Stimulation leadwire and volume of activation control and display interface

US Patent 9,081,488
July 14, 2015
A method and system include a processor that outputs a model of anatomical structures of a region in which a leadwire is implanted, the structures being distinguished by graphical indicia associated with respective textual descriptions in a legend. Electrodes of a model of the leadwire overlaid on the anatomical structure models are selectable, in response to which selection the processor displays a control for modifying an electrical setting of the selected contact.

Network addressable storage controller with storage drive profile comparison

US Patent 9,081,828
July 14, 2015
Embodiments are directed towards a controller that provides individual network accessibility to a storage drive. The controller may include a first connector operative to couple with a storage-drive connector, a second connector operative to couple with a backplane connector of a multi-storage-drive chassis, memory, and processor. The controller may convert communication received through the first connector into an Ethernet protocol for output through the second connector, and convert communication received through the second connector into a storage-drive protocol for output through the first connector. A physical shape of the controller may fit adjacent to the storage-drive connector and occupy less space than is bounded by peripheral edges of an end of a separate housing of a storage drive coupled to the storage-drive connector. The controller may manage power provided to the storage drive and may coordinate with other controllers to manage power-up sequences of multiple storage drives.

Systems for making and using contact assemblies for leads of electrical stimulation systtems

US Patent 9,079,015
July 14, 2015
First contacts are disposed along a distal end portion or a proximal end portion of a lead body of an electrical stimulation lead. A contact assembly is disposed along the other of the distal end portion or the proximal end portion of the lead body. The contact assembly includes a tubular-shaped composite structure formed from multiple layered elements mechanically coupled together and rolled together into a tube. Each of the layered elements includes a first electrically-nonconductive substrate, a second electrically-nonconductive substrate, and micro-circuits laminated therebetween. Second contacts are disposed over the composite structure and electrically coupled to a first end portion of at least one of the micro-circuits. Lead-body conductors electrically couple the first contacts to the second contacts. Each of each of the lead-body conductors is attached to a second end portion of at least one of the micro-circuits.

Slicing device

US Patent 9,079,323
July 14, 2015
A slicing device for cutting fruits or vegetables into wedges, cubes, or other desired shapes includes a slicing frame and a pusher, in which the frame includes a grid of internal cutting blades. The pusher is configured to be used to push at least partially sliced food items through the gaps between cutting blades. In some versions, the pusher is pivotally attached to the slicer and includes a removable container.

Methods for making and using improved leads with pre-formed relief sections

US Patent 9,079,013
July 14, 2015
A method for manufacturing a lead includes pre-forming at least one relief section along a length of an elongated conductor having a first end and an opposing second end. The conductor with the pre-formed relief section is inserted into a conductor lumen defined along a length of an elongated lead body. The lead body has a first end and an opposing second end. An electrode is disposed at the first end of the lead body. The first end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal is disposed at the second end of the lead body. The second end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal.

Adaptive microphone beamforming

US Patent 9,078,057
July 7, 2015
The present invention relates to adaptive beamforming in audio systems. More specifically, aspects of the invention relate to a method for adaptively estimating a target sound signal by establishing a simulation model simulating an audio environment comprising: a plurality of spatially separated microphones, a target sound source, and a number of audio noise sources.

Prioritized repair of data storage failures

US Patent 9,075,773
July 7, 2015
Embodiments are directed towards managing data storage that may experience a data failure. If a repair event is associated with a data storage failure, a new repair task may be generated and added to a task list. A priority value for each repair task in the task list may be determined based in part on the mean-time-to-data-loss (MTTDL) value associated with each repair task in the task list such that a lower MTTDL may indicate a higher priority value over a lower MTTDL. One or more repair tasks may be promoted to become active repair tasks based on the priority value the repair tasks such that the promoted repair tasks have a higher priority that than other repair tasks in the task list, if any. Each active repair task may be executed to repair one or more associated the storage failures.

Nicked or gapped nucleic acid molecules and uses thereof

US Patent 9,074,205
July 7, 2015
The present disclosure provides meroduplex (nicked or gapped) ribonucleic acid molecules (mdRNA) that decreases or silences target gene expression. An mdRNA of this disclosure comprises at least three strands that combine to form at least two non-overlapping double-stranded regions separated by a nick or gap wherein one strand is complementary to a target gene RNA. In addition, the meroduplex may have one or more modifications or substitutions, such as nucleotide base, sugar, terminal cap structure, internucleotide linkage, or any combination of such modifications. Also provided are methods of decreasing expression of a target gene in a cell or in a subject to treat a disease related to altered expression of a target gene.

Boat with active suspension system

US Patent 9,073,605
July 7, 2015
A boat having a deck and a hull includes a suspension for suspending the deck with respect to the hull. Sensors are employed to determine motion of the deck, with a controller adjusting the suspension such that it maintains the pose of the deck with respect to an inertial reference and with respect to pitch, roll, and heave of the deck.

Clinician programmer system and method for steering volumes of activation

US Patent 9,072,905
July 7, 2015
A system and method for selection of stimulation parameters for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may include a processor that displays in a display device and in relation to a displayed model of a leadwire including model electrodes, a current field corresponding to a first stimulation parameter set, provides a user interface for receipt of user input representing a shift of the current field, in response to the user input, moves, in the display device, the current field with respect to the displayed model, determines a second stimulation parameter set that results in the moved current field, and outputs the second stimulation parameter set and/or sets a stimulation device with the second stimulation parameter set, where the stimulation device is configured for performing a stimulation using the leadwire in accordance with the second stimulation parameter set.