Abstract: An optimization method comprising: (a) receiving a target value for power received at an antenna, (b) selecting a number of rectifier stages from a first range, and selecting a rectifier transistor drain current from a second range, (c) determining a computed value of the received power, (d) determining an input voltage at which the computed value of the received power matches the target value, (e) determining an output voltage based on the input voltage, the number of stages, and the transistor drain current, (f) when at least one additional value from the first and/or the second range remains to be selected, incrementing the number of stages and/or the transistor drain current, and repeating steps (c) to (e), and (g) when all values from the first and the second range are selected, determining a final number of stages and a final transistor drain current at which the output voltage is highest.

Abstract: An ingestible capsule for detecting cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in a colon of patient is disclosed. The capsule has a radiation source integrated into the capsule body for illuminating tissues within a colon of the patient. Tissues of the colon are irradiated with radiation from the radiation source to elicit a fluorescence response, and a photon detector measures photons of the fluorescence response. Intensity and fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response is determined based on measured photons. A system employing the capsule is configured to distinguish cancerous and non-cancerous tissues based on the determined fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response.

Abstract: This analog-to-digital converting device comprises: an input terminal for receiving the analog input signal; an output terminal for issuing the digital output signal; a first successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion module, called first SAR ADC module, connected to the input terminal; a first feedback module associated to the first SAR ADC module; a second successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion module, called second SAR ADC module, connected in a cascaded manner to the first SAR ADC module; a second feedback module associated to the second SAR ADC module; and a multiplexing module connected to the first and second SAR ADC modules, to deliver the digital output signal.

Abstract: This analog-to-digital converting device comprises: an input terminal for receiving the analog input signal; an output terminal for issuing the digital output signal; a first successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion module, called first SAR ADC module, connected to the input terminal; a first feedback module associated to the first SAR ADC module; a second successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion module, called second SAR ADC module, connected in a cascaded manner to the first SAR ADC module; a second feedback module associated to the second SAR ADC module; and a multiplexing module connected to the first and second SAR ADC modules, to deliver the digital output signal.

Abstract: An ingestible capsule for detecting cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in a colon of patient is disclosed. The capsule has a radiation source integrated into the capsule body for illuminating tissues within a colon of the patient. Tissues of the colon are irradiated with radiation from the radiation source to elicit a fluorescence response, and a photon detector measures photons of the fluorescence response. Intensity and fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response is determined based on measured photons. A system employing the capsule is configured to distinguish cancerous and non-cancerous tissues based on the determined fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescence response.

Abstract: A power surface or chamber having nearly constant electromagnetic field distribution in 3D comprising at least one primary coil and one primary resonance array made of several coils connected in parallel for generating the electromagnetic field distribution; a single power driver circuit for activating the coils; and a secondary coil and an optional secondary resonance coil to recover the generated electromagnetic field and power up an electric device.

Abstract: A power surface or chamber having nearly constant electromagnetic field distribution in 3D comprising at least one primary coil and one primary resonance array made of several coils connected in parallel for generating the electromagnetic field distribution; a single power driver circuit for activating the coils; and a secondary coil and an optional secondary resonance coil to recover the generated electromagnetic field and power up an electric device.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for enhanced bladder voidance which would have the advantages of a rhizotomy yet be temporary and reversible by combining low and high-frequency sacral nerve stimulation. Applicants propose a new sacral neurostimulation strategy based on a combination of nerve conduction blockade using high frequency signals and nerve stimulation using low-frequency signals. The method and apparatus enhances micturition in paraplegics by sacral neurostimulation involving a combination of a low-frequency electrical stimulation applied to one or more sacral nerves to induce bladder contraction and a high frequency electrical stimulation applied to at least one sacral nerve to cause nerve conduction blockade that prevents urethral sphincter dyssynergic contraction.

Abstract: Efficient calibration of circuits is performed using injection imprecise voltage by using different voltages in a subtractive manner to be able to calibrate with respect to a voltage that is out of a desirable measurable range using measuring circuitry. Efficient background calibration of circuits is also achieved by providing an equivalent circuit element to circuit elements receiving an injected calibration signal, and switching circuit elements. Such imprecise voltages can be determined through such calibration, and then used to calibrate a second circuit generating the imprecise voltages.

Abstract: A miniaturized body electronic implant for providing artificial vision to a blind person or for other uses as neuromuscular sensors and microstimulators. The implant has a high resolution electrode array connected to a chip integrating implant stimulation and monitoring circuits, mounted on the back of the electrode array. The implant is powered by and communicates with an external unit through an inductive bi-directional link.

Abstract: An advanced adaptive baseband/RF predistorting device, which advantageously uses the concept of digital receiver technology into power amplifier (PA) linearization area. The predistorting device performs an instantaneous characterization of the PA using two digital receivers to supply its dynamic AM-AM and AM-PM transfer functions used to synthesize Look-Up Tables (LUT) which implement the complex predistortion function in order to compensate for any non-linearity and memory effects.

Abstract: A miniaturized body electronic implant for providing artificial vision to a blind person or for other uses as neuro-muscular sensors and microstimulators. The implant has a high resolution electrode array connected to a chip integrating implant stimulation and monitoring circuits, mounted on the back of the electrode array. The implant is powered by and communicates with an external unit through an inductive bi-directional link.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a double-helix electrode structure for sensing electrical activity of a patient's diaphragm, comprising first and second helical electrodes disposed in a double-helix arrangement for being positioned in the gastro-esophageal sphincter of the patient's diaphragm in view of sensing electrical activity of the patient's diaphragm. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a pressure detection and acquisition device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a pressure sensor implemented on the semiconductor substrate and producing, when subjected to an external pressure, a pressure representative signal, and a signal acquisition and transmission circuit integrated to the semiconductor substrate, connected to the pressure sensor, and supplied with the pressure representative signal. Other aspects of the present invention relate to an EMGdi signal and pressure acquisition catheter.

Abstract: An advanced adaptive basedband/RF predistorting device, which advantageously uses the concept of digital receiver technology into power amplifier (PA) linearization area. The predistorting device performs an instantaneous characterization of the PA using two digital receivers to supply its AM-AM and AM-PM transfer functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lower urinary dysfunctions and more particularly to an electronic stimulator implant and method to improve bladder voiding and prevent bladder hyperreflexia. There is provided an electronic stimulator implant for which comprises a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal which prevents bladder hyperreflexia combined with a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for voiding the bladder. The implant is connected to an end of an electrode, and the second end thereof is connected to a sacral nerve. When the voiding key (or switch) is activated, the voiding signal is generated which activates detrusor muscle contraction, causing bladder voiding. The voiding may be achieved without dyssynergia, by activating detrusor muscle contraction without activating external urethral sphincter contraction. The tonicity signal may be provided intermittently. The implant may be activated by a manually activated external controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lower urinary dysfunctions and more particularly to an electronic stimulator implant and method to improve bladder voiding and prevent bladder hyperreflexia. There is provided an electronic stimulator implant for which comprises a tonicity signal generator generating a tonicity signal which prevents bladder hyperreflexia combined with a voiding signal generator generating a voiding signal for voiding the bladder. The implant is connected to an end of an electrode, and the second end thereof is connected to a sacral nerve. When the voiding key (or switch) is activated, the voiding signal is generated which activates detrusor muscle contraction, causing bladder voiding. The voiding may be achieved without dyssynergia, by activating detrusor muscle contraction without activating external urethral sphincter contraction. The tonicity signal may be provided intermittently. The implant may be activated by a manually activated external controller.

Abstract: In an adaptive method and device for predistorting a signal to be transmitted, supplied by a signal source to an input of a power amplifier having a output for delivering an amplified output signal, the following steps are conducted: predistorting the signal to be transmitted by means of cascaded predistortion amplitude and phase look-up tables interposed between the signal source and the input of the power amplifier, producing a first feedback signal in response to the predistorted signal, producing a second feedback signal in response to the amplified output signal from the power amplifier, delaying the first feedback signal for eliminating any time lag between the first and second feedback signals, and real time modeling the predistortion amplitude and phase look-up tables in response to the first and second feedback signals in order to update these two tables.