Abstract: Various embodiments discussed herein enable client applications to be heavily integrated with a voice assistant in order to perform commands associated with voice utterances of users via voice assistant functionality and also seamlessly cause client applications to automatically perform native functions as part of executing the voice utterance. Such heavy integration also allows particular embodiments to support multi-modal input from a user for a single conversational interaction. In this way, client application user interface interactions, such as clicks, touch gestures, or text inputs are executed alternative or in addition to the voice utterances.

Abstract: A method of generating a plasma is provided. The method uses a plasma antenna having a length, the method including driving an electrical conductor of the plasma antenna with RF frequency current to generate plasma both at a first location and at a second location spaced apart from the first location in a direction along the length of the antenna, there being a region adjacent to the antenna between the first location and the second location at which the generation of plasma is curtailed as a result of at least one shield member.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a product application system comprising a plurality of actuatable applicator mechanisms. Each actuatable applicator mechanism is configured to apply a substance on an agricultural surface. An imaging system includes an imaging capture component configured to capture of an image of plant matter on the agricultural surface, and an image processing module configured to determine a characteristic of the plant matter based on the image. A control system is configured to control one or more of the actuatable applicator mechanisms to apply the substance on the agricultural surface based on the determined characteristic, obtain diagnostic data indicative of operation of the imaging system, and generate a user interface display that displays a representation of the diagnostic data.

Abstract: In a system including geographically distinct data centers that support a customer service team with customer service groups variously aligned to the data centers and collectively providing continuous customer service to a specified set of customers via multiple temporal duty shift, unsolved problems to be transferred to a customer service group having a next temporal duty shift are prioritized. In accordance with the prioritization, information and data regarding unsolved problems is synchronized and transferred from a customer service data center supporting the currently working customer service group, to a customer service data center supporting a customer service group having the next temporal duty shift. The information regarding unsolved problems or otherwise higher priority problems is synchronized before information regarding solved or otherwise lower priority problems and is optionally synchronized via different communication channels than lower priority problem information.

Abstract: In a system including geographically distinct data centers that support a customer service team with customer service groups variously aligned to the data centers and collectively providing continuous customer service to a specified set of customers via multiple temporal duty shift, unsolved problems to be transferred to a customer service group having a next temporal duty shift are prioritized. In accordance with the prioritization, information and data regarding unsolved problems is synchronized and transferred from a customer service data center supporting the currently working customer service group, to a customer service data center supporting a customer service group having the next temporal duty shift. The information regarding unsolved problems or otherwise higher priority problems is synchronized before information regarding solved or otherwise lower priority problems and is optionally synchronized via different communication channels than lower priority problem information.

Abstract: Techniques for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of user support services and capital resources are disclosed herein. One or more tools are provided that allow a user support services group to be managed more efficiently. User support services groups are managed as a typical profit and loss (P&L) center, and one or more tools provides a P&L-type interface that allows user services support managers to make balancing decision taking into account revenue and cost considerations.

Abstract: A hollow guidewire with a shapeable distal end, for removing tissue from a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The hollow guidewire comprises an elongate, tubular guidewire body that has an axial lumen. A tissue removal assembly, such as a rotating drive shaft, is positioned at or near a distal end of the tubular guidewire body and extends through the axial lumen. Actuation of the tissue removal assembly removes occlusive material in the body lumen.

Abstract: A hollow guidewire with a shapeable distal end, for removing tissue from a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The hollow guidewire comprises an elongate, tubular guidewire body that has an axial lumen. A tissue removal assembly, such as a rotating drive shaft, is positioned at or near a distal end of the tubular guidewire body and extends through the axial lumen. Actuation of the tissue removal assembly removes occlusive material in the body lumen.

Abstract: A torqueable hollow device, such as a hollow guidewire device, with a pre-determined fixed distal tip is disclosed for removing occlusive material and passing through occlusions, stenosis, thrombus, plaque, calcified material, and other materials in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The hollow guidewire generally comprises an elongate, tubular guidewire body that has an axial lumen. A mechanically moving core element is positioned at or near a distal end of the tubular guidewire body and extends through the axial lumen. Actuation of the core element (e.g., oscillation, reciprocation, and/or rotation) creates a passage through the occlusive or stenotic material in the body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering and deploying a closure element to an opening formed in a body lumen, including a delivery assembly positionable through the tissue and into the opening. The delivery assembly includes a distal locator portion and a carrier assembly oriented proximal to the distal locator portion. The distal locator portion is configured to selectably engage the body lumen adjacent to the opening, and the carrier assembly is configured to carry and support the closure element in a substantially tubular configuration. The carrier assembly is further configured to urge the closure element toward an expanded cross-sectional dimension for deployment thereof, such that the closure element is oriented to engage the tissue when deployed and, when released, to return to the natural, substantially planar configuration and the natural cross-section dimension wherein the engaged tissue is drawn substantially closed.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen using a clip can include advancing a distal end of an elongate member within the body lumen, the elongate member having a distal portion that assists in presenting the wall for receiving a clip having a plurality of tissue engaging portions having tips that point generally toward a central axis of the clip. The clip can be advanced relative to the elongate member and the wall of the body lumen until the plurality of tissue engaging portions penetrate the wall of the body lumen. Once the clip penetrates the wall, the elongate member can be withdrawn from the body lumen, leaving the clip to substantially close the opening in the wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: A controller system includes a device configured to cross an occlusion or stenosis and a control unit. The occlusion-crossing device has an axial lumen and a drive shaft extending through the axial lumen. The control unit is coupled to the device. The control unit has a processor which produces a variable sound and a variable visual display in response to a load measurement on the drive shaft. The load may be measured by a change in current in a motor which drives the shaft. This change in current is then converted to a frequency for variable sound and to a visual display indicative of the load. The load status on the motor may be divided into discrete load levels and correspondingly indicated by discrete levels in the feedback sound frequency and the visual display. This system may be used to monitor and facilitate crossing vascular total occlusions during percutaneous interventions.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, kit and method for providing neural stimulation to reduce preterm labor contractions and thereby reduce subsequent preterm births. The present invention includes one or more implantable electrodes adapted for electrical communication with one or more sacral nerve roots and an electrical energy generator to produce one or more electrical signals in electrical communication with the one or more implantable electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, a kit and an apparatus for prompting a user of an urination event. The present invention includes a portable incontinence prompting apparatus having a timer mechanism for timing an interval disposed within a housing and a time interval selection mechanism in communication with the timer mechanism for selecting a preset time interval. The apparatus includes a prompting mechanism in communication with the timer mechanism for issuing a prompting signal in response to a signal from the timer timing mechanism.

Abstract: A closure system and methods of use are provided for use in sealing an opening in a body tissue, such as a vascular puncture site. A method of closing the opening in the body tissue can be performed with the closure system having a closure clip. The method can include positioning the closure clip in a first closure clip position adjacent to the opening in the body tissue such that a plurality of spikes of the closure clip are inserted into the tissue at a location outward from a central axis of the opening. Subsequently, the closure clip can be positioned in a second closure clip position such that the plurality of spikes are pulled inward toward the central axis of the opening so as to pull the tissue between the opening and each of the spikes together and close the opening.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making clips which can be used to engage body tissue for the purpose of closing wounds. Such clips are generally annular in shape and have radially inwardly extending tines. The present invention first forms a precursor which, in one embodiment, has the tines extending radially outwardly from the annular body and then forms the clip by inverting the precursor such that the tines extend radially inwardly. In an alternate embodiment, the precursor is formed with an over-sized lateral dimension and then compressed inwardly to bring the tines closer A together and to reduce the lateral dimension of the precursor. It is preferred to manufacture such clips from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium, in which case the inverted or compressed precursor must be heated and quenched to heat set the clip in its final shape.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another.