Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating obesity by use of transesophageal delivery of energy to interrupt the function of vagal nerves. The energy, which may be highly focused ultrasound energy or other types of energy is delivered through the wall of the esophagus by a device placed in the esophagus. The energy delivered is sufficient to ablate a vagal nerve on the outer wall of the esophagus.

Abstract: Software capabilities of a video analytics device are obtained. The software of the video analytics device is configured. An output from the video analytics device is received. The output is sent to a user device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments employ a mapping among entities that are related to each other. The entities may include a graphical model, generated code, a generated report, a requirements document and/or an intermediate representation. The mapping may facilitate graphical identifications between parts of one entity that maps to part of another entity. The graphical identification may occur based on a selection of a part in one of the entities.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen using a clip can include advancing a distal end of an elongate member within the body lumen, the elongate member having a distal portion that assists in presenting the wall for receiving a clip having a plurality of tissue engaging portions having tips that point generally toward a central axis of the clip. The clip can be advanced relative to the elongate member and the wall of the body lumen until the plurality of tissue engaging portions penetrate the wall of the body lumen. Once the clip penetrates the wall, the elongate member can be withdrawn from the body lumen, leaving the clip to substantially close the opening in the wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is provided to control an automatic transmission which includes a hydraulic fluid circuit having an electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump. It includes determining the internal combustion engine is shut off during vehicle operation, and monitoring fluidic pressure at a plurality of locations in the hydraulic circuit. Operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump is commanded to an elevated voltage level when the engine is shut off and the fluidic pressures fail to register substantially proper pressure levels. It includes discontinuing operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump when the engine is subsequently commanded on, or when an elapsed measure of time has passed, or when the monitored fluidic pressures register substantially proper pressure levels.

Abstract: A method of performing a first start of an internal combustion engine of a hybrid electro-mechanical vehicle includes activating an auxiliary power module prior to the engine starting to direct power stored in a high voltage battery (used for powering the motor/generator(s) on the hybrid vehicle) through the auxiliary power module at a voltage level of a low voltage battery to assist the low voltage battery in powering a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Provided is an intake manifold pressure control apparatus, or vacuum pump, for a hybrid propulsion system. The vacuum pump is operable to evacuate the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, thereby lowering the Manifold Absolute Pressure, or MAP, to a predetermined level to enable a quick restart of the internal combustion engine. This vacuum pump may also be used to evacuate hydrocarbons, or HCs, from within the intake system to prevent evaporative emissions from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum pump is operated by a motor that can simultaneously operate an auxiliary transmission oil pump. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of controlling the hybrid propulsion system to enable the manifold pressure control apparatus to lower the MAP value within the intake manifold as well as a method of evacuating HCs from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown.

Abstract: An anti-rollback control system for a vehicle having a brake system includes a brake pedal that is operable to induce a brake pressure in the brake system and a control module that holds the brake pressure equal to a hold pressure that is based on an incline angle to inhibit rollback of the vehicle when pressure is relieved from the brake pedal. The control module initiates forward propulsion of the vehicle based on a driver input and reduces the brake pressure from the hold pressure concurrent to initiating the forward propulsion.

Abstract: A process belt having a woven base fabric, a barrier on an upper surface of the base fabric, a fibrous batt layer on the barrier and needled through the barrier and into the base fabric forms a composite structure. When an additional material is applied, the barrier protects a predetermined seam loop area from significant contamination by the additional material, resulting in a seam loop area that is substantially clear of obstruction so that a pintle can be installed faster and easier with less damage to the loop yams.

Abstract: According to various aspects and examples described herein, systems and methods for uploading/transferring files are provided. In one aspect, an upload manager is provided, the upload manager for coordinating a transfer of an image file to a remote location. In one example, the upload manger includes logic for creating a reduced size image file associated with the image file, the reduced size image file having a smaller data size than the image file, initiating a transfer of the reduced size image file to the remote location, and initiating a transfer of the image file to the remote location subsequent to initiating the transfer of the reduced size image file. Transferring a reduced size image file (e.g., a thumbnailed version) may allow for relatively fast transfer and access times of the reduced size file compared to the full size version image file.

Abstract: There is provided an industrial fabric comprising a layer of batt of fibres optionally needled to a base cloth, whereby during manufacture of the fabric a dispersion of particulate, polymeric material has been applied to the layer of batt of fibres and thermally activated to provide a discontinuous layer containing a mixture of batt fibres and a polymer-baft fibre matrix.

Abstract: A closure system and methods of use are provided for use in sealing an opening in a body tissue, such as a vascular puncture site. A method of closing the opening in the body tissue can be performed with the closure system having a closure clip. The method can include positioning the closure clip in a first closure clip position adjacent to the opening in the body tissue such that a plurality of spikes of the closure clip are inserted into the tissue at a location outward from a central axis of the opening. Subsequently, the closure clip can be positioned in a second closure clip position such that the plurality of spikes are pulled inward toward the central axis of the opening so as to pull the tissue between the opening and each of the spikes together and close the opening.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a variety of vehicle performance characteristics depending on the mode of operation. A first routine is initiated to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate. The first routine may, according to a preferred embodiment, include a plurality of routines that are each configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy within a predefined range of vehicle speeds and deceleration rates. A second routine is initiated if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range. The second routine includes running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control the driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start.

Abstract: According to various aspects and examples described herein, systems and methods for sharing files are provided. In one example, a file selection interface system for including a reference link with an email message is provided. The system including logic for including a reference link with an email message, the reference link associated with a file stored on a server and including a visual representation of the file and location information for the file. The system further includes logic for initiating the sending of the email message to a recipient remote from the server, the reference link allowing access to the file stored on the server. In one example, the reference link includes an ActiveX control reference to a location of the file on the server. Further, the file may include an image file (e.g., a photo or video file), and the location include an online photo storage account.

Abstract: According to various aspects and examples described herein, systems and methods for selecting files for transfer via email are provided. In one example, a file selection interface is provided for selecting a file for transfer (e.g., embedding or attaching to an email) within a webmail environment. The file selection interface includes logic for displaying local files stored with a computer and remote files associated with a remote source, wherein the local files and remote files may be selected for transfer with an email message, and logic for initiating a process for embedding or attaching a selected file from the displayed local and remote files to the email message. The remote sources may include servers, such as online photo storage accounts, as well as files accessible through an internet search of at least one online sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.

Abstract: A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.