Abstract: A neurosurgical robotic system for bilateral stereotaxy that integrates intraoperative MRI guidance is provided. The robotic system can be implemented in regular diagnostic MRI facilities. Navigation for bilateral brain targets can be performed independently and simultaneously. The robotic system includes a plurality of manipulators, a needle guide (31), a needle (12) disposed within the needle guide (31); and a mounting base (39) with a plurality of screw holes for bone mounting.

Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic cooking system with a cooking tool, further comprising an ingredient storage and feeding apparatus and an ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus; wherein, the ingredient storage and feeding apparatus comprises a plurality of storage units with inlets and outlets, a plurality of ingredient boxes are provided between the inlets and outlets; the ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus is provided with a work position, which is located on one side of the cooking tool; and the ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus transports the ingredient boxes to the work position and then rotates so that the ingredient boxes are turned over to pour the required ingredients into the cooking tool.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A neurosurgical robotic system for bilateral stereotaxy that integrates intraoperative MRI guidance is provided. The robotic system can be implemented in regular diagnostic MRI facilities. Navigation for bilateral brain targets can be performed independently and simultaneously. The robotic system includes a plurality of manipulators, a needle guide (31), a needle (12) disposed within the needle guide (31); and a mounting base (39) with a plurality of screw holes for bone mounting.

Abstract: An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an optical receiver configured to receive a light beam from an optical transmitter wirelessly in free space. The optical receiver includes an array of photodetectors and an electrical circuit. The array of photodetectors is configured to receive the light beam and convert optical signals of the light beam into electrical current. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the array of photodetectors and is configured to combine electrical current from the photodetectors and output a voltage or current signal.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an optical receiver configured to receive a light beam from an optical transmitter wirelessly in free space. The optical receiver includes an array of photodetectors and an electrical circuit. The array of photodetectors is configured to receive the light beam and convert optical signals of the light beam into electrical current. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the array of photodetectors and is configured to combine electrical current from the photodetectors and output a voltage or current signal.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for TCP SYN flood protection. In one embodiment, a TCP SYN flood protection arrangement comprises a first device operable to process packet input and output functions, including performing sender verification with respect to a connection initiation from a sender for a first TCP connection between the sender and a destination server and a second device, separate from the first device, to perform one or more security processing operations on packets of the first TCP connection from the sender after the first device verifies the sender is legitimate.

Abstract: A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition of the battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for distributed zone-based security. In one embodiment, the method comprises: determining an ingress security zone associated with an ingress of a first network device based on a first key and a media access control (MAC) address of a source of a packet; determining an egress security zone of a second network device based on a MAC address of a destination for the packet and a second key; performing a policy lookup based on the ingress security zone and the egress security zone to identify a policy to apply to the packet; and applying the policy to the packet.

Abstract: A security monitoring system/method implementing distributed Internet-based environmental monitoring and control is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for new/retrofit installation into electrical power distribution networks to allow controlled connection of an AC power source to a customer load device under direction of local or remote Internet direction. The SGPC may also be configured with sensors to detect motion, audio, video, visual images, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, light/darkness, and other environmental data. The SGPC may be configured using a local web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to relay collected sensor information to a remote web browser hosted on a remote computing device. The GUI may incorporate a configuration/setup interface allowing mapping of sensor data to information associated with the sensor location and triggered security reports to occur based on collected sensor data.

Abstract: A light fixture monitoring/control system/method allowing a lamp associated with a lighting fixture to be controlled in response to localized lighting fixture sensor inputs and/or remote wireless commands is disclosed. The system utilizes a light fixture adapter (LFA) as a dimming control and monitoring interface between a light fixture and the lamp installed in the LFA. Dimming control is directed by a computing device based on a LFA program (LFAP) that analyzes information from one or more sensors integrated within the LFA. The LFA supports a web-based browser interface and a wireless communication link allowing remote users to define the LFAP and/or directly control lamp dimming and/or access data from LFA sensors. The LFA permits low-cost retrofitting of existing light fixtures with “smart” networked lighting controls that may incorporate advanced spatially diverse security monitoring functions including audio and/or video surveillance.