Connector assemblies for implantable stimulators
US Patent 8,965,510
February 24, 2015
Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator.
Systems and methods for making and using improved lead extension connectors
US Patent 8,965,515
February 24, 2015
A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.
Method of fabricating a wafer level chip scale package
US Patent 8,962,391
February 24, 2015
An improved wafer level chip scale packaging technique is described which does not use an encapsulated via to connect between a redirection layer and a pad within the pad ring on the semiconductor die. In an embodiment, a first dielectric layer is formed such that it terminates on each die within the die’s pad ring. Tracks are then formed in a conductive layer which contact one of the pads and run over the edge of an opening onto the surface of the first dielectric layer. These tracks may be used to form an electrical connection between the pad and a solder ball.
Networked sonar observation of selected seabed environments
US Patent 8,964,506
February 24, 2015
A sonar transducer network for observing a seabed includes a controller. A first transducer assembly includes a first acoustic transducer to convert a first ping to a first electrical signal; and a first transducer processor to receive a first electrical signal from the first acoustic transducer to generate the first transducer data. At least one second transducer assembly is spaced apart from the first transducer assembly. The second transducer assembly includes a second acoustic transducer to convert a second ping to a second electrical signal. The second transducer processor receives the second electrical signal from the second acoustical transducer to generate second transducer data. A network bus communicates first transducer data and second transducer data with the controller.
Apparatus and method for damper adjustments for a horizontal suspension
US Patent 8,960,691
February 24, 2015
The invention relates to a vehicle oscillation device having two vehicle parts arranged to be movable relative to each other, wherein one of the two vehicle parts is supported in a substantially horizontally oscillatory manner in relation to the further one of the two vehicle parts in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and/or in the width direction of the vehicle, wherein said two vehicle parts are coupled with each other in an pivoting manner by a transmission system having more than one transmission element, and a damper is provided in a damping manner between a first transmission element and one of the two vehicle parts or a further transmission element.
Fastener holding tool for a cranial burr hole plug
US Patent 8,961,610
February 24, 2015
A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The plug base is configured to accommodate a variety of cranium forms without requiring deformation of the plug base. A plug base holding tool is used to secure the plug base to the cranium, wherein the tool aligns fasteners with the plug base for insertion through the plug base and into the cranium. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. The retainer includes a clamping mechanism that secures the elongated medical device in the burr hole plug, wherein the movement of the clamping mechanism is controlled to prevent skewing of the clamping mechanism.
Washable pillow with multiple cases
US Patent 8,959,683
February 24, 2015
Embodiments are directed towards a pillow with a removable core that includes a plurality of cut foam pieces of various or similar shapes/sizes. The pillow may include an outer shell case and an inner shell case (i.e., the removable core). The outer shell case may be made of a plurality of layers, including a backing layer positioned between an external layer and an internal layer. The backing layer may comprise a foam material. And the internal layer and the inner shell case may comprise an open mesh material. The inner shell case may be removably inserted into the outer shell case. A plurality of foam pieces may be disposed inside the inner shell case.
Systems and methods for reducing non-uniform rotation distortion in ultrasound images
US Patent 8,956,299
February 17, 2015
A method for generating an ultrasound image includes receiving an image frame having consecutive ultrasound scan lines obtained using a rotating ultrasound imaging arrangement and determining first and second cross-correlation values for a plurality of the scan lines. For each individual scan line, the first cross-correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between a first subframe of consecutive scan lines including the individual scan line and a second subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a first integer value. The second correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between the first subframe and a third subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a second integer value. The method further includes evaluating, individually for multiple scan lines, whether that scan line exhibits non-uniform rotation distortion using at least one of the first and second cross-correlation values. A correction for non-uniform rotation distortion is applied.
Apparatus, systems and methods for electrical power generation from heat
US Patent 8,957,298
February 17, 2015
Systems and methods are operable to generate electric power from heat. Embodiments employ one or more direct thermal electric converters that have at least a first recombination material having a first recombination rate, a second recombination material adjacent to the first recombination material and having a second recombination rate, wherein the second recombination rate is different from the first recombination rate, and a third recombination material adjacent to the second recombination material and having a third recombination rate substantially the same as the first recombination rate. Application of heat generates at least first charge carriers that migrate between the first recombination material and the second recombination material, and generates at least second charge carriers that migrate between the third recombination material and the second recombination material. The migration of the first charge carriers and the migration of the second charge carriers generates an electrical current.
Cookie decorating tool
US Patent 8,956,138
February 17, 2015
A cookie decorating tool includes a main body having attachment points for a plurality of decorating tool heads. In one version, the tool heads are in the form of one or more interchangeable stamps or rollers, each having a different design that may be imparted onto cookie dough to leave an impression prior to baking.
