Abstract: Volumetric three-dimensional (3-D) graphical or computer displays are disclosed herein that are capable of presenting objects, data, scenes or other visual information in a realistic or solid-like manner, allowing for an unaided observer to observe such static or moving objects from multiple perspectives with natural depth-cues and superior image quality. We utilize in this refined approach moving-screens formed from particulate-arrays and we preferably optically project multiple image sub-slices on each such flying-screen as it passes through the image-volume thereby minimizing particulate mass-flow since only once screen per image-volume is needed to present the several or many necessary slices of each volumetric frame.

Abstract: Ultrasonic, sonic or vibratory energy, delivered non-invasively, minimally invasively or invasively (e.g. surgically), is utilized to provide direct cleaning action at or to the location of the implanted device such as a prosthetic heart valve with undesirable deposits of at least some amount thereon or therein. Such ultra-sound energy may be aided by the use of a drug in association or cooperation with the acoustic irradiation. The “cleaning” acoustic energy may optionally be delivered under the guidance of an imaging modality and may be delivered in a timed or gated manner such that the valve occluders or leaflets are in a preferred position (assuming they are functioning) during exposures.

Abstract: A wearable treatment or therapy apparatus for provision of an acoustically enabled or acoustically enhanced treatment or therapy to a patient or treatment subject is provided. Also provided are apparatuses for delivering an acoustic or acoustically-aided therapy or treatment to a patient or treatment-subject.

Abstract: Volumetric three-dimensional (3-D) graphical or computer displays are disclosed herein that are capable of presenting objects, data, scenes or other visual information in a realistic or solid-like manner, allowing for an unaided observer to observe such static or moving objects from multiple perspectives with natural depth-cues and superior image quality. We utilize in this refined approach moving-screens formed from particulate-arrays and we preferably optically project multiple image sub-slices on each such flying-screen as it passes through the image-volume thereby minimizing particulate mass-flow since only once screen per image-volume is needed to present the several or many necessary slices of each volumetric frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inhibiting, avoiding or destroying existing, potential or incipient biodeposits, biofilms or pathogens any of (a) in or on a living body including in or on a medical device or implement placed, inserted or insertable in the body, (b) in, on or in contact with an ex vivo bodily tissue or fluid, or (c) in, on or in contact with a medium or matter to be consumed, ingested by or exposed to a living being or entity. Also disclosed are medical devices, implements, and prostheses that can be kept in a safe defouled, pathogen-free or pathogen-reduced condition with the help of an electric field(s). Also disclosed are medical or industrial devices, implements, equipment-articles and storage/handling-entities that can be kept in a safely defouled, pathogen-free or pathogen-reduced condition with the help of a membrane or orifice that has one or more of the antifouling or antipathogenic attributes.

Abstract: Condensation of water from a gas, such as from atmospheric air or other nearby ambient gas, is provided for use in a variety of jetting devices, such as lab-on-a-chip applications. Further embodiments involve the use of frozen liquids, not limited to frozen condensed water, and microcooling of fluidic components or working materials for improved process control and reliability.

Abstract: The formation and manipulation of microbubbles, microdroplets and films of (preferably) flowable materials, such as liquids and gases, are used to beneficially control or modulate acoustic-energy propagation, electromagnetic-energy propagation or electrical potential and current application. A droplet, bubble or film causes at least one of reflection, refraction, diffraction, attenuation, sapping, scattering, dissipation, redirection, conversion or blocking of at least one component of the energy due to the droplet, bubble or film causing a propagation discontinuity, disruption or energy-barrier to the energy. The energy comprises at least one of acoustic, electrical, electromagnetic, magnetic, kinetic, mechanical, chemical, RF, thermal, pneumatic, hydraulic or non-visible optical energy.

Abstract: Condensation of water from a gas, such as from atmospheric air or other nearby ambient gas, is provided for use in a variety of jetting devices, such as inkjet and lab-on-a-chip applications. Further embodiments involve the use of frozen liquids, not limited to frozen condensed water, and microcooling of fluidic components or working materials for improved process control and reliability.

Abstract: Many medical procedures, such as needle-sticking, could benefit from an assistive device that improves the optical contrast of externally targeted features and lumens of interest residing in and underneath the skin and/or exposed organ tissues. The inventive inexpensive device and method are useable on such externally targeted features and lumens while also protecting the practitioner and freeing up both of his/her hands, if necessary, to thereby eliminate practitioner self-sticking problems. The present device provides good optical contrast and also provides splash-protection against HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. The inventive device method and apparatus may also include vibratory subcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), drug-based or heating treatment capabilities for reducing pain, both perceived and real pain, associated with a device guided procedure. Finally, the pain reduction mechanisms have also been found useful for lumen dilation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring a property of an ingested or in-taken drug, food, drink or toxic substance, non-invasively or minimally invasively, which can also identify the subject person being monitored, if desired. The system comprises: a means of labeling the substance with a labeling media to have a useful signature indicative of, or bearing a relation to the property; a means to allow the signature to be read non-invasively or minimally invasively; and a means to identify, in any manner, who is being monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for delivering to a patient's first bodily site and allowing bodily transport therefrom to one or more second bodily sites of a medically, physiologically, neurologically or other health-beneficial species, the at least one species or species precursor which would normally be one or more of volatile, gaseous, vaporous, sublimating, reactive, unacceptably degradable, toxic, hazardous, metastable or unstable if stored in unprotected ambient atmospheric conditions

Abstract: A means and method are provided for enhancing or replacing the natural excitation of the human vocal tract by artificial excitation means, wherein the artificially created acoustics present additional spectral, temporal, or phase data useful for (1) enhancing the machine recognition robustness of audible speech or (2) enabling more robust machine-recognition of relatively inaudible mouthed or whispered speech. The artificial excitation (a) may be arranged to be audible or inaudible, (b) may be designed to be non-interfering with another user's similar means, (c) may be used in one or both of a vocal content-enhancement mode or a complimentary vocal tract-probing mode, and/or (d) may be used for the recognition of audible or inaudible continuous speech or isolated spoken commands.

Abstract: Ultrasonic, sonic or vibratory energy, delivered non-invasively, minimally invasively or invasively (e.g. surgically), is utilized to provide direct cleaning action at or to the location of the implanted device such as a prosthetic heart valve with undesirable deposits of at least some amount thereon or therein. Such ultra-sound energy may be aided by the use of a drug in association or cooperation with the acoustic irradiation. The “cleaning” acoustic energy may optionally be delivered under the guidance of an imaging modality and may be delivered in a timed or gated manner such that the valve occluders or leaflets are in a preferred position (assuming they are functioning) during exposures.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is provided, in which a piezoelectric shell has conductive layers on the outside and inside of the shell, which are adapted to be connected to a signal input source. When the conductive layers are activated, the piezoelectric layer resonates to produce an output signal waveform from the shell structure. An alternative embodiment includes a flat piezoelectric layer with opposing conductive layers, which is then formed into a shell structure. In preferred embodiments, an inner spool is located within the shell structure, which acts to increase the output sound pressure level for the transducer. To increase the sound pressure level further, the inner spool preferably includes a recessed area, which defines a void between the inner conductive layer on the shell and the recessed area. The void acts to increase the characteristic output sound pressure level for the transducer.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for the therapeutic treatment of brain-plaques, fibrils, abnormal-protein related or aggregation-prone protein related deposition-diseases. The system employs acoustic exposure therapy means for delivering therapeutic energy to at least one brain region. The therapy supports at least one of the following processes: (i) physical breakup, erosion, disentanglement, de-aggregation, dissolution, de-agglomeration, de-amalgamation or permeation of the deposits, (ii) interference in at least one deposit formation process, deposition related chemical reaction or biological or genetic pathway contributing to the deposits or deposition-related processes, and (iii) aiding the recovery, growth, regrowth or improved functionality of brain-related cells or functional pathways negatively impacted by, stressed by or disposed to the deposits, deposition-processes or deposition disease state, or supporting the growth of newly transplanted cells anywhere in the brain-related anatomy.

Abstract: A means and method are provided for enhancing or replacing the natural excitation of the human vocal tract by artificial excitation means, wherein the artificially created acoustics present additional spectral, temporal, or phase data useful for (1) enhancing the machine recognition robustness of audible speech or (2) enabling more robust machine-recognition of relatively inaudible mouthed or whispered speech. The artificial excitation (a) may be arranged to be audible or inaudible, (b) may be designed to be non-interfering with another user's similar means, (c) may be used in one or both of a vocal content-enhancement mode or a complimentary vocal tract-probing mode, and/or (d) may be used for the recognition of audible or inaudible continuous speech or isolated spoken commands.

Abstract: A means and method are provided for enhancing or replacing the natural excitation of the human vocal tract by artificial excitation means, wherein the artificially created acoustics present additional spectral, temporal, or phase data useful for (1) enhancing the machine recognition robustness of audible speech or (2) enabling more robust machine-recognition of relatively inaudible mouthed or whispered speech. The artificial excitation (a) may be arranged to be audible or inaudible, (b) may be designed to be non-interfering with another user's similar means, (c) may be used in one or both of a vocal content-enhancement mode or a complimentary vocal tract-probing mode, and/or (d) may be used for the recognition of audible or inaudible continuous speech or isolated spoken commands.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is provided, in which a piezoelectric shell has conductive layers on the outside and inside of the shell, which are adapted to be connected to a signal input source. When the conductive layers are activated, the piezoelectric layer resonates to produce an output signal waveform from the shell structure. An alternative embodiment includes a flat piezoelectric layer with opposing conductive layers, which is then formed into a shell structure. In preferred embodiments, an inner spool is located within the shell structure, which acts to increase the output sound pressure level for the transducer. To increase the sound pressure level further, the inner spool preferably includes a recessed area, which defines a void between the inner conductive layer on the shell and the recessed area. The void acts to increase the characteristic output sound pressure level for the transducer.