Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: A single compression engine transmits first and second discrete cosine transform (DCT)-encoded signals. The first DCT-encoded signal uses at most t coefficient bits to represent each of a plurality of DCT coefficients. The second DCT-encoded signal uses at most u coefficient bits, where u is less than t, to represent each of the plurality of DCT coefficients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stimulation device for creating complex or multi-purpose tissue stimulation. Many typical stimulation devices suffer from deficiencies in providing complex stimulation patterns. Using a circuitry operable or programmable to repeat and skip stimulation settings, a complex stimulation set may be created. The repeating and skipping functionality may be implemented in hardware or software. In this manner, complex stimulations may be derived from simple circuitries. Furthermore, these stimulations may be used to treat pain, stimulate bone growth, and control motor disorders, among others.

Abstract: An elastomeric urethane composition includes the reaction product of a resin composition, including a polyol, and an isocyanate. The resin composition and the isocyanate are reacted, in the presence of a first and a second catalyst, to form a polyurethane elastomer. The first catalyst includes a metal selected from the group of iron, titanium, zirconium and hafnium. The second catalyst includes an amine. The elastomeric urethane composition may be used in a method of making an article. The method includes reacting the resin composition and the isocyanate to form the elastomeric urethane composition, applying the elastomeric urethane composition to a mold cavity, and allowing the elastomeric urethane composition to cure to form a first layer. The method also includes applying a urethane composition, different from the elastomeric urethane composition, to the mold to form a second layer, curing the article in the mold, and de-molding the article from the mold.

Abstract: Resistance-repellent and multidrug resistant retroviral protease inhibitors are provided. Pharmaceutical composition comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HIV infections in mammals, are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and implantable pulse generator (IPG) device that stores, on the implantable device, two or more treatment-protocol stimulus programs, each preferably having one or more stimsets, preferably as prescribed by a physician. The IPG communicates with an external patient programmer (EPP) to determine which of the stimulus programs should be run at any given time. Programs stored on the IPG are uploaded to the external device, and a selected program retransmitted (either the program itself, or selection information identifying the selected one of the IPG-stored programs) to the IPG for execution. An advanced programmer is used to read and write program instructions to the IPG. In this way, the patient is capable of carrying two or more program options with him, and if the patient uses an EPIPG, he can use any available EPP to power and operate the EPIPG.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control module for manipulating the dosage of one or more pharmaceutical solutions emanating from an implantable drug infusion pump. The dose control module has a processor and other circuitry for manipulating flow valves and other dose manipulators. Effluent catheters from one or more implantable drug infusion pumps may be connected to the dose control module. The dose control module may direct the effluent pharmaceutical solution to one or more catheters. These catheters direct the pharmaceutical solutions to treatment locations. The invention is also directed to induction coil valves for use in or with the dose control module. The use of induction coils permits the dose control module to determine valve position and counteract large directional magnetic fields produced by MRIs.

Abstract: Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) video data is separated into first data and second data. A first signal is formed based on the first data. A second signal is formed based on the second data. The first signal is transported via a first Optical Carrier 3 (OC-3) channel. The second signal is transported via a second OC-3 channel.

Abstract: Resistance-repellent and multidrug resistant retroviral protease inhibitors are provided. Pharmaceutical composition comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HIV infections in mammals, are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable medical device comprises: a rechargeable battery for powering the implantable medical device; an antenna for receiving RF power; and circuitry for charging the rechargeable battery using power received via the antenna, wherein the circuitry for charging comprises control circuitry that causes the circuitry for charging to recharge the rechargeable battery using multiple current levels applied in succession, and wherein the circuitry for charging switches from at least one of the current levels to another current level when a charging voltage of the rechargeable battery reaches a threshold value that is varied by the control circuitry over a lifespan of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods that are useful for preventing and treating a coronavirus infection in a subject. More specifically, the invention provides peptides and conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions containing those peptides and conjugates that block fusion of a coronavirus, such as the SARS virus, to a target cell. This blocking mechanism prevents or treats a coronavirus infection, such as a SARS infection, in a subject, such as a human subject.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method electrically stimulates an area in a spinal disc. The method comprises: implanting at least one steerable lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc such that the lead is disposed exterior and immediately adjacent to and circumferentially along an annulus of the spinal disc, the at least one lead including a plurality of electrodes distributed along a majority of a circumference of the annulus; connecting the lead to a signal generator; and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the spinal disc, wherein the stimulation of the targeted portion of the spinal disc sufficiently stimulates nerve tissue within the spinal disc to prevent communication of pain signals originating in the spinal disc without damaging tissue of the spinal disc.

Abstract: An electronic stimulation system is used to control pain over multiple regions of a patient's body. The system has one or more percutaneous leads, each having multiple electrodes, implanted within the patient's epidural space parallel to the axis of the spinal cord. The leads are connected to either a totally implanted system or a radio frequency system. The system is able to treat pain over different regions of a patient's body by “simultaneously” stimulating the patient with at least three different stimulation settings. “Simultaneous” stimulation involves sequentially stimulating the patient with the multiple stimulation settings such that the patient receives the cumulative effect of each stimulation setting, while not perceiving the transition from one stimulation setting to another.

Abstract: A database security structure that may be used for semistructured databases assigns each node 4 of a database to a collection. For each collection, create rights, retrieve rights, associate rights and dissassociate rights are provided to one or more users, the rights being assigned in common for all nodes of the collection. Users can only carry out the task if they have the appropriate rights. In this way, a flexible database security structure is provided that can deliver appropriate security for different elements of a semistructured database.

Abstract: A digital repository 20 includes data items. A user can add additional functionality or program routines to data item by including as a data item a data processing identifier pointing to at least one data processing routine. Such routines are accessed by a client 22 by sending from a client to the digital repository 20 a request to access a data item, wherein the repository provides an interface description document 32 from the digital repository 20 to the client 22 as the response to the request. The client 22 can then transmit a data processing request from the client to a service 26 identified by the data processing identifier of the interface description document 32, the data processing request including the identifier from the interface description document.

Abstract: Methods for isothermal titration calorimetry analysis of the binding affinity of protease inhibitors to plasma proteins. A method that can quantitatively calculate free drug concentrations of protease inhibitors in human plasma, as well as a method to calculate therapeutic amounts and dosage regimens. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method that can calculate the effect of plasma proteins on the antiviral activity (EC50 values) of protease inhibitors from their binding affinities to plasma proteins. The present invention provides as well a method that can evaluate the in vivo anti-HIV efficacy of PIs in human plasma.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy system includes a programmer and a stimulation system. The stimulation system is capable of storing multiple data sets, each data set effecting an independent therapy. The stimulation system includes a display mechanism that can display certain imagery to distinguish visually one therapy from another therapy.

Abstract: The application relates to a stimulation device with power conservation functionality. In implantable devices, power supplies may be limited. Replenishing these power supplies may require costly surgery or periodic recharging depending on the model. A method may be implemented that skips or drops periodic pulses without apparently changing the frequency of the pulses. In this manner, the dropped pulses may be undetected by the patient. On the other hand, the dropped pulse represents power savings. Dropping one in ten pulses may lead to a 10% energy savings. The stimulation device may implement the method with one or more counters implemented in hardware or software.