610 results about "Reflex" patented technology

The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. An embodiment of a method incorporating RDOG may include steps of requiring a player to purchase a predetermined amount of playing time for a predetermined amount of money; inputting an initial average Return-To-Player (RTP) percentage of the regulated game; initiating the regulated game, and during the purchased predetermined amount of playing time: providing a plurality of reward generating assets and enabling the player to interact therewith, a successful interaction with a reward generating asset generating a reward for the player, and providing a plurality of time penalty inducing assets, interaction with one of which imposes a predetermined time penalty during which the player is prevented from interacting with any of the plurality of reward generating assets whereby, after interaction with one of the plurality of penalty inducing assets, the initial average RTP percentage is reduced by an amount proportional to a length of the predetermined time penalty.

The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. An RDOG gaming machine may include a game that includes a reward generating assets and a graphic shown on a display. The graphic is at least partially controlled by the player and configured to interact with the reward generating asset. A reward table is associated with the reward generating assets and is configured such that when the graphic successfully interacts therewith on the display, a random number is obtained and used as an index into the reward table to derive a reward multiplier. The reward due the player for successfully interacting with the reward generating asset may then be determined by a product of the reward multiplier and a collision wager that is dependent upon a time interval since a last successful interaction with the reward generating asset.

Method and system to provide therapy for obesity and gastrointestinal disorders such as FGIDs, gastroparesis, gastro-esophageal reflex disease (GERD), pancreatitis and ileus comprises vagal blocking and / or vagal stimulation. Vagal blocking may be in the afferent or efferent direction, and may be with or without stimulation pulses. Blocking may be provided by one of a number of different electrical blocking techniques. Electrical signals may be provided with an external stimulator in conjunction with an implanted stimulus-receiver, or an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for temporary power source. In one embodiment, the external stimulator may comprise an optional telemetry unit. The addition of the telemetry unit to the external stimulator provides the ability to remotely interrogate and change stimulation programs over a wide area network, as well as other networking capabilities,

A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.

A communication robot control system displays a selection input screen for supporting input of actions of a communication robot. The selection input screen displays in a user-selectable manner a list of a plurality of behaviors including not only spontaneous actions but also reactive motions (reflex behaviors) in response to behavior of a person as a communication partner, and a list of emotional expressions to be added to the behaviors. According to a user's operation, the behavior and the emotional expression to be performed by the communication robot are selected and decided. Then, reproductive motion information for interactive actions including reactive motions and emotional interactive actions, is generated based on input history of the behavior and the emotional expression.

An oral pacifier apparatus is disclosed for use by infants and young children to promote soothing oral stimulation and for administering fluids and liquid medications. The pacifier apparatus includes a nipple, a shield, a removable access assembly, and a detachable, refillable reservoir. Furthermore, the nipple includes a linear array of nipple holes which directs fluid flow to physiologic gutters adjacent to the tongue of the user, thereby avoiding stimulating the gag reflex. The method of using the pacifier apparatus to treat dehydration is also disclosed.

System and method for positively identifying an operator through biometric means which shall prevent unauthorized or impaired operation of a motor vehicle by requiring the potential operator to sequentially energize several vehicle devices, within a set time period, prior to placing the vehicle ignition into a start position. The system includes a device for measuring an operator's biometric identification, and a microcontroller. Logic outputs from the sequencing mechanism and the timer mechanism are contained within the microcontroller operating as a logic decoder that is used to control the vehicle ignition circuit. The microcontroller monitors the sequence in which the vehicle's devices are energized, and if they are energized within the correct order and within the predetermined amount of time then the microcontroller will output a signal to allow the ignition circuit to close. A sensory indicator may alert the potential operator as to the condition of the microcontroller output. An unauthorized user is inhibited from operating the motor vehicle because their identification could not be biometrically established and / or the performance sequence is unknown to him / her. Slower reflex times or impaired motor skills may also prevent an impaired operator from performing the proper sequence within the predetermined time period.

A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Systems and methods affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter and / or serve to mediate or moderate receptive relaxation of muscles in the stomach, to treat or mitigate various physiologic conditions, such as obesity, biliary reflex, GERD, and / or Barrett's esophagus. The systems and methods may be used as either a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

The present invention relates to an image capturing device for reflex reduction, comprising at least one wave emitter (2) for emitting electromagnetic waves towards the object and at least one image capturing device (1), directed towards the object. The wave emitter (2) is arranged to emit said waves towards the object alternately from at least two points, said points being separated such a distance (B) that disturbing reflexes, resulting from waves emitted from different points and appearing in an image captured with said image capturing device, are seperable. Further, the device comprises processing means (7), adapted to receive at least two images, acquired with illumination from different angles, and to generate a reflex reduced image.

An ocular system for detecting ocular abnormalities and conditions creates photorefractive digital images of a patient's retinal reflex. The system includes a computer control system, a two-dimensional array of infrared irradiation sources and a digital infrared image sensor. The amount of light provided by the array of irradiation sources is adjusted by the computer so that ocular signals from the image sensor are within a targeted range. Enhanced, adaptive, photorefraction is used to observe and measure the optical effects of Keratoconus. Multiple near-infrared (NIR) sources are preferably used with the photorefractive configuration to quantitatively characterize the aberrations of the eye. The infrared light is invisible to a patient and makes the procedure more comfortable than current ocular examinations.

Methods for treating neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases or disorders in humans by administering to the human a therapeutically effective dose of specific biologics are presented. The biologics of consideration include antagonists of tumor necrosis factor or of interleukin-1. The administration of these biologics is performed by specific methods, most, but not all of which fall into the category of anatomically localized administration designed for perispinal use. Anatomically localized administration involving perispinal use includes, but is not limited to the subcutaneous, intramuscular, interspinous, epidural, peridural, parenteral or intrathecal routes. Additonally, intranasal administration is discussed as a method to provide therapeutic benefit. The clinical conditions of consideration include, but are not limited to the following: diseases of the brain, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease; migraine headache; spinal radiculopathy associated with intervertebral disc herniation, post-herpetic neuralgia, reflex sympathethic dystrophy, neuropathic pain, vertebral disc disease, low back pain, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome; and neuropsychiatric diseases, including bipolar affective disorder, anorexia nervosa, nicotine withdrawal, narcotic addiction, alcohol withdrawl, postpartum depression, and schizoaffective illness.

Devices and methods to heat and cool human beings, including inducing and maintaining hypothermia in human patients. Methods include inducing hypothermia to treat ischemic events, including heart attack and stroke, to limit damage caused by the ischemic event. Methods can include: using the lungs for heat exchange; using cooled gases for ventilation; using helium in the ventilation gas mixture, using medications to control reflex heat production; and injecting a perfluorocarbon mist into the gas stream to increase the cooling rate. The high thermal conductivity and diffusivity of helium results in greater inspired gas temperature equalization toward body temperature. Due to the latent heat of vaporization, addition of even small quantity of phase-change perfluorocarbon dramatically increases the heat carrying capacity of the respiratory gases. Hypothermia may be terminated by discontinuing the medications and warming the patient using a warmed helium-oxygen mixture.

The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient's mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.

An orthopedic device is disclosed for restoring the normal or natural joint mechanics in, for example, a hip joint. The device includes a first component, such as an acetabular component in a hip implant, that includes a convex articulation surface and a second component, such as a femoral component in a hip implant, that includes a concave articulation surface. It will be appreciated that the convex articulation surface of the device disclosed herein articulates with the concave articulation surface in a mating engagement that may be reversed with respect to the traditional hip implant, in which the concave articulation surface is part of the acetabular component and the convex articulation surface is part of the femoral component.

A neuromuscular model-based controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a neuromuscular model having a muscle model, muscle geometry and reflex feedback loop to determine at least one torque or impedance command to be sent to the robotic limb. One or more parameters that determine relation between feedback data and activation of the muscle model are adjusted consequent to sensory data from at least one of an intrinsic sensor and an extrinsic sensor. A controller in communication with the neuromuscular model is configured to receive the at least one torque or impedance command and controls at least one of position, torque and impedance of the robotic limb joint.

A method and apparatus for controlling and providing force feedback using an interface device manipulated by a user. A microprocessor is provided local to the interface device and reads sensor data from sensors that describes the position and / or other information about a user object moved by the user, such as a joystick. The microprocessor controls actuators to provide forces on the user object and provides the sensor data to a host computer that is coupled to the interface device. The host computer sends high level host commands to the local microprocessor, and the microprocessor independently implements a local reflex process based on the high level command to provide force values to the actuators using sensor data and other parameters. A provided host command protocol includes a variety of different types of host commands and associated command parameters. By providing a relatively small set of high level host commands and parameters which are translated into a panoply of forces, the protocol further shifts the computational burden from the host computer to the local microprocessor and allows a software developer to easily create force feedback applications.

A registration system suited to use in an imaging system, such as an inkjet printer, includes a first measuring device, such as an encoder, which provides information for monitoring a speed of a moving image receiving surface of the imaging system, such as a paper web. A second measuring device, such as a second encoder or a tension measuring device, provides information for monitoring a tension in the image receiving surface. A control system determines an actuation time for one of two marking stations, based on the information from the first and second measuring devices. This enables a registration of images applied to the image receiving surface by the two marking stations to take into account both changes in speed of the web and changes in tension in the web.

The invention relates to an exoskeleton walk-assisting robot for old people and a bionic control method for anti-falling gaits. The exoskeleton walk-assisting robot comprises exoskeleton trunk components, joint components, an action control unit, an auxiliary unit and a power supply, wherein the exoskeleton trunk components are connected to a lower body of a user and assist the user to complete stand and walking actions; the joint components are connected with the exoskeleton trunk components and enable the exoskeleton trunk components to bend and stretch; the action control unit is capable of acquiring acceleration and angular speed signals during walking of the robot in real time, processing the signals and generating corresponding motion signals so as to control actions of the exoskeleton trunk components and to finish motion generation and reverse solution; and the power supply provides energy for the whole device. The exoskeleton walk-assisting robot for the old people is compact in structure, good in control effect, capable of acquiring accelerations in three directions and angular speeds in two directions in real time and judging falling states of the exoskeleton walk-assisting robot comprehensively, integrated with a posture reflex mechanism of human bodies and suitable for unknown unstructured complex terrains.

When a selector button is pressed in optical viewfinder mode, a display in live view mode is started. If the metered light value, measured focus detection result, and position information stored in the optical viewfinder mode are set so as to be reflected in the live view mode, exposure control is performed based on the stored metered light value and position information, and focusing is performed based on the stored focus detection result and position information.

The front and rear sights for shotguns which are the object of the present invention provide the use of M16 / M4 style sights within sight bases which can be affixed to the receiver and barrel of a shotgun. An enhanced level of precision as well as familiarity is imparted to shotguns which employ sights of the configuration described within the present invention. The addition of a M-1913 style rail base to the rear sight assembly brings the added benefit of the ability to add an additional sighting collimator to the rear sight assembly in terms of a reflex, or refractory optical sight which conveys the benefit of a co-witnessed sight alignment. The use of M16 / M4 style sights which have proved the test of time in military deployments from the 1960's until the present time bring an operationally sound modality to shotguns that are tactically employed.

An exercise system for simulating the motions involved in boarding sports such as surfing or snowboarding in a repetitive manner which allows for a cardiovascular, aerobic exercise that builds and tones the same muscles and reflexes used in boarding sports. The exercise system generally includes a frame including a first track and a second track. The first track is positioned parallel with the second track. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the first track and the second track such that the carriage assembly may freely slide back and forth along the tracks. The carriage assembly is adapted to tilt about a horizontal axis of rotation and swivel about a vertical axis of rotation. By sliding the carriage assembly along the tracks and utilizing the swiveling and tilting motions, the operator may simulate the motions and exercises encountered while enjoying boarding sports such as wakeboarding, snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding.

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for increasing tear production by stimulating the cornea, conjunctiva, and / or subconjunctiva. In some variations, the devices may be in the form of a contact lens. The contact lens may comprise a lens body and a stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip is embedded in the lens body. An external power source wirelessly transmits energy to the stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip may convert the energy to an electric waveform to stimulate the cornea, conjunctiva, and / or subconjunctiva. Stimulation may activate the lacrimal reflex to increase tear production. The devices and systems for increasing tear production may be used in methods of treating dry eye, reducing the symptoms of tired eye, increasing comfort for contact lens wearers, and extending the number of years a contact lens user can wear contacts. Also described are methods of manufacturing a contact lens.

An oral application for snoring prevention which has a flattened tube with an unobstructed airway and ridges on the inferior surface for pulling the tongue forward out of the path of the airway while the superior surface of the tube follows closely the hard and soft palate. The tube is short and extends in the oral cavity or mouth to a location which will not cause a gag reflex.

The invention relates to a human finger simulation device on an artificial hand for the handicapped, in particular to a multimode under-actuated human finger simulation device with a quick reflex grabbing function. The device comprises a primary movement mechanism, a secondary movement mechanism, an elastic coupling link mechanism and a link surpassing mechanism and is capable of realizing human simulated grabbing movement. The primary movement mechanism is capable of realizing coupling under-actuated and adaptive under-actuated multimode grabbing actions by matching of a motor with the elastic coupling link mechanism, and the grabbing movement space of the artificial hand is greatly widened. The secondary movement mechanism is capable of realizing quick reflex grabbing of the human finger simulation device by the aid of a micro-actuator mechanism. When an article subjected to envelop grabbing is in external disturbance, a grabbing force pointing to the interior of the grabbed article is quickly outputted to compensate force and displacement output of the primary movement mechanism until the primary movement mechanism makes adjustment. Secondary movement has millisecond-scale response speed to realize human simulated quick reflex movement and anti-slip stable grabbing functions. The specific link surpassing mechanism guarantees the grabbing space of far dactyluses. The multimode under-actuated human finger simulation device is simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost and high in output force, has human simulation characteristics in terms of appearance and actions, and is particularly suitable for artificial hands for the handicapped.

The invention pertains to a sports training ball designed to develop reaction and reflex skills, while keeping interest and enthusiasm high among the participants due to the unpredictable bounces the seven-knob rubber ball creates. It is well suited for training in many sports including baseball and is effective to help young athletes develop their visual tracking skills, reaction skills, and catching skills. Its unique seven-knob design ensures a different bounce every time it bounces against a flat surface. The seven-knob design includes two identical knobs of a larger size and five identical knobs of a smaller size and the ball is approximately the same mass as a tennis ball and a baseball. In short, it is challenging, but allows children of varying ages and skill levels to achieve success while building their skills.

A system and method for training a subject for control processes, preferably for a particular task. The task may optionally comprise a sport, such as basketball for example; additionally or alternatively, the task may comprise an area of skills to be improved, such as general improvement of physical reflexes and / or reactions. The present invention enables cognitive skills associated with the task to be improved, without requiring physical fidelity to the physical actions that are normally performed during the actual task. Improving these cognitive skills results in improved control processes during performance of the actual task by the subject.

A monitoring device receives a measurement signal obtained by a pressure sensor in an extracorporeal fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood circuit for a dialysis machine which is in contact with a vascular system of a subject via a fluid connection. The monitoring device processes the measurement signal to identify pressure data that represents pulses originating from a first physiological phenomenon in the subject, excluding the heart of the subject. The first physiological phenomenon may be any of reflexes, voluntary muscle contractions, non-voluntary muscle contractions, a breathing system of the subject, an autonomous system of the subject for blood pressure regulation, or an autonomous system of the subject for body temperature regulation. The monitoring device may detect, present, track or predict a disordered condition of the subject using the pressure data, or monitor the integrity of the fluid connection based on the pressure data.