Explore the 5,757 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 32nd week of 2009, including 3,699 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICULATING THE WRIST OF A LAPAROSCOPIC GRASPING INSTRUMENT
A medical instrument has a set of opposing jaws that can be articulated, both left and right, from centerline. The instrument has a proper bend radius and support for the jaw actuation member and cutter driving member. The bendable support for the drive members comprises tightly wound coil springs. Another embodiment of the invention controls the degree of articulation at the handle of the laparoscopic instrument. A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent motion of the wrist while the user performs other operations on the device. The locking mechanism also includes an indexing feature with which the user can index and choose the necessary amount of angle between preset angles.
Published: 2009-08-06
Drug delivery devices, kits and methods therefor
Implantable drug delivery devices, and kits and methods incorporating them are described. The devices may, for example, be configured for implantation into an ocular region of a subject. The drug delivery devices may comprise multiple, selectively-triggerable drug reservoirs for administration of sequential or concomitant drug regimens. Some variations of devices may comprise one or more reservoirs that may be triggered by an optical stimulus, e.g., light having a wavelength within a certain wavelength range. The devices, methods, and kits may be useful in the treatment chronic ocular conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration.
Published: 2009-08-06
Method and system for associating content with map zoom function
Various methods, systems and apparatus for displaying content associated with a point-of-interest (“POI”) in a digital mapping system, or a region within the digital map, are disclosed. One such method may include detecting a change in the zoom level of an electronic map displayed on a computing device, determining if the new zoom-level is at a pre-determined zoom level (e.g. at maximum zoom), identifying a POI on the map, retrieving content associated with the POI (“POI content”) and displaying the POI content. The method may further include detecting a change in the zoom, or pan, of the digital map while POI content is displayed, and removing the POI content in response.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: Beijing Jingwei HiRain Technologies Co., Ltd..
Systems, devices, and/or methods for rotating a vehicle lamp
In certain exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for rotating one or more vehicle lamps can include a case body, a motor, a printed circuit board, and/or a gear reducing mechanism. The motor can be mounted on the outside of the case body and/or can include a case shell and/or an end cover. The revolving shaft of the motor can be supported on the case shell and/or the end cover of the motor by a first bearing and/or a second bearing respectively. The end of the revolving shaft of the motor can enter into the case body and/or be fixed with a driving gear which can engage with the gear reducing mechanism. The output shaft of the gear reducing mechanism can actuate the vehicle lamp, so as to change the direction of irradiation of the vehicle lamp.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: ENERGYHUB.
System and method for home energy monitor and control
The invention generally concerns systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device. The system and method may connect to a power source and a power-consuming device, connecting the power-consuming device to the power source. The power usage of the power-consuming device may then be measured and monitored. This monitoring data may then be stored and optionally sent to a controlling device on a data network. The location of the power-consuming device may also be determined, recorded, and sent to a controlling device. The system may also control the power usage of the power-consuming device. In some cases, a remote server may connect multiple energy monitoring systems in order to gain additional efficiencies and foster a community-based social network.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: NITTO KOHKI CO., LTD..
Portable drilling device
A drilling device prevents recurrence of an overload condition after occurrence of the overload condition, thereby improving operability and safety in the drilling device. A motor for rotating a drill is connected to an AC power source through a motor control unit, a current detector, and a power switch. A magnet is also connected to the AC power source through the power switch and a full-wave rectifier. The motor control unit rotationally drives the motor on the basis of a signal sent from a main control unit according to a state in which a motor start switch is on. The main control unit controls the motor control unit to gradually reduce a supply voltage to the motor when the motor becomes overloaded, to gradually increase the voltage to the normal power supply condition when the overload condition is vanished, and to stop power supply to the motor if the overload condition continues for a predetermined period.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: VidaCare Corporation.
Assemblies for coupling intraosseous (IO) devices to powered drivers
Medical devices, medical procedure trays, kits and related methods are provided for use to perform medical procedures that require access to the interior of a bone. The devices, trays and methods allow multiple use of non-sterile medical devices with sterile medical devices for performing medical procedures requiring sterile conditions. A coupler assembly, capable of releasably attaching to a non-sterile medical device at one end and releasably attaching to one or more sterile medical devices at another end, and further comprising a containment bag which allows maintaining sterility of a non-sterile medical device which may be used in conjunction with sterile medical devices and procedures. The devices, trays, kits and methods enable the performance of multiple medical procedures with a single insertion into bone. For example, a vertebral procedure such as a vertebroplasty may be performed along with biopsy and/or bone marrow aspiration procedures, thereby reducing patient trauma and costs.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD..
Detecting unauthorized use of computing devices based on behavioral patterns
Techniques for detecting unauthorized use (e.g., malicious attacks) of the computing systems (e.g., computing devices) are disclosed. Unauthorized use can be detected based on patterns of use (e.g., behavioral patterns of use typically associated with a human being) of the computing systems. Acceptable behavioral pattern data can be generated for a computing system by monitoring the use of a support system (e.g., an operating system, a virtual environment) operating on the computing system. For example, a plurality of system support provider components of a support system (e.g., system calls, device drivers) can be monitored in order to generate the acceptable behavioral pattern data in a form which effectively defines an acceptable pattern of use (usage pattern) for the monitored system support provider components, thereby allowing detection of unauthorized use of a computing system by detecting any deviation from the acceptable pattern of use of the monitored system support provider components.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited.
Component for semicondutor processing apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A component (10) for a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a matrix (10a) defining a shape of the component, and a protection film (10c) covering a predetermined surface of the matrix. The protection film (10c) consists essentially of an amorphous oxide of a first element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, hafnium, zirconium, and yttrium. The protection film (10c) has a porosity of less than 1% and a thickness of 1 nm to 10 μm.
Published: 2009-08-06 Assignee: WIMM LABS, INC., Pillar LLC.
User interface of a small touch sensitive display for an electronic data and communication device
A method and apparatus for receiving an input by a user on an interactive touchscreen display based, electronic data and communication device, the input comprising a contact gesture, which further comprises touchscreen single or multiple simultaneous contacts. The contact gestures are classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, universal and non-universal contact gestures. The method further includes performing an operation or entering an operational mode based on the user input.