Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an interventional medical device having a first tracking element that generates tip location data based on an EM locator field. An ultrasound probe has an ultrasound transducer mechanism and a second tracking element. The ultrasound transducer mechanism has an active ultrasound transducer array that generates two-dimensional ultrasound slice data at any of a plurality of discrete imaging locations within a three-dimensional imaging volume. The second tracking element generates probe location data based on the EM locator field. A processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate an ultrasound image for display, and is configured to generate a positioning signal based on the tip location data and the probe location data to dynamically position the active ultrasound transducer array so that the two-dimensional ultrasound slice data includes the distal tip of the interventional medical device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a computer server machine, that a callee-user is available for a communication session based on location information associated with a client system of the callee-user; sending, by the computer server machine, in response to determining that the callee-user is available, a notification to a client system of a caller-user indicating that the callee-user is available; receiving, by the computer server machine, a request from the client system of the caller-user to initiate the communication session; establishing, by the computer server machine, the communication session to enable a media stream comprising media captured at the client system of the caller-user to be received at the client system of a callee-user; and sending, by the computer server machine, the media captured at the client system of the caller-user to the client system of the callee-user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery-based system for powering refrigerated transport and other industrial applications. It includes a battery-based system for supplying power comprising a housing encasing a battery unit, a battery management system connected to the battery unit and operable to manage battery unit, and a power management unit connected to the battery unit and operable to convert battery power from the battery unit to 3 phase power of between 380 and 480 Vac. One exemplary application of the invention is to replace diesel gen-sets in refrigerated transport with more reliable and reduced emission battery power.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. Additional drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material, vesicular agents, a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives an indication that a user has selected a first selectable buttontab in a toolbar installed in a client application. The system further includes a display component that causes a dashboard to be displayed on a display device in response to receipt of the indication that the user has selected the buttontab. The dashboard includes a content window that displays content and the buttontab, wherein the dashboard is a seamless visual combination of the buttontab and the content window.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an interventional medical device having a first tracking element that generates tip location data based on an EM locator field. An ultrasound probe has an ultrasound transducer mechanism and a second tracking element. The ultrasound transducer mechanism has an active ultrasound transducer array that generates two-dimensional ultrasound slice data at any of a plurality of discrete imaging locations within a three-dimensional imaging volume. The second tracking element generates probe location data based on the EM locator field. A processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate an ultrasound image for display, and is configured to generate a positioning signal based on the tip location data and the probe location data to dynamically position the active ultrasound transducer array so that the two-dimensional ultrasound slice data includes the distal tip of the interventional medical device.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) includes fabric-attachable storage drives that are each directly connected to a fabric and that operate drive volumes. The SAN includes SAN software agents executed by client computing devices that are directly connected to the fabric. Each SAN software agent operates logical volumes realized by the drive volumes of the storage drives. The SAN includes a SAN manager directly connected to the fabric to manage the drive volumes of the SAN storage drives and to manage the logical volumes that the SAN software agents operate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and the embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for authenticating a user are described. In some embodiments, a series of voice interactions are received from a user during a voiceline session. Each of the voice interactions in the series of voice interaction may be analyzed as each of the voice interactions are received. A confidence level in a verification of an identity of the user may be determined based on the analysis of each of the voice interactions. An access level for the user may be automatically updated based on the confidence level of the verification of the identity of the user after each of the voice interactions is received.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques are provided for acquiring fuel cell polarization data, obtaining fuel cell polarization parameters from the fuel cell polarization data, and validating the reliability of the obtained data and parameters. In some aspects methods for acquiring and parameterizing proton exchange membrane fuel cell polarization data include measuring at least one current-voltage point for an operating fuel cell, and determining at least one polarization parameter of the fuel cell by evaluating a closed form solution using the at least one current-voltage point.

Abstract: A master device uses a slave device to connect to the Internet to provide intelligent and dynamic responses. The master device receives input from a user. The master device processes the input and generates a command that is to be transmitted to the slave device via a sound wave. The sound wave is either an audible sound wave or an inaudible sound wave. The command instructs the slave device to perform a certain action and to provide a response back to the master device. The slave device executes the command in response to detecting the sound wave. Subsequent to executing the command, the slave device generates its own sound wave, which includes the response, and transmits the sound wave to the master device. The master device receives the response and tailors another response for the user. The master device then provides the tailored response to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring anatomical dimensions from a single two-dimensional (2D) digital image. The digital image is taken from the front/anterior view using a mobile, handheld communication device. The linear measurements are used to estimate the body volume of the individual. Total body density is calculated from estimated body volume and body weight. Body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) of the individual is derived from density using known mathematical conversion formulas. A method for estimating body composition analysis is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing an endovascular procedure. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic catheter supporting a first inflatable balloon. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic wave guide associated with the ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic wave guide includes a fluid lumen. The ultrasonic wave guide has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer having a transducer horn. The proximal portion of the ultrasonic wave guide is crimped directly onto the transducer horn. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to vibrate the ultrasonic wave guide at an ultrasonic frequency, and the ultrasonic wave guide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic frequency from the ultrasonic transducer to the distal portion.

Abstract: Dual-access site catheter systems with a blade or scoring functionality entering through a first access site and a balloon functionality for manipulating or driving the blade or scoring functionality through a different site. The blade or scoring functionality also sometimes provides needle or fluid delivery functionality to an atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: Cold sintering of materials includes using a process of combining at least one inorganic compound, e.g., ceramic, in particle form with a solvent that can partially solubilize the inorganic compound to form a mixture; and applying pressure and a low temperature to the mixture to evaporate the solvent and densify the at least one inorganic compound to form sintered materials.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting electrical short circuits in fuel cell stacks are provided. The methods involve supplying a reactant and an inert gas to a fuel cell stack and measuring the open circuit voltage of fuel cell assemblies in the fuel cell stack. The sensitivity of the methods can be adjusted to detect an electrical short circuit having a resistance at or below a particular threshold short-circuit resistance value, by using a suitable reactant concentration in the method. The methods can include determining a set-point reactant concentration that can be used to detect an electrical short circuit having a resistance at or below a particular threshold short-circuit resistance value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving a first message associated with a first sponsor and a second message associated with a second sponsor for inclusion in a message collection. The systems and methods determine a first priority parameter associated with the first message based on sponsored content, and a second priority parameter associated with the second message based on sponsored content. Based on a determination that there is insufficient message inventory to include both the first message and the second message in the message collection, the systems and methods prioritize the first message associated with the first sponsor in the message collection and excluding the second message associated with the second sponsor in the message collection, based on an amount of consideration associated with the first priority parameter received from the first sponsor and an amount of consideration associated with the second priority parameter received from the second sponsor.