Abstract: An elongated medical sheath is configured to be movable and positionable proximate to a biological feature of a patient. An expandable-and-collapsible support structure is configured to be selectively movable, at least in part, between an interior of the elongated medical sheath and an exterior of the elongated medical sheath. An energy-emitting assembly is supported by the expandable-and-collapsible support structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for puncturing tissue, including a surgical introducer with a stiff main body and a flexible tip which can be used with a puncture device to gain epicardial access. The surgical introducer comprises an introducer shaft having a rigid portion and a flexible tip portion. The rigid portion has a metal tube extending to the rigid portion distal end. The flexible tip portion is distal of the metal tube distal end. The flexible tip portion includes a first polymer and a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is more flexible than the first polymer. The second polymer extends distally from the metal tube distal end to define a second polymer flexible tip segment. The first polymer extends distally from the second polymer flexible tip segment end to define a flexible tip portion cap.

Abstract: A method is provided of optimizing multi-cell association for a downlink multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) system that includes a plurality of base stations corresponding to C number of cells which serve K user terminals. Each user terminal connects with at least two cells. The method includes determining which cells for each user to connect with based on minimizing an objective function that is dependent on at least weight parameters for each kth user connected to each cth cell. Based on the determination, the user terminals are connected to their respective cells and the weight parameters are applied toward a beamforming configuration for the plurality of base stations. A device is also provided having processing circuitry configured to perform the method.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media perform steps for securing communications in a Multi-User (MU), Massive, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) network. The base station estimates an initial precoding matrix based on a first estimated value of a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) and determines a kth user device outage probability value and an eavesdropper device outage probability value associated with the eavesdropper device. An optimized beamformer weight matrix is determined based on the user device outage probability value and the eavesdropper device outage probability value. The base station determines whether the optimized beamformer weight matrix satisfies at least one outage condition. When the outage condition is satisfied, the base station transmits the optimized beamformer weight matrix to each remote radio head, which transmits downlink signals using a kth beamformer vector of the optimized beamformer weight matrix.

Abstract: A wireless network system includes a base station (BS) having a number of array antennas and a controller. The network system also includes a number of mobile stations (MS) each having its own antenna array. The base station modulates a transmit signal directed to a MS with a transmit beamformer as specified by the controller. The MS equalizes a received signal with a receive beamformer. The controller is configured to calculate an outage probability of the MS based on statistical channel state information at the BS, for a given set of a transmit beamformer wk, a receive beamformer vk, and a predetermined threshold of a signal-to-noise-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the MS. The controller is also configured to obtain a solution set comprising a transmit beamformer wk and a receive beamformer vk. The controller is further configured to specify, based on the obtained solution set, the beamformers to be adopted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for puncturing tissue, including a surgical introducer with a stiff main body and a flexible tip which can be used with a puncture device to gain epicardial access. The surgical introducer comprises an introducer shaft having a rigid portion and a flexible tip portion. The rigid portion has a metal tube extending to the rigid portion distal end. The flexible tip portion is distal of the metal tube distal end. The flexible tip portion includes a first polymer and a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is more flexible than the first polymer. The second polymer extends distally from the metal tube distal end to define a second polymer flexible tip segment. The first polymer extends distally from the second polymer flexible tip segment end to define a flexible tip portion cap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for puncturing a target tissue. Apparatus includes an elongate puncture device having a tip electrode that is configured for collecting EGMs and for delivering energy for puncturing the target tissue. The method comprising collecting EGMs to indirectly measure and monitor a pressure applied against the target tissue by the elongate puncture device, thereby confirming a position of the tip electrode of the elongate puncture device relative to the target tissue.

Abstract: A method of processing waveforms associated with an unknown random target, wherein the waveforms are transmitted from and received at a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar, is described. A finite signal is transferred through a digital to analog (D/A) filter and a modulation section, such that a set of transmitting antenna elements may transmit a plurality of incident waveforms towards the unknown target. When the MIMO radar receives a plurality of reflected waveforms from the unknown target, a received signal is formulated by filtering and demodulating the reflected waveforms. The received signal is a function of the target, clutter, and white noise. The received signal is used to determine a signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINK) ratio and also to derive a calculation module for the outage probability of the MIMO radar. The calculation module is solved to reduce the outage probability of the MIMO radar.

Abstract: A dryer filtration fabric for use in a drying section of a machine for producing and/or processing a fibrous web, in particular paper, cardboard, tissue or non-woven, has machine direction threads interwoven with machine cross direction threads to form a single-ply woven fabric having an air permeability between 40 cfm and 330 cfm. The machine direction threads and the machine cross direction threads have a flattened cross-sectional shape with a width-to-height ratio of more than 1. Each of the machine direction threads runs over and/or under a maximum of three, preferably a maximum of two, machine cross direction threads that are disposed directly beside one another. The number of the machine direction threads per 10 cm, viewed in the machine cross direction, lies in the range from 170 to 200, and the filling level of the machine direction threads lies in the range from 90% to 110%.

Abstract: A manipulator arm module includes a hollow spool with corresponding top and bottom spool ends. An upper envelope member has a bottom ring rotatably attached to the top spool end, a top ring oriented at an angle to the bottom ring, and struts rigidly connecting the rings. A top drive rotates the bottom ring with respect to the spool. A manipulator arm comprises a plurality of modules the bottom spool end of one module rotatably attached to the top ring of a next lower adjacent module. Each ring is rotationally driven independently. A stabilizer is connected between adjacent spools and allows the adjacent spools to move closer together or farther apart, and resists relative rotative movement of the adjacent spools.

Abstract: A manipulator arm module includes a hollow spool with corresponding top and bottom spool ends. An upper envelope member has a bottom ring rotatably attached to the top spool end, a top ring oriented at an angle to the bottom ring, and struts rigidly connecting the rings. A top drive rotates the bottom ring with respect to the spool. A manipulator arm comprises a plurality of modules the bottom spool end of one module rotatably attached to the top ring of a next lower adjacent module. Each ring is rotationally driven independently. A stabilizer is connected between adjacent spools and allows the adjacent spools to move closer together or farther apart, and resists relative rotative movement of the adjacent spools.

Abstract: A heterogeneous liquid-phase process for the hydrogenation of aldehydes of Formula (I) and (III) to the corresponding alcohols of Formula (II) and (IV) which process comprises contacting alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic solution of aldehydes and hydrogen gas with a catalyst comprising a reduced mixture of CuO and ZnO in presence of a metal of group IIIA of the Periodic Table, such as aluminium, as a promoter at a temperature of between about 110° and 180° C. and a pressure of between about 20 and 500 psig.