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When to Plant Lettuce in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America
Planting vegetable seeds at the correct time is the most important step for getting the most out of your garden. Knowing exactly when to plant lettuce in your garden in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America will increase growing success and provide better yields.
Check optimal planting dates regularly for best results because the weather, and our results, change daily.
The optimal time to plant lettuce in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America is - . The best day is with a success rate of %.
Anywhere between 70-100% is great. If consistently below that you may want to start growing from seedling or young plant, or possibly grow in sheltered environment
Optimal time frame to start
Frost free days
Grow period
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Important lettuce growing information relevant to your exact garden location in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America:
The total number of frost free days for your garden in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America is days, but the total number of optimal days to plant lettuce is days.
For best results you should start planting lettuce in days starting .
Recommended Lettuce Varieties
Gardening Data Sources
University Research
Cooperative Extension
Gardening Websites
Gardening Blogs
Seed Suppliers
Seed Breeders
Garden Centers
Home Gardeners
Other Sources
Gardening Data Sources
University Research
Cooperative Extension
Gardening Websites
Gardening Blogs
Seed Suppliers
Seed Breeders
Garden Centers
Home Gardeners
Other Sources
How to Grow Lettuce in Dubberly, Louisiana, United States of America
How to grow lettuce: most gardeners grow Lettuce from seed directly sown outside in the ground or in pots. Lettuce grows very quickly so transplanting is not necessary.
Sow lettuce seeds 0.4 inches (1.1 cm) deep, 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) apart, and rows 15.2 inches (38.5 cm) apart. Optimal soil temperature for germination is between 55.2°F (12.9°C) and 70.6°F (21.4°C). Seeds will germinate in about 6-13 days.
Lettuce requires only 40-55 days to be ready for harvest from seed, depending on the lettuce variety selected and the weather during the growing season. Do no wait until lettuce plant bolts to fully mature plant, bearing flowers, because the sweet taste becomes bitter.
Lettuce plants will bolt in high temperatures of 90°F (32.2°C) and long exposure to sun. To avoid this you may want to plant lettuce seeds in a more shaded area reducing exposure to sun.
Optimal day air temperature for growing lettuce is between 57°F (13.9°C) and 65.6°F (18.7°C). Optimal night temperatures are between 49.7°F (9.8°C) and 56.6°F (13.7°C). Lettuce can endure air temperatures as low as 32°F (0°C) during the night and up to 70°F (21.1°C) during the day.
Soil temperature during lettuce growth should be between 46°F (7.8°C) and 67.7°F (19.8°C) in optimal conditions, but can withstand soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4.4°C).
Required soil pH for lettuce growth is 6.0-7.2 but the optimal pH is 6.2-6.5.
Optimal sunlight for Lettuce is 6 hours per day. Lettuce should be watered between 1.0-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) of water per week, adjusting for weather conditions and type of soil accordingly.
Lettuce spacing: When planting lettuce seeds directly into the ground sow seeds 0.4 inches (1.1 cm) deep spaced 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) apart with rows spaced 15.2 inches (38.5 cm) apart.
How to grow lettuce in your garden: one of the best things about growing lettuce is that you can harvest in a relatively short period of time. To ensure that you have lettuce throughout the growing season we recommend you plant new lettuce seeds every 1-2 weeks. As you are harvesting the first batch, your next batch is getting ready.
Harvest outer leaves as soon as their big enough to eat. We recommend using your hands to snap off the leaves rather than tools to cut the leaves. The best thing about lettuce is that after you harvest it will continue to grow and produce leaves so long as proper temperatures exist.
About lettuce: when talking about lettuce its important to distinguish between the common garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa) we eat today and what's known as wild lettuce (Latuca Scariola) which has been around for thousands of years. Wild lettuce grows like a weed and was used by ancient people for medicinal purposes.
The ancient Egyptians used it as an aphrodisiac and stimulant and used its seeds to make oil for cooking. However, the ancient Romans used to eat lettuce after a meal before taking a nap because they believed it induced drowsiness. How could the same wild lettuce produce opposite effects?
Research in 2005 by the Italian botanist Giorgio Samorini helped solve that question. He proved that the white milky sap that secretes from the plant, called lactucarium (and known as 'lettuce opium' in the 19th century) in high doses acts as a stimulant, containing bitter alkaloids, the active ingredient in cocaine. However, in low doses it has sedative effects.
Lettuce is estimated to have originated from the Mediterranean area, and introduced to the New World by Christopher Columbus. Lettuce is not difficult to grow in cool weather climates, but may be very challenging to grow in warm climates.
The easiest way to grow lettuce is to directly sow into the ground – it does not like to be transplanted.
If you do decide to transplant be sure not to hurt or damage the delicate roots and do it in the late afternoon to make sure they are not immediately exposed to the hot sun, having some time to cope and adjust. If it gets too hot you may need to provide shade for the plant to grow successfully.
Lettuce is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber.
For more real-time hyper local detailed growing information download the GardenWeather App on IOS. It is now the leading gardening and weather app, more accurate than The USDA zone map for frost dates. GardenWeather™ is a technology and agri-tech startup providing real-time hyper local planting and gardening recommendations enabling home gardeners and homesteaders to make data-driven gardening decisions.
Use these images to know if your lettuce is heading in the right direction and growing properly. Exact number of growing days varies for each lettuce variety. Below is the average number of days for each stage gathered from many different varieties.
Lettuce Germination Guide
(Stage 1: Germination)
Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed. It is the first stage of the plant growing process and it begins when the seed is sown and ends when the radicale emerges out of the seed.
All seeds require proper soil temperature, moisture, air and light conditions to germinate successfully. However, during the germination stage the seeds require more soil warmth and moisture than light exposure.
Seeds respire just like any other living organism, requiring oxygen and producing carbon dioxide (CO2), so it is crucial to use a soil media that is sufficiently aerated so that the seeds do not "suffocate".
100% of our growing experts recommend to directly sow lettuce seeds into the ground. What is direct sowing and why do I care about it?
Required germination period
4-14 days
Optimal germination period
6-13 days
Required soil temp.
38.8º-78.2ºF / 3.8º-25.7ºC
Optimal soil temp.
55.2º-70.6ºF / 12.9º-21.4ºC
Required day temp.
38.3º-85ºF / 3.5º-29.4ºC
Optimal day temp.
60º-65.7ºF / 15.6º-18.7ºC
Required night temp.
38.3º-85ºF / 3.5º-29.4ºC
Optimal night temp.
58.3º-63.3ºF / 14.6º-17.4ºC
Optimal seed depth
0.4 inches / 1.1 cm
Optimal plant spacing
1.5 inches / 3.8 cm
Optimal row spacing
15.2 inches / 38.5 cm
Lettuce Growing Guide
(Stages 2-5: Growth)
Once seed has germinated and radicale has emerged the second stage of the plant growing process begins, developing from radicale to cotyledon -the embryonic first leaves of the seed forming a young seedling.
During the third stage of plant development cotyledon develops to 3-4 true leaves, stem begins to grow, becoming a mature seedling.
In the fourth stage the mature seedling develops to a young plant, ready for transplanting.
The fifth stage of plant development the plant is fully mature bearing fruit and/or flower.
The following guidelines apply to all of the lettuce plants' needs during stages 2-5 from radicale emergence to full maturity. During these stages sunlight becomes a more active participant in plant growth and development than in the germination phase.
Soil pH is an important factor during these stages as well. What is pH and why is it important?
Requires direct sunlight
Required soil temp.
40º-65ºF / 4.4º-18.3ºC
Optimal soil temp.
46º-67.7ºF / 7.8º-19.8ºC
Required day temp.
47.5º-70ºF / 8.6º-21.1ºC
Optimal day temp.
57º-65.6ºF / 13.9º-18.7ºC
Required night temp.
32º-43ºF / 0º-6.1ºC
Optimal night temp.
49.7º-56.6ºF / 9.8º-13.7ºC
Required sunlight hours
Optimal sunlight hours
Required soil pH
Optimal soil pH
Required watering amount
1-1 inches / 2.5-2.5 cm (per week)
Optimal watering amount
1-1.5 inches / 2.5-3.8 cm (per week)
Optimal depth
0.4 inches / 1 cm
Optimal plant spacing
8.6 inches / 21.7 cm
Optimal row spacing
15.6 inches / 39.6 cm
How difficult is it to grow lettuce?
Growing lettuce, or any other vegetable for that matter, is not hard, however some plants require more attention and care than others depending on the following factors:
Are you starting to grow your plant from seed? seedling? young plant? Depending on what stage plant you choose to plant will impact growing difficulty and patience.
The length of the growing season for your exact garden location.
If you have a short growing season and you want to start growing from seed then you may need to start the growing process in a sheltered environment (greenhouse or inside your home) which will require more involvement in the growing process.
Whether you direct sow in the garden or start in trays and then transplant also affects the level of difficulty
Growing difficulty level - 0
Growing patience level - 0
Companion Planting Guide
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is intentional planting of two or more vegetables and/or flowers next to each other in order to positively impact plant health and yield
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text:
An apparatus and method for adjusting the performance of an implanted device based on data including contextual information. Contextual information, including operational and performance data concerning the implanted device as well as the patient with the implanted device, is stored by a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device is adapted for battery operation and includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable electronic device is adapted for use as an interface to conduct wireless communications with the implanted device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device interfaces with a clinical programmer for use by a physician.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/891,338, filed on Sep. 27, 2010, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/381,051, filed on May 1, 2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,199, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/093,353 filed on Mar. 6, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,305, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present subject matter relates to implantable devices and more specifically, to a method and system for optimizing performance of an implanted medical device based on contextual information derived from the implanted medical device, external sensors, user provided data, or other sources.
A normal, healthy, heart beats at a regular rate. Irregular heart beats, known as cardiac arrhythmia, on the other hand, may characterize an unhealthy condition. Another unhealthy condition is known as congestive heart failure (ACHF@). CHF, also known as heart failure, is a condition where the heart has inadequate capacity to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic demand. CHF may be caused by a variety of sources, including, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, endocarditis, myocarditis, and others.
Unhealthy heart conditions may be treated using a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. Examples of CRM systems, or pulse generator systems, include defibrillators (including implantable cardioverter defibrillator), pacemakers and other cardiac resynchronization devices.
Typically, a pulse generator is surgically implanted under the skin, but outside the thorax of a patient and includes one or more conductive lead wires that deliver an electrical pulse to the heart according to a therapy schedule. The electrical pulses may be delivered on a predetermined schedule, on an as needed basis, or according to other predetermined criteria.
In some cases, the operation of the pulse generator may be adjusted using an external programmer. The programmer allows a physician to tailor the performance of the pulse generator without performing surgery on the patient. The programmer may communicate with the pulse generator by wireless technology such as radio frequency communication.
A typical programmer includes a wand coupled to a desktop unit by a flexible electrical cord. In use, the operator positions the wand near the implanted device and a signal from the programmer is wirelessly transmitted to the device. Data is extracted from the transmitted signal and stored in internal memory within the implanted device. The implanted device then delivers therapy according to the memory contents. The memory contents may include operating parameters or programming. For example, the implanted device may be wirelessly programmed to deliver electrical shocks at a greater amplitude or with greater frequency.
The ability to wirelessly program an implantable device has taxed the performance and capacity of device data storage and the device power supply and also compelled the addition of a transceiver suitable for communicating with the programmer. To address these needs, some manufacturers have adapted their devices to include additional circuitry as well as increased battery capacity. To the chagrin of the patient, such improvements have, in some instances, resulted in larger case sizes for the implantable device.
Consumer, and therefore, manufacturers, of implanted medical devices have demonstrated a clear desire for, among other things, reduced device size, increased functionality, and increased reliability and longevity. Efforts to provide increased functionality and increased reliability have tended to frustrate the objective of reduced device size. Thus, there is a need for an implanted device with reduced size and yet permits field programmability along with increased reliability.
At initial implantation, the medical device is programmed to provide therapy based on known parameters and conditions of the patient. Follow-up programming of the implanted device, which may take place at a doctor's office, may be based on stored data and patient input. However, for many patients, follow-up visits are infrequent and thus, patients are unable to provide their physician with accurate or complete information regarding the events surrounding a particular cardiac event. For example, few patients are able to provide reliable data concerning their dietary intake just prior to a period of increased heart rate that may have occurred three weeks ago. Thus, there is a need for collecting timely patient data with improved accuracy.
The present subject matter includes, among other things, a system and method for collecting timely data from a variety of sources and correlating the data with data provided by an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, patient responses are collected using a portable device. The portable device may present questions or data entry prompts or otherwise solicit a response from the patient. The prompts may concern subjective or objective data. In one embodiment, the questions include "Have you felt dizzy in the last two hours?," "Are you breathless?," "Do you feel palpitations?," "Do you have any chest pain?" and "How many alcoholic drinks have you consumed in the previous 2 hours?" In one embodiment, data from a sensor coupled to the implanted medical device is communicated to the portable device. The data includes physiological information concerning the performance of the implanted medical device or measured parameters concerning a particular body organ or system. In one embodiment, data from a sensor not coupled to the implanted medical device is communicated to the portable device.
By way of example, in one embodiment, the patient is implanted with a medical device as part of a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The CRM system includes a pacemaker defibrillator with an accelerometer and heart rhythm sensor. In addition, the patient is also fitted with an implanted respiration monitor with in the CRM system. In this example, the portable device, which is carried external from the body of the patient, prompts the patient with questions concerning such topics as their sleep patterns, dietary and drug intake, visible edema and other relevant signs and symptoms. The portable device also receives data from the defibrillator with the accelerometer, heart rhythm monitor and the respiration monitor.
At a clinical setting, or by a remote communication coupling, the patient's doctor can access the portable device and retrieve the stored data from the various inputs. The retrieved data can be analyzed for trends as part of a wellness monitoring system and therefore, enable improved medical care and reduce healthcare utilization.
In one embodiment, the portable device is coupled to, or incorporated within a personal digital assistant (PDA). Thus, the PDA communicates wirelessly with an implanted medical device as well as communicates with a programmer. In addition, the portable device is adapted to execute instructions that prompts the user for information and stores the responses. In one embodiment, the user entered data is received in response to a prompt or message. In one embodiment, the user is able to enter data in a free-text entry mode without regard to a particular schedule. In one embodiment, the portable device also receives data from non-invasive sensors or detectors. Examples of non-invasive sensors include an arterial blood pressure monitor, a respiration monitor, a blood sugar detector, a body mass scale as well as other devices. The portable device communicates with the non-invasive sensors or detectors in a wireless manner or via a wired coupling.
In one embodiment, the portable device may receive data from an implanted device other than that which is controllable by way of the programmer. For example, a patient may be equipped with an implanted cardiac pacing device as well as a separate implanted sensor for monitoring a body parameter or organ and the portable device receives data from both implanted devices and yet the programmer interfaces with and controls the operation of the cardiac pacing device and not the separate implanted sensor.
In various embodiments, the portable device is coupled to a PDA, (variously referred to as a personal digital, or data, assistant), a portable telephone (including a cellular telephone or a cordless telephone), a pager (one way or two way), a handheld, palm-top, laptop, portable or notebook computer, or other such battery operated portable communication device, all of which are herein referred to as portable communicators.
In one embodiment, the portable device operates independently and without coupling to a portable communicator. It will be appreciated that either the portable device or the portable communicator may provide the data storage capacity, processing, display, or user input means as described herein.
In one embodiment, the portable device includes circuitry or executable programming and communicates wirelessly with the implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the portable device is coupled by a wired link to a remote programmer or other network communication device. In one embodiment, the device includes a separate module that communicates wirelessly with the implantable medical device and the separate module is user-removable from the portable device.
The present subject matter also includes a method and apparatus to allow a portable communicator, such as a PDA or cellular telephone, to interface between an implantable medical device and a programmer. The programmer may be coupled to the portable device by a network communication connection. For example, in one embodiment, a remote programmer can access a cellular telephone coupled to a portable device via the Internet, a private area branch exchange (PABX, also known as a PBX), an intranet network, an ethernet connection or other remote communication means. In one embodiment, the portable device is coupled to a portable telephone with which the programmer communicates using a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the portable telephone is in wireless communication with the implantable medical device.
The present system may allow increased data logging, thereby permitting analysis otherwise not possible using the limited data storage capacity and battery capacity of an implanted device.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent different instances of substantially similar components. As used herein, the term data includes both data and programming.
In accordance with the present system,
In one embodiment, implantable medical device 25 provides data including heart rhythm, breathing, activity, and contractility, as illustrated at 450. Other types of data derived from implantable systems are also contemplated, as noted at 450. For example, in one embodiment, a respiration sensor is implanted into patient 455 and communicates with portable device 35. Data received from such implantable systems may be perceived as involuntary, or passive, data since the patient has no control over the process of collecting and transmitting the data from such sources.
In one embodiment, portable communicator 80 includes a touch-sensitive display screen for displaying information to a user or patient 455. Depending on the application executing on portable communicator 80, the display screen may provide prompts, messages, questions, or other data designed to elicit an input from patient 455. For example, in one embodiment, portable communicator 80 may display a screen shot as shown at 400. Screen shot 400, entitled "Non-invasive Data Entry Screen" provides links to questions or prompts as shown in the figure. Data received from such interactive prompts may be perceived as voluntary, or active, data since the cooperation and active input of the patient is part of the data collection process. The user voluntarily provides answers in response to prompts that appear on the screen. At each of 405 through 445, the patient may be linked to one or more questions concerning the general topic appearing in screen shot 400. For example, at 405, the link "Blood Pressure" may lead to one or more questions concerning the patient's blood pressure. At 410, the patient may be prompted for information concerning their body weight. At 415 the patient may be prompted to supply data concerning their sleep patterns (bedtime, sleep time, perceived arousals, perceived sleep quality) or recent life experiences. At 420, the patient may be prompted for data concerning their perceived quality of life (Q of L). At 425, the patient may be prompted to supply information concerning their perceived physical strength. At 430, the patient may be prompted to supply information regarding their mental acuity. In one embodiment, the patient may be presented with a series of short questions and based on the responses received, portable communicator 80 calculates a parameter corresponding to mental acuity. At 435, the patient is prompted for data concerning their dietary intake. At 440, the patient is prompted for data concerning their voiding patterns. At 445, the patient is prompted to supply information concerning drug therapy compliance.
Wellness monitoring system 460 is in communication with portable communicator 80, and thus, portable device 35. Wellness monitoring system 460 provides analysis of voluntary and involuntary data gathered by portable device 35. In one embodiment, wellness monitoring system 460 includes computer and programming that conducts data analysis and identifies trends that may improve patient health and medical care.
In one embodiment, lead 20 includes a catheter or other implanted lead having one or more electrodes for the delivery of electrical energy to selected portions of an organ, or tissue, of a patient or for receiving electrical signals indicative of the health of the patient or a selected organ. In one embodiment, lead 20 is coupled to a human or animal heart, however, other organs may also be monitored or treated. In one embodiment, the housing of IMD 25 is electrically conductive and serves as an electrical conductor and operates in conjunction with a signal on a conductor portion of lead 20.
In one embodiment, IMD 25 includes a pacing device (commonly referred to as a pacemaker) a defibrillator, heart failure therapy device, cardiac resynchronization device or other medical device. In one embodiment, IMD 25 also includes circuitry and programming adapted to monitor the condition and performance of the pulse generator or other implanted device. For example, in one embodiment, IMD 25 provides data concerning the remaining battery condition for a power supply coupled to IMD 25. Such data may include information regarding remaining battery capacity or life, battery internal resistance or other measurable parameter. In other embodiments the data includes information regarding the electrical therapy provided by IMD 25. For example, in one embodiment, such data includes the peak voltage level, the rate, or frequency, of therapy, the profile of the delivered shock or other parameters. In various embodiments, IMD 25 is controlled by digital or analog signals and in one embodiment, IMD 25 generates data in digital or analog form.
In one embodiment, IMD 25 includes a program executing on an internal processor that controls the operation of the device. The program instructions reside in a memory accessible to the internal processor. By changing the program, or memory contents, the present system allows the operating program of IMD 25 to be dynamically tailored to a particular patient or condition. In one embodiment, the operating system, or memory contents of IMD 25 can be changed using wireless communication.
In one embodiment, IMD 25 includes a wireless transceiver. The transceiver operates using radio frequency transmissions, electromagnetic transmissions, magnetic coupling, inductive coupling, optical coupling, or other means of communicating without need of a wire connection between IMD 25 and another transceiver. In one embodiment, IMD 25 is coupled to a wireless transceiver by a wired connection.
In one embodiment, IMD 25 performs a data acquisition function. For example, a detector coupled to IMD 25 is adapted to monitor a fluid pressure, such as blood or urine. In one embodiment, the detector is adapted to monitor respiration, stress level, or other measurable biometric parameter. In one embodiment, monitoring includes determining an absolute or relative value for a particular biometric parameter. Internal memory within IMD 25 may be adapted to store a comparison value which may then be compared with a measured value thereby determining the performance of IMD 25 or the health of the patient.
Link 30 is a wireless communication link between IMD 25 and portable device 35. Link 30 allows communication in one or two directions. For example, in one embodiment, data from IMD 25 is communicated to portable device 35 with no data transmitted from portable device 35 to IMD 25. In this manner, portable device 35 functions as a data storage facility for IMD 25. In one embodiment, data stored in portable device 35 can be accessed by a treating physician and used for diagnosis, therapy or other purposes. Programming and controlling the operation of IMD 25 is performed using a programmer adapted to transmit commands, data or code to IMD 25. In one embodiment, portable device 35, or portable communicator 80, executes programming to analyze and process the data received from IMD 25. In one embodiment, communication link 30 may preclude transfer of data from portable device 35 to IMD 25 or to preclude transfer of data from IMD 25 to portable device 35. For example, in one embodiment, portable device 35 executes programming which automatically adjusts the performance or operation of IMD 25 independent of programmer 45 and under certain predetermined conditions, it may be desirable to preclude such automatic adjustments.
In one embodiment, data is communicated from portable device 35 to IMD 25 with no data transmitted from IMD 25 to portable device 35. In this manner, portable device 35 functions as an interface to communicate commands, data or code to IMD 25.
In one embodiment, data is communicated bidirectionally between IMD 25 and portable device 35. In various embodiments, link 30 entails a single bidirectional communication channel or includes multiple unidirectional communication channels which, when viewed as a whole, provide bidirectional communication. In one embodiment, a unidirectional communication channel operates using a particular frequency or communication protocol. For example, link 30 include a wireless radio frequency link compatible with a transmitter and receiver that uses frequency hopping, spread spectrum technology.
In one embodiment, internal memory within IMD 25 provides storage for data related to the CRM therapy provided to heart 15. The data may relate to the electrical, chemical or mechanical operation of the heart. In addition, IMD 25 includes memory for programming, comparison and other functions. In one embodiment, the contents of the memory regulates the operation of IMD 25.
In one embodiment, portable device 35 is coupled to a battery operated portable communicator having a processor, memory, and an output interface to communicate with a user and an input interface to receive user entered data. One suitable example of a portable communicator is that of a PDA. Commercial suppliers of PDAs include Palm, Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.), Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.) and Handspring Inc., (Mountain View, Calif.) and others. Such devices typically include a display screen for presenting visual information to a user and a writing surface for entry of data using a stylus. Data may also be entered using a keyboard coupled to the portable communicator or by means of a wired or wireless communication link. Some portable communicator models also include an audio transducer, or sound generator, adapted to produce sounds that are audible by a user. In one embodiment, data from IMD 25 or programmer 45 is displayed on a screen coupled to portable device 35.
In one embodiment, portable device 35 is coupled to a portable telephone (such as a cellular telephone or a cordless telephone), a pager (one way or two way), or a computer (such as a handheld, palm-top, laptop, or notebook computer) or other such battery operated, processor based, portable communication device.
In one embodiment, portable device 35, or portable communicator 80, includes data storage and includes programming and instructions to conduct data processing. In one embodiment, the data storage capacity of portable device 35 or portable communicator 80 augments the data storage capacity of IMD 25, thus enabling a clinician to access a greater amount of contextual information regarding the medical condition of a user. For example, but not by way of limitation, the contextual information may assist in discovering and understanding relationships among different events.
In one embodiment, a wireless receiver is coupled to portable device 35 for purposes of receiving data from IMD 25. The wireless receiver may be internal or external to the housing of portable device 35. In one embodiment, a wireless transmitter is coupled to portable device 35 for purposes of transmitting data to IMD 25. The wireless transmitter may be internal or external to the housing of portable communicator 80. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is coupled to portable device 35 for purposes of both transmitting data to, and receiving data from, IMD 25. The wireless transceiver may be internal or external to the housing of portable device 35. In one embodiment, portable device 35 includes a telemetry head that is positioned near IMD 25 to facilitate wireless communications.
In one embodiment, circuitry or programming allows portable device 35 to trigger an alarm under predetermined conditions. For example, portable device 35 may sound an audible alarm or transmit an alarm signal if a biometric parameter exceeds a particular value or is outside a specified range of values. The alarm signal can be received by programmer 45 or a designated physician.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, programmer 45 includes a processor based apparatus executing programming to communicate with IMD 25, portable device 35, or both. Typically, a clinician or physician will operate programmer 45 to communicate with IMD 25 using portable device 35 as a data interface. In particular, one embodiment provides that data from IMD 25 can be retrieved by accessing the memory of portable device 35. In one embodiment, programmer 45 transmits data to IMD 25 via portable device 35.
To the extent that IMD 25A, portable device 35A, programmer 45A, link 30A, and link 40A are described elsewhere in this document, the following discussion concerns the elements not earlier described.
IMD 25A is coupled to programmer 45A via wireless link 30B. In one embodiment, link 30B include a handheld wand that is placed in the vicinity of IMD 25A to allow communication of data. In the figure, link 30B is shown to include a bidirectional communication channel.
Portable device 35A is coupled to programmer 45A via network 50 by way of link 40B and link 40C. It will be appreciated that network 50 may include the Internet, a private intranet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other communication network. In one embodiment, programmer 45A accesses network 50 using an ethernet connection, a dial-up connection, a cable modem connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, or other wired or wireless network connection. In one embodiment, portable device 35A accesses network 50 using an ethernet connection, a dial-up connection, a cable modem connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, or other wired or wireless network connection.
Portable device 35A is coupled to a block modeled in the figure as involuntary data source 58. Involuntary data source 58, in one embodiment, includes IMD 25A and ex-IMD data source 55, either of which can provide data to enable system 10A to tailor therapy of IMD 25 in an efficient manner. As described above, IMD 25A may include sensors that provide information, ultimately, to programmer 45A. In addition, in one embodiment, ex-IMD data source 55 may include an externally worn sensor or an implanted device. In one embodiment, an implanted device includes a second implanted medical device adapted to monitor a body organ or function, such as a blood oxygen monitor. Also by way of example, one externally worn sensor includes a non-invasive data source such as a temperature monitor, blood pressure monitor or respiration monitor. In one embodiment, ex-IMD data source 55 is non-user worn. For example, in one embodiment, data is provided by an ambient temperature monitor or atmospheric pressure monitor. In one embodiment, a plurality of ex-IMD data sources 55 are provided. Data sources other than those enumerated herein are also contemplated.
Data provided by ex-IMD data source 55 is coupled to portable device 35A by link 60. In one embodiment, link 60 includes a wired coupling and in another embodiment, a wireless coupling. In one embodiment, ex-IMD data source 55 is coupled to, and integrated with, portable device 35A.
The data provided by ex-IMD data source 55 is received by portable device 35A. In various embodiments, processing of the data is conducted by portable device 35A or programmer 45A. In one embodiment, the data is provided in real time, (either continuously or according to a predetermined schedule) or upon a change exceeding a predetermined amount, or upon request or inquiry from programmer 45A or portable device 35A.
Portable device 35A is coupled to a block modeled in the figure as user data source 65, by link 70. In one embodiment, user data source 65 provides data volunteered by the user and is integrated with portable device 35A. User data source 65 includes, in one embodiment, a display screen, an audio generator and an input device. In operation, portable device 35A displays a question or prompt directed to the user and the user is instructed to respond by providing a manual input. For example, in one embodiment, portable device 35A sounds a characteristic tone and display a question concerning the well-being of a user. The user, in response to the prompt, may use a stylus, keyboard, voice response, or other means to indicate a suitable answer to the question presented. The data received from the user prompt is then stored by portable device 35A. In one embodiment, processing of the data received from user data source 65 is done by portable device 35A or by programmer 45A. User data source 65 may generate a prompt according to a predetermined schedule, randomly, or based on data received from portable device 35A, IMD 25 or environmental data source 55. In one embodiment, data is entered by the user on the user's initiative.
In one embodiment, programmer 45A receives data from several data sources and communicated via any of several data communication channels. For example, programmer 45A may receive data from IMD 25A via link 30B or via portable device 35A by way of link 30A and link 40A. In addition, programmer 45A may receive data from IMD 25A via network 50 by way of link 30A, link 40B and link 40C. Data may be acquired using an interrupt driven system or on a query-based system.
In addition, one embodiment provides that data from IMD 25A is communicated to programmer 45A via any of several communication paths. For example, data may be communicated to programmer 45A using link 40A, 40B, 40C, 60 or 70.
Consider the operation of the embodiment in
In addition to data entry, in one embodiment, stylus 80C, along with screen 80B, and buttons 80D, allow a user to exercise limited control over the operation of implantable medical device 25. In one embodiment, reasonable constraints on the authority to change the operation of device 25 are established and implemented by a clinician using programmer 45.
Programmer 45 accesses Internet 50A via link 40C. In one embodiment, link 40C includes a dial-up modem connection, a cable modem connection, a DSL connection, an ISDN line, or other channel providing access to the Internet.
Using the system of
Using the system of
Input/output 125, IMD transceiver 135 and communication interface 140, in conjunction with controller 130 enables receipt and transmission of data from IMD 25 as well as data from programmer 45. IMD transceiver 135 and transceiver 115 provide a wireless telemetric link between IMD 25 and portable device 35.
Portable device 35 may be coupled to a portable communicator and one or more of long term data 120, input/output 125, controller 130, IMD transceiver 135, or communication interface 140 may be provided by the portable communicator.
Programmer 45 receives data from portable device 35 via link 40E. In one embodiment, programmer 45 performs data processing. Updated programming for execution by IMD 25 is determined by programmer 45 and transmitted wirelessly to IMD 25 via link 30D. Updated programming may be based on data received from portable device 35, as well as manual inputs received at programmer 45. IMD 25 includes a transmitter to communicate using link 30C and a receiver to communicate using link 30D.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
At 155, the input data includes a sleep schedule. The sleep schedule may describe the sleep (or wake) times of the user. The user may enter the data into portable device 35. In an embodiment including portable device 35 coupled to portable communicator 80, the data may be entered, for example, using stylus 80C, keys 80D or a keyboard. At 160, the input data includes a user-selected quality of life index. The user may select and specify a suitable response based on subjective or objective criteria. At 165, the input data includes an entry corresponding to the user's physical strength. At 170, the input data includes an entry corresponding to the mental acuity of the user. In this instance, portable communicator 80 may determine a value based on predetermined criteria which may entail analysis of a series of user entered responses. At 175, the input data includes information concerning the recent dietary intake of the user. Data may include caloric content, nutritional content (sodium levels), quantity and type of foods. At 180, the input data may include user provided data concerning voiding patterns or behavior. At 190, the input data may include drug intake or medicine compliance information. At 195, the input data may include alcohol consumption information such as quantity, type and time of intake. At 200, the input data may include transient illness information concerning such matters as time of onset, symptoms, treatment and recovery. At 205, the input data may include miscellaneous predictive input information. For example, the user may enter data to indicate that he will soon be walking or running or otherwise exercising. Other input data may also be provided depending upon the circumstances of the patient. The user input information may be tailored by the treating physician using programmer 45 and portable device 35. For example, the data collection protocol may be tailored to reduce battery consumption by prompting the user for a response at a reduced frequency.
At 215, the external device includes a blood pressure monitor. Encoded blood pressure information for the patient is provided as a function of time or other measured parameter. At 220, the external device includes an objective measure of the patient's quality of life. In one embodiment, this may entail a sensor adapted to correlate with quality of life. At 225, the external device includes a temperature monitor. Encoded temperature information is provided as a function of time or other measured parameter. The measured temperature may correspond to a body temperature, an ambient temperature, or other temperature. At 230, an external device provides data concerning the sleep time of the patient. The device may include a monitor coupled to a clock or a monitor coupled to another device corresponding to sleep time and sleep phase variation.
At 240, the implantable device includes a heart rhythm monitor. At 245, the implantable device includes a respiration monitor. At 250, the implantable device includes an activity monitor. At 255, the implantable device includes a contractility measurement device.
In one embodiment, a security protocol is implemented. The security protocol may assure authorized access for communications between programmer 45 and the portable device 35. In addition, one embodiment provides secure communications between portable device 35 and IMD 25. Authorization may be limited to reading data or reading and editing data. Security may entail a password and username system, encryption, or other biometric authentication system to prevent unauthorized access.
The present system provides data that may be useful in trend analysis, and thus, improve health care for a patient. For example, the present system may allow monitoring of device performance over an extended duration. Long term device performance data may facilitate improved therapy. In addition, the present system may allow cost-effective compilation of patient medical data. Such historical data may prove beneficial in developing treatment protocols for the patient.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the foregoing specific embodiments, many alternatives, variations, and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Other such alternatives, variations, and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims.
1. (canceled)
2. A system, comprising:
- an implantable medical device (MID) configured for implantation in a patient;
- an implantable wireless transmitter coupled to the IMD;
- a wireless receiver configured to communicate with the implantable wireless transmitter;
- a portable electronic device (PED) coupled to the wireless receiver, the PED configured to receive and store data from the IMD and to receive and store a user input; and
- at least one remote device configured to communicate through a network with the PED, wherein the PED and the at least one remote device are configured for use in monitoring patient wellness, monitoring IMD condition and IMD performance, and correlating data generated from the user input and the received data from the IMD, and tailoring the IMD performance using the correlated data.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless receiver is incorporated within the PED or is a removable separate module coupled to the PED.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the PED includes:
- a display configured to present a query to the user; and
- a user input device configured to enable the user to enter a response or to compile contextual information,
- wherein the PED is configured to execute a set of instructions to present the query and receive the response or the compiled contextual information.
5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a sensor external to the IMD, the external sensor including at least one of a physiological sensor associated with the user and an environmental sensor, wherein the external sensor is configured to acquire external sensor data and communicate the external sensor data with the PED.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the PED, or the at least one remote device, or both the at least one remote device and the PED include:
- a data processor circuit configured to analyze the user input and the received data from the IMD;
- a correlator circuit configured to generate the correlated data using the user input received data from the IMD; and
- a memory circuit to store the correlated data.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a sensor external to the IMD, the external sensor including at least one of a physiological sensor associated with the user and an environmental sensor, wherein the external sensor is configured to acquire external sensor data and communicate the external sensor data with the PED, wherein the correlator circuit is further configured to generate the correlated data using the external sensor data.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the at east one remote device includes a remote programmer.
9. The system of claim 2, further comprising a set of instructions for execution by the PED, wherein the PED, by executing the set of instructions, is configured to:
- store the received data from the IMD and the contextual data from the PED;
- correlate the received data from the IMD and the contextual data to form correlated data; and
- communicate data to at least one of the IMD and the DPM system.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the PED is configured to wirelessly communicate data through a wireless communication link.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the PED is configured to update programming of the IMD.
12. A method, comprising:
- receiving data from an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient and data from at least one sensor external to the IMD;
- receiving a user input to a portable electronic device (PED);
- performing, using a data processor, data analysis and correlating the received data to form contextual information;
- communicating the correlated data with the IMD, or with at least one remote device, or with both the IMD and the at least one remote device; and
- monitoring a patient wellness using the PED or the at least one remote device; and
- tailoring programming of the IMD using the correlated data.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the data from the IMD includes:
- data indicative of condition and performance of the IMD; and
- physiological signal indicative of patient health and wellness,
- wherein receiving the data from the IMD includes using the PED to retrieve the data from the IMD via a wireless communication link.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the user input to the PED includes:
- executing, using a processor within the PED, a set of instructions to present a query; and
- receiving a response to the query.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the external sensor data includes:
- using external sensors to acquire data indicative of a physiological condition or an environmental condition; and
- communicating the external sensor data with the PED.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein correlating the received data includes correlating the data at least from the IMD, the user input, or the external sensors and forming contextual information from the correlated data, wherein the data processor resides in the IMD or the DPM system.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein performing data analysis includes generating a data trend indicative of a medical condition.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein performing data analysis includes monitoring IMD condition and IMD performance.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein communicating the correlated data includes wireless communication.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein tailoring programming of the IMD includes:
- receiving an instruction to tailor programming of the IMD; and
- communicating with the IMD to update the programming of the IMD.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the data from at least one sensor external to the IMD includes temperature data or atmospheric pressure data.
Patent History
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 16, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 20, 2012
Patent Grant number: 8694116
Inventors: Bruce H. KenKnight (Maple Grove, MN), Eric G. Lovett (Mendota Heights, MN), Robert J. Sweeney (Woodbury, MN), Scott T. Mazar (Woodbury, MN), Yatheendhar Manicka (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 13/447,816
International Classification: A61N 1/365 (20060101); A61N 1/39 (20060101);

subset: commoncrawl


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The Twilight Art Print takes direct inspiration from the Edge of Dawn Art Print. It's main difference is that perspective changes the mood creating a more nocturnal, sunset, hushed twilight feeling. Like the Edge of Dawn Art Print all the imagery of Twilight is the same, the branches of a tree, a blackbird and clouds...only to create a more mythic expression.These must-have Eco-Friendly Leggings are made from a sustainable ultra-stretch, medium weight, knit fabric that is milled from recycled plastic water bottles! Can we get a "Woot" please for these festival wear womens leggings?!! Recycling at its finest and the result is a beautiful durable breathable fabric that we are confident you will love as much as we do. We adore how functional our Leggings are, so practical and yet form fitting sexy in the way they hug all the right places-complimenting a diversity of body types! A brilliant long lasting fabric that bounces back after repeated washings, allowing endless wear as they hold their original shape. Dress them up or down. These women's leggings are super comfortable for workout/yoga festival wear or just for a night out dancing. Ecofriendly clothing fashion and function can co-exist!
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Damn. I missed it. How many did they have?Michele's in blue. I think Kevin's in red.
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Katie Rae Nurtures Boston's Entrepreneurs
TWICE A YEAR, KATIE RAE BOUNDS ONTO A STAGE in Boston to the strains of the Dropkick Murphys playing the foot stomper "Shipping Up to Boston." Rae emcees a "Demo Day" event that features entrepreneurs graduating from the program she runs, TechStars Boston, and the audience is full of investors getting a first look at a dozen new business ideas. At the most recent Demo Day, in November, entrepreneurs pitched start-ups that do everything from help couples get pregnant faster to help charities wring more revenue from donated clothing; investors have committed to writing checks for $6 million and counting for the companies. In the two years since she took over the TechStars program, the 44-year-old Rae has become the high-profile ringmaster of Boston's start-up circus. "Katie just has this magical ability to pull people together," says Gus Weber, a colleague of Rae's when she worked at Microsoft's New England Research & Development Center. "And people will do anything for her."
After some corporate shuffling at Microsoft, Rae decided to leave the company in 2010 rather than move to headquarters in Washington state. Later that year, she was chosen to run the relatively new TechStars program, which offers fledgling entrepreneurs a bit of funding, three months of free office space, and access to a group of mentors. Up to that point, says venture capitalist Fred Destin, "TechStars was run in a way that was pretty average, and they had a low funding rate for the companies that went through it. Katie took over a damaged brand, and she increased the number of mentors involved with it. She really galvanized the community." Antonio Rodriguez, another local venture capitalist who knows Rae, says that "her style is nurturing, like a camp director, and nurturing entrepreneurs is not something we've been very good at in Boston."
This year, Rae doubled the frequency of the TechStars program; there are now fall and spring sessions. But perhaps more important, she supervised the launch of a spinoff program called the Boston Startup School. That several-week crash course in topics like software development and product design is offered to a handpicked group of recent college graduates and designed to help make them more appealing hires to start-up companies and effective from day one. "It was really a perfect extension of TechStars," Rae says. "Our start-ups were all having trouble finding people to hire, and we saw an opportunity to help." Nearly 90 percent of the graduates of the first program, held at Harvard's Innovation Lab over the summer, have since landed jobs.
Rae, who lives in Brookline, says she hopes to dedicate time to several new projects in 2013, including initiatives to get more women who have the means making investments in start-up companies, and help more women and minorities attract the funding they need to get their own start-ups past the idea phase. She also co-teaches a course at MIT with the inventor of the Web, Tim Berners-Lee, that has spawned a half-dozen start-up companies. If that sounds like a lot to juggle, Rae doesn't seem daunted. "If it's going to help the entrepreneurs, I'm happy to help," she says. "That's my basic stance on things."


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The Broncos have dealt with their fair share of injuries. As their postseason opener approaches, however, most of their injured players not on injured reserve look to be ready to go.
Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe, who hasn't played since November 24 due to an illness, remains out of practice. All other injured players fully participated in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
The injured-but-practicing are cornerback Champ Bailey (shoulder), receiver Wes Welker (concussion), quarterback Peyton Manning (ankle), tight end Joel Dreessen (knee), safety Duke Ihenacho (concussion), tackle Winston Justice (finger), guard Chris Kuper (ankle), center Steve Vallos (concussion), and cornerback Kayvon Webster (thumb).
The Broncos host the Chargers on Sunday, one month to the day after losing to San Diego at home.


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The lubuntu project is advancing. lynxis just published a lubuntu test iso based on the seeds by David Sugar and additional patches. It is just 381 MB and a second one only 292 MB.
Please download the image and test it and give feedback:
UPDATE: The CD images from the link above are now unavailable due to bandwidth limit. However, there is a BitTorrent link of b14, and we put its CD image copy into our site:
* https://bugs.launchpad.net/~lubuntu-desktop
* https://code.launchpad.net/~lubuntu-desktop
* https://bugs.launchpad.net/~lubuntu-desktop
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDCustomizationFromScratch


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We're looking for information on local summer camps and day programs for children and teens in and around Gadsden County. Know of one? Part of one? Give us a call at 627-7649 or send us the information via e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com. We'll help you get the word out!
Some camps we've heard of in the area that you may be interested in are:
Alpha UPKUDO Martial Arts & Fitness
Summer Fit Camp
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* Manufacturer's suggested retail price. HST and licensing fees not included. Does not include current promotions. Request online to know applicable specials.
Buying a new vehicle at Gus Revenberg Kia means getting exceptional service the minute you walk in the door. At Gus Revenberg Kia, we treat all of our customers like family, and we take the time to provide them with a memorable shopping experience where everything is put in place to ensure their satisfaction.
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Come and see our vast inventory of brand new Kia sedans in Windsor starting with the new Kia Forte. We also have a wide range of new Kia Rio models, and of course the brand new Kia Optima. At Gus Revenberg Kia, you are sure to find the right new Kia in the trim and specs you want.
At Gus Revenberg Kia, we will take the time to help you find the right new Kia vehicle for you and your needs today. Book an appointment with one of our sales representatives online or over the phone today!


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|Harris Tweed Calluna Bramble
|W77 x H32 x D77cm
|Harris Tweed Calluna Bramble
|W77 x H32 x D77cm
A great sofa becomes a part of your life. Always there for you, it provides your family with years of support, comfort and relaxation. So, it's important to find the perfect one.
See our full range of sofa sizes, chairs and fabrics... Before you see our selection of sofas, sit back and watch our video on how we make our sofas.
We'll do everything we can to make you comfortable. Hardwood frames and supportive sprung bases are combined with high density seat foam and deep filled back cushions so you keep feeling comfy no matter how long you lounge.
Every one of our sofas is tested for wear and tear through 200,000 impact cycles, and exceeds UK and European standards for strength and stability. In a final goodbye before we send our sofas off to a new home, each is valeted and quality-controlled by hand.
We've pulled together some top tips and advice for buying your new sofa from Next. It's a big decision with lots to consider, so watch our video to find out how to make the experience as easy as possible.
All fabrics are tested for durability and colour performance. NEXTGUARD is a treatment designed to repel and resist most liquids or stains which may protect the fabric from the risk of permanent staining. Most fabrics are now treated with NEXTGUARD protection for the same price.
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We've teamed up with the British Heart Foundation to offer our customers a free furniture collection service for your unwanted items. Please note for quality and safety reasons, the British Heart Foundation can only collect items that are in a reusable & saleable condition i.e. free from wear and tear or heavy stains. Sofas must have a valid fire safety label fully attached. All donated items received are sold to raise vital funds toward the fight against heart disease. This service is operated and managed by the British Heart Foundation. Call BHF free on 0808 250 0141 or book online at British Heart Foundation
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CEO Mark Zuckerberg's long-term, grand vision for Facebook is that all industries will, eventually and to their great profit, re-invent themselves through "social."
By "social," Zuckerberg means through a partnership with Facebook.
His view is that Facebook will, in turn, collect value from the value it creates.
In this vision, Facebook has already re-invented the gaming and news industries, and next it will re-do movies, e-commerce, TV, banking, and beyond.
Facebook, Zuckerberg says, would like to help small social companies grow large, and large companies grow social.
The problem with this theory is that Facebook can be an unreliable and even dangerous partner for any company that bets big on its platform.
Just ask Zynga.
Zynga, which makes Facebook games, went public last year with a stock price around $10 and now trades for around $2. It just pre-announced disastrous Q3 earnings. Most of the blame for this downfall is owed to Zynga itself, which is in a hits-driven business, and has produced progressively smaller hits over the past year or so.
But the initial push that started Zynga's plummet came from it's most important partner, Facebook.
Zynga became a multi-billion dollar company in under five years because, better than anyone else, it figured out how to use Facebook's viral channels — the News Feed and Notifications — to get new users for its games.
Then, about two years ago now, Facebook changed almost everything about how companies like Zynga could attract new users through its viral channels.
Facebook did this for the benefit of its users, who felt that Zynga was being too spammy. Ever since then, Zynga has been unable to produce a huge hit.
This was probably a smart move on Facebook's part. It has consistently put users first, and now it has been rewarded with one billion users.
As smart as it was for Facebook, however, you could forgive Zynga CEO Mark Pincus for wishing Facebook hadn't done it. You can also imagine that many of Zynga's backers and employees now wish they had never invested their time or money into a company that depended on Facebook so much as a partner.
Zynga's downfall illustrates that most of all, what Facebook needs to do to achieve Zuckerberg's vision, is be a reliable, consistent partner.
It's having a hard time doing that.
At the company's F8 conference last fall, Facebook told the world that partners would soon be able create their own infinite variations on the traditional "Like."
Just 10 months later, Facebook has changed its mind. TechCrunch's Kim-Mai Cutler reports:
Facebook is cutting back on the types of actions that are allowed (presumably due to spam or messy use cases). Now apps must use authorized actions like 'Listen,' 'Read,' 'Watch,' 'Like,' or 'Follow' if they want to automatically publish into the ticker or news feed as they consume content. Developers can still create custom actions like "run" or "cook", but a user has to click a button in order for that activity to be shared.
Again, Facebook is making this change to protect its users from spam. That's smart.
But whiplash changes like these and the ones that doomed Zynga will also have the negative effect of making venture capitalists and entrepreneurs wary of investing their money and lives in startups that depend on a platform that changes so fast.


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Ashli Young, agriculture teacher at Andrew Jackson High School, was named the county's 2011 Conservation Educator of the Year on April 4, at the Lancaster County Soil and Water Conservation District's monthly board Meeting.
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In a typical high school day, I often hear lively and enthusiastic banter about gossip, celebrities and One Direction. But I often wonder why. Does it really matter what Kim Kardashian wore last Tuesday? Or what Miley Cyrus' new tattoo looks like? While there is nothing wrong with some harmless entertainment, there are subjects that are of infinitely greater importance.
It's safe to say that most teenagers I know aren't too enthralled with politics. On the surface, it doesn't really seem that valuable to most of us. Many kids my age, myself included, are content with the business of our own lives, and the thought of watching the news or reading newspapers to better understand the dull-sounding issues of tax cuts, employment rates, foreign policy and domestic affairs doesn't sound extraordinarily interesting.
Most teens at school seem to be unaware that their lives are hopelessly dictated by what political leaders do. There is a higher calling than simply ignoring politics until becoming "grown-ups." According to the statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2012, the smallest percentage of voters come from those ages 18-20. It seems reasonable to assume many in this age group weren't taught to care or were simply engrossed in other distractions.
Still, history tells us young people hold more power than we'd like to think. Pivotal movements in civil rights, free speech and the anti-war effort of the '60s were strongly influenced by youth. Think of what might have happened if the baby boomers had been faced with, and given in to, the same shallow distractions we are and had not had the drive and determination to make a difference. If the youth of the '60s had social media, smartphones, video games and infinite amounts of distractions at their fingertips, would they have been as successful?
The reality is, the politics of today directly influence our future as adults tomorrow. If we don't pay attention to bills being passed and laws being established now, we might wake up one morning and ask what happened to the America we grew up in, what opportunities did we miss in 2014.
As tomorrow's future leaders, I hope my generation wakes up and begins to care about politics for our own sake. Some of the issues we face have a history, like abortion, environmentalism and racial equality. But there are others that are more recent or even unique to the millennial generation, including gay marriage and genetic engineering. My hope is that we would at least begin to think for ourselves and form our own opinions.
The late President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Getting involved in politics can be as simple as researching issues that interest you and forming an opinion for yourself. If more high school students take small steps to becoming aware of what's happening around them, they will be better equipped to be a voice of change and to help create a better future.
The Life in Perspective board is made up of teens who write for the features sections. Breanna Skinner attends Berean Christian High in Walnut Creek. Reach her at firstname.lastname@example.com.