Abstract: An instrumented orthopaedic implant, such as an intramedullary (IM) nail, is disclosed. The implant has the capacity to provide an accurate measurement of the applied mechanical load across the implant. The implant includes sensors and associated electronic components located in recesses on the outer surface of the implant. The implant houses the sensing apparatus, the interface circuitry, the data transmitter, and the power receiver. The hermetically sealed housing is adapted for implantation in the body of a patient. The implant is used with a controller which communicates with it by telemetry, and there is an acting unit connected to the electronic components which is adapted to carry out a function based upon a condition detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A light-emitting display system has interlocking tiles. In an implementation, each tile has a portion of a clamp that joins with another portion of the clamp on another tile. A tile is removed from the display by unlocking the clamp portions. The tile is removed without affecting the position of the other tiles in the display.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel compounds of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof (in which X1-X5, R5-R8b, Z1-Z2 and Ar1 are defined herein), a method for inhibiting the VR1 receptor in mammals using these compounds, a method for controlling pain in mammals, and pharmaceutical compositions including those compounds and a process for making those compounds.

Abstract: A method of duplicating electronically stored data that includes coupling a duplicating device between an original information storage device and a destination storage device, and streaming data from the original information storage device to the duplicating device. An embodiment of the method also includes segmenting the streaming data, determining a length of an uncompressed data segment, and calculating a length of the data segment when compressed. This embodiment further includes determining if the length of the data segment when compressed is less than some threshold, and copying a compressed data segment to the destination storage device if the length of the compressed data segment is less than the threshold, otherwise copying the uncompressed data segment to the destination storage device.

Abstract: A spool (10) for storing film for a waste storage device includes a core (12) and a flared funnel portion (14). Film is stored on the core (12) and can be retained in place by shrink-wrapping (34) as a result of which the core can be formed without an outer wall or base, reducing material and molding costs.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail greeting includes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM) application, an I/O interface, and a microphone for receiving an audio input. The method further includes: receiving a selection for an option to record the voicemail greeting, receiving the audio input, recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device, storing the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory, and generating a request that includes the recorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account. The method further includes transmitting the request to the VVM system and receiving a response from the VVM system that includes an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set as the active voicemail greeting.

Abstract: A method for modulating cell differentiation capabilities using heterologous gene expression. Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for inducing a cardiac progenitor cell by delivering a reprogramming factor to the cell, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises ETS2 or a combination of ETS2 and Mesp1.

Abstract: Systems 100, 1000, methods, and machine-interpretable programming or other instruction products for the management of data processing by multiple networked computing resources 106, 1106. In particular, the disclosure relates to the synchronization of related requests for processing of data using distributed network resources.

Abstract: A method for supplying bursts of substantially constant voltage to a switched load via a voltage reservoir. Based on a predetermined current that is to be sourced by the load during an active portion of a switching cycle, computing an average current that should be fed to the voltage reservoir during an inactive portion of the switching cycle to ensure that sufficient energy will stored in the voltage reservoir to supply the load without completely draining the voltage reservoir. Supplying continuous energy to the voltage reservoir at a substantially constant current equal in magnitude to said average current.

Abstract: A flexure system for miniature camera and the like is disclosed. The flexure system can include a frame and a stage that is configured to move with respect to the frame. One or more flexures can interconnect the frame and the stage. Each flexure can have one or more film hinges formed thereon. The film hinges can be widely spaced and/or extended in length so as to substantially mitigate undesirable pitching of the stage.

Abstract: A software-based customer relationship management system and method.

Abstract: A robotic gripping apparatus includes one or more constraining plates each having a plurality of holes formed therethrough and a plurality of elongate members. The elongate members are independently movable relative to one another. Each elongate member extends through a respective hole or set of aligning holes in the constraining plate(s). A distal end portion of one or more of the elongate members is capable of exerting a force for drawing an object against the distal end portion to thereby hold or grip the object.

Abstract: A dental cast stabilizer secures a dental cast to a dental cast articulator, and includes a fastening hole strap and a fastening post strap with a band body disposed therebetween. The fastening post strap includes a fastening post disposed thereon, and the fastening hole strap includes a fastening hole disposed thereon that is capable of receiving the fastening post or mounting plate thumb screw on an articulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the measurements of forces, such as forces that result from gravity and acceleration. The system and methodology utilize a plurality of electrodes that cooperate with a movable electrode. By applying appropriate signals to the electrodes, the movable electrode can be levitated in a manner that creates a sensor system able to accurately detect forces resulting from gravity, acceleration and similar causes.

Abstract: Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fusion draw machine for forming a glass web from molten glass includes an enclosure and a first pull roll and a second pull roll rotatably positioned in an interior of an enclosure. The first pull roll and the second pull roll cooperate to draw a glass web in a draw direction. A particulate removal device for removing particulate matter from the interior of the enclosure is fluidly coupled to the enclosure and includes a vacuum nozzle disposed in the interior of the enclosure and fluidly coupled to a vacuum source with a vacuum line. A particulate filter is fluidly coupled to the vacuum nozzle and the vacuum source and traps particulate matter exhausted from the interior of the enclosure through the vacuum nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart pumps that include a catheter assembly and that can be applied percutaneously. Some embodiments include a locking device that prevents components of the catheter assembly from being separated when in use. The catheter assembly can include an expandable tip. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly includes a housing having a wall structure, a portion of which can have a bulbuous shape or can be deformable. In other embodiments, the housing can be configured to reduce fluttering or deflection of the housing and/or to maintain a gap between the housing and an impeller blade disposed therein.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant includes a first portion including at least one feature modified to be patient-specific and match the anatomy of a specific patient from a three-dimensional digital image of a patient's joint using computer modeling. The orthopedic implant includes a non-custom inner bone-engaging surface including a plurality of planar surfaces configured for engagement with non-custom bone cuts.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic peptide amides that are ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure: wherein Xaa is a D-amino acid and G is selected from the following three groups: The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain, pruritis and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions.