Abstract: To assist a surgeon performing a medical procedure, auxiliary images generally indicating internal details of an anatomic structure being treated are displayed and manipulated by the surgeon on a computer display screen to supplement primary images generally of an external view of the anatomic structure. A master input device controlling a robotic arm in a first mode may be switched by the surgeon to a second mode in order to function instead as a mouse-like pointing device to facilitate the surgeon performing such auxiliary information display and manipulation.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: A method for the startup of a solar power three-phase inverter in which a waiting period is increased between successive attempts to start the inverter. This method allows the inverter to start up in a reasonable amount of time while avoiding excessive cycling during prolonged periods of low light.

Abstract: A laminated negative pressure wound dressing system and method is described. The wound dressing is disposed in the wound in layers including at least one bioabsorbable layer that contacts the wound bed, a bioabsorbable fluid communicating layer, an atmospheric barrier layer, and a tube for applying a negative pressure to the wound bed. Ingrowth of granulation tissue into the bioabsorbable wound bed layer does not need to be inhibited as the bioabsorbable material need not be removed during dressing changes. A kit containing the components of the wound dressing system is also disclosed as well as a method for applying the dressing.

Abstract: An arm is pivotally coupled to a support structure at one end and a patient care equipment support, such as a service head, is pivotally coupled to the arm at the other end. The arm has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion for extension and retraction relative to the first portion. Brakes are provided to brake the extension and retraction of the portions of the arm, to brake the pivoting movement of the arm relative to the support structure, and to brake the pivoting movement of the patient care equipment support relative to the arm. Each of the brakes is releasable.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a wireless control system is provided. The wireless control system includes a device for sending a wireless signal, a receiver for receiving the wireless signal, and circuitry for processing the wireless signal. The circuitry may have a learn mode in which a device is associated with the control signal to the exclusion of commands from other devices not associated with the circuitry. Also, the device may transmit a wireless signal redundantly over a plurality of frequencies. The control system may choose a signal frequency and receiver combination to maintain a quality signal. The device may be limited provide commands to operate a function of the patient support apparatus only when the function has been enabled through a sequence of input activations. The wireless control system is capable of controlling any of a number of functions associated with the patient support apparatus. Illustratively, the control system operates a patient repositioning apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and system perform tool tracking during minimally invasive robotic surgery. Tool states are determined using triangulation techniques or a Bayesian filter from either or both non-endoscopically derived and endoscopically derived tool state information, or from either or both non-visually derived and visually derived tool state information. The non-endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from sensor data provided either by sensors associated with a mechanism for manipulating the tool, or sensors capable of detecting identifiable signals emanating or reflecting from the tool and indicative of its position, or external cameras viewing an end of the tool extending out of the body. The endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from image data provided by an endoscope inserted in the body so as to view the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a grid interactive inverter capable of multiple modes of operation including: a normal mode for transferring DC power to a utility grid, a constant AC current mode for limiting inverter output, a constant DC voltage mode used for DC testing, and a PV array simulation mode for testing of other inverters in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of managing storage comprises connecting a number of virtual disks to a disk controller loop of a disk controller, and mounting a portion of the number of virtual disks to the disk controller wherein a storage map is loaded into a fixed-size memory of the disk controller for each virtual disk mounted. The method further comprises receiving a request for data contained on an unmounted virtual disk with the unmounted virtual disk having a storage map of certain size. A sufficient number of mounted virtual disks are dismounted to allow the fixed-size memory to accommodate the certain size of the unmounted virtual disk storage map. The unmounted virtual disk may be mounted.

Abstract: In a storage apparatus, a logic is adapted to write to disk group metadata information including state information that self-identifies state of the disk group and enables a disk controller to load and present virtual disks corresponding to the disk group as logical units to a client in the absence of disk group state information contained in the disk controller.

Abstract: A batteryless inverter allows for a positive or a negative lead from a photovoltaic array to be attached to a grounding terminal of the inverter. Internally a ground fault voltage is rectified and processed to produce a signal that will shut down the inverter. This signal will be the same whether the ground fault voltage is positive, negative, or AC.

Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: Described is a cooling system for use in the manufacture of substrates into magnetic disk memory in which cooling plates are positioned dynamically in relation to a substrate to be cooled. This enables positioning the cooling plates closer for more effective cooling. Positioning is controlled by capacitive measurements between the cooling plates and the substrate to be cooled.

Abstract: Described is a cooling system for use in the manufacture of substrates into magnetic disk memory in which cooling plates are positioned dynamically in relation to a substrate to be cooled. This enables positioning the cooling plates closer for more effective cooling. Positioning is controlled by capacitive measurements between the cooling plates and the substrate to be cooled.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating and enhancing substantially real-time interpersonal communication over a network such as the Internet, the method comprising at least the steps of facilitating data communication between at least a primary user and at least a secondary user, both the primary user and each secondary user being in communication with the network through a computing system, the data communication including at least communication of video data, audio date or text data. In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer application directed towards interpersonal communications which allows a user to access, communicate and log in to a pre-determined Internet web site.