Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical instrument at a desired biological target tissue site is provided. The system includes an elongated sheath having a deflectable distal end configured to deflect or otherwise position at least a portion of a medical instrument during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to a predetermined target tissue surface. The positioning system may be incorporated into the medical instrument. The medical instrument may be an ablation system.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a biological fluid or the like includes a series flow loop that extends between an inlet valve array and an outlet valve array. The flow loop includes an analysis region to which a measuring system is connected in sensing relation and an accumulator chamber connected to the outlet of the analysis region. The inlet valve array is arranged to selectively and alternately connect a sample inlet port and an auxiliary fluid reservoir to the flow loop while the outlet valve array is arranged to selectively connect a controlled source of reduced pressure to the flow loop.

Abstract: A liquid handling system that is particularly useful in a clinical analysis system and includes first and second storage chambers, each with a port through which liquid may be flowed into and from the storage chamber. The storage chambers and their ports are arranged to permit concurrent flowing of liquids from both storage chambers into a processing chamber. The system also includes two liquid metering means and a diluent reservoir. A valve arrangement enables connection of one of the metering means to the diluent reservoir and to either of the storage chambers; and each metering means, when connected to a storage chamber, controls flow of liquid into and out of the storage chamber through its port. The two metering means and the valve arrangement provide flexibility in selecting dilution ratios and delivering raw and diluted sample as required to an array of chambers for analysis or other processing.

Abstract: A total carbon dioxide analyzer system has a reaction chamber that includes a tube and a piston mounted for sliding movement in the tube to change the volume of the chamber. A valve coupled to the chamber has a sample inlet port and a reagent inlet port, and is movable between a first state in which the sample inlet port is connected to the chamber, a second state in which the reagent inlet port is connected to the chamber, and a third state in which the reaction chamber is sealed. A system controller coordinately operates the valve and moves the piston to increase the volume of said chamber to draw sample into the chamber for mixing with an acid reagent in the chamber, and then seals the chamber and increases the volume of the chamber to facilitate the release of carbon dioxide. A transducer then senses the pressure of carbon dioxide in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Sampling apparatus designed for aspirating, diluting and mixing a small sample of fluid in precise amounts and delivering the mixture to a scientific apparatus at a place remote from the place of aspiration. Operation of the device may be manual but is preferably automatic. The apparatus is designed to process a plurality of sample fluids with no cross-contamination between samples. In essence, the apparatus is a fluid handling system including a sample pick-up assembly in fluid communication with an automatic valve assembly having two operative positions. The automatic valve assembly is in fluid communication with a dilutor assembly having a sample pump and a diluent pump operable by a common means. A mixing and delivery assembly is also in fluid communication with the automatic valve assembly and includes a cup designed for bidirectional rotation with an annular space about the cup.