Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and a thumbwheel. The needle extends through the catheter such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter. The guidewire is coupled to the thumbwheel such that rotation of the thumbwheel advances a distal end of the guidewire through a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, rotating the thumbwheel to advance the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. A three-dimensional computer model of the patient's heart produced from imaging data is used to fabricate a personalized or patient-specific customized ablation catheter. The personalized ablation catheter is shaped to fit the unique anatomy of the patient's left atrium and has ablation elements that correspond with each of the patient's pulmonary vein ostia. Ostial fitment elements engage the ostia to align the ablation elements and a base ring attached by spring members urges the ablation elements into apposition with the inner wall of the left atrium. A neuroprotective mesh is attached across the ring to capture and remove potential emboli. Ablation energy, such as radiofrequency energy, is applied through the ablation elements. Electrodes located on the personalized ablation catheter are used to verify electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins at the completion of the procedure.

Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud segment for a gas turbine engine, having an axially extending shroud ring segment with an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream flange and a downstream flange. The flanges mount the shroud ring within an engine casing. A perforated cooling air impingement plate is disposed on the outer surface of the shroud ring between the upstream flange and the downstream flange, with an impingement plenum defined between the impingement plate and the outer surface. Axially extending cooling bores in the ring segment extend between the impingement plenum and an outlet. A trough adjacent the outlet directs cooling air from the outlet towards a downstream stator vane to cool the stator vane.

Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud segment for a gas turbine engine, having an axially extending shroud ring segment with an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream flange and a downstream flange. The flanges mount the shroud ring within an engine casing. A perforated cooling air impingement plate is disposed on the outer surface of the shroud ring between the upstream flange and the downstream flange, with an impingement plenum defined between the impingement plate and the outer surface. Axially extending cooling bores in the ring segment extend between the impingement plenum and an outlet. A trough adjacent the outlet directs cooling air from the outlet towards a downstream stator vane to cool the stator vane.