Abstract: Systems and related methods for identifying and/or ablating targeted nerves are provided. A probe with stimulating electrodes and/or ablation members are provided. The probe may be inserted into a nasal cavity and current may be introduced through the electrodes to stimulate a targeted area. The response to stimulation may be used to identify the targeted nerve. Once identified, the ablation member may ablate the targeted nerve.

Abstract: A trim component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The trim component comprises a fiber panel, a structure and a cover coupled to the fiber panel and/or the structure. The fiber panel may comprise fibers and a resin binder. The structure may comprise resin such as a molded plastic. The structure may provide a border formed on a periphery and/or an edge of the fiber panel. The structure may be on the cover or the fiber panel. The structure may reinforce a gap and/or tear in the fiber panel. The structure may comprise a molded feature. The feature may comprise the border, a rib, or a connector. The cover may be coupled to an outer surface of the fiber panel and/or the structure. The trim component may be a trim panel, an instrument panel, a door panel, or other interior trim part.

Abstract: Technology mapping onto code fragments and related concepts are disclosed. Program descriptions are obtained in a high-level language. One or more intrinsic libraries containing modules are obtained. The modules correspond to sections of code intended for execution on the special purpose hardware. The high-level program description is analyzed to determine locations of one or more cuts within the program. The cuts represent portions of the high-level code that are eligible for replacement by one or more modules from intrinsic libraries. A matching process is used to find modules that are suitable replacements for the high level code. Once the replacements are made, additional verification and/or validation are performed by compiler checking and/or execution tests.

Abstract: A method of generating a model of a cardiac surface having a plurality of images representing electrogram voltages for a plurality of measured points within a heart comprises measuring an electrogram voltage at a plurality of points within a heart, generating a first model of a cardiac surface of the heart, generating an image representing each electrogram voltage, each image having a characteristic representative of the electrogram voltage, and generating a further model of a cardiac surface. The images representing the electrogram voltages protrude from the further model of the cardiac surface at points on the further model corresponding to the points at which the electrogram voltages were measured. There is also disclosed an apparatus for generating a model of a cardiac surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: A pressure-responsive container assembly and elastically-deformable penetrable cap is provided. Embodiments of the penetrable cap of the present invention include, but are not limited to: an annular sealing portion for engaging an inner surface of a container, a substantially rigid portion extending radially inward from the annular sealing portion; a flexible transition portion extending radially inward from the substantially rigid portion; and a penetrable portion extending radially inward from the transition portion for closing the opening defined by the container. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may thus allow the penetrable portion to elastically deform about the transition portion to a generally convex shape so as to exert a radially outward force that may be transmitted by the substantially rigid portion to the annular sealing portion so as to reinforce a fluid-tight seal between the annular sealing portion and the inner surface of the container.

Abstract: A method of generating a model of a cardiac surface having a plurality of images representing electrogram voltages for a plurality of measured points within a heart comprises measuring an electrogram voltage at a plurality of points within a heart, generating a first model of a cardiac surface of the heart, generating an image representing each electrogram voltage, each image having a characteristic representative of the electrogram voltage, and generating a further model of a cardiac surface. The images representing the electrogram voltages protrude from the further model of the cardiac surface at points on the further model corresponding to the points at which the electrogram voltages were measured. There is also disclosed an apparatus for generating a model of a cardiac surface.

Abstract: An energy delivery device controls the transformation of the microstructure of shape memory material. A surgeon can use the energy delivery device to control the rate of implant shape change, the extent of implant shape change, as well as the force exerted on the surrounding tissue. The energy delivery device allows for the fine control of force when fixating osteoporotic bone and rate of bone transport when working near the spinal cord. The energy delivery device models or measures the heating profile of the implant and provides the surgeon a method to control the extent of microstructure phase transformation so that the rate, force or extent of implant shape change can be controlled individually or together. The invention is an implant controlled with an energy delivery device that transforms the microstructure of a shape memory material through heat generation in the implant.

Abstract: A system for pulsed synchronized laser cutting of stents and/or other medical products includes a numerical controller and a machine for moving a tube of material during cutting. A pulsed fiber laser is configured to cut the tube into, for example, a stent, the numerical controller being in communication with the machine and configured to send movement control information to the machine. The numerical controller may also receive movement speed information from the machine. The numerical controller is also in communication with the pulsed fiber laser and is configured to send pulse control information to the pulsed fiber laser. The numerical controller is configured to cause average laser power to decrease by decreasing frequency of laser pulses as stent cutting speed decreases, and to cause average laser power to increase by increasing frequency of laser pulses as stent cutting speed increases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-resetting span power protection are provided. In one embodiment, a method for deactivating a protective device is provided. The method comprises determining when an overload condition occurs on a communication medium; when the overload condition occurs, deactivating at least one protective device by applying, for a first predetermined period of time, a short-circuit to an output of a power supply that provides a holding current to the at least one protective device; and after the first predetermined period of time has elapsed, removing the short-circuit on the output of the power supply.

Abstract: A method for reducing the occurrence of false ground fault detections in a central office terminal is provided. The method includes generating a no-fault signal when no ground current is detected, delaying generation of a fault signal when ground current is detected at least for the duration of an expected pulse in AC induced signal, and when the ground current persists for a sufficient period, generating a signal indicating a fault condition.

Abstract: A system for macroscopic and confocal imaging of tissue having a macroscopic imager for capturing a macroscopic image of the tissue's surface, a confocal imager for capturing one or more optically formed sectional microscopic images on or within tissue, a computer for receiving images from such imagers, and a tissue attachment device in which the macroscopic imager and confocal imager are each individually presented to the tissue utilizing the tissue attachment device in a predefined alignment, such that imaging locations of the confocal imager with respect to the tissue surface spatially correlate with macroscopic image. A user interface is operable on the computer to enable display of the macroscopic image on a display coupled to the computer, and to indicate a region within the macroscopic image associated with the field of view of the tissue imagable by the confocal imager.

Abstract: A pressure-responsive container assembly and elastically-deformable penetrable cap is provided. Embodiments of the penetrable cap of the present invention include, but are not limited to: an annular sealing portion for engaging an inner surface of a container, a substantially rigid portion extending radially inward from the annular sealing portion; a flexible transition portion extending radially inward from the substantially rigid portion; and a penetrable portion extending radially inward from the transition portion for closing the opening defined by the container. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may thus allow the penetrable portion to elastically deform about the transition portion to a generally convex shape so as to exert a radially outward force that may be transmitted by the substantially rigid portion to the annular sealing portion so as to reinforce a fluid-tight seal between the annular sealing portion and the inner surface of the container.

Abstract: With abluminal side of a stent masked, the luminal side of the stent is selectively coated with a substance, such as an anti-coagulant, a platelet inhibitor and/or a pro-healing substance. The stent can be masked by inserting it into a rigid mandrel chamber or by compressing a masking sleeve onto the outer side of the stent. A spray nozzle inserted into the masked stent spray coats the substance onto the luminal side. The sprayed coating can be cured onto the stent such as by inserting an electrical-resistance heater bar into the stent.

Abstract: A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations, is ergonomic in use, compact, and positionable at the locations thereby providing for patient comfort during imaging. An imaging head (28) is gimble mounted on a multi-axis compound arm (34) to allow for precise placement of a confocal objective (116) extending from the head at selected locations against the skin of the patient while providing for patient comfort. The arm (34) attaches the head to an upright station (10) which may be movable along the floor on which the station is disposed. The station (10) has a platform (16) on which a keyboard (24) and a display (22) for monitoring the images is supported. The station (10) also supports a personal computer (PC) (26) for processing signals providing the images on the display and controlling the microscope. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope.

Abstract: A discharge muffler (20) in an HVAC&R system (100) includes a plurality of tubes (34, 38, 42) of predetermined length that are disposed at a predetermined spacing in substantially mutual axial alignment by a plate (30). The tubes (34, 38, 42) are secured adjacent to a compressor discharge (24) to minimize pressure reduction, improve flow characteristics and improve efficiency of the HVAC&R system (100).

Abstract: A screw compressor for acoustic resonance reduction and refrigeration systems including the screw compressor are disclosed. The screw compressor has an acoustic barrier integral with the compressor housing for use with a slide valve assembly that includes a piston connected to a slide valve. A shaft connecting the slide valve and the piston passes through an aperture in the barrier with the piston and the slide valve disposed on opposite sides of the barrier. The acoustic barrier protects the piston from discharge pulses of compressed fluid exiting the rotors of the screw compressor, thus attenuating acoustic resonance, reducing compressor noise and premature wear of the slide valve assembly and compressor housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: A method of forming a heat stable oil-in-water emulsion comprises providing a selected amount of an aqueous component comprising more than 50 weight percent water. The aqueous component is optionally heated and a selected amount of a solids component is added to the aqueous component under agitation to form a first intermediate. A selected amount of a milk fat containing component is heated to a temperature sufficient to predominantly melt the fat prior to being to the first intermediate to form a second intermediate. The second intermediate is optionally heated for a selected period of time. The second intermediate is homogenized at between about 250 psig and 5000 psig to form the heat stable oil-in-water emulsion comprising at least 20 weight percent milk fat.