Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a flexible disc comprising a substantially radial slot adapted to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The slot is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted into the slot and is also adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The apparatus further includes a ring adapted to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The ring comprises a channel adapted to receive and secure the flexible disc.

Abstract: The system of the invention ensures pin assignments between system board connections of printed circuit boards. A plurality of software configuration files define connections of a plurality of printed circuit boards. A mapping file correlates pin assignment attributes between the software configuration files. A processing section processes the configuration files and the mapping file to generate board schematics for the plurality of printed circuit boards with common pin assignment for the connections of each of the printed circuit boards. The software configuration files may include symbol files representing parts within the plurality of printed circuit boards. The software configuration files may include geometry files representing physical attributes of the parts. Changes to the design are automatically correlated to pin assignments through the boards and layout.

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: The present invention provides an aspartic proteinase-inhibiting compound of the formula: wherein a, b, c, d, and e, can be the same or different and each are R7, OR7, SR7, NR7R7, NHCOR7, CO2R7, CN, NO2, NH2, N3, or a halogen, wherein R7 and R8 are independently H or an alkyl. Substituents R1 or R2 are each H or an alkyl. Substituent R3 is a straight chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl substituent, or is a cycloalkyl. Substituent A is OH, NH2, or SH. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions, which include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the foregoing compounds, and therapeutic methods of using the foregoing compounds.

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: Methods, devices and systems are provided for benefit management. One system includes a server including an application interface and access to a data store having one or more client files. A client file can include a definable set of business rules for managing and administering benefits and can include fund use rules for accessing and applying funds to claims from one or more accounts. The system includes a program operable on the server to apply the definable set of business rules in connection with processing a claim.

Abstract: A method of updating programmable device configuration code stored in EEPROMs of a system is operable on complex systems having separate management and system processors. The method includes executing a sequence for updating programmable device configuration code on a management processor of the system including erasing the EEPROMs, writing at least one block of configuration code to the EEPROMs, and checking for errors after writing. The errors checked for include failure of a FIFO to empty. Upon detecting errors, the method includes automatically retrying writes. Embodiments of the method are operable on systems having multiple serial busses interconnecting EEPROMs to a common configuration logic, and on systems having multiple management processors each capable of accessing the common configuration logic.

Abstract: An implantable medical device has a portion formed from a shape memory alloy (SMA) and adapted to connect to another device. At a lower temperature, the SMA is deformed such that the two devices may be mated with low insertion force. At a higher temperature, e.g., the internal temperature of the human body, the SMA attempts to return to its original shape, creating a connection between the two devices and causing a retention force that resists disconnection of the two devices.

Abstract: An implantable lead, and method of manufacturing same, and a system and method for stimulation. The lead has proximal and distal ends having, respectively, a connector portion with a terminal and an electrode. An optically switched device is electrically connected to the electrode and to the terminal. An optical fiber is optically coupled to the connector portion at one end and to the optically switched device at another end. The optically switched device conducts a stimulus from the terminal to the electrode in response to an optical signal transmitted over the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to C34 peptide derivatives that are inhibitors of viral infection and/or exhibit antifusogenic properties. In particular, this invention relates to C34 derivatives having inhibiting activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza virus (HPV), measles virus (MeV), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) with long duration of action for the treatment of the respective viral infections.

Abstract: Copyrighted electronic media are packaged in a secure electronic format, and registered on associated registration server, which serves to provide on-line licensing and copyright management for that media. Users are connected to the server, e.g., through a computer network or the Internet, to enable data transfers and to transact licenses to utilize the media. Packaged electronic media are typically created by an author or derivative user of the work. Once the packaged media is registered on the server, the media is made available for limited use and possible license through an authorization server. This limited use is specified within the minimum permissions data set assigned to each packaged media. Without a license, users are typically permitted to view the packaged media—through a system which unpackages the media—but cannot save or otherwise transfer the media without obtaining auxiliary permissions to do so from the authorization server.

Abstract: An implantable lead, and method of inserting same in a body, and system for stimulation. The lead includes a first lead and a second lead having a connecting member coupled therebetween. The connecting member maintains the first lead and second lead at a first position relative to each other during insertion of the lead and maintains the first lead and second lead at a second position relative to each other after insertion. In one embodiment, the connecting member is constructed of resorbable material to allow non-surgical removal of the lead(s) when desired.

Abstract: A system, method, and implantable pulse generator (IPG) device that stores, on the implantable device, two or more treatment-protocol stimulus programs, preferably as prescribed by a physician. The IPG, whether it is a self-contained implantable pulse generator (SCIPG) or externally-powered implantable pulse generator (EPIPG), communicates with an external patient programmer (EPP) to determine which of the stimulus programs should be run at any given time. 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: 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 bus bridge is capable of transferring information between a first serial bus and a target serial bus. The bridge is capable of operating as a bus slave on the first serial bus, and as a bus master on the target serial bus. The first serial bus in a particular embodiment is an IIC serial bus, while the target serial bus is a JTAG bus. There may be additional target serial busses, and there is a selection apparatus whereby commands may be directed to a particular target serial bus.

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: The invention is directed to a bendable needle with a removable stylet. Needles are typically used in the practice of inserting electrodes and other small instruments into patients. Stylets fit flush with the cutting end of the needle to prevent tissue from entering the needle. This invention is directed to a needle that may be bent or shaped to better suit a specific application. Typical stylets are irremovable from a bent needle. However, the present invention incorporates a stylet with a coil, flexible tube, and/or flexible rod attached to a tip. The tip fits flush with the cutting end of the needle and the coil, tube, or rod extends through the bore of the needle. As such, the stylet is removable from the needle once bent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for electrically stimulating tissue. Many typical devices suffer from charge build-up on blocking capacitors when stimulating tissue at higher frequencies. The invention actively drives the discharge of the blocking capacitors, reducing the discharge time. As a result, stimulating pulses may be delivered at higher frequencies. Actively discharging the blocking capacitors may be accomplished with an asymmetric reverse pulse. This reverse pulse may be provided by a switching circuitry that reverses the polarity applied to the electrodes or couples a pulse from a second pulse generator to the electrodes.

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: A system for removal and replacement of core I/O devices while the rest of the computer system is powered-up and operational. The system comprises a custom form-factor core I/O card that contains a plurality of I/O devices, including a processor for managing the card's I/O functions. A command is sent to an operating system, running on a system processor external to the core I/O card, that notifies the system to stop using, and de-configure, the hardware on the core I/O card. Once the OS receives this notification, an indication that the card is ready to be removed is sent to the user. The user then removes the card from its slot and inserts a replacement card into the same slot. The system software then discovers the I/O components on the core I/O card to determine what components are available, and then configures the new I/O device(s).