Abstract: An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a sound processing assembly configured to be external to a patient and first and second extension members coupled to the sound processing assembly. The sound processing assembly includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audio signal and transmit one or more control parameters based on the audio signal to an implantable cochlear stimulator and a battery module configured to be electrically coupled to the sound processing unit and provide operating power to the sound processing unit. The first extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a first ear of the patient and the second extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a second ear of the patient. The first and second extension members typically extend back from the ears, thus positioning the sound processing assembly behind the patient's head.

Abstract: A method of preventing inadvertent signal transmission sent from a remote control for controlling the operation of an implantable infusion device. The method includes maintaining the remote control in a locked state prior to a user intentionally unlocking the remote control in order to generate transmission of a signal from the remote control to the implantable infusion device. The unlocking of the remote control can include moving a button control element, unlocking a button lock, pressing a button other than the signal generation button, pressing the signal generation button in a specific sequence or shaking the remote control.

Abstract: Remote controls, including a communication device, a button or other communication device actuator and a movable structure that allows actuation of the actuator in one position and prevents actuation of the actuator in another position to prevent inadvertent signal transmission.

Abstract: A method for improving media search capability includes providing a user with access to an interface that allows the user to provide one or more inputs relating to an item of media (such as an audio or video recording of a song or a cover song), performing a media search in response to the one or more inputs, and presenting search results via an interactive display generated depending upon media ratings, wherein one or more of the media ratings is determined from media ratings inputs depending upon one or more metrics associated with sources or providers of the media ratings inputs.

Abstract: A ballast and method for operating a ballast includes a switch or other circuit for connecting and disconnecting a voltage multiplier to a rectifier circuit. A control circuit for controlling the switch senses an input voltage and connects the voltage multiplier to the rectifier circuit when an input voltage falls below a selected voltage level.

Abstract: Propulsion systems and methods utilize one or more propellant masses in the form of smart propellant devices to move a spacecraft or other object through outer space and/or substantially airless environments. A spacecraft maneuver, for example, is facilitated by forces imparted on the spacecraft resulting from the ejection of one or more smart propellant devices from the spacecraft and/or the recapture of one or more of the propellant masses at the spacecraft. The smart propellant devices are each programmed to return to the spacecraft along a particular trajectory and to impact the spacecraft at a particular time and place. The spacecraft is provided with ejection devices and recovery devices that eject and recover, respectively, the one or more smart propellant devices. The recovery devices can also be configured to capture kinetic energy from incoming smart propellant devices.

Abstract: Fluid transfer devices for use in, for example, ambulatory infusion devices, and infusions devices including such fluid transfer devices. The fluid transfer devices may include an external housing tube, an internal housing tube that has a piston lumen with a pump chamber, an outer surface, and a bypass aperture with an inlet associated with the pump chamber and an outlet adjacent to the outer surface, a bypass channel in fluid communication with the bypass aperture outlet, a resilient valve member associated with the bypass aperture outlet, and a piston carried within the piston lumen.

Abstract: Implantable infusion apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a sensor that is associated with the catheter outlet.

Abstract: Irradiating assemblies can have a housing with a reflector extending linearly parallel to a lamp. Radiation can be emitted from one opening, for example in a bottom portion of the housing, as well as from another opening, for example a side opening in the housing. Irradiating assemblies can also have first and second reflector portions at angles with respect to each other wherein radiation is reflected out of a housing that does not have an end reflector. Irradiating assemblies can be configured to have cooling flow openings in side walls so that cooling fluid such as air can flow between the side walls and adjacent surfaces of a reflector. Irradiating assemblies can incorporate lamps having first and second electrodes wherein the first and second electrodes are oriented at an angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: Fastener assemblies, elements for fastener assemblies and methods of making and assembling elements for fastener assemblies, for example for insulation blanket fasteners such as those used on aircraft, may include a formed monolithic metal configuration having first and second side portions with a plurality of panel retaining elements arranged linearly along the side portions. A planar retaining element, for example a disc, may be assembled with the metal portion to form a fastener assembly, such as may be used to retain and insulation blanket. The planar retaining element may include a rolled edge, and if a coated part, may include surface projections to keep adjacent parts from sticking together during the coating process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating peak location on a sampled surface (e.g., a correlation surface generated from pixilated images) utilize one or more processing techniques to determine multiple peak location estimates for at least one sampled data set at a resolution smaller than the spacing of the data elements. Estimates selected from the multiple peak location estimates are combined (e.g., a group of estimates is combined by determining a weighted average of the estimates selected for the group) to provide one or more refined estimates. In example embodiments, multiple refined estimates are combined to provide an estimate of overall displacement (e.g., of an image or other sampled data representation of an object).

Abstract: A method for measuring spectral characteristics includes capturing spectral-spatial data that includes radiance measurements over spectrally flat, highly emissive surface portions of a sample material and heater at least two different heater temperatures for transmissive and/or emissive configurations. Temperatures of the sample material and heater are determined at the different heater temperatures for each configuration using, in each instance, radiance measurements taken after the temperatures of the heater and sample material have both stabilized. The transmissivity of the sample material is determined using the temperatures determined in the transmissive configuration and spectral-spatial data collected at selected points of interest over the sample material. The emissivity of the sample material is determined using the temperatures determined in the emissive configuration, the spectral-spatial data collected at selected points of interest over the sample material, and the transmissivity.

Abstract: Fluid transfer devices for use in, for example, ambulatory infusion devices and infusions devices including fluid transfer devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin film resistor including providing a substrate, using a low-temperature pulsed-laser deposition process to deposit a titanium carbide (TiC) layer on the substrate, removing portions of the TiC layer with an etching process to leave a TiC pattern on the substrate, and depositing conductive material on opposite ends of the TiC pattern to provide a thin film resistor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries.

Abstract: Methods relating to and apparatus such as floating nut plates may include complementary surfaces limiting movement of a retainer toward or away from side walls of a receiver, such as wherein a nut element is positioned between the retainer and the receiver. One of the complementary surfaces may be a groove formed in the retainer. In one configuration, the receiver and/or retainer are non-metal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inhibiting the introduction of air into the body during a percutaneous procedure. The apparatus may include an instrument passage lumen defining a degassing region with a degassing region distal end and a degassing region proximal end, a fluid inlet port at the degassing region distal end, and a fluid outlet port at the degassing region proximal end. So configured, fluid will flow only from the degassing region distal end to the degassing region proximal end.

Abstract: Skill game apparatuses include one or more game piece guiding elements configured to influence movement of game pieces within a game piece path in a manner that is dependent at least in part upon the skill of the player. In one embodiment, the back portion of a skill game apparatus is provided with one or more guide channels configured to limit horizontal movement by a game piece as it moves from the top of the back portion to a base portion of the skill game apparatus. In another embodiment, the skill game apparatus includes one or more player-repositionable guide members along a game piece path that are moveable in response to inputs provided by one or more player-operated controller devices.

Abstract: Valves, valved fluid transfer devices and ambulatory infusion devices including the same. The valves includes a valve element and a valve seat, and one of the valve seat and the valve element includes a main portion and a seal portion that is less tacky than the main portion.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a handle, a blade assembly secured to the handle, a blade cover mechanically coupled to the handle facilitating manipulability of the blade cover to an extended position over the blade assembly, and a slider that is repositionable along the handle to release the blade cover from the extended position, the slider being pivotally coupled to the blade assembly.