Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for fluid; a distal portion including an electrode and the distal face which defines at least one aperture. The portion of the at least one cutting portion defines a leading portion partially surrounding a circumference of the at least one aperture wherein the outer diameter of the at least one of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device or the electrode decreases towards a distal tip of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: An elongated catheter assembly defines a catheter lumen configured to receive the distal guidewire section of the guidewire, and also defines an axial portal and a radial portal. A guidewire deflector is mounted to the elongated catheter assembly. The guidewire deflector is configured to selectively deflect urged axial movement of the distal guidewire section of the guidewire away from the axial portal and radially toward the radial portal.

Abstract: A releasable coupling mechanism for coupling a delivery catheter and a dilator. The delivery catheter comprising a delivery catheter hub at the proximal end and the dilator comprising a dilator hub at the proximal end. The proximal end of the delivery catheter hub comprises a coupling member for releasably receiving a raised portion which is positioned at a distal end of the dilator hub. The coupling member has a pair of engagement members positioned on opposing sides of the coupling member and configured to releasably engage the raised portion. The delivery catheter hub further comprising at least one indicia on the housing. The indicia indicate an orientation of the delivery catheter hub such that the dilator hub disengages from the coupling member by simultaneously deflecting the pair of engagement members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a reshapeable hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft comprising a stiffening member and a deflectable portion, being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

Abstract: A medical-mapping device includes an elongated electrode-support assembly having spaced-apart electrodes configured to be maneuverable, at least in part, into, and along, a confined space of a patient. The spaced-apart electrodes are configured to be selectively movable between a storage position and a deployment position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for receiving a fluid; a distal face defining at least one aperture; and the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion cooperating to produce an elongated cut in a tissue when electrical energy is delivered to the distal face while avoiding coring of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port through which a wire may be advanced. The catheter comprises a catheter body, the catheter body defining at least a primary catheter lumen and at least one side-port in communication with the primary catheter lumen, and a distal portion of the catheter extending distal to the at least one side-port, the side-port being configured to allow travel of a wire or other component therethrough, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is radially collapsible.

Abstract: A releasable coupling mechanism for coupling a delivery catheter and a dilator. The delivery catheter comprising a first mating member at the proximal end and the dilator comprising a second mating member at the proximal end. The proximal end of the first mating member comprises a first coupling means for releasably receiving a second coupling means which is positioned at a distal end of the second mating member. The first mating member further comprising a coupling member the coupling member comprising a pair of engagement members positioned on opposing sides of the coupling member and configured to releasably engage the second coupling means. The first mating member further comprising at least one indicia perpendicular from the pair of engagement members. The indicia indicate an orientation of the first mating member such that the second mating member disengages from the coupling member by simultaneously deflecting the pair of engagement members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for fluid; a distal portion including an electrode and the distal face which defines at least one aperture. The portion of the at least one cutting portion defines a leading portion partially surrounding a circumference of the at least one aperture wherein the outer diameter of the at least one of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device or the electrode decreases towards a distal tip of the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an electrosurgical device, while avoiding coring when energy is delivered to the electrosurgical device. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion. An embodiment of the electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue includes an elongate member defining a lumen for receiving a fluid; a distal face defining at least one aperture; and the distal face including at least one cutting portion and at least one non-cutting portion cooperating to produce an elongated cut in a tissue when electrical energy is delivered to the distal face while avoiding coring of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a catheter having a side-port through which a wire may be advanced. The catheter comprises a catheter body, the catheter body defining at least a primary catheter lumen and at least one side-port in communication with the primary catheter lumen, and a distal portion of the catheter extending distal to the at least one side-port, the side-port being configured to allow travel of a wire or other component therethrough, wherein the distal portion of the catheter is radially collapsible.

Abstract: Energy is recovered during the production of aromatic carboxylic acids by liquid phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons by performing a high efficiency separation on the reactor overhead vapor to form a high pressure gaseous overhead stream comprising water and organic impurities; recovering heat energy from the high pressure gaseous overhead stream by exchanging heat with a suitable heat sink material such that a condensate comprising from about 20 wt % to about 60 wt % of the water present in the high pressure gaseous overhead stream is formed and a high pressure offgas is formed; and recovering energy in the form of work from the high pressure offgas. Preferably such work is recovered using isentropic means for energy recovery, for example an expander. Apparatus for such process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for oxidation with oxygen of at least one aromatic hydrocarbon having oxidizable, substituents that maximizes the utilization of oxygen without reduction in the quality of the carboxylic acid products produced by means of a stagewise countercurrent oxidation system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating a polymerization reaction of reactive olefins and a Lewis acid catalyst wherein the reaction is killed almost instantaneously to prevent an explosion. The material added to terminate the reaction is non-toxic and is easily removable in further processing.

Abstract: The use of iron oxide sorbents to remove oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) from gaseous mixtures containing small amounts of NO.sub.x such as the exhaust from an internal combustion engine or flue gases, without interference from carbon oxides or water vapor and thermally regenerable at relatively low temperatures, are disclosed. A preferred sorbent is supported ferric oxide for sorption of NO.sub.x from gaseous mixtures containing oxygen. Ferrous or ferrosoferric oxide sorbents are also suitable in the presence or absence of oxygen.