Abstract: A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.

Abstract: A zone control panel for use with an HVAC system having zone control and a variable speed blower, and a method for controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device. In one aspect, the zone control panel includes a plurality of thermostat terminals for receiving thermostat signals, a plurality of damper terminals for transmitting damper control signals, and one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower. The zone control panel also includes a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or for initiating a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower.

Abstract: A sphincterotome is disclosed including an elongate shaft having a lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft. The lumen includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. A cutting element extends within the lumen through the proximal segment of the lumen and extends exterior of the elongate shaft along the distal segment of the lumen. A stiffening member is positioned within the distal segment of the lumen.

Abstract: A flame sensing system having a flame rod, a signal generator, a signal measurement circuit, and a controller, where the frequency and/or amplitude of the excitation signal may be variable. The signal measurement circuit may include a bias circuitry that references the flame signal to a voltage, a capacitor that varies the filtration, an AC coupling capacitor, a current limiting resistor, and a low-pass filter. The system may determine the flame-sensing rod contamination, the stray capacitance of the flame sensing system, and compensate for stray capacitance in the flame sensing system. The flame model may include a circuit that simulates a flame in the presence of the sensing rod, and another circuit that simulates a contact surface between the flame and the sensing rod.

Abstract: Reinforced wood flooring for truck trailers and containers and methods for making and using the same. A reinforced wood flooring may include a wood member. The wood member may include a plurality of wood strips that are attached together. The wood member may also have a top surface and a bottom surface. An essentially water impermeable underlay may be attached to the bottom surface of the wood member with a discontinuous layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed providing a balloon catheter having a distal tip that is flexible while additionally incorporating high column strength. The present invention additionally provides a distal tip region that accommodates for various sized guidewires. In preferred embodiments, the distal tip region is initially configured for accommodating the passage of 0.12-inch guidewires only. Through specific manufacturing processes, however, the distal tip is modified so that it also may be expanded to accommodate the passage of 0.14-inch guidewires. In additional preferred embodiments, an elastomeric sleeve is disposed over the modified distal tip to allow the tip to return to the initial 0.12-inch accommodating profile when the larger 0.14-inch guidewire is withdrawn from the catheter.

Abstract: An autodiscovery system for configuration information about an HVAC system being provided to a controller or thermostat. Configurations or parameters may be autodiscovered from communicating equipment. Also, this equipment may be manually selected and set without affecting the autodiscovery status of the remaining equipment. There may also be non-communicating equipment that does not provide information to the thermostat. However, the thermostat may control the non-communicating equipment via an equipment interface module.

Abstract: A steam humidifier having a water tank with a quick assembly feature. The steam humidifier includes a removable tank, where the removable tank is configured to contain water to be heated to generate steam and a handle that is configured to selectively secure the removable tank to the humidifier. The handle defines at least a first rotational position in which a tank support feature on the tank is engaged with a handle support feature on the handle such that the tank is attached to the humidifier. The handle further defines at least a second rotational position in which the tank support feature is disengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank is unattached from the humidifier. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of use for brush holder assemblies are disclosed. Brush holder assemblies including a mounting block and a brush holder are disclosed. Also illustrated is a brush holder assembly including a first portion in sliding engagement with a second portion. In some embodiments the brush holder includes a channel, such that at least a portion of the mounting block is disposed within the channel of the brush holder.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation connector and system is provided. The orthopedic fixation system includes bone anchors and linking elements that are coupled together to form a stabilization construct. The linking elements are fixed relative to the bone anchors by clamping arrangements. The clamping arrangements include first linear interlock components coupled to the anchors and second linear interlock components that linearly interlock with the first interlock components to clamp the linking elements at desired positions relative to the anchors.

Abstract: A low cost flame sensing system having at last one floating point. For instance, the system may have two grounds. There may be a flame sensing rod for detecting a flame which has a model circuit which appears upon the existence of the flame proximate to the sensing rod. The sensing rod may function without an explicit or dedicated excitation source connected to it. There may be diagnostics in the system for detecting leakage or shorts of the sensing rod to ground. Also, the system may have AC grounding phase detection.

Abstract: Embolic protection filtering devices and methods of making and using the same. The present invention may include an embolic protection filtering device including a filter cartridge that is slidable over medical devices, for example, guidewires. The filter cartridge may have a filter coupled thereto and may have desirable flexibility and trackability characteristics.

Abstract: A cytometer having two or more chambers or regions in a containment structure of sheathing fluid that may be used to provide hydrodynamic focusing of another fluid having particles to be observed. The latter fluid may be a core stream which may have its lateral position in a flow or measurement channel affected by control of at least one of the parameters of the several segments of the sheathing fluid. The lateral position of the core stream may be aligned with a light source and detector for a count and observation of the particles. Electrical signals from the detector may be fed back to a processor which may control one or more parameters of the sheathing fluid in the various chambers or regions via pumps, valves, and flow and pressure sensors. This control of parameters may provide for the positioning of the core stream. This cytometer may be miniaturized.

Abstract: Medical systems and methods including balloons having nanotubes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical system includes an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the shaft and including nanotubes. The medical system is capable of cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical device having an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the elongated shaft and including nanotubes; and cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C.

Abstract: A method and system for indexing and searching a database of iris images having a system to expedite a process of matching a subject to millions (more or less) of templates within a database is disclosed. The system may progressively match an iris image template to an iris template in a database by progressing from a top layer of the database to a lower layer of the database. Such matching or retrieval may use a subject code as a query or probe and then find a similarity measure for the features of codes or templates in the database. A multi-stage hierarchal clustering process may be used to compress codes and/or templates.

Abstract: A targeted drug delivery device is provided. The device comprises an elongated member with proximal and distal ends, a plurality of infusion ports associated with the distal end of the elongated member, and a selector mechanism for selectively placing an introducer port into fluid communication with at least one infusion port. A method for treating tissue is also provided. The method comprises introducing a medical device into the tissue, selecting an region of the tissue to treat, positioning the medical device in proximity to the region, and introducing a medicament through the device to treat only that region.

Abstract: Markers that are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluoroscopy and related medical devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A DIN rail mounted device that may be mounted to a DIN rail with minimal components and without requiring the use of tools. In some instances, an electrical device is provided that has one or more integrally formed rigid latches and one or more integrally formed flexible latches. The electrical device may be secured to a DIN rail by first engaging the rigid latches along an upper edge of the DIN rail, and then rotating the device downwards to engage the flexible latches along a lower edge of the DIN rail. The electrical device may be removed by pushing the device upwards, thereby bending the flexible latches downward to a degree where the rigid latches disengage the upper edge of the DIN rail, and then rotating the device forward and down. The flexible latches may be adapted to compress sufficiently to permit this downward travel, and a recess or other opening may be provided behind the flexible latches to allow such movement.