Patent ID: 12186574

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-8, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) monitor30includes an enclosure assembly34that is configured to protect defibrillator electronics contained therein (electronics are shown inFIGS.9-10, described below). The enclosure assembly34is generally a multi-piece assembly that includes a housing38, a front cover42, and a rear cover46. The housing38generally lies in between the front cover42and the rear cover38. The housing38, the front cover42, and the rear cover46may each be constructed from one or more durable materials capable of withstanding shocks, abrasions, and other forces likely to be encountered when the WCD monitor30is worn by a patient. In the non-limiting embodiment ofFIGS.1-8, the enclosure assembly34is primarily constructed of one or more plastics, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and/or polycarbonate. In an embodiment, the enclosure assembly34may be constructed of one or more metals, e.g., aluminum. In some embodiments, the front cover42may be patient-facing, i.e., closest to the patient. In some embodiments, the rear cover46may be patient facing, i.e., closest to the patient. Accordingly, the use of “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom,” is intended to facilitate understanding and is not intended to limit the orientation of the WCD monitor30in use with respect to the patient.

The enclosure assembly34may have a size that varies between embodiments, but may generally be sized to enable easy carrying by a human patient. For example, the patient may carry the WCD monitor30on a belt, in a purse, in a backpack, in a pocket, in-hand, etc. The enclosure assembly34ofFIGS.1-8has a width, w, a depth, d, and a height, h. The dimensions and shapes of the enclosure assembly34may vary between embodiments. For example, the enclosure assembly34ofFIGS.1-8is generally rectangular; the housing38has a top wall50, a right wall54, a bottom wall58, and a left wall62. Other embodiments may have a different shape, e.g., triangular, square, circular, a non-polygonal shape, etc.

The enclosure assembly34may include a battery opening66that is sized and located to enable insertion and removal of a battery (such as the battery200ofFIG.12). The enclosure assembly34may also include one or more additional features, including: an audio outlet70to enable a user to hear audible signals broadcast from within the housing38; a window74through which a user can view a display76; one or more ports78a,78bthrough which a user may plug a power cord, a data cord, or another cord into the WCD monitor30; and branding, labels, indicia, ornamentation, etc. Any one or combination of the foregoing features may exist on any aspect of the enclosure assembly34. In the embodiment ofFIGS.1-8, the battery opening66and audio outlet70are located in the top wall50of the housing38; similarly, the right wall54includes two connector ports78a,78b. The front cover42may include a window74, through which the display76is visible. The locations of the features shown in the embodiment ofFIGS.1-8may vary in other embodiments.

Referring now to the exploded view ofFIG.9, the enclosure assembly34is configured to protect defibrillator electronics, including interconnected circuit cards, flex circuits, cables, a high voltage capacitor, antennas, connectors, a speaker, a display, a battery (e.g., a lithium battery), a user input device (e.g., a touch screen and/or buttons). To facilitate service or interchangeability with other WCD units, some or all of the defibrillator electronics may be packaged in a modular board stack82, on which a substantial number of the electronic components can be decoupled from the enclosure assembly34without disassembly of the electronic interconnections.

The housing38has a size and shape that is configured to surround the board stack82, e.g., surround at least an outer edge of the board stack82. In an embodiment, the housing38is configured to at least partially cover a front and/or a rear side of the board stack82. In such embodiments, the front cover42is configured to interface with, and removably attach to, a front side of the housing38; likewise, the rear cover46is configured to interface with, and removably attach to, a rear side of the housing38.

It may be desirable that the electronics contained within the enclosure assembly34are not easily accessed, to prevent inadvertent tampering and damage by patients who are physically away from supervision of healthcare professionals. Referring also toFIG.10, the board stack82is removably retained in the housing38via a plurality of attachment devices86(in this embodiment, screws86), which are positioned around a perimeter of the housing38. Other attachment devices (e.g., snaps, adhesive, etc.) may be used to attach the board stack82to the housing38, and at different locations. In normal use, the housing38and rear cover46conceal the board stack82, and the front cover42conceals the screws86from view.

While the WCD monitor30is designed for use during multiple prescriptions, it is likely that the enclosure assembly34may become scuffed, scraped, dinged, and otherwise damaged. Because the board stack82and other electronics contained therein may be in excellent working condition, it may be desirable to periodically replace or refurbish one or more components of the enclosure assembly34, such as when the front cover42and/or rear cover46is damaged or has a degraded appearance.

Referring again toFIG.9, the enclosure assembly34is specifically designed to be separable from the electronics82within, for example to facilitate replacement of the one or more components of the enclosure assembly34, the board stack82, etc. To this end, the front cover42and the rear cover46of the enclosure assembly34are each removably attachable to the housing38to enable quick removal of the front and rear covers42,46from the housing38. In some embodiments, the front and rear covers42,46may be removably attachable to the housing38by other retention means, including screws, magnets, and/or adhesive. In an embodiment, the front cover42or rear cover46may be removable from the housing38, while the other cover (i.e., the rear cover46or the front cover42) may be fixed to the housing38or integrally formed with the housing38. In an embodiment, the front cover42and rear cover46may each be integrally formed with the housing38, and the housing38itself may be a separable assembly that includes more than one piece.

The WCD monitor30(or portions thereof) may be reused through more than one prescription, reprocessing, and refurbishment. Because the WCD monitor30is designed for use away from the supervision of a healthcare professional, it may be difficult to for a distributor, servicer, or manufacturer to assess the extent to which the WCD monitor30experienced abuse during a previous prescription. While functional testing during reprocessing may help rule out functional issues, latent defects resulting from prior abuse may not be revealed by functional testing.

Referring again toFIG.10, the WCD monitor30includes a shock indicator90that is positioned in a recess92on the housing38. The shock indicator90produces a detectable change or signal if the WCD monitor30has experienced a significant mechanical shock, i.e., a shock that is sufficient to cause damage or otherwise compromise future performance—in particular performance of the electronic components. In a current embodiment, the shock indicator90provides a visual and/or audible signal in response to a force and/or an acceleration that exceeds a predetermined shock threshold. Exemplary shock thresholds may range from about 1 G to about 100 G, e.g., about 1 G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 10 G, 25 G, or any other value in that range. For example, the shock indicator90may include a translucent or transparent window, button, or tube (e.g., a vial containing fluid) that changes color from a first color to a second color after experiencing a shock load that exceeds a threshold (e.g., 10 G). The shock indicator90may be replaceable, and may be a mechanical shock indicator (e.g., a spring device), a chemical shock indicator (a liquid-vial type indicator), or an electronic shock indicator (e.g., a shock indicator having one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, or other electronic sensors). Because mechanical and chemical shock indicators may detect shocks without reliance on a battery or other power source, such shock indicators may advantageously perform even when a WCD monitor is powered down and/or when a WCD battery is depleted. As an additional advantage, the shock indicator90may provide valuable information on the health of the WCD monitor30without powering up or opening the unit. Additionally or alternatively to a visual or audible signal, the shock indicator90may transmit a communications signal (e.g., cellular, RFID, WI-FI®, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, or other signal) after experiencing a shock load that exceeds a threshold. In such embodiments, the WCD monitor30may optionally include a transponder or transceiver (not shown) for broadcasting such a signal. The WCD monitor30may comprise part of a WCD system that includes a receiver for receiving such a signal, which receiver may be remote from the WCD monitor30itself (e.g., a remote monitoring receiver operated by the WCD monitor manufacturer or distributor).

In the embodiment ofFIGS.1-10, the shock indicator90is not visible or accessible without removing the front cover42, to reduce the likelihood that a user will reset or replace the shock indicator90. In other embodiments, the shock indicator90is configured to record any detected shocks on a memory device (not shown) located in the board stack82.

By placing the shock indicator90on the WCD monitor30(e.g., on the enclosure assembly34), it is possible to determine during reprocessing or service if there may be reason to fully open the WCD monitor30and search for additional evidence of damage. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to utilize more than one shock indicator90, e.g., a first shock indicator90positioned on the enclosure assembly34and a second shock indicator positioned on the board stack82. The shock indicator90may be located on the WCD monitor30at a particular location that increases the relevance of its indication. For example, the shock indicator90may be positioned on the enclosure assembly34at or near a corner, an edge, or a face that is more likely to experience a damaging shock. For example, the front cover42may be particularly likely to experience a shock when a patient wears the WCD monitor30on a belt, and therefore the shock indicator90may be positioned either on the front cover42or on the housing38adjacent the front cover42. As another example, the rear cover46may be likely to experience a shock when a patient sets the WCD monitor down on a surface (e.g., a table); therefore the shock indicator90may be positioned either on the rear cover46or on the housing38adjacent the rear cover46. Similarly, one of the lower corners of the WCD monitor30may be more likely to contact the ground than the upper corners; therefore, the shock indicator90may be positioned on the housing38near one of the lower corners. These locations are merely exemplary, and the placement of one or more shock indicators may vary between embodiments.

In the embodiment ofFIG.10, the shock indicator90is located on the housing38, as opposed to the front cover42or rear cover46. The housing38is nearer to the board stack82in this configuration, and therefore it is more likely to experience shock loads that approximate shock loads experienced by the board stack82contained therein. This positioning of the shock indicator may reduce false positive alerts. In another embodiment, the WCD monitor30may include a first shock indicator90that is located on the housing38and a second shock indicator that is located on the board stack82. Another embodiment may include additional shock indicators, for example a third shock indicator that is located on the front cover42(such as behind a window) to enable inspection without removing any parts.

In use, a user (e.g., a manufacturer, distributor, servicer, etc.) may obtain a WCD monitor30. For example, a distributor may receive a WCD monitor30from a user who recently received an ICD device. After receipt, the user may optionally inspect the WCD monitor30for signs of damage e.g., by inspecting the enclosure assembly34, including the housing38and the front and rear covers42,46. The inspection may include a visual inspection for scratches, cracks, missing parts, etc. The inspection may additionally or alternatively include functional testing, for example functional testing of the board stack82for proper defibrillator performance.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.9, the front cover42is removed to view the shock indicator90. For example, the user's health care provider may remove the front cover42during office visits to determine if a potentially damaging shock has occurred, and if the WCD monitor30should be replaced or further inspected. Subsequent to the optional inspection, the user may completely or partially disassemble the WCD monitor30. For example, the user may remove the front cover42and/or the rear cover46from the housing38. To remove the front and/or the rear cover (42,46), the user may unsnap, unscrew, or otherwise detach the front and/or rear cover42,46from the housing38.

If the WCD monitor30is equipped with additional shock indicators90as described above, the user may inspect such shock indicator(s)90for evidence of a potentially damaging shock. If the shock indicator90shows that the WCD monitor30has experienced a potentially damaging shock, the user may replace one or more of the components, for example the front cover42, the rear cover46, the housing38, the shock indicator90, and/or the board stack82. The user may additionally or alternatively subject the WCD monitor30to further functional testing. The user may send the WCD monitor30back to the original user or to a different user.

WCD monitors30of the present disclosure may include an optional battery conditioning system.FIG.11schematically illustrates such a battery conditioning system100, which includes a housing104configured to receive a rechargeable battery108. In some embodiments, the housing104may be a docking station. The docking station is optional, however, as a lack of a docking station facilitates conditioning of rechargeable batteries of different shapes, of different capacities, etc. The battery conditioning system100generally utilizes a power source112, such as a charging battery or line power from an electrical outlet. In an embodiment, the battery conditioning system100may be implemented as a subsystem in a WCD monitor such as WCD monitor30described above with respect toFIG.1-10. In an embodiment, the battery conditioning system100may be embodied on storage media which, when performed by a processor of a WCD monitor30as described herein, results in the actions/operations described below.

The battery conditioning system100may include a charger116and a discharger120, which may be alternately connectable to the battery108via switches124,128. Some embodiments of battery conditioning system100may sense the present charge of the battery108by a detector132, which can sense the battery charge as a fraction of the whole capacity, for example.

The detector132may be separately connectable to the rechargeable battery108, for example via the switches124,128, or sense unobtrusively the voltage or current of the battery108without a separate setting of the switches124,128. For example, the voltage of the battery108may be sensed across via a high-impedance connection, etc.

A processor136can control the switches124,128via a signal. The processor136can be digital or analog. For example, an analog processor136may be preferable when the logic is relatively simple and the functions of the processor136can be implemented together with the detector132.

A user interface140on the battery conditioning system100can receive inputs, e.g., a target charge capacity setting, a maximum charge threshold, and/or a minimum charge threshold. The logic can be implemented in a number of ways. For example, some embodiments may charge the battery108to the full capacity, and then discharge enough to get the battery108below the target threshold. Some embodiments may discharge the battery108completely, and then charge the battery108enough but not enough to get the battery108over the target threshold. Charging and/or discharging can be done while detecting electrical parameters.

Discharging can be accomplished simply by using one or more of the switches124,128to apply a load resistor to the battery output. The load resistor will turn the battery energy into heat, which will be safely managed by the housing104design. Tradeoffs between discharge rate, max temperature and load resistor and enclosure assembly size may be necessary. In such embodiments, such a resistor may be located within the housing104.

In an embodiment, the battery conditioning system100may include any one or more of the following features: an LCD display on the housing100to present information about the rechargeable battery108and charge status; a remote interface to a computer for automatically performing testing and logging the results to a database; the ability to electrically connect to one or more other charger/dischargers so that a plurality of batteries may be conditioned simultaneously and managed/controlled by one computer (for example, as one rechargeable battery108ais being discharged because its charge level exceeds a threshold, that charge could be used to charge another rechargeable battery108bwhose charge level is below the threshold); the ability to test functions of the rechargeable battery108by communicating with it and reading status and error logs; the ability to determine the series impedance of a battery108by measuring the voltage drop when the discharge load is applied (the series resistance is a measure of the health of the rechargeable battery108); the ability to test a voltage and a current of the rechargeable battery108by comparing its readings with the battery conditioning system's100readings while the discharge load is applied.

WCD monitors30of the present disclosure may include a battery, which may be removable and may be rechargeable. Generally, the battery may releasably lock to the WCD monitor30through one or more locking mechanisms, including two-button mechanisms, single-button mechanisms, and additional mechanisms described below.

FIGS.12-20illustrate a WCD monitor battery200featuring a latch-and-handle mechanism204, the battery200being particularly suitable for use when the WCD monitor user suffers from arthritis, degraded vision, and/or reduced dexterity. The battery200is designed to be easily removable from the WCD monitor30. At the same time, the battery200engages securely with the WCD monitor30and will not disengage if the WCD monitor30is dropped or if a patient collapses on it while suffering cardiac arrest.

The mechanism204allows a user to quickly and easily locate the battery200, unlatch it, and disengage it from the WCD monitor30. The mechanism204includes pivots208a,208band a handle212that may be rotated to disengage snap beams220a,220bfrom ramps (not shown). The handle212provides an easy hand-hold for gripping, and also provides a simple action to latch/unlatch the battery200from the WCD monitor30.

The handle212may pivot through an angular range (e.g., about 90 degrees) between a closed position as shown inFIGS.12-19and an open position as shown inFIG.20. In the closed position, the handle212is folded down onto the battery200and snap beams220a,220bextend downward along sides224a,224b, respectively, toward a bottom surface228of the battery200. In the open position shown inFIG.20, the handle212extends away from the battery200and the snap beams220a,220bextend toward a front surface232of the battery200.

The snap beams220a,220beach latch over ramps located in the WCD monitor30(ramps not shown) when the handle212is in the closed position and as long as the handle212remains below a threshold angle within the angular range between the closed position and the open position (e.g., about 30 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 60 degrees, etc.). The ramps may be located on the housing38or another part of the WCD monitor30. So long as the snap beams220a,220bremain engaged with the ramps, the battery200cannot easily be removed from the WCD monitor30. When the handle212is rotated away from the battery200beyond the threshold angle, the snap beams220a,220brotate away from their respective ramps. Subsequently, the battery200may be removed from the WCD monitor30by pulling on the handle212. The handle212may be spring loaded to bias the handle toward the closed position.

In another embodiment, the battery200may utilize a cylindrical cam and rocker arm mechanism that is similar to the snap beam embodiment described above, but utilizes a cylindrical cam adjacent to the battery handle212as an actuator to push a latch paw, which may in turn engage the WCD monitor30. The latch paw may be spring loaded against movement of the handle212to bias the latch paw toward an engaged position.

The WCD monitor30may use an optional secondary latch (not shown) to hold the snap beams220a,220bin the closed position until the handle212is rotated. This secondary latch can be a spring plunger that retracts during insertion of the battery200into the WCD monitor30, and then springs back behind the snap beams220a,220bwhen they engage their respective ramps, thereby locking the snap beams220a,220bin engagement with the ramps. The snap beams220a,220bmay not be disengaged from the ramps until the spring plunger is depressed, such as by rotation of the handle212, pressing of a button (not shown), or other action.

In another embodiment, the battery200utilizes a linkage and slider mechanism to secure the battery200within the WCD monitor30. This embodiment utilizes a mechanical linkage to convert rotational movement of the handle212into linear motion of a slider, which causes a latch paw (housed inside the battery200) to engage the WCD monitor30. In such embodiments, the battery200can be unlatched by rotating the handle212towards the open position beyond a threshold angle (e.g., about 45-60 degrees), thereby retracting the latch paw and disengaging the WCD monitor30. Subsequently, the battery200can be removed from the WCD monitor30with by pulling on the handle212.

In another embodiment, the battery200may utilize a pulley and slider mechanism to secure the battery200within the WCD monitor30. This embodiment utilizes a similar principle as the linkage-and-slider mechanism discussed above, but instead of a rigid mechanical linkage, utilizes a flexible string or cord that is anchored to the handle212and a sliding member to release a latch paw.

In order to provide valuable diagnostic information for physicians in the case of a cardiac event, a WCD system may include a subsystem for storing relatively large amounts of ECG data and event data in a data store. This data may also be transmitted over a wired or wireless communications interface to a location accessible from the internet. One non-limiting method of transferring this data to the internet is to have the patient carry an assistant device (such as a customized cell phone) that communicates with the WCD system over a wired or wireless communications interface. For example, the assistant device may be a cell phone that communicates with the WCD system over a low power Bluetooth connection, and then uses a cellular connection to transmit data to a server on the internet. This assistant device could also be used as an auxiliary user interface between the WCD and the patient to present more detailed information about the device status and even request input from the patient.

As used in this disclosure, a data store is a tangible machine-readable storage medium that includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores) information in a non-transitory form accessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personal digital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one or more processors, etc.). For example, a machine-readable storage medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc.). As used in this disclosure the communications interface may have circuits configured to enable communication with remote server, base station, or other network element via the internet, cellular network, RF network, Personal Area Network (PAN), Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, or other network. Accordingly, the communications interface may be configured to communicate using wireless protocols (e.g., WIFI®, WIMAX®, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, Cellular, Infrared, Nearfield, etc.) and/or wired protocols (Universal Serial Bus or other serial communications such as RS-234, RJ-45, etc., parallel communications bus, etc.). In some embodiments, the communications interface includes circuitry configured to initiate a discovery protocol that allows the WCD and other network element to identify each other and exchange control information. In an embodiment, the communications interface has circuitry configured to a discovery protocol and to negotiate one or more pre-shared keys. In an embodiment, the communications interface alternatively or additional includes circuitry configured to initiate a discovery protocol that allows an enterprise server and the WCD to exchange information.

Performing all this processing, data storage and data transmission takes a significant amount of power. A patient may be required to wear a wearable component of a WCD system for up to about 90 days so it may be impractical to use a battery large enough to last the entire period. Indeed, such a battery may be too large and heavy for the patient to carry. Therefore, a smaller rechargeable battery may be used as an alternative. WCD systems such as those of the present disclosure are typically powered by removable rechargeable batteries that utilize a battery charger (such as charger116). In some embodiments, the battery charger may have the ability to test the WCD battery, to report performance failures and error conditions, and to alert the patient that they may need to call and request a new battery. In some embodiments, the battery charger may include a separate charging well (or a larger single charging well) intended to charge an assistant device (e.g., a cell phone or other hand held device) that provides an interface between the WCD system, the patient, and internet for other connections. This battery charger may provide a single location for the patient to recharge both the WCD battery and the assistant device (or assistant device battery) on a periodic (e.g., daily) basis. In such embodiments, the rechargeable battery should be removed from the WCD monitor and placed in a battery charger, ideally while the patient connects a second battery into the WCD. This recharge routine may occur daily, weekly, or on another periodic schedule.

This periodic routine is made more convenient for the patient if they can recharge the assistant device using the same charger as the WCD battery. To enable this, the battery charger may have two recharging wells: one for the WCD battery and one for the assistant device. In an embodiment, the recharger may include a single charging well sized large enough to accommodate the WCD battery and the assistant device (or assistant device battery). To add even more convenience, the assistant device charging well could be configured to wirelessly charge the assistant device, so that the patient does not have to plug in a cord. In such an embodiment, the patient could simply drop both the WCD battery and assistant device into the charging station.

In some embodiments of the battery charger, the charger recognizes that a WCD battery has been inserted into the charging well. Upon or after this recognition, the charger may execute one or more battery tests. Any combination of features from the following exemplary embodiments may be combined in any other embodiment described herein, and may be applied with respect to the WCD battery and/or the assistant device battery. In an embodiment, the WCD charger can assess the charge state of the WCD battery and if there is sufficient remaining capacity it can begin one or more tests on the battery. In an embodiment, it can apply a momentary load while monitoring the voltage to measure the series impedance of the battery. In an embodiment, while a load is applied, the battery charger can query the WCD battery for its measurements of voltage and current and compare them with its own to determine the accuracy of any battery measurement circuits. In an embodiment, the charger can read error logs and/or event logs and execute one or more other tests to verify the integrity of the WCD battery.

In an embodiment, any of the foregoing battery tests may be completed within a short time of the battery being inserted (e.g., within one minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), so that if an error condition or performance issue is detected, the patient will still be near the battery charger and can be alerted by a charger display and/or audio output so that the patient can call and request a new WCD battery. If the WCD battery is too low on capacity upon placement into/onto the battery charger to perform any tests, then the battery charger could charge the WCD battery for some time period and then perform the tests and display/announce the results.

Embodiments of the battery charger may include any single or combination of the following features: A USB charging port so that a phone or other USB device that is not wireless-charging enabled could be charged; a display, such as an LCD display, to present information about the WCD or assistant batteries and charger status; a visual indicator, such an LED light, to attract the patient's attention if an issue with any battery is discovered; an audio device, such as a speaker or buzzer, to draw attention for any of the above; the battery charger could be designed such that the WCD battery fits into the charging well in much the same way that it fits into the WCD itself, facilitating easier use for the patient; the assistant device charging well could be designed so that the assistant device's display remains visible, allowing it to present information to the patient even while it's charging.

One or more of these features of the WCD battery charger can be designed to make the experience of wearing one of these devices as easy and safe as possible. Being alerted to an issue with one of the batteries as soon as possible will minimize the amount of time a patient may have to go without their WCD device to protect them.

Embodiments of the WCD monitor30, battery conditioning system100, and battery200may include combinations and sub-combinations of features described or shown in the drawings herein, including for example, embodiments that are equivalent to: providing or applying a feature in a different order than in a described embodiment, extracting an individual feature from one embodiment and inserting such feature into another embodiment; removing one or more features from an embodiment; or both removing one or more features from an embodiment and adding one or more features extracted from one or more other embodiments, while providing the advantages of the features incorporated in such combinations and sub-combinations. As used in this paragraph, feature or features can refer to the structures and/or functions of an apparatus, article of manufacture or monitor, and/or the steps, acts, or modalities of a method.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It should be also understood that any block diagram, flowchart illustration, operational or method descriptions, or parts thereof, respectively, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on the the processor component. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, such as a processor unit, processor component, etc., to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in any illustrated block or blocks, flowcharts, and/or the methods steps described herein in any combination, etc.

This patent may reference directions, e.g., front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right. These references are intended only to aid in understanding of the embodiments, and do not limit the orientation, location, position, of any feature of the embodiments, or otherwise limit the scope of the present disclosure.

This patent may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the disclosure. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.