue region, the device including a handle, a catheter tube extending from the handle, a temperature sensor and a basket including a plurality of spines, the spines carrying an electrode for delivering treatment energy to a tissue site. The temperature sensor senses temperature near a distal end of the electrode. The basket is movable between a non-expanded low profile condition and an expanded condition and the electrode is movable from a first position to an extended position. The storage medium is formatted to contain an identification code uniquely assigned to the device for registration of the device if absence of prior use is determined. | 11-14-2013 |
20140107483 | METHOD FOR TREATING FECAL INCONTINENCE - A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region. | 04-17-2014 |
20140371739 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING USE OF MEDICAL DEVICES - A usage key card is adapted to be handled separate from a device tissue treatment deice. The usage key card has a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code, which is unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is also adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device. The storage medium is also formatted, when inserted into the reader, to retain data generated pertaining to operation of the de | 12-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140020024 | INTUITIVE IMAGE-BASED PROGRAM GUIDE FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY DEVICE SUCH AS A TELEVISION - A control device such as a tablet computer presents a scrollable image-based program guide (IBPG) on a display that a user can swipe to cause the device to command a display device to present an audio video (AV) program represented by the image. The IBPG is a subset of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a TV signal provider and is populated using user history and favorites information and social networking site history and favorites information. Sizes of the images may vary depending on the information. | 01-16-2014 |
20140173458 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING EVENT INFORMATION USING ICONS - An apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one display controlled by the processor, and at least one wireless transceiver communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to send, to at least one recipient, a message including data representing at least one non-alphanumeric who icon representing a person. The message also includes data representing at least one non-alphanumeric what icon representing an event and/or activity, as well as at least one non-alphanumeric when icon representing a time associated with the event and/or activity. | 06-19-2014 |
20140173459 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING EVENT INFORMATION USING ICONS - Thus, in one embodiment an apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one display controlled by the processor, and at least one wireless transceiver communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to transmit a message accessible to at least one recipient that includes data representing at least one non-alphanumeric who icon representing a person, at least one non-alphanumeric what icon representing an event and/or activity, and at least one non-alphanumeric when icon representing a time associated with the event and/or activity. Furthermore, at least one of the following represented by data included in the message is modifiable based on input from at least one recipient: the at least one who icon, the at least one what icon, and the at least one when icon. | 06-19-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080290561 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR PREFORM MOLD SYSTEM - Apparatus and methods for a preform mold system include multiple preform core side modules having preform mold cores, a core side clamp plate connectable to a moving platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the preform core modules, multiple preform cavity side modules having preform mold cavities, each of the preform cavity side modules operable to matingly engage a respective core side module to form multiple preform molds having a respective preform design, and multiple ejector housing assemblies for connecting the core side modules to an ejector platen of the mold machine, each of the ejector housing assemblies corresponding to a respective core side module. The preform mold system may also include a manifold and valve gate assembly connectable to a stationary platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the cavity side modules and place the mold cavities in fluid communication with an injector of the mold machine to control the injection of fluidized plastic in a uniform flow into the preform molds, simultaneously. | 11-27-2008 |
20110062629 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR PREFORM MOLD SYSTEM - Apparatus and methods for a preform mold system include multiple preform core side modules having preform mold cores, a core side clamp plate connectable to a moving platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the preform core modules, multiple preform cavity side modules having preform mold cavities, each of the preform cavity side modules operable to matingly engage a respective core side module to form multiple preform molds having a respective preform design, and multiple ejector housing assemblies for connecting the core side modules to an ejector platen of the mold machine, each of the ejector housing assemblies corresponding to a respective core side module. The preform mold system may also include a manifold and valve gate assembly connectable to a stationary platen of an injection mold machine and operable to receive the cavity side modules and place the mold cavities in fluid communication with an injector of the mold machine to control the injection of fluidized plastic in a uniform flow into the preform molds, simultaneously. | 03-17-2011 |
20120274000 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE AND/OR MODULAR MANUFACTURING - Systems and methods for manufacturing that are scaleable and de-scaleable based upon the production requirements of the customer's manufacturing facility. Systems and methods for mobile and/or modular manufacturing positioned at or near a customer's production facility that are scaleable and de-scaleable based upon the production requirements of the customer's manufacturing facility. The systems and methods of manufacturing may include identifying a customer's production requirements at the customer's production facility, designing a manufacturing cell based upon the identified production requirements, delivering components for the manufacturing cell to a location at or near the customer's production facility, assembling the components to form the manufacturing cell at the location, and training operational personnel to operate the manufacturing cell. The systems and methods may comprise using a modular preform mold system. | 11-01-2012 |
20130333189 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE AND/OR MODULAR MANUFACTURING - Systems and methods for manufacturing that are scaleable and de-scaleable based upon the production requirements of the customer's manufacturing facility. Systems and methods for mobile and/or modular manufacturing positioned at or near a customer's production facility that are scaleable and de-scaleable based upon the production requirements of the customer's manufacturing facility. The systems and methods of manufacturing may include identifying a customer's production requirements at the customer's production facility, designing a manufacturing cell based upon the identified production requirements, delivering components for the manufacturing cell to a location at or near the customer's production facility, assembling the components to form the manufacturing cell at the location, and training operational personnel to operate the manufacturing cell. The systems and methods may comprise using a modular preform mold system. | 12-19-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090145377 | Piston Assembly For Barrel Engine - A barrel engine includes a central drive shaft and a cam plate interconnected to the drive shaft. The barrel engine includes a plurality of cylinders each having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with the drive shaft. The axes of the cylinders are arranged in a generally circular manner about the drive shaft. A pair of guide rods are provided, which correspond to each cylinder of the engine. Each guide rod has an axis generally parallel with the axes of the cylinders. The barrel engine includes a plurality of piston assemblies. Each piston assembly includes a piston head slidably coupled to one of the cylinders for reciprocal movement along the axis of the cylinder Each piston assembly also includes a guide block slidably coupled to a respective pair of guide rods for guiding the piston head during reciprocal movement along the axis of the cylinder. | 06-11-2009 |
20090277413 | INTAKE SYSTEM FOR A BARREL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An intake system is provided for a barrel internal combustion engine. The intake system includes a main air inlet, an intake plenum for a plurality of combustion cylinders, a first throttle, a second throttle and a control unit. The first throttle is operative to control a flow of air from the main air inlet, through a charging unit, and to the intake plenum. The second throttle is operative to control a flow of air from the air inlet to the intake plenum. The control unit controls the operation of the first and second throttles in supercharged or normally aspirated modes, where the first throttle operates as a main throttle and the second throttle is closed in the supercharged mode, and where the first throttle is closed and the second throttle operates as the main throttle in the naturally aspirated mode. | 11-12-2009 |
20110253081 | CAM PLATE BEARINGS FOR BARREL ENGINE - A barrel engine has a housing with a longitudinal bore with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces. An output shaft is disposed in the bore and has an outer surface with engagement elements. A cam plate has a central portion and a cam portion. The central portion has an outer surface with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces and a bore with an inner surface with engagement elements. The cam plate is received on the output shaft with the engagement elements on the inner surface of the cam plate bore being mechanically coupled to the engagement elements on the outer surface of the output shaft such that the shaft and cam plate are coupled for rotation and the cam plate is longitudinally slidable with respect to the shaft. The cam plate is disposed such that the bearing surfaces are generally aligned with the bearing surfaces of the bore. | 10-20-2011 |
20110253082 | FLYWHEEL FOR BARREL ENGINE - A barrel engine has a longitudinal output shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A plurality of cylinders is disposed about the output shaft and are each generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A cam plane is defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the open ends of the cylinders and a second end of the engine housing. A cam plate is disposed in the engine housing and supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis. The cam plate has a central portion and an outwardly extending cam portion. The cam portion has a cam surface that undulates from one side of the cam plane to the other. A flywheel has a plurality of lobes, each lobe being disposed generally in alignment with an area where the cam surface undulates closest to the open end of a cylinder. | 10-20-2011 |