| 18th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 66 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110106192 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEFROSTING A DEFIBRILLATION ELECTRODE - A device and method for defrosting a defibrillation electrode are provided. This includes an automated external defibrillator that is capable of defrosting one or more frozen electrodes. The device is includes a portable housing containing a battery powered energy source and a controller as well as at least a pair of electrodes which are operably coupled to the housing. The electrodes are designed for attachment to the chest of a patient in need of resuscitation and contain a conductive interface medium that has temperature dependent properties. A controller is configured to selectively heat the conductive interface medium by applying limited electrical impulses and raise the electrode temperature to a desired temperature range. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106193 | CARDIAC DISEASE TREATMENT AND DEVICE - A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106194 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE WITH AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE FOR DISCRIMINATING VT AND SVT BASED ON VENTRICULAR DEPOLARIZATION EVENT TIMING - Techniques are described for discriminating ventricular tachycardia (VT) from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) using an implantable medical device capable of multi-site ventricular sensing. In one example, ventricular depolarization events are detected within a patient by the implantable device during a tachyarrhythmia, at both a left ventricular sensing site and a right ventricular sensing site. Ventricular event timing differences are then ascertained. The device compares the ventricular event timing differences detected during the tachyarrhythmia with predetermined supraventricular event timing differences for the patient, such as event timing differences previously detected within the patient during sinus rhythm or extrapolated from sinus rhythm values. The device then distinguishes VT from SVT based on the comparison of the event timing differences detected during the tachyarrhythmia with the predetermined supraventricular event timing differences. Morphological waveform analysis can also be performed, when needed, to further distinguish VT from SVT. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106195 | ARRHYTHMIA PREDICTION BASED ON HEART RATE TURBULENCE - In general, the disclosure describes techniques for predicting the occurrence of an arrhythmia based on an indication of heart rate turbulence. An example method comprises sensing a parameter indicative of heart rate turbulence, measuring heart rate turbulence based on the sensed parameter, and predicting an occurrence of an arrhythmia based on the measured heart rate turbulence. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106196 | IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF JUNCTIONAL RHYTHMS - An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure intervals between atrial pacing pulses and subsequently sensed ventricular events. A decreasing trend in the of intervals indicative of a pre-junctional rhythm is detected. The atrial pacing pulse is delivered at a shortened atrial pacing pulse interval in response to detecting the decreasing trend to reduce the likelihood of a junctional rhythm. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106197 | PACEMAKER WITH VAGAL SURGE MONITORING AND RESPONSE - A pacemaker initiates and times a monitoring interval in response to an event such as a therapy delivery to a patient. The monitoring interval is specified to include a duration of an anticipated acute response to the event, such as vagal surge. One or more physiological parameters indicative of the acute response are detected during the monitoring interval for analyzing therapeutic effect of the event. In various embodiments, one or more pacing parameters are adjusted for a response interval specified to include the duration of the anticipated acute response to allow for the analysis and maximization of the therapeutic effect. In various embodiments, the event includes a session of pacing therapy delivered according to an intermittent cardiac stress augmentation pacing protocol, and the therapeutic effect is analyzed to adjust that protocol. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106198 | CARDIAC-EVENT PROCESSOR AND HEART TREATMENT DEVICE - Provided is a cardiac-event processor ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106199 | CLOSED LOOP NEURAL STIMULATION SYNCHRONIZED TO CARDIAC CYCLES - Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a method. According to various method embodiments, cardiac activity is detected, and neural stimulation is synchronized with a reference event in the detected cardiac activity. Neural stimulation is titrated based on a detected response to the neural stimulation. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106200 | STROKE RISK MONITORING SYSTEM INCLUDING IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - One or more example techniques for monitoring the stroke risk of a patient via a system including an implantable medical device. In some examples, a method including monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a patient via an implantable medical device; determining whether each of a plurality stroke risk factors are present based at least in part on the at least one physiological parameters monitored via the implantable medical device; and generating a stroke risk score based on the stroke risk factors determined to be present, wherein the stroke risk score is reflective of the patient's risk of stroke. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106201 | IMPLANTABLE HEART FAILURE MONITOR - An implantable medical device and associated method monitor a heart failure patient by sensing a signal responsive to oxygen availability in an extravascular volume of skeletal muscle tissue. The signal is used to compute a tissue oxygenation measurement. A change in the tissue oxygenation measurement is detected, and a time interval corresponding to the detected change in muscle tissue oxygenation is computed. The time interval is used for detecting if a heart failure condition is worsening or improving. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106202 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SETTING CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY PARAMETERS - A method or system for computing and/or setting optimal cardiac resynchronization pacing parameters as derived from intrinsic conduction data is presented. The intrinsic conduction data includes intrinsic atrio-ventricular and interventricular delay intervals which may be collected via the sensing channels of an implantable cardiac device. Among the parameters which may be optimized in this manner are an atrio-ventricular delay interval and a biventricular offset interval. In one of its aspects, the invention provides for computing optimum pacing parameters for patients having some degree of AV block or with atrial conduction deficits. Another aspect of the invention relates to a pacing mode and configuration for providing cardiac resynchronization therapy to patients with a right ventricular conduction disorder. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106203 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO EVALUATE ELECTRODE POSITION AND SPACING - A method and apparatus for tracking and illustrating the location of leads positioned within the volume is disclosed. For example, the lead electrodes can be positioned within a heart of a patient that can be tracked over time. The lead electrodes can be tracked with an electrode potential or bioimpedance tracking system to determine the position of the lead electrodes. A method and apparatus is disclosed to analyze the position information for analyzing the selected position of the lead electrodes. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106204 | CONFIGURING OPERATING PARAMETERS OF A MEDICAL DEVICE BASED ON A TYPE OF SOURCE OF A DISRUPTIVE ENERGY FIELD - An implantable medical device (IMD) configures one or more operating parameters of the IMD based on a type of source of a disruptive energy field to which the IMD is exposed. The disruptive energy field may, in one example, include magnetic and/or radio frequency (RF) fields generated by an MRI scanner. In one aspect, the IMD may distinguish between different types of MRI scanners and select an exposure operating mode tailored to reduce the effects of the particular type of MRI scanner. In another aspect, the IMD may adjust one or more operating parameters that will be used when the IMD returns to a normal operating mode after exposure to the MRI scanner based on the type of MRI scanner to which the IMD is exposed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106205 | CERAMIC COMPONENTS FOR BRAZED FEEDTHROUGHS USED IN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A feedthrough assembly, as well as a method of forming a feedthrough assembly, including a metallic ferrule, and a biocompatible, non-conductive, high-temperature, co-fired insulator engaged with the metallic ferrule at an interface between the ferrule and the insulator. The insulator includes a first surface at the interface and a second surface internal to the insulator. At least one conductive member may be disposed at the second surface, wherein at least the first surface of the insulator is devoid of surface cracks greater than 30 μm. The first surface of the insulator may also be devoid of a surface roughness greater than 0.5 μm. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106206 | PATIENT CONTROLLED BRAIN REPAIR SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - A method of maintaining an information rate of a Brain-computer interface (BCI) system, implanted in a patient's brain, by regulating arousal level in the patient's brain is disclosed. The method includes selecting a patient with the implanted BCI device configured to receive neuronal activity from one or more electrodes connected to the patient's brain and to establish a communication channel between the patient and an external device controlled by the patient. Accordingly, a rate of information passage through the communication channel from the BCI device is measured, and a region of the patient's brain involved in arousal regulation, is stimulated in response to said measuring, under conditions effective to adjust the rate of information passing from the BCI device through the communication channel. A computer medium for carrying out this method and a BCI Arousal Regulation system are also disclosed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106207 | PARASTHESIA USING SHORT-PULSE NEURAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods, devices and systems for neural stimulation using a short-pulse stimulation are described. Using a waveform that generates a sufficiently large capacitive current density in the tissue surrounding a nerve allows neural stimulation at one hundredth the power of a charge injection stimulation. A capacitive discharge may be used to generate the short-pulse stimulation waveform. Short pulse stimulation may be used to generate parasthesia, particularly for treatment of chronic pain. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106208 | MODULATION OF THE CHOLINERGIC ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PATHWAY TO TREAT PAIN OR ADDICTION - Methods and devices for the treatment of chronic pain by modulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. In particular, the methods and systems described herein may be used to enhance chronic pain therapies such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Thus, the present invention describes devices and methods for modulation of the cytokine pathway by stimulation of the neuronal cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (NCAP) to enhance the treatment of chronic pain by SCS. The use of NCAP in conjunction with SCS may potentiate the effects of SCS and/or prevent the desensitization of the patient to SCS. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106209 | Systems and Methods of Facilitating Manual Adjustment of One or More Cochlear Implant System Control Parameters - An exemplary cochlear system includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audio signal, an implantable cochlear stimulator communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit and configured to apply stimulation representative of the audio signal to a patient via one or more electrodes in accordance with the processing of the audio signal, and a user input facility communicatively coupled to the sound processing unit. The sound processing unit and the implantable cochlear stimulator are configured to operate in accordance with a plurality of control parameters, which may be selectively associated and disassociated with the user input facility in order to facilitate manual adjustment of one or more of the control parameters. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106210 | ADJUSTABLE TRANSCUTANEOUS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM - A transcutaneous energy transfer system for an implantable medical device. The system comprises an internal coil assembly implantable in a recipient; and an external data coil assembly positioned in a housing worn by the recipient. The data coil assembly is configured to be inductively coupled to the internal coil assembly in order to transcutaneously transfer data to the internal coil assembly. One or more elements of the data coil assembly are physically adjustable with respect to the housing to alter the inductive coupling. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106211 | Methods and Systems for Presenting an Audio Signal to a Cochlear Implant Patient - An exemplary signal processing unit includes a plurality of filters configured to divide an audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, one or more detection stages configured to detect an energy level within each of said analysis channels, a selection stage configured to select one or more of said analysis channels for presentation to a patient, a synthesizer stage configured to synthesize said selected analysis channels, and a mapping stage configured to map said selected analysis channels to a number of stimulation channels within an implantable cochlear stimulator, wherein a total number of said analysis channels is greater than a total number of said stimulation channels. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106212 | CONFIGURING OPERATING PARAMETERS OF A MEDICAL DEVICE BASED ON A TYPE OF SOURCE OF A DISRUPTIVE ENERGY FIELD - An implantable medical device (IMD) configures one or more operating parameters of the IMD based on a type of source of a disruptive energy field to which the IMD is exposed. The disruptive energy field may, in one example, include magnetic and/or radio frequency (RF) fields generated by an MRI scanner. In one aspect, the IMD may distinguish between different types of MRI scanners and select an exposure operating mode tailored to reduce the effects of the particular type of MRI scanner. In another aspect, the IMD may adjust one or more operating parameters that will be used when the IMD returns to a normal operating mode after exposure to the MRI scanner based on the type of MRI scanner to which the IMD is exposed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106213 | USER INTERFACE FOR OPTIMIZING ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN A NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - In one aspect, a programmer for an implantable medical device comprises a user interface that receives user input corresponding to one or more selected stimulation therapy parameters for delivering stimulation therapy to a patient with the implantable medical device and presents an energy consumption estimate of a power source based on the selected stimulation therapy parameters; and a processor that determines one or more programming options that, if selected, would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters and reduce the energy consumption estimate. The user interface presents at least one of the programming options to reduce the energy consumption estimate to the user with an indication that user selection of one or more of the presented programming options would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters to reduce energy consumption of the implantable medical device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106214 | CHARGE RECOVERY BI-PHASIC CONTROL FOR TISSUE STIMULATION - A method and external control device for providing therapy to a patient using first and second electrodes implanted within the patient is provided. A train of electrical multi-phasic pulses is generated. A first electrical current is sourced from the second electrode and at least a portion of the first electrical current is sunk to the first electrode during a stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby therapeutically stimulating a first tissue region adjacent the first electrode. A second electrical current is sourced from the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrical current is sunk to the second electrode during a charge recovery phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby recovering at least a portion of the charge that had been injected into the patient during the stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, and therapeutically stimulating a second tissue region adjacent the second electrode. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106215 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING ARBITRARY ELECTRIC FIELDS TO PRE-EXISTING LEAD ELECTRODES - A method and system for stimulating tissue using a plurality of electrodes is provided. Desired electrical parameter (e.g., field potential) values are determined at a plurality of spatial points. A plurality of constituent current sources is selected at the locations of the electrodes. The relative strengths of the constituent current sources that, when combined, result in estimated electrical parameter (e.g., field potential)|values at the spatial points that best matches the desired electrical parameter values at the spatial points are determined. The polarity and percentage of electrical current to be associated with each of the electrodes is selected based on the determined strengths of the constituent current sources. Electrical current is conveyed through the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the selected electrical current magnitudes to stimulate the tissue. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106216 | BAROREFLEX STIMULATOR WITH INTEGRATED PRESSURE SENSOR - An aspect relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a pulse generator, sensor circuitry, a lead, and a controller. The pulse generator generates baroreflex stimulation pulses. The lead is adapted to be electrically connected to the pulse generator and to the sensor circuitry. The lead includes an electrode to distribute the baroreflex stimulation pulses to a baroreflex site and a pressure sensor to provide a signal indicative of blood pressure to the sensor circuitry. The controller is connected to the pulse generator and the sensor circuitry. The controller adapted to adjust the baroreflex stimulation pulses based on the blood pressure. Other aspects are provided herein. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106217 | CONTROLLING EFFECTS CAUSED BY EXPOSURE OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE TO A DISRUPTIVE ENERGY FIELD - Techniques are described for controlling effects caused when an implantable medical device (IMD) is subject to a disruptive energy field. The IMD may include an implantable lead that includes one or more electrodes. The IMD may further include a first component having a parasitic inductance. The IMD may further include a second component having a reactance. In some examples, the reactance of the second component may be selected based on the parasitic inductance of the first component such that an amount of energy reflected along the lead in response to energy produced by an electromagnetic energy source is below a selected threshold. In additional examples, the parasitic inductance of the first component and the reactance of the second component are configured such that an amount of energy reflected along the lead in response to a frequency of electromagnetic energy is below a selected threshold. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106218 | CONTROLLING EFFECTS CAUSED BY EXPOSURE OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE TO A DISRUPTIVE ENERGY FIELD - Techniques are described for controlling effects caused when an implantable medical device (IMD) is subject to a disruptive energy field. The IMD may include an implantable lead that includes one or more electrodes. The IMD may further include a first component having a parasitic inductance. The IMD may further include a second component having a reactance. In some examples, the reactance of the second component may be selected based on the parasitic inductance of the first component such that an amount of energy reflected along the lead in response to energy produced by an electromagnetic energy source is below a selected threshold. In additional examples, the parasitic inductance of the first component and the reactance of the second component are configured such that an amount of energy reflected along the lead in response to a frequency of electromagnetic energy is below a selected threshold. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106219 | SHORT-PULSE NEURAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods, devices and systems for neural stimulation using a short-pulse stimulation are described. Using a waveform that generates a sufficiently large capacitive current density in the tissue surrounding a nerve allows neural stimulation at one hundredth the power of a charge injection stimulation. A capacitive discharge may be used to generate the short-pulse stimulation waveform. Short pulse stimulation may be used to generate parasthesia, particularly for treatment of chronic pain. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106220 | EXTRACRANIAL IMPLANTABLE DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems used for the treatment of neurological disorders via stimulation of the superficial elements of the trigeminal nerve (“TNS”). More specifically, minimally invasive methods of stimulation of the superficial branches of the trigeminal nerve located extracranially in the face, namely the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infratrochlear, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, nasal, infraorbital, and mentalis nerves (also referred to collectively as the superficial trigeminal nerve) are disclosed herein. Systems and devices configured for therapeutic stimulation of the branches of the trigeminal nerves, such as the superficial trigeminal nerve, and their methods of application are also described. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106221 | TREATMENT PLANNING FOR ELECTROPORATION-BASED THERAPIES - The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106222 | TREATMENT DEVICE FOR DELIVERING RADIATION TO AN EXTERNAL AREA OF THE HUMAN BODY - A treatment device ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106223 | LIGHT THERAPY SKIN CARE DEVICE - The invention is a light therapy skin care device that includes light sources in a layout that is configured for lighting of human body's given skin surfaces (B) or its parts. Among light sources, there is a UV light emitting and a UV-free light emitting device, the light sources are connected to a controlled driver unit. The light sources are divided in two groups, where in the first group there are ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106224 | LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR USE IN LIGHT THERAPY - A method and device for light color therapy, which is a method for simultaneously exposing specific surface regions of the human body to light of specific but possibly different frequencies, temporal characteristics and polarization. The device is constructed to match anatomical details of the human body such as to apply the simultaneous local light exposures to the desired body regions and to compensate for possible movement of the head, thereby minimizing the time required for a single treatment. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106225 | Method For Surgically Treating A Patient By Deactivating A Portion Of The Digestive Enzymes - The present invention generally provides for correcting an imbalance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure in patients, as well as for treating co-morbidities often associated therewith, which is non-invasive or minimally invasive and which may be reversible. More specifically, the present invention provides systems which cause metabolic improvement in a patient by controlling the amount of bile available for food breakdown or by controlling the effective absorption time and area by delivering bile to selected locations in the intestinal tract. These methods and devices fall under three general categories: bile diversion systems, bile manipulation systems, and surgical methods. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106226 | FLEXIBLE AND POROUS LARGE-AREA ELECTRODE FOR HEATING - The present invention relates to a flexible electric field capacitive coupled energy transfer means formed from a conductive metal coated flexible material or flexible metallic net. The improved energy transfer means is flexible, porous, light and easy to manipulate treatment electrode and is used in non-invasive electrical field hyperthermia. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106227 | Therapeutic braceletand wrap - A bracelet and wrap having therapeutic properties is worn on a child's injured or sensitive wrist to facilitate healing and/or provide cold/warm treatment. The therapeutic bracelet and warp include a central portion having an internal chamber for receiving and housing a treatment pack. The therapeutic bracelet and warp further include first and second straps including mating fastener means attached to said central portion for securing the bracelet on the child's wrist. The therapeutic pack is appointed to either be a cold treatment pack or a hot treatment pack, depending on the type of treatment needed. Preferably, the treatment pack includes a transparent top wall and a liquid having a plurality of shapes suspended therein. In turn, the central portion's top side is constructed of a transparent material so that the shapes are visible. The therapeutic bracelet and wrap is appointed to be worn on an injury to facilitate healing while providing style, entertainment and distraction to the wearer. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106228 | BRAZING OF CERAMIC TO METAL COMPONENTS - A method for making a feedthrough assembly for an implantable electronic medical device comprises providing a metallic ferrule having an outer surface and an aperture defined by an inner lumen surface; providing an insulator, the insulator having a first surface and a second surface. At least one of the first surface and the second surface of the insulator includes a brazing region disposed thereon. The braze material is applied to the brazing region and the insulator is positioned within or around the metallic ferrule such that the positioned insulator brazing region and the metallic ferrule outer surface or inner lumen surface defines a braze gap. The braze gap has a width ranging between 10 μm to 50 μm. The feedthrough assembly is then heated at a temperature conducive to melt the braze material in the braze gap thereby forming a hermetic seal between the ferrule and said insulator. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106229 | Biostable Neuroelectrode - The invention relates to a device for deriving electrical signals or for electrically stimulating neuronal tissue. Neuroelectrodes form an interface between the biological tissue and technical systems. Existing neuroelectrodes for contacting low-lying neuronal layers diminish their properties by the interaction with biological tissue. In order to improve the long-time behavior, neuroelectrodes filled with bioactive substances are used. The neuroelectrode is formed on a flexible or rigid substrate with the aid of a line and of a microcapillary. The inside of the microcapillary serves as a container for the bioactive substance. The biostable neuroelectrode is used for deriving electrical signals or for electrically stimulating neuronal tissue in the fields of neurology and neurophysiology. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106230 | PLACEMENT DEVICE FOR INSERTING MEDICAL IMPLANTS SUCH AS ELECTRODE LINES - A placement device for precise placement of a medical implant into a living organism includes an elongated body with a distal end and a proximal end. The placement device can be introduced into the living organism through an aditus, so that the proximal end remains outside of the living organism. The distal end has an anchor which can be firmly anchored in the body tissue in removable manner. The medical implant includes an elongated hollow housing with a distal and a proximal end, whereby the hollow housing can translatably receive the placement device therein. The opening at the distal end is provided with a sealing unit for sealing the elongated hollow housing with respect to the placement device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106231 | MRI-COMPATIBLE IMPLANTABLE LEAD HAVING A HEAT SPREADER AND METHOD OF USING SAME - An implantable lead is provided that comprises a lead body and a header assembly. The lead body has a distal end and a proximal end. The lead body is configured to be implanted in a patient. The header assembly is provided at the distal end of the lead body and includes an internal chamber and a tissue engaging end. An electrode is provided on the header assembly. The electrode is configured to deliver a stimulating pulse. A resonant inductor is located within the chamber in the header assembly. An electrically floating heat spreader is provided on the header assembly. The heat spreader is located proximate to the resonant inductor and is positioned on the header assembly to cover at least a portion of the resonant inductor. The heat spreader is thermally coupled to the resonant inductor to convey thermal energy away from the header assembly. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106232 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING A MYOCARDIAL PERFORMANCE PARAMETER - An implantable medical device applies an electric signal to at least a portion of a heart in a subject. A resulting electric signal is collected from the heart and is used together with the applied signal for determining a cardiogenic impedance signal. The impedance signal is processed in order to estimate an isovolumetric contraction time, an isovolumetric relaxation time and an ejection time for a heart cycle. These three time parameters are employed for calculating a Tei-index of the heart. The Tei-index can be used as myocardial performance parameter in heart diagnosis and/or cardiac therapy adjustment. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106233 | INTRAPERICARDIAL LEAD - The intrapericardial lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a flexible, pre-curved distal end portion. The distal end portion carries at least one electrode assembly containing an electrode adapted to engage pericardial tissue. The distal end portion further carries a pre-curved flexible wire member having ends attached to spaced apart points along the distal end portion of the lead body, the flexible wire member having a normally expanded state wherein an intermediate portion of the wire member is spaced apart from the distal end portion, and a generally straightened state wherein the wire member and the distal end portion are disposed in a more parallel, adjacent relationship so as to present a small frontal area to facilitate delivery into the pericardial space. The wire member re-expands to its normal state after delivery into the pericardial space to anchor the distal end portion of the lead body relative to the pericardial tissue. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106234 | INTERLUMINAL MEDICAL TREATMENT DEVICES AND METHODS - An interluminal medical treatment device configured to treat a targeted treatment site within a body lumen is provided. The interluminal medical treatment device can include an elongated generally tubular outer member. The outer member can include an expandable distal portion, an expandable proximal portion, and a central portion of limited expandability. The interluminal medical treatment device can include at least one membrane. The outer member and at least one membrane may define a housing area positioned between the proximal portion and distal portion of the outer member. The outer member and at least one membrane can be configured to redirect fluid flow within a body lumen away from the housing area inner member or inner passageway. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF AN ENDOLUMINAL DEVICE - An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and anchoring means in at least one of the retrograde portion or the anterograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. An inner sheath may be mounted concentrically over the shaft with the endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath. The anchoring device may comprise an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside the retrograde portion, a tether, or an extended portion of the endoluminal device confined by a notch in the interface of two sheaths in the retrograde portion of the introducer, or may comprise a holder in the anterograde portion. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106236 | Temporal Intraluminal Stent, Methods of Making and Using - A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106237 | ALTERNATING CIRCUMFERENTIAL BRIDGE STENT DESIGN AND METHODS FOR USE THEREOF - A stent includes a first section and a second section. The first section and the second section each include a plurality of expandable modules and a plurality of bridging modules. Each expandable module includes a plurality of strut elements that join together at a plurality of apices, and each bridging module includes bridging elements that connect an apex of a first module with an apex of a second module. In some aspects, the first section is more flexible along the longitudinal axis of the stent than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of a vessel that requires flexibility to accommodate surrounding anatomy. In some aspects, the first section is more radially stiff than the second section and is configured to be placed in a specific region of the vessel that requires radial stiffness to counteract crushing force caused by surrounding anatomy. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106238 | INTRALUMINAL DEVICE WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY AND DURABILITY - In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The stent is a tubular member having front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The tubular member has a first smaller diameter for insertion into a patient and navigation through the vessels, and a second larger diameter for deployment into the target area of a vessel. The tubular member is made from a plurality of adjacent hoops extending between the front and back ends. The hoops include a plurality of longitudinal struts and a plurality of loops connecting adjacent struts. The stent further includes a plurality of bridges having loop to bridge connections which connect adjacent hoops to one another. The bridge to loop connection points are separated angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis. The bridges have one end attached to a loop, another end attached to a loop on an adjacent hoop. The connection point between the bridge and the hoops will have a repeating pattern over a plurality of strut apices such that the benefits of a decreased number of bridges is realized while simultaneously avoiding the creation of overly unconstrained hoops. It is preferred that the ratio of total number of circumferentially aligned loops to the number of loops spanned by a particular bridge be a whole number. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106239 | STENT AND STENT DELIVERY DEVICE - A stent has a plurality of wavy annular members arranged adjacently to each other in an axial direction of the stent, with the adjacent wavy annular members connected with each other. Each of the wavy annular members has a plurality of one-end side bent portions each having an apex at one-end side of the stent in an axial direction thereof and a plurality of other-end side bent portions each having an apex at the other-end side of the stent in the axial direction thereof. An apex of each of the one-end side bent portions of each wavy annular member penetrates into a space formed between the adjacent other-end side bent portions of one of the adjacent wavy annular members. An apex of each of the other-end side bent portions of each wavy annular member penetrates into a space formed between the adjacent one-end side bent portions of the other of the adjacent wavy annular members. The apex of the one-end side bent portion of each wavy annular member and the apex of the other-end side bent portion of the adjacent wavy annular member curve in an approach direction, thus engaging each other. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106240 | LARGE VESSEL STENTS AND OCCLUDERS - An endovascular stent for vascular vessels which can be used to occlude the vessel or which can be used to bridge damaged areas in the vessel. The endovascular stent comprising a stent that can be permanently expanded from a first diameter to a larger second diameter. The stent can be a helically wound wire stent, each wire comprising at least two strands, the two strands being twisted. The twisted strands securing fibers to form a fabric pile extending outwardly from stent, and optionally extending inwardly into the stent. In a second embodiment, the stent is enclosed with a tubular-like expandable graft, the graft having an exterior fabric pile made up of individual fibers. In both embodiments, the fibers or the pile are optionally coated with a hydrophilic polymeric gel which expands upon being wetted. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106241 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR INHIBITING SPHINGOSINE KINASE - Amidine analogs that can inhibit the activity of sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK1 & SphK2) are provided. The compounds can prevent angiogenesis in tumor cells. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106242 | ARTIFICIAL BLOOD VESSEL - An artificial blood vessel includes an artificial blood vessel body layer and a silicone layer. The artificial blood vessel body layer comprises an injection section, and the silicone layer is covered and mounted on an outer surface of the injection section. The artificial blood vessel body layer and the silicone layer are formed integrally by injection-molding. The silicone layer covered and mounted on the injection section of the artificial blood vessel body layer enables the artificial blood vessel for repeated injections and effectively prevents puncture aneurysm from occurring. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106243 | Coating Method for Medical Devices - The invention relates to a method for coating medical devices with a biocompatible protein coating. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106244 | MEDICAL APPARATUS FOR THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF AN INSUFFICIENT CARDIAC VALVE - The present invention relates to a medical apparatus for the therapeutic treatment of an insufficient cardiac valve ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106245 | APPARATUS FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A ROTATION ASSEMBLY - Apparatus is provided for use with at least one tissue-adjustment device, including a tissue-engaging element having a distal portion configured to engage at least a first portion of tissue of a patient, and having a proximal portion. At least one docking station is coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue-engaging element and is configured to be coupled to the at least one tissue-adjustment device. The docking station includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the tissue-adjustment device to the tissue-engaging element. At least one guide member is reversibly coupled to the at least one docking station and is configured for facilitating slidable advancement of the at least one tissue-adjustment device toward the tissue-engaging element. Other applications are also described. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106246 | TRANSAPICAL DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - A delivery device for a stented heart valve comprises a handle, an inner catheter shaft extending from the handle and having an enlarged bumper element at a distal end, an outer catheter shaft extending from the handle and slidably coupled around the inner catheter shaft, and a retraction mechanism for controlling longitudinal movement of the outer catheter shaft relative to the inner catheter shaft. The outer catheter shaft includes a generally cylindrical housing at a distal end that is structured to receive the bumper element therein. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106247 | TISSUE ANCHOR FOR ANNULOPLASTY DEVICE - Apparatus is provided for use with an implant, the apparatus including a tissue anchor, which comprises a distal tissue coupling element, which is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue, and a proximal implant-penetrating element configured to penetrate the implant. The proximal implant-penetrating element is shaped so as to define a passage therethrough, which passage has at least two openings that are within 1 mm of a proximal end of the implant-penetrating element. The apparatus also comprises a cord configured to be removably passed through the passage. Other applications of the present invention are also described. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106248 | SOFT-TISSUE IMPLANT HAVING ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT - The invention relates to a soft-tissue implant for use in the medical field which has an antibacterial effect. The soft-tissue implant, which may for example be a breast implant, has at least one antibiotic substance bound to the implant surface in first and second configurations that release the antibiotic substance, after implanting in an animal body, at short term and long term release rates. The first and second configurations are each present at one or more common surface locations. The soft-tissue implant has an antibacterial effect that prevents or reduces the deposition of bacteria and the formation of bacteria-containing biofilms. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106249 | SELF SUPPORTING AND FORMING BREAST IMPLANT AND METHOD FOR FORMING AND SUPPORTING AN IMPLANT IN A HUMAN BODY - A surgical implant namely a tissue expander or adjustable implant having a synthetic mesh loosely attached to the surface. The mesh is elastic in all directions and the implant adjustable or expandable. The expandable implant is filled to an over filled volume into the surrounding tissue until a new capsule forms. At this stage the volume of the implant is reduced leaving the supporting capsule with the mesh at a larger volume. The volume of the implant is then reduced thus rendering a tension free capsule around the implant. The filling tube of the adjustable implant is then removed leaving the adjustable implant in position. Alternatively the tissue expander may be removed and a new implant placed in the expanded tension free pocket. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106250 | Tissue Engineering In Vivo With Vascularized Scaffolds - The field of the present invention relates to a novel method for producing tissue or organ in a mammal by implanting in vivo a novel three dimensional biodegradable scaffold. The novel three dimensional biodegradable scaffolds overcome the barrier of developing large organs with tissue engineering. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106251 | VALVE DEVICE INTENDED FOR BEING IMPLANTED IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL LARYNX OR A LARYNX PROSTHESIS - The present invention relates to a valve device designed to be implanted in a dysfunctional larynx or in a prosthetic larynx, said device comprising a distal portion forming an annular support structure and a central portion forming an obturator, characterized in that said obturator comprises i) a peripheral part forming a first valve integral with the annular support structure in a first hinge region, and ii) a central part forming a second valve integral with the first valve in a second hinge region. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106252 | TENODESIS SYSTEM - A tendon anchoring device may include an implant having a pair of spaced apart legs for straddling a tendon. A push rod removably attached to the implant may be utilized to guide and push a portion of the tendon into a pre-drilled bore in a bone. A fixation member may be slid along the push rod and threadably engage an inner surface of the pre-drilled bore to thereby anchor the tendon to the bone while a force is applied to the push rod. Once the fixation member has been installed, the push rod may be disengaged from the implant and removed from the bore. The implant may remain permanently straddled over the tendon inside of the bore. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106253 | TENODESIS FIXATION METHOD - A tendon anchoring device may include an implant having a pair of spaced apart legs for straddling a tendon. A push rod removably attached to the implant may be utilized to guide and push a portion of the tendon into a pre-drilled bore in a bone. A fixation member may be slid along the push rod and threadably engage an inner surface of the pre-drilled bore to thereby anchor the tendon to the bone while a force is applied to the push rod. Once the fixation member has been installed, the push rod may be disengaged from the implant and removed from the bore. The implant may remain permanently straddled over the tendon inside of the bore. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106254 | OSSICULAR REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS - An ossicular replacement prosthesis (ORP) ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106255 | Devices and Methods for Tissue Engineering - A resorbable tissue scaffold fabricated from bioactive glass fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioactive composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioactive glass fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the bioresorbable matrix is provided by bioactive glass that fuses and bonds the bioactive glass fiber into the rigid three-dimensional matrix. The resorbable tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a resorbable tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106256 | DYNAMIC INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - The implant includes two side walls resting against the vertebral end-plates and an intermediate wall joining the supporting walls. The implant can be deformed for insertion between the vertebrae to be treated to restore the attenuated mobility of the vertebrae, and includes mounting elements mounting on the vertebrae. The side walls have a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant; the intermediate wall has a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant such that it does not form any pronounced angles with the supporting side walls. The supporting side walls and the intermediate wall, have a partially oval shape; and the mounting elements are configured such that the implant can be mounted on the vertebrae. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106257 | DYNAMIC INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - The implant includes two side walls resting against the vertebral end-plates and an intermediate wall joining the supporting walls. The implant can be deformed for insertion between the vertebrae to be treated to restore the attenuated mobility of the vertebrae, and includes mounting elements mounting on the vertebrae. The side walls have a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant; the intermediate wall has a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant such that it does not form any pronounced angles with the supporting side walls. The supporting side walls and the intermediate wall, have a partially oval shape; and the mounting elements are configured such that the implant can be mounted on the vertebrae. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106258 | END CAP FOR A VERTEBRAL IMPLANT - An implant for insertion between adjacent vertebral members, comprising an implant body with at least one base section and an end cap. The end cap is adapted for selective positioning on a base section via rotational adjustment of the end cap. The end cap comprises an exterior contact surface that faces away from the implant body when positioned on the base section, a seating surface which contacts the base section when positioned on the implant body, end cap angulation, positioning passages adapted to receive positioning teeth, the positioning passages and positioning teeth complimentarily configured to facilitate positioning the end cap on the base section, and a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly engage the end cap and base section such that the implant imparts end cap angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected point when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106259 | Self-Pivoting Spinal Implant and Associated Instrumentation - An intervertebral implant includes an insertion end, an opposing engagement end, and first and second opposed main surfaces configured to contact respective adjacent vertebral endplates. Each of the first and second main surfaces has an anterior edge, a posterior edge, and extends between the insertion and engagement ends. Anterior and posterior walls are formed between the first and second main surfaces and along the respective anterior and posterior edges and converge at the insertion and engagement ends. A slot is formed at the engagement end and extends continuously between and at least partially along the anterior and posterior walls. A post is positioned within the slot, spaced from at least one of the anterior and posterior walls and extending at least partially between the first and second main surfaces. The post includes a plurality of exposed facets and is configured for engagement with a pivotable insertion instrument. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106260 | Flexible Vertebral Spacer - A flexible implant system for positioning a flexible spacer between adjacent vertebrae including and interbody spacer and an insertion instrument. The interbody spacer including a central axis, a lateral axis, a top surface positioned generally parallel to the central axis and a plurality of hinge sections extending generally perpendicular to the central axis. A plurality of notches making up the plurality of hinge sections adjacent the top surface that permit the interbody spacer to flex. The interbody spacer further including a groove extending along a lateral side surface, generally parallel to the central axis. An insertion instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end and a tongue extending from the proximal end to the distal end along a non-linear path. The groove slidably engages the tongue to guide the interbody spacer from the proximal end to the distal end along the non-linear path. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106261 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT ASSEMBLY - An intervertebral implant assembly includes and inserter tool and an implant having a U-shaped body shaped and dimensioned to be placed between two adjacent vertebras. The U-shaped body comprises a rounded front end, an open back end, first and second elongated components extending from the rounded front end, forming the U-shaped body and ending at the open back end and at least one rigid strut extending from and connecting opposite inner side surfaces of the first and second elongated components. A first through-opening is formed in the space between the front end, the rigid strut and the opposite inner side surfaces of the front portions of the first and second elongated components and a second through-opening is formed in the space between the open back end, the rigid strut and the opposite inner side surfaces of the back portions of the first and second elongated components. The inserter tool comprises a shaft, a middle sleeve and an outer sleeve that work together to attach and lock to the implant. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106262 | Prosthetic intervertebral discs having substantially rigid end plates 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. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106263 | Spinal Disc Prosthesis and Associated Methods - A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106264 | METHODS OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC AUGMENTATION - Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation implant suited for minimally invasive deployment. A nucleus augmentation component may be included. The anulus augmentation implant shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosus and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed. Several embodiments cause or allow fibrosus or bony ingrowth in or around the augmentation. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106265 | PROSTHESIS FOR SIMULATING NATURAL KINEMATICS - A bearing component | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106266 | SCAPULAR COMPONENT OF A SHOULDER JOINT PROSTHESIS - Scapular component of a shoulder joint prosthesis, having a base plate ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106267 | SHOULDER PROSTHESIS ADJUSTABLE HUMERAL HEAD MECHANISM - A shoulder prosthesis. The shoulder prosthesis includes a head having a cavity. The head further includes a first bearing surface configured to mate with a second bearing surface of a glenoid. The shoulder prosthesis also includes a stem having a recess defined therein, and the stem configured to be received by a humerus. The shoulder also includes a first connector having a proximal end and a distal end. The first connector also includes a threaded cavity and an outer wall. The outer wall engages the recess of the stem, and the threaded cavity opens at the proximal end of the first connector. A second connector having a threaded end sized and shaped to fit in the threaded cavity of the first connector is also included. The second connector also has a head connector end that is sized and shaped to fit within the cavity of the head. The outer wall of the first connector is sized and shaped to expand at the proximal end as the second connector is threaded into the threaded cavity. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106268 | PROSTHESIS FOR CEMENTED FIXATION AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE PROSTHESIS - A joint prosthesis system is suitable for cemented fixation. The system has two metal implant components and a bearing. One of the metal implant components has an articulation surface for articulation with the bearing. The other metal implant component has a mounting surface for supporting the bearing. One of the metal implant components includes an extension, such as a stem or pegs, with an exposed outer surface. The metal implant component from which the extension extends comprises titanium and the exposed outer surface of the extension comprises a different form of titanium. A method of making the joint prosthesis is also disclosed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106269 | CARPOMETACARPAL (CMC) JOINT ARTHOPLASTY IMPLANTS AND RELATED JIGS, MEDICAL KITS AND METHODS - Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint implants include a trapezium implant defining an articulating surface and a cooperating first metacarpal implant with a base portion of the first metacarpal defining an articulating surface. The first metacarpal base articulating-surface is configured to articulate against the trapezium implant articulating surface. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106270 | MODULAR TRIAL MECHANISM - A prosthetic trial for a joint prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal section and a distal section for implantation in a bone. A body includes a channel receiving at least the proximal section of the stem. A locking mechanism is at least partially disposed within the body. The locking mechanism is biased into a locking position in which the mechanism locks the stem within the first channel of the body. The locking mechanism is accessible outside said body to be pulled into a releasing position to unlock the stem from the body. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106271 | BALL AND SOCKET ASSEMBLY - A ball and socket assembly including a ball component with a notch formed therein. The socket is a one-piece structure including an opening sized to receive the ball component. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106272 | Devices and Methods for Tissue Engineering - A resorbable tissue scaffold fabricated from bioactive glass fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioactive composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioactive glass fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the bioresorbable matrix is provided by bioactive glass that fuses and bonds the bioactive glass fiber into the rigid three-dimensional matrix. The resorbable tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a resorbable tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106273 | GASTROINTESTINAL PROSTHESES HAVING PARTIAL BYPASS CONFIGURATIONS - A system of components may be used separately or in combination to create partial bypass of food, stomach and intestinal secretions and digestive enzymes. The systems are designed to be modular so as to allow the physicians to quickly replace certain elements to tailor the amount of material bypassed, the restriction applied to food passage, and the origin and destination of bypass according to the patient's individualized clinical needs. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106274 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTION-CONTROLLED FOOT UNIT - A system and method associated with the movement of a limb. In one example, the system, such as a prosthetic or orthotic system, includes an actuator that actively controls, or adjusts, the angle between a foot unit and a lower limb member. A processing module may control movement of the actuator based on data obtained from a sensor module. For instance, sensing module data may include information relating to the gait of a user and may be used to adjust the foot unit to substantially mimic the movement of a natural, healthy ankle. The system may further accommodate, for example, level ground walking, traveling up/down stairs, traveling up/down sloped surfaces, and various other user movements. In addition, the processing module may receive user input or display output signals through an external interface. For example, the processing module may receive a heel height input from the user. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106275 | GLOBAL MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR USER DEVICES - A global mobility system and method for providing a global mobility framework. The system includes a mobility data collection unit, a mobility data management unit, and a device management unit. The data collection unit acquires real-time mobility data relating to a user and associated mobile and stationary devices. The data management unit manages mobility data and applies data to the devices in use. The device management unit activates and controls the operation of the devices based on available device and environmental data, and the mobility services subscribed by the user. The data management unit configures a device using the collected mobile data and prepares the device for operation in a respective environment. The device management unit prepares device work flows, activates and deactivates the devices, and controls the device operations based on the collected mobility data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106276 | Building Automation System - A building automation system is provided in which a controller is connected to remote modules through a zone enclosure using RS-485 cables. Branches of modules extending from the zone enclosure are connected together by removable jumpers at the zone enclosure. Sets of branches of modules using different protocols are isolated from each other. Shorts in the RS-485 cables can be determined by disconnecting and reconnecting the branches from the network. The zone enclosure has a patch panel that contains modular RS-485 connectors. An RS-485 cable from the controller and pulled through the building along with other data cables is connected to the RS-485 connectors at the back of the patch panel. The modules are connected to the RS-485 connectors at the front of the patch panel through RS-485 cables. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106277 | INTEGRATED OPTIMIZATION AND CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION PLANTS - The present invention provides novel techniques for optimizing and controlling production plants using parametric multifaceted models. In particular, the parametric multifaceted models may be configured to convert a first set of parameters (e.g., control parameters) relating to a production plant into a second set of parameters (e.g., optimization parameters) relating to the production plant. In general, the first set of parameters will be different than the second set of parameters. For example, the first set of parameters may be indicative of low-level, real-time control parameters and the second set of parameters may be indicative of high-level, economic parameters. Utilizing appropriate parameterization may allow the parametric multifaceted models to deliver an appropriate level of detail of the production plant within a reasonable amount of time. In particular, the parametric multifaceted models may convert the first set of parameters into the second set of parameters in a time horizon allowing for control of the process plant by a control system based on the second set of parameters. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106278 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A LOCATION AUTOMATION SYSTEM VIA A CALENDAR DATABASE - A method and apparatus for controlling a location automation system via computing device having access to a calendar database is provided. Calendar data, from the calendar database, is processed to determine that at least one location automation event controlled by the location automation system is affected by the calendar data. The location automation setting data is updated, based on the calendar data, such that the at least one location automation event occurs according to the calendar data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106279 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HOME NETWORK SYSTEM USING MOBILE TERMINAL - A method for controlling a home network system using a mobile terminal is provided, which includes the mobile terminal connecting to a gateway of a home network through a communication network, the mobile terminal receiving a list of devices which are connected to the home network from the gateway of the home network, the mobile terminal displaying the devices connected to the home network, if one of the displayed devices is selected, requesting the status information of the selected device from the selected device status information of the selected device through the gateway, receiving the status information of the selected device from the selected device, and displaying the received status information and a user interface for controlling the selected device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106280 | AUTOMATED BATTERY SCANNING, REPAIR, AND OPTIMIZATION - A method of servicing a battery may include connecting a battery to a battery servicing apparatus including an automated electronic system; measuring, by the automated electronic system, a first set of metrics associated with the a battery cell; selecting, automatically by the automated electronic system, a maintenance action based at least in part upon the measured first set of metrics; directing, by the automated electronic system, performance of the maintenance action on the battery cell by an ancillary device; and/or measuring, by the automated electronic system, a second set of metrics associated with the battery cell after performance of the maintenance action. The automated electronic system may be configured to gather data using one or more probes and/or clamps associated with the battery cell. The automated electronic system may include a memory configured to store data and/or a processing unit configured to direct operation of the ancillary device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106281 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING AUDIO SIGNALS FROM AN INPUT LOCUS TO AN OUTPUT LOCUS - An apparatus for conveying audio signals from an input locus to an output locus remote from the input locus includes: (a) a multi-pin unit configured for receiving at least three signal paths at the input locus, including at least two audio signal paths for conveying the audio signals and at least one ground path; (b) at least one cable unit coupled with the multi-pin unit, substantially spanning an interval between the multi-pin unit and the output locus, and presenting the at least three signal paths at the output locus; (c) a connector pin unit coupled with the at least one cable unit at the output locus, and presenting the at least three signal paths in a single-pin configuration; and (d) a filter unit coupled with the at least one cable unit for filtering at least one predetermined signal component from the at least two audio signal paths. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106282 | Audio Processing Utilizing a Dedicated CPU Core and a Real Time OS - This invention claims a novel software application that facilitates streaming and mixing audio and/or video with nearly zero latency, using a computer having Windows or Linux operating systems. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106283 | Child's media player with automatic wireless synchronization from content servers with adult management and content creation - A system and method for remotely delivering customized content to children using a series of private libraries of digital content files (music files, video files, pictures, digital storybooks, and so on) stored on one or more servers, where the private libraries of digital content are managed by certain individuals (presumably adults) for the benefit of other individuals (presumably young children of the adults). This private library, called a “soundtrack” is then delivered to the recipient person for their listening and viewing by a variety of possible means, and ideally via a special purpose hand held media player which is specifically adapted to synchronize with the private library content on the server(s). | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106284 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106285 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106286 | Generating A Power Model For An Electronic Device - An apparatus that generates a power model for an electronic device, an apparatus that operates in accordance with a generated power model, and methods for generating a power for an electronic device are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of generating a power model for the electronic device includes reducing training data to identify a subset of operating parameters of an electronic device that contribute most to power consumption of the electronic device and generating the power model for the electronic device based on the reduced training data. The power model is operative to predict a power consumption value corresponding to the electronic device responsive to a set of operating parameter values corresponding to operation of the electronic device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106287 | Wiring forming system and wiring forming method for forming wiring on wiring board - A wiring forming system comprises: maskless exposure unit which directly exposes an unexposed board by using exposure data generated based on design data relating to an wiring board; post-development inspect unit which tests the board after development, by using the exposure data and the image data of the board exposed and developed by the maskless exposure unit; etching unit which etches the developed board; and post-etching inspect unit which tests an etching pattern formed on the etched board, by using etching inspect data generated based on the design data and the image data of the board etched by the etching unit. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106288 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106289 | METHOD FOR MONITORING AN INDUSTRIAL PLANT - A method for monitoring plants, in particular complex plants in the iron and steel industry, having the steps of recording at least two channels of measurement data of a plant, if appropriate storing the measurement data, defining a target channel from the measurement data, preprocessing the measurement data, preparing at least one model of the target channel on the basis of the measurement data, and using the model thus generated and currently determined measurement data to detect fault conditions of the plant. This is to monitor industrial plants to improve the quality of the recorded measurement data of the plant, and reduce the volume of the measurement data, without a significant loss of information. Preprocessing the measurement data are subjected to the method steps of 1) detecting and eliminating “zero channels”, 2) detecting and eliminating outliers, 3) filtering, and 4) downsampling. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106290 | METHOD OF APPLYING MULTIPLE MATERIALS WITH SELECTIVE LASER MELTING ON A 3D ARTICLE - In a method for manufacturing an article ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106291 | INTERFERENCE CHECK DEVICE, INTERFERENCE CHECK METHOD, AND MACHINE TOOL HAVING THE INTERFERENCE CHECK DEVICE - An interference check device is provided which, when a plurality of moving means are provided for one moving direction of one movable body, can conduct interference check of the movable body easily. | 2011-05-05 |
