plant Taper equation and volume tables for plantation-grown red alder By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:00:00 PST A taper equation and associated tables are presented for red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) trees grown in plantations. The data were gathered from variable-density experimental plantations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Diameter inside bark along the stem was fitted to a variable exponent model form by using generalized nonlinear least squares and a first-order continuous autoregressive process. A number of parameterizations of the exponent were examined in a preliminary analysis, and the most appropriate form was determined. This was achieved by examining alternative models across geographic locations and silvicultural treatments on the basis of their ability to behave well outside the range of the modeling data by using an independent evaluation data set from across the region and a model validation procedure. Incorporating three easily measured tree variables--diameter at breast height, total tree height, and crown ratio--provided the best fit among location and treatment. This taper equation can be used to estimate diameter inside bark anywhere along the stem, inside bark volume of the entire stem to any top height diameter, and merchantable height and volume between any two points along the stem (i.e., individual log volumes). The flexibility of the model allows for accurate volume predictions across a range of operational stand conditions and management activities and is therefore an improvement over previously published red alder volume and taper equations. Full Article
plant Gathering in the city: an annotated bibliography and review of the literature about human-plant interactions in urban ecosystems By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:00:00 PST The past decade has seen resurgence in interest in gathering wild plants and fungi in cities. In addition to gathering by individuals, dozens of groups have emerged in U.S., Canadian, and European cities to facilitate access to nontimber forest products (NTFPs), particularly fruits and nuts, in public and private spaces. Recent efforts within cities to encourage public orchards and food forests, and to incorporate more fruit and nut trees into street tree planting programs indicate a growing recognition among planners that gathering is an important urban activity. Full Article
plant Wood and Coal Cofiring in Alaska—Operational Considerations and Combustion Gas Effects for a Grate-Fired Power Plant. By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Thu, 16 Feb 2018 08:00:00 PST Coal is the primary fuel source for electrical power generation in interior Alaska, with more than 600,000 tons burned annually at five different power plants. Woody biomass could be used as part of this fuel mix, offering potential environmental and economic benefits. In this research, debarked chips were cofired with locally mined coal at the Aurora Power Plant facility in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. During two days of testing, aspen chips were successfully cofired with coal at average rates of 2.4 percent and 4.8 percent of total energy value. Combustion gases were analyzed during combustion of 100- percent coal, as well as at two different blends with aspen chips, for levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen compounds. Carbon monoxide was suggested as the combustion gas most influenced by changes in woody biomass blend rate. The potential logistic and operational challenges when cofiring were also observed. Cofiring biomass at low levels in grate-combustion systems could be performed with relative ease, with only minor impacts on plant operations, including fuel storage, handling, and performance. Full Article
plant Deep Canyon and Subalpine Riparian and Wetland Plant Associations of The Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:26:36 PST This guide presents a classification of the deep canyon and subalpine riparian and wetland vegetation types of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. A primary goal of the deep canyon and subalpine riparian and wetland classification was a seamless linkage with the midmontane northeastern Oregon riparian and wetland classification provided by Crowe and Clausnitzer in 1997. The classification is based on potential natural vegetation and follows directly from the plant association concept for riparian zones. The 95 vegetation types classified across the three national forests were organized into 16 vegetation series, and included some 45 vegetation types not previously classified for northeastern Oregon subalpine and deep canyon riparian and wetland environments. The riparian and wetland vegetation types developed for this guide were compared floristically and environmentally to riparian and wetland classifications in neighboring geographic regions. For each vegetation type, a section was included describing the occurrence#40;s#41; of the same or floristically similar vegetation types found in riparian and wetland classifications developed for neighboring geographic regions. Lastly, this guide was designed to be used in conjunction with the midmontane guide to provide a comprehensive look at the riparian and wetland vegetation of northeastern Oregon. Full Article
plant Evaluation of native plant seeds and seeding in the east-side central Cascades ponderosa pine zone By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:08:00 PST In dry, open coniferous forests of the montane West, stand-replacing wildfires and land use activities alter the composition and abundance of native grasses and forbs by degrading the habitat and accelerating the invasion of exotic annuals. On these lands, native forbs and grasses delayed or prevented from recovery by natural processes may require intervention through supplementary seeding. However, effective seeding of native plants requires that their seed traits and the potential outcome of the seeding be better understood. Full Article
plant Meeting the challenge: invasive plants in Pacific Northwest ecosystems By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:00:00 PST During September 19-20, 2006, a conference was held at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle, WA, with the title "Meeting the challenge: invasive plants in Pacific Northwest Ecosystems." The mission of the conference was to create strategies and partnerships to understand and manage invasions of non-native plants in the Pacific Northwest. The audience included over 180 professionals, students, and citizens from public and private organizations responsible for monitoring, studying, or managing non-native invasive plants. This proceedings includes twenty-seven papers based on oral presentations at the conference plus a synthesis paper that summarizes workshop themes, discussions, and related information. Topics include early detection and rapid response; control techniques, biology, and impacts; management approaches; distribution and mapping of invasive plants; and partnerships, education, and outreach. Full Article
plant Invasive plant species and the Joint Fire Science Program By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:00:00 PST Invasive nonnative plants may be responsible for serious, long-term ecological impacts, including altering fire behavior and fire regimes. Therefore, knowing how to successfully manage invasive plants and their impacts on natural resources is crucial. We present a summary of research on invasive plants and fire that has been generated through the Joint Fire Science Programfocusing specifically on ecology of species invasions, the interactions between fire and invasives, and the responses of invasives to different management practices. Selected findings include (1) prescribed fire may increase invasive species in some ecosystems; (2) fuel treatments that leave some overstory canopy, minimize exposure of bare ground, and target sites that already host species capable of resprouting may be less likely to promote invasives; and (3) postfire seeding should be approached with caution, as it can increase invasives. Full Article
plant Nonnative invasive plants of Pacific coast forests: a field guide for identification. By www.fs.fed.us Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2011 10:38:00 PST Nonnative plants affect the composition and function of natural and managed ecosystems and have large economic effects through lost or degraded land use and eradication costs. In spite of their importance, very little comprehensive information on the abundance, distribution, and impact of nonnative invasive plants is available. Full Article
plant Gateshead garden nursery is helping cheer up lockdown with plant deliveries By www.chroniclelive.co.uk Published On :: Wed, 6 May 2020 18:02:14 +0000 Garden lovers are welcoming new contactless delivery service from Southdene Nursery in Low Fell Full Article What's On
plant Eating more plant protein and dairy instead of red meat may improve heart health By newsroom.heart.org Published On :: Thu, 05 Mar 2020 21:00:00 GMT Full Article
plant Flexsteel to close Dubuque plant, idling 200 By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 12:18:27 PDT An Eastern Iowa furniture manufacturer will permanently close two plants, laying off about 370 employees as it drops two lines of business. Flexsteel Industries will close a factory in Dubuque with... Full Article Business
plant U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack calls on president to protect packing plant workers By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 13:42:19 PDT At the same time Vice President Mike Pence was in Iowa on Friday to discuss the nation’s food supply security, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack called on the administration to take more measures to... Full Article
plant A disaster at Iowa’s packing plants By www.thegazette.com Published On :: Thu, 7 May 2020 10:58:04 -0400 Gov. Kim Reynolds has put Iowa on the map, and not in a good way. Sioux City and Waterloo/Cedar Falls are now on the list of communities in America with exploding cases of COVID-19. Both communities are now fighting to protect meatpacking workers and the community because company efforts to protect their workers have failed. The alarms started going off at Iowa’s meatpacking plant in Tama and Columbus Junction in late March. Packing plants in those communities closed on April 6 due to rampant worker sickness from the deadly virus. Now, after repeated complaints, state OSHA inspectors were finally forced to visit Tyson’s plant in Waterloo. Sadly, however, they still have not conducted a single in-person inspection of any other Iowa plants to make sure that workers have protective equipment and are practicing effective infectious disease control. Instead, Gov. Reynolds has repeatedly praised company executives for their efforts. trust packing plant CEOs without independently verifying what they were doing is now causing sickness, death and supply chain calamity.Her ideologically motivated decision to block state inspectors from visiting and helping the plants has thrown Iowa livestock farmers into financial and management turmoil. Now the president says all packing plants must remain open. This is a disaster. Forcing Iowa workers to work in unsafe conditions without state enforceable protections is cruel and will make all Iowans unsafe while further delaying our economic recovery. Iowans deserve better.State Sen. Joe BolkcomIowa City Full Article Letters to the Editor
plant Flexsteel to close Dubuque plant, idling 200 By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 12:18:27 PDT An Eastern Iowa furniture manufacturer will permanently close two plants, laying off about 370 employees as it drops two lines of business.Flexsteel Industries will close a factory in Dubuque with 200 employees that manufactures products for the recreational vehicle industry.The publicly traded company also will close a plant in Starkville, Miss., that produces products for the RV and hospitality industries and employs about 170 people.In a news release, Flexsteel said its decision to stop manufacturing RV and hospitality furniture was due to rapidly declining customer demand and changing market conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Flexsteel said the two markets already had entered a cyclical decline before the effects of the pandemic occurred. “It has become clear that what was thought to be a short-term hit to these two already challenged businesses will now extend well into the future and will likely not return to pre-pandemic levels for some time,” said Jerry Dittmer, Flexsteel president and CEO. “This pandemic has been unforgiving to many companies, including ours. We find ourselves making these hard decisions as we attempt to navigate these uncharted business conditions.”The Dubuque and Starkville plants temporarily were shut down in late March due to sudden drops in demand as many of Flexsteel’s customers shut down in the wake of the pandemic.Dittmer said the company will be working with its work force, customers and suppliers to determine a feasible ramp-down plan. While it is anticipated that both facilities could close as early as June, the date may fluctuate sooner or later based on business conditions.Dittmer said the company will increase its focus on home furnishings, e-commerce and workspace solutions. Full Article Business
plant U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack calls on president to protect packing plant workers By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 13:42:19 PDT At the same time Vice President Mike Pence was in Iowa on Friday to discuss the nation’s food supply security, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack called on the administration to take more measures to protect workers in food processing plants.Loebsack also questioned the decisions to reopen the economy being made by the Trump administration and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.“I don’t think we’re ready for that yet, quite honestly,” the Iowa City Democrat said.“Ready” will be when adequate protections are in place for the people processing America’s food, Loebsack said.Workers are showing up on the job, but “they fear for their families, they fear for themselves, they fear for everybody,” Loebsack said. “They don’t know if they’re going to catch this thing or not. But they’re there.”Of particular concern are workers in food processing, such as those in meatpacking plants in Iowa where more than 1,600 cases of COVID-19 have been reported.“I really believe that we should not open the plants if we do not ensure worker safety,” Loebsack said.He called for President Donald Trump to use the Defense Production Act, which the president invoked to keep meatpacking plants open, to ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for packing plant workers.If Pence and the president are concerned about the nation’s food supply, then they need to “keep those workers safe and, therefore, keep those processing plants running” to avoid meat shortages at the grocery store, Loebsack said.“We can’t have those plants running if workers are not protected. It’s that simple,” he said. “It’s not just the workers, it’s the families, it’s the community at large.”With unemployment at 14.7 percent — probably higher, Loebsack said, Congress should extend federal coronavirus-related unemployment benefits of $600 a week beyond their current July end date. He’s also pleased that the last relief package fixed a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan program to allow farmers to apply for assistance.Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com Full Article
plant Can Houseplants Improve Indoor Air Quality? By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:53:36 +0000 By University of Illinois Extension In an era of increasing energy prices, many Americans insulate and seal up their homes during the winter months. Although this can result in savings on the monthly power bill, sealing the home can concentrate … Continue reading → Full Article Air Quality Health houseplants indoor air pollution indoor air quality VOCs
plant More Than 1,000 Workers at Tyson Plant Have Coronavirus By feeds.drudge.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 23:58:14 -0400 More than 1,000 workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Waterloo have tested positive for the coronavirus, a county public health leader said Thursday -- more than double the number Gov. Kim Reynolds had said were infected the day before. Full Article news
plant Closure of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2016 10:19:38 +0000 By Lauren McCauley Common Dreams In landmark agreement, California’s last remaining nuclear plant will be replaced by greenhouse-gas-free energy sources A plan to shutter the last remaining nuclear power plant in California and replace it with renewable energy is being … Continue reading → Full Article ET News Nuclear
plant Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are topical skin compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include an extract from Artabotrys hexapetalus, an extract from Sassafras tzumu, and an extract from Prunus salicina. Full Article
plant Determining and placing spinal implants or prostheses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A procedure and system for determining and placing spinal implants or prostheses includes measuring a change in position of vertebrae at an affected level of a patient's spine from a first position where the patient reports greatest pain at the affected level, to a second position where the patient reports least pain at the affected level. Spinal implants or prostheses are selected so as to urge the affected level of the spine toward the second position and away from the first position when the implants are placed at the affected level. In one embodiment, an implant device is formed by one or more inflatable balloons that are placed at determined locations inside a disc space at the affected level. When the balloons are inflated, vertebrae above and below the balloons are urged toward the second position and away from the first position at the affected level. Full Article
plant Methods and systems for producing an implant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:00:00 EST A computer implemented method for determining the 3-dimensional shape of an implant to be implanted into a subject includes obtaining a computer readable image including a defective portion and a non-defective portion of tissue in the subject, superimposing on the image a shape to span the defective portion, and determining the 3-dimensional shape of the implant based on the shape that spans the defective portion. Full Article
plant Protective layer for plants and trees, the production thereof and use thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for producing a protective layer on a surface of a plant, to a protective layer for a surface of a plant, to a plant coated with said protective layer, to a composition for carrying out the method and for producing the protective layer, and to uses of said composition. According to the invention, a method is proposed, wherein at least one sol gel having nano-scale particles is formed by the hydrolysis of at least one precursor in water and at least one nano-scale layer of the sol gel is applied onto the surface of the plant. The protective layer according to the invention comprises a nano-scale SiO2 layer, and the composition according to the invention comprises at least one SiO2-producing substance. Full Article
plant Methods for promoting plant health By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering malic acid to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to recruit plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to the plant. Administration of malic acid promotes biofilm formation of PGPR on the plant's roots, thereby restricting entry of a foliar pathogen through stomatal pores present in the leaves. Another method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering acetoin to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to increase pathogen resistance in aerial parts of the plant. Full Article
plant Molecules that induce disease resistance and improve growth in plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Described herein are methods and compositions for enhancing pathogen immunity in plants and improving plant growth. Full Article
plant Compositions and methods for blocking ethylene response in plants using 3-cyclopropyl-1-enyl-propanoic acid salt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a method of inhibiting an ethylene response in a plant, comprising step of applying to at least one portion of the plant an effective ethylene response-inhibiting amount of a H1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid salt (CPAS). A method of prolonging the life of a cut flower, comprising applying to the cut flower an effective life-prolonging amount of CPAS and a method for the production a CPAS, comprising steps of (i) preparing 4-bromo-4-pentenoic acid or derivatives thereof; (ii) producing 1-cyclopropene-1-propanoic acid; and (iii), converting this acid into its water soluble salt, especially its sodium salt are presented. Additionally, a new family of water soluble CPAS inhibitors for ethylene response in a plant is disclosed. Full Article
plant Plant growth regulator compositions, methods of preparation and use thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Suspension concentrate compositions are disclosed for delivering S-(+)-Abscisic acid either alone or in combination with a second plant growth regulator to crop seed prior to planting as well as for foliar, soil drench, in-furrow and sprench (foliar spray and soil drench) applications are disclosed. The compositions, when properly combined in an aqueous carrier and processed through wet milling to achieve the desired particle size, will result in stable compositions that are desirable for treating crop seeds. Full Article
plant Modification of trehalose-6-phosphate levels in plants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Compounds which are trehalose-6-phosphate or trehalose-6-phosphonate precursors of formula (I) or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof are provided: (I) The compounds are useful in increasing starch production in plants. Full Article
plant Use of ribose to enhance plant growth By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to methods and compositions for supplementing the soil/diet of plants in order to enhance plant growth, yield, hardening, as well as the recovery of plants which undergo transplantation. The present invention provides ribose and other pentose sugars and their derivatives, alone or in combination with other carbohydrates, electrolytes, minerals, enzymes, micronutrients, macronutrients, or other ingredients to enhance plant growth, yield, hardening, and aid in the recovery during and following transplantation. Full Article
plant Monitoring method and monitoring device for an electrostatic coating plant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrostatic coating plant coats components with a coating agent that is electrically charged by high voltage device. A first operating variable of a high voltage device may be determined and compared to a limit value. A safety measure may be initiated if the comparison between the first operating variable and the limit value indicates a disturbance in the electrostatic coating plant. The limit value may be flexibly adjusted depending on the operation mode. Full Article
plant Modular plant for removal of pollutants from flue gases produced by industrial processes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a so-called zero emission ‘AST-CNR/ITM system’ modular plant for removal of pollutants from flue gases produced by industrial processes. The plant comprises prefabricated modular elements with programmed and automatic operation, easy to mount and assemble on site without undergoing expensive plant stoppage. Each module or ‘reaction tower’ comprises a plurality of sections vertically arranged on top of one another, which carry out the following functions: Removal of particulate matter with treatment and removal of chemical pollutants, such as heavy metals, chlorides, fluorides Treatment and removal of SOx Treatment and removal of NOx Capture of CO2 Production of hydrogen Production of methanol. The various sections may be combined according to the requirements of the plant and of the flue gases to be treated. Full Article
plant Process and plant for the production of methanol with isothermal catalytic beds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for the synthesis of methanol, comprising the steps of reforming a hydrocarbon source obtaining a make-up gas feed (101), feeding said make up gas to a synthesis loop (L), converting said make up gas to methanol (108) in a substantially isothermal catalytic environment, wherein said catalytic environment comprises a plurality of isothermal catalytic beds (11, 12, 21) preferably arranged in series, and at least a portion of make-up gas (101) is mixed with recycle gas (112) from the loop (L), obtaining a gaseous mixture of fresh gas and recycle gas, and at least a portion of said gaseous mixture is directed between two consecutive catalytic beds acting as a quench gas. A related plant is also disclosed. Full Article
plant Systems and methods for identifying personalized vascular implants from patient-specific anatomic data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments include methods of identifying a personalized cardiovascular device based on patient-specific geometrical information, the method comprising acquiring an anatomical model of at least part of the patient's vascular system; performing, using a processor, one or more of geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis on the anatomical model; and identifying, using the processor, a personalized cardiovascular device for the patient, based on results of one or more of the geometrical analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis, and structural mechanics analysis of anatomical model. Full Article
plant Systems and methods for identifying personalized vascular implants from patient-specific anatomic data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments include methods of identifying a personalized cardiovascular device based on patient-specific geometrical information, the method comprising: generating a patient specific model of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature from image data of the patient's vasculature and one or more measured or estimated physiological or phenotypic parameters of the patient; determining pathology characteristics from cardiovascular geometry of the patient specific model; defining an objective function for a device based on design considerations and one or more estimates of hemodynamic and mechanical characteristics; optimizing the objective function, by simulating at least one change in devices and evaluating the objective function using fluid dynamic or structural mechanic analysis; and using the optimized objective function to either (i) select a device from a set of available devices or (ii) manufacture a desired device. Full Article
plant Autonomous intracardiac implantable medical device with releaseable base and fastener element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An intracorporeal autonomous active medical device having a capsule body and a base. The capsule body includes a body portion and a lid portion, and the capsule body contains therein electronic circuitry containing the active elements of the autonomous medical device, and a power supply. The capsule body also includes a fastening system on an exterior surface of the capsule body that is configured to correspond with a fastening mechanism on the base configured to be anchored to a tissue wall. The fastening mechanism provides selective engagement between the capsule body and the base. Full Article
plant System and method for implantable medical device lead shielding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced Current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead. For example, an IMD can include at least one outer conductive member and a first electrode. The first electrode can be in electrical communication with the at least one outer conductive member. The first electrode can dissipate a current induced in the at least one outer conductive member via a first portion of the anatomical structure. Full Article
plant Signal transmitting and lesion excluding heart implants for pacing, defibrillating, and/or sensing of heart beat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation. Full Article
plant Implantable device having an integrated ceramic bushing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT One aspect relates to a housing for an active implantable medical device, whereby the housing, at least parts thereof, includes an electrically insulating ceramic material, and has at least one electrically conductive conducting element, whereby the at least one conducting element is set up to establish at least one electrically conductive connection between an internal space of the housing and an external space. One aspect provides the at least one conducting element to include at least one cermet, whereby the housing and the at least one conducting element are connected in a firmly bonded manner. Full Article
plant Signal analysis in implantable cardiac treatment devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices for cardiac signal analysis in implantable cardiac therapy systems. Several signal processing and/or conditioning methods are shown including R-wave detection embodiments including the use of thresholds related to previous peak amplitudes. Also, some embodiments include sample thresholding to remove extraneous data from sampled signals. Some embodiments include weighting certain samples more heavily than other samples within a sampled cardiac signal for analysis. Full Article
plant Implantable system for flow measurement including charge amplifier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An implantable medical device lead having a flow measurement sensor mounted thereon is provided with a capsule mounted proximate to the sensor. The capsule is used to house electrical circuitry corresponding to the sensor in order to prevent impedance on conductors of the lead, which gradually decreases over chronic periods, from directly affecting signal transmission between the sensor and the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry includes a charge amplifier used for processing signals from the sensor. In some cases, the amplifier can be initially calibrated and periodically tuned so as to have consistent functioning with the sensor over chronic periods. Full Article
plant Methods for promoting intrinsic activation in single chamber implantable cardiac pacing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate. Full Article
plant Signal strength indicator for adjusting communication in a medical implant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is critical in an inductively link medical implant, such as a visual prosthesis or other neural stimulator, to adjust the external coil to a location to maximize communication between the external coil and internal coil. Converting the signal strength between the coils to a signal easily discernible by a clinician, preferably an audible tone, facilitates the adjustment of the external coil to a preferred location. Full Article
plant Implantable head mounted neurostimulation system for head pain By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An implantable head-mounted unibody peripheral neurostimulation system is provided for implantation in the head for the purpose of treating chronic head pain, including migraine. The system may include an implantable pulse generator (IPG) from which multiple stimulating leads may extend sufficient to allow for adequate stimulation over multiple regions of the head, preferably including the frontal, parietal and occipital regions. A lead may include an extended body, along which may be disposed a plurality of surface metal electrodes, which may be sub-divided into a plurality of electrode arrays. A plurality of internal metal wires may run a portion of its length and connect the IPG's internal circuit to the surface metal electrodes. The IPG may include a rechargeable battery, an antenna, and an application specific integrated circuit. The IPG may be capable of functional connection with an external radiofrequency unit for purposes that may include recharging, diagnostic evaluation, and programming. Full Article
plant Temporal coding for hearing implants By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method is provided for activating electrodes in a multi-channel electrode array having electrodes that are spatially divided. At least one pulse for stimulating a single electrode of the electrode array is determined. Each of the pulses is converted into a plurality of pulses for stimulating a plurality of electrodes in the electrode array. Full Article
plant Implantable medical devices and systems having power management for recharge sessions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Implantable devices and related systems utilize power management features in conjunction with a recharge circuit that includes a coil and capacitance. The reactance such as the capacitance and/or inductance may be variable such that in the event of an overcharge condition, the reactance may be varied to change the resonant frequency of the circuit of the coil from the recharge frequency to another frequency to reduce the power being received. Other power management features may additionally or alternatively be employed. For instance, the device may send an uplink telemetry signal to an external device to request that recharge power be decreased. The device may switch additional resistance into the circuit of the coil to reduce the Q of the circuit. As another example, the device may clamp the circuit of the coil to ground. Full Article
plant Minimizing interference between charging and telemetry coils in an implantable medical device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved implantable pulse generator (IPG) containing improved telemetry circuitry is disclosed. The IPG includes charging and telemetry coils within the IPG case, which increases their mutual inductance and potential to interfere with each other; particularly problematic is interference to the telemetry coil caused by the charging coil. To combat this, improved telemetry circuitry includes decoupling circuitry for decoupling the charging coil during periods of telemetry between the IPG and an external controller. Such decoupling circuitry can comprise use of pre-existing LSK circuitry during telemetry, or new discrete circuitry dedicated to decoupling. The decoupling circuitry is designed to prevent or at least reduce induced current flowing through the charging coil during data telemetry. The decoupling circuitry can be controlled by the microcontroller in the IPG, or can automatically decouple the charging coil at appropriate times to mitigate an induced current without instruction from the microcontroller. Full Article
plant Low loss band pass filter for RF distance telemetry pin antennas of active implantable medical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD. The capacitor and the inductor form a band pass filter for attenuating electromagnetic signals through the antenna except at a selected frequency band. Values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band pass filter is resonant at the selected frequency band. In an alternative form, the band pass filter is coupled in series with the telemetry pin antenna for attenuating MRI signals of a selected frequency band. Full Article
plant Implantable electrode and method of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:00:00 EST The implantable electrode system of the preferred embodiments includes a conductor, an interconnect coupled to the conductor, an insulator that insulates the interconnect, and an anchor that is connected to both the conductor and the insulating element. The anchor is mechanically interlocked with at least one of the conductor and the insulator. Full Article
plant Plants and seeds of corn variety CV052803 By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV052803. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV052803, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV052803 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV052803 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV052803. Full Article
plant Method for modifying plant architecture and enhancing plant biomass and/or sucrose yield By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to methodology and constructs for modifying plant architecture and enhancing plant biomass and/or sucrose yield. Full Article
plant Plants and seeds of canola variety SCV435009 By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV435009 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV435009 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV435009, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV435009 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV435009 with another canola variety. Full Article