Abstract: A method using a robotic system to perform a procedure on a patient, includes moving a control interface provided on a master input device, generating control signals corresponding, at least in part, to movement of the interface, moving one or more drive elements of an instrument driver in response to the control signal, the one or more drive elements operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of control elements of an elongate guide instrument, the control elements secured to a distal end of the guide instrument and moveable axially relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the drive elements causes a corresponding movement of the guide instrument. The method may further comprise providing tactile feedback through the interface.

Abstract: A methods using a robotic catheter system to perform a procedure on a patient includes generating a control signal corresponding to movement of a master input device, and moving a plurality of drive elements of an instrument driver in response to the control signal, the drive elements operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of control elements of an elongate guide instrument, the control elements secured to a distal end of the guide instrument and moveable axially relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the drive elements causes a corresponding movement of the guide instrument distal end.

Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises an operator control station having a master input device, a catheter instrument, and an instrument driver in communication with the operator control station. The catheter instrument includes an elongate flexible catheter member, a flexible control element, such as, e.g., a cable, extending within the catheter member, and a proximal drivable assembly configured to axially move the control element relative to the catheter member to perform a kinematic function at a distal end of the catheter member, such as a deflection of the distal end of the catheter member. The instrument driver is configured to operate the drivable assembly to axially move the control element in response to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device.

Abstract: A hermetic package for electronic components which is made of metallic silicon is disclosed. The package creates a cavity for receiving the electronic component, preferably a piezoelectric device, which provides a evacuated environment in the range of 1×10?5 to 1×10?11 torr. In a first embodiment, the single crystal metallic silicon is p-doped to make it electrically conductive, obviating the need for lead wires which could compromise the hermeticity of the package. Silicon-to-silicon bonding is preferably accomplished using brazing of the cover to the base member using gold indium eutectic alloy at 495° C. A method of making a surface mountable electronic component having an internal hermetic environment is also described.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to airway implant devices that can alleviate and remediate the effects of dysphagia and aspiration that occur under a wide range of clinical conditions, such as Parkinson's disorder, Alzheimer's disease, or stroke. The devices can further be used to reduce the risk of onset of aspiration pneumonia in these and many other clinical conditions.

Abstract: Mechanisms for a control knob or other interface device providing additional degrees of freedom for the knob. One embodiment provides a rotatable knob moveable also in lateral plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A mechanism providing the lateral motion can include agate member and a plunger member that engages grooves in the gate member. A rotational sensor detects a rotational position and a lateral sensor can detect a lateral position of the knob. Another embodiment provides an actuator that includes a shaft that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and which can be moved linearly along the axis of rotation with respect to actuator housing to accommodate linear motion of the knob. In another embodiment, a gear assembly including two interlocked gears is provided to transmit rotational motion from the knob to the sensor, and the interlocked gears translate with respect to each other when the knob is translate along the rotational axis.

Abstract: The invention is an ingestible wellness one time daily dosage made of a large quantity of rapid absorbing glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and an n-acetyl glucosamine and combinations thereof, a large quantity of chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin hydrochloride and combinations thereof, a vasodialating sulfonate with at least one methyl group, and a buffer to reduce adverse symptoms from large amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin selected from the family of araliaceae and a B3 vitamin, wherein the invention is also a wellness beverage that involves a fluid combined with the ingestible wellness dosage.

Abstract: The invention is a beverage involving an ingestible fluid and a dosage amount of an ingestible composition for treating an inflammatory tissue in a mammal, involving the inflammatory tissue selected from the group comprising underperfused tissue, inflamed joints, inflamed muscles, wherein the dosage amount has a glucose ingredient, such as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, n-acetyl glucosamine, and combinations thereof; a chondroitin component, such as chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin hydrochloride, and combinations thereof; a member of the family of araliaceae for buffering the ingestion of the glucose ingredient, such as American ginseng, Siberian ginseng, panax ginseng, and combinations thereof; a calcium containing component; and a sulfonate having at least one methyl group ingesting the beverage.

Abstract: This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets prepared by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer by treatment with an elastomeric polymer solution. The nonwoven sheet is useful in the manufacture of diapers and other hygiene articles.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a mechanism for attaching a first component to a second component, wherein the second component includes at least two mounting posts, the mechanism comprising a mounting block having at least two holes, through each of which a respective mounting post passes, and a retaining channel, whereby the at least two holes are located in the retaining channel; and a screw actuator that is located in the retaining channel, wherein the screw actuator includes an attachment portion that is fixedly attached to the mounting block and at least two sliding portions, whereby the at least two sliding portions move to engage the at least two mounting posts against a side of the retaining channel.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments, mineral salts are added to an aqueous biological culture. The biological agents in the aqueous biological culture process one or more of the minerals into a different chemical form that is more readily assimilated by plant leaves and roots. The aqueous biological culture and processed mineral(s) are then applied to crops and/or crop land. The result is the easy application of minerals that have been biologically-processed in a manner that enhances their uptake by plant leaves and roots. The resulting plants provide crops that have enhanced concentrations of trace minerals, thereby providing enhanced health benefits to both animals and humans that consume the crops.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: A control system for a linear motor adapted to accurately supply a moving window of power to the stator coils. A plurality of individually switched stator coils run the length of a linear motor to move a rotor down the long axis of the stator. Accurate inductive-based position sensors continuously provide position data for the moving rotor. A processing unit calculates a proper time delay from a source voltage peak in order to apply power to the next stator coil in the moving direction of the rotor such that no DC offshoot/undershoot occurs. The linear motor control system optionally includes a failure prevention switching scheme in which pairs of individual stator coils on opposite sides of a double-sided stator are switched together.

Abstract: This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets prepared by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as made nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer by treatment with an elastomeric polymer solution. The nonwoven sheet is useful in the manufacture of diapers and other hygiene articles. The nonwoven sheet is also useful in medical articles and applications.

Abstract: Adhesion of an adhesive to a substrate can be improved by incorporating into the substrate an adhesion-enhancing amount of an adhesion promoter.

Abstract: Low application temperature thermoplastic hot melt adhesives are particularly useful as elastic attachment adhesives. The adhesives have a viscosity at 275° F. of less than about 8,000 cp, a yield stress of less than about than 80 psi and a creep performance for a bond made through strand coating of less than about 15%. Preferred are adhesives that have a creep performance for a bond made through spiral coating of less than about 25%.

Abstract: Adhesives comprising up to about 40 wt % of an ionomer can be applied at low temperatures and exhibit good bond strength. The adhesives are particularly useful as elastic attachment adhesives.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for tension control in a thread feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a thread processing system. A drive and tension control apparatus at least one of increments, maintains or decrements the speed of a driven take-off roll when the tension is out of a predetermined range of operation. A tension controller devices measures tension and determines whether the average tension for the moving threads is out-of-range relative to the predetermined tension values for the threads. Alarms and other indicators may also be used to determine the threads are at least one of broken, not moving and out-of-range for tension control.