Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a galvanic isolation device on a silicon substrate and a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate. The galvanic isolation device includes a lower isolation element over the silicon substrate and an upper isolation element above the lower isolation element, separated by a dielectric plateau that comprises inorganic dielectric material extending from the lower isolation element to the upper isolation element. The galvanic isolation device includes lower bond pads connected to the lower isolation element adjacent to the dielectric plateau, and upper bond pads over the dielectric plateau, connected to the upper isolation element. The semiconductor device includes an active component, and device bond pads coupled to the active component. The microelectronic device includes first electrical connections to the lower bond pads and second electrical connections to the upper bond pads.

Abstract: A microelectronic device including an isolation device with a stabilized dielectric. The isolation device includes a lower isolation element, an upper isolation element, and an inorganic dielectric plateau between the lower isolation element and the upper isolation element. The dielectric sidewall of the inorganic dielectric plateau is stabilized in a nitrogen containing plasma which forms a SiOxNy surface on the dielectric sidewall of the inorganic dielectric plateau. The SiOxNy surface on the dielectric sidewall of the inorganic dielectric plateau reduces ingress of moisture into the dielectric stack of the inorganic dielectric plateau.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a galvanic isolation component having a lower isolation element over a substrate with lower bond pads connected to the lower isolation element, a dielectric plateau over the lower isolation element that does not extend to the lower bond pads, and an upper isolation element and upper bond pads over the dielectric plateau. The upper bond pads are laterally separated from the lower bond pads by an isolation distance. The microelectronic device includes high voltage wire bonds on the upper bond pads that extend upward, within 10 degrees of vertical, for a vertical distance greater than the isolation distance. The microelectronic device further includes low voltage wire bonds on the lower bond pads that have a loop height directly over a perimeter of the substrate that is less than 5 times a wire diameter of the low voltage wire bonds.

Abstract: A system may provide a plurality of communication modes to a remote server system and provide remote control and monitoring of the system via two-way communication. The system may communicate with an alarm processor of an alarm system. The system may determine a communication mode to provide communication between the alarm system and the remote server. The system may send status and alarm conditions to the remote server, and the system may send control signals to the alarm system. The remote server may provide a pre-determined response to information received from the alarm system, for example the alarm system may provide alarm system condition information to a user or a monitoring station for response.

Abstract: A Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system that is configured to receive a refrigerant from a condenser at a fixed expansion device and a variable expansion device. The system is further configured to output a first portion of the refrigerant to a first downstream HVAC component at a fixed flow rate using the fixed expansion device. The system is further configured to apply a first force to a pin of the variable expansion device based on a sensed temperature. The system is further configured to apply a second force to a valve of the variable expansion device via the force applied to the pin and to output a second portion of the refrigerant to a second downstream HVAC component at a variable flow rate based on the second force using the valve of the variable expansion device.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a mobile device management (MDM) server from a carrier server, at least one activation code. The at least one activation code is associated with an inactive, organization owned cellular line of service. The method includes enrolling at least one personally owned device with the MDM server as an at least one personally owned, managed device. The method also includes, responsive to the at least one personally owned device being enrolled, transmitting a message to a push notification server, which initiates the at least one personally owned, managed device to communicate with the MDM server. The method includes transmitting, in response to the at least one personally owned, managed device communicating with the MDM server, one activation code of the at least one activation code to the at least one personally owned, managed device. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: An instrument device manipulator (IDM) is attached to a surgical arm of a robotic system and comprises a surgical tool holder and an outer housing. The surgical tool holder includes an attachment interface that can secure a surgical tool in a front-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on a face opposite of a proximal extension of the surgical tool) or a back-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on the same face as the proximal extension of the surgical tool). The surgical tool holder may rotate continuously within the outer housing. In a back-mount configuration, the surgical tool holder may have a passage that receives the proximal extension of the tool and allows free rotation of the proximal extension about the rotational axis. A surgical drape separates the IDM and robotic arm from a tool, while allowing electrical and/or optical signals to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A virtual assistant/chatbot to improve clinical workflow for home renal replacement therapies is disclosed herein. A virtual assistant/chatbot includes a patient-facing user interface configured to enable a patient to engage in a virtual chat session by typing, speaking, or otherwise providing information regarding a patient request or issue related to their renal replacement therapy. The virtual assistant/chatbot also includes a backend server-based system configured to provide logic to respond to a patient's requests. The logic defines a sequence of questions and answers for resolving patient queries. The sequence of assistant/chatbot questions and patient answers may be configured in a node arrangement such that certain patient answers/requests lead to additional questions for additional information from a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trocar module (10) for ophthalmic surgery, comprising a tubular shaped cannula (11) for insertion through the eye's sclera. The cannula (11) can be coupled to a fluid connector (50). The proximal part of the cannula (11) has a first tapered tube portion (21), a second tapered tube portion (22) and an intermediate tube portion (23) located between the first tapered tube portion (21) and the second tapered tube portion (22). The first tapered tube portion (21) aligns with the capillary tube (52) of the fluid connector (50) during coupling, while the intermediate tube portion (23) encloses a distal end (22) of the capillary tube (52) in the coupled state. The second tapered tube portion (22) tapers from the intermediate tube portion (23) towards the cannula (11) distal part of the trocar cannula (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of managing the power requirements of an off-grid assembly, and in particular a solar powered off-grid floodlight assembly, that has one or more functional components with electrical power demands that are met by energy storage means. In a first stage the method determines the current state of charge of the energy storage means and records such. This current state of charge determined is then compared with a calculated power requirement for operating said functional components for at least one required operating period. The level of power supplied by the energy storage means to the functional components is then managed in accordance with a power rationing model that comprises instructions to vary the power supplied over time to ensure at least partial functionality of the functional components throughout the required operating period or periods.

Abstract: High-connection density and bandwidth fiber optic apparatuses and related equipment and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, fiber optic apparatuses are provided and comprise a chassis defining one or more U space fiber optic equipment units. At least one of the one or more U space fiber optic equipment units may be configured to support particular fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths in a given 1-U space. The fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths may be supported by one or more fiber optic components, including but not limited to fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors, including but not limited to simplex, duplex, and other multi-fiber fiber optic components. The fiber optic components may also be disposed in fiber optic modules, fiber optic patch panels, or other types of fiber optic equipment.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving a plurality of observed or measured signals indicative of a parameter observed or measured for a plurality of defined spaces; determining, for at least some of the defined spaces, whether the defined space comprises one or more sample nucleic acids; processing, for at least some of the defined spaces, the observed or measured signal to improve a quality of the observed or measured signal; generating, for at least some of the defined spaces, a set of candidate sequences of bases for the defined space using one or more metrics adapted to associate a score or penalty to the candidate sequences of bases; and selecting the candidate sequence leading to a highest score or a lowest penalty as corresponding to the correct sequence for the one or more sample nucleic acids in the defined space.

Abstract: A virtual assistant/chatbot to improve clinical workflow for home renal replacement therapies is disclosed herein. A virtual assistant/chatbot includes a patient-facing user interface configured to enable a patient to engage in a virtual chat session by typing, speaking, or otherwise providing information regarding a patient request or issue related to their renal replacement therapy. The virtual assistant/chatbot also includes a backend server-based system configured to provide logic to respond to a patient's requests. The logic defines a sequence of questions and answers for resolving patient queries. The sequence of assistant/chatbot questions and patient answers may be configured in a node arrangement such that certain patient answers/requests lead to additional questions for additional information from a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a viral vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a complement protein, wherein the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a podocyte-specific promoter and/or the viral vector is capable of specifically transducing podocytes.

Abstract: Presented is an Isokinetic exercise system having a base, a pedestal, a vertical member, a height adjustable vertical column for resting a rotary actuator on top, a resistance control valve unit with rotatable dials connected to the actuator, wherein the rotatable dials are selectively used to rotatably set a range of resistances for opposing movements to accommodate varying exerted forces by a user performing an intended exercise. The system further includes an electronics module to detect angle and pressure related data (as a measure of voltages) associated with the actuator, an A to D converter to convert the detected voltages in a digital form, a display unit embodying a program product for receiving, and processing the detected voltages to generate and display a muscular performance assessment report, store the received voltages for future comparison and enable printing the muscular performance assessment report, enable configuring next intended exercise.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a camera can involve automatically setting an exposure control for a camera based on data obtained from the camera and using a synchronized infrared flash for video recording by the camera with the exposure control automatically set for the camera. The exposure control can include a managed fixed exposure time controlled with automatic gain correction by the camera. The exposure time for the camera can be fixed. A gain can be monitored, and the exposure time adjusted when an average gain attains a maximum value or a minimum value with changes to ambient light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for peritoneal catheter placement are disclosed herein. An example method includes using a puncture device to create an access hole to a patient's peritoneal cavity. The puncture device includes a lumen that enables a guidewire to be inserted into the peritoneal cavity. The puncture device is then replaced with a catheter, which is inserted along the guidewire. A surgical seal is next applied to connect the catheter to adjacent patient muscle tissue. After the guidewire is removed, a tunneling device creates a pathway through fat tissue to anchor the catheter. An end of the tunneling device is aligned with an external piercing device to pierce the patient's skin from the outside, creating a catheter exit hole. An end of the catheter is connected to the tunneling device and pulled through the exit hole, thereby enabling the catheter to be connected to peritoneal dialysis tubing for a treatment.

Abstract: High-connection density and bandwidth fiber optic apparatuses and related equipment and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, fiber optic apparatuses are provided and comprise a chassis defining one or more U space fiber optic equipment units. At least one of the one or more U space fiber optic equipment units may be configured to support particular fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths in a given 1-U space. The fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths may be supported by one or more fiber optic components, including but not limited to fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors, including but not limited to simplex, duplex, and other multi-fiber fiber optic components. The fiber optic components may also be disposed in fiber optic modules, fiber optic patch panels, or other types of fiber optic equipment.

Abstract: An improved air compressor is provided. The air compressor includes a cylinder block having a head deck that defines a piston bore for reciprocal movement of a piston therein. The head deck further includes first and second ramped surfaces that slope downward toward the peripheral edge of the piston bore. A valve plate is in direct contact with the upper surface of the head deck, the valve plate having a leaf valve. During an intake stroke of the piston, the leaf valve deflects downward into direct engagement with the first and second ramped surfaces. Because the air compressor lacks a lower gasket between the valve plate and the head deck, the cost and assembly time associated with the lower gasket are eliminated.