Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoresponsive nanoparticle useful for the stabilization of enzymes in environments having a temperature greater than thirty degrees Centigrade. The thermoresponsive nanoparticle has (a) a functionalized enzyme conjugate having one or more enzymes or biological catalysts, the enzymes or biological catalysts are modified with palmitic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and acryclic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, and (b) a thermally responsive polymer, wherein the functionalized enzyme conjugate is encapsulated within the thermally responsive polymer. A nanocatalyst is provided that has one or more proteins. The proteins are covalently immobilized and encapsulated within a thermally responsive polymer shell. The proteins are one or more enzymes or biological catalysts. A method for protecting the proteins is also set forth.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a medical or surgical procedure in an operating site in a body of a patient may involve: displaying a first point on a first two-dimensional image of the operating site into which an elongate, flexible catheter device is inserted in response to a first user input; mapping the first point on at least a second two-dimensional image of the operating site, the second two-dimensional image being oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the first two-dimensional image; displaying a first line on the second image that projects from the first point; displaying a second point on the second image in response to a second user input; and determining a three-dimensional location within the operating site, based on the first line and the second point on the second image.

Abstract: A smart antimicrobial material and dressing to inhibit microbial growth is provided. Endogenous chemicals, such as metabolites produced from bacteria are utilized as chemical substrates and converted by enzymes to produce a disinfecting compound that will in turn inhibit the targeted microorganism. The material shall remain passive until such time as it encounters a microbe which expresses and/or secretes specific metabolites or markers. The enzyme or enzymes embedded in the smart material converts the metabolite into a disinfecting compound, which in turn either kills the microorganism or prevents it from multiplying on the surface of the material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing jitter generated by byte stuffing. A frequency synthesizer comprises a smoothing logic coupled with a PLL. The smoothing logic is configured to modify a phase error signal generated by a phase frequency detector into a distributed phase error signal that spread over multiple clock cycles. The distributed phase error signal is used to drive a DCO. The smoothing logic may comprise a ramping logic operable to generate a series of ramping values to substitute a phase difference in the phase error signal. The phase difference may correspond to a stuffing byte.

Abstract: For position sensors, e.g., a fiber-based system, that build a shape of an elongated member such as a catheter using a sequence of small orientation measurements, a small error in orientation at the proximal end of the sensor will cause large error in position at distal points on the fiber. Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed which may provide full or partial registration along the length of the sensor to reduce the influence of the measurement error. Additional examples are directed to applying selective filtering at a proximal end of the elongated member to provide a more stable base for distal measurements and thereby reducing the influence of measurement errors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing and driving flexible members in a patient's body are described herein. In one embodiment, a robotic method includes positioning a flexible elongated member that has a preformed configuration, wherein at least a part of the flexible elongated member has a first member disposed around it, and wherein the first member includes a first wire for bending the first member or for maintaining the first member in a bent configuration, releasing at least some tension in the first wire to relax the first member, and advancing the first member distally relative to the flexible elongated member while the first member is in a relaxed configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient jitter mitigation or removal from a gapped signal. A phase mitigation module is employed to generate discrete correction values for modifying phase error signals detected between a gapped signal and a feedback signal of the PLL. The correction values can be digitally subtracted from the output of a phase frequency detector associated with the PLL. The sequence of correction values can be determined based on phase frequency differences between the input signal and a targeted feedback signal that is free of jitter and has a period equal to an average period of the input signal. An average of the correction values is substantially equal to zero, and an average of the modified phase error signal is substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient jitter mitigation or removal from a gapped signal. A phase mitigation module is employed to generate discrete correction values for modifying phase error signals detected between a gapped signal and a feedback signal of the PLL. The correction values can be digitally subtracted from the output of a phase frequency detector associated with the PLL. The sequence of correction values can be determined based on phase frequency differences between the input signal and a targeted feedback signal that is free of jitter and has a period equal to an average period of the input signal. An average of the correction values is substantially equal to zero, and an average of the modified phase error signal is substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: A timer for measuring a time lapsed during an acceleration is disclosed. The timer may include a piezoelectric sensor, an energy storage device and a measurement module. The piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric material for generating an electric potential in response to the acceleration. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the piezoelectric sensor and is configured for receiving the electric potential generated by the piezoelectric sensor. The measurement module is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. The measurement module measures the electric potential received at the energy storage device and determines the time lapsed during the acceleration based on the electric potential received at the energy storage device.

Abstract: A system is described for providing for a revenue generator to bid exclusively on mobile search traffic. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a plurality of bids, a keyword, a mobile search request and a mobile advertisement associated with a revenue generator. The interface may communicate with a user and a plurality of revenue generators. The processor may receive bids on the keyword from the revenue generators. The bids may apply to the keyword when the keyword is searched for through the mobile carrier. The processor may receive the mobile search request from the user. The processor may determine if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier. The processor may serve the user the advertisement if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier, otherwise the mobile advertisement is not served for the keyword.

Abstract: A system is described for providing for a revenue generator to bid exclusively on mobile search traffic. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a plurality of bids, a keyword, a mobile search request and a mobile advertisement associated with a revenue generator. The interface may communicate with a user and a plurality of revenue generators. The processor may receive bids on the keyword from the revenue generators. The bids may apply to the keyword when the keyword is searched for through the mobile carrier. The processor may receive the mobile search request from the user. The processor may determine if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier. The processor may serve the user the advertisement if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier, otherwise the mobile advertisement is not served for the keyword.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency synthesis using a gapper and a multi-modulus divider. A frequency synthesizer may comprise a gapper, a multi-modulus divider and a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). When a frequency of an output signal is intended to be greater than a corresponding input signal, a factor can be borrowed by the gapper from the divider to generate a rational divide ratio G that is greater 1 in order for the gapper to be capable of performing the division by G. The PLL is capable of multiplying a gapped signal output from the first integer divider and attenuating jitter from the gapped signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for smoothing jitter generated by byte stuffing. A frequency synthesizer comprises a smoothing logic coupled with a PLL. The smoothing logic is configured to modify a phase error signal generated by a phase frequency detector into a distributed phase error signal that spread over multiple clock cycles. The distributed phase error signal is used to drive a DCO. The smoothing logic may comprise a ramping logic operable to generate a series of ramping values to substitute a phase difference in the phase error signal. The phase difference may correspond to a stuffing byte.

Abstract: For position sensors, e.g., a fiber-based system, that build a shape of an elongated member such as a catheter using a sequence of small orientation measurements, a small error in orientation at the proximal end of the sensor will cause large error in position at distal points on the fiber. Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed which may provide full or partial registration along the length of the sensor to reduce the influence of the measurement error. Additional examples are directed to applying selective filtering at a proximal end of the elongated member to provide a more stable base for distal measurements and thereby reducing the influence of measurement errors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating gapped signals comprising a Delta Sigma Modulator (DSM) configured to generate gapping control signals used to control gap removal rates of an associated gapping unit. The DSM is configured to generate a gapping control signal based on a value of an overflow resulted from performing adding a first number with a remainder of a stored value modulo a second number. The gap removal rates as well as the gap removal resolutions can be adjusted by selecting appropriate values of the first number, the stored value, and the second number. The gapping resolution can be a portion of a pulse. The first number and the second number may be derived from an intended frequency ratio between a gapped signal and a corresponding input signal. The gapping unit may comprise a gapping circuit or a multi-modulus divider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency synthesis using a gapper. A frequency synthesizer may comprise a gapper, a first integer divider and a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). When a frequency of an output signal is intended to be greater than a corresponding input signal, a factor can be borrowed by the gapper from the first integer divider to generate a rational divide ratio G that is greater 1 in order for the gapper to be capable of performing the division by G. The PLL is capable of multiplying a gapped signal output from the first integer divider and attenuating jitter from the gapped signal.

Abstract: One exemplary user interface for a medical robotics system may include a control panel and one or more sliders that may be slidably carried by the control panel to actuate one or more motors for moving a surgical instrument of the medical robotics system. The sliders may be configured to actuate the motors to move the surgical instrument along a respective one of a plurality of degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency synthesis using a gapper. A frequency synthesizer may comprise a gapper, a first integer divider and a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). When a frequency of an output signal is intended to be greater than a corresponding input signal, a factor can be borrowed by the gapper from the first integer divider to generate a rational divide ratio G that is greater 1 in order for the gapper to be capable of performing the division by G. The PLL is capable of multiplying a gapped signal output from the first integer divider and attenuating jitter from the gapped signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a geologic model of a subsurface region is disclosed. Data related to the subsurface region is obtained. A framework is constructed to represent the subsurface region. A template is selected from a plurality of templates. The selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region. The selected template is inserted into the framework, to form the geologic model. The geologic model is then outputted.

Abstract: Techniques for multiplexing and demultiplexing signals for optical transport networks are presented. A network component comprises a multiplexer component that multiplexes a plurality of signals having a first signal format to produce a multiplexed signal in accordance with a second signal format, while maintaining error correction code (ECC) of such signals and without decoding such signals and associated ECC. The multiplexer component interleaves the plurality of signals with stuffing and adds overhead without generating new ECC. A second network component receives the multiplexed signal as part of a frame in accordance with the second signal format. A demultiplexer component of the second network component demultiplexes the multiplexed signal using the original ECC associated with the plurality of signals, wherein the second network element removes and filters the stuffing from the multiplexed signal and produces a plurality of demultiplexed signals as an output, in accordance with the first signal format.