Abstract: A method, apparatus and a system for thermally-assisted pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee are disclosed. A multi-coil applicator is adapted for positioning around the knee. A first coil is positioned on the top of the knee and provides electric field stimulation in the plane of the patella to stimulate the patella cartilage. Second and third coils are rectangular coils wrapped up below and above the knee respectively. The coils in the wrapped position generate a magnetic field along the knee axis and provide high amplitude of the electric field stimulation of the femoral and tibial cartilages in the plane of tibial plateau. Resistive heaters and free wheel diodes can be provided to the applicator to supply uniform thermal stimulation around the knee joint.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a system for thermally-assisted pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee are disclosed. A multi-coil applicator is adapted for positioning around the knee. A first coil is positioned on the top of the knee and provides electric field stimulation in the plane of the patella to stimulate the patella cartilage. Second and third coils are rectangular coils wrapped up below and above the knee respectively. The coils in the wrapped position generate a magnetic field along the knee axis and provide high amplitude of the electric field stimulation of the femoral and tibial cartilages in the plane of tibial plateau. Resistive heaters and free wheel diodes can be provided to the applicator to supply uniform thermal stimulation around the knee joint.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media system assigns a plurality of display parameters to a three-dimensional (“3D”) virtual object that is to be integrated into an immersive virtual reality world. The plurality of display parameters define a time period during which the 3D virtual object is viewable within the world to a user experiencing the world, as well as a location, an orientation, and a size of the 3D virtual object as these appear to the user during the time period. The system integrates the 3D virtual object into the world in accordance with the display parameters and dynamically changes a display parameter during the time period to change the location, orientation, and/or size of the 3D virtual object. The system further integrates content into the world by presenting the content on the 3D virtual object while the display parameter is dynamically changing. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD), particular diabetic nephropathy, are disclosed. The method comprises activation of adenosine A2a receptors in parenchymal and immune cells infiltrated into kidneys. The activation is performed by PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) stimulation applied locally to kidneys. Adenosine A2a signaling pathway is a potent anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressive regulator that has been proven to attenuate inflammation and injury in diabetic nephropathy. Efficient activation of A2a receptors is achieved by applying electromagnetic field stimulation consecutively in 3 spatial dimensions. This allows attaining a significant increase in activation of A2a receptors in comparison with one-dimensional stimulation. Assistant thermal stimulation may be applied to increase expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in parenchymal cells.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system differentiates static objects depicted in two-dimensional video data from dynamic objects depicted in the two-dimensional video data. Based on the differentiating of the static objects from the dynamic objects, the virtual reality media provider system generates dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects and the dynamic objects. The virtual reality media provider system updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the static objects with a lower regularity or on an as-needed basis, and the virtual reality media provider system separately updates the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects with a higher regularity. The higher regularity is higher than the lower regularity and keeps the dynamic volumetric models of the surfaces of the dynamic objects up-to-date with what is occurring in the two-dimensional video data. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system receives two-dimensional (“2D”) video data for surfaces of first and second objects located in a natural setting. The 2D video data is captured by first and second capture devices disposed at different positions with respect to the objects. The system distinguishes the first object from the second object by performing a plurality of techniques in combination with one another. The plurality of techniques include determining that the first object is moving in relation to the second object; and determining that, from a vantage point of at least one of the different positions, a representation of the first object captured within the 2D video data does not overlap with a representation of the second object. Based on the received 2D video data and the distinguishing of the first and second objects, the system generates an individually-manipulable volumetric model of the first object.

Abstract: A method and system of providing private data privately when such data is requested from a VCD utilizes a communications network to communicate with a service containing the private data to determine if the data is private. Once the data is determined as being private, instead of being sent to the VCD to be broadcasted audibly, the data may be transmitted to a user's preferred device to be presented privately to the user.

Abstract: A method and system of providing private data privately when such data is requested from a VCD utilizes a communications network to communicate with a service containing the private data to determine if the data is private. Once the data is determined as being private, instead of being sent to the VCD to be broadcasted audibly, the data may be transmitted to a user's preferred device to be presented privately to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a system for thermally-assisted pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee are disclosed. A multi-coil applicator is adapted for positioning around the knee. A first coil is positioned on the top of the knee and provides electric field stimulation in the plane of the patella to stimulate the patella cartilage. Second and third coils are rectangular coils wrapped up below and above the knee respectively. The coils in the wrapped position generate a magnetic field along the knee axis and provide high amplitude of the electric field stimulation of the femoral and tibial cartilages in the plane of tibial plateau. Resistive heaters and free wheel diodes can be provided to the applicator to supply uniform thermal stimulation around the knee joint.

Abstract: A method for augmenting procedures at production equipment includes: linking a first description of a first step in a procedure and a capture type to a first capture field; generating a digital draft procedure comprising descriptions of steps extracted from the procedure and the first capture field specifying data capture of the first capture type from an equipment unit; generating augmented guidance for the first step in the procedure based on visual content recorded by a mobile device—assigned to an exemplary operator—during completion of the first step in the digital draft procedure; linking the augmented guidance to a location proximal the equipment unit based on locations of the first mobile device during completion of the first step in the digital draft procedure; and generating an augmented digital procedure based on steps in the procedure, the augmented guidance, and definitions for data capture according to the first capture field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of a tubular anatomical structure is disclosed. The method includes using an electrical energy to destroy elongated cells on the tubular anatomical structure. The apparatus may include one or more electrodes for creating an electric field, and a cooling system for carrying heat away from the electrode. The elongated cells can include nerve cells on the tubular anatomical structure.

Abstract: One variation of a method for controlling dissemination of instructional content to operators performing procedures at equipment within a facility includes: at a computing device, accessing a digital procedure containing a first instructional block comprising a first instruction in a set of formats including a text format corresponding to a first degree of guidance, an audio format corresponding to a second degree of guidance different from the first degree, and a visual format corresponding to a third degree of guidance greater than the first and second degrees; accessing a minimum instruction guidance specification for a current instance of the digital procedure; and, in response to initiation of the first instructional block in the digital procedure, presenting the first instruction in a particular format, in the set of formats, corresponding to a particular degree of guidance approximating the minimum instruction guidance specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of cancer is provided. The method can include systemic delivery of A3 selective adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonists CI-IB-MECA, cordycepin or similar drugs and providing simultaneous pulsed Electric Field (EF) stimulation to the treatment area. EF stimulation can be delivered in three orthogonal directions, which significantly increases expression of A3ARs on the cellular membranes and allows achieving a downstream apoptotic signal that is 4-6 fold stronger than the signal achieved with the agonist drugs alone.

Abstract: A method for anti-inflammatory treatment of diabetic retinopathy can include systemic administration of an A2aAR agonist and providing local electric field stimulation to the retina. The electric field stimulation causes translocation of A2aRs from cytosol to the cell membranes and makes them active and available for binding with adenosine and adenosine agonists. Increased numbers of active A2aRs on cellular membranes leads to several-fold increase in the anti-inflammatory signal transduced into the cells. Amplified adenosine—A2aR signaling pathway causes significant inhibition of production of proinflammatory cytokines and other cytotoxic activity of microglia thus protecting the retina from destruction by the immune system and preserving eyesight. A treatment apparatus can include a multicoil applicator with coils adapted for positioning near eyes for stimulating retina, a pulse generator functionally coupled to the applicator and a power supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided. The method includes providing a set of coils that generate multidirectional pulsed electromagnetic fields in the prostate. The apparatus comprises a power source, an intelligent controller and an applicator positioned in proximity to the prostate and generating multidirectional pulsed fields according to instructions from the controller. The electric component of the electromagnetic fields generated by a PEMF interacts with cells, increases the number of Ata receptors on their membranes and thus enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of the adenosine A2aAR pathway.

Abstract: An exemplary system generates a plurality of different content files each including data representative of content of a virtual reality world, and provides the plurality of different content files to a media player device via a network. In particular, the generated and provided plurality of different content files comprises at least one of a plurality of uniform-resolution content files and a plurality of mixed-resolution content files. The plurality of uniform-resolution content files are each associated with a different respective center point within the virtual reality world. The plurality of mixed-resolution content files each correspond to one respective content sector of a plurality of partially overlapping content sectors that together form a view of the virtual reality world associated with a single center point, the one respective content sector being encoded in a high resolution while a remainder of the content sectors are encoded in a low resolution.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media provider system identifies a viewable pixel data subset and an unviewable pixel data subset within pixel data representative of a set of pixels that constitute a particular scene to be transmitted to a media player device. The media player device includes a head-mounted display screen worn by a user to view the particular scene. The viewable pixel data subset is representative of pixels corresponding to non-overlapping portions of two overlapping shapes arranged on the head-mounted display screen, while the unviewable pixel data subset is representative of pixels corresponding to an overlapping portion of the two overlapping shapes arranged on the head-mounted display screen. The virtual reality media provider system transmits the identified viewable pixel data subset to the media player device, and abstains from transmitting the identified unviewable pixel data subset to the media player device. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary virtual reality media system presents a field of view of an immersive virtual reality world on a display screen of a media player device associated with a user. The field of view includes content of the immersive virtual reality world and dynamically changes in response to user input provided by the user as the user experiences the immersive virtual reality world. Additionally, the virtual reality media system detects that a gaze of the user is directed for a predetermined amount of time at a gaze target included within the field of view. In response to the detection, the virtual reality media system presents an interactive user interface associated with the gaze target. The interactive user interface is presented within the field of view together with the content of the immersive virtual reality world. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: A method and system of providing private data privately when such data is requested from a VCD utilizes a communications network to communicate with a service containing the private data to determine if the data is private. Once the data is determined as being private, instead of being sent to the VCD to be broadcasted audibly, the data may be transmitted to a user's preferred device to be presented privately to the user.

Abstract: An exemplary mixed reality presentation system accesses video data representative of a real-world environment proximate to a mixed reality player device that is configured to present, to a user of the mixed reality player device, a mixed reality presentation. In the mixed reality presentation, one or more virtual objects included within a virtual domain associated with the real-world environment are presented together with real objects included within the real-world environment. The mixed reality presentation system identifies, based on the accessed video data, a target object among the real objects included within the real-world environment. The mixed reality presentation system extracts the target object from the mixed reality presentation and replaces, within the mixed reality presentation, the target object with a virtual object included within the virtual domain. The virtual object implements a representation of the target object. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.