| 09th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 70 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110054583 | Flexible and Scalable Sensor Arrays for Recording and Modulating Physiologic Activity - An implantable sensor array incorporates active electronic elements to greatly increase the number of sensors and their density that can be simultaneously recorded and activated. The sensors can be of various configurations and types, for example: optical, chemical, temperature, pressure or other sensors including effectors for applying signals to surrounding tissues. The sensors/effectors are arranged on a flexible and stretchable substrate with incorporated active components that allow the effective size, configuration, number and pattern of sensors/effectors to be dynamically changed, as needed, through a wired or wireless means of communication. Active processing allows many channels to be combined either through analog or digital means such that the number of wires exiting the array can be substantially reduced compared to the number of sensors/effectors on the array. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054584 | EXTENSIBLE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD WITH BRAIDED CONDUCTORS - An extensible implantable electrical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body is formed of a polymeric material that is extensible between a first length and a second length. A plurality of electrical conductors are disposed within the lead body and extend between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated from each other and form a braided coil extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a braided coil diameter. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054585 | PROSTHESIS DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM - A trigger wire release mechanism is disclosed that includes a control member for selectively releasing a trigger wire ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054586 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM - Some embodiments relate to endoluminal prostheses having a first stent portion and a second stent portion, a main graft body comprising first, second, and third portions, the second portion having a cross-sectional size that is significantly larger than a cross-sectional size of the first or third portions, and also significantly larger than a cross-sectional size of the target vessel. In some embodiments, the first portion of the main graft body can be attached to the first stent portion and the third portion of the main graft body can be attached to the second stent portion. The prostheses can be configured such that the second portion of the main graft body is not directly attached to the first stent portion, the second stent portion, or any other internal support structure. In some embodiments, one or more openings can be formed in the second portion of the main graft body. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054587 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method of deploying a graft in a patient's blood vessel having at least a first and a second branch blood vessel, comprising advancing a delivery catheter into a blood vessel, the delivery catheter supporting a fenestrated prosthesis therein, wherein the prosthesis comprises a main graft body, exposing at least one branch sheath, the branch sheath being positioned within the delivery catheter so as to project from a main lumen of the prosthesis through a first opening formed through a wall of the prosthesis, and advancing an angiographic catheter into the branch sheath and cannulating a first target branch vessel before expanding the main graft body of the prosthesis. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054588 | VASCULAR GRAFTS DERIVED FROM ACELLULAR TISSUE MATRICES - A vascular graft for treatment of diseased or damaged blood vessels is disclosed. The graft comprises a sheet of acellular tissue matrix with an intact basement membrane. The graft is formed by wrapping the sheet into a tube and securing the edges of the sheet together. The acellular tissue matrix facilitates tissue ingrowth and remodeling of the graft with host cells. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054589 | STENT WITH VARIABLE CROSS SECTION BRAIDING FILAMENT AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A braided stent comprises a filament having at least one circular zone and at least two non-circular zones. Embodiments of the braided stent have a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, wherein a porosity of the middle segment is lower than, a respective porosity of the proximal and distal segments. In one embodiment, a radial pressure of the middle segment is separately controlled to be different from, e.g., less than, a radial pressure of the distal segment. In another embodiment, a stiffness of the middle segment is separately controlled to be different from, e.g., less than, a stiffness of the distal segment. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054590 | VASCULAR PROSTHESIS WITH STRESS RELIEF SLOTS - A vascular prosthesis comprises generally tubular body placeable in contracted and expanded states and has an axial length and a circumferential dimension in the expanded state. The body includes a series of circumferential elements having first lengths. First and second connectors have connector lengths and join alternating ends of adjacent circumferential elements. The first length plus the connector lengths joined thereto equal a total circumferential length. Each connector length is between 2.5% and 25% of the total circumferential length. Adjacent circumferential elements and connectors extending therefrom are separated by a stress relief slot having a relief slot length of more than 50% and less than 95% of the total circumferential length. The stress relief slots have narrow width portions over a majority of the relief slot lengths, the narrow width portions having lateral dimensions of no greater than about 3 mm. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054591 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054592 | FLEXIBLE EXPANDABLE STENT AND METHODS OF DEPLOYMENT - A flexible, expandable stent assembly comprises a pattern of interconnected struts along a curvilinear path. The struts define a cylindrically shaped channel that extends along a longitudinal axis. The channel has a plurality of openings. The struts comprise a plurality of circumferential arrays of webs or bends. Each circumferential array is connected to an adjacent circumferential array by fewer than four cross-links. Each cross-link extending from a first side of a circumferential array of the plurality of circumferential arrays is substantially circumferentially offset from every cross-link extending from an opposite side of the same circumferential array. Each of the struts has, in a cross-section generally normal to the curvilinear path of the strut and normal to a center of curvature of the channel, a strut surface width that is at least one and a half times that of a strut surface height of the strut. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054593 | SHEATHLESS EMBOLIC PROTECTION DEVICE - An intravascular distal protection device, comprising a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, a filtering material disposed about the guidewire, the filtering material having a proximal edge defining a proximally facing opening when in an expanded position, a hoop wire having a proximal end and a distal end and slidably attached to the proximal edge, the hoop wire wrapped in a helical coil about the guidewire in a first contracted position and defining a hoop at the proximal end of the filtering material in the expanded position, and an actuation member attached to the hoop wire and extending at least substantially to the proximal end of the guidewire and configured to move the hoop wire between the first contracted position and the expanded position. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054594 | FENESTRATED PROSTHESIS - Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to endoluminal prostheses having one or more reinforced fenestrations therein. The one or more reinforced fenestrations can have improved sealing capabilities with respect to branch grafts deployed within the fenestrations, improved tear resistance and expandability, and improved pull-out resistance for branch grafts. In some embodiments, the endoluminal prosthesis can have a main graft body defining a flow lumen therethrough, a first opening passing through a wall of the main graft body, and a first support member supported by the main graft body and overlapping an edge of the first opening, the first support member being configured to at least increase the tear resistance of the main graft body adjacent to the first opening. The support member can be stitched or otherwise attached to the main graft adjacent to the fenestration. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054595 | METHOD OF COATING MEDICAL DEVICES - Disclosed herein are medical devices, such as stents, comprising a porous substrate, such as a porous ceramic. Also disclosed herein are methods for impregnating the porous substrate with a composition comprising at least one lipid and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, where the porous substrate is microporous and/or nanoporous. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054596 | Method of Delivering a Prosthetic Heart Valve - A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site within the human vasculature. The prosthetic valve is disposed on a balloon at the end of a balloon catheter. The balloon catheter passes through a delivery sleeve assembly. A pull wire travels from the handle to a distal end of the delivery sleeve assembly. Actuation of the handle pulls on the pull wire, which causes the delivery sleeve assembly to bend for facilitating navigation through a patient's vasculature. A stretchable cover is preferably placed over the slotted tube for biasing the steerable catheter toward a straight position. Once advanced to the vicinity of the native valve site, the prosthetic valve may be accurately positioned by advancing the balloon catheter relative to the delivery sleeve assembly and then deployed within the native valve site by inflating the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the delivery sleeve assembly may be used to advance a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve through a patient's vasculature and a pusher member may be used to eject the prosthetic valve at the native valve site. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054597 | MITRAL CERCLAGE ANNULOPLASTY APPARATUS - A mitral cerclage annuloplasty apparatus comprises a tissue protective device and a knot delivery device. The tissue protective device comprises a first protective tube and a second protective tube. The knot delivery device comprises a tube wherein a loose knot is looped around its distal end through a hole and wherein tight knot is formed when the distal end of the tube is cut open. Alternatively, the knot delivery device comprises an inner tube and outer tube. The inner tube is insertable and rotatable inside the outer tube. When the tubes are in a closed position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, a hole is created near its distal end. When the tubes are in open position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, the hole joins the opening of the outer tube and lengthens. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054598 | Contoured Sewing Ring for a Prosthetic Mitral Heart Valve - A prosthetic mitral heart valve including a contoured sewing ring that better matches the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring includes an inflow end and an outflow end, the outflow and having at least one raised portion. There may be two raised portions located approximately 120° apart from each other and designed to register with two anterior trigones of the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring may be formed by a suture-permeable annular member surrounded by a fabric covering, the annular member desirably being molded of silicone. The raised portion(s) may gently curve upward to a height of about 2 mm above the adjacent portions of the outflow end of the sewing ring. The sewing ring may also be constructed so as to be more flexible around a posterior aspect than around an anterior aspect to accommodate calcified tissue more commonly found around the posterior annulus. The contoured sewing ring can be combined with various types of heart valve including bioprosthetic and mechanical valves. A bioprosthetic heart valve of the present invention may include a support stent having three outflow commissures alternating with three inflow cusps, with two of the commissures being located at the same place as two raised portions of the sewing ring. A method of implant includes tilting the prosthetic heart valve in the mitral annulus so that a posterior commissure angles away from the ventricular wall and reduces the chance of contact therebetween. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054599 | MIRROR IMPLANT - An intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina, the mirrors containing bio-incompatible materials and at least one hermetically sealed enclosure, enclosing the plurality of mirrors, and being operative, when the implant is implanted, to seal the bio-incompatible materials from the interior of the eye, without interfering with the passage of light therethrough from the scene to the plurality of mirrors and from the plurality of mirrors to the retina. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054600 | ACCOMMODATING INTRAOCULAR LENSES - An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. Certain haptic features improve the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. Furthermore, certain aspects also provide enhanced bag-sizing capability so that the IOL better fits within the capsular bag. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054601 | FIXATION OF OPTHALMIC IMPLANTS - An accommodating intraocular lens (aIOL) is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to an ocular force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. A surface adherent improves the accommodative performance of the haptic, such that compressive/tensile forces may be more efficiently transferred from the haptic to optic. One way to enhance force transfer is to provide a surface layer of an adhesive to the haptic and/or optic, for instance a reversible bioadhesive material. Or, portions of the exterior surface of the IOL may have microfibers thereon that mimic the adhesive properties of Gecko feet. Another aspect is application of a reversible bioadhesive material to the interior of the empty capsular bag prior to introduction of an injectable polymer IOL. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054602 | ACCOMMODATING INTRAOCULAR LENS WITH OUTER SUPPORT STRUCTURE - An intraocular lens for insertion into the capsular bag of an eye contains an optic, an outer periphery, and an outer support structure. The optic has a periphery and centered about an optical axis. The outer periphery is disposed about the optic and configured to engage an equatorial region of the capsular bag of an eye. The outer support structure is disposed along the periphery and spaced from the optic with voids outer support structure and the optic. The intraocular lens further comprises a first intermediate member and a weakened region disposed along the outer periphery between the outer support structure and the first intermediate member. The first intermediate member operably couples the optic and the outer support structure. The weakened region is attached to, and configured to provide relative motion between, the outer support structure and the first intermediate member in response to the ciliary muscle of the eye. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054603 | Intraocular lens - An IOL having a depressed inner optic area and a thickened or raised peripheral outer lip or rim integrally formed with the optic. Such a design reduces the mass of the IOL, making the lens easier to insert in a very small incision, without damaging the optic or compromising the stability of the IOL. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054604 | SELF SUPPORTING AND FORMING BREAST IMPLANT AND METHOD FOR FORMING AND SUPPORTING AN IMPLANT IN A HUMAN BODY - A self supporting breast implant includes a generally cone shaped partially absorbable medical mesh support member and a silicone shell defining a hollow core that is preferably filled or partially filled with a silicone gel. The support member is made of a polypropolene/poliglecaprone monofilament and may be attached to a patient's tissue by sutures or by absorbable hooks. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054605 | SELF SUPPORTING IMPLANT IN A HUMAN BODY AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME WITHOUT CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE - A self supporting breast implant includes a generally cone shaped partially absorbable medical mesh support member and a silicone shell defining a hollow core that is preferably filled or partially filled with a silicone gel. The support member is made of a polypropolene/poliglecaprone monofilament and may be attached to a patient's tissue by sutures or by absorbable hooks. A textured outer surface or shell is formed around the relatively smooth implant or inner shell and the inner shell is reduced in size to provide a small space between the inner shell and the outer shell to eliminate or at least minimize the adverse effects of capsular contraction. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054606 | BREAST IMPLANT SYSTEM - A breast implant system is provided comprising a plurality of chambers including one or more first fluid chambers ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054607 | Middle Ear Prosthesis - A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054608 | ABSORBENT STRUCTURE IN AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE - An absorbent structure comprising a silicone foam having pore walls and a plurality of hydrophilic particles anchored to the pore walls of the foam. Some of the hydrophilic particles have an anchored portion firmly anchored to the pore walls and an exposed portion extending outwardly away from the pore walls upon which the anchored portion is secured. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054609 | TROCHLEAR IMPLANTS AND METHODS OF USE - Implant devices, and method of using the same, are provided. The implant devices have an articular end and a stem, the stem having an oval-shaped cross-section. The articular end has an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface. The upper surface and lower surface each intersect the side surface. The upper surface has a first surface curvature, a central surface curvature, and a second surface curvature. The stem extends from the lower surface in a direction away from the upper surface of the articular end. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054610 | Textile Prosthesis - A textile prosthesis comprising a unitary body of predetermined shape having structural integrity, the body including at least one anchorage body portion for attachment to an anatomical body part, the body being composed of a combination of binding yarns and tensile load bearing filaments, the binding yarns being located at least in the or in each of said anchorage body portions and being interconnected to one another by sewn stitches, the tensile load bearing filaments being located inbetween said stitches so as to be constrained to extend through said unitary body along predetermined pathways extending in one or more predetermined directions so as to render the body resistance to stretch when a tensile load is applied in said one or more predetermined directions. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054611 | Implant Structure - An implant structure for medical use is provided. The implant structure includes an implant body and a nailing portion. The implant body and the nailing portion are integrally formed as a unitary structure to thereby prevent separation between the implant body and the nailing portion which might otherwise occur after long use. The nailing portion has a bone-contacting surface with at least one barb unit formed thereon for enhancing the bonding of the implant structure and a bone, preventing the implant structure from loosening, and extending the service life of the implant structure. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054612 | BONE IMPLANTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFECTION - Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating disease and/or infection by the release of silver from an implant over an extended period of time. In particular, the devices described herein may be used to treat infections such as osteomyelitis by the controlled release of silver ions from multiple sites of an extended-use implant. This implant typically includes a plurality of arms that both anchor and help distribute the released ions within the tissue. Power may be applied to release the silver ions into the tissue. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054613 | SPINAL IMPLANT AND METHOD - A spinal implant includes a tapering box-shaped block made of a bone material; and at least one buttress ridge disposed on at least one surface of the tapering box-shaped block. A spinal implant bolt includes a shaft with a cylindrical body, the shaft having a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the trailing end has at least one slot for receiving a screw driver; and a buttress thread dispose on the shaft in a spiral configuration, wherein the buttress thread has a leading flank facing the leading end of the shaft and a trailing flank facing the trailing end of the shaft, the leading flank forms a smaller angle with a longitudinal axis of the shaft than an angle formed between the trailing flank and the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the spinal implant bolt is made of a bone material. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054614 | IMPLANT RETAINING DEVICE - There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054615 | POROUS BIOMATERIAL - A synthetic osteoinductive porous biomaterial is provided comprising: a network of interconnected micropores, wherein the microporosity is 23% by volume or more; wherein the surface free energy of the biomaterial is 19 mJ/m or more; and the mean interconnection diameter and the mean interconnection diameter and the surface free energy are chosen to provide a permeability resulting from the micropores of 0.206 nm2 or greater and a capillary pressure difference in water of 3.7 kPa or more. The biomaterial contains hydroxyapatite and silicon. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054616 | Open body box form interbody fusion cage - An interbody fusion cage having a generally symmetric, annular cage body surrounding a central void extending from a lower surface to an upper surface in which to retain graft material in contact with adjacent vertebra. A lateral channel extending into each half from the cage perimeter contains a worm drive screw. One or more longitudinal channels extending from the upper surface to the lower surface intersect each lateral channel and house a pin which is provided with a series of helically cut worm gear teeth on its external surface for engaging the worm drive screw. The pins are simultaneously externally threaded and engaged to the cooperatively threaded internal surface of the longitudinal channel such that rotation of the drive screw by the surgeon after implantation causes the pins to rotate with the longitudinal channel and advance into the adjacent bone. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054617 | INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROSTHESIS HAVING BALL AND RING STRUCTURE - An artificial intervertebral disc comprises two opposing shells having opposing inner surfaces and oppositely directed outer surfaces. The outer surfaces are adapted for locating against adjacent vertebrae. The inner surface of one shell including a ball and the inner surface of the other shell including a cooperating ring are adapted to restrict articulation of the ball within a defined region. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054618 | TOTAL DISC REPLACEMENT DEVICE - The total disc replacement device ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054619 | Prosthetic Intervertebral Discs Having Rigid End Plates With Depressions In Their Inner Surfaces And Fibers Between Those End Plates - Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054620 | Prosthetic Intervertebral Discs - Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components, construction, and other features of the discs. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054621 | EXPANDING INTERBODY IMPLANT AND ARTICULATING INSERTER AND METHOD - A device to space vertebral members with first and second members that may have at least one ramped section. The first and second members may be positioned in a vertically overlapping arrangement with interior sides of the members facing together. The device may be positionable between a first orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned away from the ramped section of the second member, and a second orientation with the ramped section of the first member positioned against the ramped section of the second member. The device may include a greater height measured between the exterior sides in the second orientation than in the first orientation. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054622 | CREEP RESISTANT, HIGHLY LUBRICIOUS, TOUGH, AND IONIC HYDROGELS INCLUDING PVA-PAAMPS HYDROGELS - The invention provides creep resistant, highly lubricious, tough and ionic hydrogels, creep resistant, lubricious, tough ionic hydrogel-containing compositions, and methods of making the same. The invention also provides methods of implanting or administering the creep resistant, highly lubricious, tough and ionic hydrogels including ionic PVA-hydrogels, ionic PVA-PAAMPS-hydrogels, or the ionic hydrogel-containing compositions to treat a subject in need. Methods of cross-linking pre-solidified or pre-gelled ionic hydrogels and making cross-linked ionic hydrogels and cross-linked ionic hydrogel-containing compositions also are disclosed herein. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054623 | SOFT TISSUE ATTACHMENT MECHANISM - A prosthesis humeral implant has a stem including a coupling element at a proximal end thereof and a head having a coupling element at a distal portion thereof for coupling to the stem portion coupling element. The head has a bearing surface portion for articulating on a prosthetic glenoid and a base portion. A soft tissue attachment element has an L-shape with a mounting flange portion of the L-shape extending and clamped between the bearing portion and base portion. The soft tissue attachment portion has a portion extending proximally from the mounting flange portion. The soft tissue attachment element mounting portion is captured between the head bearing portion and base portion preferably by clamping or being permanently attached to one of the base or bearing portions during manufacture. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054624 | HUMERAL JOINT REPLACEMENT COMPONENT - A humeral prosthetic head has a non-spherical articulation surface coupled with an intermediate component connecting the head and the humerus, the intermediate component connected to the epiphysis, metaphysis, or diaphysis, or to one or more additional components connected to the humerus. The intermediate portion provides for axial and angular offset of the head with respect to a connection to the humerus, using a curvilinear tapered engagement. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054625 | Prosthesis Having A Soft Tissue Attachment Element - A prosthetic bone implant, the bone implant forming one side of a joint and including a prosthesis and a soft tissue attachment component. The soft tissue attachment component is connected to the bone implant and extends outwardly therefrom and towards a joint line. The soft tissue attachment component is moveable with respect to the prosthesis while connected thereto. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054626 | STEM EXTENSION AND ADAPTOR FOR USE WITH A KNEE ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT - An orthopaedic implant includes a knee prosthetic component, adaptor, and stem extension. The adaptor includes a first mounting end and a second mounting end. The first mounting end is coupled to the knee prosthetic component, and the second mounting end is coupled to the stem extension. The first mounting end of the adaptor defines a first axis, and the second mounting end of the adaptor defines a second axis. The first axis is offset from and parallel to the second axis when viewed in a first anatomical plane. Additionally, the first axis and second axis define an angle therebetween when viewed in a second anatomical plane. In some embodiments, the second mounting end may be movable with respect to the first mounting end. In other embodiments, the adaptor may be integral with the stem extension. Additionally, in some embodiments, the adaptor may be embodied as multi-piece adaptor. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054627 | Biologic Soft Tissue Arthroplasty Spacer and Joint Resurfacing of Wrist and Hand - A arthroplasty spacer formed of a biologic soft tissue and methods for surgically treating symptomatic trapezio metacarpal joint arthritis and symptomatic arthritis of scapho trapezial trapezoid joint using the biologic soft tissue spacer are provided. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054628 | REFLEX FIXATION GEOMETRY REVISION AND RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM REVERSE ARTICULATION - An orthopedic device is disclosed for restoring the normal or natural joint mechanics in, for example, a hip joint. The device includes a first component, such as an acetabular component in a hip implant, that includes a convex articulation surface and a second component, such as a femoral component in a hip implant, that includes a concave articulation surface. It will be appreciated that the convex articulation surface of the device disclosed herein articulates with the concave articulation surface in a mating engagement that may be reversed with respect to the traditional hip implant, in which the concave articulation surface is part of the acetabular component and the convex articulation surface is part of the femoral component. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054629 | COMPOSITE IMPLANT HAVING POROUS STRUCTURE FILLED WITH BIODEGRADABLE ALLOY AND METHOD OF MAGNESIUM-BASED MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The present invention provides a composite implant comprising pores of a porous structure filled with a biodegradable magnesium-based alloy. Further, the present invention provides a composite implant which filles pores of the porous structure prepared by a metal, a ceramic or a polymer with a biodegradable magnesium-based alloy. Mechanical properties of the composite implant of the present invention are improved because a magnesium-based alloy filled in its pores increases the strength of a porous structure comprised of a metal, a ceramic or a polymer. Further, it can be expected that the magnesium-based alloy filled in the porous structure is decomposed in a living body, thus increasing bone formation rate. Accordingly bone tissue can be rapidly formed because the composite implant of the present invention has high strength and excellent interfacial force between the composite implant and bone tissue, compared to conventional porous materials. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054630 | ARTIFICIAL BONE COATED WITH APATITE/COLLAGEN COMPOSITE, AND ITS PRODUCTION METHOD - An artificial bone comprising a support coated with an apatite/collagen composite, and a method for producing the artificial bone by immersing the support in a dispersion of the fibrous apatite/collagen composite and drying it. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054631 | CARTILAGE RESURFACING IMPLANT - The invention relates to a cartilage resurfacing implant for replacing all or some of the articular cartilage, characterised in that it is made of a biocompatible material ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054632 | REMOVABLE LUNG REDUCTION DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and recollapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by recollapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054633 | Nanofilm Protective and Release Matrices - A modified atomic plasma deposition (APD) procedure is used to produce amorphous, nonconformal thin metal film coatings on a variety of substrates. The films are porous, mesh-like lattices with imperfections such as pinholes and pores, which are useful as scaffolds for cell attachment, controlled release of bioactive agents and protective coatings. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054634 | Limb prosthesis system and method - A prosthesis system can have an advantageous use over conventional prostheses in certain activities, including, but not limited to certain sports activities: The system includes, elastic member(s) that can store and release energy. The storing and releasing of energy in the elastic members happens during the movements made by the user and with the application of the user's own body weight while performing an activity. Implementations can also include a variety of routing configurations for the elastic member(s), as well as a variety of mounting points to integrate the elastic member(s) into the system, and/or a variety of adjustable anti-hyperextension members, and/or a variety of interchangeable shoes used for applicable activities. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054635 | PROSTHESIS AND RESIDUAL LIMB COVER - This application relates to a prosthesis | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054636 | PROSTHESIS COVERING - The present invention relates to a prosthesis covering ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054637 | Field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical variable - A field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical variable, comprising a sensor, which works according to a defined measuring principle, and a control/evaluation unit, which, as a function of a required safety standard for a particular safety-critical application, conditions and evaluates along at least two equivalent measuring paths measurement data delivered by the sensor. The control/evaluation unit is implemented on an application-specific integrated circuit—an ASIC—which, in at least a first section and in a second section, is embodied as a dynamically reconfigurable logic chip. In each of the two sections, in each case, a measuring path composed of a plurality of function modules can be configured; wherein the individual sections are spaced apart from one another in such a manner, that a temperature and/or a voltage change in one of the sections has no influence on the other section or the other sections. The control/evaluation unit partially dynamically reconfigures the function modules in the measuring paths as a function of the particular defined safety-critical application, so that the field device fulfills the required safety standard. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054638 | REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM - Providing a remote control technique capable of realizing the achievement of constraints and the certain following of a target value even with a network in which delay, loss, distortion, or the like may occur. In a remote control system, an area setting unit of a client-side control unit sets at least two areas representative of a group of states of an target object, which changes over time by feedback control. A state-evaluation information sending unit sends, to the host-side control unit, state evaluation information obtained by evaluating the state of the target object based on the area set by the area setting unit. A target value setting unit of the host-side control unit sets a target value such that the state of the target object changes in the area set by the area setting units. Moreover, a target value updating unit updates the target value based on the state evaluation information received from the client-side control unit. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054639 | METHOD FOR ENSURING SAFETY AND LIVENESS RULES IN A STATE BASED DESIGN - A method for controlling one or more physical machines for ensuring safety and liveness rules in a state based design of the physical machines, includes the steps of associating at least one logical state to at least one physical state that the physical machine or assemblage of physical machines may assume, providing state constraints for the logical states, and checking that a physical state assumed by the physical machines is associated to a logical state complying with the state constraints. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054640 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ADJUST CONTROL LOOP TIMING IN A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - Example methods and apparatus to adjust control loop timing in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a first input signal generated via a first process control device within a process control system, determining within the process control system if the first input signal is received during a first scheduled time period of a control loop, and adjusting within the process control system a timing of a subsequent input signal received from the first process control device to cause the subsequent input signal to be received during a subsequent scheduled time period of the control loop, wherein the timing of the subsequent input signal is based on at least when the first input signal was received. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054641 | CONTROLLING DEVICE, CONTROLLED DEVICE, CONTROLLING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLING AUTHORITY - Systems and method for controlling a device are provided, including at least one controlling device and at least one controlled device. The controlling system includes a first controlling device which has controlling authority over the controlled device and a second controlling device which requests and receives the controlling authority over the controlled device from the first controlling device. Therefore, a controlling device may more easily and intuitively receive controlling authority from other devices. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054642 | Optimizing Consumption of Resources - Methods, systems and apparatus for optimizing consumption of one or more resources are presented. For example, a method that may be implemented on a processor device and includes obtaining user preferences for the consumption of resources that include water and electricity, predicting the consumption of, and a first metric for the consumption of, the resources for each of a plurality of first time periods, determining a projected second metric for the consumption of the resources during a second time period according to the predicted consumption and the predicted first metric, and optimizing the consumption of the resources according to the projected second metric and the user preferences. The second time period includes the plurality of first time periods. The first metric is associated with the user preferences and at least one of the plurality of first time periods. The second metric indicates full or partial projected attainment of the preferences during the second time period. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054643 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE TESTING OF A PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - Example methods and apparatus to manage testing of a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes generating a test application from a process control routine, the test application including at least one test that is to be performed within a time period, monitoring an operation of the process control routine, determining if the operation of the process control routine during the time period includes an execution of a portion of the process control routine that is substantially similar to the at least one test, and updating the test application by indicating that the at least one test has been performed within the time period. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054644 | HOME NETWORK SYSTEM - The present invention discloses a home network system ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054646 | Predictive Environment Music Playlist Selection - An entertainment system has a music storage system storing a plurality of music pieces, a playback system coupled with the music storage system, a navigation system providing current map information including a present location, wherein a current map has a plurality of zones each being assigned to one of a plurality of zone types, and a controller for controlling playback of selected music pieces, wherein the controller maintains a plurality of playlists, each having a plurality of music pieces and being assigned to at least one zone type. The controller receives information of a present location and a current zone type and selects an assigned playlist, wherein the navigation system further provides information about a distance and/or time to a next zone. The controller modifies the assigned playlist such that a transition to the next zone is timely synchronized with the ending of a music piece of the assigned playlist. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054647 | NETWORK SERVICE FOR AN AUDIO INTERFACE UNIT - Techniques for providing network services at an audio interface unit includes receiving first data and second data. The first data indicates a first set of one or more contents for presentation to a user. The second data indicates a second set of zero or more contents for presentation to the user. An audio stream is generated based on the first data and the second data. Presentation is initiated of the audio stream at a speaker in an audio device of the user. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054648 | Audio Onset Detection - Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for detecting onsets. On a device, an audio signal is pre-processed in temporal domain. The pre-processed audio signal is smoothed on the device. A predetermined quantity of peaks is selectively identified in the pre-processed and smoothed audio signal based on a size of a sample window applied to the pre-processed and smoothed audio signal. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054649 | Combination Multimedia, Brain Wave and Subliminal Affirmation Media Player and Recorder - System, method, and application to integrate a web browser and/or search engine with multiple media players-recorders into an Internet web virtual application, which a user can use to control features such as, file browsing, media recording, file creation, editing, sequencing and storing and/or file sharing. A user can select, organize, record and manage information/data/content as multimedia files or media files (MMF), create user defined media libraries to store MMF, select or create brain wave patterns, organize and make a secure personal affirmations, harmonize and blend brain wave patterns with personal affirmations a single secure subliminal file and stored in a library, select one or more MMF from playlists to be synchronized with one or more secure subliminal affirmation tracks as separate and parallel synchronized media files. The synchronized MMF and the secure affirmation track can be saved as separate but parallel media files in user defined media playlists, for parallel playback on analog or digital devices. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054650 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR APPLICATION PROCEDURE MANAGEMENT - Methods and systems for application procedure management are provided. First, an event is received, wherein the event defines a normal procedure and a specific procedure. In response to the event, a sensor is activated to detect a presence of at least one object. If the presence of the object is not detected, the normal procedure for the event is performed. If the presence of the object is detected, the specific procedure for the event is performed. In some embodiments, the executed specific procedure includes inactivating a display unit. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054651 | AUDIO INPUT UNIT - An audio input unit, includes an audio capturing unit, a first coupling circuit, a signal filtering circuit, a second coupling circuit, a converting circuit and a codec which are connected in series in that order. The first coupling circuit is used for filtering the direct-current signal, the signal filtering circuit is used for filtering noise from the electrical signal, and the second coupling circuit is used for further filtering the direct-current signal. The converting circuit includes an input port, a first output port and a second output port, when the input port receives the filtered signal, the first output port outputs a signal with the same phase as the filtered signal, the second output port outputs a signal with the reverse phase as the filtered signal, the two output signals have the opposite phase and the same amplitude. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054652 | Building Construction Software and System - A method of building construction includes designing a building with software for execution on a computer such that an envelope of the building principally comprises expanded polystyrene foam panels, and the software is used to automatically generate a plan with reference numbers that identify substantially all the component pieces of the building. The software and computer are coupled to a computer aided design (CAD) program for generating computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling commands for expanded polystyrene foam panels, and a cut-list for steel reinforcing studs to fit into matching slots milled into the expanded polystyrene foam panels. At least the expanded polystyrene foam panels and matching steel reinforcing studs are marked with identifying numbers corresponding to the reference numbers. The expanded polystyrene foam panels are milled with a CNC machine and panel cutter according to CNC milling commands from the CAD program. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054653 | METHOD AS TO WORK ON A PART TO BE FINISHED AND A FINISHED PART - The present disclosure provides a method to machine a “to-be” body out of a raw part having at least one functional surface needing an allowance, whereas the method incorporates a “to-be” body, with the following process steps:
| 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054654 | Creating Genetic Devices - Creating genetic devices for use in micro-organisms or other biological systems is described. In an embodiment a computer system receives at a program editor, input specifying a plurality of part designs, at least some of which comprise part properties expressed as logical variables; and the input also specifies constraints on the logical variables. For example, the input is a computer program which specifies constraints on the logical variables which, for example, relate to properties of the DNA sequences such as reactions and biological behaviors. In an example, a compiler resolves the constraints using a database of genetic parts in order to generate candidate parts for the proposed genetic device. In examples the sequences of genetic parts are translated into reactions and simulated using an automated simulator and/or implemented in a living cell or other biological system. In embodiments the compiler also uses a database of reactions. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054655 | Computer Assisted Determination Of Tapped Threads From CAD File - A computer program, system and method receives a customer's CAD file of a custom part to be formed. Depending upon customer responses to several basic queries, the CAD file is analyzed to identify acceptable holes for tapping. For each identified hole, an appropriate and available thread size is automatically selected, even if the cylindrical recess differs in size from the characteristic size of the threaded hole. The customer is then automatically advised 10 of the results of the tapping analysis, preferably as part of a quotation for part manufacture that identifies the number of threaded holes in the part and preferably identifies the changes to the tapped holes and the specific thread form being quoted for the hole. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054656 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ARTIFICIAL IMPLANTS - The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing artificial implants, comprising 1) acquiring the pre-operation three dimensional volume image and the post-operation three dimensional volume image of the operation portion, thereby respectively producing the pre-operation target image and the post-operation target image including the target; 2) aligning the pre-operation target image with the post-operation target image so as to generate the aligned image; 3) acquiring the difference image of the incised part in the target based on the aligned image; 4) building the three dimensional model of mold points of the incised part based on the difference image; and 5) manufacturing the artificial implant having the same shape with the incised part based on such three dimensional model of mold points. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054657 | DICING METHOD - According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dicing apparatus in which: in a case where a control device detects, during an image pickup of a workpiece set onto a second worktable by a first image pickup device and a second image pickup device, that an image of a workpiece set onto a first worktable also needs to be picked up by the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device, the control device determines a priority between an operation performed on the first worktable and an operation performed on the second worktable; and when it is determined that the operation performed on the first worktable has a higher priority, the image pickup of the workpiece set onto the second worktable is interrupted, and the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device are moved to perform an image pickup of the workpiece on the first worktable. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054658 | Method for Constant Power Density Scaling - A method for constant power density scaling in MOSFETs is provided. A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes computing fixed scaling factors for a first fabrication process based on a second fabrication process, computing settable scaling factors for the integrated circuit to be fabricated using the first fabrication process, determining parameters of the integrated circuit based on the settable scaling factors, and manufacturing the integrated circuit using the determined parameters. The first fabrication process creates devices having a smaller device dimension than the second fabrication process and the settable scaling factors are set based on the fixed scaling factors. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054659 | WAFER FABRICATION MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, INCLUDING EDGE BEAD REMOVAL PROCESSING - Systems and method for monitoring semiconductor wafer fabrication processing, for example based upon EBR line inspection, including capturing at least one image of a wafer at an intermediate stage of fabrication. The captured image(s) are compressed to generate a composite representation of at least an edge zone of the wafer. An edge bead removal area is identified in the representation, and at least one feature attribute is extracted from the identified area. The extracted feature attribute is automatically assessed, and information relating to a status of the fabrication processing in generated based upon the assessment. For example, recommended modifications to the fabrication processing, either upstream or downstream of the current stage of fabrication (or both) can be generated and implemented. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054660 | APPARATUS AND METHOD - A machine comprising a first member ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054661 | DIRECT DRIVE ARRANGEMENT TO CONTROL CONFINEMENT RINGS POSITIONING AND METHODS THEREOF - A direct drive arrangement for controlling pressure volume within a confinement region of a processing chamber of a plasma processing system during substrate processing is provided. The confinement region is a chamber volume surrounded by confinement rings is provided. The arrangement includes plunger assemblies configured for changing the pressure of motor assemblies configured for vertically moving the plunger assemblies, and recording set point position values for the plunger assemblies. The arrangement further includes a set of circuits configured for driving the motor assemblies to move the plunger assemblies to change the pressure volume within the confinement region. The set of circuits is also configured for providing power to the motor assemblies. The set of circuits is further configured for receiving the set point position values from the motor assemblies. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054662 | LAMINATED SUBSTRATE SEPARATING AND ACCOMMODATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING GLASS SUBSTRATES - A stacked substrate separation loading apparatus includes: a stacked substrate holding holder configured to hold a stacked glass substrate; a cassette configured to load each sheet of glass substrates separated from the stacked glass substrate; a liquid tank in which the stacked substrate holding holder and the cassette are inserted in liquid; a stacked substrate drive unit configured to drive the stacked substrate holding holder; a stacked substrate positioning unit which positions a height position of the uppermost sheet of the stacked glass substrate; a cassette drive unit configured to drive the cassette; a substrate sliding mechanism configured to push out and separate the glass substrates which are the top sheets of the stacked glass substrate; and a cassette position control unit configured to control the cassette drive unit so that a height position of a loading position of the cassette becomes a height position of the glass substrate. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054663 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING APPARATUS, METHOD OF PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT, AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT - A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a stage, a head, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The head supplies a process liquid that is one of a solution and a dispersion liquid onto the stage to cause a material that constitutes a three-dimensional object to be precipitated out of the process liquid by evaporating one of a solvent and a dispersion medium therefrom. The movement mechanism relatively moves the head and the stage. The control unit controls a drive of the movement mechanism to form the three-dimensional object. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054664 | Spin Coating Modeling - A method for setting processing parameters for fabricating an integrated circuit, by creating a mathematical model of a spin coated surface of a material over a non-flat substrate surface, where the mathematical model includes, a smoothing algorithm, where the smoothing algorithm uses as inputs only, a nominal thickness of the spin coated surface, a minimum thickness of the spin coated surface, and an interaction length, and a constraint that the spin coated surface cannot intersect the substrate surface, solving the mathematical model to determine the spin coated surface, and using the modeled spin coated surface to set the processing parameters for fabricating the integrated circuit. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054665 | MACHINE TOOL DEVICE HAVING A MONITORING UNIT - A machine tool device having a monitoring unit for monitoring at least one machine tool monitoring range, the monitoring unit having a control unit. The control unit is provided for carrying out a recording mode, before a workpiece machining operation, in which a feature parameter is recorded for a feature which is to be taken into account in the workpiece machining operation. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054666 | MONEY HANDLING APPARATUS AND MONEY HANDLING METHOD - A money handling apparatus | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054667 | Method of Sorting Mailpieces, The Method Including Optimized Management of Mailpiece Signature Exploration Space - In a method of sorting mailpieces in a plurality of sorting passes in a sorting machine having accumulation sorting outlets, use is made of a technique for identifying the mailpieces by image signatures derived from the images of the mailpieces. The mailpieces are transferred in trays between two sorting passes. A match between a current fingerprint in the second sorting pass and fingerprints generated in the first sorting pass is searched for in an exploration memory space containing a limited number of fingerprints. The size of this exploration space is optimized by associating the signatures and the trays with designation data indicative of sorting outlets, and with time data delivered by a clock. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054668 | PHARMACEUTICAL STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF STORING AND RETRIEVING PHARMACEUTICALS - A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and a method of storing and retrieving pharmaceutical containers from the system. The system includes a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval and a controller operatively coupled to the device to control storage and retrieval functions of the device. The device includes a gantry assembly, a shelving assembly, a user access assembly, and a user authorization system that function in a coordinated manner to carry out the storage and retrieval functions of the device. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054669 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLING, HANDLING AND REASSEMBLING DEVICES FOR CONTAINING ANIMALS IN A LAB ANIMAL ROOM - The present invention concerns a system for the disassembly, handling and reassembly of animal containment cages for use in a lab animal room, comprising automated means for handling and moving the cages ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054670 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SHEET PROCESSING METHOD - A sheet processing machine transmits information indicating a degree of contamination or damage for each sheet detected by a discrimination unit to a teller PC as a discrimination result. The teller PC saves the discrimination result received from the sheet processing machine in a data storage unit. A CPU of the teller PC decides reference levels that can attain good bill ratio designated by the user for respective items required to discriminate good/bad states of a sheet based on the previous discrimination results saved in the data storage unit. The CPU of the teller PC sets the reference levels that can attain the good bill ratio designated by the user in the discrimination unit of the sheet processing machine. The discrimination unit set with such reference levels discriminates good/bad states of sheets based on the reference levels set by the teller PC. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054671 | MERCHANDISE SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, BALANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY METHOD - A merchandise sales data processing apparatus includes a display device and a first display control unit. The first display control unit displays balance information and an input area simultaneously on the display device. The balance information is information regarding balance of each denomination in an automatic change dispenser which deposits or dispenses money. The balance information is generated by a balance information generating unit. The input area receives, through an input device, the input of change reserves information regarding change reserves that should be prepared in the automatic change dispenser. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054672 | ARRANGEMENT FOR THE TIMED PROCESSING OF A PRINTED PRODUCT WITH THE AID OF A TRANSFER DEVICE - With an arrangement for the timed processing of a book block, consisting of at least one printed sheet or at least one signature, a transfer device ( | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054673 | Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry - A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending a plurality of selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or larger, full sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. Inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls elevator movement to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by appropriately controlling the conveyor. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054674 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS SUCH AS PIECES OF MEAT - The invention relates to a method for processing items such as pieces of meat, comprising the steps of providing a stream of items | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054675 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY SWITCHING CONVEYORS FOR ROBOTS - A conveyor system and a method for dynamically switching an active work associated with a motion device, the system including a plurality of conveyors for moving at least one part, at least one production machine associated with at least one of the conveyors, at least one motion device to move the at least one part, a controller associated with the at least one motion device, wherein the controller is in data communication with the at least one production machine to receive a feedback data therefrom, the feedback data representing a state of the production machine, and a software system executed by the controller to dynamically and selectively control the at least one motion device in response to the feedback data. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054676 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR FOR DETECTING THE DISPENSING OF A PRODUCT - A vending machine includes a vend sensor for detecting a completion of a vend operation. The vend sensor includes an electronic circuit connected to first and second sound elements positioned on opposing sides of a product delivery chute of the vending machine. The first sound element directs a sound beam across the product delivery chute where it is received by the second sound element. During a vend operation, a product container is guided to the product delivery chute to be dispensed to a consumer. As the container passes through the product delivery chute, the sound beam is interrupted, thereby signaling the completion of a vend operation. Each of the first and second sound elements is provided with a cone that focuses the sound beam so as to limit interruptions stemming from outside sound sources. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054677 | SELF-SERVICE TERMINAL MANAGEMENT - A self-service terminal comprises at least one customer transaction module, a terminal controller, a management component, and a network connection coupled to the terminal controller. The customer transaction module is operable to (i) implement a function associated with a customer transaction, and (ii) provide status information relating to the module. The terminal controller is coupled to the customer transaction module and includes (i) a management component for retrieving status information from the customer transaction module and (ii) a Web services interface for providing access to the retrieved status information to a remote device. The network connection is coupled to the controller and provides the remote device with access to the Web services interface. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054678 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING PRE-PAID ITEMS USING A UNIQUELY IDENTIFIED CONTAINER - A system and method for providing a pre-paid product using a unique container. The system comprises a computer system comprising a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and stored instructions for execution by the processing circuit. The computer system includes a sales module that acquires an identifier for the unique container and generates a credential ID for a customer. The sales module also activates the unique container, and stores the identifier for the unique container and the corresponding credential ID in the storage medium. Also included is a dispensing module that receives a request from a remote dispensing device for validation of the unique container to receive the prepaid product, compares a received identifier and a received credential ID with the identifier and the credential ID stored in the storage medium, and authorizes the dispensing of the prepaid product if they match. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054679 | INTEGRATED TISSUE PROCESSING AND EMBEDDING SYSTEMS, AND METHODS THEREOF - Apparatus and methods for integrating tissue processors and embedding systems. An apparatus, of one aspect, includes a robot. The robot has a work envelope that encompasses a location having a tissue holder and an input of an embedding system. The tissue holder has at least one processed tissue. The robot is configured to transfer the tissue holder from the location to the input of the embedding system. A method, of one aspect, may include moving a robot to a location having a tissue holder. The tissue holder may have at least one processed tissue. The robot may engage with the tissue holder at the location. The robot may move the tissue holder from the location to an input to an embedding system. The robot may disengage from the tissue holder at the input to the embedding system. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are also disclosed. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054680 | METHOD OF DETERMINING FAILURE OF ROBOT - A failure can be determined while a production line is operating by determining as a failure when motor output torque average value τmAA, which is an average value of N (N is a positive integer) pieces of motor output torque values τmA, exceeds first failure determination reference value τmth, and external force torque estimated average value τdAA, which is an average value of N pieces of external force torque estimated values τdA, exceeds second failure determination reference value τdth. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054681 | ROBOT - A robot, having left and right leg portions on a lower portion of a body, each of the legs has a wheel attached at a tip of the leg portion, to be drivable, a suspension having a spring and a dumper attached in parallel, between the wheel and the body, and an actuator attached between the suspension and the body. The suspension and the actuator are connected in series, and an inclination detecting means mounted on the body detects an inclination angle and an angular velocity of the robot with respect to a direction of gravity. A control instruction value outputting means controls the actuator upon basis of information thereof, so that the robot travels along a target angle and a target angular velocity thereof. The, spring is connected with an actuator expanding and constructing up and down, in series. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054682 | ROBOT SYSTEM - A robot system includes a crane unit, a crane moving mechanism, a manipulator unit, and a controller. The crane unit is configured to suspend a workpiece. The crane moving mechanism allows the crane unit to move in a horizontal direction. The manipulator unit holds and moves the crane unit supporting the workpiece. The controller is configured to control the crane unit to support the workpiece at a first position and control the manipulator unit to move the crane unit supporting the workpiece toward a second position and to place the supported workpiece at the second position. | 2011-03-03 |
| 20110054683 | ARTICLE CARRIER ROBOT - An article carrier robot includes: a horizontal base; a horizontally movable unit supported by the horizontal base so as to be movable in a horizontal direction; a robot main body supported by the horizontally movable unit; at least one of wiring and piping introduced into the robot main body from the horizontal base; and a restriction unit supported by the horizontally movable unit so as to be swayable about a pivot provided to the horizontally movable unit. The restriction unit is configured to restrict deformation of a part of the at least one of wiring and piping. | 2011-03-03 |
