Abstract: A passive micro-RFID tag provides for increased read effectiveness due to an ionic encasement of the micro-RFID tag antenna. In various embodiments, the ionic encasement may comprise embedding, encapsulating, or coating the tag in a non-biological medium which exhibits conductive ionic properties. In embodiments, the micro-RFID tag having a maximum length dimension of 12 mm can be read with at least 90 percent effectiveness by a 30 dB RFID tag reader at least 48 cm away from the micro-RFID tag, thus providing a read-distance-to-size ratio of at least 4,000:1.

Abstract: An improved passive RFID tag configured for needle implantation in a tail of a rodent using a small diameter needle provides for increased read distances and effectiveness. In various embodiments, the RFID tag is comprised of an elongated flexible substrate having a pair of opposed surfaces with a UHF RFID chip positioned on a first of the opposed surfaces and is directly electrically connected to a closed-loop multi-layer folded dipole antenna disposed on both of the opposed surfaces of the substrate. An antenna is electrically connected to the RFID chip and includes at least an inductor as part of the closed-loop antenna. In embodiments, the RFID tag can be read with at least 90 percent effectiveness by a 30 dB RFID tag reader at least 5 cm from a tail of the rodent.

Abstract: An improved passive RFID tag configured for needle implantation in a tail of a rodent using a small diameter needle provides for increased read distances and effectiveness. In various embodiments, the RFID tag is comprised of an elongated flexible substrate having a pair of opposed surfaces with a UHF RFID chip positioned on a first of the opposed surfaces and is directly electrically connected to a closed-loop multi-layer folded dipole antenna disposed on both of the opposed surfaces of the substrate. An antenna is electrically connected to the RFID chip and includes at least an inductor as part of the closed-loop antenna. In embodiments, the RFID tag can be read with at least 90 percent effectiveness by a 30 dB RFID tag reader at least 5 cm from a tail of the rodent.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods facilitate integrated real and virtual game play among multiple remote control objects, including multiple remotely-controlled aircraft, within a locally-defined, three-dimensional game space using gaming “apps” (i.e., applications) running on one or more mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, and/or a central game controller. The systems and methods permit game play among multiple remotely-controlled aircraft within the game space. Game play may be controlled and/or displayed by a gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or a central game controller that keeps track of multiple craft locations and orientations with reference to a locally-defined coordinate frame of reference associated with the game space. The gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or central game controller also determine game play among the various craft and objects within the game space in accordance with the rules and parameters for the game being played.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods facilitate integrated real and virtual game play among multiple remote control objects, including multiple remotely-controlled aircraft, within a locally-defined, three-dimensional game space using gaming “apps” (i.e., applications) running on one or more mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, and/or a central game controller. The systems and methods permit game play among multiple remotely-controlled aircraft within the game space. Game play may be controlled and/or displayed by a gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or a central game controller that keeps track of multiple craft locations and orientations with reference to a locally-defined coordinate frame of reference associated with the game space. The gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or central game controller also determine game play among the various craft and objects within the game space in accordance with the rules and parameters for the game being played.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods facilitate integrated real and virtual game play among multiple remote control objects, including multiple remotely-controlled aircraft, within a locally-defined, three-dimensional game space using gaming “apps” (i.e., applications) running on one or more mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, and/or a central game controller. The systems and methods permit game play among multiple remotely-controlled aircraft within the game space. Game play may be controlled and/or displayed by a gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or a central game controller that keeps track of multiple craft locations and orientations with reference to a locally-defined coordinate frame of reference associated with the game space. The gaming app running on one or more mobile devices and/or central game controller also determine game play among the various craft and objects within the game space in accordance with the rules and parameters for the game being played.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: Breakaway devices for use in a meter-pit environment that protect connections between components of an AMR system are described herein. In various embodiments, at least one cable is adapted to operably couple a first AMR device and a second AMR device, wherein at least one of the first AMR device and the second AMR device is disposed in a utility meter pit. In an embodiment, at least once connector adapted to operably couple the cable to the first AMR device or the second AMR device is constructed to be decoupleabe in response to a force that is less than the linear breaking strength of the cable. In another embodiment, the cable may be constructed to have a length equal to at least about twice the distance between the first AMR device and the second AMR device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that employ a coil-less magnetoelectric flux switch arrangement to repeatedly switch magnetic flux from at least one permanent magnet for the purposes of generating motive force and/or electrical energy.

Abstract: An improved system and method that is capable of delivering multiple electrode assemblies to predetermined implant sites within a body is disclosed. The system includes an elongated member such as an introducer sheath. The introducer includes an elongated channel along at least a distal end portion of the introducer. The elongated channel opens to the exterior surface of the introducer through an elongated slot. One or more electrode assemblies may be retained within the elongated channel such that the leads exit the introducer via the elongated slot. The elongated introducer further includes a lumen that is in fluid communication with channel through openings, or gaps. The electrode assemblies are loaded within the channel at predetermined positions with respect to the openings. A distal end of a stiffening member such as a stylet may then be advanced within the lumen and through a selected one of the openings to engage an electrode assembly.

Abstract: An improved system and method that is capable of delivering multiple electrode assemblies to predetermined implant sites within a body is disclosed. The system includes an elongated member such as an introducer sheath. The introducer includes an elongated channel along at least a distal end portion of the introducer. The elongated channel opens to the exterior surface of the introducer through an elongated slot. One or more electrode assemblies may be retained within the elongated channel such that the leads exit the introducer via the elongated slot. The elongated introducer further includes a lumen that is in fluid communication with channel through openings, or gaps. The electrode assemblies are loaded within the channel at predetermined positions with respect to the openings. A distal end of a stiffening member such as a stylet may then be advanced within the lumen and through a selected one of the openings to engage an electrode assembly.

Abstract: A system for customizing the context of advertisements for communication to users on the Internet develops a profile for a given user that includes at least archetype identification information for the given user. An Internet advertisement is obtained in a conventional manner from an advertisement database, but prior to communicating that advertisement to the user the context of the advertisement is altered based on the archetype identification information in the profile of the given user. The context elements of the advertisement that may be altered include the color, texture, font, background, voice, pacing, or any combination of these context elements. The archetype identification information in the profile is developed based on an analysis of a context of interactions of a given user with a website on which the advertisement is to be displayed.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter system utilizes a flexible, tubular electrode that is selectively extendable from a distal end of a catheter body. The flexible, tubular electrode creates a continuous linear lesion when a longitudinal side of the electrode is arcuately positioned against an interior wall of the human body and the electrode is energized while a cooling fluid passes through the electrode. The catheter system also includes mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. Preferably, the catheter body include a catheter shaft and a flexible tip section such that the distal end of the catheter is steerable. The invention also includes a method of operating the RF catheter ablation system so as to create arcuate linear lesions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating biphasic waveforms uses an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system having a phase transition enhancing capacitor system in addition to the capacitor system(s) which deliver the first and second phase of the biphasic countershock. Preferably, the ICD system has at least three capacitor systems and a capacitor switching network. The three capacitor systems include two primary capacitor systems and a third high voltage phase transition enhancing capacitor system having a time constant shorter than the time constant of the two primary capacitor systems. A first phase of the biphasic waveform preferably is produced by configuring the two primary capacitor systems to selectively discharge first in a parallel combination, and then in a series combination. The second phase of the biphasic waveform preferably is produced by reconfiguring the two primary capacitor systems to discharge in a parallel combination with reversed polarity.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter system utilizes a flexible, tubular electrode that is selectively extendable from a distal end of a catheter body. The flexible, tubular electrode creates a continuous linear lesion when a longitudinal side of the electrode is arcuately positioned against an interior wall of the human body and the electrode is energized while a cooling fluid passes through the electrode. The catheter system also includes mechanisms for remotely manipulating and extending the electrode. Preferably, the catheter body include a catheter shaft and a flexible tip section such that the distal end of the catheter is steerable. The invention also includes a method of operating the RF catheter ablation system so as to create arcuate linear lesions.

Abstract: A high voltage output system for use with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system provides for switched discharge pathways utilized to achieve a windshield wiper-like output. The high voltage output system includes at least two output capacitors each having at least a separately electrically accessible one of the cathode and anode of the capacitor system. A switching control system selectively discharges the at least two capacitor systems in a repeated alternating sequence such that the one of the cathode and anode of the capacitor systems is discharged through a common electrode and the other of the cathode and anode is electrically connected for at least a portion of the discharge to a second and third defibrillation electrode, respectively.