52nd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 58 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080319498 | Apparatus and Method for Detecting Diastolic Heart Failure - In a method and implantable medical apparatus for detecting diastolic heart failure (DHF), and a pacemaker embodying such an apparatus, movement of the valve plane of the heart is measured and analyzed to identify a slowing of the movement of the valve plane as an indication of a DHF state of the heart. A signal indicative of this DHF state is emitted and, in the pacemaker, is used to control the administration of a pacing pulse therapy to the heart. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319499 | Devices and Methods for Steering Electrical Stimulation in Cardiac Rhythm Management - Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions involving use of a catheter for pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by delivering pulses to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a catheter arrangement includes a fixation mechanism to attach the catheter arrangement to heart tissue, individually-addressable electrodes for providing pacing signals to the heart tissue, and an elongated structure that supports the fixation mechanism and the electrodes. The elongated structure is used to direct an end thereof to the target region in the right ventricle, and deliver an electrical pacing signal to different portions within the target region of the heart when the fixation mechanism is operative to attach to heart tissue and also when the fixation mechanism is not attaching the catheter arrangement to heart tissue. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319500 | Systems, Devices and Methods Relating to Endocardial Pacing for Resynchronization - Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions advantaged by pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by delivering pulses to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. Other specific aspects include: determining a pacing threshold, beyond the capture threshold, to improve heart function; delivering pulses of opposite polarity to achieve such heart-function improvement; bi-ventricular pacing from a lead in the right ventricle for such improved heart function; delivering pulses of opposite polarity at a site near the His bundle; electrode-based His-pacing, without penetrating the myocardium; generating and/or delivering multiple pacing profiles including a pacing profile that delivers pulses of opposite polarity and another pacing profile; delivering a pacing profile to generate a synchronous contraction of the septal wall and free wall of the LV from a RV pacing location; and treating one or more of distal LBBB and/or diffuse LBBB by pacing at a site near the His bundle. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319501 | Systems, Devices and Methods for Monitoring Efficiency of Pacing - Various systems, methods, devices and arrangements are implemented for use in pacing of the heart. One implementation is directed to methods and systems for determining a pacing location in the right ventricle of a heart and near the His bundle. A pacing signal is delivered to the location in the right ventricle. The pacing signal produces a capture of a left ventricle. Properties of the capture are monitored. Results of the monitored capture are used to assess the effectiveness of the delivered pacing signal as a function of heart function. The heart function can be, for example, at least one of a QRS width, fractionation and a timing of electrical stimulation of a late activation site of a left ventricle relative to the QRS. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319502 | CARDIAC PACING SYSTEM AND DISTRIBUTED CARDIAC PACING SYSTEM - A micro integrated cardiac pacemaker includes a control unit for outputting a control signal according to cardiograph information, heart stimulating means for stimulating heart tissue in response to the control signal, cardiograph information extracting means for extracting cardiograph information and outputting it to the control unit, and a power supply unit for supplying drive power. The power supply unit is a biological fuel cell that takes out electrons by oxidation of a biological fuel. The biological fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode. An oxidase of a biological fuel and a mediator are immobilized on the cathode. Blood and/or body fluid are used as an electrolytic solution, and a biological fuel and oxygen in the blood and/or the fluid are used. The biological fuel cell is attached to the end of a catheter and implanted into the heart, and the catheter is withdrawn, without incising the breast. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319503 | BIPOLAR LEAD CONTAINING HV AND LV SIGNAL CAPABILITY - An implantable medical device system includes a medical electrical lead having a connector assembly and a connector bore for receiving the lead connector assembly. The lead includes a distal portion having a first outer diameter and a distal sealing member, an intermediate portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter, and a connector pin extending from the intermediate portion, the connector pin having an outer diameter corresponding to a DF-1 standard. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319504 | Device for Electrically and Mechanically Stimulating a Compartment in a Body - A device is provided for stimulating select body tissues and organs from within a compartment in a body. The device includes a tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a plurality of lumens. At least one distendable element is located along and coupled to the tube in closer proximity to the distal end than to the proximal end. Each distendable element is configured to expand against the compartment into a first position and contract within the compartment into a second position. At least one electrical component is in association with each of the distendable elements and configured to activate and deactivate electrical stimulation to the select body tissues and organs. The expansion and contraction of each distendable element and the activation and deactivation of each electrical component in the compartment is repeated over a period of time. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319505 | Integrated Transcranial Current Stimulation and Electroencephalography Device - In an integrated transcranial current stimulation and electroencephalography device, data obtained by EEG electrodes is received, amplified, converted, and then processed by a microcontroller that extracts frequency information from the sampled data and produces signals in response to the extracted EEG data. These signals are converted to create a software-definable alternating voltage used to control a current-source that connects to stimulation electrodes. The device may further download recorded EEG data from the microcontroller to a computer for further analysis. Using the device, EEG signals are detected, then received, processed, and analyzed by a microcontroller to identify the patient state. Based on the patient state and the desired protocol, a type and amount of current stimulation to apply to the patient is determined and a control signal is sent from the microcontroller to the current source in order to trigger the transcranial current stimulation of the patient. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319506 | Grooved electrode and wireless microtransponder system - A grooved electrode adapted for interfacing cellular matter is provided. The grooved electrode includes grooves adapted for electrically interfacing the grooved electrode with cellular matter growing along the body of the grooved electrode. Further, the grooved electrode includes a wireless transponder adapted to electrically interface with cellular matter and to relay such interactions via RF signals. The RF signals received by the wireless transponder are modulated in response to electrical signals generated by the cellular matter, which are detected by the transponder. The grooved electrode may be implanted within peripheral nerves for treating various neurological conditions, which may include nerve rehabilitation and prosthetic actuation, severe pain, obstructive sleep apnea and so forth. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319507 | Tissue Treatment Device and Method of Restricting Use of Device - Embodiments include electromagnetic energy-based tissue treatment devices which comprise biometric sensors in combination with memory storing biometric data from authorized treatment providers, and methods of restricting use of the devices based on comparing biometric data from potential treatment providers to the stored biometric data from authorized treatment providers. Delivery of a treatment can be permitted when the biometric data from a potential treatment provider is found to match the biometric treatment data for an authorized treatment provider. The devices of the invention can further be configured to collect usage data and usage setting of the device, and usage data can be used in conjunction with biometric data to determine whether or not an authorized user has exceeded or will exceed a recommended treatment regimen. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319508 | Automatic Determination of the Threshold of an Evoked Neural Response - Automatically analysing an evoked neural response. The method comprises: applying electrical stimulation to a target neural region at incrementally greater current levels beginning with an initial current level that is as close as possible to a typical threshold-NRT level; recording an NRT measurement of an auditory signal which generated by the target neural region in response to the stimulation; and utilizing a machine-learned expert system to predict whether the NRT measurement contains a neural response based on a plurality of features extracted from the auditory signal. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319509 | Binaural Stimulation in Neural Auditory Prostheses or Hearing Aids - The present invention discloses of binaural stimulation in a neural auditory prosthesis. Binaural acoustic signals are generated that represent sound associated with a user's left and right ears respectively. Based on the binaural acoustic signals, corresponding binaural stimulation signals are generated for electrical stimulation of auditory nerve tissue of the user, wherein the binaural stimulation signals each include a fine structure component with periodic characteristics and interaural time difference (ITD) information. A phase jitter component is added to the binaural stimulation signals to reduce the periodic characteristics of the fine structure component while preserving the interaural time difference (ITD) information. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319510 | Medical Device Access Control Apparatus and Method - A method and apparatus for providing access control to a medical device. A control device may be attached to the medical device to regulate power flow to the medical device and monitor usage of the device. The control device may accept removable media and read information from the media. The information may indicate control devices with which the removable media is designated to work, as well as an amount of authorization credit. The control device, after confirming that the removable media authorized to work with that control device and that it includes sufficient authorization credit, may provide power to the medical device. The control device may then monitor the medical device and when use of the medical device is detected, the control device may write new information to the removable media decreasing the amount of authorization credit. In a preferred embodiment, the removable media is an RFID memory card. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319511 | AUTO ADJUSTING SYSTEM FOR BRAIN TISSUE STIMULATOR - An implantable neurostimulator for treating disorders such as epilepsy, pain, movement disorders and depression includes a detection subsystem capable of detecting a physiological condition and a therapy subsystem capable of providing a course of therapy in response to the condition. The therapy subsystem includes an auto-adjust module for automatically adjusting one or more parameters of the therapy so that the therapy subsystem can provide an adjusted parameter to the patient and solicit the patient's feedback concerning the adjustment without requiring the presence of, or immediate involvement with, a clinician or physician. The patient feedback can be analyzed by computer, clinician or a combination of both to determine an optimal range of parameters for subsequent courses of therapy. In this manner, information useful in tuning the neurostimulator therapy parameters to optimize them for individual patient can be acquired automatically outside of the traditional clinical setting, saving time and minimizing patient fatigue that otherwise would be experience in marathon, in-clinic tuning sessions. The auto-adjust module also can be configured to prompt the patient to provide feedback even when parameters are not being adjusted, so as to acquire information for a baseline or about any placebo effect when the patient is otherwise expecting changes to the therapy to be made. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319512 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Transcutaneously Transferring Energy - An apparatus for transcutaneously transferring an amount of energy to an implantable orthopaedic device includes a primary coil. The primary coil has a resonant frequency matched to a resonant frequency of a secondary coil, which may form part of the implantable orthopaedic device. The primary coil may have an aperture configured to receive a portion of a patient's body or may include a substantially āCā-shaped core. A power circuit may be coupled with the primary coil to provide power to the coil. The apparatus may also include a wireless receiver, a measuring device, and/or a display. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319513 | NEURAL STIMULATION WITH RESPIRATORY RHYTHM MANAGEMENT - A system embodiment comprises at least one respiration sensor, a neural stimulation therapy delivery module, and a controller. The respiration sensor is adapted for use in monitoring respiration of the patient. The neural stimulation therapy delivery module is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for use in stimulating the autonomic neural target of the patient for the chronic neural stimulation therapy. The controller is adapted to receive a respiration signal from the at least one respiration sensor indicative of the patient's respiration, and adapted to control the neural stimulation therapy delivery module using a respiratory variability measurement derived using the respiration signal. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319514 | Techniques for Sensing and Adjusting a Compliance Voltage in an Implantable Stimulator Device - Disclosed herein are methods and circuitry for monitoring and adjusting a compliance voltage in an implantable stimulator devices to an optimal value that is sufficiently high to allow for proper circuit performance (i.e., sufficient current output), but low enough that power is not needlessly wasted via excessive voltage drops across the current output circuitry. The algorithm measures output voltages across the current source and sink circuitry during at least periods of actual stimulation when both the current sources and sinks are operable, and adjusts the compliance voltage so as to reduce these output voltages to within guard band values preferably indicative for operation in transistor saturation. The output voltages can additionally be monitored during periods between stimulation pulses to improve the accuracy of the measurement, and is further beneficial in that such additional measurements are not perceptible to the patient. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319515 | PROCESS FOR REDUCING NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE CAUSED BY EXERCISE - A process for reducing neuromuscular fatigue caused by exercise comprises applying an anodal trans-cranial direct current stimulation over the right motor cortex of a person. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319516 | Use of Electromagnetic Radiation in the Treatment of Sensory Organs - A method of using and devices for delivering electromagnetic radiation of a selected wavelength for the treatment of conditions pertaining to cephalic sensory organs, in particular to treating conditions of the eye (ocular conditions) and conditions pertaining to the ear (otic conditions). The invention is in particular for the treatment of organelles associated with the acoustic and optic nerves and more particularly for the treatment of age related degeneration of such organelles. The invention also provides devices for treating ocular and otic conditions. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319517 | Alteration of the Skin and Nail for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin and Nail Infections - The method of prevention and treatment of microbial infections that occur on, or just below, the skin and nails of a person consisting of applying a means to inactivate the microbes thus rendering them harmless. The treatment consists of applying a means which alters the skin or nail so that the skin or nail will either no longer serve as a food source, will be inhibitory to the organism, will be toxic to the organism, or will be altered in a manner that makes it more responsive to treatment of infections. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319518 | CHARGED PARTICLE GENERATOR AND FUNCTIONAL FABRIC HAVING A CHARGED PARTICLE EMISSION FUNCTION - Provided are a charged particle generator that continually generates large quantities of charged particles as a result of temperature dependent excitation, functional fibers comprising composite carbon particles, having SP | 2008-12-25 |
20080319519 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PATIENT TEMPERATURE CONTROL EMPLOYING OPTIMIZED REWARMING - Embodiments of the invention provide a system for temperature control of the human body. The system includes an indwelling catheter with a tip-mounted heat transfer element. The catheter is fluidically coupled to a console that provides a heated or cooled heat transfer working fluid to exchange heat with the heat transfer element, thereby heating or cooling blood. The heated or cooled blood then heats or cools the patient's body or a selected portion thereof. In particular, strategies for optimizing the rewarming of patients for various medical procedures are provided, including stroke, neurosurgery, and myocardial infarction. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319520 | Endocardial Lead - A device terminating a distal end of a cardiac stimulator lead for transmitting electrical signals from a pacemaker to a location within a heart for stimulating cardiac tissue of the heart said device comprising an electrically conductive helix configured to interact with said cardiac tissue by attachment to said cardiac tissue with a rotating screw motion, said helix having a plurality of helical flights respectively oriented at a screw pitch a tube containing said helix and allowing rotation of said helix in an interior of said tube said tube having an interior post that protrudes between adjacent flights of said helix a rotatable shaft on which said helix is mounted, rotation of said shaft in respective directions causing outward and inward screwing motion of said helix relative to said tube by engagement of said post with said flights of said helix, and said shaft having a stop surface thereon that, when said stop surface reaches said post, interrupts said screw rotation of said helix by abutment of the stop surface against said post, said stop surface being oriented in a plane that deviates less than 450 relative to a radial direction fo said shaft and relative to a direction perpendicular to said screw pitch. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319521 | Compressible Resilient Fabric, Devices, and Methods - A compressible resilient fabric can include a ground layer of knitted yarn, and a loop layer comprising a plurality of loops of yarn, each loop having a point knit into the ground layer. The fabric can be compressible from an non-compressed configuration, in which each loop has an apex extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the ground layer, into a compressed configuration, in which each loop is collapsed onto the ground layer. The fabric can further be resilient so as to substantially resume the non-compressed configuration when compression is relieved. The loop layer yarn can include a multifilament yarn having a high denier per filament ratio. The ground layer yarn can include a yarn shrinkable substantially more than the loop layer yarn. The loops can be densely knit so as to support the extension of the loops outward from the ground layer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319522 | ANEURYSM FILLER DETACHER - An aneurysm filler detacher mechanism comprising a proximal push support comprising a copper or silver core wire, an insulation layer positioned around the core wire, and an annular flexible layer positioned around the insulation layer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319523 | ANEURYSM FILLER DEVICE - Embodiments of the invention include an aneurysm filler devide comprising: a main body comprising a pusher portion, a filler portion and a bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion contacts both the pusher portion and the filler portion. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319524 | System and Method for Delivering a Medical Device to a Body Location - A system for delivering a medical device to a body location. The system includes a sheath ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319525 | Self-Expanding Prosthesis - In one preferred embodiment, a prosthesis is provided that can be selectively expanded by increasing the temperature of the prosthesis within the patient. The prosthesis is composed of a shape memory material that expands when heated to a temperature greater than an average body temperature, allowing the user to selectively heat and therefore expand the prosthesis at a desired location. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319526 | Percutaneous valve, system and method - An apparatus, system, and method for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a thread passing over the valve frame to hold the valve frame in a partially deployed state, where removal of the thread allows the valve frame to expand toward a deployed state. Use of the thread to hold the valve frame allows for staged deployment of the valve. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319527 | SHAPED MULTI-DUROMETER FILLER - Embodiments of the invention include an aneurysm filler, comprising a main body having a transport shape and three-dimensional shape which is manifest when the main body is deployed in an aneurysm. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319528 | MODULAR ENDOPROSTHESIS WITH FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTORS BETWEEN MODULES - A modular endoprosthesis is configured to have improved flexibility during and after deployment by having separate endoprosthetic modules that are interconnected by flexible interconnectors. The modular endoprosthesis includes a plurality of separate endoprosthetic modules positioned adjacently so that a first end of a first endoprosthetic module is adjacent to an end of a second endoprosthetic module and a second end of the first endoprosthetic module is adjacent to an end of a third endoprosthetic module. Additionally, the modular endoprosthesis includes a plurality of flexible interconnectors coupled to the plurality of separate endoprosthetic modules so as to interconnect the first end of the first endoprosthetic module with the end of the second endoprosthetic module with a first flexible interconnector, and interconnect the second end of the first endoprosthetic module with the end of the third endoprosthetic module with a second flexible interconnector. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319529 | Stent With Improved Mechanical Properties - A stent includes a central portion having a first waveform. The first waveform is wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent also includes an end segment connected to one end of the central portion. The end segment has a second waveform that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each of the plurality of struts has a different length so that peaks of the crowns that define an end of the stent lie within a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Cross-sectional areas of the struts having different lengths vary so that the struts move substantially uniformly during radial contraction and/or radial expansion of the stent. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319530 | ENDOVASCULAR PROSTHESIS AND A METHOD OF CONNECTING A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT AND A WOVEN GRAFT MATERIAL - An endovascular prosthesis that includes a stent and a woven graft material. The stent is connected to the graft material by direct attachment of the stent to the graft material at thermoplastically fused regions of the graft material. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319531 | FLEXIBLE AND EXPANDABLE STENT - In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a second undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a first substantially longitudinal connector extending between the first and second undulating bands and a second very short connector extending between the first and second undulating bands, the first connector substantially longer than the second very short connector. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319532 | Medical Implant - The invention relates to a medical implant (1ā²) in the form of an elongated helix wherein at least one part of the helix is preformed in such a manner that it has a secondary structure of identically sized loops which it assumes during implantation at the placement site, with said structure in turn forming at the placement site during implantation a polyhedral tertiary structure, and the polyhedron being provided with at least one additional loop. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319533 | ANEURYSM OCCLUSION ASSIST DEVICE - Embodiments of the invention described herein include an aneurysm occlusion assist device comprising a main body effective for providing support to a blood vessel, defining an open volume sized to permit substantially unimpeded blood flow when the main body is implanted in a bifurcated aneurysm. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319534 | Stent With Improved Mechanical Properties - A stent includes a central portion having a first waveform. The first waveform is wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a pitch to define a plurality of helical turns. The stent also includes an end segment connected to one end of the central portion. The end segment has a second waveform that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each of the plurality of struts has a different length so that peaks of the crowns that define an end of the stent lie within a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Cross-sectional areas of the struts having different lengths vary so that the struts move substantially uniformly during radial contraction and/or radial expansion of the stent. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319535 | Vascular Stent and Method of Making Vascular Stent - A stent and method of forming a stent include a wire bent into a waveform spirally wrapped into a hollow cylindrical shape. The waveform includes a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The middle portion of the waveform includes a first amplitude and a first period. The first end portion of the waveform includes a first plurality of amplitudes and a first plurality of periods, wherein the first plurality of amplitudes decrease from adjacent the middle portion to a first end of the wire and first plurality of frequencies increase from adjacent the middle portion to the first end of the wire. The waveform may also include a second end portion with a second plurality of amplitudes and a second plurality of periods, wherein the second plurality of amplitudes decrease from adjacent the middle portion to a second end of the wire and the second plurality of frequencies increase from adjacent the middle portion to the second end of the wire. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319536 | Method for introducing an internal helical formation into a flexible tubular material - There is disclosed a method for introducing a helical formation ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319537 | STENT HAVING HELICAL ELEMENTS - An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319538 | Kit to be implanted in a blood circulation conduit | 2008-12-25 |
20080319539 | Resorption-controllable medical implants - Bioresorbable medical implants are designed to have different resorption rates over time or over the topography of the implants. The resorption of the medical implants are controlled by including layers having differing resorption rates. The layers resorb sequentially over time through sequential exposure to body fluids. A resorption-controllable medical implant includes a series of two or more layers. The first layer includes a first bioresorbable material. The second layer includes a second bioresorbable material and resorbable particles of a first kind dispersed within the second bioresorbable material. Additional layers of bioresorbable material alone or including resorbable particles may be added to slow or speed resorption and achieve desired control over the resorption of the implant. Resorbable particles can be added in differing amounts or kinds in various segments of the implant to provide topographically differing resorption rates. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319540 | ANTI-MIGRATION FEATURES AND GEOMETRY FOR A SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER STENT - The present invention relates to a radially-expandable stent for implantation in a bodily passageway, being expandable from an initial unexpanded state to an expanded state, having an outer surface with a geometric pattern covering said outer surface to minimize migration after implantation. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319541 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING CARDIAC VALVES - Devices and methods for the repair of a defective cardiac valve are provided. The implantable devices provide a leaflet coaptation surface and correct for one or more prolapsing segments of a valve leaflet. The methods involve implanting one or more devices within the defective cardiac valve. In certain embodiments, the devices and methods correct for billowing leaflets and/or a dilated valve annulus. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319542 | Tissue Shaping Device - In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. Such tissue shaping device can include an expandable proximal anchor; a proximal anchor lock adapted to lock the proximal anchor in an expanded configuration; an expandable distal anchor; a distal anchor lock adapted to lock the distal anchor in an expanded configuration; and a connector disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor, the connector having a substantially non-circular cross-section. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319543 | BIOPROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - A trileaflet biological prosthetic heart valve ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319544 | Blood pump system for artificial heart and apparatus supervisory system - A blood pump system for an artificial heart including: a control unit for controlling a blood pump, the control unit including a first alarm generating part for generating a first alarm signal according to the state of the blood pump, and a speaker for outputting an audible sound upon receiving the first alarm signal when the blood pump is in an abnormal state; a supervisory section configured to supervise the state of the control unit; a determining section configured to determine whether the control unit is in an abnormal state or not, based on output signal from the supervisory section; and a second alarm generating part for generating a second alarm signal according to the state of the control unit, based on the result of determination by the determining section. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319545 | "W" Accommodating Intraocular Lens - An accommodating intraocular lens comprising a flexible body, a flexible optic which is moveable anteriorly and posteriorly relative to the lens body, and hinged portions longitudinally connecting the optic to the body. The body may have extending centration and fixation loops on its distal ends. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319546 | SHEATHS FOR IMPLANTABLE FIXATION DEVICES - Sheaths for implantable fixation devices and methods of using the sheaths are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, and an interior of the body is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. Sheaths include a plurality of flexible or inflexible tubes arranged to form a ring, where the central cavity defined by the ring is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319547 | Porous Material for Use as Implant, Bone Replacement and in General as Material - Implants and methods for producing same are described, the implants featuring an adjustable porous shell, the inside being continuously interconnectingly adjustably porous and which can be sintered net shaped; these implants exhibit a high compression stability and show, when being combined with filler materials with or without active agents, different chemical, physical-mechanical, biomechanical or also pharmacological properties. The essential features of the manufacturing process are described in FIG. ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319548 | Artificial disc - An artificial disc includes an intermediate section which is disposed between upper and lower retainers. The intermediate section includes a first portion which resists rotation of one of the retainers, for example, the upper retainer, from a first position to a second position. A second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc resists rotation of the upper retainer from the second position to a third position. The second portion of the intermediate section of the artificial disc is ineffective to provide significant resistance to relative rotation between the retainers during rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the first position to the second position. The artificial disc may be provided with projections which engage protrusions on the intermediate section to resist rotation of the upper retainer relative to the lower retainer from the second position to the third position. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319549 | EXPANDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - A device for separating a first bone from a second bone is disclosed. The device can be an expandable orthopedic jack. The device can be used to treat spinal stenosis. The device can be deployed between adjacent spinous processes and then increased in height to reduce pressure on nearby nerves. Methods for using the device are also disclosed. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319550 | Interspinous spacer - An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes is provided. The spacer includes a body and a wing rotatable connected to the body. The wing includes two U-shaped configurations that together define a substantially H-shaped configuration for retaining the spacer between adjacent spinous processes. An actuator assembly is connected to the body and to the wing with the proximal end of the spacer being connectable to a removable driver that is configured to engage the actuator assembly. While connected to the spacer, the driver is rotatable in one direction to deploy the wing from an undeployed to a deployed configuration and in an opposite direction to undeploy the wing. In the deployed configuration, the spacer acts as a space holder opening up the area of the spinal canal, maintaining foraminal height, reducing stress on the facet joints and relieving pain for the patient. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319551 | Thioester-ester-amide copolymers - A poly(thioester ester amide) copolymer and method of making and using the same are disclosed. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319552 | Tubular prosthesis and associated kit - The tubular prosthesis ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319553 | Hand Prosthesis and Force Transmission Device - The invention relates to a hand prosthesis ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319554 | Real World Object Control In Connected Systems - The invention is directed towards providing control in a first computerised control system of a real world object provided in a second computerised control system that is connected to the first system. The real world object is represented in the second system by an originating container being linked to originating aspects representing data and/or operations of the originating container. Control in the first system is generally accomplished through providing, in the first system, a proxy container corresponding to the originating container in the second system together with aspects corresponding to originating aspects of the originating container and being linked to the proxy container. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319555 | Method For Evaluating, An Automation System And a Controller - The invention relates to a method for evaluating an application for controlling a process within an automation system. The application is stored within a controller, and at least two versions of it are present within the controller. The method comprises the steps of: inputting to the different versions of the application an input signal obtained from the process; executing, in the controller, tasks based on this input signal for the different versions; generating a report comprising comparisons of the outputs from the different versions of the application; and evaluating, based on the generated report, the version(s) not used for controlling the process. An improved way of revising an automation system is thereby achieved. The invention also relates to such controller and an automation system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319556 | Intelligent Device Control System - A device for controlling devices in a monitored space. A sensor senses an event in an initial state indicating an occupant may be present in the monitored space. A switch activates the controlled device in response to the sensed event. A processor enables the device to change from the initial state to a first state in response to the sensed event, with the first state indicating that the occupant may be in the monitored space. The device also changes from the first state to a second state while determining whether the occupant continues to be in the monitored space in response to a query challenge. The device next changes from the second state to the initial state in response to the determining indicating that the occupant is not in the monitored space. The switch deactivates the controlled device in the initial state in the monitored space. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319557 | Program-Controlled Process - A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by means of commands generated by means of off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by means of a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319558 | Global optimization by continuous greedy randomized adaptive search procedure - Disclosed are method and apparatus for generating a global minimum value of a function representing a characteristic of a system comprising at least one object, wherein the function is based at least in part on a set of data elements within a bounded domain. At an initial randomly chosen data element, the method comprises generating a local minimum by a sequence comprising multiple iterations of a construction phase followed by a local-improvement phase. A set of local minima are generated at a set of initial randomly chosen data elements. The global minimum is the minimum of the local minima within the bounded domain. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319559 | Apparatus and method for transferring two or more wafers whereby the positions of the wafers can be measured - A method and an apparatus for transferring a substantially flat and substantially circular objects, such as wafers, from a pick-up position to a delivery position, the apparatus comprising, a manipulator, at least one source for emitting a source signal, at least one sensor for sensing said source signal and for providing a sensor signal, a computing device arranged for processing at least one sensor signal to obtain data on the position of said object, the manipulator being arranged for simultaneously transferring a first and a second object along a path in a substantially parallel orientation, spaced apart from each other, and substantially co-axially whereby the central axis of each object may be displaced radially, a said source and a said sensor are connected by a virtual line, whereby the virtual line includes an angle with the central axes of the first and second objects. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319560 | AUTOMATED RECIPE COMPOSER - Disclosed in the present invention is a way to automatically combine a recipe with an automated recipe composer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319561 | Portable Digital Media Device With a Force Sensor - There is provided a portable digital media device, including: a storage device; a force sensor coupled to the storage device; a display; and a controller coupled to both the storage device and the display, wherein the display shows information. The device may also be used as a cursor control and input device when connected to a computer. Other applications of the device are also disclosed. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319562 | SINGLE USER INPUT MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC DEVICE OPERATIONS - A unique input mechanism for controlling several operations of an electronic device is provided. Using the unique input mechanism, which may be the single input mechanism for providing user inputs to the electronic device, a user may provide different inputs or combinations of inputs to control different operations based on the current mode or capacity of the electronic device. For example, a single, short click of a button may control a media operation (e.g., play/pause) in a media mode, and the same input may control a telephony operation (e.g., initiate/terminate call) in a telephony mode. In some embodiments, different inputs may be associated with different types of operations. The unique input mechanism may include, for example, a button, a switch, a key, or an actuator. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319563 | AUDIO CODING APPARATUS AND AUDIO DECODING APPARATUS - An audio coding apparatus includes an audio coding unit 101 for, when it has received an audio signal input, performing coding to the audio signal input and outputting coded audio data and coding related data which is data relating to the coding, as specific data, an ancillary audio coding unit | 2008-12-25 |
20080319564 | SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURATION OF AUDIO SIGNALS IN A VEHICLE - A sound processing system for a vehicle includes a sound processor that is configured to mix at least one real audio input signal to form at least one virtual output signal. At least one audio signal that is available to drive at least one loudspeaker may be formed using the combination of the virtual output signal and the real audio input signal. The virtual output signal may be post processed to form a predetermined frequency range of the audio signal prior to being combined with the real audio input signal. The audio signal may be created by mixing the real audio input signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Alternatively, the audio signal may be formed by mixing the real audio input signal to form a real audio output signal, and then summing the real audio output signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Mixing may be performed with a crossbar mixer included in the sound processor. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319565 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PROCESS FLOW CHANGES - A computer program product for performing automated error checking in an automated production line, includes instructions for: receiving change information for changing a production process; comparing the change information to standard information for the production process; and reporting information from the comparing. Manufacturing execution software and a system for employing the manufacturing execution software are provided. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319566 | Custom Package Wrap - One method embodiment herein inputs a package size and a package wrap pattern. The method calculates a sheet size corresponding to the package size, and prints the sheet of package wrap. The sheet of package wrap has the package wrap pattern and can have fold markings corresponding to corners of the package. The sheet of package wrap has dimensions equal to the sheet size. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319567 | Location Based Programming And Data Management In An Automated Environment - A method and system for providing information related to a set of automated resources that may cooperate in an environment to perform an automated process, the method comprising the steps of associating a specific environment location with the automated process, determining the locations of resources with respect to the specific location and, where resources are proximate the specific location, providing information related to the automated process. Also a method for facility communication between distributed resources where location or an attribute akin thereto is used to tag data and to monitor network data for specific required data. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319568 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING ARRAY DEFECT PARETOS USING ELECTRICAL OVERLAY OF BITFAIL MAPS, PHOTO LIMITED YIELD, YIELD, AND AUTO PATTERN RECOGNITION CODE DATA - A method for creating defect array paretos for semiconductor manufacturing, the method includes: merging a set of ETPLY data {the electrical overlay of bitfail map (BFM) data with inline photo inspection (PLY) data), and auto pattern recognition code (APRC) failure data to create an electrical failure data set along with a set of inline photo inspection defects that caused electrical failures; merging the APRC failure data with wafer final test (WFT) sort data to delineate array failures that are repairable from array failures that are not repairable for the calculation of kill ratios; wherein the merging of the APRC failure data with the WFT sort data is used to create paretos of APRC codes that are array failures that are not repairable; and wherein the merging of the APRC failure data with the WFT sort data is used to create paretos of APRC codes for semiconductor devices that are repairable at wafer final test. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319569 | Lithographic Projection Apparatus and Method for Controlling a Support Structure - A control system controls a support structure of a lithographic apparatus. A first measurement system measures the position of a substrate supported by the support structure, in a first coordinate system. A second measurement system measures the position of the support structure in a second coordinate system, the first measurement system having a presumed position in the second coordinate system. A controller controls the position of the support structure based on measurements by the second measurement system, to convert the measured position of the substrate into a converted position of the support structure in the second coordinate system, to position the support structure based on the converted position, to receive a position error signal indicative of a difference between the presumed position and an actual position of the first measurement system in the second coordinate system, and to position the support structure dependent upon the position error signal. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319570 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FASTENER INSTALLATION - A system for monitoring installation of fasteners in an assembly process utilizes printed symbology, such as a barcode, to uniquely identify the location at which a fastener will be installed. An installation tool includes torque measuring capability and further includes a reader capable of reading the printed symbology. The output of the reader and the torque measurement values are provided to a computer communicatively coupled thereto. The computer contains stored fastener torque signatures that correspond to each fastener. Based on the printed symbology identification, the computer can determine the type of fastener to be installed at that precise location. During installation, torque measurements from the installation tool are compared against the fastener torque signature to determine whether the proper fastener was installed at that location and, additionally, whether the fastener was properly installed. Based on the torque measurement and rotational position of the fastener, the system can identify a number of different types of defects, such as improper selection of the fastener; thread defects, cross threading, and the like. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319571 | Method and Device for Controlling and Regulating a Hollow Body Manufacturing Unit - A method for controlling and regulating a unit for producing hollow bodies, including a compressor, a blowing machine and a control unit, which controls both the compressor and the blowing machine. A system also provided for returning blast air from the finished blown container to the compressor. Also, a device for producing hollow bodies, with a compressor, a blowing machine and a control system, which for the exchange of data is connected to the blowing machine and to the compressor. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319572 | Method and apparatus for operating terminal - An apparatus and method for operating a terminal, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes receiving angle adjustment information of a terminal; and automatically controlling a position of the terminal according to the angle adjustment information. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319573 | Method and System For Optimizing Containers in a Block - A method for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block, including at least one crane configured to move the containers is provided. A crane control unit (CCU) is provided in which the following steps are performed: identifying a selected container to be moved from a current position CP within a sub-section of said block to a new position NP within the sub-section; calculating a number of container moves required facilitating the move of the selected container in previous step; arranging the required number of container moves in a queue for each crane; and performing the container moves as arranged in the queue by controlling said at least one crane. Also provided is a computer program, a computer-readable medium encoded with the computer program, and a system for optimizing the position of a plurality of containers in a block. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319574 | Method and device for transporting objects to distribution points - An apparatus for controlling transportation of objects provided with machine-readable codes to specified distribution points by means of a transport vehicle includes a reading device and a determination unit. The transport vehicle has a rack module for accommodating the objects, wherein the rack module has a plurality of levels. The reading device is configured to automatically read the respective code of an object transported past the reading device, and to determine the rack level on which this object is located. The determination unit processes the codes to determine which object is to be unloaded at which distribution point, and includes an evaluation unit to automatically determine for each distribution point the position of each object to be unloaded at this distribution point in the rack module depending on a sequence of the reading of the code and the rack level in which the object is located. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319575 | HANDLING OF MULTI-USE ITEM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319576 | STATUS DESIGNATION FOR DISPENSING DEVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319577 | REMOVAL OR RETURN OF ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH A PATIENT-SPECIFIC BIN SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319578 | HANDLING OF PATIENT'S OWN MEDICINE SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319579 | PATIENT-SPECIFIC BIN SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319580 | IDENTIFYING ITEMS FOR RESTOCKING OF A DISPENSING DEVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319581 | BIN ALLOCATION SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319582 | Device for In-Line Process Control During the Production of Emulsions or Dispersions - Disclosed is a device for on-line process control during the production of emulsions or dispersions. Said device comprises a vessel for accommodating an emulsion or dispersion, a stirring tool located in the vessel for generating a stirring input into the emulsion or dispersion, an apparatus for continuously measuring the stirring input, sensing probes located in the vessel for continuously measuring the temperature and the conductivity of the emulsion or dispersion, and a recording apparatus for continuously recording the stirring input, the temperature, and the conductivity. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319583 | Method for on-line monitoring and control of polymerization processes and reactors to prevent discontinuity events - Generally, a method of monitoring a polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor to generate, in on-line fashion, data indicative of the imminent occurrence of a discontinuity event (for example, sheeting) and optionally also control the reaction to prevent the occurrence of the discontinuity event is provided. Typical embodiments include the steps of generating in on-line fashion at least one of bed static data indicative of static charge in the fluidized bed and carryover static data indicative of carryover static; and generating at least one of temperature data (in on-line fashion using at least one monitored reaction parameter) indicative of a first temperature and acoustic emission data indicative of resin stickiness in the reactor, where the first temperature is indicative of at least one of degree of resin stickiness in the reactor and a characteristic of melting behavior of polymer resin in the reactor in the presence of at least one diluent. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319584 | PROCEDURE FOR CONTROLLING AN INJECTION VALVE - The invention concerns a procedure for controlling an injection valve, at which the injection valve is supplied with current that is provided by a condenser during a holding phase, at which the injection valve is kept open. The invention further concerns a device for controlling an injection valve, which is customized to cause the condenser to provide the injection valve during a holding phase, at which the injection valve is kept open, with current. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319585 | Modular and Expandable Irrigation Controller - Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319586 | On-Site Power Plant Control Including Adaptive Response to Transient Load Requirements - An on-site power plant ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319587 | Thermal control system and method - A system and method for controlling the temperature of a process tool uses the vaporizable characteristic of a refrigerant that is provided in direct heat exchange relation with the process tool. Pressurized refrigerant is provided as both condensed liquid and in gaseous state. The condensed liquid is expanded to a vaporous mix, and the gaseous refrigerant is added to reach a target temperature determined by its pressure. Temperature corrections can thus be made very rapidly by gas pressure adjustments. The process tool and the operating parameters will usually require that the returning refrigerant be conditioned and processed for compatibility with the compressor and other units, so that cycling can be continuous regardless of thermal demands and changes. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319588 | Method and Control Arrangement for Terminating Accidental Switch on of a Deep Fryer Apparatus Not Filled with Oil - Method and control arrangement for terminating an accidental switch on of a deep fryer apparatus when it is not filled with oil, the apparatus comprises a vessel having closed bottom and sides, and a horizontally formed electric heating element for direct contact with the oil within the vessel. At one or more points of the inner space of the vessel the temperature is measured, by which the accidental switch on state of the apparatus is detected and terminated at the same time in such a way that a derivative of the temperature measured at the one or more determined points is defined. The heating power is automatically cut off to terminate switched on state when the value of the derivative exceeds a predetermined threshold value. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319589 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A TILT ANGLE OF A VEHICLE - A method for determining a tilt angle of a vehicle includes measuring accelerations of a vehicle in directions along a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical axis of the vehicle. A current tilt angle of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the measured accelerations. A magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, and of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations. A gyroscopically stabilized magnitude-compensated tilt angle is calculated as a function of the current tilt angle, of a preceding tilt angle, of the magnitude of the vector sum of the measured accelerations, and of a change in the tilt angle over a given time period calculated from angular rate data provided by a gyroscope. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319590 | Systems for announcing the health of ball screw actuators and ball recirculation - A method of determining variations in operating characteristics of a mechanical system having a rotatory mode of operation and bearing balls entrained within a bearing balls recirculation system. There are provided the steps of first monitoring operating impulses generated by the mechanical system during a first interval of operation; first analyzing the operating impulses obtained during the first interval to determine the intensity and frequency of the operating impulses; first correlating the operating impulses obtained during the first interval to corresponding angular positions of the rotatory mode of operation; and first producing a first record of the intensity and frequency of the operating impulses obtained during the first interval correlated to the corresponding angular positions of the mechanical system. The health of bearing balls within the recirculation system is determined by monitoring the vibration characteristic of the recirculation system, which is correlatable to the specific bearing balls. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319591 | System For Piloting an Aircraft, at Least For Piloting the Aircraft During an Autonomous Approach For the Purpose of Landing - System for piloting an aircraft, at least for piloting the aircraft during an autonomous approach for the purpose of landing. The piloting system ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080319592 | SYNTHETIC INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for generating approach information for a first vehicle approaching a second dynamic vehicle. An example method determines motion information of the second vehicle and generates approach information based on the determined motion information and the approach centerline. The method generates at least one of an approach path or a plurality of approach path reference points based on at least one of a center of motion of the second vehicle or a touchdown point on the second vehicle and generates at least one of a synthetic path or a plurality of synthetic path reference points by filtering the generated at least one approach path or plurality of approach path reference points. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319593 | Methods and systems for power system management - Methods and systems for energy management system for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first power source configured for cranking an engine wherein the first power source includes a switch configured to electrically couple the first power source to a starter for the engine and wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from auxiliary onboard loads. The system further includes a second power source configured for supplying auxiliary on board loads, a charging subsystem electrically coupled to the first and the second power sources. The charging subsystem is configured to supply charging current to the first and the second power sources. The system further includes a controller configured to maintain the first power source in a substantially fully charged condition and supply the auxiliary loads from the second power source. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319594 | Control Apparatus for Hybrid Vehicle - A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine and an electric motor as driving sources for the vehicle, and an energy storage device that stores an output of the engine or a kinetic energy of the vehicle after being converted into electric energy by the electric motor. The engine is a cylinder deactivation engine that is capable of deactivating. The control apparatus includes an electric motor-only travel determination device that determines whether a motor-only travel, in which the engine is deactivated and only the motor is used for driving the vehicle, is allowed based on at least vehicle speed, an initial state of charge calculating device that calculates an initial state of charge of the energy storage device when an ignition of the vehicle is turned on, a running interval state of charge calculating device that calculates an amount of change between a state of charge of the energy storage device at each time the vehicle stops, and an upper limit vehicle speed correcting device that corrects an upper limit vehicle speed during an electric motor-only travel that is allowed by the electric motor-only travel determination device based on a difference between the initial state of charge calculated by the initial state of charge calculating device and the running interval state of charge calculated by the running interval state of charge calculating device. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319595 | ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE AND ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION CONTROL SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH THE APPARATUS - An electric power generation control apparatus mounted to a motor vehicle predicts an operational point of an internal combustion engine in the future based on driving path information supplied from a navigation system mounted to the motor vehicle. The apparatus further predicts an increased amount of fuel consumption which is caused by electric power generation of an alternator based on the predicted operational point of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus sets a reference value of an electric power economy index which is an amount of fuel consumption per electric power generation. On driving the motor vehicle on a path, the apparatus sequentially predicts the operational point of the internal combustion engine, and controls the alternator so that the actual electric power economy index becomes equal to the reference value based on the operational point of the internal combustion engine predicted. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319596 | Charge-discharge management apparatus and computer readable medium comprising instructions for achieving the apparatus - After a final estimated route for a hybrid vehicle is specified, a navigation ECU determines a start point of a scheduled path, which a charging schedule is to be created for. The start point corresponds to a position at a travel distance, which is equivalent to a distance traveled from a present position of the hybrid vehicle along the estimated route for a time period required for creating a charging schedule. | 2008-12-25 |
20080319597 | Charge-discharge management apparatus and computer readable medium having instructions for achieving the apparatus - In charge-discharge control for a battery in a hybrid vehicle, when a difference between a target SOC (State Of Charge) and a present SOC becomes greater than or equal to a reference range in an estimated route to a destination, a charge schedule is drawn up again as a charge re-schedule. However, if the number of times of the re-schedule becomes greater than or equal to predetermined N times or if a remaining distance to the destination becomes less than a predetermined reference distance, a hybrid control based on the charge schedule is stopped without the charge re-schedule drawn up. | 2008-12-25 |