Abstract: A content delivery network (CDN) includes a plurality of CDN components including at least one CDN rendezvous mechanism and at least one control core. The CDN components are controlled by control core data from the at least one control core. Some CDN components obtain CDN resources including control core data from at least some other CDN components. The CDN components use the CDN rendezvous mechanism to select one or more CDN components from which to obtain CDN resources.

Abstract: A networked and computerized system is disclosed for providing funding allocations, savings, and discounts to certain individuals at the time of purchase from a retail outlet. Specifically, savings and discounts may be provided to SNAP recipients (such as products not eligible for SNAP discounts) by manufacturers when certain products are purchased. The individuals eligible for such discounts are determined based upon the payment information and/or based on their eligibility under the SNAP program. Manufacturers may provide credits back to the retailer as compensation for the savings and discounts. Discounts can be taken at the time of purchase or may be transferred to another account. Funding allocations may be provided to a digital wallet of a qualifying consumer to assist with the purchase of qualifying products. Funding allocations may be made by manufacturers before the purchase transaction takes place, such that no credit need be provided to the retailer.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a connector (330) for a coupling assembly (300, 600) for connecting a medical device (120) and a controller device (110) in a medical device control system (100). The controller device (110) is configured to control the operation of the medical device (120), the connector (330) having a connector body (331) being connectable to a connecting member (310) of the coupling assembly for forming a connection. The connector (330) comprises at least one parameter indicating element (390) provided on the connector body (331), said at least one parameter indicating element (390) being adjustable relative the connector body (331) for providing an indication of a use parameter of the medical device control system (100) to a user.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a coupling assembly (300, 600) for fluidically connecting an inflatable/deflatable article (120) and a pump (110) in a fluid pressure control system (100) and a fluid pressure control system (100) comprising such a coupling assembly (300, 600). The coupling assembly (300, 600) comprises a position indicating arrangement (380) which comprises a sensing arrangement (320) and a position indicating part (390, 490, 690).

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic and digital building block system includes modular electronic building modules that can be electrically coupled together to create various different electronic devices. In addition to physical electronic modules, the system can include digital building blocks to further enhance and integrate the functions of an assembled bit-system that can be created/assembled by a user of the block electronic building system. The digital building blocks are not a physical module, but digital content or other software or cloud applications that can be represented as virtual digital blocks, and that can interface with the physical modules. The digital blocks can provide integration between the functionality of the physical building blocks and functionality of computer-based and/or web-based applications, programs and systems. The electronic and digital building block system can include a system program and a visualizer that can be viewed on the display of a computer device.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting vascular circulation, including a garment configured to at least partially surround an anatomical structure of a patient. A compression element is coupled to the garment and configured to compress at least a portion of the anatomical structure when the compression element is actuated. A controller is configured to selectively actuate the compression element over a plurality of cycles. Each cycle has an actuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a first pressure and an unactuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a second pressure different than the first pressure, and the controller is configured to use a random value in determining the deflated time of one or more of the cycles.

Abstract: A connector for an inflatable garment that detects a valid connection with a pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting vascular circulation, including a garment configured to at least partially surround an anatomical structure of a patient. A compression element is coupled to the garment and configured to compress at least a portion of the anatomical structure when the compression element is actuated. A controller is configured to selectively actuate the compression element over a plurality of cycles. Each cycle has an actuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a first pressure and an unactuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a second pressure different than the first pressure, and the controller is configured to use a random value in determining the deflated time of one or more of the cycles.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting faults in a shield of an electrosurgical instrument is described. The device has a relay configured to selectively interrupt power to the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a shield in the electrosurgical instrument, control circuitry to control the relay, and a battery power source. The monitoring circuitry has an envelope detector and a detected average shield current detector. The monitoring circuitry is configured to compare a shield current peak value to a shield current peak threshold value, and to compare a detected average shield current value to a detected average shield current threshold value. The device is further configured to operatively couple an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument and a return electrode to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A method and system for communication protocol pass reduction amongst recipient nodes capable of receiving broadcast messages, the recipient nodes functioning as different decisions points for determination of a passing joint set of nodes for squadron communication therebetween. The method and system provide squadron communication between different ones of the recipient nodes, wherein one of the recipient nodes becomes a squadron leader node upon a selection of a specific broadcast message for distribution to other recipient nodes for acceptance. The squadron leader node and the other recipient nodes upon acceptance form the passing joint set of nodes for squadron communication therebetween.

Abstract: A cable assembly and methods for indicating an electrical measurement in an electrosurgical instrument are disclosed. The assembly has a circuit having a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a processing device operatively coupled to the at least one active conductor. The assembly also has a substantially electrically non-conductive housing enclosing the circuit and a portion of at least one active conductor, and exposing a contact portion of the at least one active conductor, the at least one active conductor configured to conduct power to an electrosurgical instrument. The assembly also has an indicator operatively coupled to the processing device.

Abstract: Inflatable mattress apparatus includes a mattress provided with a plurality of inflatable cells (A, B); a manifold unit (V1-V4) connected to the plurality of cells, wherein the manifold (V1-V4) couples the cells into a plurality of individual sets of cells; and a control unit connected to the manifold, the control unit being operable to provide substantially simultaneous inflation and deflation of cells (A, B) in each set of cells over a period, and time offset inflation and deflation of cells in different sets of cells. The apparatus can provide the same benefits of a 1 of 2? system with reduced movement of the entire surface at any point in the cycle, less air moving at any given time and thus a reduction in the audible noise produced in any pump supplying the air and the associated airflow in the mattress. The arrangement provide other benefits too.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting faults in a shield of an electrosurgical instrument is described. The device has a relay configured to selectively interrupt power to the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a shield in the electrosurgical instrument, control circuitry to control the relay, and a battery power source. The monitoring circuitry has an envelope detector and a detected average shield current detector. The monitoring circuitry is configured to compare a shield current peak value to a shield current peak threshold value, and to compare a detected average shield current value to a detected average shield current threshold value. The device is further configured to operatively couple an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument and a return electrode to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A device for applying compression to a patient's limb includes a sleeve and a control unit configured to supply pressurized fluid to the sleeve using the following inflation/deflation process: inflating the at least one chamber from an initial pressure to a first pressure; maintaining the at least one chamber at the first pressure for a first predetermined amount of time; changing the pressure in the at least one chamber from the first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is greater than the initial pressure; maintaining the at least one chamber at the second pressure for a second predetermined amount of time; changing the pressure in the at least one chamber from the second pressure to the first pressure or a third pressure greater than the second pressure; maintaining the at least one chamber at the first pressure or the third pressure for a third predetermined amount of time; and deflating the at least one chamber to zero pressure or a fourth pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for communication protocol pass reduction amongst recipient nodes capable of receiving broadcast messages, the recipient nodes functioning as different decisions points for determination of a passing joint set of nodes for squadron communication therebetween. The method and system provide squadron communication between different ones of the recipient nodes, wherein one of the recipient nodes becomes a squadron leader node upon a selection of a specific broadcast message for distribution to other recipient nodes for acceptance. The squadron leader node and the other recipient nodes upon acceptance form the passing joint set of nodes for squadron communication therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for completing sales to a consumer with a new card that combines the process of dispensing pre-purchased commodities from a customer account at the point of sale as well as the ability to complete the transaction with a credit and debit function. The present invention includes a distributed system having at least a part for sales of a commodity and at least one a part for dispensing of a commodity. The distributed system includes a communication connection between the parts. A first entity uses the first part of the distributed system to sell commodities to a consumer to be dispensed at a later time. The consumer obtains the commodities in differing amounts from the amounts sold from a second entity. The second entity uses the second part of the distributed system and the communication link between the first and second parts of the distributed system to verify amounts available to be dispensed to the consumer.

Abstract: An active vibration control system (AVCS) and method for reducing motion and/or vibration of a seat frame within an aircraft includes vibration sensors, a controller, and force generators. In some embodiments, the vibration sensors and/or the force generators are attached to the seat frames. In other embodiments, the vibration sensors and/or the force generators are attached to aircraft structures, proximate to the seat frame. By monitoring the motion and/or vibration of the seat frame, the controller calculates a cancelling force to be generated by the force generators to reduce the vibration experienced by the seat frame and its occupant. Such seat frame vibration control can be implemented as a separate AVCS in an aircraft, or can be integrated in an existing AVCS that is also configured to provide vibration control in other parts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for completing sales to a consumer with a new card that combines the process of dispensing pre-purchased commodities from a customer account at the point of sale as well as the ability to complete the transaction with a credit and debit function. The present invention includes a distributed system having at least a part for sales of a commodity and at least one a part for dispensing of a commodity. The distributed system includes a communication connection between the parts. A first entity uses the first part of the distributed system to sell commodities to a consumer to be dispensed at a later time. The consumer obtains the commodities in differing amounts from the amounts sold from a second entity. The second entity uses the second part of the distributed system and the communication link between the first and second parts of the distributed system to verify amounts available to be dispensed to the consumer.

Abstract: A boot for an electrosurgical instrument has a conductive boot shield substantially enclosed by one or more insulating layers. The boot shield has a flexible conductive medium. The flexible conductive medium has a plurality of conductive components suspended in at least one of a first liquid or a first gel, whereby the boot is configured to bend with a bend radius of about 10 millimeters or less without a loss in conductivity of the boot shield. A related method and system are also provided.