Abstract:
A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a method includes generating a description of an asset that includes at least one retreatment contract, and generating an offer to transfer, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, the asset. The asset may also include one or more instruments other than the at least one retreatment contract. Such an embodiment may allow a party to a retreatment contract to diversify its risk, or to recoup at least a portion of the fee it paid under the contract. An example of a retreatment contract includes a party paying a fee (e.g., an insurance premium) for another party to take an action (e.g., pay money to the party) if a subject treated for a condition is retreated for the condition, for a complication arising from the treatment of the condition, or for another reason, within a specified time period.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a system for treating sleep apnea includes a collar, a pump, and a motor. The collar has a vacuum surface and has a sealing surface that is configured to form a seal with a region of a neck of a subject having an airway. The pump is secured to the collar, and is configured to maintain the airway open by drawing a vacuum between the vacuum surface of the collar and a region of a throat of the subject. And the motor is secured to the collar and is configured to drive the pump. As compared to existing systems (e.g., a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system) for treating sleep apnea, the above-described system may be more portable, more comfortable, may be less likely to require adjustment while a subject using the system is asleep, and, therefore, may be less likely to awaken the subject.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that one or more insurers will deny coverage for treating one or more insured for one or more conditions, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking a respective action for each instance of at least one of the one or more insurers denying coverage for treating at least one of the one or more insured. Such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if one or more insurers under one or more medical insurance policies deny coverage for treating one or more insured under the one or more polices. An example of such liability includes money owing to one or more physicians or other treatment providers that treated the one or more insured (or, from a treatment provider's perspective, the inability to collect such money owing).
Abstract:
An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that a subject treated for a condition will be retreated within a time period, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking an action if the subject is retreated within the time period. For example, such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if a subject treated for a condition is retreated for the condition, for a complication arising from the condition or from the treatment of the condition, or for another reason, within a specified retreatment time period.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a collar includes first and second pressure surfaces, and first and second sealing surfaces. The first pressure surface is configured for disposal over a first region of a throat of a subject having an airway, and the first sealing surface is configured to form around the first pressure surface a first seal with a first region of a neck of the subject. And the second pressure surface is configured for disposal over a second region of the throat, and the second sealing surface is configured to form around the second pressure surface a second seal with a second region of the neck. For example, the collar can be configured to generate multiple negative-pressure regions to treat a subject's sleep apnea.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a method includes generating a description of an asset that includes at least one coverage-denial contract, and generating an offer to transfer, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, the asset. The asset may also include one or more instruments other than the at least one coverage-denial contract. Such an embodiment may allow a party to a coverage-denial contract to diversify its risk, or to recoup at least a portion of the fee it paid under the contract. An example of a coverage-denial contract includes a party paying a fee (e.g., an insurance premium) for another party to take an action (e.g., pay money to, or on behalf of, the party) if an insurer under another contract denies coverage for treating an insured under the other contract.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that an insurer will deny coverage for treating an insured for a condition, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking an action if the insurer denies coverage for treating the insured. Such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if an insurer under a medical insurance policy denies coverage for treating an insured under the policy. Examples of such liability include money owing to a physician or other provider that treated the insured, interest on the money owing, late fees and other penalties, and a downgrading of the credit of the insured or of a party financially responsible for the insured.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a risk-management method includes determining a risk that one or more subjects each treated for a respective condition by a respective provider will be retreated within a respective retreatment time period, and calculating, in response to a determined risk, a fee for taking a respective action for each of the one or more subjects that is retreated within the respective retreatment time period. For example, such an embodiment may aid in managing a risk of a liability that may be incurred if one or more subjects each treated for a respective condition is retreated for the respective condition, for a complication arising from the respective condition or the treatment of the respective condition, or for another reason, within a respective specified retreatment time period.
Abstract:
A system includes an apparatus and a controller, according to an embodiment. The apparatus is configured to maintain an airway of a subject open while the subject is sleeping by applying to the airway a pressure having a magnitude, and the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to change the magnitude of the pressure over a period that begins at a settable start time. For example, the system can be configured to treat a subject's sleep apnea with positive or negative pressure, and to function as an alarm clock by beginning to change the pressure magnitude at a settable start time, and to continue changing the pressure over a period with a settable duration (or settable stop time) to gently awaken the subject by the end of the period.