Abstract: An implantable medical device has a therapy module configured to generate a composite pacing pulse including a series of at least two individual pulses. The therapy module is configured to generate the composite pacing pulse by generating a first pulse of the at least two individual pulses by selectively coupling a first portion of a plurality of capacitors to an output signal line and generate a second pulse of the at least two individual pulses by selectively coupling a second portion of the plurality of capacitors to the output signal line.

Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly is connectable to an ultrasound system and comprises one or more ultrasound transducer elements supported by a cap. The ultrasound transducer elements are operable to direct ultrasound energy toward brain tissue of a subject and/or to receive echo ultrasound energy when the ultrasound transducer assembly is mounted on the head of the subject. Some embodiments include a fillable jacket coupled to the inner surface of the cap and in acoustic contact with the one or more transducer elements.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an ultrasound system can include an integrated pullback arrangement. For example, the catheter assembly can include a telescoping pullback section having a first telescope, a second telescope, a distal grip coupling one of the first or second telescope to the distal sheath of the distal section, and a proximal grip coupled to another of the first or second telescope so that the first telescope can be retracted into the second telescope and a sensor to determine a position of the first telescope. Another example includes the sensor and a pullback slider arrangement having a housing defining a slit, a coupler disposed within the housing, and a slider handle extending through the slit and coupled to the coupler. In another example, the coupler and housing can be gripped and slid relative to each other.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an ultrasound system can include an integrated pullback arrangement. For example, the catheter assembly can include a telescoping pullback section having a first telescope, a second telescope, a distal grip coupling one of the first or second telescope to the distal sheath of the distal section, and a proximal grip coupled to another of the first or second telescope so that the first telescope can be retracted into the second telescope and a sensor to determine a position of the first telescope. Another example includes the sensor and a pullback slider arrangement having a housing defining a slit, a coupler disposed within the housing, and a slider handle extending through the slit and coupled to the coupler. In another example, the coupler and housing can be gripped and slid relative to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for processing digital images that efficiently buffers pixel data relating to digital images is disclosed. Pixel values are read from an image storage memory and temporarily stored in a buffer memory according to a non-raster pattern. The processing of pixels also occurs according to a more efficient non-raster patter.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation technique is disclosed for use in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a photocopier. The technique implements a pacer to synthesize the frequency of a serializer circuit by stretching (or shrinking) pixel pulse train data. The pacer stretches the pixel pulse train data in accord with increment data that is based upon information about the image forming device, such as the number of bits in the pixel pulse train data, the number of bits in print engine pulse train, the target print engine frequency, and the serializer frequency. The technique can be implemented with digital circuits that provide digital test data.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an imaging device for inserting into a lumen of a catheter. The imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer and bias circuitry electrically coupled to the transducer for biasing the transducer. At least one communication line is coupled to both the ultrasound transducer and the bias circuitry and extends to a proximal end of the catheter. The at least one communication line transmits a transducer drive signal to the transducer and a charge signal to the bias circuitry. At least one inductive coupler is in communication with the at least one communication line. The transducer drive signal and the charge signal are both AC signals. The transducer drive signal has a transducer-drive-signal frequency and the charge signal has a charge-signal frequency that is different than the transducer-drive-signal frequency.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation technique is disclosed for use in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a photocopier. The technique implements a pacer to synthesize the frequency of a serializer circuit by stretching (or shrinking) pixel pulse train data. The pacer stretches the pixel pulse train data in accord with increment data that is based upon information about the image forming device, such as the number of bits in the pixel pulse train data, the number of bits in print engine pulse train, the target print engine frequency, and the serializer frequency. The technique can be implemented with digital circuits that provide digital test data.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implemented using a few terminals of the ASIC.

Abstract: A direct memory access controller is set forth. The direct memory access controller includes first and second registers storing various values that are used to set the parameters of DMA transfers that take place during a single data transaction. The first register stores a start address location value used to define a start address at which direct memory access transfers for the transaction are to begin. The second register stores a value used to end data transfers of the data transaction. The DMA controller also includes transfer control circuitry for executing the data transaction. The transfer control circuitry is adapted to automatically execute multiple, consecutive data transactions using the values stored in the first and second registers.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implemented using a few terminals of the ASIC.

Abstract: A system and method for processing digital images that efficiently buffers pixel data relating to digital images is disclosed. Pixel values are read from an image storage memory and temporarily stored in a buffer memory according to a non-raster pattern. The processing of pixels also occurs according to a more efficient non-raster pattern.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handshaking using a 2-wire protocol is described. An electronic component may be divided into blocks, with the blocks performing one or more functions. The blocks may be in series with one another to form a pipeline. The blocks may use interface circuitry to transfer information upstream from or downstream to another block. The interface circuitry uses the 2-wire handshaking for the transfer including a transmit readiness wire configured to carry a signal indicative of readiness of the upstream circuit to output data and a receive readiness wire configured to carry a signal indicative of readiness of the downstream circuit to receive the data.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter, an imaging core, and a shield-coupling capacitor. The catheter defines a lumen extending along a longitudinal length of the catheter. The imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, one or more transducers, one or more conductors, and a conductive shield. The one or more transducers are mounted to the rotatable driveshaft. The one or more conductors are coupled to the one or more transducers and extend along the driveshaft. The conductive shield is disposed around the one or more conductors. The shield-coupling capacitor is electrically coupled to the conductive shield and includes one or more rotating capacitors. The one or more rotating capacitors include one or more rotating plates and one or more stationary plates. The shield-coupling capacitor is configured and arranged for coupling to a system ground.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer. In addition, a number of different transducer arrangements and methods of making transducers are presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handshaking using a 2-wire protocol is described. An electronic component may be divided into blocks, with the blocks performing one or more functions. The blocks may be in series with one another to form a pipeline. The blocks may use interface circuitry to transfer information upstream from or downstream to another block. The interface circuitry uses the 2-wire handshaking for the transfer including a transmit readiness wire configured to carry a signal indicative of readiness of the upstream circuit to output data and a receive readiness wire configured to carry a signal indicative of readiness of the downstream circuit to receive the data.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC.