Abstract: A sealing assembly for attaching pliable tubes to rigid connecting members, for high pressure, low temperature service, which seals by compressing a sealing wafer around the pliable tubes. The pliable tubes pass through holes in the sealing wafer. As the wafer seal is axially compressed, the wafer seal is restrained against radial expansion, thereby exerting an inward radial pressure on the holes through the wafer seal to cause an hermetic seal between the wafer seal and the pliable tubes. A swage bushing can be used, with swage tubes that are swaged onto the pliable tubes by a swage clamp, for the purpose of axially restraining the pliable tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic operation of a refrigeration system to provide refrigeration power to a catheter for tissue ablation or mapping. The primary refrigeration system can be open loop or closed loop, and a precool loop will typically be closed loop. Equipment and procedures are disclosed for bringing the system to the desired operational state, for controlling the operation by controlling refrigerant flow rate, for performing safety checks, and for achieving safe shutdown.

Abstract: A selective organ heat transfer device with deep irregularities in a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, each having a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.

Abstract: An endovascular heat transfer device which can have a smooth exterior surface, or a surface with ridges and grooves. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, with each having such a surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The flexible joints can be bellows or flexible tubes. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.

Abstract: A liposuction cannula having a source of aqueous solution, a laser source, and a suction source. Aqueous solution is released into an active area within the cannula, and laser energy is directed onto the aqueous solution within the active area to energize the water molecules. The energized water molecules escape from the active area into the surrounding fatty tissue to break down the fatty tissue and release liquid fatty material, which is removed by aspiration via the cannula.

Abstract: A method for applying cutting elements to a tool for cutting or milling a metal item in a well is disclosed, along with the cutting element used in the method. The tool can include one or more blades extending outwardly or downwardly from the tool for cutting a metal item such as the wall of a casing string, or for removing a predetermined length of a casing string in a cutting action. The blade or blades have cutting elements positioned on the leading faces of the blades to engage the casing string or other metal item in the bore hole. Each cutting element is composed of a plurality of effective cutting faces. Each cutting face can have a substantially triangular shape, or a substantially square shape, or some other geometric shape. The cutting elements can be arranged in a random pattern. Each cutting element can be oriented in a random orientation relative to the blade.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe incorporating various forms of auxiliary instrumentation mounted on the catheter or conductive tip, such as a temperature sensor, a heater, an ultrasonic transducer, or an optical element of a viewing, illumination, or laser system, and a method for employing such a probe for ablation of uterine tissue.

Abstract: A wire guided fluid catheter assembly having a collapsible guidewire lumen. Pressurization of a fluid lumen in the catheter assembly collapses the guidewire lumen, thereby increasing the fluid flow capacity of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A sea rescue signaling system including a personal flotation device equipped with a GPS receiver, a satellite radio-telephone, a hydrostatic pressure detector, and a controller. When the pressure detector senses a minimum specified submersion of the device for a minimum specified duration, the controller energizes the GPS and the radio-telephone, then dials a rescue service and transmits a distress signal and position data.

Abstract: A tool for removal of magnetic debris from a well bore, having a plurality of magnets retained in a plurality of recesses by a plurality of retainer caps which are threadable into the recesses. The retainer caps can be made of non-magnetic material, and non-magnetic spacers can be used, to isolate the magnets from the tool body and the surroundings. The retainer caps can be positioned entirely within the recesses, to streamline the tool body. The magnets can be removed from the recesses and replaced.

Abstract: A rotating tool for milling or drilling in a well bore, having one or more rotating cutting structures, with each cutting structure rotating about its own axis, and with the cutting structures rotating about the axis of the tool. The rotational axis of the tool is offset from the axis of at least one cutting structure, with the axis of the tool passing through that cutting structure. This ensures that the cutting structure which spans the axis of the tool rotates independently of the tool, to prevent the existence of a zero velocity point on the cutting face of the tool.

Abstract: A probe instrument using room-temperature sensor(s) that can measure magnetic susceptibilities variations. The instrument includes room temperature magnetic sensors, and detects the sample, that is the tissue response to an applied field coil. The sensors that can be used include magnetoresistive, fluxgate and magnetoinductive sensors. The applied field coil dimensions are chosen so that the applied field is optimized for maximum response from the item of interest while minimizing the effects due to the overlying tissue and at the same time not unduly increasing the sensitivity of the instrument to adjacent organs. To minimize noise introduced in the sensor due to fluctuations in the applied field, the applied field is canceled at the position of the sensor. To overcome variations in the sensor output due to fluctuations in the applied field, change in the ambient temperature and mechanical relaxation of the instrument, the detector assembly is oscillated while the examined patient remains stationary.

Abstract: An apparatus for disconnecting a bottom hole assembly from a work string, having an upper tool body, a piston biased away from a slidable collet, locking dogs held in engagement with a lower tool body by the slidable collet, and one or more collet fingers holding the collet in place, relative to the upper body. The piston can be hydraulically displaced against the biasing spring, thereby releasing the collet finger, followed by further displacement of the piston to contact the collet, then displacement of the piston and the collet to release the locking dogs from engagement with the lower tool body. A shear pin in the collet can provide a positive pressure indication of release of the disconnect device.

Abstract: A system for testing and quantifying visual field and other visual function information in a head-mounted virtual reality environment, utilizing a directed image formation device for scanning of an image onto the retina of the test subject. A method and an apparatus are also provided for utilizing a central neural network and a central data bank to perform automatic interpretation of the visual function test parameters obtained in a plurality of visual field testing systems, for a plurality of patients, with control and response signals being transmitted via the Internet. The data produced by the testing systems are automatically analyzed and compared with patterns on which the neural network was previously trained, and clinical diagnoses for pathological conditions are thereby suggested to the respective clinician for each patient.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus having an inflatable balloon near a distal end of a multi-lumen catheter, with a plurality of blood flow passageways formed through the interior of the balloon from a proximal face of the inflated balloon to a distal face of the inflated balloon. Chilled saline solution is introduced through a supply lumen of the catheter to inflate the balloon in a feeding artery of the selected organ; this allows blood to flow through the blood flow passageways of the balloon, from one exterior face of the balloon to another exterior face. The saline solution continues to circulate around the blood flow passageways inside the balloon, to cool the blood, eventually exiting the balloon through a return lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A downhole in-line tubular accumulator for the attenuation of pressure pulses generated by operation of a downhole vibratory apparatus in an oil or gas well. An inner tube is positioned within a hollow housing, with the inner tube being attached to the housing at their upper ends. The lower end of the inner tube is unattached within the housing, thereby establishing an annular upper cavity between the inner tube and the housing, and an open lower cavity in the housing below the unattached lower end of the inner tube. The attenuator is run into the well on a work string. Pressure pulses traveling through the fluid column in the work string are attenuated by entrapped air in the annular upper cavity in the housing.

Abstract: A diesel engine adapted for operation under retarded fuel ignition timing relative to conventional fuel injection timing includes a piston shaped to increase the compression ratio of an engine cylinder, and specially designed combustion air intake and exhaust gas ports that increase scavenging flow of exhaust gases and allow for manipulation of air intake and exhaust gas valves with a cam shaft. Thus, an engine may be operated under retarded fuel injection timing to decrease emissions of nitrogen oxides without sacrificing engine performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the visual field of a patient, with a head mounted display, which displays a central fixation icon and a variable peripheral stimulus icon, and which senses the responses of the patient by tracking the gaze of the patient, as the gaze shifts between the central fixation icon and the peripheral stimulus icon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing small milling debris into a combination milling and debris retrieval tool, during the performance of the milling operation. A milling tool has a fluid intake port near its lower end, where debris-laden fluid is drawn into the milling tool and subsequently into a separator section. The separator section has a debris deflection tube and a screen for separating the debris from the fluid. Fluid is drawn into the tool by either a set of eductor nozzles or a downhole motor and pump.

Abstract: A sheath for use on a closed loop Joule-Thomson cryosurgical probe, and the combination of the sheath and the closed loop probe. The sheath is slipped over the probe, thereby separating the probe from the environment. The sheath has a grip which fits over the handle of the cryosurgical probe, and an extendible shroud which can be longitudinally extended to cover tubing and which are attached to the handle. The sheath has a hollow multi-lumen catheter shaped and sized to fit snugly over the cannula of the cryosurgical probe. The catheter is not thermally conductive, preventing transfer of heat from the ambient to the gas mixture, and preventing the freezing of tissues at undesired locations along the catheter. A thermally conductive cap or tip is attached to the distal end of the hollow catheter. The thermally conductive cap or tip is biased against the cold tip on the probe by a biasing element in the sheath assembly, to promote heat transfer.