Medical devices using electrosensitive gels

    公开(公告)号:US06090139A

    公开(公告)日:2000-07-18

    申请号:US39667

    申请日:1998-03-16

    摘要: An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.A system apparatus and method is also disclosed for delivering a quantity of a drug, tissue, cells, genetic material, sensor, implant or implant material, repair material, diagnostic material, protein, hormone or the like or a combination thereof to a select location in the body, such as in an artery, vein, or a portion of the digestive tract. In one form, a select amount of such a (medical) material is disposed within a so-called intelligent gel per se or in one or more small capsules or the like in or attached to such intelligent gel or a container therefor, such as a thin skinned flexible elongated balloon-like enclosure. Such elongated, narrow container or strip of electrical energy or magnetic or radio-frequency energy force responsive gel attached to or containing medical material, is inserted into a body duct such as a vein or artery and is caused to "swim" or wiggle therealong to a select location therein by passing electrical energy through the blood (and vessel wall) and/or by means of an alternating magnetic or radio-frequency field controllably applied thereto with a hand-held instrument which is moved by hand to induce such movement and/or controllably may move such field in a manner to induce the gel to move or swim to the select location. In a particular form, the drug and gel are small enough in size to pass into the bloodstream through the wall of the small intestine after being swallowed, as a drug unit along with other such drug units--when so located at the select location in the body duct, the drug carried by the intelligent gel or (sausage-like) membrane or thin skin contained unit is released therefrom by biodegradation or other means, such as by radio-frequency, ultrasonic or magnetic field energy applied from outside the body or a catheter, or a combination thereof.

    Prisoner tracking and warning system and corresponding methods
    3.
    发明授权
    Prisoner tracking and warning system and corresponding methods 失效
    犯人跟踪和警戒系统及相应的方法

    公开(公告)号:US6054928A

    公开(公告)日:2000-04-25

    申请号:US90665

    申请日:1998-06-04

    IPC分类号: G01S19/19 G08B23/00

    摘要: A system and method for tracking, monitoring and learning prisoner or parolee behavior involves obtaining prisoner or parolee data and monitoring data for at least one individual prisoner or parolee, storing the prisoner or parolee data and monitored data into a database, learning prisoner or parolee behavior from the prisoner or parolee data and the monitored data in the database, and updating the prisoner or parolee data and the monitored data in the database. Expert system (i.e. including but not limited to fuzzy logic, reinforcement learning, neural networks, artificial intelligence, etc.) algorithms are executed for determining and analyzing deviated behavior by the prisoner or parolee. A parole level is assigned to the prisoner or parolee and it is determined whether the prisoner or parolee is to be moved up or down a parole level depending on whether the prisoner or parolee behavior does not constitute or does constitute prisoner or parolee violations. Furthermore, the system tracks, monitors, and learns the behavior of the prisoner or parolee by controlling and regulating the permitted/prohibited locations or sectors, the permitted/prohibited location or sector dwell times, the permitted/prohibited travel routes, the permitted/prohibited travel times that the prisoner or parolee spends at or between various locations.

    摘要翻译: 追查,监测和学习囚犯或假释行为的系统和方法包括为至少一个单独的囚犯或假释人获得囚犯或假释者数据和监测数据,将囚犯或假释者数据和监测数据存储到数据库中,学习囚犯或假释行为 从囚犯或假释者数据和数据库中的监视数据,以及更新囚犯或假释者数据和数据库中监视的数据。 执行专家系统(即包括但不限于模糊逻辑,强化学习,神经网络,人工智能等)算法来确定和分析囚犯或假释者的偏离行为。 假释级别被分配给囚犯或假释者,根据囚犯或假释人行为是否构成或确实构成犯人或违反违法行为,确定囚犯或假释人是否被放弃假释级别。 此外,系统通过控制和管制允许/禁止的地点或部门,允许/禁止的位置或部门停留时间,允许/禁止的旅行路线,许可/禁止的行为,跟踪,监测和了解囚犯或假释人的行为 囚犯或假释士在不同地点之间或之间度过的旅行时间。

    Automatically optimized combustion control

    公开(公告)号:US5993194A

    公开(公告)日:1999-11-30

    申请号:US668383

    申请日:1996-06-21

    IPC分类号: F23N5/08 F23N5/02

    摘要: Systems and methods are disclosed that optimize the combustion process in various reactors, furnaces, and internal combustion engines. Video cameras are used to evaluate the combustion flame grade. Depending on the desired form, standard or special video devices, or beam scanning devices, are used to image the combustion flame and by-products. The video device generates and outputs image signals during various phases of, and at various locations in, the combustion process. Other forms of sensors monitor and generate data signals defining selected parameters of the combustion process, such as air flow, fuel flow, turbulence, exhaust and inlet valve openings, etc. In a preferred form, a neural networks initially processes the image data and characterizes the combustion flame. A fuzzy logic controller and associated fuzzy logic rule base analyzes the image data from the neural network, along with other sensor information. The fuzzy logic controller determines and generates control signals defining adjustments necessary to optimize the combustion process.

    Automatically optimized combustion control

    公开(公告)号:US5971747A

    公开(公告)日:1999-10-26

    申请号:US223639

    申请日:1998-12-30

    IPC分类号: F23N5/08 F23N11/44

    摘要: Systems and methods are disclosed that optimize the combustion process in various reactors, furnaces, and internal combustion engines. Video cameras are used to evaluate the combustion flame grade. Depending on the desired form, standard or special video devices, or beam scanning devices, are used to image the combustion flame and by-products. The video device generates and outputs image signals during various phases of, and at various locations in, the combustion process. Other forms of sensors monitor and generate data signals defining selected parameters of the combustion process, such as air flow, fuel flow, turbulence, exhaust and inlet valve openings, etc. In a preferred form, a neural networks initially processes the image data and characterizes the combustion flame. A fuzzy logic controller and associated fuzzy logic rule base analyzes the image data from the neural network, along with other sensor information. The fuzzy logic controller determines and generates control signals defining adjustments necessary to optimize the combustion process.

    Method for inspecting, coding and sorting objects
    6.
    发明授权
    Method for inspecting, coding and sorting objects 失效
    检查,编码和分类对象的方法

    公开(公告)号:US5966457A

    公开(公告)日:1999-10-12

    申请号:US848220

    申请日:1992-03-10

    摘要: An apparatus and method for printing selected indicia on objects, including, for example, sheets, cards, envelopes and containers. The objects are conveyed, one at a time, by a conventional conveying device along a path past a printing station. An electrically operated detector, such as a limit switch or photoelectric detector, senses a portion of each article, such as its leading edge, and generates a control signal. The control signal triggers activation of a memory containing a train of signals, which are applied to control a printer that automatically applies ink to print a selected group or line of indicia, such as alpha-numeric characters or codes, along a portion of the surface of each object.

    摘要翻译: 一种用于在物体上打印所选标记的装置和方法,包括例如片材,卡片,信封和容器。 物体通过传统的输送装置沿着通过印刷站的路径一次一个地传送。 诸如限位开关或光电检测器的电动检测器感测每个物品的一部分,例如其前缘,并产生控制信号。 控制信号触发启动包含一系列信号的存储器,这些存储器被应用于控制自动应用墨水的打印机沿着表面的一部分打印所选择的组或标记行,例如字母数字字符或代码 的每个对象。

    Apparatus and method for stand-alone scanning and audio generation from
printed material
    7.
    发明授权
    Apparatus and method for stand-alone scanning and audio generation from printed material 失效
    用于印刷材料的独立扫描和音频生成的装置和方法

    公开(公告)号:US5945656A

    公开(公告)日:1999-08-31

    申请号:US863924

    申请日:1997-05-27

    IPC分类号: G06K7/10

    CPC分类号: G06K7/10881

    摘要: A self-contained, hand-held, portable code reading and processing system within an elongated tubular housing forms a wand that transduces coded data into selected speech or music. A simple-to-use reading and processing system can be used as part of a learning and activity game. In one form, a scanning guide is hingedly attached to a book. When the guide is folded over a page of the book, a path is created across the coded data to enable children and others to easily scan the coded data with the hand-held wand. A contact switch at or near the scanning end of the system is actuated by the scanning guide to activate the code reading and processing system. An energy-saving power shutdown feature turns off the code reading and processing system when no coded data are scanned in a given time period. The contact switch and the automatic power shutdown system act in concert as a safety system to prevent small children from staring at the light source for prolonged periods of time. Audio data may be provided in the form of a removable memory cartridge, to allow use of the system in a variety of applications.

    摘要翻译: 在细长的管状外壳内的独立的,手持式的便携式代码读取和处理系统形成将编码数据转换成选定的语音或音乐的魔杖。 一个简单易用的阅读和处理系统可以用作学习和活动游戏的一部分。 在一种形式中,扫描引导件铰接地附接到书上。 当指南折叠在书的页面上时,跨编码数据创建路径,以使儿童和其他人能够轻松地用手持式手柄扫描编码数据。 系统扫描端处或附近的接触开关由扫描引导器驱动,以激活代码读取和处理系统。 当在给定时间段内没有扫描编码数据时,节能电源关闭功能关闭了代码读取和处理系统。 接触开关和自动关机系统一致地作为安全系统,以防止小孩长时间盯着光源。 可以以可移动存储盒的形式提供音频数据,以允许在各种应用中使用该系统。

    Drugs and methods for treating diseases
    8.
    发明授权
    Drugs and methods for treating diseases 失效
    用于治疗疾病的药物和方法

    公开(公告)号:US5882330A

    公开(公告)日:1999-03-16

    申请号:US479921

    申请日:1995-06-07

    摘要: A method for treating a disease and drug units for use in performing such method. The method involves invading and flooding select cells of a living being with a drug or medical material to correct a genetic flaw, destroy or otherwise prevent the production or multiplication of a disease defining substance such as a virus in such cells or prevent the cells from uncontrollably growing or dividing. The method involves injecting or otherwise administering a dose of drug units to the body or bloodstream of a living being and targeting such drug units to the select cells to be treated and invaded with the drug of the units.

    摘要翻译: 用于治疗疾病和药物单位以用于进行这种方法的方法。 该方法包括使用药物或医疗材料入侵和淹没活体的选择细胞以纠正遗传缺陷,破坏或以其他方式阻止在这种细胞中定义疾病的物质例如病毒的产生或增殖,或防止细胞不受控制地 成长或分裂 该方法包括将一定剂量的药物单位注射到生命体的身体或血液中,并将靶向这些药物单元的药物单元的药物单体注射到被治疗和侵入的选择细胞中。

    Methods for forming diamond-coated superconductor wire
    9.
    发明授权
    Methods for forming diamond-coated superconductor wire 失效
    形成金刚石涂层超导体线的方法

    公开(公告)号:US5866195A

    公开(公告)日:1999-02-02

    申请号:US436097

    申请日:1995-05-08

    摘要: A method for producing elongated strip, wire or cable, a portion or all of which is defined by electrically metallic superconducting material. In one form, a substrate in the form of a strip, wire or cable, is formed by extrusion, rolling, drawing, casting or a combination of two or more of such processes, of a metal, combination of metals, metal compound, non-metallic material or a combination of such materials, and is controllably driven through a reaction chamber while the material thereof, or of the surface stratum thereof, is chemically converted, as it is driven, to a superconducting material. In a second form, such elongated wire, strip or cable is controllably coated with one or more materials which define a superconducting layer thereon or a plurality of such superconducting layers which bond or solidify on the substrate. In a third form, such coating or plurality of coatings, is subjected to chemical processing and/or radiation of a nature to consolidate and form a solid layer thereof and, in certain instances, to convert same to a superconducting material or to improve or predeterminately define the superconducting characteristics thereof.

    摘要翻译: 用于生产细长条,电线或电缆的方法,其一部分或全部由电金属超导材料限定。 在一种形式中,通过挤出,轧制,拉伸,铸造或两种或更多种这样的方法的组合,金属,金属,金属化合物,非金属的组合形成条带,电线或电缆形式的基底 金属材料或这些材料的组合,并且可控地驱动通过反应室,同时其材料或其表面层在被驱动时被化学转化成超导材料。 在第二种形式中,这种细长的线,带或电缆可控制地涂覆有限定其上的超导层的一种或多种材料或多个在衬底上结合或固化的超导层。 在第三种形式中,这种涂层或多个涂层经受化学处理和/或性质的辐射以固结和形成其固体层,并且在某些情况下将其转化为超导材料或改进或预定 限定其超导特性。

    Interactive educational system and method
    10.
    发明授权
    Interactive educational system and method 失效
    互动教育制度与方法

    公开(公告)号:US5823788A

    公开(公告)日:1998-10-20

    申请号:US556611

    申请日:1995-11-13

    IPC分类号: G09B7/04 G09B3/00

    CPC分类号: G09B7/04 Y10S706/927

    摘要: An interactive instructional system includes a microprocessor-controlled base station for use by an instructor and/or a computer and a plurality of input devices each for use by a student. The base station and input devices communicate over a communication link or network employing wires, optical fibers, radio links, infrared links or the like. Each input device is in the form of a multiple keyswitch operated device which the student may operate to respond to a question posed by the instructor, computer or base station during a lecture. Each input device is also provided with an identifier code. Responses by the student are transmitted to the base station in messages, each of which further includes an identifier code thereby identifying the answering device or student. The base station receives the students' responses from the input devices and generates information for display to the instructor, including selected class and individual statistics, the base station using the identifier code to associate each response to a student. The base station may provide the information to the instructor so that, during a lecture or course, instructional material and techniques can be adjusted based on the feedback information as to how well the class and individual students are learning the subject matter. Since this system can be used continuously during a lecture or course (instead of relying on tests only a few times during a course), the instructor can continuously tailor the course to the learning speed of the class.

    摘要翻译: 交互式教学系统包括由教师和/或计算机使用的微处理器控制的基站和各自由学生使用的多个输入设备。 基站和输入设备通过使用电线,光纤,无线电链路,红外链路等的通信链路或网络进行通信。 每个输入设备是多钥匙开关操作设备的形式,学生可以在演讲期间操作以响应教练,计算机或基站提出的问题。 每个输入设备还具有标识符代码。 消息中的学生的响应被发送到基站,每个消息中还包括标识码,从而识别应答设备或学生。 基站从输入设备接收学生的响应,并且生成用于向教师显示的信息,包括所选课堂和个人统计,基站使用标识符码将每个响应与学生相关联。 基站可以向教师提供信息,使得在演讲或课程期间,可以基于关于课堂和个人学生在学习主题方面的反馈信息来调整教学材料和技术。 由于该系统可以在演讲或课程期间连续使用(而不是在课程中仅依靠测试几次),教练可以不断地将课程定制到课程的学习速度。