Abstract:
Systems and methods for mechanical bone growth to aid in promoting and accelerating bone growth are disclosed. In one implementation, a system may include a control unit, a mechanical bone growth stimulator with one or more stimulating mechanical discs configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, and an electrical wire to electrically couple the control unit with one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators. The mechanical bone growth stimulator may provide various mechanical stimulations to a fractured or injured bone to decrease the time needed to heal or fuse the bone together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/074,579 filed on Nov. 3, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed technology relates generally to bone growth or osteogenesis stimulation. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for mechanical bone growth stimulation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The human bone is living tissue that has the inherent ability to heal itself when injured or broken. However, the bone&#39;s natural healing process often takes a long time and can take a few months or even up to one year for new bone to properly form and fill the fractured area. 
         [0004]    With any bone fracture or injury, there is always risk that the bone&#39;s healing process may be significantly delayed or even fail to properly heal and fuse together, otherwise known as a non-fusion, failed fusion, or pseudoarthrosis. Ensuring proper healing of a fractured or injured bone is a complicated metabolic process that requires the interaction of many biological factors, such as the availability of reparative cells. However, one of the most common reasons a fractured or injured bone may fail to fuse or properly heal altogether occurs when there is a prolonged or delayed union of a fractured bone. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, ensuring proper and timely healing of an injured bone is crucial for the success of any type of surgery that proposes to surgically join two or more bones together, such as, by way of example only, a spinal fusion operation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    In light of the above-described problems associated with delayed and failed bone fusions, there is a need for bone growth stimulators to aide in promoting and accelerating proper bone growth. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed towards a mechanical bone growth stimulation system to stimulate osteogenesis, or bone growth, by transmitting mechanical stimulation directly or adjacent to the bone via a disc that converts an electrical energy into a mechanical energy. As disclosed herein, the mechanical bone growth stimulation system need not be limited to placement of the disc near the bone to promote bone growth, but rather, may also be utilized to provide mechanical stimulation to other specified areas of interest, such as the muscle, cartilage, tendon, or ligament by way of example only. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a mechanical bone growth stimulator is provided. The mechanical bone growth stimulator includes at least one stimulating mechanical disc configured to provide a mechanical stimulation to a target area in a patient&#39;s body, and an electrical wire coupled to the at least one stimulating mechanical disc to deliver an electrical energy thereto. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a method for implanting a mechanical bone growth stimulator is provided. The method includes selecting a target incision site within a patient&#39;s body, and implanting a mechanical bone growth stimulator within the target incision site, the mechanical bone growth stimulator including at least one stimulating mechanical disc for providing a mechanical stimulation to a target area in the target incision site. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a mechanical bone growth stimulation system is provided. The mechanical bone growth stimulation system includes a mechanical bone growth stimulator with a contact body with at least one stimulating mechanical disc embedded in the contact body and configured to convert an electrical energy to a mechanical stimulation applied to a target area of a patient, a control unit configured to provide the electrical energy to the at least one stimulating mechanical disc, and an electrical wire with a first end configured to be connected to the control unit and a second end attached to the at least one stimulating mechanical disc. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the mechanical bone growth stimulator may include a contact body made of an inert flexible plastic material that is safe for attaching directly onto the human skin or implanting within a surgical incision site. In further embodiments, the mechanical bone growth stimulation system may include one or more stimulating mechanical discs embedded onto the mechanical bone growth stimulator to deliver mechanical stimulation to a specified area on the user. The mechanical bone growth stimulator may be attached to an electrical wire configured to generate an electrical connection between the mechanical bone growth stimulator and the control unit. Byway of example, the electrical wire may be covered with a flexible insulated material allowing the electrical wire to be bent and angled in various positions. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, a control unit includes an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the mechanical bone growth stimulation system. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the energy storage device may provide power to the electronic power controller to enable a user to select the degree of magnitude or frequency of mechanical bone growth stimulation applied to a user or patient via stimulating mechanical discs. 
         [0013]    Other features and aspects of the disclosed technology will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of any inventions described herein, which are defined solely by the claims attached hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosed technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a front view of an exemplary control unit of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting a rear view of an exemplary control unit of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting certain functional blocks, components, and/or modules inside an exemplary control unit of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a figure depicting an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator according certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a figure depicting another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a figure depicting another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system with a set of mechanical bone growth stimulators implanted along the spine of a patient according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system with a set of mechanical growth stimulators implanted along the spine of a patient according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for implanting a mechanical bone growth stimulator according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the disclosed embodiments. The present embodiments address the problems described in the background while also addressing other additional problems as will be seen from the following detailed description. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a full understanding of various aspects of the subject disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one ordinarily skilled in the art that various aspects of the subject disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject disclosure. 
         [0027]    Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanical bone growth stimulation system. As disclosed herein, a mechanical bone growth stimulation system may include an assembly to integrate a mechanical bone growth stimulator with a control unit via electrical wirings to provide mechanical stimulation to a specified target area. By way of example only, the specified target area may include an area near a fractured or injured bone so that the applied mechanical stimulation promotes and accelerates bone growth. By way of another example, the mechanical bone growth stimulators may be applied to a specified target area containing other osteogenic, osteoinductive, or osteoconductive material such as, by way of example only, bone autograft, bone allograft, or other biologic or biochemical substances utilized to improve bone growth. 
         [0028]    In other embodiments, the mechanical bone growth stimulator may be applied to a selected target area for a plurality of medical purposes other than promoting bone growth. By way of example only, the mechanical bone growth stimulators may provide mechanical stimulation to aid in the growth, repair, and pain relief in areas such as the cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, cartilage, tendon, and ligaments. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators of the mechanical bone growth stimulation system may be inserted through a surgical incision site and implanted near or adjacent to a specified target area, such as a fractured or injured spine requiring bone growth or fusion. In other embodiments, one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators is attached or placed directly onto the exterior surface of the skin so that the mechanical bone growth stimulator is placed directly over or adjacent to a specified target area. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a front view of an exemplary control unit  100  of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the control unit  100  includes a frequency selector switch  105  to modulate (e.g., select, set, adjust, change, alter, regulate, tune, and the like) the frequency of the mechanical stimulation applied a target area of a patient. The control unit  100  may further include a magnitude selector switch  110  to modulate the magnitude or strength of mechanical stimulation applied to a target area of a patient. The control unit  100  may be powered on or off via a power switch  115 . However, it should be noted that the switches located on the control unit  100  are not merely limited to modulating the frequency or strength of the mechanical bone growth stimulator. Rather, the control unit  100  may include switches that modulate the various intensity, quality, or scale of mechanical stimulation based upon the type and character of mechanical stimulation applied to the user. For example, the types of mechanical stimulation may include, but are not limited to, vibration, pressure, or stretching. As such, the switches  105 ,  1110  and/or one or more additional switches (not shown) provided in the control unit  100  may adjust and regulate the mechanical stimulations according to the type applied to a user or patient. 
         [0031]    The control unit  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  further includes electrical ports  120  configured to electrically couple one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators to the control unit  100 . In some embodiments, the control unit  100  may contain one or more electrical ports  120  so that one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators may be electrically coupled to the control unit  100  via one or more electrical wires. 
         [0032]    The control unit  100  may also include fastening mechanisms to securely attach the control unit  100  onto a user or patient. In some embodiments, the control unit  100  may include a hooking mechanism  130  to securely clasp the control unit onto a user or patient. In some embodiments, the hooking mechanism  130  is a safety spring hook, trigger snap, or hook. In some embodiments, the control unit  100  may include a plastic cover  135  to protect the control unit  100  from the outside environment. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting a rear view of an exemplary control unit  200  of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the control unit  200  includes switches  210 ,  215  for modulating (e.g., selecting or adjusting) the frequency and strength of mechanical stimulation applied to the user or patient. For example, the control unit  200  may include a frequency selector switch  215  to regulate, by way of example only, the frequency of mechanical vibrations transmitted to the mechanical bone growth stimulator (not shown here but discussed in detail below) from the control unit  200 . The control unit  200  may also include a magnitude selector switch  210  to regulate, by way of example only, the magnitude of mechanical vibrations transmitted to the mechanical bone growth stimulator from the control unit  200 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the control unit  200  may include a clip  220  to attach the control unit  200  to a user&#39;s clothing or personal belonging. The clip  220  may include a belt clip or joining clip. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting certain functional blocks, components, and/or modules inside an exemplary control unit  300  of a mechanical bone growth stimulation system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the control unit  300  includes an energy storage device  320  for providing electrical power to an electronic power controller  325  via electronic wires  350 ,  355 . Electric wire  350  electrically couples to the electronic power controller  325  by connecting to the positive terminal of the energy storage device  320 . Electric wire  355  electrically couples the electronic power controller  325  by connecting to the negative terminal of the energy storage device  320 . In some embodiments, the electronic power controller  325  provides a controlled electrical energy to one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators (not shown here but discussed in detail below) electrically coupled to the control unit  300  via electrical wires connected to electrical ports  330 . 
         [0036]    As further illustrated, the control unit  300  also includes a frequency selector switch  305  and a magnitude selector switch  310  electrically coupled to the electronic power controller  325  via electric wires  335 ,  340  respectively. The functions of the frequency and magnitude selector switches  305 ,  310  are substantially similar to the switches  105 ,  110  described above with respect to  FIG. 1  and are not repeated here for the sake of brevity. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the electronic power controller  325  may receive inputs or directions from the magnitude selector switch  310  and frequency selector switch  305  so that the magnitude and frequency of the mechanical stimulation (e.g., vibration, pressure, or stretching) may be modulated (e.g., selected or adjusted) accordingly. The electronic power controller  325  draws electrical power from the energy storage device  320  and provides a controlled electrical energy having, for example, a selected frequency and/or a selected magnitude to one or more stimulating mechanical discs (not shown here but discussed in detail below), where the one or more stimulating mechanical discs convert the electrical energy into a mechanical energy in the form of a mechanical stimulation (e.g., vibration, pressure, or stretching). 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are figures depicting exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulators  405 ,  415 ,  425  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4A  is a figure depicting an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator  405  according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the mechanical bone growth stimulator  405  includes a set of stimulating mechanical discs  410 A that deliver the mechanical stimulation to a specified target area, such as a fractured or healing bone, of a patient in response to a controlled electrical energy received from a control unit (e.g., the control units  100 ,  200 ,  300  described above with respect to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 ) via electrical wires  475 . The electrical wires  475  are each electrically connected to stimulating mechanical discs  410 A so that controlled electrical energy having one or more modulated electrical characteristics (e.g., selected magnitude and/or frequency) from the control unit (not shown) is provided to the stimulating mechanical discs  410 A. In some embodiments, the electrical wires  475  may be covered with a wire sleeve  465  to protect the electrical wires  475  from the outside environment. The wire sleeve  465  may be made of a flexible insulated material allowing the electrical wire  475  to be bent and angled in various positions. 
         [0039]    The mechanical bone growth stimulator  405  may come in varied shapes and sizes to accommodate various medical purposes. For example,  FIG. 4A  is an exemplary figure depicting a contact body  450  in the shape of a cylinder with one or more stimulating mechanical discs  410 A embedded into the contact body  450  that makes a contact with a patient&#39;s body. In some embodiments, the contact body  450  may be made of an inert flexible plastic material that is safe for inserting into or attaching onto the human body. By way of example only, the cylindrical design may be optimal for implanting within a surgical bed aligned next to the spine so that the stimulating mechanical discs  410 A provide a mechanical stimulation such as a stimulating vibration to aid in healing and reducing the time needed to develop sound bone growth and fusion. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4B  is a figure depicting another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator  405  according to another embodiment of  FIG. 4A . Instead of a cylindrical design, the contact body  455  of the mechanical bone growth stimulator  415  may include a rectangular design. In the illustrated example, the mechanical bone growth stimulator  415  may be attached to an electrical wire  440  with a plurality of stimulating mechanical discs  410 B arranged in a two-dimensional pattern and embedded onto the contact body  455  of the mechanical bone growth stimulator  415 . The electrical wires  440  may be covered with a wire sleeve  470 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4C  is figure depicting another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulator  425  according to another embodiment of  FIG. 4A . Instead of a cylindrical design or a rectangular design, the contact body  460  of the mechanical bone growth stimulator  425  may include an oval design. In the illustrated example, the mechanical bone growth stimulator  425  may be attached to an electrical wire  435  with a single stimulating mechanical disc  410 C embedded in the contact body  460 . In the illustrated example, the disc  410 C is substantially concentric with respect to the contact body  460 . In other embodiments, two or more stimulating mechanical discs  410 C (not shown) may be embedded into the contact body  460  of the mechanical bone growth stimulator  425 . The electrical wire  435  may be covered with a wire sleeve  445 . It should be noted that the contact body  450 ,  455 , and  460  need not be limited to a cylindrical, rectangular, or oval shape, but rather, may also include a wide variety of shapes, such as a circle, square, triangle, or diamond to name a few by way of example only. It should also be noted that the stimulating mechanical discs  410 A,  410 B,  410 C need not be limited to a rectangular, circular, or oval shape, but, may also include a wide variety of shapes, such as a square, triangle, or diamond to name a few by way of example only. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the mechanical bone growth stimulators  405 ,  415 ,  425  discussed above may be surgically implanted within an incision site in a soft pocket of tissue near the target area selected to receive the mechanical stimulation. In some embodiments, the mechanical bone growth stimulators  405 ,  415 ,  425  may be directly attached onto the exterior surface of the skin near the target area selected to receive the mechanical stimulation, thus eliminating the need for surgical incisions. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system  500  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The exemplary figure depicts an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system  500  where a set of stimulating mechanical discs  510  provides a mechanical stimulation (e.g., vibration, pressure, and stretching) to a specified area by converting electrical energy received from by the control unit  530  into a mechanical energy via the stimulating mechanical discs  510 . 
         [0044]    In the illustrated example, one mechanical bone growth stimulator  505  is connected to the control unit  530  via an electrical wire  535 . As used herein, the electrical wire  535  can include two or more electrical connections for providing a DC or AC electrical voltage and/or current from the control unit to a mechanical bone growth stimulator or, more specifically, to one or more stimulating mechanical discs  510  embedded therein. The electrical wire  535  may be electronically coupled to an electrical port  525  to transmit electrical energy in the form of a DC or AC voltage/current from the control unit  530  to the discs  510  embedded in the mechanical bone growth stimulator  505 . In some embodiments, the electrical wire  515  may be covered with a wire sleeve  515  made of a flexible insulated material so that the electrical wire  535  may be oriented in various positions and angles. In some embodiments, an adhesive material  520  may be utilized to securely attach the electrical wire  515  onto the user or patient. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system  600  with a set of mechanical bone growth stimulators  625  implanted along the spine  620  of the patient  630  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. For example, one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators  625  may be connected to a control unit  605  via electrical wires  635  electrically coupled to one or more electrical ports  615 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the multiple mechanical bone growth stimulators  625  may be placed on a patient&#39;s backside  630 , such as the spine  620  after a spinal fusion procedure. In other embodiments, one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators  625  may be placed in other various target areas of the body requiring mechanical stimulation, such as the arms, legs, neck, and so forth. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating another exemplary mechanical bone growth stimulation system  700  with a set of mechanical bone growth stimulators  705  implanted along the spine  715  of a patient  720  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The mechanical bone growth stimulators  705  may be connected to an electrical wire allowing the mechanical bone growth stimulator  705  to be electrically coupled to the control unit. 
         [0048]    According to one embodiment, the one or more mechanical bone growth stimulators  705  attached to a patient  720  may include a mechanical bone growth stimulator  705  shaped in the form of an elongated cylinder. Instead of multiple shorter mechanical simulators as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the elongated cylinder shape of the mechanical bone growth stimulators  705  may be ideal for placement along each side of a bone requiring extensive or multiple bone fusions. In contrast, by way of example only, multiple shorter mechanical bone growth stimulators as depicted in  FIG. 5 , may be ideal for placement along smaller or concentrated target areas, such as areas with smaller bone fractures. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for implanting a mechanical bone growth stimulator according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary process  800  begins at operation  810  by selecting a type of mechanical stimulation to be applied to the patient based on a specific medical requirement or need. By way of example only, the types of mechanical stimulations may include vibration, pressure, and stretching stimulations applied to areas such as the bone, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, cartilage, tendon, and ligaments. After selecting the type of mechanical stimulation to be applied, exemplary process  800  proceeds to operation  820 , where a target incision site is selected for implanting the mechanical bone growth stimulator. Once a surgical opening is created, the exemplary process proceeds to  830 , where the mechanical bone growth stimulator is implanted within the surgical bed of the surgical incision site. The mechanical bone growth stimulator may be securely placed within the incision site such that the surgical opening is closed around the electrical wire connected to the implanted mechanical bone growth stimulator. Once the mechanical bone growth stimulator is properly implanted, the mechanical bone growth stimulator is ready to deliver the mechanical stimulation to the areas surrounding the implanted mechanical bone growth stimulator. 
         [0050]    Exemplary process  800  further proceeds to operation  840  where the user (e.g., a doctor or patient) may modulate the one or more characteristics of the mechanical stimulation applied to the patient. By way of example, a patient or user may determine the appropriate frequency of mechanical stimulation to be applied to the target area by selecting or readjusting the switches that modulate the frequency of mechanical stimulation. By way of another example, a patient or user may determine the appropriate magnitude and strength of the mechanical stimulation to be applied to the target area by selecting or readjusting the switches that modulate the strength of mechanical stimulation. 
         [0051]    While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the disclosed technology, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosed technology. The disclosed technology is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the technology disclosed herein. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise. 
         [0052]    Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the technology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
         [0053]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. 
         [0054]    The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed in multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations. 
         [0055]    Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.