Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of suspended carbon structures using a negative photoresist that is exposed to a source of UV light, and a two step pyrolysis process. Ebeam lithography is used to define the suspended structures. The fabrication method described herein provides a novel carbon microfabrication technique, which has potential applications in carbon based electronics, sensors, batteries, microfluidics, etc.

Abstract: A needle guard for a syringe including tabs and preferably springboards disposed on the needle guard configured to engage a luer lock to prevent rotation of the luer lock during needle exchange. The body of the needle guard preferably includes springboards which are in communication with tabs disposed on the shield when the shield is in a first, retracted position. Inward or radial depression of the tabs forces the springboards to contact the luer lock and prevent rotation of the luer lock. The needle guard further comprises a slot disposed near the proximal end of the shield which is configured to engage an end tab disposed near the distal end of the body. When the needle guard is activated, the shield slides to a second, extended position and the end tab enters into the slot to lock the shield in the extended position.

Abstract: A reactive acoustic dampener includes a nested three chambered configuration and connecting tubes that may be fully integrated into the fuel rail of a fuel injection system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating obesity by use of transesophageal delivery of energy to interrupt the function of vagal nerves. The energy, which may be highly focused ultrasound energy or other types of energy is delivered through the wall of the esophagus by a device placed in the esophagus. The energy delivered is sufficient to ablate a vagal nerve on the outer wall of the esophagus.

Abstract: A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the body member and a positioning device configured to position the delivery device in a desired location.

Abstract: An improved diode energy converter for chemical kinetic electron energy transfer is formed using nanostructures and includes identifiable regions associated with chemical reactions isolated chemically from other regions in the converter, a region associated with an area that forms energy barriers of the desired height, a region associated with tailoring the boundary between semiconductor material and metal materials so that the junction does not tear apart, and a region associated with removing heat from the semiconductor.

Abstract: A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system supports high-bandwidth communications among system resources via one or more active routing systems. Comprising a plurality of communication ports coupled via a high-speed switching system, each routing system transparently splits incoming communication signals received via an input communication port. The routing system thereby can provide the incoming communication to a plurality of output communication ports without effecting signal bandwidth. By providing each routing system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the high-speed switching system in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among the system resources can be maintained.

Abstract: A method and system for an adaptive wireless routing protocol in a mesh network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises routing datagrams between a plurality of nodes in a mesh network. Update messages are routed to one or more of the plurality of nodes, wherein the update messages include hello packets and update packets.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive diagnosis of states of vasovagal syncope in a patient placed on a tilt table and subjected to a tilt-test, the apparatus comprising: circuits for sensing the patient's endocardiac acceleration; circuits for sensing the patient's heart rate; and analyzer circuits receiving as inputs said endocardiac acceleration and said heart rate, and outputting information about the sympthetico-vagal activity of the patient. The circuits for sensing endocardiac acceleration comprise an external accelerator sensor suitable for being held in contact with the patient's rib cage. The analyzer circuits comprise classifier circuits suitable, in the event of a syncope occurring, for determining one type of syncope amongst a plurality of syncope types as a function of the endocardiac acceleration and heart rate values sensed during a plurality of heart cycles preceding the occurrence of the syncope.

Abstract: RF telemetry for an active medical device such as active implant or programmer for such implant. The device includes at least one RF antenna (14), and at least one RF telemetry transmitter/receiver (44) with, for coupling to the antenna, an associated band rejection filter (54). The band rejection filter (54) comprises at least one volume acoustic wave BAW resonator (40) of the SMR type with insulation by Bragg acoustic reflector (42). The device can be a multi-band device comprising a plurality of RF transmitters/receivers (12, 44) operating in respective distinct bands of frequencies such as the 402˜405-MHz, 863˜870-MHz, 902˜928-MHz and 2.4-GHz bands or by UWB transmission.

Abstract: Multilevel high power converters, referred to as hexagram converters, which preferably include a combination of six three-phase converter modules, are provided herein. The three-phase converter modules are interconnected and can be configured as any three-phase converter for any given application. One or more inductors can be used in the interconnections between the six modules to suppress potential circulating currents. Numerous applications exist in which the described converters can be implemented.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device with biventricular pacing and automatic optimization of pacing configuration. The device collects and analyzes an endocardial acceleration signal (EA), and searches for an optimal pacing configuration based upon a performance index derived from at least one value relating to one and/or the other of the two endocardial acceleration peaks (PEA I, PEA II) over a given heart cycle. Optimization search operates through a scanning of a parameter, e.g., atrio-ventricular delay, and calculation of the surface area underneath the characteristic of the peak amplitude as a function of the scanned parameter (atrioventricular delay).

Abstract: A method and system for using a method of pre-equilibrium ballistic charge carrier refraction comprises fabricating one or more solid-state electric generators. The solid-state electric generators include one or more of a chemically energized solid-state electric generator and a thermionic solid-state electric generator. A first material having a first charge carrier effective mass is used in a solid-state junction. A second material having a second charge carrier effective mass greater than the first charge carrier effective mass is used in the solid-state junction. A charge carrier effective mass ratio between the second effective mass and the first effective mass is greater than or equal to two.

Abstract: Object of the invention is to provide an improved technique of suitably charging a battery assembly irrespective of the kind of the battery assembly. The representative battery charger 100 includes a power supply section 110, a detecting section 130 that detects voltage that represents a temperature index of the battery assembly 200, 300 a reference voltage that is compared with the detected temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly. The battery charger 100 stops supplying the charging current when the temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly reaches or exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage varies according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly and thus, the threshold temperature to complete the charge can be varied according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly 200, 300. As a result, an overload state for the battery assembly with high charging voltage and high temperature can effectively be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dynamic content design, delivery and distribution software architecture that enables a centrally located designer, using a graphical interface, to create, edit, manage, and organize a matrix of trigger points that are plotted on a computerized map of geographical space. Each of these trigger points may be tagged with content, which is then relayed to a dynamic client device that is remotely located. The client device then displays the content to a remote user in a manner predetermined by the centrally located designer, the content varying based on feedback provided by the client device. The system and methods disclosed enable a centrally located designer to assume the role of an automated tour designer. As such, designers can compile a variety of different tours, each aimed at users with particular preferences. The architecture further offers a means to publish tour scripts for public consumption.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-stage broadband amplifier configured to achieve a high gain-bandwidth product in a non-distributed architecture and methods for designing the same. The broadband amplifier can include an input stage having a broadband matching unit and an input buffer unit, a gain stage having an RLC network and a amplifier unit and an output stage having a common collector amplifier and an RC compensation unit.

Abstract: Occlusion devices and methods for occluding fallopian tubes which take effect promptly after deployment. The occlusion device comprises an occluding element and a fixation element. In one embodiment, the occluding element is deployed within the fallopian tube and in another embodiment, the occluding element is external to the fallopian tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a data management system, apparatus and process for uniquely identifying and protecting data. In preferred embodiments, the data management system comprises a data management server, a key generator, a source print generator and a source print detector. In some preferred embodiments, the data management system further comprises a data embedding system. Keys are created by the data management system for application to source files to create a fingerprint for the source file. The fingerprint is compared to unknown files to identify uses of the source file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing long carbon nanotubes and using the nanotube as an electrical conductor. A substrate is provided with one or more metal underlayer platforms that allow the nanotube to grow freely suspended from the substrate. A modified gas-flow injector is used to reduce the gas flow turbulence during nanotube growth. Nanotube electrodes are formed by growing arrays of aligned nanotubes between two metal underlayer platforms.