Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A mobile cellular cooling apparatus includes frame having a distribution pipe for carrying and distributing water through the pipe and into a plurality of cells. Excess or unevaporated water is collected in trough and recirculated through the apparatus utilizing a reservoir and a pump. Air passes through the cells and achieves a cooling effect on the air temperature while removing contaminants and/or pollutants. One or more of the apparatuses may be included or installed within a poultry house or structure. One or more apparatuses may be included or installed along with other ventilation components to provide an improved ventilation for such structures or buildings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network.

Abstract: A mixing drum system is disclosed. The mixing drum system includes a mixing drum connected to a frame, wherein the mixing drum is configured to rotate about a first axis with respect to the frame. The mixing drum system further includes a motor connected to the frame and having an output shaft, wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about a second axis that is displaced from the first axis. The mixing drum system includes a first wheel connected to the output shaft of the motor, and a second wheel connected to the mixing drum. The mixing drum system includes a belt wrapped around the first wheel and the second wheel. The motor is configured to rotate the first wheel, which drives the belt, and the belt is configured to rotate the second wheel, which rotates the mixing drum with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A method comprises connecting at least one portion of a far-field radio-frequency (RF) first telemetry circuit in an implantable medical device to an energy source through a power connection module, detecting information included in a first predetermined wireless signal, changing a conductivity state of the power connection module when the information in the first predetermined wireless signal is detected to couple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit, detecting a second predetermined wireless signal, and changing a conductivity state of the power connection module to decouple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit when the second predetermined wireless signal is detected and the first telemetry circuit enters an idle state.

Abstract: A mixing fin assembly adapted to mix and guide materials in a rotatable mixing drum of a type used in a transit concrete mixing vehicle includes a spiral mixing fin designed to extend transversely into the drum constructed of a lightweight, moldable polymeric material which is flexible and resistant to abrasion, the mixing fin includes a plurality of conjoined sections that are fit together, preferably utilizing fin locking tabs and mating fin locking sockets. A preferred way of mounting the mixing fin into mixing drums uses a spiral fin mount rail track adapted to be fixed to the interior surface of the mixing drum. A locking tab locks the upper part of the rail track into the fin structure.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable medical device (IMD) includes demodulating a data signal incoming to the IMD, serially storing demodulated data received in the data signal in a first serial buffer register, transferring the received demodulated data to a parallel buffer register from the first serial buffer register, wherein the parallel buffer register operates according to a clock signal having a lower frequency than a clock signal used to operate a serial buffer register, switching the serial storing of demodulated data to a second serial buffer register during the transferring of the received demodulated data to the parallel buffer register, and alternating the serial storing of the received data between the first and second serial buffer registers.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: A method comprises connecting at least one portion of a far-field radio-frequency (RF) first telemetry circuit in an implantable medical device to an energy source through a power connection module, detecting information included in a first predetermined wireless signal, changing a conductivity state of the power connection module when the information in the first predetermined wireless signal is detected to couple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit, detecting a second predetermined wireless signal, and changing a conductivity state of the power connection module to decouple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit when the second predetermined wireless signal is detected and the first telemetry circuit enters an idle state.

Abstract: A method comprises connecting at least one portion of a far-field radio-frequency (RF) first telemetry circuit in an implantable medical device to an energy source through a power connection module, detecting information included in a first predetermined wireless signal, changing a conductivity state of the power connection module when the information in the first predetermined wireless signal is detected to couple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit, detecting a second predetermined wireless signal, and changing a conductivity state of the power connection module to decouple power to the at least one portion of the first telemetry circuit when the second predetermined wireless signal is detected and the first telemetry circuit enters an idle state.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an implantable device comprising a communication circuit configured to communicate with an external device, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the logic circuit and the communication circuit. The processor is configured to communicate information with the external device, via the communication circuit and the logic circuit, using a set of communication messages. While in a device safety mode, the processor is held in an inactive state and the logic circuit is configured to communicate with the external device using a subset of the set of communication messages.

Abstract: A mixing fin assembly adapted to mix and guide materials in a rotatable mixing drum of a type used in a transit concrete mixing vehicle includes a spiral mixing fin designed to extend transversely into the drum constructed of a lightweight, moldable polymeric material which is flexible and resistant to abrasion, the mixing fin includes a plurality of conjoined sections that are fit together, preferably utilizing fin locking tabs and mating fin locking sockets. A preferred way of mounting the mixing fin into mixing drums uses a spiral fin mount rail track adapted to be fixed to the interior surface of the mixing drum. A locking tab locks the upper part of the rail track into the fin structure.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a communication circuit for an IMD comprising a radio frequency (RF) modulator to modulate and demodulate IMD data signals, first and second serial buffer registers to store received demodulated data and to store transmit data for modulation and configured to operate according to a first clock signal, and a parallel buffer register to receive data in parallel from the first and second serial buffer registers and configured to operate according to a second clock signal that is slower than the first clock signal. The communication circuit also includes a telemetry control circuit configured to, when in the receive mode, alternate between serially receiving data into the first serial buffer register while the parallel buffer receives data from the second serial buffer register, and serially receiving data into the second serial buffer register while the parallel buffer receives data from the first serial buffer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry.