Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257057 | Device for fatigue testing an implantable medical device - A device for fatigue testing an implantable medical device having a compression assembly and a first bending assembly. The compression assembly supports first and second portions of the implantable medical device so as to apply a compression force to the implantable medical device along a compression axis and at a compression angle. The first bending assembly is configured to apply a first bending force onto the implantable medical device to move the first portion of the implantable medical device about a first bending axis with respect to the second portion of the implantable medical device. The first bending assembly is coupled with the compression assembly such that the compression angle remains substantially constant regardless of the position of the first portion of the implantable medical device with respect to the second portion of the implantable medical device. | 10-23-2008 |
20100290996 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS BASED ON CULTURING MICROORGANISMS IN LOW SEDIMENTAL FLUID SHEAR CONDITIONS - This invention is directed to applying a low sedimental fluid shear environment to manipulate microorganisms, and to microorganisms and compositions obtained based on such manipulation. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of modifying a molecular genetic or phenotypic characteristic (e.g., virulence, stress resistance or biofilm formation) of a microorganism by culturing in a low sedimental shear environment. One or more ion concentrations in the culture can be modulated in order to inhibit or amplify the extent of the modification. The present invention also provides microorganisms obtained from a low sedimental shear culture, which exhibit modified and desirable phenotypic characteristics, as well as therapeutic, vaccine and bioindustrial products prepared from such microorganisms. Further, the present invention provides methods for identifying molecules that modulate responses of a microorganism to a low sedimental shear environment and for determining the relevance of such molecules to pathogenenicity of the microorganism. | 11-18-2010 |
20110066241 | DEMINERALIZED CANCELLOUS BONE SCAFFOLDS - The present invention provides a cancellous bone scaffold to use in the replacement or repair of connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. The cancellous bone scaffold has a fully demineralized segment with at least one adjacent mineralized end segment. | 03-17-2011 |
20120083688 | HEAD INJURY DIAGNOSTICS - Systems and methods for detecting the effects of concussion are disclosed. In various embodiments, fMRI or other live analysis technique captures data regarding the subject's brain activity while he or she is performing a task that exercises one or more particular functional centers. In some embodiments, post-collision activity is compared to baseline data, and the diagnosis operates as a function of the comparison. in other embodiments, post-collision activity is analyzed, such as by partitioning the activity data into regions of interest and calculating activity for one particular region in comparison with certain other, perhaps adjacent, regions. | 04-05-2012 |
20140188242 | DEMINERALIZED CANCELLOUS BONE SCAFFOLDS - The present invention provides a cancellous bone scaffold to use in the replacement or repair of connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. The cancellous bone scaffold has a fully demineralized segment with at least one adjacent mineralized end segment. | 07-03-2014 |
20140316311 | Therapeutic Method and Apparatus Using Mechanically Induced Vibration - A sleeve that provides mechanical stimulation to the arm to prevent bone density loss. A primary goal of this product is to prevent bone density loss that occurs during extended space travel. For one embodiment, only the predefined frequency specifications had to be met (between 40 Hz and 60 Hz). By meeting these frequencies for a duration of 30 minutes the product will theoretically prevent the loss of bone density. Additionally, clinical trials will need to be conducted before this product can be marketed. The product includes of several mechanical vibrators attached to a sleeve. The vibrators are small unbalanced-mass motors which are similar to those found in cell phones. The motors are encased in dome shaped housings designed to reduce lateral vibrations along the arm. The product is controlled using an Arduino board attached to the sleeve that actuates the motors. | 10-23-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120231869 | WAGERING GAME WITH A SECONDARY GAME DETERMINED BY SYMBOL POSITIONS IN A BASE GAME - A system for playing a wagering game has basic and secondary games. The secondary game includes bonus games. Symbols are arranged in an array of symbol positions in a first display for the basic game. Each symbol position has a corresponding position in an array of bonus-game positions in a second display for the secondary game. Each bonus-game position is linked to a different bonus game. The symbols displayed in the array of symbol positions are varied during play of the basic game. The symbols include secondary game trigger symbols. If a secondary game trigger symbol is displayed in a symbol position, the corresponding position in the array of bonus-game positions for the secondary game is identified. If a predetermined number of bonus-game positions are identified, the secondary game is completed by implementing each of the different bonus games linked to the identified bonus-game positions. | 09-13-2012 |
20130122988 | WAGERING GAME HAVING A CONTINUOUS REEL STRIP POPULATING MORE THAN ONE EVALUATION WINDOW - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, and at least one processor. The gaming system further includes at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to display a wagering game having an array of symbol positions, the array of symbol positions being populated by a plurality of symbols for indicating a randomly selected outcome, the array of symbol positions forming a plurality of groups of symbol positions, wherein a single reel populates more than one non-adjacent groups of symbol positions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130252699 | WAGERING GAME HAVING MOVING EVALUATION WINDOW WITHIN SYMBOL ARRAY - A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager and displaying a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. A first set of reels to be evaluated is highlight, spun, and stopped such that a first randomly selected outcome is indicated. The first outcome is evaluated to determine if it is a winning outcome. In response to a winning outcome, a second set of reels to be evaluated is highlighted. The second set of reels includes at least one of the reels of the first set of reels and one of the reels that is adjacent to the first set of reels. The one of the reels that is adjacent to the first set of reels is stopped such that a second randomly selected outcome is indicated by the second set of reels. The second outcome is evaluated to determine if the second outcome is a winning outcome. | 09-26-2013 |
20130344939 | Wagering Game Having Adjacent-Reel Functionality Enhancements - According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system includes receiving a wager in response to an input via at least one input device. The method also includes displaying, on at least one display device, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols forming an array. The plurality of symbols includes at least one special symbol. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a special symbol on adjacent ones of the plurality of reels, the method includes changing the functionality of the special symbols on the adjacent ones of the plurality of reels to create a modified array. | 12-26-2013 |
20140024429 | Wagering Game With Elements Influenced By Symbol Array - A gaming system includes a memory device storing instructions for receiving a wager and displaying a first array of randomly selected reel symbols at respective first positions. A second array of selectable elements is displayed at respective second positions, each second position being associated with at least one respective first position. In response to the first array of randomly selected reel symbols including a triggering symbol at one of the first positions, the element at the second position associated with the one of the first positions is selected independent of player choice. An award is awarded based on the selected element. | 01-23-2014 |
20140031101 | WAGERING GAME WITH DYNAMIC BONUS TRIGGERS - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element. | 01-30-2014 |
20140274288 | WAGERING GAMES EMPLOYING A MEGA SYMBOL - A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol. | 09-18-2014 |
20150080106 | Wagering Game Having Mystery-Symbol Reveal Scheme - A gaming system includes a plurality of simulated reels. Each reel has a plurality of symbol positions, including first symbol positions with reel symbols thereon and second symbol positions with initially transparent regions. The gaming system selects one of the reel symbols to serve as a background symbol, displays a game outcome region through which the simulated reels move, and while the simulated reels are moving, reveals the background symbol through the initially transparent regions of the second symbol positions that move through the game outcome region. For each simulated reel that has stopped moving, each of the second symbol positions located within the game outcome region are filled with the reel symbol corresponding to the background symbol. An award is provided based on the symbols in the game outcome region. | 03-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110248633 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PERIODIC VOLTAGE USING DIRECT CURRENT - Methods and apparatus for applying pulsed DC power to a plasma processing chamber are disclosed. In some implementations, frequency of the applied power is varied to achieve desired processing effects such as deposition rate, arc rate, and film characteristics. In addition, a method and apparatus are disclosed that utilize a relatively high potential during a reverse-potential portion of a particular cycle to mitigate possible nodule formation on the target. The relative durations of the reverse-potential portion, a sputtering portion, and a recovery portion of the cycle are adjustable to effectuate desired processing effects. | 10-13-2011 |
20120043890 | PROACTIVE ARC MANAGEMENT OF A PLASMA LOAD - Proactive arc management systems and methods are disclosed. In many implementations, proactive arc management is accomplished by executing an arc handling routine in response to an actual arc occurring in the plasma load and in response to proactive arc handling requests in a sampling interval. The number of proactive arc handling requests in a sampling interval is a function of a proactive arc management count that in turn is a function of actual number of arcs in a preceding sampling interval. Accordingly during a present sampling interval proactive arc management executes arc handling for actual arcs in the present sampling interval and for each count in a proactive arc management count updated as a function of the number of arcs in the immediately preceding sampling interval. | 02-23-2012 |
20120285620 | Current Threshold Response Mode for Arc Management - This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for extinguishing electrical arcs in a plasma processing chamber. Once an arc is detected, the steady state voltage provided to the plasma processing chamber can be reduced, and the current being provided to the chamber decays below a steady state value as the arc is extinguished. When the current falls to or below a current threshold, the voltage can be ramped back up bringing the voltage and current back to steady state values. This technique enables power to return to a steady state level faster than traditional arc mitigation techniques. | 11-15-2012 |