Abstract: A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails. Moving the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first motion mode to position the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is turned over a corner of the intersection that is accessible from the first position and that includes continuous rails connecting a vertical track and a horizontal track, whereby positioning the pinion-driven lift-robot in a second position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is moved in a second motion mode towards a designated direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit, which includes at least one splitter configured to split at least one input beam into multiple input beamlets and multiple phase modulators configured to phase-shift at least some of the input beamlets. The apparatus also includes an array of optical amplifiers configured to amplify the phase-shifted input beamlets and generate amplified beamlets. The apparatus further incudes a beam combiner configured to combine the amplified beamlets and generate an output beam. In addition, the apparatus includes a controller configured to control the phase modulators in order to adjust phasing of the phase-shifted input beamlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advancement in the art of cardiac pacemakers. The invention provides a novel and unobvious pacemaker system that comprises at least one pacemaker and that is, to a large extent, self-controlled, allows for long-term implantation in a patient, and minimizes current inconveniences and problems associated with battery life. The invention further includes a mechanism in which at least two pacemakers are implanted in a patient, and in which the pacemakers communicate with each other at the time of a given pacing or respiratory event, without any required external input, and adjust pacing parameters to respond to the patient's need for blood flow. The invention further provides a novel design for a pacemaker in which the pacemaker electrode is connected to the pacemaker body by a lead that is configured to allow the pacemaker to lie parallel to the epicardial surface and to reduce stress on the pacemaker and heart tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advancement in the art of cardiac pacemakers. The invention provides a novel and unobvious pacemaker system that comprises at least one pacemaker and that is, to a large extent, self-controlled, allows for long-term implantation in a patient, and minimizes current inconveniences and problems associated with battery life. The invention further includes a mechanism in which at least two pacemakers are implanted in a patient, and in which the pacemakers communicate with each other at the time of a given pacing or respiratory event, without any required external input, and adjust pacing parameters to respond to the patient's need for blood flow. The invention further provides a novel design for a pacemaker in which the pacemaker electrode is connected to the pacemaker body by a lead that is configured to allow the pacemaker to lie parallel to the epicardial surface and to reduce stress on the pacemaker and heart tissue.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasonic and sonic actuator with constrained impact mass is presented. According to one aspect, displacement of the impact mass is constrained by cavity to which ultrasonic stress from the tip of a horn is applied. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a spring attached to the tip of the horn. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a flexure. The constrained impact mass converts the ultrasonic stress to lower frequency sonic stress that is coupled to a transmitting element for transmission through a surface. According to one aspect, the transmitting element is a longitudinal probe. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a drill bit used to penetrate though the surface. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a thumper used to transmit elastic waves though the surface.

Abstract: Objects made of waterglass-bonded sand, methods of making such objects and kits useful for making such objects. In some embodiments, an object according to the teachings herein is a final goods (as opposed to being an intermediate goods) such as a toy, a medallion, a building block, furniture, a wall, a portion of a sand castle and a sand castle.

Abstract: A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator with increased radiating surface is presented. The increased radiating surface is provided by a plurality of piezoelectric stacks that are each compressed by action of a respective bolt against a common backing structure of the actuator. According to one aspect, each of the stacks includes a plurality of stacked piezoelectric rings with the respective bolt arranged through the central opening of the rings. According to another aspect, one or both of the backing structure and the horn of the actuator include tuning grooves and/or tuning slots to produce amplitude uniformity of displacement through the actuator. According to another aspect, the radiating surface has a symmetrical shape about an axial direction of the actuator with a lateral dimension that is in a range between one quarter and one half of the wavelength of operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A variety pack production system includes multiple of frame sections each having a rigid frame, casters, leveling legs, and forklift channels. Each of the plurality of frame sections includes connection points configured to connect with at least one adjacent frame section. A method for variety pack production includes the steps of loading a first plurality of products having a common SKU into a first lane, loading a second plurality of products have a common SKU into a second lane, moving the first and second plurality of products through a singulation stage before entering a packing area, and moving a first predetermined number of the first plurality of products and a second predetermined number of the second plurality of products from the packing area into a variety pack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel design for sheaths intended for medical procedures. The sheath includes structures that anchor the sheath in a cavity or space when deployed but are at the same time retractable such that the sheath can be removed without tearing the tissue defining the space.

Abstract: A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails. Moving the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first motion mode to position the pinion-driven lift-robot in a first position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is turned over a corner of the intersection that is accessible from the first position and that includes continuous rails connecting a vertical track and a horizontal track, whereby positioning the pinion-driven lift-robot in a second position at the intersection. The pinion-driven lift-robot is moved in a second motion mode towards a designated direction.

Abstract: A system includes at least one component configured to generate thermal energy, a heat spreader configured to remove thermal energy from the at least one component, and at least one substrate configured to remove thermal energy from the heat spreader. The heat spreader includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the heat spreader is coupled to the substrate, and the second portion of the heat spreader is coupled to the at least one component. The first portion of the heat spreader includes high aspect-ratio structures that are separated from one another. The high aspect-ratio structures cause the first portion of the heat spreader to be pliable and able to accommodate a mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion between a material in the heat spreader and a material in the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a structure configured to receive and transport thermal energy. The structure includes one or more materials configured to undergo a solid-solid phase transformation at a specified temperature or in a specified temperature range. The one or more materials form a heat input region configured to receive the thermal energy and a cold sink interface region configured to reject the thermal energy. The structure also includes one or more thermal energy transfer devices embedded in at least part of the one or more materials. The one or more thermal energy transfer devices are configured to transfer the thermal energy throughout the one or more materials and at least partially between the heat input region and the cold sink interface region. The one or more materials are also configured to absorb and store excess thermal energy in response to a temperature excursion associated with a thermal transient event and to release the stored thermal energy after the thermal transient event.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel design for sheaths intended for medical procedures. The sheath includes structures that anchor the sheath in a cavity or space when deployed but are at the same time retractable such that the sheath can be removed without tearing the tissue defining the space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit, which includes at least one splitter configured to split at least one input beam into multiple input beamlets and multiple phase modulators configured to phase-shift at least some of the input beamlets. The apparatus also includes an array of optical amplifiers configured to amplify the phase-shifted input beamlets and generate amplified beamlets. The apparatus further incudes a beam combiner configured to combine the amplified beamlets and generate an output beam. In addition, the apparatus includes a controller configured to control the phase modulators in order to adjust phasing of the phase-shifted input beamlets.

Abstract: A heating device for testing a biological sample is disclosed. The heating device can include a heat source operable to generate heat. In addition, the heating device can include a controller in communication with the heat source and operable to control heat generation by the heat source to heat a biological sample at less than or equal to about 2 degrees C./s. Furthermore, a heating device for testing a biological sample is disclosed that can include a heat source operable to generate heat to heat a biological sample. The biological sample can be at least partially contained within a removable enclosure distinct from the heating device. Additionally, the heating device can include an enclosure interface associated with the heat source. The enclosure interface can be configured to interface with the enclosure such that heat is transferred from the heat source to the enclosure by conduction.

Abstract: A liquid biological sample test cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge can include a tray. The cartridge can also include a chemical reaction pad supported by the tray. The cartridge can further include a chemical reaction pad cover disposed over the chemical reaction pad and coupled to the tray. The chemical reaction pad cover can have a sample opening to facilitate depositing a liquid biological sample at a predetermined location on the chemical reaction pad. In addition, the cartridge can include an outer cover operable to at least partially form an enclosure about the chemical reaction pad.

Abstract: An open coiled pacemaker lead is provided that has improved structural stability and functional life in vivo. The open coiled lead includes an electrically conductive material that is coated or covered by a thin layer of electrically insulative material. The coated coiled lead has adequate spacing between adjacent coils, and has a lumen of sufficient diameter, to allow for infiltration of biological connective tissue onto the surface of the coated coil when maintained in vivo for a sufficient amount of time. Infiltration of the connective tissue essentially uniformly along the entire coiled lead strengthens and lengthens the functional life of the coated coil lead.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advancement in the art of cardiac pacemakers. The invention provides a novel and unobvious pacemaker system that comprises at least one pacemaker and that is, to a large extent, self-controlled, allows for long-term implantation in a patient, and minimizes current inconveniences and problems associated with battery life. The invention further includes a mechanism in which at least two pacemakers are implanted in a patient, and in which the pacemakers communicate with each other at the time of a given pacing or respiratory event, without any required external input, and adjust pacing parameters to respond to the patient's need for blood flow. The invention further provides a novel design for a pacemaker in which the pacemaker electrode is connected to the pacemaker body by a lead that is configured to allow the pacemaker to lie parallel to the epicardial surface and to reduce stress on the pacemaker and heart tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides advancements in the art of cardiac pacemakers. The invention provides a pacemaker system that comprises at least one pacemaker and that is, to a large extent, self-controlled, allows for long-term implantation in a patient, and minimizes current inconveniences and problems associated with battery life. The invention further includes a mechanism in which at least two pacemakers are implanted in a patient, and in which the pacemakers communicate with each other at the time of a given pacing or respiratory event, without any required external input, and adjust pacing parameters to respond to the patient's need for blood flow. The invention further provides a design for a pacemaker in which the pacemaker electrode is connected to the pacemaker body by a lead that is configured to allow the pacemaker to lie parallel to the epicardial surface and to reduce stress on the pacemaker and heart tissue.