Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for performing a medical procedure on a patient. The system comprises an ablation catheter comprising a shaft, at least one therapeutic element positioned on the shaft, and one or more tissue-contact sensing components configured to provide a contact signal related to the level of contact between the at least one therapeutic element and tissue. The system further comprises: an energy delivery unit configured to deliver ablative energy to the at least one therapeutic element to create a lesion in target tissue, and to provide an energy delivery data; a force module configured to receive the contact signal and provide contact data; and a processing unit configured to determine an ablation index based on both the energy delivery data and the contact data. The ablation index can represent the status of the lesion being created.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention discloses a manual blade sharpening tool having a longitudinally extending at least partial channel defined by a longitudinally extending first channel wall, a cutter pocket and a distal planar guide surface located in the longitudinally extending first channel wall, and a longitudinally extending cutter having a longitudinally extending first cutter wall, a longitudinally extending second cutter wall and a transverse cutter surface, the transverse cutter received in the cutter pocket such that one of the longitudinally extending first cutter wall and the longitudinally extending second cutter wall abuts the cutter pocket.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention discloses a manual blade sharpening tool having a longitudinally extending at least partial channel defined by a longitudinally extending first channel wall, a cutter pocket and a distal planar guide surface located in the longitudinally extending first channel wall, and a longitudinally extending cutter having a longitudinally extending first cutter wall, a longitudinally extending second cutter wall and a transverse cutter surface, the transverse cutter received in the cutter pocket such that one of the longitudinally extending first cutter wall and the longitudinally extending second cutter wall abuts the cutter pocket.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: A system of non-reactive components for moving or for moving and stretching plastic tissue that exerts a relatively constant dynamic force over a variety of distances and geometries, that is easily adjustable, and is self-adjusting. This system includes a “button anchor system” for moving tissue, particularly including deep fascia and muscle layers of the abdominal or thoracic cavity wall, in surgical, post surgical, and post traumatic reconstruction where the wound margins are beyond a distance that permits normal re-approximation. Button anchor assemblies allow re-approximation of severely retracted abdominal wall and full thickness thoracic wounds where a closure force is required to be applied to the sub-dermal layers. Systems of this invention allow for such a force to be applied and externally controlled during treatment.

Abstract: This invention is a computer-aided method that allows individuals to finance and speculate via advance purchases on the success of films, and various other media projects. To fund their projects, producers transmit or upload a project offering, consisting of future copies of the project with embedded rights to potentially participate in future revenue streams, to a programmed server and the programmed server accepts bids from consumers in the form of reservations to purchase these future copies. The price of the future copies does not change, only the potential revenue split, as applied to all future copies, resulting in a yield auction. The yield auction stays open until consumers and producers arrive at a mutually acceptable revenue split and all available future copies have been reserved. At that time, a group debit occurs, debiting consumers for their future copies and the funds are made available to the producer to make their project.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: A system of non-reactive components for moving or for moving and stretching plastic tissue that exerts a relatively constant dynamic force over a variety of distances and geometries, that is easily adjustable, and is self-adjusting. This system includes a “button anchor system” for moving tissue, particularly including deep fascia and muscle layers of the abdominal or thoracic cavity wall, in surgical, post surgical, and post traumatic reconstruction where the wound margins are beyond a distance that permits normal re-approximation. Button anchor assemblies allow re-approximation of severely retracted abdominal wall and full thickness thoracic wounds where a closure force is required to be applied to the sub-dermal layers. Systems of this invention allow for such a force to be applied and externally controlled during treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulation and stabilization of tissue and other structures during surgical and other specialized procedures. Components of the systems of this invention are widely applicable in both veterinary and human medicine, including procedures involving small or delicate structures or tissues requiring precise manipulation or stabilization, procedures requiring substantial retractive forces without causing tissue damage and procedures that benefit from exoskeletal retraction. Fixation components, which couple dynamic components and retraction or positioning components to base components, are easily adjustable, allowing manipulation of the system with one hand. Length and orientation of retraction or positioning components is also easily adjustable in several ways.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented financial management system that permits the trading of securities via a network. A server computer receives buy and sell orders for derivative financial instruments from a plurality of client computers. The server computer matches the buy orders to the sell orders and then generates a market price through the use of a virtual specialist program executed by the server computer. The virtual specialist program responds to an imbalance in the matching of the buy and sell orders.