Abstract: A protective covering system comprising a fixture having an inner volume, the inner volume defined by at least one fixture wall having a height, a plurality of anchoring means located at least one of on the fixture and external to the fixture, and a covering device having a flexible cover section and a plurality of fastening means, the plurality of fastening means configured to cooperate with the plurality of anchoring means to removably secure the covering device over the inner volume of the fixture to provide a flexible ceiling across an opening of the inner volume is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier has a frame mountable to a vehicle and defining a pair of spaced apart support arms for supporting one or more bicycles. The support arms are provided with positioning guides, which may take the form of spaced circumferential ridges and troughs extending along the support arms. The ridges and troughs may be formed by a ribbed sleeve mounted on the support arms. At least one cradle is mounted on each support arm for receiving and releasable holding a selected tube or tubes of a bicycle frame. Each cradle has an opening through which the support arm extends and a tab projects partially into the opening. The tabs are configured to be received and to ride within selected ones of the troughs of the support arms for rotatably positioning the cradles at desired positions along their support arms. A channel extends along the support arms interrupting the ridges.

Abstract: The implantable eyelid electrode apparatus includes a body of nonconductive material having first and second edges and first and second ends. A longitudinal axis extends between the first and second ends and a distance from the longitudinal axis to at least one of the first and second edges decreases towards at least one of the first and second ends. Conductive material is positioned at a surface of the body and at least one lead wire is in electrical contact with the conductive material. Further, the conductive material may include a number of conductive electrodes which are capable of being connected as an anode, a cathode, or left in an open configuration. The conductive electrodes may be strip electrodes positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further, the plurality of conductive electrodes may be configured in a guarded multipolar configuration. An electrode device may be implanted in the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid or both.

Abstract: A method for opening an upper airway of a patient by applying electrical stimulation to the patient's hypoglossal nerve includes positioning of an electrode into electrical contact with a selected portion of the patient's hypoglossal nerve, applying a stimulating electrical current from the electrode to the hypoglossal nerve and intraoperatively verifying the position of the electrode or adjusting the position of the electrode until it can be seen that the correct muscles of the upper airway are being stimulated. In particular, in an intraoperative setting it is possible to determine whether the correct muscles are being stimulated by looking for forward and contralateral extension of the patient's tongue or an increase in volume of the patient's oropharynx.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for stimulation of an upper airway muscle of a patient to relieve an airway obstruction in which stimulation is synchronized with the inspiratory phase of the patient's respiratory cycle. A respiratory effort waveform of the patient is monitored for a changes in slope and amplitude of the respiratory effort waveform characteristic of the inspiratory phase. Stimulation is then commenced and concluded according to the detected inspiratory phase.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the validity of a respiratory effort waveform from a signal having non-respiratory artifacts includes monitoring a respiratory effort waveform for a parameter of the waveform that is characteristic of a non-respiratory artifact. The parameter is then compared with a predetermined limit to determine whether a valid respiratory waveform has been detected. This is useful for obstructive apnea treatment by electrical stimulation in order to reliably limit electrical stimulation to the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle.

Abstract: A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient by electrical stimulation of muscles of the upper airway includes detecting an obstructive apnea and then stimulating muscles of the upper airway in response to the apnea. The apnea is detected by monitoring changes in a respiratory effort waveform of the patient for a parameter characteristic of the patient's level of respiratory effort which is averaged over successive respiratory cycles to provide a baseline average. A limit value is then generated from the baseline average and the value for the parameter is compared with the limit value. If the limit value is exceeded, an apnea event is detected. Electrical stimulation can then be applied to a muscle of the upper airway upon detection of the apnea at a level which restores patency to the airway.

Abstract: A method for treating sleep apnea by bursts of electrical stimulation in response to sensed inspiration which includes detecting an arousal event thereafter maintaining stimulation intensity in response to sensed inspiration below that which is perceptible to the patient. This level of stimulation is maintained for a predetermined period of time after detection of the arousal event in order to allow the patient to return to sleep without perceptible upper airway stimulation.

Abstract: A cooler backpack includes two or more separate storage compartments adjoining a central ice container. One of the compartments may be adapted to store cans or bottles of beverages in a plurality of recesses formed in one side of the ice container. Another of the compartments may be used for food storage and includes an insulated hard shell container having one or more shelves. The storage compartments and ice container fit within a durable insulated backpack. Apertures in the side of the backpack provide separate access to each of the storage compartments.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting arousal from sleep in a patient by monitoring a respiratory effort waveform of the patient. At least one parameter of the waveform that is characteristic of a body movement artifact is monitored and compared with a predetermined limit. This method of arousal detection is particularly useful for treating sleep apnea by bursts of electrical stimulation in response to sensed inspiration since it allows the electrical stimulation to be reduced or stopped promptly as the patient wakes.

Abstract: A method and device for stimulation of an upper airway muscle of a patient to relieve an airway obstruction employs a digital respiratory effort waveform. The waveform is provided by sensing a signal having an output characteristic of respiratory effort of the patient and sampling the sensed signal at a predetermined interval. To bring the signal into the center of the maximum digital range for the device, an average offset for the digitized waveform is determined and the sensed signal is adjusted to bring the average offset into the center of a predetermined maximum digital range. To provide an appropriate amplitude for the waveform, an average peak-to-peak amplitude for the digitized waveform is determined and the average peak-to-peak amplitude is then adjusted to bring the average peak-to-peak amplitude into the range of about 60-90% of the maximum digital range.