Abstract: A database server for handling steams of time stamped data points for tagged variables is disclosed herein that supports a set of advanced data retrieval operations/queries invoked by clients of the database server. The advanced data retrieval operations are invoked by client queries to provide, on demand, secondary information by processing previously tabled data corresponding to received data streams rendered by a variety of data sources in a supervisory control/monitoring, process control and/or automated equipment environment. Calculations, on previously stored data, for rendering the secondary information are performed within the database server at the time the secondary information is requested by a client of the historian that maintains a database containing the previously stored data. Moreover, a filtering stage and enhanced time-in-state processing operations are supported.

Abstract: A template-based supervisory process control and manufacturing information application development facility is disclosed that includes a number of time-saving application development tools that significantly enhance design productivity and allow re-using of previously developed application building blocks. The development facility includes an application object template library that stores a set of previously defined application object templates. The template library is accessed by developers through a configuration utility that facilitates specifying instances of the set of previously defined application object templates to be included in an application. Thereafter, application objects are instantiated from the selected ones of the set of previously defined application object templates in a build of the specified application.

Abstract: A template-based supervisory process control and manufacturing information application development facility is disclosed that includes a number of time-saving application development tools that significantly enhance design productivity and allow re-using of previously developed application building blocks. The development facility includes an application object template library that stores a set of previously defined application object templates. The template library is accessed by developers through a configuration utility that facilitates specifying instances of the set of previously defined application object templates to be included in an application. Thereafter, application objects are instantiated from the selected ones of the set of previously defined application object templates in a build of the specified application.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for sending a verbalized comment to a remote computer server. The device includes a processor that executes and operates the various software and hardware components. A microphone is utilized to record a comment. Temporary storage buffers the recorded comment. An auto-dialing application is utilized to automatically dial a telephone number associated with the remote computer server. The mode of transmission can include an RF module for automatically establishing a voice connection with an external mobile network, a WiFi module for automatically establishing a voice connection with an external IP network, and a plain old telephone service (POTS) interface module for automatically establishing a voice connection with an external legacy telephone network. The comment can be sent via email over an IP network, via MMS over a mobile network, or directly over a telephone connection including POTS, cellular (mobile), and VoIP.

Abstract: An airway condition of a patient's is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a tongue of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the tongue near a base of the tongue to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the tongue. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the tongue with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the tongue near the base and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a jaw bone of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the jaw bone.

Abstract: An airway condition of a patient is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a soft palate of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the soft palate near a trailing end of the soft palate to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the soft palate. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the soft palate with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the soft palate near the trailing end and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a hard palate of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the hard palate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.

Abstract: A packaged medical device includes upper and lower flexible sheets, a lance body and a test strip. The lance body includes upper and lower surfaces, an opening that extends between the upper and lower surfaces and a dermal tissue penetration member that projects into the lance body opening. The test strip has an opening therethrough and is attached to the lance body lower surface such that the dermal tissue penetration member is operatively aligned with the test strip opening. The upper flexible sheet is attached to the lance body upper surface and covers the lance body opening, while the lower flexible sheet is detachably attached to the test strip and covers the test strip opening. The upper flexible sheet, lance body and test strip are configured such that, when the lower flexible sheet has been detached to uncover the test strip opening, the upper flexible sheet, lance body and test strip can be bent to deploy the dermal tissue penetration member from the lance body opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a main electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material and having a concave upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The concave upper surface curves about an axis and has a curvature sized to receive a nerve within the concave surface with an axis of the nerve substantially parallel to an axis of the concave surface. An electrode contact of electrically conductive material is secured to the main electrode body and has an electrode contact surface exposed on the concave surface. The concave surface terminates at opposite first and second upper ends. The electrode contact has a first end near the first end of the concave surface. A secondary electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material is attached to the first upper end of the concave surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for redirecting fluid at a flanged connection is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flattened section and a tubular section. The flattened section is suitable for insertion between two adjacent flanges of the flanged connection and the tubular section is suitable for attachment to a conduit such as a hose or pipe. The flattened section has a front face, a rear face and an inlet on the front face. The tubular section has an outlet and the interior of the flattened section is in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular section. The flattened section is sufficiently thin to allow the flanged connection to be reassembled, with the apparatus installed, without redesign or dismantling of any related piping.

Abstract: A vent assembly for use with a vent pipe assembly that includes an intake member defining an intake aperture and an exhaust member defining an exhaust aperture. The vent assembly may include a flow guide positioned adjacent to the intake aperture and configured to direct fluid flow into the intake aperture, a divider positioned between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture and configured to minimize fluid flow between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture, and a wind shield coupled to a distal end of the exhaust member adjacent to the exhaust aperture and configured to minimize reverse flow into the exhaust aperture. The vent assembly is configured to minimize the flow of fluids exhausted from the exhaust aperture into the intake aperture, to minimize reverse flow in the exhaust member, and to improve the flow of intake air into the intake aperture.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for interstitial fluid includes a pressure ring surrounding a collection needle. The pressure ring and needle are movable relative to one another for the ring to first engage a patient's skin surface prior to insertion of the needle.

Abstract: A vent assembly for use with a vent pipe assembly that includes an intake member defining an intake aperture and an exhaust member defining an exhaust aperture. The vent assembly may include a flow guide positioned adjacent to the intake aperture and configured to direct fluid flow into the intake aperture, a divider positioned between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture and configured to minimize fluid flow between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture, and a wind shield coupled to a distal end of the exhaust member adjacent to the exhaust aperture and configured to minimize reverse flow into the exhaust aperture. The vent assembly is configured to minimize the flow of fluids exhausted from the exhaust aperture into the intake aperture, to minimize reverse flow in the exhaust member, and to improve the flow of intake air into the intake aperture.

Abstract: A substrate is provided for a sound absorbing panel, the substrate having an acoustic absorptive inner portion and an acoustic flow-resistive outer portion having a first layer on a first side of the inner portion and a second layer on a second side of the inner portion. The inner portion may include a foam material or a fibrous material and each outer portion may include a structural material. The inner portion, also referred to as a core portion, may include at least one of a sound absorbing material, an airbag device and an impact cushion material.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an airway condition of a patient includes a handle sized to be hand-grasped by an operator and having an actuator mechanism to be selectively actuated by said operator. A needle is fixedly connected to the handle. The needle has an axially extending bore and a distal tip for penetrating into the airway tissue. An implant is disposed within said bore at the distal tip. The implant is formed of biocompatible material and is sized to be embedded within a tissue of said airway. The implant is ejected from the distal tip upon actuation of the actuator. The actuator has an indicator for indicating a position of the actuator and a lock for preventing movement of the actuator opposite a deployment direction.

Abstract: A chair having a seat and a back rest comprises a fluid-containing cushion in the back rest that provides passive automatically adjustable support for the user's lumbar region. The cushion can comprise one or more fluid-containing chambers encompassing the areas of the user's upper back and lumbar regions. As the user leans backs, fluid is forced from the regions adjacent the upper back down to the lumbar region to provide enhanced lumbar support to the user.

Abstract: A wireless programmable logic device contains a wireless component and a programmable logic component. A remote wireless host can be used to program the programmable logic device. Some product designs require multiple programmable logic devices. When wireless programmable logic devices are used in the design, all of them can receive data and commands from the host. As a result, the wireless host can control the order of configuration and the start time of these logic devices. There is no need to build glue logic for this purpose. Consequently, the efficiency in product design is improved. If there are problems in programming a programmable logic device, the host can log the failed operation in its memory. This information could be used to improve production flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include placing a tissue contractor within the tissue. The contractor includes a static end and a tissue in-growth engaging end. The static end is secured to a bony structure adjacent to tissue to be contracted. The tissue in-growth engaging end is secured to the tissue and spaced from the bony structure. A spacing between the tissue engaging end and a bony end is contracted in order to place the tissue under tension.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's airway. The condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of tissue from opposing surfaces in the airway. In various embodiments, the base of the tongue including geometry and position of the tongue is altered.