Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use of a fill on demand ampoule are disclosed. The fill on demand ampoule may refill an ampoule with precursor concurrent with the performance of other deposition processes. The fill on demand may keep the level of precursor within the ampoule at a relatively constant level. The level may be calculated to result in an optimum head volume. The fill on demand may also keep the precursor at a temperature near that of an optimum precursor temperature. The fill on demand may occur during parts of the deposition process where the agitation of the precursor due to the filling of the ampoule with the precursor minimally effects the substrate deposition. Substrate throughput may be increased through the use of fill on demand.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an automatic speech recognition (ASR) module, a natural-language understanding (NLU) module, a dialog manager, one or more agents, an arbitrator, a delivery system, one or more processors, and a non-transitory memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to receive a user input, process the user input using the ASR module, the NLU module, the dialog manager, one or more of the agents, the arbitrator, and the delivery system, and provide a response to the user input.

Abstract: Device and methods for a wearable medical device are disclosed. The device and methods use an on-board mobile system to alert emergency services when the user is in cardiovascular distress. The device takes advantage of newly miniaturized electrocardiograph, pulse oximetry sensors, mutual reinforcement and anomaly detection algorithms. Electrocardiograph waveforms are recorded digitally for physician review with emphasis on critical events. In the occurrence of a immediate critical-need cardiac event, the system will contact emergency services (EMS) for assistance. The system is a biometric monitoring system that implements key concepts of cardiovascular monitoring through pulse oximetry and electrocardiography (ECG). The system implements key concepts of ECGs and active/capacitive electrodes to produce a wireless network of (individually isolated) ECG nodes that can produce a system ranging from 3 to 16 leads.

Abstract: A method of treating an aircraft transparency includes applying a water repellant coating composition over a surface of an aircraft transparency substrate, the water repellant coating composition includes a non-chlorinated perfluoroalkylalkylsilane and/or a non-halogenated polyorganosiloxane. The method can include applying a primer composition having an organic solvent and a silicon material over the aircraft transparency substrate to form a primed substrate surface; applying the water repellant coating composition over the primed substrate surface; and heating the water repellant coating composition to form a water repellant coating.

Abstract: A system for measuring the ECG of a user by having at least two sensors, all of which are attached to only one peripheral of the user. The system may also comprise a controller for determining ECG signals from the data received from the sensors. The system may be in the form of a wearable band on which the sensors and the controller are disposed. The sensors may be capacitive sensors, electrically coupled capacitive sensors, or electrodes. The sensors may be attached to one arm of a user. The sensors may be disposed on the inside and outside of the arm away from each other at the same axial position on the arm. The sensors may be disposed at axially different positions on the arm, for example, one at the wrist and the other at the shoulder of the user.

Abstract: Device and methods for a wearable medical device are disclosed. The device and methods use an on-board mobile system to alert emergency services when the user is in cardiovascular distress. The device takes advantage of newly miniaturized electrocardiograph, pulse oximetry sensors, mutual reinforcement and anomaly detection algorithms. Electrocardiograph waveforms are recorded digitally for physician review with emphasis on critical events. In the occurrence of a immediate critical-need cardiac event, the system will contact emergency services (EMS) for assistance. The system is a biometric monitoring system that implements key concepts of cardiovascular monitoring through pulse oximetry and electrocardiography (ECG). The system implements key concepts of ECGs and active/capacitive electrodes to produce a wireless network of (individually isolated) ECG nodes that can produce a system ranging from 3 to 16 leads.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling electrical systems in a motor vehicle with electric or hybrid drive has a first and a second AC voltage source for an alternating voltage between a first or second terminal and a reference terminal. First and second voltmeters detect a first or second voltage between the first or second terminal and the reference terminal. A control unit controls the AC voltage sources, receives the voltages from the voltmeters and determines insulation resistance for subassemblies that are connected to the terminals. The insulation resistance is relative to a potential connected to the reference terminal. A precharge state of a capacitative load connected to the first terminal is determined. The load is precharged by a voltage supply unit connected to the second terminal. The switching state of at least one switch between two subassemblies is determined. The subassemblies are connected to the first or second terminal.

Abstract: A method of treating an aircraft transparency includes applying a water repellant coating composition over a surface of an aircraft transparency substrate, the water repellant coating composition includes a non-chlorinated perfluoroalkylalkylsliane and/or a non-halogenated polyorganosiloxane. The method can include applying a primer composition having an organic solvent and a silicon material over the aircraft transparency substrate to form a primed substrate surface; applying the water repellant coating composition over the primed substrate surface; and heating the water repellant coating composition to form a water repellant coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling electrical systems in a motor vehicle with electric or hybrid drive has a first and a second AC voltage source for an alternating voltage between a first or second terminal and a reference terminal. First and second voltmeters detect a first or second voltage between the first or second terminal and the reference terminal. A control unit controls the AC voltage sources, receives the voltages from the voltmeters and determines insulation resistance for subassemblies that are connected to the terminals. The insulation resistance is relative to a potential connected to the reference terminal. A precharge state of a capacitative load connected to the first terminal is determined. The load is precharged by a voltage supply unit connected to the second terminal. The switching state of at least one switch between two subassemblies is determined. The subassemblies are connected to the first or second terminal.

Abstract: A system for forming a purse string suture, including a suture applicator having a proximal handle, a length of suture wound on a spool, and a hollow suture needle extending from a distal end of the handle. The suture needle projects distally from the handle in a helical shape and terminates in a sharp distal tip with an opening in one side close to the distal tip. A free end of the length of suture may extend out of the distal tip and back into the hollow suture needle through the opening. The suture needle may have a deflection segment adjacent the distal tip that is more flexible than the rest of the helical distal portion of the suture needle. A linear hollow pivot shaft extends from a distal end of the handle substantially along an axis of the helical distal portion of the suture needle.

Abstract: A system for forming a purse string suture, including a suture applicator having a proximal handle having a suture spool mounted thereon or in an internal chamber. A length of suture is partly wound on the spool, and a hollow suture needle extends from a distal end of the handle and contains a free end of the length of suture. The suture needle projects distally from the handle in a helical shape and terminates in a sharp distal tip with an opening in one side close to the distal tip. The free end of the length of suture may extend out of the distal tip and back into the hollow suture needle through the opening. The suture needle may have a deflection segment adjacent the distal tip that is more flexible than the rest of the helical distal portion of the suture needle. A linear hollow pivot shaft extends from a distal end of the handle substantially along an axis of the helical distal portion of the suture needle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the special relationship between vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks. A method for performing a transpedicular discectomy procedure may include creating a transpedicular channel to a first vertebral body through a first pedicle of a first vertebra; inserting a flexible drill through the transpedicular channel causing the flexible drill to make an approximately 90 degree angle, the flexible drill creating a channel through the first vertebral body into an intervertebral disk; and removing a portion of the intervertebral disk with a laser device.

Abstract: A flexible drill and method of drilling a material are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a flexible drill includes a lower sub-assembly connected to an upper sub-assembly, where the lower sub-assembly comprises a retainer tube and the upper sub-assembly comprises a guiding tube; a drilling tip, and capable of orienting the drilling tip at a predetermined position after accessing a material to he drilled through a substantially straight passage having a lone axis. The predetermined position is at least 10° off of the lone axis of the substantially straight passage. According to one embodiment, a method of drilling a material includes the steps of (a) providing a flexible drill; (b) advancing the drill through a substantially straight passage until the drilling tip accesses the material to be drilled, thereby orienting the drilling tip at the predetermined position; and (c) actuating the drill.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling pop noises in a sound broadcasting system. After controllably connecting an output of a drive amplifier to a first predetermined low voltage level through a first switch, a first portion of an operation control data set is input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit for driving an output thereof to a second predetermined low voltage level, and a second portion of the operation control data set is also input to the DAC circuit and further to the drive amplifier to bring the output of the drive amplifier to a common mode voltage level over a predetermined rise-up time period for controlling the pop noises.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling pop noises in a sound broadcasting system. After controllably connecting an output of a drive amplifier to a first predetermined low voltage level through a first switch, a first portion of an operation control data set is input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit for driving an output thereof to a second predetermined low voltage level, and a second portion of the operation control data set is also input to the DAC circuit and further to the drive amplifier to bring the output of the drive amplifier to a common mode voltage level over a predetermined rise-up time period for controlling the pop noises.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the special relationship between vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks. A method for performing a transpedicular discectomy procedure may include creating a transpedicular channel to a first vertebral body through a first pedicle of a first vertebra; inserting a flexible drill through the transpedicular channel causing the flexible drill to make an approximately 90 degree angle, the flexible drill creating a channel through the first vertebral body into an intervertebral disk; and removing a portion of the intervertebral disk with a laser device.