Abstract: An apparatus for determining a viable site for a first object and associated method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and memory that stores code executable by the processor to provide various processes. The apparatus includes receiving a digital model of a terrain including a plurality of elements with corresponding elevations within a predetermined area. The first object is configured to be positioned at a predetermined position within the predetermined area. The apparatus also includes determining a location of a second object at a predetermined time. The apparatus further utilizes a root finding method, to determine a minimum height of the first object above the predetermined position to establish a line of sight with the second object at the predetermined time. The apparatus additionally determines whether the minimum height is within a threshold height of the first object and identifies the predetermined position as a viable site for the first object if it is within the threshold height.

Abstract: An external programmer, such as an external clock synchronization tool, can be used to update or modify the stimulation protocol and/or parameters on an implanted electrical stimulator. In particular, described herein are external clock synchronization tools that can be used to calibrate a low-power clock of the implanted electrical stimulator. These tools may also be used to provide command overrides, including suspending or delaying neurostimulation, stopping neurostimulation, and/or on-demand neurostimulation.

Abstract: Information can be stored in a cochlear stimulation system by determining an item of patient specific information, transferring the item of patient specific information to an implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system, and permanently storing the item of patient specific information in the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. The item of patient specific information can comprise a parameter for use in generating a stimulation current. The implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system also can be configured to permanently store one or more items of patient specific information in an alterable fashion. Further, an item of patient specific information can be retrieved from the implantable portion of the cochlear stimulation system. Additionally, an item of non-patient specific information for use in processing a received acoustic signal can be determined and permanently stored in an external portion of the cochlear stimulation system.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation apparatus includes an implantable device including electrodes configured to be fitted within the cochlea of a user, circuitry for processing signals to generate stimulation pulses that are directed to the electrodes, a non-volatile memory device, and a receiving coil, and an external device including circuitry for processing sensed sound information to generate the signals, the external device including a transfer coil for communicating the signals from the external device to the implantable device, the transfer coil being inductively coupled to the receiving coil, wherein all patient data used by the cochlear stimulation apparatus is stored in the non-volatile memory device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a device for personal heat control, including a flexible housing comprising a cooling surface, a heating surface thermally insulated from the cooling surface, and a heat transfer unit configured to transfer heat from cooling surface to heating surface. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a system for cooling wearers of impact-resistant helmets, comprising an impact-resistant outer shell, foam pads affixed to an inside of the impact-resistant outer shell and configured to rest on a wearer's head, thermoelectric cooling devices spaced to avoid interference with foam pads and configured to rest against the head, a heat sink, and heat pipes thermally coupled at one end to thermoelectric cooling devices and at another end to the heat sink, and configured to transfer heat from thermoelectric cooling devices to heat sink with minimal heat loss, the heat pipes spaced to avoid interference with the foam pads.