Abstract:
Cardiac electroporation ablation systems in which pulsed, high voltage energy is delivered to induce electroporation of cells of cardiac tissue followed by cell rupturing. In some embodiments, the delivered energy is biphasic, having a cycle time of not more than 500 microseconds.
Abstract:
A surgical fastener clip (20) for proximating tissue, the clip providing an undeflected state in which the clip comprises a center portion (22), a, first leg (24), and a second leg (26). The center portion has a perimeter (28) defining a circle-like shape. The legs (24,26) project outwardly relative to the perimeter from a point of departure to a tip (30,32). Extension of each of the legs relative to the perimeter defines an identical wind direction that is either clockwise or counterclockwise. The clip optionally includes a linear cross-member (60) extending across the perimeter (28). The surgical clip can be formed by a wire (70) that is partially wound onto itself in a spiral-like fashion, with the center portion (22) and the legs (24,26) being co-planar in the undeflected state. During use, the clip is rotated, drawing tissue into the center portion. Systems incorporating the clip are also provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with isolated external melt cooling. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
Abstract:
A device and method for ablating tissue is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding an ablating member within the patient while tracking the position of the ablating member in the patient, positioning the ablating member in a desired position to ablate tissue, emitting ablating energy from the ablating member to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ablating member from the patient.
Abstract:
According to the present invention, a catheter having at least one multi-purpose lumen formed through the catheter terminates proximal a relatively complex-shaped distal portion thereof. In one form of this embodiment, the relatively complex-shaped distal portion comprises a looped portion having diagnostic- and/or ablation-type electrodes coupled thereto and an elongated diameter-adjusting member coupled proximal the distal end of the looped portion. The multi-purpose lumen may be used to alternately accommodate a variety of dedicated materials; such as, (i) a guide wire for initial deployment or later repositioning of the catheter, (ii) a volume or flow of a contrast media and the like, (iii) a deployable hollow needle or tube and the like used to biopsy adjacent tissue or dispense a therapeutic agent into a volume of tissue, and (iv) a cooling fluid, such as saline solution and the like dispensed at least during therapeutic tissue ablation procedures.
Abstract:
A rotary disc filter is provided with an integrated backwash and chemical cleaning system. In one mode of operation, backwash is directed through a control valve to one or more nozzles for spraying the backwash onto the filter media forming a part of a rotary disc filter. In a second mode, a chemical cleaning mode, the pump directs backwash through an eductor that induces a chemical into the inductor which is mixed with the backwash to form a backwash-chemical mixture that is sprayed onto the filter media. A control system is used in conjunction with the backwash and cleaning systems to monitor process information and/or filter media properties and to determine when to perform backwashes and regenerative cleanings in order to optimize the performance of the filter system.
Abstract:
An improved process and an improved apparatus for minimizing attrition of catalyst particles, especially propane dehydrogenation catalyst particles, entrained in a combined flow of such particles and an entraining gas in a catalyst recovery means during separation of such particles from the entraining gas, by use of a pre-treatment step in which the combined flow is at a rate between 7.6 and 15.2 meters per second are provided.
Abstract:
A disc filter having a controller for controlling or minimizing effluent surges is provided. The disc filter is operative to carry out a method or process for controlling the flow of effluent produced by the disc filter. The basic method entails sensing one or more process variables 5 that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of the effluent by implementing various control functions such as: 1) rotating the rotary filter discs of the disc filter one revolution or less without backwashing; 2) rotating the rotary filter discs more than one revolution at a relatively slow speed without backwashing; 3) rotating the rotary filter discs for one revolution or more at a relatively slow 10 speed while backwashing; 4) rotating the rotary filter discs at a relatively high speed with or without backwashing; and 5) rotating the filter discs one revolution or more and periodically backwashing.
Abstract:
A method of assessing a tissue ablation treatment, including positioning a medical device adjacent a target tissue; measuring a first impedance magnitude a first frequency with the medical device; measuring a first impedance phase at a second frequency with the medical device; ablating at least a portion of the target tissue with the medical device; measuring at second impedance magnitude at a third frequency with the medical device; measuring a second impedance phase at a fourth frequency with the medical device; comparing at least one of (i) the first and second impedance magnitudes and (ii) the first and second impedance phases; and providing an indication of the efficacy of the ablation treatment based at least in part on the comparison.
Abstract:
A target for use with a projectile has a web defining a target face and has a depth. The web also defines one or more segments within the web that open toward the target face. One or more cups are mounted for sliding within the web and substantially fill the target face of one or more segments of the web. Each of the cups has one or more resilient cushions, between each cup and the back board. Each cushion has one or more electroconductive areas. The web is covered by a cladding. The back board has an array of switch contacts on a pad forming an electrical switch. The projectile impacts a cup at the target face with sufficient force to cause the cup for that insert to slide within the web and have the electroconductive area of the one or more cushion contact the switch contacts on the pad beneath that cup, resulting in closing of the electrical switch defined by the switch contact. The one or more resilient cushions beneath that cup return the cup substantially to its original position.