Abstract: Pattern-multiplication via a multiple step ion beam etching process utilizing multiple etching steps. The ion beam is stationary, unidirectional or non-rotational in relation to the surface being etched during the etching steps, but sequential etching steps can utilize an opposite etching direction. Masking elements are used to create additional masking elements, resulting in decreased spacing between adjacent structures and increased structure density.

Abstract: Pattern-multiplication via a multiple step ion beam etching process utilizing multiple etching steps. The ion beam is stationary, unidirectional or non-rotational in relation to the surface being etched during the etching steps, but sequential etching steps can utilize an opposite etching direction. Masking elements are used to create additional masking elements, resulting in decreased spacing between adjacent structures and increased structure density.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering, utilizing, and/or distributing medical information. In some cases, the systems include a means for receiving medical information from a plurality of sources. Such sources can include, but are not limited to, a physician, a patient, and an implantable medical device. The systems further include a means for converting medical information from an implantable medical device to a selected format, and a means for distributing the medical information to one or more databases.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for processing reimbursements to physicians who participate in one or more medical studies, which typically require the physicians to perform procedures on patients. In one embodiment, the system comprises a microprocessor-based controller, and a computer readable medium, which includes instructions executable by the microprocessor-based controller. The instructions are adapted to cause the system to receive medical procedure information from the physicians for each procedure they perform on patients. The system further is adapted to automatically validate the medical procedure information, and upon validating the information, store a reimbursement record in a database for each procedure. In one embodiment, the reimbursement record indicates at least a reimbursement amount and the physician to be reimbursed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for gathering, formatting, validating, storing and/or distributing medical information. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for centralized validation and maintenance of medical information derived from a patient visit. Thus, for example, a patient may visit his/her physician and during that visit the physician may read information from an implantable medical device associated with the patient, make other objective measurements of the patient, and record various subjective information about the patient. All of this information can be uploaded, validated and maintained on a variably accessible system. In some embodiments the validation process can occur in a single user communication session, or otherwise in a near real-time process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering medical data. In some cases, the systems comprise a server with a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions executable to provide an access tool via a communication network. The access tool includes instructions executable to receive a first data set from an implantable medical device, provide a first user interface that includes an upload request, provide a second user interface that identifies the first data set derived from an implantable medical device, and communicate the first data set to the server via a communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and gathering medical diagnostic data. In some cases, the methods include receiving a data set originating from an implantable medical device and identifying a review group associated with data set. The review group can include one or more members that can be, for example, versed in providing medical diagnosis based at least in part on information derived from implantable medical devices. The data set originating from the implantable medical device is communicated to at least one member of the review group, and an analysis of the data set is received from the at least one member of the review group.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for gathering, formatting, storing and/or distributing medical information. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for centralized maintenance of medical information derived from a patient visit, and for distributed access to various medical information by, for example, researchers, the patient, the patient's physician, a specialist, and/or other recipients. Thus, for example, a patient may visit their physician and during that visit the physician may read information from an implantable medical device associated with the patient, make other objective measurements of the patient, and record various subjective information about the patient. All of this information can be uploaded and maintained on a variably accessible system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing variable medical information. In some cases, the systems include elements operable to receive information from a number of implantable medical devices and to provide a common format information set. Thus, in one exemplary case, two types of encoded binary information is received from different implantable medical devices. This information can be converted to a desired format, and assembled into a common medical information database.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.

Abstract: An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Abstract: An improved receiver for use in a robotic theodolite spatial positioning apparatus that allows a single user to determine elevation and azimuth angle data. To determine elevation angle of the receiver, the receiver has a sensor that receives a first position signal and a second position signal emitted from an optical transmitter. The receiver outputs a first and a second receive signal. A calculator in the receiver determines the first interval time separation between the first and second receive signals, converts the first time interval separation into elevation angle data and outputs the elevation angle data. A display in the receiver receives and displays the elevation angle data. The receiver is selectively positionable within a workspace.

Abstract: An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.

Abstract: An improved receiver for use in a robotic theodolite spatial positioning apparatus that allows a single user to determine elevation and azimuth angle data. To determine elevation angle of the receiver, the receiver has a sensor that receives a first position signal and a second position signal emitted from an optical transmitter. The receiver outputs a first and a second receive signal. A calculator in the receiver determines the first interval time separation between the first and second receive signals, converts the first time interval separation into elevation angle data and outputs the elevation angle data. A display in the receiver receives and displays the elevation angle data. The receiver is selectively positionable within a workspace.

Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.