Abstract: Electronic devices that include batteries can be adapted to provide one or more indications of a low battery condition. An electronic device such as a controller can include a battery and can be adapted to determine a first low battery condition. A first indication can be provided in response to the first low battery condition. In some cases, a second battery condition can be determined and a second indication can be provided in response to the second battery condition. The indications provided to the user can be made progressively more noticeable over time, until the battery is replaced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spinal stabilization apparatus includes a vertebral anchor having a head portion and a bone attachment portion. An elongate, flexible guide is removably coupled to the head portion of the vertebral anchor and has a channel extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a slot in the head portion of the anchor. An elongate cord may be received within the channel to facilitate inserting and securing a spacer between pairs of anchors installed into adjacent vertebrae of a person's spine.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft, a balloon and a pair of collars. The collars may be fixed or rotatable about a catheter shaft prior to exposure to an electric current. Where the collars are fixed to the shaft, the balloon is rotatable about the collars. When exposed to the electric current the collars expand to engage the waists of the balloon thereby sealing the balloon. Where the collars are rotatable about the shaft, the each waist of the balloon is engaged to a respective collars. When the rotatable collars are exposed to the electric current the collars expand to engage the shaft of the catheter thereby sealing the balloon.

Abstract: Thermostatic mixing valves and systems for mixing fluids of dissimilar temperature are disclosed. A thermostatic mixing valve in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated valve body defining a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, a mix fluid outlet and a mixing chamber, a fluid flow regulator for adjusting the flow of cold and hot fluid injected into the mixing chamber, and temperature selection means for adjusting the temperature of fluid contained within the mixing chamber. The valve body may have a vertical, in-line configuration wherein the hot fluid inlet, mixing chamber, and mix fluid outlet are substantially axially aligned along a vertical longitudinal axis of the valve body, allowing hot fluid to pass substantially vertically through the valve body towards the mix fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method of accommodating an element in a building equipment component. The presence of the element may be detected, and whether the element is required may be determined. The building equipment component may be operated if the element is present and required, or if the element not required. If the element is absent but required, the building equipment component may be stopped. In some instances, the building equipment component may include a required first sensor, and the element may be an optional second sensor.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first longitudinally accessible lumen and a second lumen extend side by side within and along the proximal portion, and the first lumen and the second lumen form a single common lumen within the distal portion which extends to a distal end of the distal portion. The first lumen and second lumen are co-axial within the distal portion prior to forming a single common lumen.

Abstract: A fire detection system for detecting fires may include an infrared detector array. The fire detection system may use the infrared detector array to monitor the temperature of a target environment over time. In some cases, a positioning apparatus may be used to move the field of view of the infrared detector array, allowing the infrared detector array to scan a relatively large target environment while still achieving a given resolution.

Abstract: Medical device components and processes are disclosed. For example, tube-shaped catheter components and processes of making tube-shaped catheter components are disclosed. Devices and systems, including medical devices and systems, such as catheters, containing tube-shaped catheter components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Selecting a stationary phase for a fluid analyzer using certain criteria to determine an appropriate material for use in, for instance, a micro fluid analyzer. High absorption of an analyte or sample, low water sorbency and high porosity or permeability of the material may be sought. A selected material may incorporate a toughening agent using a neutral leaving group. A selected material may have a capping agent to promote hydrophobicity. A selected material may be a hydrophobic polymer. The selection of a stationary phase may involve molecular modeling.

Abstract: A tubular transition member having an annular wall with at least one cut extending through the annular wall is disclosed for controlling a transition in stiffness of a catheter from a stiffer more pushable proximal section to a more flexible and trackable distal section and increasing kink resistance. The transition member may extend across the junction formed between the stiffer proximal section and the more flexible distal section. The transition member may be used in conjunction with any type of catheter including single-operator-exchange type catheters, over-the wire type catheters, and/or fixed-wire type catheters.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip designs including coiled safety/shaping structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of providing dehumidification control in unoccupied spaces are disclosed. An illustrative method can include the steps of providing a controller having an away mode of operation adapted to provide dehumidification within the interior space of a building or room, providing one or more system components adapted to control the humidity and/or temperature within the interior space, initiating the away mode of operation within the controller, and operating the one or more system components for at least one cycle to reduce the humidity within the interior space.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve assembly having a dual armature solenoid for controlling two valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the solenoid may include a first pole piece, a second pole piece spaced from the first pole piece, a coil disposed about at least a portion of the first pole piece, a first armature extending laterally across the first pole piece and the second pole piece, and a second armature extending laterally across the first pole piece and the second pole piece. In one illustrative embodiment, the first armature and the second armature pivot relative to the second pole piece. In another illustrative embodiment, the first armature and the second armature pivot relative to the first pole piece. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the first armature and the second armature pivot relative to opposite pole pieces. In any case, the coil may electromagnetically actuate the first and second armatures to selectively open and/or close corresponding valves or other actuatable components.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.

Abstract: An implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery system includes a sheath, a catheter at least partially surrounded by the sheath, and a bumper disposed between the sheath and the catheter. The bumper has at least some freedom of movement with respect to the catheter, and the sheath, catheter, and bumper are configured so that an implantable medical endoprosthesis can be disposed between the sheath and the catheter.

Abstract: A device for incising tissue to a pre-selected incision depth within a body conduit of a patient includes an elongated balloon catheter and at least one elongated straight blade that is mounted on the balloon. To control the incision depth, each blade has a blunt section formed with a non-incising surface and a cutting edge positioned distally to the blunt section. A proximal portion of the blade is attached to a proximal balloon section, and in operation, the balloon/blade combination is advanced into the body conduit and positioned distal to the target tissue/stenosis. The balloon is then inflated. With this inflation, the blade is inclined relative to the axis of the catheter with an increasing distance between the blade and the axis in a distal direction. The device is then withdrawn, proximally, to incise the tissue/stenosis.

Abstract: A system for optimizing usage of energy converting stages. It may have a stage driver, and stage driver adds as needed. The system may control the on-times of the stages according to a pattern that optimizes energy usage, processing and memory. The pattern may control the stages according to lead lag, rotating or runtime. The pattern may incorporate modulating. The system may be scalable and have a small memory footprint. The system may be implemented with function blocks of a function block engine. Network variables may be incorporated for input and output connections of the system.

Abstract: Medical device components, such as tube-shaped catheter components, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device component includes a region that includes a polyamide having a hoop stress ratio of at least about 1.25.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient includes inserting an access port into the body of the patient. A transverse connector is moved through the access port. A first end of the transverse connector is connected to the first longitudinal member. A second end of the transverse connector is connected to the second longitudinal member.