449results about How to "Avoid the need" patented technology

An electrosurgical system has an electrosurgical generator and a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, the generator being arranged to perform a treatment cycle in which radio frequency energy is delivered to the instrument as an amplitude-modulated radio frequency power signal in the form of a succession of pulses characterized by periods of a least 100 milliseconds between successive pulses and by a predetermined pulse mark-to-space ratio. Energy delivery between pulses is substantially zero and the mark-to-space ratio is typically 1:4 or less. Each burst is of sufficiently high power to form vapor bubbles within tissue being treated and the time between successive pulses is sufficiently long to permit condensation of the vapor. The treatment cycles may each include an initial period and a subsequent period, the pulse duty cycle being increased or energy being delivered continuously in the subsequent period in order that tissue coagulation can be achieved quickly despite increasing tissue impedance.

One or more implantable system control units (SCU) apply one or more stimulating drugs and/or electrical pulses to one or more predetermined areas affecting circulatory perfusion. The SCU preferably includes a programmable memory for storing data and/or control parameters, and preferably uses a power source/storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. If necessary, periodic recharging of such a power source/storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The SCU provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue with electrical and/or infusion pulses when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and/or from the SCU(s) and/or for the transmission of power. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust electrical and/or drug stimulation parameters.

An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

A two-dimensional position sensor comprising a substrate with a sensitive area defined by a pattern of electrodes including electrodes for determining x-position and electrodes for determining y-position. The x-electrodes and y-electrodes generally extend in the x-direction and are interleaved in the y-direction. The x-electrodes comprise at least first, second and third groups of elements shaped such that adjacent ones of the elements of the different x-electrode groups co-extend in the x-direction so that the x-electrodes provide ratiometric capacitive signals, thereby providing quasi-continuous x-position sensing across the sensitive area. In addition, the y-electrodes may be resistively connected or arranged in ratiometric pairs to provide quasi-continuous y-position sensing. Alternatively, the x-electrode groups may be interdigitated to form pairs of x-adjacent blocks of differing area to provide stepwise x-position sensing in combination with stepwise y-position sensing provided by the y-electrodes.

A method and apparatus for linking a web based account to a phone based account is described. The method avoids the need to directly reveal account information, e.g. username/password, about one account to the provider of the other. The linking occurs on the web in one embodiment, with a user's browser being redirected from the web site to the web site of the provider of the voice service. The redirection URL will include account linking information. Once the user identifies herself to the web site of the provider of the voice service, the linking information can be stored in the user's phone account as a cookie. When the user access the voice service over the phone, her telephone identifying information can be used to identify her profile. When she visits the phone application corresponding to the web site, the cookie—now including linking information—can be passed to the application to identify the appropriate web account.

A drug delivery device having a base member defining a skin-contacting surface, a syringe serving as a reservoir for the drug, and means for expelling drug from the syringe. The syringe is connected to the base member such that the longitudinal axis of the syringe is substantially parallel to the skin surface. A delivery needle is in communication with the syringe. The needle has an angled bend which directs the tip of the needle substantially perpendicular to the skin-contacting surface. In use, the tip of the needle is adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject.

Providing services within a network of service providers sharing an authentication service and a set of business rules. A central server receives a first request from a first server to provide a first service to a user via a client without forcing the user to present credentials. In response to the received first request, the central server stores data identifying the first service on the client. The central server further receives a second request from a second server to provide a second service to the user via the client after the user presents the credentials to the second service. After receiving the second request and the presented credentials, the central server allows the user access to the second service. In response to allowing the user access to the second service, the central server further allows the user access to the first service as a result of the stored data.

An apparatus and method for establishing closed dielectrophoretic potential cages and precise displacement thereof comprising a first array of selectively addressable electrodes, lying on a substantially planar substrate and facing toward a second array comprising one electrode. The arrays define the upper and lower bounds of a micro-chamber where particles are placed in liquid suspension. By applying in-phase and counter-phase periodic signals to electrodes, one or more independent potential cages are established which cause particles to be attracted to or repelled from cages according to signal frequency and the dielectric characteristics of the particles and suspending medium. By properly applying voltage signal patterns into arrays, cages may trap one or more particles, thus permitting them to levitate steadily and/or move. In the preferred embodiment, where one array is integrated on a semiconductor substrate, displacement of particles can be monitored by embedded sensors.

A method of force estimation for a minimally invasive medical system comprising a robot manipulator (10). The manipulator has an effector unit (12) equipped with a 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) force/torque sensor and is configured to hold a minimally invasive instrument (14) having a first end (16) mounted to the effector unit and a second end (20) located beyond an external fulcrum (23) that limits the instrument in motion, usually to 4 DOF. The method comprising the steps: —determining a position of the instrument relative to the fulcrum; —measuring by means of the 6-DOF force/torque sensor a force and a torque exerted onto the effector unit by the first end of the instrument; and —calculating by means of the principle of superposition an estimate of a force exerted onto the second end of the instrument based on the determined position, the measured force and the measured torque.

A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

A method and apparatus for separating a mixture of particles of various sizes in a capillary tube into groups by size using multiple forces of controlled amplitude. Ultrasonic radiation at a first selected frequency is applied to set up a standing pressure wave in the capillary tube, resulting in a first aggregating force which causes particles of all sizes to aggregate at positions within the capillary tube which correspond to nodes or anti-nodes of the standing wave. Transverse vibrations are also applied to the capillary tube. The frequency of the ultrasonic radiation is adjusted to reduce the magnitude of the first aggregating force. Inertial forces resulting from the transverse vibrations then cause the particles to separate by size. The apparatus and method allows a mixture of particles to be separated by size quickly, without requiring the use of high voltages.

Scanning of computer files for malware uses a classifying technique to classify an input file as a clean file or a dirty file. The parameters of the classifying technique are derived to train the classification on a corpus of reference files including clean files known to be free of malware and dirty files known to contain malware. The classification is performed using a representation of the files in a feature space defined by a set of predetermined features for respective file formats, the features being a predetermined value or range of values for one or more data fields of given meanings. The representation of a file is derived by determining the file format, parsing the file on the basis of the structure of data fields in the determined file format to identify the data fields and their meaning, and determining, on the basis of the identified data fields, which of the set of predetermined features are present.

A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products, such as infant or baby formula, or other milk-based products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the aseptic fat containing liquid product, and a first aperture in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The body does not leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product and does not undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product. A container closure assembly includes a stopper receivable within the first aperture for hermetically sealing the storage chamber. The stopper includes a first material portion defining an internal surface in fluid communication with the storage chamber forming at least most of the surface area of the container closure that can contact any fat containing liquid product within the storage chamber and that does not leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the fat containing liquid product or undesirably alter a taste profile of the fat containing liquid product. A second material portion of the stopper either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area of the container closure that can contact any product within the storage chamber in comparison to the first material portion. The second material portion is needle penetrable for filling the storage chamber with product, and a resulting needle aperture formed in the second material portion is thermally resealable such as by the application of laser energy to seal the product within the storage chamber. A sealing portion of the container closure is engageable with the body prior to needle filling the storage chamber to thereby form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.

A mobile device (34) capable of processing real time broadcast television signals (36) is described. Television signals (36) are received by mobile device (34) and converted to desired digital video content (47) format and then combined with output of software applications (43) running at mobile device (34) to create a combined television signal (51) that can be displayed by a television (37). Combined television signal is sent to television (37) to enable a user (48) to interact with television content using software applications (43) executing at mobile device (34).

A luer receiving medical valve for the sterile transfer of fluid from a luer-tapered male end having a surrounding female luer lock threaded end. The luer receiver includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. An elastomeric sealing member occludes the inlet and has a slit extending through it. In a preferred embodiment, a support is provided adjacent the housing inlet and adjacent the sealing member. The support includes opposing posts separated by slots, the slots permitting expansion of the sealing member when the male luer is inserted into the slit.

A method and apparatus for quantizing audio signals is disclosed which advantageously produces a quantized audio signal which can be encoded within an acceptable range. Advantageously, the quantizer uses a scale factor which is interpolated between a threshold based on the calculated threshold of hearing at a given frequency and the absolute threshold of hearing at the same frequency.

A nebulizer determines the pressure and flow direction of the receiving gas for atomized liquid. A member of the apparatus is subjected to pressure exerted by the gas. The member is coupled to a bi-directional mechanical-electrical conversion element, such as a piezoelectric element, to form a pressure transducer. The member exerts a mechanical loading on the element responsive to the gas pressure to which it is subjected. In one embodiment, the element mechanically vibrates responsive to alternating electrical energization to discharge the liquid into the gas. The electrical admittance of the element is alterable by the mechanical loading applied to the element by the member. The difference between admittances measured in the loaded condition of the element and in an unloaded condition at the selected energization frequency is an indication of the pressure of the gas. By observing whether the magnitude of the admittance in the loaded state is greater or less than that in the unloaded state, the flow direction of the gas may also be determined. Or the flow direction may be determined by observing the changes in admittance as the frequency of the electrical energization is varied. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric element is not energized. The electrical output of the element, when subjected to a mechanical loading from the gas pressure, is used to detect gas pressures and/or as an indication of the gas pressure.

Error handling is simplified for a self-virtualizing IO resource that utilizes a physical function adjunct partition for a physical function in the self-virtualizing IO resource to coordinate error recovery for the self-virtualizing IO resource, by restarting each virtual function adjunct partition associated with that physical function to avoid the need to coordinate error recovery within the logical partitions to which such virtual function adjunct partitions are assigned.

Devices for stabilizing tissue during a surgical procedure. The beating heart may be stabilized during a surgical procedure on the heart, using a described stabilizing device. In one example, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles id effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all.

The present invention relates to a droplet-based affinity assay device and system. According to one embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes an antibody immobilized on a surface. According to another embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes a droplet on the droplet microactuator, the droplet comprising an antibody.

An apparatus for controlling functions of an appliance is described having a touch-sensitive control panel resistant to accidental activation. The touch-sensitive panel has a plurality of proximity sensor areas which may be selected by a user wishing to activate associated functions of the appliance. Driver circuitry coupled to the sensor areas is operable to output detection signals to a controller in response to a user selecting ones of the sensor areas. The controller is configured to activate functions of the appliance in response to these detection signals. For one or more functions of the appliance, for example a switching on function, the controller is configured to only activate the function when a user makes a pre-determined combination of at least two selections from the plurality of sensor areas. This reduces the chances of potentially dangerous functions being activated inadvertently and can further help a designer to provide an intuitive and uncluttered appearance to the control panel.

A separating apparatus comprises a first cyclonic separating unit and a second cyclonic separating unit located fluidly downstream therefrom and including a plurality of second cyclones arranged fluidly in parallel about a first axis and grouped into at least a first and second set of second cyclones arranged about the first axis. Each cyclone in the first and second sets of second cyclones defines a longitudinal axis and includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlets of the first set of second cyclones are spaced along the first axis from the fluid inlets of the second set of second cyclones, and each outlet of the cyclones in the first and second sets of second cyclones is in fluid communication with an outlet duct, wherein the outlet duct includes a first portion which extends between two of the cyclones of at least the first set of second cyclones.

A method for identifying data is provided that includes receiving a data stream and performing a hashing operation on a portion of the data stream in order to identify a key that reflects an identity associated with the data stream. The method further includes storing a plurality of first and second hash table entries and comparing the key to the first and second hash table entries in order to evaluate if there is a match between the key and the first and second hash table entries.

An embodiment is a medical prosthesis for blocking or reducing tear flow through a punctum or canaliculus of a human eye and delivering a drug to the eye that comprises a dehydrated covalently crosslinked synthetic hydrophilic polymer hydrogel with dimensions to pass through a puncta lacrimali, with the dehydrated hydrogel absorbing physiological water to swell to at least 1 mm in cross-sectional width and conformably fit a canaliculus, with the hydrogel comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed through the hydrogel for release to an eye, with the hydrogel having a water content of at least about 50% by weight or volume when allowed to fully hydrate in vitro in physiological saline.

The present invention provides an editing system and method for editing source content such as video and/or audio material to produce an edited content sequence, source metadata being associated with portions of the source content. The system comprises storage for storing a template defining a desired style for content, template metadata being provided within the template to define the desired style, and a processing unit configured to apply the template to the source content by comparing the source metadata with the template metadata and to arrange the portions of source content in accordance with the comparison to produce the edited content sequence. This provides an efficient technique for providing an editor with a first cut in which the content has been arranged into a desired style, thereby avoiding the need for the user to spend time familiarizing himself/herself with the content prior to performing editing of the source content. From this first cut, the user can then proceed to make any further alterations deemed appropriate.

The present interchangeable purse and liner provides a single liner or insert which may be interchangeably installed in any of a series of compatible handbags or the like. A person using the present purse and liner system may place all of her normally carried personal articles (e.g., wallet, keys, cosmetics, notebook and pen, etc.) in the insert, and merely remove the insert from one purse and place it in another when changing purses from, e.g., an everyday purse to an evening bag. The purse includes an upper flap which folds over the upper edge of the liner, to provide a finished appearance for the assembly. Two fastener sets (e.g., magnetic snaps, mechanical snaps, Velcro®, buttons, etc.) are used, with one set securing the flap to the inner surface of the liner along its upper edge, and the other set fastening between the liner and the inner surface of the purse.

Aspects of the invention relate to a cooling system for a blade platform that can provide cooling to and reduce stress on the platform. Aspects of the invention relate to including one or more channels in the blade platform such that the channels extend from the trailing edge face of the platform toward, but terminate prior to, the leading edge face of the platform. The channels can be generally oval or oblong in conformation. Extending between the hollow shank and the channels can be a plurality of cooling holes. During engine operation, coolant is supplied to the shank of the blade assembly. Because the pressure at the shank is greater than the pressure at the trailing edge of the platform, coolant flow is induced through the cooling holes and into the channels. After flowing through the channels, the coolant can be dumped at the trailing edge.

Triglyceride oil derived from marine sources, mammalian and fish, is treated with a silica at relatively low temperature under vacuum and is then further treated with a bleaching clay under vacuum and at higher temperature. The silica and the bleaching clay are then separated from the oil. The oil treated by this method is essentially free of proteinaceous materials, phosphatides and mucilage, pro-oxidant metals and very low in colored compounds, and is suitable for deodorizing. The deodorized oil is completely bland, unchanged in the concentration of the long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids (EPA, DPA and DHA), very low in color, peroxides and secondary oxidation products, free of pesticides and has very good flavor stability. The method avoids the use of any chemicals, such as in the acid and base treatments required in conventional degumming and alkali refining of oils of marine origin. This avoids the formation of artifacts in the oil and trace contamination with chemicals. It also reduces the number of process steps required to produce deodorized food oil from marine sources, which is advantageous in respect to oil quality, process losses and processing costs. The method is especially environmentally advantageous, since it avoids the need for soapstock and waste water processing entirely. Refined oil produced by the method is useful as a nutritional supplement and in methods of therapy or medical treatment.

A gasifier is disclosed combining a fixed bed gasification section where coarse fuel is gasified and an entrained flow gasification section where fine fuel is gasified. The fixed bed section includes upper and lower sections. Coarse fuel is devolatilized in the upper fixed bed section and subjected to elevated temperatures sufficient to crack and destroy tars and oils in the effluent gases. The entrained flow gasification section is disposed in a lower plenum adjacent the lower fixed bed section. A plurality of injection ports are configured to introduce oxygen, steam, or air into different sections of the gasifier to control temperature and operating conditions. Activated carbon may be formed in the upper fixed bed section and in the entrained flow section. The activated carbon may be used as a sorbent to remove pollutants from the effluent gases. The gasifier may be used with various coarse and fine fuel feedstocks.

Systems and methods for managing the potassium concentration of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy using cation exchange materials that do not release sodium ions.