Abstract: An example system includes a first lead configured to be positioned in or beside a left internal jugular vein (IJV) of a patient to deliver a first stimulation signal to a first vagus nerve, the first lead including one or more first segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the first lead and a first anchoring mechanism; a second lead configured to be positioned in or beside a right IJV of the patient to deliver a second stimulation signal to a second vagus nerve, the second lead including one or more second segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the second lead and a second anchoring mechanism; and circuitry configured to deliver electrical energy to the first lead to deliver the first stimulation signal and the second lead to deliver the second stimulation signal to provide bilateral stimulation to the first vagus nerve and the second vagus nerve.

Abstract: A method of performing real-time position sensing includes conveying a tool attached to a tubular string in a borehole. The tool includes a position sensing sub, and the position sensing sub includes sensing devices. The method further includes recording measurements taken by the sensing devices. The method further includes determining based on the measurements, a position along the borehole of a particular portion of the tubular string. Data from sensing devices having a higher priority overrides collecting data from sensing devices having a lower priority. The method further includes transmitting the position wirelessly.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for realtime downhole sample volume collection is described. The sampler apparatus includes a sample chamber and a sensor for real-time measurement disposed proximate to the sample chamber. In one embodiment, the sample chamber may include a piston, and the sensor may be mounted on the piston. The sensor may comprise a flow meter, a light sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a movement sensor, an acceleration sensor, a continuity sensor, or other sensor types known to those of skill in the art, and it may measure fluid volume, pressure, composition, or other properties. Optionally, a telemetry system may be included to transmit the real-time sensor measurements to the surface.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of storing or transporting a sample comprises: inserting a sample container into a holding device, wherein the sample container contains the sample, wherein the sample container does not meet United States transportation regulations, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, and wherein the holding device comprises a chamber and an opening; and storing or transporting the holding device. According to another embodiment, a holding device for containing a container comprises: a chamber; and an opening, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, wherein the container contains a sample, and wherein United States regulations require the sample to be stored or transported according to the United States transportation regulations.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean well (14). The apparatus (10) includes a wireline conveyance (22) and a fluid sampler (12) supported by and positioned with the wireline conveyance (22) in the well (14). The fluid sampler (12) includes an actuator (24) operable to establish a fluid communication path between an exterior and an interior of the fluid sampler (12), a plurality of sampling chambers (26) operable to receive fluid samples therein and a self-contained pressure source (28) in fluid communication with the sampling chambers (26) operable to pressurize the fluid samples obtained in the sampling chambers (26) to a pressure above saturation pressure, thereby preventing phase change degradation for the fluid samples during retrieval of the fluid sampler (12) to the surface.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of storing or transporting a sample comprises: inserting a sample container into a holding device, wherein the sample container contains the sample, wherein the sample container does not meet United States transportation regulations, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, and wherein the holding device comprises a chamber and an opening; and storing or transporting the holding device. According to another embodiment, a holding device for containing a container comprises: a chamber; and an opening, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, wherein the container contains a sample, and wherein United States regulations require the sample to be stored or transported according to the United States transportation regulations.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torsion spring mechanism that supports and guides a flexible printed circuit for use in an electronic device with a sliding motion. The spring mechanism includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined by a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a predetermined spring constant and is capable of exerting a force. When the force of the torsion spring is unreleased the sliding housing is closed and when the force of the torsion spring is released the sliding housing is opened. An electrically conducting flexible printed circuit is at least partially supported by both the first and second segments while freely traversing the torsion spring length with an unsupported portion enough to provide adequate movement of the flexible printed circuit about the torsion spring length. In this way, a spring compartment within the device being approximately 5 millimeters in depth may support and protect the unidirectional torsion spring mechanism and flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean well (14). The apparatus (10) includes a wireline conveyance (22) and a fluid sampler (12) supported by and positioned with the wireline conveyance (22) in the well (14). The fluid sampler (12) includes an actuator (24) operable to establish a fluid communication path between an exterior and an interior of the fluid sampler (12), a plurality of sampling chambers (26) operable to receive fluid samples therein and a self-contained pressure source (28) in fluid communication with the sampling chambers (26) operable to pressurize the fluid samples obtained in the sampling chambers (26) to a pressure above saturation pressure, thereby preventing phase change degradation for the fluid samples during retrieval of the fluid sampler (12) to the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torsion spring mechanism that supports and guides a flexible printed circuit for use in an electronic device with a sliding motion. The spring mechanism includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined by a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a predetermined spring constant and is capable of exerting a force. When the force of the torsion spring is unreleased the sliding housing is closed and when the force of the torsion spring is released the sliding housing is opened. An electrically conducting flexible printed circuit is at least partially supported by both the first and second segments while freely traversing the torsion spring length with an unsupported portion enough to provide adequate movement of the flexible printed circuit about the torsion spring length. In this way, a spring compartment within the device being approximately 5 millimeters in depth may support and protect the unidirectional torsion spring mechanism and flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: A communication device (300) includes a digital modulator (301), a Digital Signal Processor (306), and an amplifier (312). The digital modulator (301) includes an information generator (304) and a peak suppression device (402). The peak suppression device (402) includes a symbol mapper (404) and a symbol scaler (406). The information generated by the generator (401) are mapped on a constellation diagram via the symbol mapper (404). The mapped information is then scaled at the scaler (406) in order to reduce the peak-to-average ratio of the signal at the input to the amplifier (312).