Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for treating patients suffering from movement disorders having the ability to determine one or more biomarkers indicative of a disease state. In some embodiments, the biomarker may be used as a closed-loop feedback signal to control the delivery of therapy (such as electrical stimulation or drug therapy), and which may also be used as an indication of therapy effectiveness. One embodiment uses electrodes placed in the brain to measure EEG or local field potential (LFP) signals, from which the one or more biomarkers may be determined.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods selectively blank a neurological channel of a medical device system in the treatment of a nervous system disorder. A selected signal of a selected channel may be blanked if it is determined that the selected signal may be affected by an artifact when the medical device system delivers a treatment therapy. The selected signal may be blanked by hardware, in which the selected electrode is disconnected from the selected channel (which may include an selected amplifier) and is connected to a fixed voltage in order to avoid saturation of the selected amplifier. The selected channel may be blanked by software, in which a signal processor is instructed not to process neurological data on the selected channel for a determined time duration. Embodiments may combine hardware and software blanking for the selected signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting possible interference in a neurological signal received from a monitoring element of a medical device system. The monitoring element monitors a condition or a symptom of a nervous system disorder being treated and provides a neurological signal to the medical device system for purposes of providing closed-loop feedback control. The system analyzes various parameters of the received signal by taking instantaneous measurements of data points in moving window and thereby determining whether the signal is of poor quality. If the signal is of determined poor quality, it is removed from consideration in the closed-loop feedback control system until it is determined that the signal quality has sufficiently been restored.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for phase shifting neurological signals received from monitoring elements of a medical device. The medical device comprises a plurality of monitoring elements each receiving a neurological signal. The device processes the neurological signals and identifies a time shift of the neurological signals relative to each other. The neurological signals are then time shifted according to the time shift upon which the signals are utilized to provide closed-loop feedback control of a treatment therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable seating device (e.g., portable stadium seat) that includes a seat and a backrest movably interconnected with the seat, and that is generally positionable in both stowed and deployed positions. The backrest also may be selectively movable toward and/or away from the seat, at least when the device is in the deployed position. One embodiment of the device may include a base that is interfacable with a supporting surface on which the device is to be supported, and a mechanism for rotatably interconnecting the seat with the base. Accordingly, the seat may be rotatable relative to the base. Another embodiment of the device may include a stand having a first end that is detachably interconnectable with the seat and/or base, and a second end that may be spaced from the base and interfacable with the supporting surface on which the device is to be supported.

Abstract: Apparatus and method support a repetitive administration of a therapeutic treatment through a delivery unit during a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder. The medical device system monitors signal data from a sensor and through an amplifier. A neurological event is detected by a medical device system using a detection algorithm. Consequently, a electrical stimulation pulse is applied to an electrode. During the delivery of the electrical stimulation pulse, the medical device system blanks signal data that is associated with the electrode. Subsequently, additional blanking is providing during a time interval in which signal artifacts may occur and the amplifier is stabilizing. The medical device system then collects signal data for the detection algorithm to stabilize. Subsequently, the medical device system collects additional signal data in order to obtain statistically meaningful data.

Abstract: A method and medical device system for controlling treatment therapy delivered to treat a nervous system disorder. During start-up, the medical device system prevents the therapy device from delivering therapy to the patient for a predetermined time period after the therapy device has been activated. During operation, before the therapy device is programmed, the system performs a check on the programming information to ensure that the programming information will result in treatment therapy being within of an acceptable range of one or more therapy parameters.

Abstract: A medical device system having a redundant back-up mechanism to ensure that treatment therapy is turned off after a given time duration. Once the treatment therapy is initiated, a cycle ON timer is set. If the ON timer expires prior to receiving any instruction to turn off the treatment therapy, the device responsively turns off the treatment therapy, thereby ensuring that the treatment therapy is not delivered beyond that which is desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting possible interference in a neurological signal received from a monitoring element of a medical device system. The monitoring element monitors a condition or a symptom of a nervous system disorder being treated and provides a neurological signal to the medical device system for purposes of providing closed-loop feedback control. The system analyzes various parameters of the received signal by taking instantaneous measurements of data points in moving window and thereby determining whether the signal is of poor quality. If the signal is of determined poor quality, it is removed from consideration in the closed-loop feedback control system until it is determined that the signal quality has sufficiently been restored.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods selectively blank a neurological channel of a medical device system in the treatment of a nervous system disorder. A selected signal of a selected channel may be blanked if it is determined that the selected signal may be affected by an artifact when the medical device system delivers a treatment therapy. The selected signal may be blanked by hardware, in which the selected electrode is disconnected from the selected channel (which may include an selected amplifier) and is connected to a fixed voltage in order to avoid saturation of the selected amplifier. The selected channel may be blanked by software, in which a signal processor is instructed not to process neurological data on the selected channel for a determined time duration. Embodiments may combine hardware and software blanking for the selected signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for phase shifting neurological signals received from monitoring elements of a medical device. The medical device comprises a plurality of monitoring elements each receiving a neurological signal. The device processes the neurological signals identify a time shift of the neurological signal relative to each other. The neurological signals are then time shifted according to the time shift upon which the signals are utilized to provide closed-loop feedback control of a treatment therapy.

Abstract: A group of sealants are described which utilize a by-product of paint booth spray operations. Processed paint booth overspray particles are combined with various resins, curing agents to form the sealant compositions.

Abstract: A percussive instrument comprises two shells, each having open ends. The shells are positioned substantially end to end. Drum heads are positioned at the opposing open ends and between the two shells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tissue characterization of animals using ultrasound wherein the apparatus generally comprises a hand-held ultrasound transducer array, a power source, a data acquisition unit and a communications means for coupling the hand-held ultrasound transducer array to the data acquisition unit. Display means and input means are provided for the control of the device by a user. The method includes gathering data concerning the animal tissue by using the apparatus to generate and receive ultrasound signals into and from the animal tissue and then processing the data which are gathered. This processing includes analyses which determine whether or not the hand-held ultrasound transducer array was positioned correctly relative to the animal tissue as well as the fat percentage and marbleization of the tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sounding apparatus is described for measuring backfat and determining pregnancy in animals, having a plurality of self-test features to ensure integrity of the measurements. In the preferred embodiment, a hand-held ultrasonic device is described for detecting increased amounts of amniotic fluid in an animal's uterus for an indication of pregnancy. Every two and one half seconds the hand-held ultrasonic device emits a small tone indicating that the transducer is in correct contact with the body of the animal. The generation of this skin contact tone is performed using the same ultrasonic circuitry that is used to detect the amniotic fluid, thereby providing the dual function of circuit self-test and skin contact test. In addition, the device includes a power-up confidence test to test the components of the circuit and indicate by an audible tone that everything is working properly. This power-up confidence test also uses the same ultrasonic circuitry that performs the detection of amniotic fluid.

Abstract: A housing is disclosed for an apparatus for determining pregnancy in animals which includes a pressure activated switch. The housing includes a housing portion formed from integrally molded synthetic plastic which is selected to have a rigidity which varies with the thickness of the material. The handle includes walls which define a chamber for receiving components of the apparatus including a pressure activated switch. The walls are selected to have material thickness sufficient for the walls to be rigid in response to a pressure applied by an operator's hand. A digit engaging portion of one of the walls is provided with a reduced thickness sufficient for the digit engaging portion to flex into the chamber in response to a pressure applied by an operator's hand and returned to a rest position when pressure is withdrawn. The pressure activated switch is included within the chamber and has a pressure activated element opposing the digit engaging portion.

Abstract: An automatic digital backfat meter. An apparatus and method primarily for measuring the thickness of backfat in an animal which automatically adjusts sensitivity and notifies the user when a proper reading is obtained. The transducer (62) produces pulses which pass amplifier (64), threshold detector (68), and are counted in counter (74). If two counts are received, indicator (76) is activated. If two counts are not received, the cycle is repeated and the amplifier (64) has its gain increased by sensitivity control (66) in a stepwise increment until indicator light (76) is activated. Time delay (78) prevents the first echo from being counted at counter (74).

Abstract: An automatic digital backfat meter. An apparatus and method primarily for measuring the thickness of backfat in an animal which automatically adjusts sensitivity and notifies the user when a proper reading is obtained. The transducer (62) produces pulses which pass amplifier (64), threshold detector (68), and are counted in counter (74). If two counts are received, indicator (76) is activated. If two counts are not received, the cycle is repeated and the amplifier (64) has its gain increased by sensitivity control (66) in a stepwise increment until the first fat layer is detected. Time delay (78) prevents the first echo from being counted at counter (74).

Abstract: A pulsed ultrasonic detection system particularly adapted for detection of biological tissue includes a probe for placement against the body, apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and for receiving return pulses, signal processing circuits and a cathode ray tube display for displaying the return pulses as a function of time. A gating signal is generated after a predetermined time delay from each transmitted pulse, and the time delay and the duration of the gating signal are selected to correspond to the timing of a particular expected return pulse. Return pulses are gated into an audible signal device by a switching device, but only during the time interval thus defined by the gating signal. If a return pulse of sufficient amplitude occurs during the gated interval, the audible signal device is energized.