605results about How to "Reduced likelihood" patented technology

The present invention provides methods and system for managing neurological disorders such as epilepsy. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring one or more signals from a patient and processing the one or more signals to characterize a patient's propensity for a future seizure. The characterized propensity for the seizure is thereafter used to determine an appropriate action for managing or treating the predicted seizure; and a recommendation is communicated to the patient that is indicative of the appropriate action.

The present invention relates to methods and devices that help to curb appetite and / or reduce food intake. In one embodiment, the methods and devices of the present invention include a small intestinal / duodenal insert comprising an elongated member with at least one flow reduction element that can cause the stimulation of one or more biological signals of satiety.

An abuse-deterrent pharmaceutical composition has been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opiods. In the preferred embodiment, a drug is modified to increase its lipophilicity. In preferred embodiments the modified drug is homogeneously dispersed within microparticles composed of a material that is either slowly soluble or not soluble in water. In some embodiments the drug containing microparticles or drug particles are coated with one or more coating layers, where at least one coating is water insoluble and preferably organic solvent insoluble, but enzymatically degradable by enzymes present in the human gastrointestinal tract. The abuse-deterrent composition retards the release of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed. However, when administered as directed, the drug is slowly released from the composition as the composition is broken down or dissolved gradually within the GI tract by a combination of enzymatic degradation, surfactant action of bile acids, and mechanical erosion.

The present invention involves placing a valve between the left atrium and the lung to prevent regurgitant flow from increasing the pulmonary pressures, which may lead to pulmonary edema and congestion. Mitral stenosis or poor synchronization of the mitral valve may add additional pressures to the left atrium thus raising the pulmonary pressures and leading to congestion in the lung vasculature. By blocking the additional pressures from the mitral regurgitant flow from reaching the pulmonary circulation, the left atrium may act as a sealed vessel to allow additional aortic output. The valve placement can be intralumenal or attached to the ostium of the atrium. The device can be placed via the vascular conduits or through a surgical procedure into the pulmonary circulation. One or more devices may be placed in each of the four pulmonary veins. Additionally only one, two, three or all four veins may be implanted with the valve as desired by the physician.

Inter-system interference cross-produce P12 is reduced in a phase-based TOF system by randomizing instantaneous phase and / or frequency within a capture interval (or detection integration period). In one aspect, the TOF clock system frequency preserves long-term clock frequency stability but intentionally includes random or pseudo-random clock noise. The noise ensures the generated clock signals are temporally imperfect and lack substantial perfect periodicity. A second aspect causes the TOF clock system to hop frequency, preferably pseudo-randomly. TOF system homodyning favors detection of optical energy whose frequency correlates to the time-varying frequency of the emitted optical energy. Thus, the varying spectral spacing of the emitted optical energy reduces likelihood that an adjacent TOF system at any given time will emit optical energy of an interfering frequency. At least one aspect is employed, both aspects being mutually complementary to reduce the cross-correlation product P12 without substantially affecting TOF system performance.

Methods and systems are described for reducing the number of false alarms in fault correlation software used to detect and diagnose faults in computer networks and similar systems. The fault correlation software includes rules that monitor a number of indicators that, if occurring together over a window of time, are known to cause or reflect the occurrence of a fault. The method involves monitoring the transition of these indicators from one state to another over the time window and determining the extent of the correlation of the transitions of the indicators. The determination that indicators monitored by a rule do not correlate closely in their transitions is used to reduce the likelihood of the rule finding correlation of the indicators as a whole. This in turn reduces the number of false alarms which the rule-based system might otherwise have transmitted.

Devices and methods for control flow of formation fluids respect to one or more selected parameter relating to the wellbore fluid. In one embodiment, a flow control device for controlling fluid flow into the production tubular uses a flow restriction member that is actuated by a character change of the formation fluid, such as liquid to gas or oil to water. The flow restriction member can be sensitive to a change in density of the formation fluid. The flow restriction member is passive, self-regulating and does not need any power source or control signal to control fluid flow. In one embodiment, the flow control device automatically rotates into a predetermined orientation upon being positioned in the wellbore. A seal disposed on the flow control devices expands into sealing engagement with an enclosure after the flow control device assumed the desired predetermined position.

Some embodiments are directed to MRI / RF compatible medical interventional devices. A plurality of spaced apart high impedance circuit segments are configured to have a high impedance at a high range of radiofrequencies and a low impedance at a low range of frequencies The high impedance circuit segments may comprise co-wound coiled inductors and can reduce, block or inhibit RJ-transmission along the lead system (20) during exposure to RF associated with a high-Held magnet MRI systems, while permuting passage of low frequency physiologic signals, treatments and / or stimuli The devices can include at least one electrode

A gaming voucher is printed with first and second machine readable indicia. The first machine readable indicia represents a unique gaming voucher number. The monetary value of the gaming voucher and additional information about the gaming voucher is stored in a database remote from the gaming machine in association with the unique gaming voucher number. The second machine readable indicia represents the asset number of the gaming machine that produced the gaming voucher, the value of the gaming voucher, and a portion of the unique gaming voucher number. The gaming voucher is self-validating during a counting process in a count room, and thus no access to the remote database is required to initially verify the authenticity of the gaming voucher. The information encoded in the first and second machine readable indicia may also be used in conjunction with the data in the remote database during a voucher redemption process to verify the authenticity of the gaming voucher.

A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided to peripheral nerves, intrinsic cardiac nerves, sympathetic ganglia, cranial nerves, and may generally be directed to the vertebral column, or within the chest wall of the patient.

A washing system for high temperature cleaning applications, such as carpet-cleaning, is disclosed that provides a consistent cleaning fluid temperature. The washing system utilizes multiple heat exchangers and multiple heat paths. The heating and power source is provided by a medium duty, diesel cycle engine. Multi-stage heating involves heat transfer from the engine's coolant to the cleaning fluid and heat transfer from the exhaust of the engine to the cleaning fluid via an intermediate medium. The system also includes a fluid clutch used to engage a power takeoff from the engine to operate the pump and blower of the washing plant. A failsafe source cutoff diverts the exhaust flow from thermal contact with an intermediate heat transfer oil.

A tamper-resistant coaxial terminator includes an inner body rotatably captivated within an outer shield. A deformable portion of the inner body extends within an annular recess formed in the outer shield. An optional RF port, containing a resistor, is press-fit within the inner body. The RF port, or alternatively, the inner body, is internally-threaded for engaging the outer conductor of an equipment port. A seal ring extends over the outer conductor of the equipment port and is urged by the outer shield to directly engage the internally-threaded portion of the terminator. A seal is also optionally disposed between the outer shield and the inner body to minimize moisture induced corrosion. A shipping cap, usable at either end of the terminator, helps protect the terminator during shipment and prevents entry of debris.

An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper portion, and an energy storage system. The upper portion includes a shell for enclosing a user's foot therein. The energy storage system extends between the upper portion and the sole and converts impact forces generated by the user at the heel portion of the shell into propulsion forces to thereby enhance the user's performance.

A method for allocating a processing resource among multiple inputs includes defining a sequence of multiplexing iterations, each such iteration including a first plurality of windows, each such window containing a second plurality of time slots. A respective weight is assigned to each of the inputs, and each of the inputs is allotted one of the time slots in each of a respective number of the windows in each of the iterations, the respective number being determined by the respective weight. Each of the inputs is then provided with access to the processing resource during the time slots allotted thereto.

E-mail messages or computer files are scanned to identify embedded internet addresses. These embedded internet address 18 refer to data that may be retrieved via the internet. This data is pre-emptively retrieved and scanned for malware even though it has not been requested by a user. If the data is found to be malware-free, then a record of this is kept. If a user subsequently seeks to access the data associated with the embedded internet address, then the stored data may be referred to and if the internet address is found and the data associated with that address is unchanged since it was previously scanned, then that data may be supplied to the user without the need to be rescanned.

Methods and apparatus for assessing and linking market research questions to participant's (user's) credentials, where the market research questions are integrated into selected continuing education courses or product training. The users may not earn credit for such continuing education unless they answer the market research questions. This method allows a mechanism to perform market research on any group of professionals that require continuing education or training. The method and apparatus of the various embodiments of the present invention have applications on the Internet, stand-alone and networked computer systems, integrated computer-television systems, and conventional communication systems, such as voice telephony.

A receiver determines a symbol synch time for recovering data from a symbol of signal samples generated in accordance with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. Each symbol includes a guard period which carries data repeated from a data bearing part of the symbol and pilot signal samples. The receiver comprises a pilot assisted tracker which is operable to determine an adjustment to the symbol synch time from a pilot assisted channel impulse response estimate, a guard adapted filter processor comprising a filter and a filter controller operable to adapt the impulse response of the filter to the signal samples from the guard period. The controller is operable to excite the filter with the symbol signal samples to generate an output signal which provides a further representation of the channel impulse response. A symbol time adjustment estimator is operable to adjust the symbol synch time in accordance with the adjustment provided by at least one of the pilot assisted tracker and the guard adapted filter processor. The receiver provides an improved estimate of the symbol synch time by combining a pilot assisted tracker with a guard adapted filter processor. The pilot assisted tracker estimates the symbol synch time from a channel impulse response estimate generated from pilot signal samples. By combining the synch time adjustment estimated from the pilot assisted channel impulse response, with the adjustment estimated by the guard adapted filter processor, an ambiguity in a relative time of arrival of signal paths of the channel impulse response with respect to the main signal path is obviated.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for facilitating stretching of a bio-logical tissue by forming a plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. Each micro-slit can be less than about 2 mm or less than about 1.5 mm long, or even less than about 1 mm, such that small gaps that can heal quickly can be formed when the tissue is stretched. The micro-slits can be formed using a plurality of cutting arrangements or an ablative laser. The micro-slits can be formed in various patterns, including staggered rows, circular or spiral patterns, or random patterns.

A process for designing and manufacturing precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore. The techniques include methods for precision bending of a sheet of material (41, 241, 341, 441, 541) along a bend line (45, 245, 345, 445,543) and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542), are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542) through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet (41, 241, 341, 441,541) when bent along the bend line (45, 245, 345, 445, 543). The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges (257, 457) to be engaged and supported on faces (255, 455) of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line (45, 245, 345, 445, 543). Several slit embodiments (43, 243, 343, 443, 542) suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed, as is the use of the slit sheets to produce various three-dimensional structures and to enhance various design and fabrication techniques.

A light emitting device comprises: a thermally conductive substrate (MCPCB); at least one LED mounted in thermal communication with a surface of the substrate; a housing attached to the substrate and configured such the housing and substrate together define a volume that totally encloses the at least one LED, the housing comprising at least a part that is light transmissive (window); and at least one phosphor material provided on an inner surface of the housing within said volume said phosphor being operable to absorb at least a part of the excitation light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode and to emit light of a second wavelength range. The housing is attached to the substrate such that the volume is substantially water tight, preferably air / gas tight.

A manipulable seat bolster including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause or enable a condition, such as the geometric configuration, or position of the bolster to be modified, when the active material is activated.

A design for a suture for use in suture appositioning techniques, and a method for use are disclosed. In one embodiment the suture may comprise a hollow length having a wall forming a lumen, which may serve as a conduit through which fluid may be pumped and discharged through a plurality of perforations in the wall. In another embodiment the suture may comprise a plurality of suture members connected by a connecting member. In one embodiment of a method disclosed, a suture having a hollow length having a wall forming a lumen, with a plurality of perforations in the wall, may be placed in a stitching procedure to apposition tissues, and a fluid such as an adhesive, adhesive activating agent or drug may be pumped through the lumen and discharged out the perforations for various beneficial effects.

The present invention relates to rapid dissolve thin film drug delivery compositions for the oral administration of active components. The active components are provided as taste-masked or controlled-release coated particles uniformly distributed throughout the film composition. The compositions may be formed by wet casting methods, where the film is cast and controllably dried, or alternatively by an extrusion method.