Abstract: This present application disclosed a series of selective adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) inhibitors, compounds having a formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as a pain therapeutic. Those compounds may provide an effective method of treatment for chronic/inflammatory pain. Those compounds may also prevent opioid dependence and/or reduce opioid dependence. Both method and composition matters are within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: In an articulating probe system, an articulating probe is constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one degree of motion and to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state, the articulating probe comprising a plurality of links between a proximal link and a distal link. The distal link of the articulating probe includes a side port constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of an elongate tool. A tool support is in communication with the articulating probe for supporting the elongate tool, the tool support including a tool tube that extends from the tool support at an intermediate portion to the side port of the distal link at a distal portion, the tool tube having a first flexibility in the intermediate portion and having a second flexibility in the distal portion; the second flexibility being greater in flexibility than the first flexibility.

Abstract: A method for electronically mining intellectual property using an associative discovery process may include determining a set of documents containing keywords and/or phrases associated with an industry trend of interest and, for each document, assigning a weight. The method may also include selecting a subset of the documents based at least upon the assigned weights, and determining a feedback score for each document in the subset. The method may further include determining an optimal weighing scheme for the determined keywords and/or phrases using a statistical learning model and the feedback scores, ranking all documents in the set of documents according to the optimal weighing scheme, and providing results of the associative discovery process to a user.

Abstract: A medical appliance for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, the appliance comprising: a biasing member for inserting behind and exerting a force upon the patient's soft palate or tongue, wherein the biasing member is inserted in a reduced or minimized form and then expanded or firms once in place to exert the force. The appliance may be nasally inserted or be placed through the mouth. In a particular configuration, both the soft palate and tongue are biased to prevent obstruction of the flow of air in the nasopharyngeal airway.

Abstract: A highly articulated robotic probe comprises an outer sleeve and an inner core. The outer sleeve and inner core include a plurality of links. The links of the outer sleeve and inner core are configured to pivot relative to one another. Various characteristics of the links determine the overall pivot angle of the articulated probe. Each of the plurality of links may have one or more channels. The channels form a semi-continuous passage from link to link and are configured to receive an elongated member such as an inner core, tool or cable. One or more cables may be used to control the outer links of the outer sleeve and the inner links of the inner core. Various characteristics of the cables determine the overall performance of the articulated probe.

Abstract: A cardiac information dynamic display system comprises: one or more electrodes configured to record sets of electric potential data representing cardiac activity at a plurality of time intervals; and a cardiac information console, comprising: a signal processor configured to: calculate sets of cardiac activity data at the plurality of time intervals using the recorded sets of electric potential data, wherein the cardiac activity data is associated with surface locations of one or more cardiac chambers; and a user interface module configured to display a series of images, each image comprising: a graphical representation of the cardiac activity. Methods of providing cardiac activity data are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a flex-PCB catheter device that is configured to be inserted into a body lumen. The flex-PCB catheter comprises an elongate shaft, an expandable assembly, a flexible printed circuit board (flex-PCB) substrate, a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of communication paths. The elongate shaft comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The expandable assembly is configured to transition from a radially compact state to a radially expanded state. The plurality of electronic elements are coupled to the flex-PCB substrate and are configured to receive and/or transmit an electric signal. The plurality of communication paths are positioned on and/or within the flex-PCB substrate. The communication paths selectively couple the plurality of electronic elements to a plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to an electronic module configured to process the electrical signal. The flex-PCB substrate can have multiple layers, including one or more metallic layers.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module generates electrical power when installed on a roof. A photovoltaic module preferably has an upper transparent protective layer, and a photovoltaic layer positioned beneath the upper transparent protective layer, the photovoltaic layer comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells disposed in an array. A rigid substrate layer is preferably positioned beneath the photovoltaic layer. A plurality of inserts is configured to be fixedly attached to (i) a bottom surface of the rigid substrate and (ii) a surface of a roof. The plurality of inserts is preferably disposed in an array, each foam insert having a substantially triangular-shaped cross section when viewed from a side orthogonal to a line of a roof downward slope.

Abstract: The combined capillary electrophoresis electrospray mass spectrometry apparatus has a circuit to handle excess current allows separations under a wide range of electrophoretic conditions. The apparatus includes an electrospray with an emitter and an electrospray interface connected with a separation capillary configured to transport a sample with an injection end and a distal end. The injection end of the separation capillary is inserted into a reservoir containing a background electrolyte and the distal end is threaded within the electrospray interface and sized and shaped to mate with the electrospray interface. A power supply is electrically connected to the injection end and an amplifier at least one first diode positioned between the amplifier and the distal end allows current to flow to the distal end only. A second diode positioned between the distal end and a ground configured to allow current flow to the ground.

Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatuses (devices and systems) for determining tissue wetness, and particularly lung wetness. In particular, described herein are apparatuses including patch sensors having a plurality of electrodes one a substrate that includes alignment tabs for aiding in alignment. Also described herein are patch sensors having one or more substrate modifications to enhance local flexibility of the patch. Finally, described herein are apparatuses for determining lung wetness that determine the contour of the body region onto which the patch is applied, e.g., using a diagnostic tool to measure body contour.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient is provided. The medical apparatus has an elongate member with a middle portion, a first fixation element and a second fixation element. The middle portion applies a force to a segment of a patient's airway.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module generates electrical power when installed on a roof. A photovoltaic module preferably has an upper transparent protective layer, and a photovoltaic layer positioned beneath the upper transparent protective layer, the photovoltaic layer comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells disposed in an array. A rigid substrate layer is preferably positioned beneath the photovoltaic layer. A plurality of inserts is configured to be fixedly attached to (i) a bottom surface of the rigid substrate and (ii) a surface of a roof. The plurality of inserts is preferably disposed in an array, each foam insert having a substantially triangular-shaped cross section when viewed from a side orthogonal to a line of a roof downward slope.

Abstract: A computer implemented prediction and alert method automatically executable by a processing unit of a portable computing device. The method includes determining that an event begins from event information of the portable computing device, generating a list of likely event results based on current conditions of the event and historical data, alerting a user to an event result problem for each likely event result in accordance with first and second determinations as the event information indicates that an event decision of the event is upcoming, removing unlikely event results from the list once the event decision is passed and repeating the generating, alerting and removing until only a single event result remains on the list.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to customizing instant messaging traffic. An aspect includes receiving a first association between a contact and a category and a second association between the category and one or more receiving client devices. A status from the one or more receiving client devices is routed to the contact based on the first and second associations. Additionally, a message from the contact is routed to the one or more receiving client devices based on the first and second associations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of substances or apparatus to target sites located outside blood vessels within the body of a human or animal patient. A vessel wall penetrating catheter is inserted into the vasculature, positioned and oriented within a blood vessel near the target extravascular site and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter so as to penetrate outwardly through the wall of the blood vessel in the direction of the target site. Thereafter, a delivery catheter is passed through a lumen of the penetrator to the target site. A desired substance or apparatus is then delivered to or obtained from the target site. In some applications, the penetrator may be retracted into the vessel wall penetrating catheter and the vessel wall penetrating catheter may be removed, leaving the delivery catheter in place for chronic or continuous delivery of substance(s) to and/or obtaining of information or samples from the target site.

Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.

Abstract: Devices and methods for penetrating from a vessel lumen in which a catheter device is positioned to a target location outside of that vessel lumen. A tissue penetrator advances from a catheter positioned within the vessel lumen to the target location when properly aimed. An imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body provides an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. An imageable marker may be present on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal to predict the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained electronically without use of an imageable marker on the catheter.

Abstract: A system for electrospinning a fiber matrix on a tubular member includes at least one nozzle, a tubular member in a spaced relationship to the at least one nozzle, and a fluid source for pressurizing a lumen of the tubular member. An electrical potential is applied between the at least one nozzle and either the tubular member or fluid from the fluid source. The electrical potential draws at least one fiber from the at least one nozzle to the tubular member.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea in a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises an elongate member with a middle portion, a first fixation element and a second fixation element. The middle portion applies a force to a segment of a patient's airway.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method utilizing adsorber bed(s) and reversible blower(s) operating in a vacuum pressure swing adsorption separation process to separate gases. The process is designed to provide a safer and more cost-effective adsorption system that captures and utilizes energy typically wasted during equipment transitions thereby achieving overall higher power efficiency.