Abstract: A catheter section comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member includes a knit tubular member and an inner tubular liner in coaxial relationship with the knit tubular member. The catheter section is for use as a distal section in a catheter having a relatively stiff proximal section.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least four layers including a first material and a second material having a different stiffness than a stiffness of the first material, wherein at least one of the layers varies in thickness axially along the device.

Abstract: Medical devices and related systems and methods.

Abstract: A fire resistant assembly, which may comprise a first layer having a lumen therein, a second layer adjacent the first layer, a first structural member disposed between the first and second layers, and a box having a cavity defined by a wall, a first opening in the wall, a flange proximate the first opening, and optionally a second opening in the wall, wherein the box is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and wherein the opening is disposed on the lumen of the first layer, the box comprising a further fire resistant feature such as an intumescent ring disposed about the second opening, a plenum wrap layer, or an intumescent layer, and various methods and apparatuses related thereto.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a tubular member extending proximally from the proximal guidewire port. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen extension adapted to permit the guidewire to be retracted from guidewire lumen and re-inserted therein. By retracting the guidewire from the guidewire lumen and into the guidewire lumen extension, fluid may be readily injected via the guidewire lumen without encountering resistance to fluid flow from the guidewire. The guidewire lumen extension also maintains guidewire lumen access such that the guidewire may be easily re-inserted into the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: Facial detection and tracking systems and methods within a wide field of view are disclosed. A facial detection and tracking system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include a wide field of view camera for detecting and tracking one or more objects within a wider field of view, and at least one narrower field of view camera for obtaining a higher-resolution image of each object located within a subset space of the wider field of view. The wide field of view camera can be operatively coupled to a computer or other such device that determines the subset space location of the individual within the wider field of view, and then tasks one or more of the narrower field of view cameras covering the subset space location to obtain a high-resolution image of the object.

Abstract: A system for providing photoacoustic spectroscopy. A light source having a quantum dot filter may provide a band of infrared light which is to be reflected by a lamellar grating to a photoacoustic chamber. The light may be modulated by the grating. The chamber may contain a sample of fluid for which spectral information is sought. A sensor may detect acoustic pressures in the chamber which indicate the spectral information. Signals from the sensor may be processed and displayed. Identification and concentration of certain substances in the fluid may be obtained.

Abstract: The machine comprises at least a plate cylinder carrying printing plates with engravings corresponding to a specific intaglio structure to be printed, and cooperating with an impression cylinder, a collector cylinder (8) on which the ink in the different colors is deposited by selector cylinders (10), each selector cylinder (10) receiving ink of a given color from a duct roller (11) and each selector cylinder (10) is driven by drive means (20,21,22) in an independent manner.

Abstract: Contamination rate reduction for a flame detection or sensor arrangement using controlled but flexible flame sensor activation. A flame sensor of the subject application is subject to contamination which reduces the lifetime of the sensor. To reduce a contamination rate of the flame sensor, the sensor may be inactivated for certain periods of time when the necessity of flame detection does not appear significant for the use at hand.

Abstract: A sensor system for detection of gas with a modified ion selection FET. The FET may have a gate of low conductivity material for detection of a species in a fluid. A component such as a capacitor may be connected to an electrode of the FET, such as a source, in conjunction with the FET to reduce noise of the detection signal of the species. One or more current sources may provide a current through the FET, and through a resistor to provide a constant source-to-drain voltage. The system may have a bulk voltage selection of either that of a voltage approximately equal to the FET source voltage or greater than the FET source voltage. Also, a guard ring may be implemented in the FET for preventing leakage currents relative to the source or drain.

Abstract: A locking device for a maintaining an elongated member at a selected place within a body lumen includes a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical instrument. When in an operative position, the distal portion of the medical instrument is received within the body lumen and a head coupled to the substantially rigid body. The head is configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device in a predetermined configuration. A plurality of locking features extends from the head to immobilize a section of the elongated member relative to the medical device.

Abstract: A fail-safe circuit and fail-safe methods for controlling gas valves are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, a fail-safe circuit includes at least one input that can be connected to a control device and at least one output that can be connected to a gas valve. In some cases, the fail-safe circuit may only supply an output voltage for opening the gas valve if the input signal received from the control device includes at least two different successively applied frequency signals. Other methods and embodiments are also contemplated.

Abstract: A spacer for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes having a first and second end support, a connecting member, and a central member positioned between the first and second end supports. The spacer is adjustable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration such that when the connection member is pulled to bring the first and second end supports closer together, the central member expands into the expanded configuration to contact and support adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing medical devices.

Abstract: A device for facilitating bone fusion of two vertebrae. The device is sized and shaped to at least extend between the two vertebrae to be fused, and includes an outer wall member disposed about an inner portion. A space between the outer wall member and the inner compartment is adapted to contain an osteogenic bone fusion material. The inner portion includes a compartment adapted to contain an inner fill material, such as a bone cement or an in situ curable polymer. The inner portion may operate as a structural member to maintain a desired amount of spacing between the vertebrae to be fused, and to support the spinal column prior to formation of the fused bone joint. The device is also configured to locate the osteogenic material away from the centers of the vertebrae to be fused, providing a fused joint with high bending and torsional rigidity.

Abstract: A system for detecting stacking and controlling temperature in a water heater. A controller with a connection to a temperature sensor and heating element in a water tank of the heater may be designed to limit stacking and its effects. The controller may use a sensing and calculation technique to detect the stacking. If stacking is detected, then the setpoint for the heater may be lowered so that the outlet water temperature is within a safe limit. If stacking is not detected, then the setpoint may be gradually restored to optimize water heater capacity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for defining, detecting, analyzing, indexing, and retrieving events using video image processing techniques are described herein. An illustrative method of detecting and analyzing events occurring within a region of interest of a video monitoring system may include the steps of extracting information regarding one or more objects located within a region of interest, analyzing the extracted information to detect the occurrence of one or more events within the region of interest, matching at least one of the detected events with a corresponding user-specified event, and performing an action response upon the detection of such an event. In certain embodiments, the detected events may be defined as a set of semantic parameters relating to the object's state and/or physical features, which can be compared against a corresponding set of semantic parameters programmed within a video image-processing appliance manager.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for stabilizing the facet joints of the spine. One aspect of the present invention is the stabilization of the facet joint by insertion of a facet implant through two opposing facet surfaces. The facet joint is not fixedly frozen by insertion of the screw, but instead the facet surfaces are flexibly and movably anchored to preserve movement because the screw or anchor includes a flexible intermediate portion which is positioned between the facet surfaces. The facet implant may be in the form of a screw or other anchor with the intermediate portion in the form of a polyaxial head, a cord, a spring, etc. The facet implant may furthermore be used in conjunction with a facet spacer that is placed between the first and second facet.

Abstract: A recoverable thrombosis filter that may be recoverable by a single recovery procedure. It can include a plurality of thrombosis filtering elements that are shaped in a predetermined manner and which are joined at one end and are deployed about a longitudinal axis to form a generally conical structure. The filtering elements can include shaped ends for engaging an inner lumen wall.