Abstract:
An in-flight contact charging system includes a charging contact, a power receiver, and a recharging controller connected to the charging contact. The charging contact is mounted on a support. The power receiver is mounted on an aerial vehicle containing an electrical load. The power receiver connects to the electrical load. The recharging controller can detect contact between the charging contact and the power receiver; transmit electricity to the charging contact; detect a spike in battery impedance; and discontinue transmission of electricity to the charging contact. The system enables a drone to rapidly recharge its battery while in flight by making brief contact between the charging contact and the power receiver. This system keeps the drone airborne, does not waste energy, and is comparatively cheap to build and maintain.
Abstract:
Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present invention provide a device, systems and methods for capturing sounds, generating a sound model (or “sound pack”) for each captured sound, and identifying a detected sound using the sound model(s). Preferably, a single device is used to capture a sound, store sound models, and to identify a detected sound using the stored sound models.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of methods and systems for continuous transdermal monitoring (“CTM”) are disclosed. One exemplary method for CTM begins by monitoring an output signal from an accelerometer. The accelerometer output signal may indicate acceleration and deceleration of a body part of a user, such as the user's wrist. Based on the accelerometer output signal, it may be determined that the body part of the user has decelerated to a minimum, e.g., substantially zero. With a determination that the body part has decelerated to the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, or has not accelerated beyond the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, the method may determine a reading from a pulse oximeter associated with the accelerometer. Advantageously, the pulse oximetry reading, or a reading from other sensors associated with the accelerometer, may be optimally accurate as motion artifact may be minimized. The pulse oximetry reading may be recorded for later query and/or rendered for the benefit of the user.
Abstract:
Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. An electrically conductive fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful as diffusion layers in fuel cells.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling a therapeutic substance or drug within a hollow wire that forms a stent. The stent is placed within a chamber housing a fluid drug formulation. During filling, the chamber is maintained at or near the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the solvent of the fluid drug formulation. To fill the stent, a portion of the stent is placed into contact with the fluid drug formulation until a lumenal space defined by the hollow wire is filled with the fluid drug formulation via capillary action. After filling is complete, the stent is retracted such that the stent is no longer in contact with the fluid drug formulation. The solvent vapor pressure within the chamber is reduced to evaporate a solvent of the fluid drug formulation. A wicking means may control transfer of the fluid drug formulation into the stent.
Abstract:
A mobile device comprising a software application configured to detect the sound of a product use event; provide a user reward using said software application in response to said detection; capture data relating to said product use event; and provide said captured data to a remote computer system for analysis.
Abstract:
A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter having an inner member and an outer member, the outer member concentrically arranged about the inner member and a retractable drug delivery device disposed at a distal end of the inner member. A coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the retractable drug delivery device includes at least one therapeutic agent.