Abstract: Self-calibrating sensor assemblies for excess body fluid drainage systems are disclosed herein. Self-calibrating sensor assemblies can include a sensor assembly engaged with a flexible interface member of a drainage catheter. The assembly includes a sensor having a body and a shaft extending from the body. A contact member is slidably mated with the shaft and coupled to the flexible interface member. A resilient member is coupled to the sensor shaft and disposed between the contact member and the body. An actuator moves the sensor between a first position and a second position with respect to the drainage catheter. In the first position the sensor is positioned to measure the pressure and/or force at the flexible interface member, and in the second position the resilient member exerts a known force on the sensor.

Abstract: A computer system is capable of operating with various types of fans from the same manufacturer or from different manufacturers and is capable identifying the type of fan which is presently installed in the system. The system includes a fan of the type which includes an integral optical sensor and detectable indicia such as, by way of example, a bar code label or imprint. Fan identification has a variety of uses including, for instance, adjusting system parameters to properly execute the computer system's cooling functions based on the type of fan presently installed, and reporting fan type and/or serial number to an administrator or central inventory server for quality control purposes. Particular embodiments include the derivation of tachometric information from the detectable indicia. The computer system may include an inventory program which maintains fan ID data for a plurality of fans.

Abstract: Aspects for automated monitoring of a display are described. The aspects include utilizing gaze tracking with a display to monitor attention to information on the display. Additionally, a level of alarm is escalated for the updated information when the attention by the system operator is not detected within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A motherboard is capable of accepting various types of fans from same or different manufacturers and is capable identifying the type of fan to which it is connected. In one embodiment, the motherboard is capable of decoding bar code data originating from a fan of the type which, rather than including circuitry for generating a single index pulse, includes an integral optical sensor and bar code pair for generating the bar code data, the motherboard being further capable of and identifying the fan based on the bar code data. Fan identification has a variety of uses including, for example, adjusting motherboard parameters to properly operate the fan based on the type of fan presently coupled to the motherboard. Additionally, fan speed may be calculated from pulses which are intended to identify the fan.

Abstract: A motherboard is capable of accepting various types of fans from same or different manufacturers and is capable identifying the type of fan to which it is connected. In one embodiment, the motherboard is capable of decoding bar code data originating from a fan of the type which, rather than including circuitry for generating a single index pulse, includes an integral optical sensor and bar code pair for generating the bar code data, the motherboard being further capable of and identifying the fan based on the bar code data. Fan identification has a variety of uses including, for example, adjusting motherboard parameters to properly operate the fan based on the type of fan presently coupled to the motherboard. Additionally, fan speed may be calculated from pulses which are intended to identify the fan.

Abstract: A computer system is capable of operating with various types of fans from the same manufacturer or from different manufacturers and is capable identifying the type of fan which is presently installed in the system. The system includes a fan of the type which includes an integral optical sensor and detectable indicia such as, by way of example, a bar code label or imprint. Fan identification has a variety of uses including, for instance, adjusting system parameters to properly execute the computer system's cooling functions based on the type of fan presently installed, and reporting fan type and/or serial number to an administrator or central inventory server for quality control purposes. Particular embodiments include the derivation of tachometric information from the detectable indicia. The computer system may include an inventory program which maintains fan ID data for a plurality of fans.

Abstract: Aspects for managing print jobs for a printer are described. The aspects include an examination of a print queue of print jobs based on a level of consumable resources available in the printer. Further, an order of the print jobs in the printer is adjusted to prioritize printing of the print jobs that can be completely printed with the consumable resources available, wherein the printer realizes increased throughput and minimized downtime.

Abstract: A memory exhaustion condition is handled in a data processing system having first and second regions of physical memory. The memory exhaustion condition is detected while the second region is mirroring at least part of the first region. In response to the memory exhaustion condition, memory mirroring is at least partially deactivated and at least part of the second region is utilized to augment the first region, such that the memory exhaustion condition is eliminated. In an illustrative embodiment, the data processing system compresses real memory into the first region of physical memory, and the memory exhaustion condition arises when the first region lacks sufficient available capacity to accommodate current requirements for real memory. The memory exhaustion condition is eliminated by compressing at least part of the real memory into the second region.

Abstract: The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. One cutter assembly comprises an adjustable cutter that is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition by rotation of the drive shaft in opposite directions. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material. One composite cutter assembly comprises both a distal, fixed diameter cutter and a proximal adjustable diameter cutter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radially expandable device for use in the occlusion and repair of an undesired dilation in a vessel, such as an aneurysm, while maintaining flow both through the vessel and through branches of the vessel that may be located in proximity to the aneurysm. This is achieved by having a device with a differential pore size, wherein the portion of the device positioned in proximity to the aneurysm is of substantially smaller pore size than that portion of the device positioned away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: Intralumenal material removal systems are provided using an advanceable, rotatable and expandable cutter assembly. The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly comprises a distal cutting head and an adjustable cutting assembly that is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. The adjustable cutting assembly is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material.

Abstract: Intralumenal material removal systems are provided. The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. One composite cutter assembly comprises a distal, fixed diameter cutter and a proximal, adjustable diameter cutter, the cutter assembly being axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. The adjustable cutting assembly is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition by rotation of the drive shaft in opposite directions. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material.

Abstract: An RF activated catheter apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization. The catheter apparatus including an elongate catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including an RF emitter which is coupled to an RF generator for cutting channels into the myocardium of a patient's heart.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for breaking up a thrombus by introducing a tating core wire into the thrombus whereby the fibrin of the thrombus will be withdrawn from the thrombus into the rotating core wire, thereby breaking up the network of the thrombus which prevents blood flow. The apparatus includes a drive shaft housing which can be used to withdraw fluid from the area of the thrombus or to introduce medicines, such as streptokinase which will further break up the thrombus or other chemicals such as contrast agents for visualizing the vascular anatomy. The apparatus also includes a shaft housing which is provided with an expanded catheter funnel at the distal end and a venturi insert immediately proximal to the distal end. The apparatus further includes a prime mover which, in addition to rotating the drive shaft, allows for axial motion of the drive shaft relative to the drive shaft housing.

Abstract: A rotational ablation device for use in medical applications which are designed to reduce lesions, particularly vein-graft lesions, within blood vessels, the device includes a distal balloon located at the end of a guide wire, a proximal balloon having a cuff surrounding a guide catheter, an inflation lumen for use in inflating a distal balloon on the guide catheter, one or more rotating burrs used in conjunction with a helical drive system surrounding the guidewire; a suction system to remove ablated lesion material; and a control console to provide for the necessary control of the various systems of the device.

Abstract: The invention is a device for medical applications for differentially cutting abnormal deposits from within a patient's vessels. The device comprises one or more diamond plated burrs or cuffs attached to a flexible drive shaft which rotates at a high speed. The drive shaft is placed over a preformed shaped guidewire so that the drive shaft conforms to the shape of the guidewire, which has been preformed into a gentle "S" or "cork-screw" shape. The guidewire may be rotated at low speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an RF-activated guidewire to electrosurgically pass through occlusive material to allow the use of other vescular therapeutic devices to traverse the guidewire through the occlusive material. More particularly, the invention relates to a catheter system for penetrating occulsive tissue in an arterial lumen, comprising:a substantially tubular sheath means;an electrically conductive guidewire, said guidewire having an electrosurgical tip and passing through said sheath means; anda voltage generating means electrically connected to said electrically conductive guidewire to activate said electrosurgical tip.

Abstract: The present invention is a clinically practical, rotational angioplasty system which employs a unique rotary ablative device for mechanically abrading, and thereby removing, lesions from within a patient's vessels. The device has a gas driven prime mover connected, via a hollow helical drive assembly, to an ellipsoidal, rotating, ablative burr which is used for the actual recanalization of the patient's vessel. The burr is provided with a central opening therethrough, which, together with the hollow drive assembly, permits the burr and drive assembly to be threaded over a guide wire similar to the type conventionally used in a catheterization procedure. The drive assembly is located within a hollow sheath which prevents the rotating drive assembly from contacting the inner walls of a patient's vessel.

Abstract: An electromechanical system which may be used in conjunction with spinning catheters, such as those which have differential cutting burrs, includes an electric prime mover which attaches to an advancer assembly. The advancer assembly has an off-axis drive and apparatus for loading a catheter unit, which is driven through a catheter engagement coupling. The catheter assembly can also include one or two lumens with access ports at the advancer assembly, whereby medicines may be injected or pressure readings may be obtained from the vessel.