t Method for computer-aided closed-loop and/or open-loop control of a technical system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for computer-aided closed and/or open-loop control of a technical system is provided. A first value of an output quantity is predicted on a data-based model at a current point in time. A second value of the output quantity is determined from an analytical model. The state of the technical system at the current point is assigned a confidence score in the correctness of prediction of the data-based model. A third value of the output quantity is determined from the first and second value as a function of the confidence score for controlling the technical system. A suitable value for the output quantity can be derived from the analytical model even for regions of the technical system in which the quality of prediction of the data-based model is low because of a small set of training data. The technical systems can be turbines, such as gas turbines. Full Article
t Hypothesis derived from relationship graph By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for data processing. The method calculates correlations between a plurality of attributes in a dataset. The attributes are factors involved in transaction processing. The method generates a relationship graph by using the plurality of attributes and the correlations between the plurality of attributes; and extracts a sub-graph from the relationship graph to represent a hypothesis. The hypothesis describes the impacts of the factors on the transaction processing. Also provided is an apparatus for implementing the above data processing method. Full Article
t Method of providing data included in building information modeling data file, recording medium therefor, system using the method, and method of providing data using building information modeling server By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of providing data included in a building information modeling (BIM) data file using a server is provided. The method includes retrieving mapping data corresponding to a user request, extracting data corresponding to at least one entity mapped to the mapping data from the BIM data file, and transmitting the extracted data to a client. Full Article
t Leveraging transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization and emulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization or emulation. State isolation can be facilitated by providing isolated private state on transactional memory hardware and storing the stack of a host that is performing an emulation in the isolated private state. Memory accesses performed by a central processing unit can be monitored by software to detect that a guest being emulated has made a self modification to its own code sequence. Transactional memory hardware can be used to facilitate dispatch table updates in multithreaded environments by taking advantage of the atomic commit feature. An emulator is provided that uses a dispatch table stored in main memory to convert a guest program counter into a host program counter. The dispatch table is accessed to see if the dispatch table contains a particular host program counter for a particular guest program counter. Full Article
t Computer-implemented systems and methods for testing large scale automatic forecast combinations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for evaluating performance of forecasting models. A plurality of forecasting models may be generated using a set of in-sample data. Two or more forecasting models from the plurality of forecasting models may be selected for use in generating a combined forecast. An ex-ante combined forecast may be generated for an out-of-sample period using the selected two or more forecasting models. The ex-ante combined forecast may then be compared with a set of actual out-of-sample data to evaluate performance of the combined forecast. Full Article
t Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. Full Article
t Apparatus, methods and systems for parallel power flow calculation and power system simulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one aspect, an apparatus for computing a solution to a power flow problem for an electrical power system comprising a plurality of buses. The apparatus includes (a) at least one processor comprising a plurality of cores; and (b) memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing an admittance matrix for the power system, real power and reactive power for each bus, and an initial complex voltage for each bus; (c) wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (i) perform a Jacobi power flow calculation for each bus to determine the complex voltage for each bus, the Jacobi power flow calculation using the admittance matrix, the real power and reactive power for each bus, and the initial complex voltage for each bus as inputs, wherein at least two Jacobi power flow calculations are performed concurrently on the plurality of cores; (ii) calculate a power mismatch at each bus based on the complex voltages; and (iii) determine whether the Jacobi power flow calculations have converged based on the power mismatch and repeat (i) to (iii) if the Jacobi power flow calculations have not converged. Full Article
t Methods, systems, and computer readable media for simulating realistic movement of user equipment in a long term evolution (LTE) network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and computer readable media for simulating realistic movement of user equipment in an LTE network are disclosed. According to one method, a logical topology of a long term evolution (LTE) access network is defined that includes defining connections between one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). A physical topology of the LTE access network is defined that includes defining locations of the eNBs and sectors, where the physical network topology is mapped to the logical network topology. One or more problem areas are defined within the physical network topology, where the one or more problem areas include locations where signal quality is degraded. One or more paths are defined through the physical network topology. A traffic profile for a user equipment (UE) device is defined. A plurality of messages is generated for simulating the movement of a UE device along a path through the physical network topology. Full Article
t Task-based design evaluation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A proposed feature vector for a first deign is received and an existing feature vector for an existing design is retrieved for a given task. The proposed design is evaluated against the existing design using task-based scores associated with each design and based on their performances for the given task. Full Article
t Ink set, recording method, recording apparatus, and recording material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ink set includes a first ink composition, and a second ink composition, in which the first ink composition contains a first pigment, and an alkyl diol having carbon atoms of 6 or less and a normal boiling point of 240° C. or more, the second ink composition contains a second pigment, and the alkyl diol, in the first ink composition, a content of the first pigment is 2.5% by weight or more, and a content of the alkyl diol is 3% by weight to 15% by weight, in the second ink composition, a content of the second pigment is less than 2.5% by weight, and the content of the alkyl diol is 8% by weight to 30% by weight, and the content of the alkyl diol in the second ink composition is greater than the content of the alkyl diol in the first ink composition. Full Article
t Coating composition, a film containing the same, and a method for forming a sealable film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A coating composition comprising: an aqueous dispersion comprising: the melt-kneading product of (A) a base polymer which comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers, (B) a stabilizing agent which comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid grafted ethylene-based polymers and maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins; (C) a neutralizing agent; and (D) water; wherein the aqueous dispersion has a volume average particle size of less than about 5 μm is provided. Full Article
t Systems and methods for controlling damping of magnetic media for heat assisted magnetic recording By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for controlling the damping of magnetic media for heat assisted magnetic recording are provided. One such system includes a heat sink layer, a growth layer on the heat sink layer, a magnetic recording layer on the growth layer, where the growth layer is configured to facilitate a growth of a preselected crystalline structure of the magnetic recording layer, and a capping magnetic recording layer on the magnetic recording layer, the capping recording layer including a first material configured to increase a damping constant of the capping recording layer to a first preselected level. Full Article
t Polymeric materials for use in metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are polysulfone-based materials that can be used as active and/or passive components in various electronic, optical, and optoelectronic devices, particularly, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. For example, various metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors can include a dielectric layer and/or a passivation layer prepared from such polysulfone-based materials and exhibit good device performance. Full Article
t Multilayer printed wiring board and method for manufacturing multilayer printed wiring board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multilayer printed wiring board including a first interlayer resin insulation layer, a first conductive circuit formed on the first interlayer resin insulation layer, a second interlayer resin insulation layer formed on the first interlayer resin insulation layer and the first conductive circuit and having an opening portion exposing a portion of the first conductive circuit, a second conductive circuit formed on the second interlayer resin insulation layer, a via conductor formed in the opening portion of the second interlayer resin insulation layer and connecting the first conductive circuit and the second conductive circuit, and a coating layer having a metal layer and a coating film and formed between the first conductive circuit and the second interlayer resin insulation layer. The metal layer is formed on the surface of the first conductive circuit and the coating film is formed on the metal layer. Full Article
t Printhead with nanotips for nanoscale printing and manufacturing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers, where each nanotip cantilever includes a nanotip at an end of a cantilever, and a method for forming the nanoprinthead. Each nanotip may be individually addressable through use of an array of piezoelectric actuators. Embodiments for forming a nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers can include an etching process from a material such as a silicon wafer, or the formation of a metal or dielectric nanotip cantilever over a substrate. The nanoprinthead may operate to provide uses for technologies such as dip-pen nanolithography, nanomachining, and nanoscratching, among others. Full Article
t Method for perfusing a biocompatible material graft with a liquid and perfusion kit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for perfusing a biocompatible material graft with a perfusion liquid includes the steps of: introducing the graft (100) in a perfusion chamber (2), arranging a transfer chamber (3) partly filled with the perfusion liquid (101), coupling in a tight manner the perfusion chamber (2) and the transfer chamber (3) for establishing a fluid communication between them, lowering the pressure in the transfer chamber (3) for transferring therein part of the air existing in the perfusion chamber (2), increasing the pressure within the transfer chamber (3) for injecting in the perfusion chamber (2) the perfusion liquid (101) existing in the transfer chamber (3). A perfusion kit includes a perfusion chamber (2) apt to contain a graft (100) to be perfused with a liquid (101) and a transfer chamber (3) apt to contain a liquid (101) to be perfused, the perfusion chamber (2) being connectable in a tight manner with the transfer chamber (3) for allowing a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and inhibiting a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and the external environment. Full Article
t Methods for improving integrated photonic device uniformity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is described for improving the uniformity over a predetermined substrate area of a spectral response of photonic devices fabricated in a thin device layer. The method includes (i) establishing an initial device layer thickness map for the predetermined area, (ii) establishing a linewidth map for the predetermined area, and (iii) establishing an etch depth map for the predetermined area. The method further includes, based on the initial device layer thickness map, the linewidth map and the etch depth map, calculating an optimal device layer thickness map and a corresponding thickness correction map for the predetermined substrate area taking into account photonic device design data. Still further, the method includes performing a location specific corrective etch process in accordance with the thickness correction map. Full Article
t Processing of heat-sensitive active agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a method of melt processing an active agent. The method may include encapsulating an active agent in a first polymer material exhibiting a first processing temperature T1 and forming capsules including the active agent. The method may also include melt processing the capsules with a second polymer material exhibiting a second processing temperature T2, wherein T1>T2. Full Article
t Solution-processed organic electronic structural element with improved electrode layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A solution-processed organic electronic structural element has an improved electrode layer. Located between the active organic layer and the electrode layer there is either an interface or an interlayer containing a cesium salt. Full Article
t Atomic layer deposition of metal sulfide thin films using non-halogenated precursors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for preparing a metal sulfide thin film using ALD and structures incorporating the metal sulfide thin film. The method includes providing an ALD reactor, a substrate, a first precursor comprising a metal and a second precursor comprising a sulfur compound. The first and the second precursors are reacted in the ALD precursor to form a metal sulfide thin film on the substrate. In a particular embodiment, the metal compound comprises Bis(N,N'-di-sec-butylacetamidinato)dicopper(I) and the sulfur compound comprises hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to prepare a Cu2S film. The resulting metal sulfide thin film may be used in among other devices, photovoltaic devices, including interdigitated photovoltaic devices that may use relatively abundant materials for electrical energy production. Full Article
t Method of manufacturing silver miniwire films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a silver miniwire film is provided, wherein the film exhibits a reduced sheet resistance. Full Article
t Adhesion promotion in printed circuit boards By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition. Full Article
t Method of manufacture of styrene-butadiene latexes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of styrene-butadiene latexes. The styrene-butadiene latex according to the present invention is characterized by having a superior adhesive force as the formation of films at an early stage is promoted by adjusting the gel content and molecular weight of the outermost layer, as well as a fast ink-drying speed and a high air permeability as the formation of paper films is maintained. It may be applied to paper coating very stably since the mechanical stability and chemical stability of the latex are superior. Full Article
t Method for producing transparent conductive film, transparent conductive film, transparent conductive substrate and device comprising the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method for producing a transparent conductive film which is formed via a coating step, a drying step and a baking step, wherein the baking step is characterized in that the dried coating film containing the organic metal compound as the main component is baked by being heated to a baking temperature or higher, at which at least the inorganic component is crystallized, under an oxygen-containing atmosphere having a dewpoint of −10° C. or lower, whereby an organic component contained in the dried coating film is removed therefrom by a heat decomposition, a combustion or the combination thereof to thereby form a conductive oxide microparticle layer densely filled with conductive oxide microparticles containing the metal oxide as a main component. Full Article
t Inorganic nanocoating primed organic film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inorganic nanolayer surface coated polymer film product is disclosed with enhancements such as improved metallization capability, low cost, low polymer additives and modifiers, improved recyclability, and good web properties. Also method for priming a flexible film substrate to enhance the reactivity or wettability of the substrate for metallization is disclosed. A substrate film is coated with one or more nanolayers of a metal or metal oxide applied by CCVD and/or PECVD at open atmosphere. The deposited coating acts to enhance the surface energy of the film substrate and to and reduce the surface gauge variation of the substrate or supporting film, thereby enhancing the wettability of the film substrate for metallization and/or to improve the anti-block characteristics of the film. The deposited coatings may also act as a barrier layer for lowering the permeability of light, gas and vapor transmission through the substrate. Full Article
t Using chemical vapor deposited films to control domain orientation in block copolymer thin films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Vacuum deposited thin films of material are described to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nanostructured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns. Full Article
t Electrostatic abrasive particle coating apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of applying particles to a backing having a make layer on one of the backing's opposed major surfaces. The method including the steps of: supporting the particles on a feeding member having a feeding surface such that the particles settle into one or more layers on the feeding surface; the feeding surface and the backing being arranged in a non-parallel manner; and translating the particles from the feeding surface to the backing and attaching the particles to the make layer by an electrostatic force. Full Article
t Pattern formation method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to the embodiments, a pattern formation method includes a process of formation of a self-assembly material layer containing at least a first segment and a second segment on a substrate having a guide layer, a process of formation of a neutralization coating on the self-assembly material layer, and a process of formation of a self-assembly pattern including a first region containing the first segment and a second region containing the second segment following phase separation of the self-assembly material layer. Full Article
t Dual cure method for ink for increased durability and adhesion to golf balls By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is disclosed for curing ink printed images on golf balls by printing an image onto a golf ball and exposing the printed image to infrared radiation, then exposing the printed image to ultraviolet radiation. Full Article
t Covalently bound monolayer for a protective carbon overcoat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A magnetic data storage medium may include a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective carbon overcoat, and a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms adjacent a surface of the protective carbon overcoat. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the monolayer comprises at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and a fluoro-organic molecule. In some embodiments, a surface of a read and recording head may also include a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms of a protective carbon overcoat. Full Article
t Fabrication of zeolite composite film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fabrication of a zeolite composite film includes mixing a composition of water, aluminum isopropoxide, TMAOH, and TEOS according to a set ratio, followed by stirring and heating to obtain a mixture; performing a centrifugation on the mixture to obtain an upper layer suspension; preparing a mesoporous particle suspension that includes a plurality of mesoporous particles, and each mesoporous particle includes a plurality of templating agents; vaporizing a mixture suspension formed from both the upper layer suspension and the mesoporous particle suspension to form a plurality of vaporized droplets; depositing the vaporized droplets on a heated substrate while removing the templating agents to form the zeolite composite film with a plurality of macroporous, mesoporous and microporous structures. Full Article
t Low temperature silicon carbide deposition process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for formation of silicon carbide on substrate are provided. Atomic layer deposition methods of forming silicon carbide are described in which a first reactant gas of the formula SinHaXb wherein n=1-5, a+b=2n+2, a>0, and X=F, Cl, Br, I; and a second reactant gas of the formula MR3-bYb, wherein R is a hydrocarbon containing substituent, Y is a halide, hydride or other ligand and b=1-3 are sequentially deposited on a substrate and then exposed to a plasma. The process can be repeated multiple times to deposit a plurality of silicon carbide layers. Full Article
t Sidewalls of electroplated copper interconnects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method including depositing an alloying layer along a sidewall of an opening and in direct contact with a seed layer, the alloying layer includes a crystalline structure that cannot serve as a seed for plating a conductive material, exposing the opening to an electroplating solution including the conductive material, the conductive material is not present in the alloying layer, applying an electrical potential to a cathode causing the conductive material to deposit from the electroplating solution onto the cathode exposed at the bottom of the opening and causing the opening to fill with the conductive material, the cathode includes an exposed portion of the seed layer and excludes the alloying layer, and forming a first intermetallic compound along an intersection between the alloying layer and the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound is formed as a precipitate within a solid solution of the alloying layer and the conductive material. Full Article
t Superhydrophobic aerogel that does not require per-fluoro compounds or contain any fluorine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are superhydrophobic coatings, devices and articles including superhydrophobic coatings, and methods for preparing the superhydrophobic coatings. The exemplary superhydrophobic device can include a substrate component and one or more superhydrophobic coatings disposed over the substrate component, wherein at least one of the one or more superhydrophobic coatings has a water contact angle of at least about 150° and a contact angle hysteresis of less than about 1°. The one or more superhydrophobic coatings can include an ultra high water content acid catalyzed polysilicate gel, the polysilicate gel including a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups derivatized with a silylating agent and a plurality of pores. Full Article
t Thin-film manufacturing method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thin-film manufacturing method includes the steps of: generating a plasma from source gas; extracting ions from the plasma; and depositing a thin film on one side or both sides of a substrate to be deposited with the ions. The method is performed in an apparatus including: a plasma chamber generating the plasma; a film deposition chamber accommodating the substrate to be deposited; an ion transfer path for transferring the ions from the plasma chamber to the film deposition chamber; a branch pipe branching from the ion transfer path; and an exhaust system connected to the branch pipe. The thin film is formed while the source gas except the ions is exhausted from the branch pipe. Full Article
t Method and apparatus for the formation of hydrophobic surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to the application of a coating to a substrate in which the coating includes a polymer material and the coating is selectively fluorinated and/or cured to improve the liquid repellance of the same. The invention also provides for the selective fluorination and/or curing of selected areas of the coating thus, when completed, providing a coating which has regions of improved liquid repellance with respect to the remaining regions and which remaining regions may be utilized as liquid collection areas. Full Article
t Depositing polymer solutions to form optical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jun 2016 08:00:00 EDT Provided are methods of depositing polymer solutions on substrates to form various optical elements. A polymer solution may include about 0.1%-30% by weight of a specific polymer having rigid rod-like molecules. The molecules may include various cores, spacers, and sides groups to ensure their solubility, viscosity, and cross-linking ability. The deposition techniques may include slot die, spray, molding, roll coating, and so forth. Pre-deposition techniques may be used to improve wettability and adhesion of substrates. Post-deposition techniques may include ultraviolet cross-linking, specific drying techniques, evaporation of solvent, treating with salt solutions, and shaping. The disclosed polymers and deposition processes may yield optical elements with high refractive index values, such as greater than 1.6. These optical elements may be used as +A plates, −C plates, or biaxial polymers and used as retarders in LCD active panels or as light collimators and light guides. Full Article
t Autonomous intracardiac implantable medical device with releaseable base and fastener element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An intracorporeal autonomous active medical device having a capsule body and a base. The capsule body includes a body portion and a lid portion, and the capsule body contains therein electronic circuitry containing the active elements of the autonomous medical device, and a power supply. The capsule body also includes a fastening system on an exterior surface of the capsule body that is configured to correspond with a fastening mechanism on the base configured to be anchored to a tissue wall. The fastening mechanism provides selective engagement between the capsule body and the base. Full Article
t System and method for implantable medical device lead shielding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced Current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead. For example, an IMD can include at least one outer conductive member and a first electrode. The first electrode can be in electrical communication with the at least one outer conductive member. The first electrode can dissipate a current induced in the at least one outer conductive member via a first portion of the anatomical structure. Full Article
t Catheter electrode assemblies and methods for construction therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A family of catheter electrode assemblies includes a flexible circuit having a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate; a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the electrode. A non-contact electrode mapping catheter includes an outer tubing having a longitudinal axis, a deployment member, and a plurality of splines, at least one of the plurality of splines comprising a flexible circuit including a plurality of electrical traces and a substrate, a ring electrode surrounding the flexible circuit and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electrical traces; and an outer covering extending over at least a portion of the ring electrode. A method of constructing the family of catheter electrode assemblies is also provided. Full Article
t Retractable screw intracardiac lead for cardiac stimulation and/or defibrillation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A retractable screw-type stimulation or defibrillation intracardiac lead is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the lead comprises a flexible hollow sheath (12) having at its distal end a lead head (10) and a connector (66) at its proximal end. The connector comprises a pin (62) connected to a lead head electrode (18). The lead head comprises a tubular body (28), at least one electrode (18, 20) for stimulation or defibrillation, a moving element translationally and rotationally moving within the tubular body in a helical motion, an anchoring screw (24) axially moving with respect to the tubular body, and a deployment mechanism (22) to deploy the anchoring screw out of the tubular body (28). The lead is a co-radial type, and the moving element (26) secured to the anchoring screw is connected to the tubular body (28) by a helical guide (46) and a coupling finger (56) protruding between two successive turns of the helical guide (46) for transforming a rotary movement imparted to the lead body in a deployment or retraction movement of the moving element (26). The helical guide (46) is resiliently compressible, with a free end (52) with a flat area (54) facing a flange (38) in vis-à-vis, so as to pinch the coupling finger (56) and to perform the function of a clutch limiting the torque transmitted to the anchoring screw by the rotation of the lead body, even in case of continuation of this rotation. Full Article
t Enhanced therapeutic stimulus for non-nutritive suck entrainment system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a system and method for using the system. In particular, the present invention relates to an application, executable by a processing device to assess the organization of a non-nutritive suck (NNS) pattern of a patient and to entrain an organized NNS pattern in the patient. The software system receives data from an orofacial stimulation appliance to assess the patient's natural NNS pattern and generates a precise therapeutic pulse profile that is actuated as a tactile stimulus via the orofacial stimulation appliance to entrain an organized NNS pattern. Full Article
t Skull-focused RF-based stimulation apparatus, system and method for treating patients with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The portable, wearable, proximal Alzheimer's disease treatment invention is based upon creating an RF field of particular frequencies and intensities that are applied to the patient's head. To accomplish the aforementioned disease treatment functionality, a system was invented comprising a network of antennas connected to an RF generator via a feedline connector. The invention also provides methods for using measurements to monitor and manage the effectiveness of an ongoing disease treatment regimen, and databases which contain information about measurements, variables, and their relationships to clinical outcome. Full Article
t Applicator head and method for treatment of pain by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus and method for treatment of pain by a device that provides transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The device includes an applicator equipped with an electric pulse provider that sends an electric pulse to a set of electrodes disposed in an applicator head. The device is placed onto the skin of a patient's body at the point where the patient experiences pain and such that the electrodes of the device contact the skin of the patient while an insulating land area between the electrodes compresses the nerve during transmittal of the electric pulse through the electrodes and into the patient's body. Full Article
t Electronic stimulation textile for traditional Chinese medicine therapy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A textile for providing traditional Chinese medicine therapy to a wearer using electronic stimulation includes at least two conductive paths that are made from conductive textile material, the conductive paths are separated by nonconductive textile material, at least one pair of electrodes attach to the conductive paths corresponding to specific part of body or acupoints according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, and an electronic stimulation signal controller configured to conduct electronic stimulation signals to the electrodes via the conductive paths. Full Article
t Electrode with redundant impedance reduction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrode assembly that includes an electrically conductive layer, a first impedance reduction system, and a second impedance reduction system. The electrically conductive layer forms an electrode portion of the electrode assembly and a first surface to be placed adjacent a person's skin. The first impedance reduction system is configured to dispense a first amount of an electrically conductive gel onto the first surface of the electrically conductive layer in response to a first activation signal. The second impedance reduction system is configured to dispense a second amount of the electrically conductive gel onto the first surface of the electrically conductive layer in response to a second activation signal. Full Article
t System and method for fractional treatment of skin By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for treatment of skin including a treatment surface having numerous small energy emitting points for fractional skin treatment as well as negative pressure outlets. During a treatment, negative pressure from the outlets may exert a pulling force on an opposing tissue surface to bring the tissue into contact with the energy points. Full Article
t Signal transmitting and lesion excluding heart implants for pacing, defibrillating, and/or sensing of heart beat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation. Full Article
t Treating bacteria with electric fields By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions. Full Article
t Thermal therapy device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thermal therapy device comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container containing a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble hydrophillic absorbers, a hydrating liquid mixture comprising water, means for physically separating at least two adjacent absorbers thereby providing a means for preventing clumping, and a plurality of insulating members. The means for preventing clumping maintaining the pliability of the device in a frozen state after prolonged and extend cycles of freezing/thawing. A rigid storage container is also provided. Full Article