Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells. Additionally, a system controller is coupled to each controller in a feedback loop and is configured to selectively connect each cell of the plurality of cells to a power bus to control the discharge of each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells. Additionally, a system controller is coupled to each controller in a feedback loop and is configured to selectively connect each cell of the plurality of cells to a power bus to control the discharge of each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells such that the dedicated controllers are connected on a one to one basis with each of the respective individual cells.

Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells such that the dedicated controllers are connected on a one to one basis with each of the respective individual cells.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures through a natural orifice includes an elongate support advanceable in a flexible state through a natural orifice and through an incision in a body organ into a body cavity. The elongate support is convertible to a rigid state within the body cavity. The elongate support supports a frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of a system for treating diseased bowel, a pair of incisions are formed on opposite ends of a diseased section of bowel. A tubular bypass implant is positioned in the bowel such that its ends are anchored within the bowel and such that an intermediate section of the implant is positioned external to the bowel such that bowel contents flow through the implant and thus around the diseased bowel section. In a second embodiment, the diseased section of bowel is removed and a system is implanted for joining limbs of the resected bowel together to form an anastomosis. In the preferred anastomosis system, the limbs of the resected bowel are positioned between a tubular sleeve extending through the bowel and a tubular cuff positioned around the bowel.

Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes an expandable frame that carries a pair of tool cannulas, each of which has a lumen for receiving a tool useable to perform a procedure in the body cavity. The frame is expandable to orient the tool cannulas such that they allow the tools to be used in concert to carry out a procedure at a common location in the body cavity.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: In a system and method for performing a treatment within a body cavity, an elongate cannula is provided having one or more distally positioned expandable elements. An incision is formed in body tissue to gain access to a body cavity. A distal portion of the cannula is extended through the opening and into the body cavity. The expandable element is expanded within the body cavity. During expansion, a portion of the expandable contacts tissue or structures within the body cavity, such that the expansion causes the distal portion of the cannula to deflect generally away from the tissue or structures.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates changing a clock frequency in a memory system. During operation, the system receives a command to change the clock frequency to a new clock frequency. The system then iteratively changes the clock frequency to the new clock frequency. More specifically, the system starts an iteration by slewing the clock frequency toward the new clock frequency by an increment to reach an intermediate frequency without interfering with normal memory-system operation. Next, the system signals a memory controller to pause normal memory system operation by completing or cancelling all in-flight or outstanding memory system operations and not accepting additional memory operation requests.

Abstract: Embodiments of surgical access cannulas and access systems for use in gaining access to a body cavity of a patient via a natural orifice are disclosed. A distal end of an access cannula is advanced through a natural orifice into a hollow organ. Instruments passed through the cannula are used to form an incision in the wall of the hollow organ. The access cannula is anchored in the incision with its distal opening giving access to a body cavity outside the hollow organ. Surgical instruments are passed through the access cannula and used to perform procedures in the body cavity.

Abstract: A system that determines power consumption on an IC chip. The system includes a test structure located within the IC chip variations which includes one or more gates which receives power from a power source, wherein each gate has a different drive strength, and wherein the output of each gate is coupled to a load through a corresponding switch. The system also includes a current-measuring mechanism coupled to the power supply which measures the current consumed by the gates. When a specific switch is activated, the output of a corresponding gate is coupled to the load, thereby causing the corresponding gate to drive the load. The current consumed by the corresponding gate is measured by the current measuring mechanism. The measured current can be used to determine the power consumption of the corresponding gate driving the load.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing reflections in a transmission line and for recovering energy from the load in the transmission during the process. At least three drive signal levels are utilized. The transition from the second level to the third level during a rising transition and the transition from the second level to the first level during a falling transition is timed to coincide with the arrival of the reflected signal from the immediately-preceding transition. A capacitor is advantageously used as the source for the intermediate drive signal levels and advantageously facilitates energy recovery and conservation.

Abstract: A multiphase resonant pulse generator (74) has N groups of N?1 switches (44,46,48) which, when activated, form N paths from a power supply ((Vdc)) to ground or a reference voltage. Here N is a positive integer greater than 2. Each of the paths includes an inductance (38,40,42) and N?1 switches. The signal outputs (X1,X2,X3) from each of the N paths are cross coupled to switches belonging to the other N?1 paths to active or deactivate the groups of switches.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s). A patch may be positioned between tissue layers forming the plication so as to reinforce the tissue adhesion forming between the tissue layers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates selectively increasing the operating frequency of an electronic circuit, such as a computer system. The system begins by operating in a low-power state with the frequency and voltage of the electronic circuit set to low levels. Upon recognizing the need for performance beyond the low power level, the electronic circuit enters the first-intermediate power state. In this first-intermediate power state, the frequency and voltage are set to first-intermediate levels. Upon recognizing the need for performance beyond the first-intermediate power state, the electronic circuit enters the maximum-sustainable power state. In this power state, the frequency and voltage are set to maximum sustainable levels. Upon recognizing the need for performance beyond the maximum-sustainable power state, the electronic circuit temporarily enters a boosted power state beyond the maximum-sustainable power state.

Abstract: High performance clock-powered logic runs at below supply levels and reduces the need for faster digital logic circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, a clocked buffer is used to drive the signal line. The receiving end of the line is connected to a jam latch, preferably followed by an n-latch, followed by the digital logic, and followed by a second n-latch. The first n-latch is eliminated in an alternate embodiment, preferably one that uses complementary data signals.

Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.

Abstract: A flexible, hermetically sealed enclosure device allows for the controlled insertion of an implantable device into the body of a patient. A series of bellows can be used to interconnect a number of rigid containers, each containing electronic or other components necessary for the implantable device. The bellows provide flexibility, columnar strength, and torqueability (for steering), while protecting the internal components. The bellows also can be welded to the containers to form a hermetic seal that can be electrically continous, whereby standard wiring and components can be used without fear of corrosion or contamination. Such an enclosure can be used with systems such as an intravascular implantable pacing, drug delivery, or defibrillation system.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing reflections in a transmission line and for recovering energy from the load in the transmission during the process. At least three drive signal levels are utilized. The transition from the second level to the third level during a rising transition and the transition from the second level to the first level during a falling transition is timed to coincide with the arrival of the reflected signal from the immediately-preceding transition. A capacitor is advantageously used as the source for the intermediate drive signal levels and advantageously facilitates energy recovery and conservation.