Abstract: In one embodiment, an eyewear frame for a user includes at least a front portion with two side portions; two speakers, one in each side portion; a connection region at one side portion, with an electrical connector having two conductive pads to connect to corresponding conductive contacts of a counterpart connector; a rechargeable battery; a microphone in the frame; and wireless communication circuitry in the frame. The connection region can be provided at an inside surface of one of the side portions. The eyewear frame can also include a touch-sensitive input surface on the eyewear frame configured to provide an input to the frame to perform a function. Another embodiment includes a headset with an electrical connector having a conductive pad to connect to a corresponding conductive contact of a counterpart connector. The headset can also include a touch-sensitive input surface.

Abstract: Techniques for providing wearable electronic devices with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear to facilitate audio support including enhanced hearing. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. The wearable electronic devices with electronic components can, for example, provide audio output, audio enhancements, or event-related audio content.

Abstract: A uniquely shaped hook which allows a relatively large strand to be hooked securely without snagging or piercing and drawn through a relatively small orifice. The hook can be combined with an adjustable handle which will provide a point of leverage and a clip or ring that will allow the user to keep the device on the hand without holding it directly. A method of embellishing handwork using the device by which the user pre-loads one or more embellishments containing an orifice on the shaft, hooks a strand, slides the embellishment over the hook and onto the strand, and then unhooks the strand with primarily only one hand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one step fiber optic connector polishing method. The method is a sequence of processes that may include severing a fiber (100) length projecting out of the end face (106) of a ferrule (102) having a pre-shaped surface, such that the residual fiber length does not exceed 80 microns. Cleaning ferrule (102) end face (106) such that no residual debris are left on it. Polishing fiber end-face (140) only, on a finishing polishing film (180) until fiber end-face (140) and ferrule end-face (106) are in a relation that ensures the desired fiber undercut or protrusion.

Abstract: A stir-welded drive shaft and a method of forming a stir-welded drive shaft. The stir-welded drive shaft is formed by the process of providing a yoke and a tube, and stir welding said yoke to said tube to define the driveshaft. A balance weight may be added to the tube after stir welding said yoke to said tube. The yoke may also include a pilot having a contact surface and an outer shoulder, wherein the contact surface and outer shoulder engage the tube to form a joint interface. The driveshaft is generally stir welded at along the joint interface.

Abstract: A stir-welded drive shaft and a method of forming a stir-welded drive shaft. The stir-welded drive shaft is formed by the process of providing a yoke and a tube, and stir welding said yoke to said tube to define the driveshaft. A balance weight may be added to the tube after stir welding said yoke to said tube. The yoke may also include a pilot having a contact surface and an outer shoulder, wherein the contact surface and outer shoulder engage the tube to form a joint interface. The driveshaft is generally stir welded at along the joint interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling the actuator coil with a suitable heat sink structure. The heat sink thermally couples the coil to one or more of the head-carrying arms, which are positioned close enough to the disc stack that rotation of the stack cools them. In one embodiment, a gap is formed between the coil and a thermal conduit, and the gap is made wide enough to allow a majority of the gap to be filed with a solid dielectric. Another embodiment is a method for controlling the minimum gap thickness. In yet another embodiment, a rotary actuator includes a heat conduit with a concave surface for bonding to the coil, increasing rigidity and thermal conduction.

Abstract: A method for reducing a volume of a tongue provides a source of ablation energy and an ablation energy delivery device. At least a portion of the ablation energy delivery device is positioned in an interior of the tongue. A sufficient amount of energy is delivered from the energy delivery device into the interior of the tongue to debulk a section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. Thereafter, the at least portion of the ablation energy delivery device is removed from the interior of the tongue.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus includes a cannula with a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen. An anvil is coupled to the cannula and extends beyond the cannula distal end. The anvil has a distal end that extends in a lateral direction relative to an anvil longitudinal axis. The distal end is adapted to receive and position an uvula or other soft tissue. One or more energy delivery devices are slideably positioned in the cannula. The energy delivery devices are advanced and retracted in and out the cannula distal end. An advancement and retraction apparatus advances and retracts the energy delivery devices in and out of the cannula distal end and into the soft tissue retained at the anvil distal end. The soft tissue ablation apparatus can further include a handle with a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula is at least partially positioned in the handle lumen and extends beyond the handle distal end. The ablation apparatus is useful for ablation of soft palate tissue to eliminate snoring.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating air way obstructions, includes a first arm including a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm distal end is inserted into the throat and positioned adjacent to a back surface of the tongue. A second arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The second arm is positioned under the jaw. A coupling member couples the first arm with the second arm, permitting rotational movement of each arm about a longitudinal axis of the coupling member. A plurality of RF electrodes are positioned in the first arm. The plurality of RF electrodes are advanced into the back of the tongue and retracted out of the tongue and into the first arm, ablating a selected area of the back of the tongue.