Abstract: Techniques for adapting a wireless communication device or system to support a desired functionality of the wireless communication system at an optimized performance and economic benefit are discussed. The desired functionality can be determined by defined criteria such as a maximum range of communication with the wireless communication system, quality of a transmission link in the wireless communication system, capacity of the wireless communication system, power consumption of the wireless communication system, protocols supported in the wireless communication system, modulation techniques used in the wireless communication system and processing techniques for combining signals in the wireless communication system. The system can be adapted by varying one or more of modules (e.g., components or processing techniques) used in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: Implantable or insertable medical devices are described, which include one or more polymeric regions and one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric regions, which regulate the release of one or more therapeutic agent from the medical device, contain copolymer molecules, each of which includes one or more soft segments and one or more uniform hard segments (e.g., polyamide segments that do not vary in length from molecule to molecule, among others).

Abstract: A method and system for inventorying wireless transponders, specifically referred to as RFID transceiver devices. To provide higher functionality, a microcontroller is used in the RFID, along with a battery, but the clock frequency of the microcontroller is adjusted, based on external input, to minimize battery requirements. The RFID transceiver device includes at least one sensor coupled to the microcontroller. Data from the at least one sensor is stored in non-volatile memory of the microcontroller if the battery is at a predetermined low level, and is read later when the battery is at a higher level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing security in an RFID system and provides a secure active RFID architecture that uses a combination of passive and active RFID circuitry and employs authentication and encryption techniques in the processing of data, at rest and over the air. In the method of communicating securely in an RFID system of the present invention, a random number is generated with the passive RFID circuitry. The random number is forwarded to a reader. The reader is authenticated by comparing a first hash value determined from a hash function of the random number generated at the RFID tag and an Authenticated Facility Group ID stored on the RFID tag with a second hash value determined from the hash function of the forwarded random number and an Authenticated Facility Group ID stored in the reader such that if the first hash value matches the second hash value the reader is authenticated.

Abstract: Techniques for adapting a wireless communication device or system to support a desired functionality of the wireless communication system at an optimized performance and economic benefit are discussed. The desired functionality can be determined by defined criteria such as a maximum range of communication with the wireless communication system, quality of a transmission link in the wireless communication system, capacity of the wireless communication system, power consumption of the wireless communication system, protocols supported in the wireless communication system, modulation techniques used in the wireless communication system and processing techniques for combining signals in the wireless communication system. The system can be adapted by varying one or more of modules (e.g., components or processing techniques) used in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for adapting a wireless communication system to support a desired functionality of the wireless communication system at an optimized performance and economic benefit. The desired functionality can be determined by defined criteria such as a maximum range of communication with the wireless communication system, quality of a transmission link in the wireless communication system, capacity of the wireless communication system, power consumption of the wireless communication system, protocols supported in the wireless communication system, modulation techniques used in the wireless communication system and processing techniques for combining signals in the wireless communication system. The system can be adapted by varying one or more of the number of components or processing techniques used in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: The present invention provides one or more powered wireless transponders and/or one or more passive wireless transponder devices communicating with a reader/interrogator and the method of efficiently inventorying these devices without the risk of eavesdropping. A reader transmits a random number and transponders generate their own random number. The transponders whose random number matches all or a part of the random number responds. If a collision occurs, the reader's random number can be changed and retransmitted until almost one transponder response is verified in a tree search algorithm. Specifically, the invention concerns a method for inventorying wireless transponders providing anti-eavesdropping anti-collision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for establishing a highly mobile, long range secure wireless network with dynamic topologies and near full connectivity with acceptable latency using low cost, low power, compact and lightweight devices. One aspect of the system deals with a highly mobile network with dynamic network topologies and a time varying wireless medium that has neither absolute nor readily observable boundaries outside of which radio nodes are known to be unable to receive network frames, although the desirable open field boundary is 1 mile in radius from a base station node. A synchronous frequency hopping technique is used with mobile nodes that can become slave base station nodes to a master base station node to increase the effective range of the master base station without increasing the transmit power.

Abstract: A medical balloon having an inner surface and an outer surface comprising a first coating composition comprising at least one therapeutic agent, the first coating composition disposed on the balloon outer surface and forming an interface between the balloon outer surface and the first coating composition and a second coating composition comprising a bioadhesive, the second coating composition disposed on the first coating composition so as to not affect the interface between the balloon outer surface and the first coating composition, the bioadhesive selected so as to adhere to body tissue, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to internal (e.g., implantable, insertable, etc.) drug delivery devices which contain the following: (a) one or more sources of one or more therapeutic agents; (b) one or more first electrodes, (c) one or more second electrodes and (d) one or more power sources for applying voltages across the first and second electrodes. The power sources may be adapted, for example, to promote electrically assisted therapeutic agent delivery within a subject, including electroporation and/or iontophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second electrodes are adapted to have tissue of a subject positioned between them upon deployment of the medical device within the subject, such that an electric field may be generated, which is directed into the tissue. Furthermore, the therapeutic agent sources are adapted to introduce the therapeutic agents into the electric field.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to hemostatic compositions comprising a plurality of nonwoven fibers disposed in a rapidly soluble solid matrix and methods of making and using the same. The compositions may also comprise one or more therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic condition. The method offers an important option and capability for automatic, and/or manual, medical-treatment and/or pacemaker-control feedback, in real time, to improve a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic status, with such a patient's resulting hemodynamic-behavioral/status changes caused by such feedback being viewable immediately in the invention's produced output display.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for inventorying wireless transponders, specifically referred to as RFID transceiver devices. The RFID transceiver devices are certifiable by a recognized standards body, such as EPCglobal, or are compatible with recognized standards but have higher functionality than typical passive RFIDs, and yet are implemented with techniques that lower cost and battery requirements. Backscatter techniques of standard passive RFIDs are used to keep cost and battery requirements low. To provide higher functionality, a microcontroller is used in the RFID, along with a battery, but the clock frequency of the microcontroller is adjusted, based on external input, to minimize battery requirements. In one embodiment, the microcontroller initially has a zero or near zero clock frequency.

Abstract: The RFID system of the present invention provides activation of a subscription based device wirelessly using a RFID system. The system for activating of a user for a subscription service comprises a first secure RFID sensor associated with a subscription-based device and a second secure RFID sensor associated with a user device. The first and second secure RFID sensors communicate with one another to establish activation of the user device. For example, the first sensor can receive an authentication value associated with the subscription service from the second RFID sensor. After activation, the subscription-based device can broadcast the subscription service to the user device. Alternatively, the user device can also have a capability to verify its separate or related subscription such as WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, CDMA or other wireless-based connectivity service.

Abstract: Particulate materials useful as fillers, reinforcing agents, radioopacifiers, or impact modifiers. The particulate material has an average particle size range of about 10,000 nm or less and comprises an organic-inorganic hybrid material that has a ceramic material network having organic polymer segments distributed throughout the ceramic network. The ceramic network may be prepared by a sol-gel technique. The particulate material may be compounded in thermoplastic polymer compositions useful in a variety of applications such as preparation of medical device components.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a catalyst assembly is provided for treating an exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a first catalyst material catalytically active at a first temperature and loaded at a first catalyst material loading, the first catalyst material including a first base metal loading, and a second catalyst material catalytically active at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and loaded at a second catalyst material loading, the second catalyst material including a second base metal loading, wherein the second base metal loading is higher than the first base metal loading.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and a method for making such a medical device. In particular, the invention pertains to an implantable medical device, such as an intravascular stem, having a coating comprising an inorganic or ceramic oxide, such as titanium oxide, and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for establishing a highly mobile, long range secure wireless network with dynamic topologies and near full connectivity with acceptable latency using low cost, low power, compact and lightweight devices. One aspect of the system deals with a highly mobile network with dynamic network topologies and a time varying wireless medium that has neither absolute nor readily observable boundaries outside of which radio nodes are known to be unable to receive network frames, although the desirable open field boundary is 1 mile in radius from a base station node. A synchronous frequency hopping technique is used with mobile nodes that can become slave base station nodes to a master base station node to increase the effective range of the master base station without increasing the transmit power.

Abstract: A balloon catheter that comprises an inner shaft, a balloon and a sleeve that defines a lumen. A portion of the inner shaft is positioned within the lumen and the balloon is engaged to the sleeve at least two engagement points.

Abstract: The present invention provides one or more powered wireless transceivers and/or one or more passive wireless transceivers, a reader and interrogator with variable power, one or more antennas connected to a human or robotic hand and/or foot, a method for making same and the method of using these devices for process automation and verification involving one or more items in addition to locating, tracking and identifying these items in a supply chain. In one embodiment, a proximity sensing wireless system is provided which can be used to step the handler or operator through the step of a process and verify that each step in the process has been completed.