Abstract: Embodiments can provide a visual indicator system, attachable to a medical imaging patient bed. The visual indicator system comprising: one or more light strips, each light strip comprising a plurality of lights; a distance meter, attachable to one end of the medical imaging patient bed; a storage device, configured to store one or more preconfigured finger gestures; and a microcontroller. The one or more light strips are attachable to the medical imaging patient bed; wherein the microcontroller is configured to illuminate the one or more light strips after the one or more preconfigured finger gestures are made with respect to the one or more light strips. A position of the illumination of the light strip corresponds to a position of performing the one or more preconfigured finger gestures and one or more distance measurements received from the distance meter.

Abstract: A protective barrier for use with a hospital or exam room divider curtain provides a physical and/or antimicrobial barrier for the curtain. Methods and devices for applying the protective barrier are provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a valve of a fuel injector. The method may include selecting an electrical current waveform from a plurality of selectable electrical current waveforms. The selected electrical current waveform is provided to the valve, which may be operated to control a characteristic of an injection event, such as, for example, fuel pressure, injection timing, and/or fuel mass, among others. The method further includes detecting an aberrant combustion event from the combustion of the injected fuel. If an aberrant combustion event is detected, the electrical current waveform associated with the injection event may be disabled. Additionally, upon detection of an aberrant combustion event, a value corresponding to the number of detected aberrant combustion events is incremented, which may be used to determine whether or not to continue to disable the selected waveform.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Abstract: An extra-cochlear hearing aid implant is characterized by a pad having a plurality of electrode prongs that extend therefrom and which are adapted to provide an electrical stimulus to hearing cells within the cochlea. The electrode pad is adapted to be placed onto endosteum overlying the cochlea in an “extended soft surgery” technique. The prongs are configured to pierce the endosteum and extend into the cochlea. In one form, the extra-cochlear hearing aid implant also includes hollow tubules that extend from the pad and which are adapted to supply and withdraw neurotrophic proteins and other materials in a fluid into and from the cochlea, and also to provide electrical stimulus to the hearing cells.

Abstract: An external module is mounted to a person and transmits energy in the light spectrum through the skin to an internal module which converts it to d.c. current with a film photocell. The d.c. current can be used to charge batteries for powering an implant without a break in the skin and to power an implant directly. Light signals can also be transmitted through the skin from an internal module to the external module to monitor implants, battery charging equipment, batteries and patient functions. Control signals can be transmitted from the external module to the internal module. The energy may be in the wavelength range of 1×10?4 to 1×10?9 meters and preferably in the wavelength range of 4×10?7 to 8×10?7 meters.

Abstract: An on-board intelligent vehicle system includes a sensor assembly to collect data and a processor to process the data to determine the occurrence of at least one event. The data may be collected from existing standard equipment such as the vehicle communication bus or add-on sensors. The data may be indicative of conditions relating to the vehicle, roadway infrastructure, and roadway utilization, such as vehicle performance, roadway design, roadway conditions, and traffic levels. The detection of an event may signify abnormal, substandard, or unacceptable conditions prevailing in the roadway, vehicle, or traffic. The vehicle transmits an event indicator and correlated vehicle location data to a central facility for further management of the information. The central facility sends communications reflecting event occurrence to various relevant or interested users. The user population can include other vehicle subscribers (e.g.