17th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 52 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140114388 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE HAVING OSSEOINTEGRATING PROTUBERANCES - An implantable device for mounting to a patient's bone includes a housing and at least one osseointegrating protuberance. The housing includes a surface having an abutting portion configured to abut the bone when the housing is implanted in the patient, the abutting portion defining a housing axis orthogonal to the surface. The at least one osseointegrating protuberance: extends from the surface of the housing; is adapted to abut the patient's bone; and has a substantially smooth shaft. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114389 | PLAIN WOVEN STENTS - Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving. The devices may be created by bending shape memory wires around tabs projecting from a template, and weaving the ends of the wires to create the body of the device such that the wires cross each other to form a plurality of angles, at least one of the angles being obtuse. The value of the obtuse angle may be increased by axially compressing the body. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114390 | TRICUSPID VALVE REPAIR USING TENSION - Apparatus is provided that includes first and second tissue-engaging elements, and first and second flexible longitudinal members, coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respectively. The apparatus further includes a first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the first flexible longitudinal member, a second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the second flexible longitudinal member, and a flexible longitudinal guide member reversibly coupled to the first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element. The first and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements. Other applications are also described. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114391 | Stent-Graft and Method for Percutaneous Access and Closure of Vessels - In a method of accessing and closing a vessel, a vessel is percutaneously accessed through a first opening in the vessel wall at a first location. A stent-graft is delivered through the first opening to a second location. The stent-graft is deployed at the second location. The vessel is then accessed through a second opening through the vessel wall at the second location, wherein the second opening is generally aligned with a fenestration through the graft material of the stent-graft. A delivery device is advanced through the second opening, the fenestration, and the stent-graft lumen to a third location spaced from the first location and the second location. After the delivery device is retracted through the lumen of the stent-graft and out of the fenestration and the second opening, the stent graft is rotated or translated such that the fenestration is not aligned with the second opening. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114392 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE DEPLOYMENT OF A STENT - A control system for deploying a stent graft ( | 2014-04-24 |
20140114393 | STENT ELEMENT - There is provided a stent element comprising a central portion with two arms extending therefrom, optionally in a V-shaped or Y-shaped configuration. The arms of the stent-element are resiliently deformable to facilitate packing and suitable material for forming the stent-element is nitinol or PEEK. The stent element can be used to stabilise two adjacent ring stents on a stent graft by attachment to the graft material between the ring stents, for example by sewing. The stent element stabilises the ring stent without risk of fracture. A stent graft having two ring stents and the stent element located between the ring stents is also described. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114394 | Biodegradable stent with enhanced fracture toughness - Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114395 | Percutaneously Implantable Replacement Heart Valve Device and Method of Making Same - A method of making a replacement heart valve device whereby a fragment of biocompatible tissue material is treated and soaked in one or more alcohol solutions and a solution of glutaraldehyde. The dried biocompatible tissue material is folded and rehydrated in such a way that forms a two- or three-leaflet/cusp valve without affixing of separate cusps or leaflets or cutting slits into the biocompatible tissue material to form the cusps or leaflets. After the biocompatible tissue material is folded, it is affixed at one or more points on the outer surface to the inner cavity or a stent. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114396 | COVERED STENT FOR VASCULAR CLOSURE - A stent assembly includes a stent, a covering on at least a portion of the stent, and a string encircling at least a portion of the covering. The string is releasably engaged to the covering or stent or both the covering and the stent. The string can be adhered to the stent, or the stent assembly, to the covering of the stent assembly, or both the covering and the stent. The string can be wrapped around the stent or covering in an interwoven loop or knit pattern. The covering can be made to overlap a perforation in a body lumen such as an artery or blood vessel and prevent bleeding. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114397 | METHOD FOR EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLYMERIC STRUCTURES INCLUDING STENTS - The invention is to methods of deploying polymeric biodegradable or non biodegradable stents by use of stepwise creases in the pressure placed upon the inner diameter of the stent to slowly increase the stent diameter. In one embodiment, the pressure on the interior stent diameter is slowly increased. The stent is allowed to acclimate to this diameter for a set period of time, and then the pressure is again increased. This series of steps continues until the stent reaches its final diameter and a final period of acclimatization is maintained prior to the removal of the deployment/delivery device. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114398 | TIME-DEPENDENT POLYMER SCAFFOLDS - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114399 | METHODS FOR VASCULAR RESTORATION THERAPY - A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114400 | DEVICE FOR SECURING A PROSTHESIS TO THE INTERNAL WALL OF A BODY LUMEN - There is provided a device to secure a prosthesis, such as a stent graft, to the internal wall of a body lumen. The device is formed from two elongate elements each comprising a central portion with at least one arm extending therefrom. The central portions of the elements abut. Optionally, the central portions are joined together, optionally by a joining element which can act as a hinge. The terminal end of each arm can be shaped for engagement with the inner surface of the body lumen. The device is reversibly interchangeable between a first folded configuration and a second deployed or open configuration. The device is preferably attached to the sleeve of a stent graft independent of the stents which are preferably ring stents. A stent graft comprising the device is also described. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114401 | Method Of Reducing MACE In Diabetic Patients Subsequent To Stent Placement - This invention relates to the use of dual variable domain antibodies to locate naturally-occurring beneficial agents or therapeutic agents at a region of stent implantation in diabetic patients who have undergone stent implantation. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114402 | Methods and Devices for Repairing and/or Preventing Paravalvular Leakage Post-Implantation of a Valve Prosthesis - Devices and methods for delivering a sealing element post-implantation of valve prosthesis that functions to occlude or fill gaps present between the valve prosthesis and the native valve tissue, thereby reducing, minimizing, or eliminating leaks there through. In a first method, an injectable material is placed within a native valve sinus to form a sealing element that presses native valve leaflets against an outer surface of a heart valve prosthesis. In a second method, an injectable sealing material or a preformed annular sealing component is positioned between the outer surface or perimeter of a heart valve prosthesis and native heart valve tissue. In a third method, a preformed sealing element or component is placed within a heart valve prosthesis to press the prosthesis against native valve tissue. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114403 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HEART VALVE REPAIR - A device for transcatheter gathering of tissue of a heart valve leaflet may include an elongated tube, a capture tool moveable in the tube between a retracted position and an extended position, a tissue support located within a distal portion of the tube, and a clamping member pivotable in the tube between an open position spaced from the tissue support and a closed position adjacent the tissue support. The clamping member may have a flattened clamping portion and a C-shaped portion that defines a pocket therein. An open side of the C-shaped portion may face the tissue support. The capture tool and the clamping member may be operable to gather and clamp tissue between the tissue support and the clamping member, such that the clamped tissue has a gathered configuration. The device may also include a releasable clip adapted to hold the clamped tissue in the gathered configuration. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114404 | TRANSAPICAL MITRAL VALVE REPAIR DEVICE - Methods and devices for repairing a cardiac valve. A minimally invasive procedure includes creating an access in the apex region of the heart through which one or more instruments may be inserted. The device can implant artificial heart valve chordae tendineae into cardiac valve leaflet tissues to restore proper leaflet function and prevent reperfusion. The device punctures the apex of the heart and travels through the ventricle. The tip of the device rests on the defective valve and punctures the valve leaflet. A suture or a suture/guide wire combination is inserted, securing the top of the leaflet to the apex of the heart. A resilient element or shock absorber mechanism adjacent to the outside of the apex of the heart minimizes the linear travel of the device in response to the beating of the heart or opening/closing of the valve. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114405 | Medical Devices and Delivery Systems for Delivering Medical Devices - Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114406 | LOW PROFILE HEART VALVE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114407 | METHODS FOR INHIBITING STENOSIS, OBSTRUCTION, OR CALCIFICATION OF A STENTED HEART VALVE - The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting stenosis, obstruction, or calcification of a valve following implantation of a valve prosthesis which may involve disposing a coating composition on an elastical stent and securing the valve prosthesis which may have a collapsible elastical valve mounted on the elastical stent such that the elastical stent may be in contact with the valve. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114408 | Valve Prosthesis - A heart valve prosthesis and delivery systems are provided for replacing a cardiac valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a self-expanding frame includes a portion having a crimp that provides additional flexibility to the self-expanding frame in the collapsed configuration. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114409 | PROSTHETIC ANATOMICAL DEVICE WITH SEWING CUFF FLANGE AND ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE - A prosthetic anatomical device, such as, for example an annuloplasty prosthesis, is disclosed in which the prosthesis comprises a generally annular core and a cover surrounding the core, with at least a portion of the cover forming a cuff. In some embodiments, the cover may be particularly configured about the core to form the cuff. Various methods and structures for mitigating or retarding movement between the annular core and the fabric cover are also disclosed. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114410 | EYEBALL STABILIZING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE - An adjustable apparatus for stabilizing an eyeball suitable for use during surgical or transplant procedures is disclosed. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114411 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MATERIAL FIXATION - A system and method for making an orthopedic repair by fixing a soft tissue graft to bone, utilizes an implant including a body wedge having first and second outwardly expandable wedge portions, a wing portion having outwardly expandable wings, and a deployment member which is movable distally into the implant to deploy the wedge portions and the wings into an expanded deployed orientation. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114412 | ANCHOR FOR BONE AND SOFT TISSUE - The invention is directed to an anchor for fixing a tendon or a ligament in a bone comprising: an elongated tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising first and second independent parts slidably contacting each other, the first and second independent parts each having an outer circumferential surface along a length thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis, and each having an elongated partial inner bore, such that the tubular body is capable of mounting a tendon or ligament within the partial inner bore. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114413 | INTERSOMATIC CAGE, INTERVERTEBRAL PROSTHESIS, ANCHORING DEVICE AND IMPLANTATION INSTRUMENTS - An intersomatic cage, an intervertebral prosthesis, an anchoring device and an instrument for implantation of the cage or the prosthesis and the anchoring device are provided. An intersomatic cage or an intervertebral prosthesis fit closely to the anchoring device, which includes a body of elongated shape on a longitudinal axis, of curved shape describing, along the longitudinal axis, an arc whose dimensions and radius of curvature are designed in such a manner that the anchoring device may be implanted in the vertebral plate of a vertebra by presenting its longitudinal axis substantially along the plane of the intervertebral space, where the anchoring device is inserted, by means of the instrument, through a slot located in at least one peripheral wall of the cage or on at least one plate of the intervertebral disc prosthesis to penetrate into at least one vertebral plate. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114414 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SPINAL STABILIZATION AND INSTRUMENTATION - Apparatus and methods for providing spinal percutaneous delivery of an implant that can rigidly fixate the spinous process of a first superior bone and a second inferior bone of a functional spinal unit. In one aspect, the device comprises two bone abutment members connected via an interconnecting member. In another aspect, the method comprises implanting at least two spinal implant apparatus within a target disc space via an implantation apparatus. In another aspect, a placement instrument comprising an implant delivery segment, an anchor segment, and an articulating arm is disclosed. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114415 | Orthopedic Systems for Spine and Tracking Control - An orthopedic implant system includes an intervertebral implant. The implant includes a body having an upper surface extending generally in a first plane. The upper surface has a first plurality of longitudinal grooves and a second plurality of transverse grooves extending therealong. Portions of the upper surface extend between adjacent longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves form individual peaks. A lower surface extends generally in a second plane, parallel to the first plane. The lower surface has a third plurality of longitudinal grooves and a fourth plurality of transverse grooves extending therealong. Portions of the lower surface extend between adjacent longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves form individual peaks. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114416 | INTERVERTIBRAL DISC CAP AND METHOD OF USE - An intervertebral spacer in the form of a generally flat four sided disc, with two opposite sides having slightly curved surfaces and two opposite sides having pointed lobes. The disc is configured to be placed between two vertebrae and rotated, with the rotation spreading the vertebrae and moving the pointed lobes into contact with the inner vertebral faces, for holding the vertebrae a fixed distance apart. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114417 | INSERTION DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN EXPANDABLE CAGE - An insertion device includes a first engagement arm having a first body portion and a first proximal extension, a second engagement arm including a second body portion and a second proximal extension, and an adjustment mechanism. The second proximal extension is disposed about the first proximal extension and is slidable therealong to vary a spacing between the first and second engagement arms. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment screw rotatably coupled to the first proximal extension and an adjustment cylinder coupled to the second proximal extension. The adjustment cylinder is configured to receive the adjustment screw in threaded engagement therewith such that rotation of the adjustment screw relative to the adjustment cylinder urges the second proximal extension to translate along the first proximal extension to vary the spacing between the first and second engagement arms. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114418 | FACET FIXATION DEVICE - The invention features an implant assembly for stabilization of a facet joint including an implant having a U-shaped body. The U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and a helical structure extending within the U-shaped body that serves as a locking mechanism. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114419 | MESENCHYMAL CELL-BASED SOFT FUSION AS A BIOLOGICAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISC REPLACEMENT - The invention comprises a combination of biological elements that will naturally remodel in vivo based on applied mechanical forces. The final composition will possess mechanical properties similar to cartilage or a disc, and significantly less stiff than bone or implants comprised of metals or plastics. The equilibrium stress conduction will minimize unnatural forces on neighboring healthy discs. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114420 | EXPANDABLE INTER-BODY FUSION DEVICES AND METHODS - An expandable inter-body fusion device is presented. The expandable inter-body fusion device has a first plate and a second plate that can be manipulated to change the height and angle of lordosis. Also presented is a method of using an expandable inter-body fusion device in an inter-body fusion procedure, and a method of using an expandable trial to size the correct expandable inter-body fusion device for use in the aforementioned procedure. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114421 | INTERBODY SPINAL IMPLANT HAVING A ROUGHENED SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY - An interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, a substantially hollow center, and a single vertical aperture. The single vertical aperture extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, has a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and defines a transverse rim. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114422 | PLASTICALLY DEFORMABLE INTER-OSSEOUS DEVICE - Described here are deformable monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chose site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114423 | DISTRACTIBLE INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - A distractible intervertebral implant configured to be inserted in an insertion direction into an intervertebral space that is defined between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body is disclosed. The implant may include a first body and a second body. The first body may define an outer surface that is configured to engage the first vertebral body, and an opposing inner surface that defines a rail. The second body may define an outer surface that is configured to engage the second vertebral body, and an inner surface that defines a recess configured to receive the rail of the first body. The second body moves in a vertical direction toward the second vertebral body as the second body is slid over the first body and the rail is received in the recess. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114424 | Surgically Implantable Joint Spacer - A spacer formed of an intermetallic compound, such as nitinol. The spacer includes two segments shaped in opposing arches. The unique properties of the intermetallic compound enable the material to be deformed into a planar, insertable shape when the material is cooled below a transition temperature and returns to the undeformed shape when the material returns to an ambient, operational temperature. An expansion mechanism assembly can engage with the spacer to apply an expansion force. The expansion force extends the spacer longitudinally drawing the spacer into the planar configuration. The expansion mechanism assembly can be used to guide the spacer into the desired position within the patient. The spacer control mechanism assembly is subsequently removed, relieving the expansion force. The spacer returns to the natural undeformed shape as it returns to body temperature. Retention features can be integrated in the spacer to aid in retaining the spacer in location. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114425 | IMPLANT - An implant ( | 2014-04-24 |
20140114426 | KNEE JOINT DEVICE AND METHOD - A medical device for implantation in a knee joint of a human patient is provided. The medical device comprises: an inner surface ( | 2014-04-24 |
20140114427 | REVISION KNEE TIBIAL LOCKING MECHANISM - A tibial prosthesis assembly including a tibial component and a tibial insert. The tibial component includes an inferior bone engaging surface, a superior surface, and a first retention feature. The tibial insert includes an inferior tibial component engaging surface, a superior bearing surface, and a second retaining feature. The first and the second retaining features cooperate to mate the tibial insert with the tibial component at one of a plurality of fixed rotational orientations relative to the tibial component. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114428 | Metacarpal-phalangeal prosthesis - A surgically implantable metacarpal-phalangeal prosthetic replacement device having engaging male and female components. The male and female components each include a conically shaped shank adapted to be inserted into a medullary canal of a bone. The male head portion connected to the first conically shaped shank includes two spaced-apart lateral condyles having convex condylar surfaces and an intercondylar portion juxtaposed between the first and second convex condyles. The intercondylar portion extends outwardly relative to the convex condylar surfaces. The female component has a female head portion connected to the second conically shaped shank. The female head portion includes spaced-apart lateral side portions having concave recessed load-bearing surfaces that are complementary to and moveably engage the convex condylar surfaces of the male component. The lateral sides portions further define an intermediate concave condylar recess that moveably engages the outwardly extending intercondylar portion. The female head portion further includes dorsally positioned and substantially longitudinally aligned first and second protuberances which define a median channel portion for reception of the extensor tendons. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114429 | Acetabular Screw Hole Plugs - An acetabular shell assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a substrate and a screw hole plug. The substrate can have an inner surface, an outer surface, and a screw hole extending through the inner and outer surfaces and configured to receive a screw to fix the substrate to bone within an acetabulum. The screw hole plug can be configured to be selectively retained relative to the substrate. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114430 | STENT DEVICES MADE OF A LATTICE WITH SMOOTH SHAPE CELLS IMPROVING STENT FATIGUE LIFE - A method for generating a lattice cell shape for a stent comprising generating a unit cell model representing a stent cell to be made of a given material, the unit cell model comprising elements each comprising points defining a G | 2014-04-24 |
20140114431 | MEDICAL STENT - A medical stent comprising a coil formed by winding a wire around an axis, an outer layer formed substantially tubular made from a first resin material, provided on an outer peripheral side of said coil and coaxial to said coil, and an inner layer formed substantially tubular made from a second resin material, provided on an inner peripheral side of said coil and coaxial to said coil. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114432 | TISSUE ANCHORABLE DEVICES - A device for treating GERD is provided. The device includes a device body capable of at least partially preventing reflux of stomach content to the esophagus while enabling flow of esophageal content around said device body and into the stomach. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114433 | Anti-Reflux Prosthesis - A prosthesis and a method for controlling flow through a bodily lumen in a first direction and a second direction are provided. The prosthesis includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a body lumen extending therethrough. The prosthesis also includes a first valve for controlling flow through the body lumen in a first direction where the first valve forms a first opening in the prosthesis. The prosthesis includes a second valve for controlling flow through the body lumen in a second direction where the second valve includes a portion that contacts the body in a closed configuration and the portion is spaced apart from the body in an open configuration to form the second opening. The first opening is positioned apart from the second opening and the second opening opens in response to a higher pressure than the first opening. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114434 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR IMPLANTATION INTO LUMINAL STRUCTURES - The present invention relates to expandable scaffolds such as stents. The vascular scaffolds may be formed from bioabsorbable polymers, metals or various combinations of metals and polymers. The stents of the present invention comprise a generally cylindrically shaped main body having a plurality of expandable first and second circumferential elements. The body of the vascular scaffold comprises a plurality of circumferential elements. At least two circumferential elements may be connected to form a pair of circumferential elements. There may be one or more connections between the circumferential elements forming the pair. Each pair of circumferential elements is connected to an adjacent pair of circumferential elements by at least one connection element. When expanded, at least a portion of the connection elements connecting the circumferential elements in the pairs and/or the connection elements connecting the circumferential elements in adjacent pairs form a contiguous spiral pattern which may form a helix(s). | 2014-04-24 |
20140114435 | TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND PATTERNS ON A SURFACE OF A MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - The invention relates to medical devices that has a surface configured to promote the migration of cells onto the surface of the medical device. In particular, the surface of the medical device has a noncontiguous pattern of topographical features formed therein or thereon. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114436 | MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a host. The medical device includes an outer surface at least a portion of which is impermeable to cells but is permeable to molecules secreted by cells, the outer surface separating a space inside the medical device from a surrounding tissue of the host. The medical device also includes a diffusion sink positioned within the space and configured to cause molecules that are secreted into the tissue by immune cells during a foreign body response (FBR) to diffuse, through random motion, through the portion and into the diffusion sink. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114437 | CONTROLLING POWER IN A PROSTHESIS OR ORTHOSIS BASED ON PREDICTED WALKING SPEED OR SURROGATE FOR SAME - In some embodiments of a prosthetic or orthotic ankle/foot, a prediction is made of what the walking speed will be during an upcoming step. When the predicted walking speed is slow, the characteristics of the apparatus are then modified so that less net-work that is performed during that step (as compared to when the predicted walking speed is fast). This may be implemented using one sensor from which the walking speed can be predicted, and a second sensor from which ankle torque can be determined. A controller receives inputs from those sensors, and controls a motor's torque so that the torque for slow walking speeds is lower than the torque for fast walking speeds. This reduces the work performed by the actuator over a gait cycle and the peak actuator power delivered during the gait cycle. In some embodiments, a series elastic element is connected in series with a motor that can drive the ankle, and at least one sensor is provided with an output from which a deflection of the series elastic element can be determined. A controller determines a desired torque based on the output, and controls the motor's torque based on the determined desired torque. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114438 | POWERED LEG PROSTHESIS AND CONTROL METHODOLOGIES FOR OBTAINING NEAR NORMAL GAIT - A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114439 | HAND PROSTHESIS - A prosthetic hand system may include a plurality of prosthetic fingers and a prosthetic thumb. The prosthetic hand system may include a thumb drive mechanism that may be used to actuate the prosthetic thumb. In some examples, the thumb drive mechanism may be configured to enable the prosthetic thumb to perform a pinching or grasping motion and a release motion. The prosthetic hand system may also include a backlock that enables the prosthetic thumb to maintain pinching or gripping pressure after a motor has been disengaged. The prosthetic hand system may also include a gear lock that may be configured to lock a finger joint. The prosthetic hand system may also include an adaptive gripping joint that may be located on each prosthetic finger. In some examples, the adaptive gripping joint may be configured to passively adapt the plurality of prosthetic fingers to one or more differently shaped objects. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114440 | SUPERVISOR USER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An approach for control of users relative to access to controllers of a site in a hierarchy of controllers and building equipment. When a user of a customer has established a read write connection to a site controller, the customer does not necessarily want any subsequent user to establish a read write connection to the site controller or another controller within the same site and also make changes, for example, to settings of building equipment. Thus, a subsequent user may be allowed a read only connection and just be able to view building equipment information. When the first user has disconnected either intentionally or by inactivity, the site controller may be cleared allowing a subsequent user to obtain a read write connection. If the first user is inactive but fails to disconnect from the controller, an auto log-off provision may disconnect the user after a specified period of inactivity. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114441 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FACILITY EQUIPMENT - The control device controls facility equipment and includes a receiving unit, first and second decision units and an adjustment control unit. The receiving unit receives time-of-use unit price information of an energy supplied to the facility equipment. The first decision unit decides a first time slot in which an index that includes a factor of an energy unit price approaches a peak in a first period based on the time-of-use unit price information. The second decision unit decides a second time slot prior to the first time slot and a third time slot subsequent to the first time slot in the first period. The adjustment control unit executes an energy adjustment control to adjust an energy consumption of the facility equipment so that an amount of suppression of the energy consumption is higher in the first time slot than in the second and the third time slots. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114442 | REAL TIME CONTROL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods for real time control system management in networked environments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-based system for real time embedded control system behavior monitoring and anomaly detection comprises a processor and logic instructions stored in a tangible computer-readable medium coupled to the processor which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to generate a behavior training set for the embedded control system, wherein the behavior training set correlates inputs to the embedded control system with outputs from the embedded control system during a training process to define behavior fingerprints for the embedded control system monitor inputs to the embedded control system and outputs from the embedded control system in real time during operation of the embedded control system, and generate an alert when one or more of the inputs into the embedded control system or the outputs collected from the embedded control system in real time operation represent an anomaly. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114443 | PROGRAMMABLE PROBABILITY PROCESSING - An inference task is performed using a computation device having a plurality of processing elements operable in parallel and connected via a connectivity system. Performing the task includes accepting at the device a specification of at least part of the inference task. The specification characterizes a plurality of variables and a plurality of factors, each factor being associated with a subset of the variables. Each of the processing elements is configured with data defining one or more of the plurality of factors. At each of the processing elements, computation associated with one of the factors is performed concurrently with other of the processing elements performing computation associated with different ones of the factors. Messages are exchanged via a connectivity system. The messages provide inputs and/or outputs to the processing elements for the computations associated with the factors and provide a result of performing of the at least the part of the inference task. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114444 | ADAPTIVE RESPONSE TIME ACCELERATION - This document discusses among other things, methods and apparatus to conserve energy when providing proximity information. An example apparatus can include an energy emitter configured to emit a first pulse of energy, an energy sensor configured to receive reflected energy from the first pulse of energy, a control circuit including a processor, the processor configured to provide first proximity information of the apparatus with respect to an object using the reflected energy. The control circuit can be configured to control the energy emitter, to compare the first proximity information with second proximity information, and to modulate a delay between the first pulse of energy and a subsequent pulse of energy using the comparison. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114445 | INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR MAN-MACHINE INTERACTION - An interface system ( | 2014-04-24 |
20140114446 | MULTI-DRIVER CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREOF - A multi-driver control method and an apparatus thereof are disclosed in the present invention. The multi-axis control method comprises the following steps: providing a set of control curves, each curve of the set of control curves controls a driver respectively; dividing the curves by a set time period; sending the divided curves in the same time period to the corresponding drivers in one time period, and sending a unified beat signal to all the drivers in order to synchronize execution time of all the drivers; fitting and restoring a programmed motion curve of each driver according to all received control commands; taking points at each driver's own programmed motion curve, which is restored locally, of each driver to control the rotation of each driver's own motor. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114447 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method of operating a fuel cell system which is controlled by an electronic device includes: transmitting a bit stream including a bit string which indicates identification information of the fuel cell system and a bit string which indicates status information of the fuel cell system to the electronic device through a serial communication line; receiving a bit stream including a bit string which indicates control information of the fuel cell system from the electronic device through the serial communication line; obtaining the control information of the fuel cell system from the received bit stream; and controlling power production of a fuel cell by controlling operations of peripheral devices of the fuel cell system based on the obtained control information of the fuel cell system. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114448 | Method and apparatus for sharing electric vehicle and electric appliance usage data - A system and method allowing electric vehicle (EV) and other appliance owners to share data with other appliance owners and service providers. For an EV, data like SoC, or whether the EV is presently connected to an EV charger, can be shared through a server and database with a control system that can now know the type of vehicle that is connected to a particular EV charger. Such a system can also know when an EV owner has been notified that his EV is charging, or fully charged, and if the EV is still connected to an EV charger. Such data originates at the EV (or other appliance), is sent wirelessly to the EV manufacturer's central database, and from there is sent to, or can be requested by, the EV owner(s). Data is merged with EV charger usage data for the EV or a plurality of EV's. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114449 | Computerized System and Method for Mixing Multiple Sources of Sports Statistics Projections - The present invention is a system and method for generating composite sets of rest-of-season sports projections from one or multiple sets of current-week projections, and a base set of rest-of-season projections for use in fantasy sports. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114450 | System and Method For Facilitating Personalized Training Plans for an Athlete - A web-based platform and method for personalizing the training regimen of an athlete. The platform includes a processor and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114451 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIA FOR MANAGING AND PROCESSING GOLF DATA - A system, method and non-transitory storage medium to manage and process golf game data, golf player data, handicap data, golf team data, and golf course data so as to organize and manage team-based groups or golf leagues of extended duration where asynchronous golf game play during some periods and synchronous game play during other periods on real golf courses and potentially different golf courses is possible. Extensive grouping, scoring, and ranking of golf teams as well as qualification-based tournaments are provided so as to create previously unseen effects of creating a strong community of interest in golfing and increasing the enjoyment and frequency of golf play. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114452 | Wearable Devices for Assessment of Athletic Performance - Aspects of the disclosure relate to non-obtrusive, durable, reusable, lightweight, and/or affordable wearable devices for assessment of athletic performance during an athletic event, and techniques for supplying such wearable devices. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114453 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ATHLETIC MOTION ANALYSIS AND INSTRUCTION - A system and method for analyzing and improving the performance of a body motion of an animal or human subject requires instrumenting a subject with inertial sensors, monitoring a body motion of interest, converting sensor data into motion data and animation, comparing the motion data with existing data for motion related performance parameters, providing a real-time, information rich, animation and data display of the results in color coded displays; and based on the results prescribing a training regime with exercises selected from a library of standardized exercises using standardized tools and training aids. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114454 | GOLF DATA COLLECTION - A system for golf data collection comprises an apparatus arranged to be worn about the body of a golfer during a game of golf. The apparatus includes a positioning system for determining various locations of a golfer during the game, a tag reader for reading a club held in close proximity to the apparatus around the time of striking a golf ball, and a processor for correlating the location of the golfer with the time at which a tag is read to enable the path of a golf ball throughout the game of golf to be determined. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114455 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SCENE CHANGE DETECTION-BASED TRIGGER FOR AUDIO FINGERPRINTING ANALYSIS - Certain aspects of an apparatus and method for scene change detection-based trigger for audio fingerprinting analysis may include a content-rendering device communicably coupled to a content-server. The content-rendering device may sample an audio component of the content at a sampling rate. The content-rendering device may generate and communicate to the content-server, an audio fingerprint based on the sampled audio component. The content-rendering device may further modify the sampling rate based on a detected scene change in the content. The scene change may be detected based on the communicated audio fingerprint. In another embodiment, the content-server may receive a plurality of audio fingerprints and detect a change in a type of content associated with the plurality of audio fingerprints. The content-server may further communicate a trigger signal to the content-rendering device that indicates the detected change in the type of content associated with the plurality of audio fingerprints. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114456 | Methods and Systems for Clock Correction and/or Synchronization for Audio Media Measurement Systems - Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing devices that produce identifiable characteristics from audio media. A device receives audio and produces initial time data. Subsequent time data is received at a coupling interface from a portable device that has access to accurate time sources. The subsequent time data is processed to determine if it is more accurate than the initial time data. If so, the clock of the device is updated to reflect the second time data. The device then processes the audio media to generate at least one identifiable characteristic relating to the audio, which may include ancillary codes and/or audio signatures. The identifiable characteristics are then transmitted together with the subsequent time data for detection. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114457 | Customized Shoe Textures And Shoe Portions - A shoe with a three-dimensional (3-D) surface texture created using rapid manufacturing techniques is provided. A plurality of 3-D surface texture options is presented on a user interface; each of the options is associated with one of a plurality of 3-D surface textures to be applied to a portion of a shoe. A selection of a 3-D surface texture is received and is used in part to generate a design file. The design file is used to instruct a rapid manufacturing device to manufacture the portion of the shoe comprised of the 3-D surface texture using a rapid manufacturing technique. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114458 | MACHINING SIMULATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A machining simulation device includes a local-region setting unit that sets a local region for a workpiece, an offset-deformation processing unit that offsets and deforms a shape of a part of a whole three-dimensional shape model of the workpiece, for which the local region is set, and generates a local three-dimensional shape model of the workpiece, a local tool-movement-data output unit that outputs local tool movement data from whole tool movement data based on a tool model and movement path data of a tool, a local cutting-deformation processing unit that cuts and deforms the local three-dimensional shape model of a workpiece based on the local tool movement data, and a display superimposing unit that superimposes the cut and deformed local three-dimensional shape model of the workpiece on the whole three-dimensional shape model of the workpiece, and displays the superimposed result. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114459 | ROBOT SYSTEM AND PROCESSED PRODUCT PRODUCING METHOD - A robot system includes a robot arm, a controller, an imager, a display device, and an input receiver. To the robot arm, a tool is to be mounted so as to process a workpiece. The controller is configured to control the robot arm. The imager is configured to pick up an image of the workpiece. The display device is configured to display the image of the workpiece picked up by the imager. The input receiver is configured to receive an input of a processing position where the workpiece is to be processed based on the image of the workpiece displayed on the display device. The controller is configured to control the robot arm based on the processing position received by the input receiver. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114460 | MODELING PROFILE RESPONSE FROM BUMPING MULTIPLE CONSECUTIVE PROFILING ACTUATORS - A cross-direction feedback controller, profiler system and actuator setpoint controller are provided in communication with a plurality of actuators in a machine of a web-forming process, and with a local region detector that determines an actual profile response of a product of the web-forming process in response to consecutively bumping each of the actuators. A relationship between generated profile response data and an actuator setpoint change in the generated profile response data is represent by a profile-to-actuator general interaction matrix, which is expanded into linear equations that describe impacts of bumped actuators on different profile points of generated profile response data. The linear equations are rearranged into a bump-magnitude matrix as a function of a desired response model vector. A least-square solution is found for the bump-magnitude matrix, convolved with a window function and then optimized to minimize error between an actual and a modeled profile response. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114461 | 3D MACHINE VISION SCANNING INFORMATION EXTRACTION SYSTEM - A three-dimensional machine vision scanner head for obtaining raw scan data from a target object and an integrated scan information extraction module that performs data reduction and passes to a controller selected summary target object scan information that is significant for automated control decisions in an industrial process. The scanner head contains a laser light emitter, reflected laser light detector and a communication interface for transmitting the target object scan information from the information extraction module to the controller. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114462 | CHATTER VIBRATION SUPPRESSING METHOD AND MACHINE TOOL - A chatter vibration suppressing method includes acquiring a moment of inertia of a rotating body, recording a value indicating the acquired moment of inertia into a machining program, and calculating a variable amplitude and a variable period when a rotation speed of the rotating body is varied in order to suppress chatter vibration from the value indicating the moment of inertia recorded in the machining program and the maximum input power of a motor for rotating the rotating body. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114463 | Determining Trajectories of Redundant Actuators Jointly Tracking Reference Trajectory - A method determines trajectories of redundant actuators of a machine including a first actuator and a second actuator. The method determines a first trajectory of the first actuator tracking a reference trajectory with an error tolerance, wherein the error tolerance is a function of a constraint of the second actuator, and determines a second trajectory of the second actuator based on a difference between the reference trajectory and the first trajectory. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114464 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY POSITIONING AN END EFFECTOR - A system for remotely positioning an end effector includes an input device and at least one sensor configured to generate at least one signal reflective of a force applied to the input device. A processor receives the at least one signal and is configured to execute logic stored in a memory that causes the processor to compare the at least one signal to a predetermined limit and generate a control signal to the end effector if the at least one signal exceeds the predetermined limit. A method for remotely positioning an end effector includes moving an input device, sensing a force applied to the input device, comparing the force applied to the input device to a predetermined limit, and generating a control signal to the end effector if the force applied to the input device exceeds the predetermined limit. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114465 | NUMERICAL CONTROL APPARATUS - A numerical control apparatus controls a machine tool including an X axis for moving a turret to which a plurality of tools are attached, a H axis for rotating the turret, and a C axis for rotating a work and not including a Y axis orthogonal to the X axis. The numerical control apparatus includes a unit configured to independently rotate the H axis according to an independent rotation command for the H axis and perform tool replacement during an imaginary Y-axis control mode, the imaginary Y-axis control mode being a mode for converting an X-Y axes movement command in a machining program into a command in an X-H-C coordinate system and for driving the X axis, the H axis, and the C axis in association with one another according to the converted command. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114466 | AUTOMATIC STACKED STORAGE SYSTEM FOR PARKING OR STORAGE - An automatic stacked parking or storage system includes a plurality of stationary docking cells, a plurality of carriages, and a central management system communicating with and controlling operations of the docking cells. Each docking cell has a ground driving device affixed on the bottom of the docking cell to drive a carriage horizontally in different directions of the docking cell, a docking cell control and interface unit (CIU), and one or more carriage position and ID sensor. A loaded carriage is moved horizontally by the ground driving devices of corresponding docking cells from a starting to a destination docking cell according to a route selected by a route optimization module. The location of the loaded carriage in the selected route is dynamically updated according to real time reports from each CIU of the corresponding docking cells. The system transports multiple loaded carriages at the same time for parking/storage and retrieval. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114467 | SECURITY AND TRACKING SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION - Sonic embodiments provide an agricultural commodity distribution system that provides secure distribution of an agricultural commodity to an authorized person. In some embodiments, the system comprises a server computing device, a data storage associated with the computing device, and a controller that activates the distribution to the authorized person. In some embodiments, the server is communicably connected to a mobile communication device of a person such that the person can send the distribution request to the server via the mobile communication device. The server of some embodiments is associated with the data storage such that the server can validate the distribution request against data stored in the data storage. The server of some embodiments is also communicably connected to the controller such that the server transmits an activation code to the controller when the distribution request is validated. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114468 | CONVEYOR AND METHOD TO CONVEY ANIMAL PRODUCTS IN AN AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS - The invention relates to a conveyor and a method to convey animal products in an agricultural business. Such a conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a belt drive to drive the conveyor belt in at least one conveying direction, and a sensor to record a deviation of a position of a conveyor belt edge. The sensor is designed and arranged to output a deviation signal when the position of the conveyor belt edge deviates by a predetermined value from the target position. Furthermore, a correction device and a control unit are provided, whereby the correction device is designed and arranged to change the belt drive orientation dependent on a correction signal and whereby the control unit is designed to generate a correction signal dependent on the deviation signal and to output it to the correction device. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114469 | Systems and Methods for Automatic Mixed Drink Dispensing - A drink dispensing device has refillable sealed containers having ingredients known to a processor. Where the processor can initiate commands to mix and dispense the ingredients based on a selections by a consumer. The drink dispensing device may also retrieve suggested drinks from a remote server for display to a consumer. The suggested drinks may be based on historical data stored in the drink dispensing device. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114470 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF MEDICATION ERRORS - The inventions disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems for dispensing ordered medication as well as methods and systems for conveniently and rapidly providing patients with information regarding their prescribed medications. The present inventions improve the productivity and efficiency of pharmacy department personnel and reduce the incidence of medication errors. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114471 | MEDICINE-TAKING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - Provided is a medicine-taking management apparatus. The medicine-taking management apparatus includes a preservation unit for preserving a chartula package, a transfer unit including at least one roll for transferring the preserved chartula package, a cutting unit for cutting a chartula of the transferred chartula package, a dispensing hole through which the cut chartula is dispensed from the chartula package to the outside, a storage unit providing a space in which the cut chartula is stored therein, and a path selection unit for controlling a path so that the cut chartula travels to one of the dispensing hole and the storage unit. Even though the medicine is not taken at a fixed medicine-taking time when the medicine-taking time is fixed, the follow-up medicine-taking management may be enabled without separately managing the corresponding chartula by the user. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114472 | REMOTE MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An integrated medication management and compliance system for enabling a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of medications to a patient, in a non-sequential fashion. The system includes delivery apparatus remotely located from the care provider, wherein the apparatus stores a plurality of sealed unit dose packages that are delivered to a patient at a scheduled dosing time. The delivery apparatus is coupled to a control facility and to a computer terminal of the care provider by way of a secure communications network. The system enables the patient's medication regimen to be remotely tailored in real-time to accommodate fluid medical conditions. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114473 | RETAIL FUELING ENVIRONMENT UTILIZING POWERED COMMUNICATION OVER LEGACY CABLING - Various systems and methods are provided for facilitating powered communications over legacy cabling. This can be implemented in a fuel dispensing environment where the fuel dispenser can include a diode coupler communicatively coupled to the legacy cabling for receiving powered communications from one or more backroom components over the legacy cabling during a power outage, and a broadband communications modem for communicating with the one or more backroom components, wherein the diode coupler provides power from the powered communications to the broadband communications modem. Relays can be used at the fuel dispenser and/or backroom components to determine whether to use the powered communications or legacy communications based on whether power is available at the components communicating over the legacy cabling. In addition, failsafe protection of legacy communication circuits is provided when powered communications are active. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114474 | DYNAMIC REFILL LEVEL FOR MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUS - A dynamic refill level is used for determining medication refill requirements for a medication at a medication dispensing apparatus. A quantity of medication likely needed from the medication dispensing apparatus until a next scheduled refill is determined. A dynamic refill level is set for the medication based on the quantity of medication likely needed. A current count for the medication in the medication dispensing apparatus is compared against the dynamic refill level. If the current count satisfies the dynamic refill level, there is no need to refill the medication. However, if the current count does not satisfy the dynamic refill level, there is a need to refill the medication. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114475 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHARING DEVICE RESOURCES BETWEEN ROBOT SOFTWARE COMPONENTS - In an apparatus for sharing device resources between robot software user components, a callback module of a robot software user component receives data forwarded from a device set to be shared between the robot software user components, a device service surrogate has a connection with a framework to forward data to the device or forward data received through the callback module to a user program of the user components; a device service surrogate manager manages the device service surrogate of each of the user components; a device channel has a connection with the device to receive data therefrom and transmit data thereto; and a device channel manager manages the device channel and connect the device channel and the device service surrogate. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114476 | ROBOT CONTROLLER AND ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot controller includes queues, a storage unit, and an execution control unit. The queues are provided for respective controlled groups serving as controlled units. The storage unit stores therein instructions directed to the respective controlled groups, one at a time, from a bottom end of each of the queues. When having accepted a predetermined operation request, the execution control unit simultaneously fetches the instructions directed to the controlled groups, one for each of the controlled groups at a time, from tops of the queues, and makes all of the controlled groups simultaneously start the operations based on such instructions. If there is any controlled group to which no corresponding instruction exists, the storage unit stores therein a no-operation instruction. If the fetched instruction is the no-operation instruction, the execution control unit keeps the controlled group from operating until an instruction is fetched next time. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114477 | TEACHING DEVICE FOR ROBOT, ROBOT APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING TEACHING DEVICE FOR ROBOT, AND CONTROL PROGRAM OF TEACHING DEVICE FOR ROBOT - In a teaching device for robot that moves a flexible body holding unit holding a flexible body and performs teaching of a fitting task of the flexible body to a thing to generate teaching data, a reaching decision unit decides that a front end of the flexible body reaches the thing, a curvature acquiring unit acquires information of evaluation of a degree of curvature of the flexible body when the reaching decision unit decides the reaching, and a notification unit performs predetermined notification about teaching on the basis of the acquired information of evaluation. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114478 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY POSITIONING AN END EFFECTOR - A system for remotely positioning an end effector includes a sensor in an input device aligned with an axis to generate a signal reflective of an angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. A processor receives the signal and executes a set of logic stored in a memory to filter the signal, smooth the signal, and generate a control signal to the end effector that is proportional to the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. A method for remotely positioning an end effector includes moving an input device, sensing an angular displacement of a sensor from an axis, generating a signal reflective of the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis, smoothing the signal, and generating a control signal to the end effector that is proportional to the angular displacement of the sensor about the axis. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114479 | ROBOT, ROBOT CONTROL DEVICE, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM - A robot having joints includes a position information acquiring section that acquires time series information about a robot position, speed information, or acceleration information, a dynamics parameter switching section that switches a gravity term component and an inertia force term component of a motion equation separately between dynamics parameters including dynamics parameter of the robot gripping no object and dynamics parameter including the object gripped by the robot which robot arm gripping the object, and a desired torque calculation section that outputs a desired robot joint torque value as a desired joint torque based on the motion equation after the dynamics parameter switching section switches the dynamics parameters and the time series information about the robot position, the speed information, or the acceleration information acquired by the position information acquiring section. The robot controls an operation of the robot based on an output from the desired torque calculation section. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114480 | Methods, Devices, and Systems for Non-Mechanically Restricting and/or Programming Movement of a Tool of a Manipulator Along a Single Axis - Methods, devices (such as computer readable media), and systems (such as computer systems) for performing movements of a tool of a medical robot along a single axis that are achieved by electronically limiting the medical robot's movement to produce movement of the tool along the single axis rather than mechanically restricting the medical robot's movement to produce the single axis movement. The tool's movement will be along the single axis even if a user is moving an input device linked to the medical robot in other axes during the single axis movement. In addition, techniques are disclosed for automating the single axis movement such that it can be programmed to stop at a target location and start at or near a second (e.g., starting) location, which is useful for a procedure such as a brain biopsy, breast biopsy or implantation, and such that a user can execute a command instructing the medical robot to perform the movement without the need for the user to manipulate an input device to cause real-time responsive movement of the medical robot. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114481 | MEDICAL MASTER SLAVE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A medical master slave manipulator system includes a master input device configured to send an operation command, a slave manipulator operated by the master input device, a control unit configured to transmit an operation signal to the slave manipulator based on the operation command, a display unit configured to display an image of an object, and an image selection device configured to select the image displayed on the display unit, wherein the control unit transforms the operation command associated with the image selected by the image selection device. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114482 | ROOF INSPECTION SYSTEMS WITH AUTONOMOUS GUIDANCE - Devices, systems, and methods for inspecting and objectively analyzing the condition of a roof are presented. A vehicle adapted for traversing and inspecting an irregular terrain includes a chassis having a bottom surface that defines a higher ground clearance at an intermediate location, thereby keeping the center of mass low when crossing roof peaks. In another embodiment, the drive tracks include a partially collapsible treads made of resilient foam. A system for inspecting a roof includes a lift system and a remote computer for analyzing data. Vehicles and systems may gather and analyze data, and generate revenue by providing data, analysis, and reports for a fee to interested parties. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114483 | System for Boiler Control - A system for boiler control is provided. The system includes supply units to provide supplies of combustion materials for combustion thereof, a vessel coupled to the supply units in which the combustion materials are combusted, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor disposed at an outlet of the vessel to sense a quantity of exhaust CO output from the vessel as a product of combustion therein and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the supply units and the sensor and configured to issue a main servo command and a pulse servo command to one or more of the supply units to control operations of the one or more supply units in accordance with the sensed quantity of the exhaust CO. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114484 | APPLIANCE CONTROL METHOD, APPLIANCE CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL SERVER, AND CONTROL TERMINAL - An appliance control method is for controlling a target appliance located in a building to disguise the number of people in the building. The method includes: obtaining an operation history of the target appliance (S | 2014-04-24 |
20140114485 | CONTROL DEVICE OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - The invention relates to a control device applied to an engine including a controlled object and for controlling the operation state of the controlled object such that the controlled output from the controlled object corresponds to the target controlled output. In the invention, when the reference engine state parameter is maintained constant during the predetermined time period and it is predicted that the reference engine state parameter changes at the predetermined time period having elapsed, the primary or secondary predicted controlled output which satisfies the output control condition at the predetermined time period having elapsed assuming that the reference engine state parameter does not change during the predetermined time period is calculated as a look-ahead predicted controlled output and then, the target controlled output setting logic for performing the functions of the target controlled output setting architecture is corrected on the basis of the look-ahead predicted controlled output. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114486 | SELF ADJUSTING SUPPORT SYSTEM - In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an automated self adjusting support system, for human resting appliances like chair, seat, mattress, bed and shoe. Accordingly, the system includes plurality of pillars kept closely together to form surface profile of said appliance for comfortable resting of the human body part, wherein the pillar includes an outer casing, an inner casing, force sensor unit, gear and thread mechanism, and an axial motor, a controller unit connected to the sensors and the motors, which is capable of receiving force output from the sensors and rotate the motors in any direction at desired/variable speed to adjust the height of said pillars, and a processor unit suitably programmed to map the human body part being rested in each area of the pillars, estimate the strength of said area and apply the force proportionate to the strength/hardness in the area. | 2014-04-24 |
20140114487 | ENFORCING FINE-GRAINED DEMAND MANAGEMENT IN SMART GRIDS - Methods and arrangements for enforcing demand management in electrical grids. Electrical power is provided from an electrical network to at least one substation, the electrical network including an electrical generation grid in communication with the at least one substation, the at least one substation comprising a power limiter. Electrical power is provided from the at least one substation to a plurality of locations, each location comprising a smart power demand manager which controls electrical power delivery to at least power-drawing item. There is detected, with respect to the electrical network, at least one discrepancy comprising at least one of: an unbalanced network load; an unscheduled network load; a change in network supply; and a change in network condition. In response to such detection, electrical power delivery is controlled via employing the power limiter of the at least one substation in collaboration with at least one smart power demand manager. | 2014-04-24 |