Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.

Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.

Abstract: A crane-less locked axle cradle system configured to lift a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the lifted wheel along a rail is presented. The present disclosure discloses a system that can lift the locked-axle wheel off the rail with no crane thereby allowing the train with a locked axle to be transported off the mainline in a shorter period of time. A cradle system can have two parts (male and female members with wedges and rail wheels) that can be mated with each other around a rail wheel. As the male and female members are pulled together, locked wheel engagers can couple with different portions of the locked-axle wheel, causing the locked-axle wheel to lift off the rail given the gradient of the wedge or rotation of the wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel lifting can be assisted by an air bag, hydraulic cylinder, jack, or other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are related to systems and methods for utilizing biomarker panel data with respect to medical devices and methods, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the disclosure can include a method of predicting the likelihood of response to CRT therapy. The method can include quantifying levels of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample of a patient, analyzing the quantified levels to determine response to CRT therapy, wherein a panel of biomarkers includes at least two selected from the group consisting of CRP, SGP-130, sIL-2R, sTNFR-II, IFNg, BNP, sST2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-4. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for setting parameters of implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for programming an implantable medical device including sensing concentrations of a predictive marker such as ET-1 in a patient, selecting programming parameter values based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, and implementing the selected programming parameter values. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for detecting arrhythmia in a patient including sensing concentrations of the predictive marker in a patient, selecting a level of stringency to be used in an arrhythmia detection module based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, sensing electrical signals in the patient, and evaluating the sensed electrical signals for indicia of an arrhythmia using the arrhythmia detection module. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are related to systems and methods for utilizing biomarker panel data with respect to medical devices and methods, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the disclosure can include a method of predicting the likelihood of response to CRT therapy. The method can include quantifying levels of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample of a patient, analyzing the quantified levels to determine response to CRT therapy, wherein a panel of biomarkers includes at least two selected from the group consisting of CRP, SGP-130, sIL-2R, sTNFR-II, IFNg, BNP, sST2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-4. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are related to systems and methods for utilizing biomarker panel data and related medical devices and methods, amongst other things. An embodiment can include a method of screening patients. The method can include quantifying levels of one or more of a panel of biomarkers in a biological sample of a patient. The method can further include analyzing the quantified levels. In some embodiments, the panel of biomarkers includes at least two selected from the group consisting of CRP, SGP-130, sIL-2R, sTNFR-II, IFNg, BNP, sST2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-4. In an embodiment, the disclosure can include a method of diagnosing a patient. The method can include quantifying levels of one or more of a panel of biomarkers in a biological sample of a patient. The method can further include diagnosing the patient based at least in part on the quantified levels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for setting parameters of implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for programming an implantable medical device including sensing concentrations of a predictive marker such as ET-1 in a patient, selecting programming parameter values based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, and implementing the selected programming parameter values. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for detecting arrhythmia in a patient including sensing concentrations of the predictive marker in a patient, selecting a level of stringency to be used in an arrhythmia detection module based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, sensing electrical signals in the patient, and evaluating the sensed electrical signals for indicia of an arrhythmia using the arrhythmia detection module. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced weight alert notification during automated patient management is presented. A plurality of weight measurements in an automated patient environment from a weight monitoring device for a patient during an observation period is remotely obtained. A raw baseline weight for the patient is determined based on a function of the weight measurements. Irregularities in the weight measurements are identified. The raw baseline weight is processed into a baseline weight by application of a correction coefficient to the irregularities. Weight remotely measured in the automated patient environment for the patient on a substantially regular basis is obtained. Changes in the weight are identified by periodic comparison to the baseline weight. An alert notification is generated in response to the change in weight.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced weight alert notification during automated patient management is presented. A plurality of weight measurements in an automated patient environment from a weight monitoring device for a patient during an observation period is remotely obtained. A raw baseline weight for the patient is determined based on a function of the weight measurements. Irregularities in the weight measurements are identified. The raw baseline weight is processed into a baseline weight by application of a correction coefficient to the irregularities. Weight remotely measured in the automated patient environment for the patient on a substantially regular basis is obtained. Changes in the weight are identified by periodic comparison to the baseline weight. An alert notification is generated in response to the change in weight.