Abstract: Several gastrointestinal surgery procedures are effective as treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Minimally invasive procedures including intra-luminal gastrointestinal implants have been proposed to mimic the anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes achieved by these procedures. Many of these designs include long sleeve like elements that prevent contact of food with the walls of the small intestine. It is desirable to have simple delivery systems that can place these implants under endoscopic guidance. However, in order to anchor these sleeve elements safely and reliably, the inventors have previously disclosed anchoring means that anchor the sleeves at the junctions of the stomach and the intestine or the stomach and esophagus.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal device for implanting within a pylorus, a duodenal bulb, and a duodenum of a patient's gastrointestinal tract includes an expandable structure including a proximal portion having a plurality of spring arms and a distal portion having a plurality of spring arms, the proximal and distal portions coupled by a rigid central cylinder having a diameter capable of fitting within the pylorus and having a length greater than a width of the pylorus. An intestinal bypass sleeve is coupled to at least one of the proximal and distal portions of the expandable structure and having a length sufficient to extend at least partially into the duodenum. In the expanded configuration, the proximal portion has a diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter of the pylorus and further wherein, in the expanded configuration, the distal portion has a diameter larger than a maximum opening diameter of the pylorus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device includes an electronic component that is at least partially encapsulated by an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material that functions as an EMI shield for the electronic component. In various embodiments, an electronic device includes a first magnetic component separated from a second magnetic component by a gap within which is positioned an adhesive doped with soft magnetic material. The doped adhesive is positioned in a magnetic path between the first and second magnetic components and aids in magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic components and/or guides magnetic flux between the first and second magnetic components.

Abstract: Docking stations having a connector with a compliant mount to provide improved durability and flexibility are provided herein. The compliant mount may couple a connector to a base of a docking station and may include at least a first and second flexure disposed there between. The first and second flexure may be configured to have flexural movement in along transverse direction so that, in combination, the flexural movement pivots the connector about a virtual pivot point a distance away from the flexures. The first and second flexures may be configured to project the virtual pivot point to a location on the connector where the connector protrudes from an opening in a docking housing, thereby minimizing the clearance required between the connector and docking housing, while providing controlled movement of the connector relative the dock.

Abstract: Docking stations having a connector with a compliant mount to provide improved durability and flexibility are provided herein. The compliant mount may couple a connector to a base of a docking station and may include at least a first and second flexure disposed there between. The first and second flexure may be configured to have flexural movement in along transverse direction so that, in combination, the flexural movement pivots the connector about a virtual pivot point a distance away from the flexures. The first and second flexures may be configured to project the virtual pivot point to a location on the connector where the connector protrudes from an opening in a docking housing, thereby minimizing the clearance required between the connector and docking housing, while providing controlled movement of the connector relative the dock.

Abstract: An inductor coil for an inductive energy transfer system includes multiple layers of a single wire having windings that are interlaced within at least two of the multiple layers such that both an input end and an output end of the wire enter and exit the coil on a same side of the coil. The input end and the output end of the wire may abut one another at the location where the input and output wires enter and exit the inductor coil. The wire can include one or more bundles of strands and the strands in each bundle are twisted around an axis extending along a length of the wire, and when there are at least two bundles, the bundles may be twisted around the axis. At least one edge of the inductor coil can be formed into a variety of shapes, such as in a curved shape.

Abstract: A transmitter device for an inductive energy transfer system can include a DC-to-AC converter operably connected to a transmitter coil, a first capacitor connected between the transmitter coil and one output terminal of the DC-to-AC converter, and a second capacitor connected between the transmitter coil and another output terminal of the DC-to-AC converter. One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the transmitter coil and an interface surface of the transmitter device. A receiver device can include a touch sensing device, an AC-to-DC converter operably connected to a receiver coil, a first capacitor connected between the receiver coil and one output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter, and a second capacitor connected between the receiver coil and another output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter. One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the receiver coil and an interface surface of the receiver device.

Abstract: Several gastrointestinal surgery procedures are effective as treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Minimally invasive procedures including intra-luminal gastrointestinal implants have been proposed to mimic the anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes achieved by these procedures. Many of these designs include long sleeve like elements that prevent contact of food with the walls of the small intestine. It is desirable to have simple delivery systems that can place these implants under endoscopic guidance. However, in order to anchor these sleeve elements safely and reliably, the inventors have previously disclosed anchoring means that anchor the sleeves at the junctions of the stomach and the intestine or the stomach and esophagus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by selectively activating, deactivating, or modifying one or more of a plurality of transmit coils associated with an inductive power transmitter are disclosed.

Abstract: A compliant mount for use in a connector or connection adapter is disclosed. The compliant mount may be used in a connection between a portable electronic device and another electronic device, such as a docking station. A compliant mount connector adapter may include a first end connector engageable with a portable device and a second end connector engageable with another device, the first and second end connectors coupled with a compliant mount allowing movement of the first end connector engaged with the portable device relative to the second end connector when engaged within the other electronic device. The compliant mount may include any or all of: elastomers, springs, torsion bars, elastomers, rigid members or housing, ball and socket joints, resilient bendable members, and dongles to allow for controlled resistance to bending or torsional forces applied to the portable device when connected to the other electronic device with the connector adapter.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.

Abstract: A first electronic device connects with an second electronic device. The first electronic device may include a first connection surface and an inductive power transfer receiving coil and a first magnetic element positioned adjacent to the first connection surface. The second electronic device may similarly include a second connection surface and an inductive power transfer transmitting coil and second magnetic element positioned adjacent to the second connection surface. In the aligned position, alignment between the electronic devices may be maintained by magnetic elements and the inductive power coils may be configured to exchange power. The magnetic elements and/or the inductive power coils may include a shield that is configured to minimize or reduce eddy currents caused in the magnetic elements by the inductive power coils.

Abstract: A first and second electronic device each including a connection surface and a magnetic element. The first and second devices may be in contact along the respective connection surfaces. The magnetic elements may be configured to align the first and second devices by moving either or both of the first and second devices relative to each other to achieve an aligned position. The magnetic element may also be operative to resist disconnection of first and second electronic devices when in the aligned position.

Abstract: Disclosed are plug connector assemblies having external contacts formed on only one surface of a connector body of the assembly. In some embodiments, the connector body includes a plastic tip integrally formed within a ground ring that is otherwise made from metal. Additionally, in some embodiments, the plug connector has a base portion with feet on opposing sides of the plug that each includes a hole that can be used to attach the plug connector to an encasing or other structure of a base electronic device it is incorporated into. In some embodiments, the plug connector extends upwardly away from the base at a predetermined angle such that the contacts are located on the side of the plug connector that forms an acute angle with the base.

Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks, and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.

Abstract: An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.

Abstract: A system for therapy within a gastrointestinal system includes anchoring or attachment functionality embodied in a low-profile implant technology and removable therapy components, which can be reversibly attached to these low-profile implants to accomplish various therapies. This design allows the physician to tailor the therapy to the patient's needs. The system has the potential to create conduits for diversion and/or restriction of food and organ secretions and to facilitate the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and T2DM.

Abstract: A stent may include a stent body having a stent axis. The stent body may include structural members defining openings through the stent body. The structural members are provided with regions having different widths. The relative sizes of the widths are selected to control the length of the stent body as the stent body is radially expanded from an undeployed orientation to a deployed orientation. In one embodiment, the regions having different widths are provided by tapering the widths of selected segments of the structural member.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body lumen is fabricated by forming a tube having an un-deployed diameter sized for the tube to be placed on a deployment balloon and advanced through a body lumen to a deployment site. The tube is expandable upon inflation of the balloon to an enlarged diameter sized for the tube to be retained within the lumen at the site upon deflation and withdrawal of the balloon. The tube has a stent axis extending between first and second axial ends of the tube. The tube has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The tube is polished to polish the exterior surface to a smooth surface finish and with at least a portion of the interior surface having a rough surface finish rougher than the surface finish of the exterior surface.

Abstract: Docking stations having a connector with a compliance mechanism to provide improved durability and flexibility are provided herein. The compliance mechanism may be attached to a connecter in a base of a docking station that extends through an opening in a housing or shell attached to the base. The compliance mechanism may include any or all of a flexure, a torsion bar, damping members, a compressive foam member, and an engineered base plate. The compliance mechanism may be configured to provide sufficient rigidity to the connector to support a portable device when mounted on the connector within the dock in an upright position, sufficient flexibility to allow angular displacement of a mounted portable device, and sufficient elasticity to provide a resilient biasing force to return the connector and a mounted portable device from a displaced position to the upright position.