Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and/or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system is provided for electrically stimulating nerve tissue in multiple locations in a person's brain to treat multiple conditions in the person's body. The system includes first electrodes and second electrodes adapted to be implanted within a person's skull. The first electrodes are adapted to be positioned proximate first nerve tissue in the brain associated with a first condition in the person's body for delivering electrical stimulation pulses to the first nerve tissue to treat the first condition. The second electrodes are adapted to be positioned proximate second nerve tissue in the brain associated with a second condition in the person's body for delivering electrical stimulation pulses to the second nerve tissue to treat the second condition.

Abstract: A wipe is provided that includes a first wiping member bonded to a backing member along valleys, whereby the wiping member includes a plurality of discrete peaks, and an adhesive is provided, in one embodiment, in the valleys and not on the peaks.

Abstract: A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc is presented. The method comprises implanting a lead with one or more electrodes in a placement site in or adjacent to one or more discs at any spinal level from cervical through lumbar, connecting the lead to a signal generator, and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the disc. Additionally, a system for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc is presented that comprises a lead with one or more electrodes, an introducer for introducing the lead to a placement site in or adjacent to the disc, a removable stylet for guiding the lead to the placement site in the disc, and a generator connected to the lead for generating electrical pulses to the lead for stimulating the disc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an outsole for use with a shoe and a shoe having an improved outsole. The outsole includes a forward portion and a rearward portion that are connected by a ball-and-socket connection that allows the portions to move freely. The outsole may include flexible members disposed between discrete pieces of the forward portion to allow these pieces to flex freely. The outsole includes a pair of stabilizer rods. The outsole may be used with a sole construction that includes a gel cushion that is adjacent a transparent window member of the outsole. The outsole has areas of extension for improving the traction and balance of the user.

Abstract: A computer system has at least one processor, a memory system, a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) bus interface, and Input/Ouput devices. At least one Input/Ouput device of the system has an integrated circuit connected to and readable by the JTAG bus interface. The memory system of the computer system contains an exception handler capable of reading a state of the readable integrated circuit of the Input/Output device upon occurrence of an exception.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the dimensions of the palpable surface of the prostate in the physician's office and calculating prostate volume, rate of growth and changes in rate of growth. A membrane with a grid pattern is located proximate the prostate. A physician moves a measurement system, formed at the end of the index finger and located in a glove, between opposite margins of the prostate. The measurement system counts the grid elements between the margins that translate into a quantitative measurement of size of the palpable surface of the prostate.

Abstract: An electronic controller for a vehicle leveling system comprises an extend-enable switch, a retract-enable switch, an all-activate switch, and at least one group-activate switch. It is configured to generate an all-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the all-activate switch, an all-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the all-activate switch, a group-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the group-activate switch, and a group-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the group-activate switch. Vehicle leveling systems having the electronic controller further include a plurality of jacks operably controlled by the electronic controller and a power system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, for fabricating an implantable apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation from a pulse generator, comprises: providing a plurality of conductors, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors passes through at least one interior passage of a body, wherein the body is formed of a first insulative material having prescribed mechanical properties; coupling at least one terminal to each conductor of the plurality of conductors, the terminals being adapted to receive electrical signals from the pulse generator, wherein adjacent terminals are separated by a second insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the first insulative material; and over-molding a region of the apparatus containing the terminals with a third insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the material of the body.

Abstract: A system for and method of evaluating a log. The system includes an analysis module having at least one input terminal connectable to the at least one input device. The at least one input terminal is operable to receive at least one signal representing at least one measured property of the log and at least one determined parameter of the log determined in response to an energy being applied to the log. The analysis module further includes a processor coupled to the at least one input terminal. The processor determines a predictive modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the log based at least in part on the at least one measured property and the at least one sensed parameter. The analysis module also includes an output terminal coupled to the processor and connectable to an output device. The output terminal transmits a third signal representing the predictive MOE.

Abstract: The invention 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products ensure correct connectivity between circuit designs. A list of connections of the circuit designs is generated. One or more mapping files are generated from the list to correlate connections between the circuit designs. The mapping file is regenerated in response to modification of at least one of the circuit designs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a four-component releasable mounted cleat assembly for interlocking into a receptacle of an athletic shoe wherein an inner rotating component may reciprocally swivel within an outer stationary component. The outer stationary component having a plurality of rigid posts extending outward for firmly gripping turf. The inner rotating component has a plurality of resilient legs extending outward in a radial direction for rotatably gripping the turf, wherein each leg may swivel in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions about 15° in relationship to the outer stationary component. The cleat assembly has a locking component which is biasly rotated in a first direction to install it within the shoe receptacle, and a geometric construction of downwardly extending tongues causes a requirement for a greater torque remove the cleat than was necessary to install it.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a composition and a process for forming a flexible polyurethane foam sealing device having improved compression set properties at increased temperatures. The sealing device is formed without the use of chemical blowing agents. The composition includes an isocyanate component for reaction with a resin component comprising an isocyanate-reactive component having a functionality of least four and a hydroxyl number of less than 40, a graft dispersion, and a physical blowing agent. The most preferred physical blowing agent is HFC-245 fa or 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.

Abstract: An elastomer composition includes the reaction product of an isocyanate component and a resin component. The resin component includes an isocyanate-reactive component, a first chain extender, and a second chain extender. The isocyanate-reactive component has an actual functionality of greater than two, and the first chain extender has an actual functionality of two. The second chain extender, which is different from the first chain extender, has a structure: In this structure, A includes at least two alkyl chain groups. Each alkyl chain group has at least three carbon atoms, and is substantially free of pendent groups. R and R? are selected from the group of hydroxyl functional groups, amino functional groups, thiol functional groups, and combinations thereof. The elastomer composition has a combination of exceptional tear strength and tensile strength. The elastomer composition is used in a support layer of a composite structure.

Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed which provide a substantially constant battery reserve capacity with respect to therapeutic medical devices. Accordingly, a battery control system may be operable to maintain a substantially constant reserve capacity throughout the life of the battery. The battery reserve capacity activation threshold may be set and continuously or periodically updated so that a battery's remaining capacity equals the predetermined reserve capacity when the measured parameter reaches the activation threshold, thereby allowing a maximum amount of a battery's total capacity to be employed for therapeutic use and reserve only that portion of that capacity determined to provide for a desired level and/or period of device function after reaching the reserve threshold.

Abstract: Compositions comprising bis-tetrahydrofuran benzodioxyolyl sulfonamide compounds that are surprisingly effective protease inhibitors and a second antiretroviral compound are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting retrovirus proteases, in particular multi-drug resistant retrovirus proteases, methods of treating or preventing infection or disease associated with retrovirus infection in a mammal, and methods of inhibiting viral replication are also disclosed.