| 14th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 32 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110082497 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR STERNAL CLOSURE - A method for closing a sternum separated into at least a first sternum portion and a second sternum portion includes preparing at least one cut surface of at least one of the first or second sternum portions to have an adhesive applied thereon. The adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the at least one cut surface. The at least one cut surface is approximated to a second cut surface of the other of the first sternum portion or second sternum portion. As the adhesive cures, it bonds with the first cut surface and the second cut surface. Preparing the at least one cut surface may remove contaminants that could inhibit adhesion of the adhesive. The adhesive may be applied through adhesive injection holes formed along an incision separating the first and second sternum portions. Devices for preparing the cut surfaces and applying the adhesive are also provided. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082498 | METHODS FOR STERNAL CLOSURE - A method for sternal closure of a separated sternum includes applying an adhesive to a portion of an incision between at least a first sternum portion and at least a second sternum portion and maintaining the first sternum portion proximate to the second sternum portion until the adhesive has bonded with the first sternum portion and the second sternum portion. The adhesive may be applied over substantially the entire length of the incision or may be applied in intervals. The method for sternal closure may also include compressing the first sternum portion and the second sternum portion together using one or more compression devices and introducing adhesive to contact regions where the compressive devices contact the sternum. The method may also include cutting an interface feature in the first and second sternum portions or spanning the incision between the first and second interface portions with a structural support. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082499 | COATINGS THAT ENHANCE RESISTANCE TO ABRASION - The present disclosure provides coatings for filaments that enhance the resistance of a filament to cuts and/or abrasions. Depending upon the material utilized to form the filament to be coated, the appropriate coating in the appropriate amount may be selected to coat the filament thereby imparting resistance to abrasions and cuts to the filament. The resulting filament may be utilized to form filamentous devices including sutures and meshes. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082500 | COATINGS THAT ENHANCE RESISTANCE TO ABRASION - The present disclosure provides coatings for filaments that enhance the resistance of a filament to cuts and/or abrasions. Depending upon the material utilized to form the filament to be coated, the appropriate coating in the appropriate amount may be selected to coat the filament thereby imparting resistance to abrasions and cuts to the filament. The resulting filament may be utilized to form filamentous devices including sutures and meshes. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082501 | Music Pacifier - A music pacifier ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082502 | Apparatus for Pacifying an Infant - Some embodiments of an infant pacifying device can comprise a nipple strapped to an adult finger, wherein the nipple is pivotally mounted to a finger strap. Thus, the adult's finger can move relative to the infant without pulling the pacifier from the infant's mouth. In some embodiments, the nipple is joined to the finger strap through a ball-and-socket or a universal joint. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082503 | VERTEBRAL FACET JOINT PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF FIXATION - Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082504 | INFLATABLE INTERSPINOUS SPACER - The present invention is directed to an inflated interspinous spacer. The interspinous spacer is inserted into the interspinous space between adjacent spinous process in a deflated or unexpanded state, and is inflated or expanded with an injectable filler material. Upon inflation, the spacer preferably distracts the spinous processes and assumes a shape that retains the spacer in position and preferably mechanically locks with the spinous processes. The spacer includes two separate balloons configured to have different compressive modulus so that one balloon is softer and more deformable than the other balloon. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082505 | IMPLANT SYSTEM AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE METHOD FOR IMMOBILIZING ADJACENT VERTEBRAL BODIES - A spinal implant system for use in immobilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a minimally invasive manner, including a pair of implants having lengths {sufficient so that one of the ends extend outside of a patient's body when the implants are installed. Each implant has a pair of opposed elongated posts which in conjunction with an orthogonally arranged support surface define a transverse opening for receiving a stabilizing rod. A cap having upper and lower surfaces is associated with each implant, each cap and it's associated post has means for advancing the cap along the posts toward the support surface to lock a stabilizing rod therebetween. The rod is pivotally coupled to one of the caps so that the rod, when pivoted, will extend between the transverse openings in adjacently installed implants. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082506 | CERVICAL PLATE ASSEMBLY - An implantable cervical plate assembly for stabilization of two adjacent spinal vertebras includes a cervical plate and one or more bone fasteners. The cervical plate comprises an elongated asymmetric body having a first straight side surface, a second contoured side surface opposite to the first side surface, front and back surfaces and top and bottom surfaces. The elongated asymmetric body comprises one or more through-openings extending from the front surface to the back surface of the elongated asymmetric body. The one or more bone fasteners are configured to be inserted through the one or more through-openings, respectively, and to be attached to locations in the spinal vertebras, thereby attaching the cervical plate to the spinal vertebras. The through-openings comprise a first diameter at the front surface of the elongated body, a second diameter at the back surface of the elongated body and a third diameter in the area between the front and back surfaces of the elongated body. The first diameter is smaller than the third diameter, thereby forming a lip at the top of the through-openings. The third diameter is larger than the second diameter and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, thereby forming a groove within the perimeter of the inner wall of the through-openings. The bone fasteners comprise a threaded main body and a head. The threaded main body comprises threads for engaging the spinal vertebras and the head comprises one or more flexible structures configured to be flexed and inserted into the groove and then unflex and remain captured within the groove. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082507 | Osteosynthesis Device - An osteosynthesis device that is used, in particular, for securing joint fragments and for the temporary splinting of toes, more particularly for treating hammer toes or other malalignments of toes. The device comprises a pin with the centre axis and the length. The pin consists largely of a bioresorbable material. The pin has at least in one section of the length a non-circular cross-section that is orthogonal to the centre axis and has a radius of curvature. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082508 | Apparatus and Method for Use in the Treatment of Hammertoe - The apparatus and method is directed to a pair of self-tapping, interconnecting, externally and internally threaded devices that, when installed between two separate pieces of material, will draw and hold the material together as a single threaded unit. While the pair of threaded devices are being fastened into the host material, due to the unique design of their threads, no radial outward forces are produced that could cause cracking or splitting of the sections of the material into which they are installed. The external threads are helically defined into the exterior of each half of the device with a right hand thread defined into one half and a left hand thread into the other half. When the two halves are being fastened together, the increased thread pitch on one of the halves continuously draws the halves into each other even when the internal threads have already been maximally tightened. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082509 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082510 | DECIDING ON PATIENT ELECTRIC SHOCK THERAPY - Systems, devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to administer an electric shock to a patient. The decision can be made differently, depending on whether the patient has already been shocked or not. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082511 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A STATE IN A SUBJECT - A method of maintaining a state in a subject ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082512 | Biventricular cardiac stimulator - A biventricular cardiac stimulator has a right-ventricular sensing unit, having or connected to a terminal for a right-ventricular sensing electrode, a left-ventricular sensing unit, having or connected to a terminal for a left-ventricular sensing electrode, and a pacemaker timer, which is connected to the right-ventricular sensing unit and the left-ventricular sensing unit. The cardiac stimulator has a programmable automatic switch, which is effectively connected to the pacemaker timer to switch the pacemaker timer optionally between a primarily right-ventricular control and a primarily left-ventricular control, as well as an evaluation unit, which is effectively connected to the switch and is designed to detect and evaluate at least one stability parameter that is characteristic of the stability of the electrode position of the left-ventricular sensing electrode, whereby the programmable automatic switch is designed to automatically switch the pacemaker timer control as a function of a value of the detected stability parameter. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082513 | CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH MAXIMUM TRACKING RATE (MTR) HYSTERESIS - A cardiac rhythm management system provides both a safe maximum pacing rate limit and a physiological maximum pacing rate limit. In one embodiment, a normal maximum tracking rate (MTR) and a hysteresis MTR are provided. The hysteresis MTR is set higher than the normal MTR and functions as a maximum pacing rate. When an atrial rate exceeds the hysteresis MTR limit, the maximum pacing rate limit is set to the normal MTR. Once the atrial rate falls below a predetermined threshold, the maximum pacing rate limit is set to the hysteresis MTR. This provides for a more rapid and natural maximum pacing rate limit for a patient, while still protecting the patient from being paced at abnormally high rates. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082514 | HYPERTENSION THERAPY BASED ON ACTIVITY AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHM - According to an embodiment of a method for providing neural stimulation, activity is sensed, and neural stimulation is automatically controlled based on the sensed activity. An embodiment determines periods of rest and periods of exercise using the sensed activity, and applies neural stimulation during rest and withdrawing neural stimulation during exercise. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082515 | TRANSCUTANEOUS NEUROSTIMULATOR FOR TREATING HYPERTENSION - A neurostimulation device includes an external neurostimulator worn by a patient using a bracing element that braces a portion of the patient's body. The external neurostimulator delivers neurostimulation to modulate a cardiovascular function of the patient. In one embodiment, the external stimulator delivers the neurostimulation transcutaneously to a stimulation target in the patient's body using surface stimulation electrodes placed on the body approximately over the stimulation target. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082516 | LEAD HAVING RADIALLY SPACED APART CONTACTS TO ALLOW FOR ADJUSTABILITY - An implantable medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The lead also includes first and second contacts located at the proximal portion of the lead body, and includes first and second electrodes located at the distal portion of the lead body. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first contact and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the second contact. The first contact has a proximal end and a distal end and the second contact has proximal end and a distal end. The second contact is radially spaced apart from the first contact. The contacts do not extend around the lead body. This disclosure also relates to an implantable lead extension and to an implatable signal generator having connectors configured to receive the present lead. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082517 | Device and Method for Activating the Natural Venous Muscle Pump using Electrical Stimulation Compounded by External Pressure - A device and method for promoting a localized increase in a flow of blood through veins in a conical limb segment of a user, the device including: (a) a compression unit, adapted to at least partially envelope the conical limb segment, and (b) an electrical stimulation unit including: (i) a plurality of electrodes, each adapted to operatively contact the limb segment; (ii) a signal generator, operatively connected to at least one of the electrodes, and adapted to electrically connect to a power supply, whereby, when the electrodes are disposed on the limb segment, the signal generator provides a series of electrical impulses to the limb segment via the electrodes, to contract at least one muscle in the limb segment in at least one region of contraction, to effect the localized increase in the flow of blood, and (iii) a control unit, associated with the signal generator, and configured to control the signal generator to produce the series of electrical stimulation impulses, the electrodes physically attached to the compression unit and at least partially disposed thereunder, the compression unit having an inside face adapted to deliver, to a surface of the limb segment, a constant, superatmospheric pressure of at least 5 mmHg. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082518 | METHOD FOR PREVENTION OF PRESBYOPIA AND GLAUCOMA, AND MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT SAID TREATMENT - A method of for prevention of presbyopia and glaucoma envisages stimulation of the ciliary body to determine contraction thereof via a low-voltage d.c. current sent in the form of pulse trains. This contraction, if applied in a rhythmic way at a constant frequency, subjects the ciliary muscle to a passive gymnastics increasing the force of contraction thereof, the dimensions, and the efficiency. This increase of force enables the crystalline to be moved with greater efficiency and consequently increases the power of accommodation thereof. The contraction of the ciliary muscle stretches the tendinous formation in direct contact with the sclero-corneal trabeculate and increases the distance between the lamellae of the sclero-corneal angle, restoring the natural function of the trabeculate and thus preventing glaucoma. Stimulation of the anatomical area corresponding to the ciliary body occurs through the use of conductive electrodes positioned in direct contact with the bulbar conjunctiva at an appropriate distance from the corneal limbus. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082519 | Hearing Implant Fitting - A system and method of fitting a cochlear implant of a patient includes analyzing data of one or more previously fitted cochlear implant users. Predicted fitting data for the patient is provided based on the analysis. Stimulation parameters of the cochlear implant are adjusted based, at least in part, on the predicted fitting data. Further steps are suggested to minimize the prediction error. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082520 | SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND MODULATION OF MEDICAL APPARATUS - A system for remotely programming a programmable medical apparatus, comprising a digital interactive communications network including an encrypted VPN tunnel interconnecting respective computers and video conferencing devices at a programming site and a remote programmed site, with VNC linkage of the interconnected computers, wherein the computers are arranged for programming the programmable apparatus from the programming site, with at least 1 megabit/second connection in both directions of interconnection, whereby audio and video signals are synchronized for the programming the programmable apparatus | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082521 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF AN EVOKED NEURAL RESPONSE CONCURRENT WITH AN INDICATION OF A PSYCHOPHYSICS REACTION - A method of fitting to a recipient a cochlear implant including a plurality of stimulation channels. The method comprises applying to at least one stimulation channel of the cochlear implant a first stimulus signal comprising a neural response component and a psychophysics signal component, automatically measuring a strength of an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) of the recipient evoked in response to the application of the neural response component of the first stimulus signal, and simultaneously providing to a user an indication of the automatically measured strength of the ECAP and a value of the applied psychophysics signal component. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082522 | CLOSED-LOOP THERAPY ADJUSTMENT - Techniques for detecting a value of a sensed patient parameter, and automatically delivering therapy to a patient according to therapy information previously associated with the detected value, are described. In exemplary embodiments, a medical device receives a therapy adjustment from the patient. In response to the adjustment, the medical device associates a sensed value of a patient parameter with therapy information determined based on the adjustment. Whenever the parameter value is subsequently detected, the medical device delivers therapy according to the associated therapy information. In this manner, the medical device may “learn” to automatically adjust therapy in the manner desired by the patient as the sensed parameter of the patient changes. Exemplary patient parameters that may be sensed for performance of the described techniques include posture, activity, heart rate, electromyography (EMG), an electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrocardiogram (ECG), temperature, respiration rate, and pH. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082523 | MULTI-BAND ANTENNA FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for wirelessly sending information electromagnetically at one of a first or a second specified operating frequency from within a biological medium, or receiving information electromagnetically at one of the first or second specified operating frequencies in the biological medium, using an implantable antenna including a switchback portion having multiple segments. The first specified operating frequency and the second specified operating frequency can be provided using the multiple segments. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082524 | Electro-Therapeutic Stimulator - An electro-therapeutic stimulator provides an output signal having a first controllable main pulse periodic-exponential signal and a second background pulse periodic-exponential signal. The main pulse signal is controllable, preferably to a digital numerical value of 1 to 500 pulses per second, to a digital, numerical value of duty cycle, and to a digital numerical value of balance. The signal is produced using a class D amplifier and with a transformer optimized for the background pulse (such as at 10 kHz) rather than for the main pulse. The electro-therapeutic stimulator includes a counter which forces purchasing of durations of signal time for ongoing use of the stimulator, and a challenge code procedure for facilitating additional time purchases. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082525 | NEAR INFRARED MICROBIAL ELIMINATION LASER SYSTEMS (NIMELS) - Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082526 | TARGET-CLOSE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY EMITTING DEVICE - An apparatus having an excitation source that includes at least one laser diode and also having a handpiece with a disposable, bendable tip cannula is disclosed. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082527 | Warming device with provision for warming hands - A warming device includes a clinical garment with at least one convective apparatus supported on the inside of the garment. Slits are provided in the clinical garment which enables a patient to insert his or her hands inside the clinical garment to be warmed therein by operation of the convective apparatus. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082528 | Multifunction warming device with provision for being secured - A multifunction warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting at least one convective apparatus. An attachment mechanism is provided adjacent the convective apparatus for adhesively attaching to a person. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082529 | IMPLANTABLE CONNECTION DEVICE - The invention relates to an implantable connection device ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082530 | Method and Apparatus for Implantable Lead - In one embodiment of the invention, an implantable lead is provided. It has a plurality of satellites along its length, each satellite having at least one electrode and having as many as four electrodes at each satellite. Each satellite has a chip which controls the manner in which electrodes are or are not connected with a conductor within the lead. In an embodiment a control signal is transmitted through the connector of the first and along the at least one conductor to the chips of the satellites, thereby configuring at each chip a respective impedance between the at least one conductor and the respective at least one electrode. Sub-sequently, a pacing current is passed through the connector of the first lead and along the at least one conductor, and at each chip passing a portion of the pacing current through the respective impedance to the respective at least one electrode. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082531 | SIDE MOUNT FEEDTHROUGH SYSTEM FOR SEALED COMPONENTS - The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for manufacturing an encasement for a component of an implantable medical device having a main circuit board. The method includes forming an encasement aperture on a lateral side of the encasement. The lateral side of the encasement is adapted to be placed substantially parallel to a surface of the main circuit board. A feedthrough assembly is connected through the encasement aperture. The feedthrough assembly includes at least one terminal conductor at least partially passing through the encasement aperture. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082532 | ADAPTER FOR RAPID CONNECTION OF PACEMAKER-ELECTRODE CATHETER - The present invention concerns an adapter which allows a rapid connection between a pacemaker and an electrode catheter, thus allowing the convenient performance of the necessary intraoperatory measurements. This adapter comprises a block of insulating material | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082533 | Extendible Stent Apparatus - A stent apparatus with at least one side opening which may further comprise an extendable stent portion laterally extending from the side opening and at least partly in registry with the wall of the side opening. Devices constructed in accordance with the invention include, singularly or in combination, a main expandable stent comprising at least one substantially circular side opening located between its proximal and distal end openings, which side opening may further comprise an expandable portion extending radially outward from the edges of the side opening; and a branch stent comprising proximal and distal end openings and which may further comprise a contacting portion at its proximal end, and which may optionally be constructed to form either a perpendicular branch or a non-perpendicular branch when inserted through a side opening of the main stent. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082534 | Ultrasound-enhanced stenosis therapy - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for vascular stenosis therapy, including enhancing permeability of the vessel wall using ultrasound energy and delivering a therapeutic agent into the arterial wall. Ultrasound energy may also be delivered using transcutaneous techniques and endovascular methods. In some embodiments, ultrasound energy and therapeutic agent application may be combined with angioplasty techniques and with blood flow protection devices to prevent dissipation of the therapeutic agent from the treatment site. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082535 | BALLOON TYPE STENT SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY - A balloon type stent system for treatment of obesity is disclosed. An injection expansion unit and a plurality of distribution expansion units extend in a longitudinal direction of a stent unit body formed by coupling two sheets of synthetic vinyl in the shape of a cylinder. The injection expansion unit has an expansion agent injection port, and the distribution expansion units each have a distribution injection port communicating with a distribution channel. Connection ends are partially cut in the longitudinal direction such that the expansion units are divided into an integrated expansion unit and a separated expansion unit. The injection expansion unit and the distribution expansion units constituting the separated expansion unit are bent outward to form a balloon type stent unit. A tube has a length corresponding to a lumen length of the duodenum, and the tube is connected to the stent unit body by a connection wire. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082536 | IMPLANTABLE PRODUCT WITH IMPROVED AQUEOUS INTERFACE CHARACTERISTICS AND METHOD FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - An implantable medical device including a porous membrane that is treated with a hydrophilic substance to obtain rapid optimum visualization using technology for viewing inside of a mammalian body. These technologies include ultrasound echocardiography and video imaging such as that used during laparoscopic procedures. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082537 | TRANSVASCULAR NEURAL STIMULATION DEVICE - This document discusses, among other things, apparatus, systems, and methods for transvascularly stimulation of a nerve or nerve trunk. In an example, an apparatus is configured to transvascularly stimulate a nerve trunk through a blood vessel. The apparatus includes an expandable electrode that is chronically implantable in a blood vessel proximate a nerve trunk. The expandable electrode is configured to abut a predetermined surface area of the vessel wall along a predetermined length of the vessel. An electrical lead is coupled to the expandable electrode. An implantable pulse generator is coupled to the lead and configured to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the electrode through the lead. In an example method, an electrical signal is delivered from an implanted medical device to an electrode chronically implanted in a blood vessel proximate a nerve trunk to transvascularly deliver neural stimulation from the electrode to the nerve trunk. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082538 | MEDICAL DEVICE, KIT AND METHOD FOR CONSTRICTING TISSUE OR A BODILY ORIFICE, FOR EXAMPLE, A MITRAL VALVE - A device, kit and method may include or employ an implantable device (e.g., annuloplasty implant) and a tool operable to implant such. The implantable device is positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) and operable to constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The tissue anchors may be guided into precise position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guide frame of the tool and embedded in an annulus of the orifice. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished via a variety of structures, for example by cinching a flexible cable or via a anchored annuloplasty ring, the cable or ring attached to the tissue anchors. The annuloplasty ring may be delivered in an unanchored, generally elongated configuration, and implanted in an anchored generally arch, arcuate or annular configuration. Such may approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve, to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly, thereby improving leaflet coaptation to eliminate mitral regurgitation. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082539 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT - A minimally invasive method of implanting a prosthetic aortic valve includes forming a surgical site within a patient's chest that includes a first access port, a second access port, a viewing port and a delivery port. A camera is inserted into the viewing port. The native aortic valve leaflets may each be grasped and removed via tools inserted through the first and second access ports. The prosthetic aortic valve may be delivered through the delivery port to the valve annulus using a delivery device. The prosthetic aortic valve is implanted at the valve annulus and the delivery device is withdrawn. A surgeon may perform the remotely operated steps while viewing images provided by the camera. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082540 | Prosthetic Heart Valves, Scaffolding Structures, and Systems and Methods for Implantation of Same - Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082541 | OPTICAL METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED DEPTH OF FOCUS - An imaging arrangement and method for extended the depth of focus are provided. The imaging arrangement comprises an imaging lens having a certain affective aperture, and an optical element associated with said imaging lens. The optical element is configured as a phase-affecting, non-diffractive optical element defining a spatially low frequency phase transition. The optical element and the imaging lens define a predetermined pattern formed by spaced-apart substantially optically transparent features of different optical properties. Position of at least one phase transition region of the optical element within the imaging lens plane is determined by at least a dimension of said affective aperture. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082542 | METHODS OF OBTAINING OPHTHALMIC LENSES PROVIDING THE EYE WITH REDUCED ABERRATIONS - The present invention discloses methods of obtaining ophthalmic lens capable of reducing the aberrations of the eye comprising the steps of characterizing at least one corneal surface as a mathematical model, calculating the resulting aberrations of said corneal surface(s) by employing said mathematical model, selecting the optical power of the intraocular lens. From this information, an ophthalmic lens is modeled so a wavefront arriving from an optical system comprising said lens and corneal model obtains reduced aberrations in the eye. Also disclosed are ophthalmic lenses as obtained by the methods which are capable reducing aberrations of the eye. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082543 | Methods and Devices for Preventing or Delaying Posterior Capsule Opacification - Several methods for preventing, minimizing, or delaying the incidence of posterior capsule opacification are provided. A first method involves chemically activating the surface of an implantable ocular device, such as an intraocular lens or a capsular tension ring, by grafting a chemical moiety onto the surface of the device, covalently attaching a non-cytotoxic inhibitor compound to the chemical moiety to produce an inhibitor implantable ocular device, and implanting this inhibitor implantable ocular device into the capsular bag of an eye of a patient during extracapsular cataract surgery. Appropriate inhibitor compounds include RGD mimetics, RGD peptides, and flavonoids. A second method involves surface modifying the exterior surface of a capsular tension ring by covalently attaching a mitotic inhibitor, preferably a conjugate of methotrexate and a bovine serum albumin, and implanting this inhibitor tension ring into the capsular bag of an eye of a patient during extracapsular cataract surgery. A third method involves surface modifying the exterior surface of a capsular tension ring by coating or grafting the exterior surface with a charged polyethylamine and implanting this inhibitor tension ring into the capsular bag of an eye of a patient during extracapsular cataract surgery. An implantable ocular device according to the invention, such as an intraocular lens or a capsular tension ring, contains a substrate with a chemical moiety grafted thereon and a non-cytotoxic inhibitor compound covalently bonded to the chemical moiety or contains a substrate modified with a mitotic inhibitor or charged polyethylamine. The inhibitor devices inhibits proliferation and migration of lens epithelial cells on the posterior capsule of the eye of the patient, thereby preventing, minimizing, or delaying the onset of posterior capsule opacification. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082544 | ACCOMMODATING LENS ASSEMBLY - A method of anchoring an accommodating intraocular lens assembly in the posterior chamber of an eye whereby the lens assembly includes an optical axis that corresponds with the visual axis of a human eye. The posterior chamber includes a ciliary sulcus and a capsular unit with a collapsed natural lens capsule located therein. The assembly includes a substantially rigid haptics element having first and second haptic portions, which, when anchored, define a plane that intersects the visual axis of the eye. The haptics element secures the accommodating lens assembly within the posterior chamber outside the collapsed natural lens capsule and allows light to be transmitted therethrough at least in a region around said optical axis. A lens structure includes at least a resilient lens body located at least partially along the visual axis when the lens assembly is anchored in the posterior chamber of the eye. The method includes the steps of, (1) introducing the first haptic portion, which includes a first anchor portion projecting therefrom, into the posterior chamber of the eye until the first anchor portion is anchored in the scleral wall at a desired location; and (2) moving the second haptic portion, which comprises a second anchor portion projecting therefrom, until the second anchor portion is anchored in the scleral wall on the opposite side of the lens from the first anchor portion and the lens structure is in contact with the collapsed natural lens, whereby the collapsed natural lens capsule will be prestressed and deform the lens body relative to and substantially independently of the haptics element in relation to the force the capsular unit applies directly or indirectly to the lens body along the optical axis. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082545 | DRUG ELUTING BREAST IMPLANT COVER OR COATING - A biodegradable cover or coating for a breast implant includes a biodegradable cover or coating over the breast implant and contains one or more drugs for delivery at the surgical site, particularly for treating or preventing infection, pain, inflammation, capsular contracture, scarring or other indication or complication associated with breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082546 | BREAST IMPLANT IMPLANTATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for implanting a breast implant into a subject, the method includes: providing a sterile, flexible, elastic biodegradable bag sized to contain the breast implant; providing a sterile breast implant; inserting, using sterile handling, the sterile breast implant into the sterile bag to form a sterile breast implant assembly; closing the bag to fully enclose the implant within the bag; and implanting in a sterile manner the sterile breast implant assembly into the subject. A sterile bag, which may be provided in a kit, preferably for use with the method includes first and second chambers connected by a channel for moving a breast implant from the first chamber through the channel to the second chamber without directly touching the implant. An incision dilator may also be included with the kit or separately provided for use in a preferred embodiment of the method. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082547 | TISSUE MARKING IMPLANT - An implant for marking an area within a living body includes a matrix material and a marking material. The implant is formable to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body. The implant is configured to support tissue surrounding the cavity and to allow in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replace at least a portion of the matrix material. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082548 | LOW FRICTION RESURFACING IMPLANT - A low friction resurfacing implant system including a first implant component and a second implant component. The first implant component has a first bearing surface. The second implant component has a second bearing surface. The first implant component and the second implant component are each fabricated from a durable material that possesses a low coefficient of friction. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082549 | MINERALIZED THREE-DIMENSIONAL BONE CONSTRUCTS FORMED FROM OSTEOBLASTS - The present disclosure provides ex vivo-derived mineralized three-dimensional bone constructs. The bone constructs are obtained by culturing osteoblasts under randomized gravity vector conditions. Preferably, the randomized gravity vector conditions are obtained using a low shear stress rotating bioreactor, such as a High Aspect Ratio Vessel (HARV) culture system. The bone constructs of the disclosure have utility in physiological studies of bone formation and bone function, in drug discovery, and in orthopedics. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082550 | INTERVERTEBRAL FIXATION DEVICE - This invention discloses an intervertebral fixation device including a plate member, a body, and at least one bending portion disposed on the plate member. The thickness of the bending portion is slightly smaller than the thickness of the plate member and ear portions, such that the bending portion is provided for flexibly adjusting a curvature of the plate member of the intervertebral fixation device, and an ear portion and another ear portion on the plate member can be adjusted flexibly to be attached to the two cervical vertebrae, and the intervertebral fixation device can match with the physiological curvature of each patient's cervical vertebrae, so as to overcome the shortcomings of a conventional intervertebral fixation device having a protrusion after a surgical operation is performed, and prevent a locking element secured to a conventional intervertebral fixation device from being loosened, and avoid another surgical operation of a patient. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082551 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - Embodiments are directed to bone-joining or bone-bridging intervertebral implants with an inner channel-type structure of channels, which extend parallel from a bone contacting-surface of the implant to the inside of the implant, whereby the channels are connected by lateral openings. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082552 | Prosthetic Intervertebral Discs Implantable By Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques - The described devices are bound spinal implants that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior, lateral, or postero-lateral approach. The discs are prosthetic devices that approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082553 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INTER-VERTEBRAL ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE PLACEMENT - A bone prosthesis device is comprised of an upper and lower abutment surfaces and an intervening malleable member. The device is sufficiently small so that implantation into an inter-vertebral disc space can be performed from a substantially posterior approach without significant impingement upon the neural elements. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082554 | DEVICES FOR DELIVERING SPINAL DISC IMPLANTS - A spinal disc implant delivery device includes a blocking component having opposed distal and proximal ends. The proximal end of the blocking component includes an anchor member configured and adapted for movement between an undeployed position in which the anchor member can pass into and out of an opening in a disc annulus, and a deployed position in which the anchor member anchors the blocking component to the opening of the disc annulus. In the deployed position, the anchor member is configured to prevent extrusion of implant material from the opening of the disc annuls. An implant delivery needle is located radially within the blocking component and has opposed proximal and distal ends. The needle is configured to deliver implant material from the distal end thereof to an interior of a disc annulus. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082555 | Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) Implant, Surgical Procedure and Instruments for Insertion of Spinal Implant in a Spinal Disc Space - Various instrumentation, implants and methodology are disclosed for implanting bone implants in the TLIF approach. The implants are preferably cortical bone of various shapes. The instruments include chisels, rasps, trials, inserters, spreaders, adjustors, curettes, rongeurs, and impactors. The instruments have straight and bent shafts. The implants may have recesses or notches in their sides for receipt of a mating insertion instrument. Some of the implants have a threaded hole for receiving a mating threaded stud of an implant insertion instrument. The implants may have saw tooth vertebral gripping surfaces which are lordotic or parallel, may be C-shaped, multi-faceted or annular. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082556 | Artificial Spinal Disc - An artificial disc prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis enables spinal segment alignment by having a variable height across its surface. The variable height is achieved by an asymmetric artificial nucleus or by at least one variable height end plate. The prosthesis may have a central keel on one end plate and an offset pair of keels on a second end plate. The nucleus may engage a slot or trough in an inner surface of an end plate. The trough can be open on the posterior or anterior end to allow the nucleus to slide into the trough without undue distraction of adjacent vertebrae. The nucleus can be prevented from moving out of the trough by inserting a stop in the trough. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082557 | Integral, One-Piece Humeral Head Device - A humeral head augment device for use in a modular shoulder prosthesis. The humeral head augment device has an external bearing surface with at least one surface portion that includes a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is configured to constrain translational movement of the implanted shoulder prosthesis when the humeral head augment device is positioned within the shoulder prosthesis. The humeral head augment device also includes a coupling mechanism designed to lock the humeral head augment device to either the stem or the humeral head, thereby ensuring proper operational positioning of the device within the shoulder prosthesis and allowing the implanted shoulder prosthesis to function in a patient suffering from rotator cuff arthropathy. A shoulder prosthesis using a humeral head augment device, a method for assembling a shoulder prosthesis and method for using a humeral head augment device in a shoulder prosthesis are also disclosed. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082558 | ARTIFICIAL KNEE JOINT - An artificial knee joint comprise a femoral component and tibial component. The posterior side of the femoral component comprises medial and lateral condyles, wherein the width and offset of the posteromedial condyle is greater than the width and offset of the posterolateral condyle. At the posterior the tibial bearing component comprises medial and lateral articulating surface geometries, wherein the posterior slope of the lateral articulating geometry is greater than the posterior slope of the medial articulating geometry. The medial articulating surface geometry of the tibial bearing component supports the medial condyle of the femoral component and the lateral articulating surface geometry of the tibial bearing component supports the lateral condyle of the femoral component. The greater slope of the lateral articulating geometry allows the femoral component condyle to roll down to the posterior during knee flexion. This invention of an artificial knee joint for a prosthetic knee implant system facilitates deep knee flexes beyond 130 degrees. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082559 | TIBIAL IMPLANT BASE - An orthopedic prosthesis includes a tibial implant and a tibial insert. The tibial implant includes an upper surface, a medial side, a lateral side and a first locking structure provided on the upper surface where the medial side and the lateral side of the tibial implant are defined by a medial-lateral midline. The tibial insert includes a second locking structure provided on its bottom surface. The first and second locking structures are configured for engaging each other along an engagement direction vector when the tibial insert is inserted into the tibial base towards the posterior side. The engagement direction vector is angled away from the medial-lateral midline of the tibial implant towards the medial side of the tibial implant by a predetermine angle. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082560 | PROSTHETIC BODY FOR AN UPPER LEG PROSTHETIC - The invention relates to a prosthetic body for an upper leg prosthetic comprising a shaft ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082561 | SURGICAL IMPLANT - A surgical implant having an elliptically-shaped base, a bottom surface, a peripheral rim and a top surface, the top surface having a concave portion. The stem extends from the bottom surface, and includes a core, a first wing portion extending laterally outwardly from the core and a second wing portion extending laterally outwardly from the core. Each of the first and second wing portions has a laterally outermost edge, said edge having at least one tooth portion projecting laterally outwardly. There is a cannulation extending through the base and the core of the stem. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082562 | BONE REPAIR MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - A bone repair material being superior in apatite-forming ability and its stability in a storage and high in scratch resistance is disclosed. The material is produced by a method comprising the steps of: immersing a substrate made of titanium or a titanium alloy in a first aqueous solution that does not contain calcium ions but contains at least one cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ions and potassium ions and is alkaline; immersing the substrate in a second aqueous solution that does not contain phosphate ions but contains calcium ions; heating the substrate in a dry atmosphere; and treating the substrate with hot water of 60° C. or higher or with steam. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082563 | MICROSCALE MULTIPLE-FLUID-STREAM BIOREACTOR FOR CELL CULTURE - Microfluidic bioreactor devices may feature intercommunicating microchannels defined in two polymer layers separated by a membrane. A geometric parameter associated with the microchannels in one layer may vary along a length of those channels. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082564 | Devices and Methods for Tissue Engineering - A tissue scaffold fabricated from bioinert fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioinert composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioinert fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the porous matrix is provided by bioinert fiber fused and bonded into the rigid three-dimensional matrix having a specific pore size and pore size distribution. The tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082565 | NONWOVEN STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - A method for fabricating a nonwoven structure is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a nonwoven layer of polymer fibers on the collector liquid surface, transferring the layer to a solid surface, and repeating the formation and the transfer in a layerwise manner. The method is generally effected by spinning liquefied polymer, in particular by employing electrostatic or hydrostatic forces. The nonwoven structure formed comprises of plurality of nonwoven layers: the average thickness of the nonwoven structure is at least 0.5 mm and the structure has an overall porosity of at least 90%. The nonwoven structure an be used in forming a scaffold for tissue engineering, in particular a cell-scaffold composition, suitable for implanting in a patient, wherein at least one cell population is seeded on at least one of the plurality of layers. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082566 | IMPLEMENTING A STAND-UP SEQUENCE USING A LOWER-EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS OR ORTHOSIS - Knee orthoses or prostheses can be used to automatically when it is appropriate to initiate a stand-up sequence based on the position of the person's knee with respect to the person's ankle while the person is in a seated position. When the knee is moved to position that is forward of the ankle, at least one actuator of the orthosis or prosthesis is actuated to help raise the person from the seated position to a standing position. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082567 | EXTERNAL REQUEST TYPE FUNCTION CONTROL SYSTEM, TERMINAL DEVICE, EXTERNAL REQUEST TYPE FUNCTION CONTROL METHOD, AND EXTERNAL REQUEST TYPE FUNCTION CONTROL PROGRAM - A function control information transmitter | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082568 | PROCESS DEVICE WITH SAMPLING SKEW - An industrial process device for monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes a first input configured to receive a first plurality of samples related to a first process variable and a second input configured to receive a second plurality of samples related to a second process variable. Compensation circuitry is configured to compensate for a time difference between the first plurality of samples and the second plurality of samples and provide a compensated output related to at least one of the first and second process variables. The compensated output can comprise, or can be used to calculate a third process variable. The third process variable can be used to monitor or control the industrial process. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082569 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE DATA UPLOADING IN A PROCESS CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - Example methods and apparatus to manage data uploading in a process control environment are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request to upload a parameter value associated with a process control system and retrieving an upload rule profile associated with the process control system. The example method also includes identifying an upload action from the upload rule profile based on the parameter value and a personnel classification, and determining whether to upload the parameter value based on the upload action. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082570 | CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING THE SAME - Control systems and methods for controlling certain systems, devices, and apparatus are described. A control system may include a memory and at least one processor. The memory may be operable to store both a Foundation Fieldbus protocol that facilitates communication with one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and a second protocol that facilitates communication with one or more control devices. The at least one processor may be operable to access both the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the second protocol, and to control the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices and the one or more control devices. A network may facilitate communications between the at least one processor and both the one or more Foundation Fieldbus devices using the Foundation Fieldbus protocol and the one or more control devices using the second protocol. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082571 | Computerized smart gaming tournament system for the internet - A tournament system that encompasses and integrates wirelessly connected actual sports equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players geographically remote from one another to play an actual competitive sport. The system allows the communication of direct images and verbal interactions between geographically remote players during every aspect of play as if playing the same game together at the exact same time from their respective geographic locations. An individual player may opt to play solo or against the computer to improve techniques. Each local system of sports implements is coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a receiver and computer. The computer displays player information and visually displays and controls a sports competition in real-time between two or more players via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. The tournament system pairs remote players and designates a remote player within the group as a server and the others clients. If a player is disconnected during competition, information regarding that player's IP address and game status is supplied to the group's designated server and a connection is either reestablished or that player is replaced with another player from a queue of awaiting players. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082572 | Distributing Media By Subscription - A user can distribute media to subscribers through a media distribution service. The media distribution service can receive media from an author and distribute the media to one or more subscribers. Users can become a subscriber of the author (or media provider) and receive the author's uploaded media. To share media content, the media content is received by a server from a first remote device associated with an author. A subscriber associated with the author can be identified. A connection for audio content playback can be established between the server and a second remote device associated with the subscriber over which the media content is transmitted. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082573 | INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing system includes a storage section that stores a plurality of templates respectively corresponding to a plurality of preset sounds, an acquisition section that acquires external sound data corresponding to an external sound detected by a sound detection section, a determination section that compares the external sound data with each of the plurality of templates, and determines the type of preset sound corresponding to the external sound, and an execution section that executes a process corresponding to the determined type of preset sound. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082574 | ANIMAL-MACHINE AUDIO INTERACTION SYSTEM - An animal-machine audio interaction system includes a sound monitor for monitoring the sounds made by one or more animals, a sound segmenter for identifying coherent sound segments within the sounds made by the animal(s), a sound analyzer for analyzing and assigning a category to each sound segment, an output sound selector for selecting an output sound appropriate to the category assigned by the sound analyzer, and a sound output unit for outputting the selected output sound to the animal(s). A different control protocol may be used to define the categories assigned to the animal sounds and to determine the respective audio responses that are appropriate to the different sound categories. During operation of the system, a closed-loop audio interaction is set up between the animal(s) and the system. This interaction may be used for various purposes, such as investigating animal behaviour, entertaining the animal(s) and controlling animal behaviour. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082575 | Concealing Audio Artifacts - At least one segment is identified in an audio signal. The audio segment is associated with an artifact within the audio signal and has a time duration. At least one stored sound clip is retrieved, which has a time duration that exceeds the time duration associated with the audio segment. The retrieved sound clip is mixed with the audio signal and the retrieved sound clip audibly compensates for the audio artifact. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082576 | Method and Apparatus for Establishing a Camera Focal Length for Installing Fasteners - A method and apparatus for processing a fastener system. A fastener installation tool may be placed on a surface of an object. An elongate structure may be attached to the fastener installation tool and may have a length. A camera may be associated with the fastener installation tool in which the camera may be configured with a focal length corresponding to the length of the elongate structure. The camera also may be configured to capture an image at least a portion of the fastener system when the elongate structure is placed against the surface of the object on which the fastener system is located. The image of the at least a portion of fastener system may be captured. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082577 | SHAPE SIMULATION APPARATUS, SHAPE SIMULATION PROGRAM, SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION APPARATUS, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE PRODUCTION METHOD - Disclosed herein is a shape simulation apparatus including: a flux computation block configured to compute the flux of particles incident on the surface of a wafer covered with a mask; and a shape computation block configured to compute a surface shape of the wafer by allowing the coordinates of a plurality of calculation points established on the surface of the wafer to be time-evolved based on the incident flux computed. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082578 | Process and System for Manufacturing a Customized Orthosis - A process and system for fitting, customizing and manufacturing an orthosis for a subject. 3-dimensional coordinates for a plurality of landmarks corresponding to anatomical characteristics of the subject, means for attachment of the orthosis to the subject, and a reference plane are digitally acquired. Then, coordinates of one or more virtual landmarks corresponding to one or more anatomical joint centers or joint projection locations are calculated. The landmarks are clinically aligned in a reference position of one of the anatomical joint centers and a customized digital model of the orthosis is created using the clinically aligned landmarks. Finally, the orthosis is fabricated using a computer aided manufacturing process, based upon an output from the customized digital model. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082579 | SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Disclosed are a substrate processing apparatus, a substrate processing method, and a storage medium, which can process a normal substrate according to a normal schedule in parallel with a substrate to be processed in preference to other substrates. Processing block performs the same types of processes for substrates, carried therein from FOUP placing unit, by using process arms. When a priority substrate having a priority over other substrates are carried, control unit carries and processes the priority substrate in priority processing unit that can receive a next substrate among priority processing units to which a plurality of processing units are partially or wholly assigned, in preference to other substrates. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082580 | VACUUM PUMPING SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to a vacuum pumping system ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082581 | SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF THE SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, MANUFACTURING METHOD OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND APPARATUS STATE SHIFTING METHOD - To perform a maintenance work safely by a maintenance engineer, even if the maintenance work is performed with power of a substrate processing apparatus turned-on. A substrate processing apparatus, comprising: a controller that inhibits a shift from an idling state to a standby state, when a generation of a prescribed event is detected; the controller further comprising: a shift indicating part that controls an apparatus state so as to be shifted from the idling state possible to receive an indication of execution of the recipe, being an apparatus state possible to step into the substrate processing apparatus, to the standby state possible to execute a recipe, being an apparatus state impossible to step into the substrate processing apparatus; and an event detection part that detects a generation of the prescribed event for inhibiting a shift from the idling state to the standby state and notifies the shift indicating part of the prescribed event. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082582 | APPARATUS FOR THE HANDLING OF CONTAINERS WITH A MOBILE DISPLAY - An apparatus ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082583 | Nesting Negotiation for Self-Mobile Devices - Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082584 | ROBOTIC DEVICE FOR INSERTING OR REMOVING ROD-LIKE ELEMENTS - The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, like sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up a rod-like element on which a number of sausage like products are hung up by the robotic device, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device. Moreover, there is provided a storage frame with at least a machine readable label from which information regarding the storage device are read out from the machine readable label, which is attached to the storage device, at least before the storage frame is moved into the operating range of the robotic device. Said information are sent to the control unit of the robotic device for controlling the movement of the robotic device while inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from the storage frame. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082585 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING OF MOBILE ROBOT ENVIRONMENT - Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized. In another embodiment, mapping is suspended when it is determined that the device is acquiring data regarding its physical environment in such a way that use of the data for mapping will incorporate distortions into the map, as for example when the robotic device is tilted. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082586 | HANDLING APPARATUS, CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A handling apparatus having a belt conveyor ( | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082587 | SYSTEM WITH BRAKE TO LIMIT MANUAL MOVEMENT OF MEMBER AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SAME - A system includes a moveable member configured to permit a user to manually move at least a portion of the moveable member to permit an object coupled to the moveable member to be manipulated in space and thereby facilitate the performance of a task using the coupled object. The moveable member is configured to couple to at least a first object and a second object that is interchangeable with the first object and has a substantially different weight than the first object. A brake is configured to limit manual movement of at least the portion of the moveable member to inhibit manipulation in space of the coupled object, both when the moveable member is coupled to the first object and when the moveable member is coupled to the second object. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082588 | AUTOMATIC PARKING STRUCTURE - The present invention as disclosed herein is an improved vehicle parking structure and method for using the same. The vehicle parking structure provides for the automated storage and retrieval of vehicles in response to user inputs. In one aspect, the vehicle parking structure comprises one or more transfer rooms in which a vehicle operator may deposit and later retrieve a vehicle, a plurality of parking spaces of either fixed or variable dimensions, and one or more vehicle transporters used to move vehicles from the one or more transfer rooms to the plurality of parking spaces. The one or more vehicle transporters are in turn each preferably comprised of one or more vertical stabilizers, one or more tractors, one or more lifts, a lifting platform, and a dolly. The vehicle transporters move the lifting platform and dolly so that the dolly may be positioned to access a vehicle located in a transfer room or parking space. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082589 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - A control device for a motor vehicle, wherein the control device serves to monitor user access. The system has a piezo sensor which is arranged for pressure or touch detection by a user and connected to a pressure loaded area. A charging circuit is provided, which charges the piezo sensor until a previously specified voltage parameter is reached. A recording and analysis system transforms the voltage that is applied to the piezo sensor into digital parameters and records a series of transformed voltage parameters. A control system is connected to the piezo sensor with an activatable input, and activates the analysis system. A microcontroller is arranged in the control system, and a signal to the activatable input triggers an interrupt in the microcontroller. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082590 | CONTROLLER FOR ACTUATORS IN MICROSCOPE LENSES - A controller for microscope lenses for correcting spherical aberration and for adjusting particularly difficult to access microscope lenses to an optimum of imaging quality, enabling automatic adjustment of the different actuators of a microscope lens, to effect a simple, cost-effective, user-friendly, and precise balance, particularly of cover slip deviations and different base thicknesses of Petri dishes for the purposes of increasing imaging quality. At least two movable elements of a microscope objective supporting lenses or lens groups, are provided in a movable manner in the axial direction along the optical axis of the microscope objective relative to the housing of the microscope lens in a motor-actuated manner by way of respective adjusting rings. A controller externally controlled and disposed in the microscope lens is provided for storing different characteristic curves for paths of motion of the movable elements. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082591 | REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF STORAGE FACILITIES - Systems and methods for remote management of storage facilities are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a central management system including a server, and several managed facilities. Each facility is operated by at least one programmable logic controller (PLC), which gathers data regarding the operation of the facility and stores the data locally at the facility or sends the data back to the server. The server is configured to respond to requests from known web browsers to provide near real-time information to users concerning the storage facility. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082592 | AIR-CONDITIONING CONTROL SYSTEM AND AIR-CONDITIONING CONTROL METHOD - Air that is cooled with ground temperature is circulated in a room, by delivering air in the room outward to an exhaust pipe with a predetermined exhaust pressure; sucking the air discharged from the exhaust pipe with a predetermined suction pressure via an underground path that is formed in ground by the air discharged from the exhaust pipe into the ground; and delivering the sucked air into the room. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082593 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HYDRONIC SYSTEMS HAVING MULTIPLE SOURCES AND MULTIPLE LOADS - A system and method are provided to control hydronic systems having a plurality of sources, including at least one of an on-demand source, a semi-on-demand source, and an intermittent source that are fluidly or thermally coupled to a plurality of load zones. The hydronic system device obtains performance measurements for system components to provide system metrics, including failure diagnostics, energy capture, and usage optimization. The hydronic system device may also calculate British Thermal Units produced and used by the plurality of sources and loads to calculate incentives, including renewable energy credits. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082594 | Climate Control System And Method For Optimizing Energy Consumption of A Vehicle - A climate control system includes a control head having a warmer/cooler temperature control for providing relative thermal comfort. A thermal comfort rating (TCR) corresponding to a range of passenger cabin temperatures is determined based upon a comfort level selection by an occupant using the control head. A control strategy employs look-up tables corresponding to the TCR to determine the speed of an electric compressor and the position of a temperature control blend door. The strategy provides for a relatively fast ramp down to a minimum compressor speed to improve fuel economy while maintaining a relative level of thermal comfort. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082595 | AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION OF CHEMICAL PRODUCT DISPENSE SYSTEMS - Automatic calibration of dispense parameters of a product dispense system is accomplished via electronic communication of product information. A chemical product includes an electronically readable tag or label that stores and communicates chemical product data concerning the chemical product to a chemical product dispenser. The chemical product data may include, for example, the name of the chemical product, the type or class of the chemical product, manufacturing information regarding the chemical product (e.g., manufacturing date, location, serial number, lot number, etc.), concentration of active ingredient(s), weight, volume, viscosity, density, hardness, specific gravity, shape, color, and/or other data concerning the chemical product. A controller within the dispenser automatically calibrates the dispense parameters based on the chemical product data. | 2011-04-07 |
| 20110082596 | REAL TIME MICROGRID POWER ANALYTICS PORTAL FOR MISSION CRITICAL POWER SYSTEMS - Systems and method for providing a microgrid power analytics portal for mission critical power systems are provided. The techniques disclosed herein provides for real-time modeling, evaluation, and commodity market pricing and optimization for an electrical network that includes microgrids using data collected from virtually any digital data source. The portal is platform independent and can be configured to collect and aggregate real-time data from sensors interfaced with components of the electrical network regardless of proprietary architectures or vendor-specific limitations imposed by the sensors or data collection software. | 2011-04-07 |
