Abstract: A method and system for providing evolving, highly variable, long-term ongoing cognitive stimulation over a broad spectrum of cognitive domains. The user is presented with a series of entertaining audio/visual activities customized for the user, based on the user's life experience and cognitive level, each activity providing stimulation in one or more cognitive domains. The activities themselves and their level of challenge may change, in real time, over both the short- and the long term, varying in relation to current and historical user response patterns, creating an experience that remains engaging, with on-going use, over a period of months or years.

Abstract: An object locator system utilizes a microtransponder (12) that is used in association with an object to be located. A remote locator (10) transmits an encoded signal in which is embedded an identification code associated with the object to be located. The microtransponder (12) receives the encoded transmitted signal and processes such signal utilizing fast fourier transform techniques. The microtransponder (12) correlates the transformed received signal with a fast fourier transformed version of an identification code associated with the microtransponder (12) and upon detection of a correlation, transmits an acknowledgement signal to the remote locator (10). The remote locator (10) determines the distance to the microtransponder (12) based upon the round trip time from transmission of the coded signal to the microtransponder (12) to the receipt of the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method can be arranged for coding and/or decoding with a phase invariant coding scheme that is useful for short burst signaling devices. 10-bit data is mapped into a 12-bit data with a non-coherent burst code mapper. A parity generator creates a 12-bit parity data to form a 24-bit extended binary Golay code from the 12-bit data. The values for selected bit fields in the 12-bit data and 12-bit parity data are swapped to generate I and Q data such that sensitivity to changes in rotational phase is removed. I and Q data can be used by a transmitter to transmit a rotationally-invariant signal. On receipt, I and Q signals can be recovered, reverse swapped to generate the parity and data signals, and remapped to recover the transmitted 10-bit data. The receiver can also be arranged to use a soft decoding method for improved signal integrity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method can be arranged for coding and/or decoding with a phase invariant coding scheme that is useful for short burst signaling devices. 10-bit data is mapped into a 12-bit data with a non-coherent burst code mapper. A parity generator creates a 12-bit parity data to form a 24-bit extended binary Golay code from the 12-bit data. The values for selected bit fields in the 12-bit data and 12-bit parity data are swapped to generate I and Q data such that sensitivity to changes in rotational phase is removed. I and Q data can be used by a transmitter to transmit a rotationally-invariant signal. On receipt, I and Q signals can be recovered, reverse swapped to generate the parity and data signals, and remapped to recover the transmitted 10-bit data. The receiver can also be arranged to use a soft decoding method for improved signal integrity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method can be arranged for coding and/or decoding with a phase invariant coding scheme that is useful for short burst signaling devices. 10-bit data is mapped into a 12-bit data with a non-coherent burst code mapper. A parity generator creates a 12-bit parity data to form a 24-bit extended binary Golay code from the 12-bit data. The values for selected bit fields in the 12-bit data and 12-bit parity data are swapped to generate I and Q data such that sensitivity to changes in rotational phase is removed. I and Q data can be used by a transmitter to transmit a rotationally-invariant signal. On receipt, I and Q signals can be recovered, reverse swapped to generate the parity and data signals, and remapped to recover the transmitted 10-bit data. The receiver can also be arranged to use a soft decoding method for improved signal integrity.

Abstract: A method and system for providing evolving, highly variable, long-term on-going cognitive stimulation over a broad spectrum of cognitive domains. The user is presented with a series of entertaining audio/visual activities customized for the user, based on the user's life experience and cognitive level, each activity providing stimulation in one or more cognitive domains. The activities themselves and their level of challenge may change, in real time, over both the short- and the long term, varying in relation to current and historical user response patterns, creating an experience that remains engaging, with on-going use, over a period of months or years.

Abstract: An electrode having a plurality of electrically conductive segments, each segment being electrically isolated from adjacent segments. The segments are adapted to control living tissue, typically a neuromuscular pathway for delivery of stimulation signals to a desired pathway. The segments may be selectively chosen for the delivery of the stimulation signals, so as to avoid delivery of stimulation signals to tissue in contact with segments not chosen.

Abstract: A signal transmitting and receiving system to track the position and orientation of limb segments in order to provide feedback information for the control of the limb movement. The user will generally be seated in a wheelchair that provides a structure upon which orthogonal and/or non-orthogonally oriented coils can be mounted and energized selectively so as to create variously oriented magnetic fields. Multiple wireless sensors injected into the limb detect the local field strength and send information telemetrically to a central controller. The controller extracts information about the position and orientation of each limb segment by combining signals from various sensors according to calibration information and optimal filtering methods for extracting information from multiple nonlinear sensors in mechanically constrained systems.

Abstract: A system and method that minimizes plaque accumulation on a stent and thereby restenosis that could require a subsequent invasive medical procedure following implantation of the stent in a patient. A plurality of electrically-powered, biocompatible devices, implantable via injection, are positioned within the patient proximate to the stent and under control of a externally-placed controller are commanded to emit ultrasonic waves corresponding to the mechanical resonance of the stent. By controlling the frequency and the relative phases of the ultrasonic waves, the accumulation of plaque on the stent can thus be minimized.

Abstract: Communication techniques are described that can improve signal reception from an implanted wireless device to a main control unit (MCU) while in the presence of a narrowband interferer. The implanted wireless device can be any appropriate device such as a microtransponder, microstimulator, a sensor device or a drug delivery device. The MCU captures samples of signals emanating from the wireless device during an expected transmission time interval. The captured samples are evaluated and transformed into a series of spectral terms that are then evaluated to identify narrowband interference signals. The identified narrowband interference terms can be initialized to a null value to remove the signal spectrum resulting from the communication, and an inverse transformation can be used to generate a time domain signal that is free from interference. Overlapping windows and other signal processing techniques can also be applied to improve overall communications.

Abstract: A method for converting animal waste, in the form of waste slurry, to energy and useful byproducts. A screen mesh filters out large objects from waste slurry and the filtered slurry is chopped and fragmented to reduce binding of fibrous materials. The fragmented slurry is mixed at a rate to maintain solids in the fragmented slurry in suspension while minimizing aeration and turbulence within the mixing unit. A solids recovery unit recovers about 95% of the suspended solids. An additive is introduced into the solids recovery unit for providing agglomeration of solids particles. The recovered solids are gasified to produce at least methane/ethane gas. The produced gas is provided to an energy production unit to generate electrical and/or heat energy. Liquid remaining after the solids recovery is treated to remove undesirable contaminants to an extent in compliance with water quality standards set for animal waste flushing, animal washing and animal drinking water, as the case may be.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method can be arranged for coding and/or decoding with a phase invariant coding scheme that is useful for short burst signaling devices. 10-bit data is mapped into a 12-bit data with a non-coherent burst code mapper. A parity generator creates a 12-bit parity data to form a 24-bit extended binary Golay code from the 12-bit data. The values for selected bit fields in the 12-bit data and 12-bit parity data are swapped to generate I and Q data such that sensitivity to changes in rotational phase is removed. I and Q data can be used by a transmitter to transmit a rotationally-invariant signal. On receipt, I and Q signals can be recovered, reverse swapped to generate the parity and data signals, and remapped to recover the transmitted 10-bit data. The receiver can also be arranged to use a soft decoding method for improved signal integrity.

Abstract: A wireless implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the wireless device is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. The implantable device can download program instructions from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. Moreover, the implantable device provides for checking the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the operation of the implantable device. The implantable device has power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

Abstract: Communication between a remote locator and a transponder is used to determine the relative position of the transponder. The transponder and locator each include a transmitter and a receiver. The locator transmits an inquiry in the form of a relatively powerful cyclically encoded signal with repetitive elements, uniquely associated with a target transponder. Periodically, each transponder correlates its coded ID against a possible inquiry signal, determining frequency, phase and framing in the process. Upon a match, the transponder transmits a synthesized response coherent with the received signal. The locator integrates multiple cyclical response elements, allowing low-power transmissions from the transponder. The locator correlates the integrated response, determines round-trip Doppler shift, time-of-flight, and then computes the distance and angle to the transponder. The transponder can be wearable, bionically implanted, or attached to, or embedded in, some object.

Abstract: An implantable device capable of controlling received power from an external source. The implantable device includes a power receiving unit (PRU) and a control circuit which monitors the voltage across a load and provides a short circuit connection across the PRU when the voltage across the load exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method for converting animal waste, in the form of waste slurry, to energy and useful byproducts. A screen mesh filters out large objects from waste slurry and the filtered slurry is chopped and fragmented to reduce binding of fibrous materials. The fragmented slurry is mixed at a rate to maintain solids in the fragmented slurry in suspension while minimizing aeration and turbulence within the mixing unit. A solids recovery unit recovers about 95% of the suspended solids. A polymer is introduced into the solids recovery unit for providing agglomeration of solids particles. The recovered solids are gasified to produce at least methane/ethane gas. The produced gas is provided to an energy production unit to generate electrical and/or heat energy. Liquid remaining after the solids recovery is treated to remove undesirable contaminants to an extent in compliance with water quality standards set for animal waste flushing, animal washing and animal drinking water, as the case may be.

Abstract: A system and method that provide a prophylactic treatment to a person, e.g., a patient, to avoid the occurrence of pulmonary embolisms by the system providing neuromuscular stimulation to a person's lower extremities, e.g., the person's legs, when the system senses that a person has been immobile for an extended period of time. An implantable neuromuscular pacer, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,539; 5,193,540; 6,164,284; 6,185,452; 6,208,894; 6,315,721; 6,564,807; and their progeny, may be used to provide to selectively provide such stimulation. Preferably, such a device may be battery powered so that it can operate independent of an external apparatus. In particular, systems and devices of the present invention preferably additionally include an activity monitor, e.g., an accelerometer or the like, that disables or limits stimulation to pronged time periods in which there is limited activity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a magnetic field generating tuned circuit includes a processor configured to maintain the resonant frequency of a tuned circuit equal to a reference frequency. The tuned circuit is driven by a power amplifier whose output provides an amplified signal at the reference frequency. The tuned circuit includes a magnetic field generating inductor and a bank of individually switchable capacitors controlled by the processor capable of adding and removing the respective capacitances to and from the tuned circuit. The inductor includes a Faraday shield to shield the tuned circuit from the influence of electric fields. In an embodiment of the invention, the variable capacitor is in the form of a diode variable capacitor (varicap) in parallel circuit relationship with the tuned circuit capacitor and the inductor.