Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a water heater to limit the effects of stacking in a water heater tank are disclosed. In some cases, the water heater controller may determine a rate of change of the water temperature in the water heater tank. If the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, the controller may adjust the water heater temperature set point downward to help reduce stacking in the water heater. In some cases, the water heater temperature set point may be returned to the original water heater temperature set point when stacking is no longer likely to be of a concern. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller may track the time that the heater of the water heater is in the “on” state, or the time that the heater is in the “off” state, during subsequent heating cycles. The controller may then compare the “on” time or the “off” time to respective recovery threshold times.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus related to a releasable mechanism having a first connector having a first end and a second end, a second connector having a top and a bottom, a first notch positioned near the first connector second end to releasably mate with the second connector bottom, and a second notch located near the second connector bottom to releasably receive the first connector second end.

Abstract: A SAW-based micro-sensor apparatus for simultaneously monitoring acceleration/vibration and temperature utilizing a sensing element configured as a SAW device (e.g., SAW resonator or SAW delay line). The SAW device can be located in different locations on a substrate with respect to a thin piezoelectric diaphragm comprising an inertial mass. The temperature-compensated acceleration/vibration can be measured utilizing a frequency difference between an acceleration sensitive SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-g) and a temperature sensitive SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-T). The temperature can be measured utilizing a frequency shift provided by the SAW-T and a temperature reference SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-R). Similarly, the phase response of different reflectors of the SAW delay line can be utilized to differentially measure the acceleration/vibration and temperature.

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, the force sensor may include a sensing die mounted to a substrate and an actuation assembly for transmitting an external force to the sensing die. The sensing die may include a diaphragm and one or more sensing elements (e.g. piezoresistive elements) positioned on the diaphragm. The actuation assembly may include a spherical member or object (e.g. ball bearing) in contact with the diaphragm, a pin member having a first end coupled to the spherical object and a second end coupled to a button member. The actuator assembly may transmit a force applied to the button member to the diaphragm via the pin member and spherical member. In some cases, the front side of the sensing die may be mounted to the substrate with an adhesive, such as a pattern of conductive adhesive and nonconductive adhesive to electrically connect one or more bond pads of the sensing die to one or more bond pads of the substrate without the need for wire bonds.

Abstract: A balloon catheter stent deployment system is disclosed wherein a balloon catheter is provided and a tubular stent is crimped onto a distal portion of the balloon with a distal end of the stent in close proximity to a point where the distal end of the balloon is attached to the inner tube of the catheter. A proximal section of the balloon extending from a proximal end of the stent to a point where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the outer shaft of the catheter remains uncovered by the stent and, has a larger uninflated outer diameter than the crimped stent. Thus, in some embodiments, the proximal section of the balloon provides a protective cone for the proximal end of the stent to help resist frictional forces from disengaging the stent from the balloon in the event the balloon catheter and stent are withdrawn back into a guide catheter during a procedure.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A catheter 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 comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for closing and/or sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or an adjacent tissue tract. In one illustrative embodiment, a device is provided for delivering and deploying an anchor, plug, filament, and/or locking element adjacent to the opening in the vessel wall and/or tissue tract.

Abstract: A flow-through pressure sensor apparatus that reduces the dead space of a flow tube utilized to provide fluid communication between a pressure sense die and a fluid and with an absolute minimum trapped volume. A cover (e.g., plastic) with two-molded ports can be added to one side of the pressure sense die utilizing molded-in solder pins to improve ruggedness and rigidity. A temperature and a humidity sensor can also be mounted to a substrate (e.g., ceramic) in the flow path and can be connected to a programmable compensation integrated circuit on the opposite side utilizing a clip end of mounting pins or by vias through the substrate outside a pressurized area.

Abstract: A wall mountable electric timer that is capable of switching power to a load between an “on” state and an “off” state in accordance with a programmable schedule. In some cases, the electric timer may be programmed such that a user can program the electric switch by interacting with only a first button and a second button of a user interface. Alternatively, or in addition, the electric switch may include a power stealing circuit, a series of setup menus, a visual indicator to indicate the operating state of the load, and/or a randomly generated schedule.

Abstract: A pixel having a reflector situated on a substrate. A temperature sensitive resistor may be situated over at least a portion of the reflector. An insulator may be situated on the resistor. The resistor and insulator may effectively be very thin films. A flat metal mesh or grid may be situated on the insulator. The grid, insulator and resistor may be supported by two or more posts at approximately one-fourth of a wavelength from the reflector. The wavelength may be that of the radiation to be sensed by the pixel. The thermal mass of the combination of the temperature sensitive resistor, insulator and grid may be less than several times the thermal mass of the grid. Since the grid may be so thin for low noise performance and high sensitivity, the grid can have a flatness assured to a desired extent with stiffeners attached to portions of it.

Abstract: A post dilatation balloon catheter includes a balloon member having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a circumferential bulge portion. The circumferential bulge portion extends around a circumference of the balloon member and is positioned at a location between the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The circumferential bulge portion inflates to a maximum inflated dimension that is greater than a maximum dimension of the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The balloon member is arranged into a folded state by folding at least one of the distal and proximal portions of the balloon member in a separate step from folding the circumferential bulge portion.

Abstract: An intravascular device, which may be a filter, that may include a plurality of elongate members, each or several of the elongate members may have one or more inwardly facing edges disposed at and near the part of the intravascular device configured to contact the vessel wall for cutting through the intima or other encapsulating tissue, each of the elongate member may also include an anchoring member or other desired components.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch, a side catheter branch arrangement, and a stent. The main catheter branch includes at least a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch arrangement includes a branch guidewire housing and a sleeve member. At least a portion of the side catheter branch arrangement extends through a proximal open end of the stent and out through a side branch aperture of the stent. The branch guidewire housing defines a side branch lumen configured to advance over a branch vessel guidewire. The sleeve member is sized to receive the branch guidewire housing, wherein the branch guidewire housing is axially movable within the sleeve member. The sleeve member is typically fixed axially relative to the main catheter branch.

Abstract: A system for operating a flame sensing device to obtain readings of increased accuracy without degrading the life of the sensor. There may be levels of a flame requiring a precise measurement. One improvement of accuracy uses higher voltage on the sensor, but this degrades the sensor and thus shortens it life. Further improvement may be achieved by limiting the time that the sensor is operated at a higher voltage. Readings, as if the sensor were operated at a higher voltage, may be inferred from actual readings of the sensor operated at a lower voltage.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: A humidifier pad assembly for a humidifier that is configured for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system of a building or other structure. The humidifier pad assembly may include a frame for holding a replaceable humidifier pad within the housing of the humidifier. The frame may be structured to hold the replaceable humidifier pad within the housing such that a back major surface of the replaceable humidifier pad generally faces the back side of the housing, and a front opposing major surface of the humidifier pad generally faces the front side of the housing. The frame may further be structured to permit removal and replacement of the replaceable humidifier pad through the front side of the frame. In some cases, the housing may be configured such that the frame (and the replaceable humidifier pad) may be slid out of apertures in the right side and/or left side of the housing.

Abstract: An actuating medical device and methods for making and using the same. The actuating medical device may include a proximal shaft portion having a distal end region, an actuating shaft portion attached to the distal end region, one or more actuating members coupled to or otherwise disposed adjacent the actuating shaft portion, and a distal shaft portion attached to the actuating shaft portion. The actuating shaft portion may include a shape memory material and may be adapted to shift between a first configuration and a second configuration. Using the actuating medical device may include positioning the actuating medical device in a blood vessel and shifting the actuating shaft portion between the first and second configurations.

Abstract: Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.

Abstract: An instrumentation set may include insertion instruments for forming an implant between bone structures. The insertion instruments may include a spreader and a separator. The bone structures may be vertebrae. Implant members may be attached to the spreader and positioned between the bone structures. The separator may be inserted into the spreader to establish a desired separation distance between the implant members. Connectors may be inserted into the implant members to join the implant members together and form the implant. The insertion instruments may be removed. A seater may be used to set the position of the connectors relative to the implant members to inhibit disassembly of the implant.