Abstract: A radiation delivery system having an expandable radiation source made of a pliable material. The source body is made of a material such as a foam or sponge, or a fibrous material such as the soft bristles of a pipe cleaner. The spongy or fibrous material is made radioactive by the implantation of a radioactive isotope. The radioactive isotope can be located throughout the pliable source material, or concentrated in a desired region, such as the surface or near-surface region. This compressible radioactive source material, when constrained by a constraining housing or a catheter, has a very low profile. However, when the constraining housing or catheter is withdrawn, the expandable source material expands and fills the surrounding space, such as a blood vessel lumen. In this way, the radioactivity, impregnated in the expandable source material, is brought into direct contact with the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing hypothermia of a selected organ without significant effect on surrounding organs or other tissues. A flexible catheter is inserted through the vascular system of a patient to place the distal tip of the catheter in an artery feeding the selected organ. A compressed refrigerant is pumped through the catheter to an expansion element near the distal tip of the catheter, where the refrigerant vaporizes and expands to cool a flexible heat transfer element in the distal tip of the catheter. The heat transfer element cools the blood flowing through the artery, to cool the selected organ, distal to the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining samples of pristine formation or formation fluid, using a work string designed for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workover operations, or re-entry operations. An extendable element extends against the formation wall to obtain the pristine formation or fluid sample. While the test tool is in standby condition, the extendable element is withdrawn within the work string, protected by other structure from damage during operation of the work string. The apparatus is used to sense or sample downhole conditions while using a work string, and the measurements or samples taken can be used to adjust working fluid properties without withdrawing the work string from the bore hole. When the extendable element is a packer, the apparatus can be used to prevent a kick from reaching the surface, adjust the density of the drilling fluid, and thereafter continuing use of the work string.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for facilitating removal of fat from obese, or lipodystrophic patients, by external application of electromagnetic energy. After infiltrating the proposed zone with intumescing solution, radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic energy is applied via externally placed applicators to the body site of unwanted fatty tissue. The electromagnetic energy supplies heat to the fatty tissue and to the intumescing solution, aiding in subsequent fat removal by conventional, or preferably, ultrasound-assisted, or microwave-assisted, internal liposuction. Depth of tissue penetration is controllable by selection of the appropriate electromagnetic frequency and by varying the configuration of the applicators. Restricting the intumescing procedure to only the desired body sites subject to subsequent internal surgical intervention reduces unwanted heating of the underlying muscle or other organs. Multiple-frequency capability is incorporated in the power supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing hypothermia of a selected organ without significant effect on surrounding organs or other tissues, by perfusion of the organ with blood cooled externally from the body of the patient. A flexible supply catheter is inserted percutaneously into an artery. Blood from the supply catheter is cooled in a finned tube heat exchanger or a fluid bath. A flexible delivery catheter is inserted percutaneously through the vascular system of the patient to place the distal end of the catheter in an artery feeding the selected organ. An occlusion device is expanded to occlude the feeder artery at a point proximal to the distal end of the delivery catheter. Cooled blood from the chiller is pumped through the delivery catheter to an outlet near the distal end of the catheter, to cool the selected organ, distal to the tip of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow patterns are bonded into a laminated assembly in the shape of a cylinder, with a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet in a first end, and a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet in a second end. The high pressure flow path lies alongside the low pressure flow path, with flow in the two paths being in opposite directions, to accomplish counterflow heat exchange.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the performance and autointerpretation via the Internet, or other telemetric vehicle, of the visual function test parameters obtained during interactive visual field screening utilizing a local display screen. Such interactive testing and instantaneous autointerpretation of visual field performance utilizing a local display screen, via telemedicine, are utilized to screen for glaucoma and other neurological disorders affecting the visual system. Telemedicine, such as via the Internet, allows the system to be employed on a world-wide basis, including areas where physicians are not present.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection of coiled tubing or jointed tubulars into a well bore, using an injector head capable of handling either type of tubular. The injector head and a working platform are mounted on a structure over the well head, with the injector being positioned so as to allow personnel access to the tubing on the working platform without having to relocate the injector head away from the well head location. The injector can be mounted below the working platform, or it can be mounted spaced above the working platform on a vertically movable trolley on a mast. When the injector is mounted below the working platform, the tubulars and any bottom hole assembly are accessible to personnel on top of the working platform, whether coiled tubing or jointed tubulars are being used.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 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 combination metal milling and earth drilling tool, for use in performing a single trip kickoff from a casing in a well bore. The combination milling and drilling tool has a first, relatively more durable cutting structure, such as tungsten carbide, and a second, relatively harder cutting structure, such as polycrystalline diamond. The more durable first cutting structure is better suited for milling metal casing, while the harder second cutting structure is better suited for drilling through a subterranean formation, especially a rock formation. The first cutting structure is positioned outwardly relative to the second cutting structure, so that the first cutting structure will mill through the metal casing while shielding the second cutting structure from contact with the casing. The first cutting structure can wear away while milling through the casing and upon initial contact with the rock formation, thereby exposing the second cutting structure to contact with the rock formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing hypothermia of a selected organ without significant effect on surrounding organs or other tissues. A flexible catheter is inserted through the vascular system of a patient to place the distal tip of the catheter in an artery feeding the selected organ. A compressed refrigerant is pumped through the catheter to an expansion element near the distal tip of the catheter, where the refrigerant vaporizes and expands to cool a flexible bellows shaped heat transfer element in the distal tip of the catheter. The heat transfer bellows cools the blood flowing through the artery, to cool the selected organ, distal to the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: A miniature mixed gas refrigeration system and method of operation are disclosed, having a coaxial catheter with an inner high pressure supply lumen and an outer low pressure return lumen. An optimum gas mixture is formulated from a group of component fluids, according to calculated thermodynamic properties of a group of candidate fluid mixtures. The gas mixture is pressurized by a compressor to a pressure less than 420 psia, for safety reasons. The distal portion of the outer lumen contains a micro-miniature heat exchanger constructed of laminated plates or sheets. The plates or sheets establish high pressure and low pressure passageways, with high surface area, having a tortuous path for the gas flow to maximize heat exchange. The high pressure outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to a Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded isenthalpically to a lower temperature at least as low as 183K.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fatty tissue to facilitate liposuction removal of fat and, by additional heating, to enable denaturing of the tissue structure. The apparatus uses microwave energy, applied by a cannula to the fatty tissue, as a means to facilitate fat removal. The microwave energy is delivered at a frequency range chosen to optimize energy coupling directly to the fatty tissue, while insuring the attenuation of the radiation level to a safe level in a relatively short distance. The cannula is provided with internal channels to simultaneously provide fluid and remove the mixture of fluid and fatty tissue. Since the microwave frequency is selected to insure direct coupling with the fat tissue, it is not necessary to introduce water to promote coupling, and if water is introduced for cooling or irrigation purposes, no salts need to be added to the water for purposes of microwave energy coupling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting radiographic dye during angiography. A deformable holding chamber is interposed between a contrast dye bottle and a syringe manifold. A one-way valve and an integral disconnect/flow-stop are connected between the bottle and the holding chamber. A vent is provided in the holding chamber, which can include a second one-way valve. Squeezing and releasing the deformable chamber fills the chamber from the bottle. The holding chamber contains a floating baffle which acts as a shut off valve by plugging the chamber outlet if the chamber becomes empty. The syringe is used to withdraw dye from the holding chamber. If dye remains in the bottle after performance of the procedure, the disconnect/flow-stop fitting can be disconnected, and the dye can be saved.

Abstract: A disposable, sterilizable sheath for use on a closed loop Joule-Thomson cryosurgical probe, and the combination of the disposable 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using virtual reality to present a test stimulus of a first color superimposed on a background of a second color, for testing and quantifying visual information from the eye, the visual pathways, and the brain. Headgear configuration allows the patient to observe a field of view into which sequenced test stimuli are presented by an excitation device commanded by a computer. Interactive sensory feedback both to and from the patient enables computer-driven presentation and modulation of test stimuli to measure with precision such parameters as visual field performance, visual acuity, and color vision. Using the system allows the patient unprecedented freedom of movement of the head and body, thus minimizing or even eliminating the stress and fatigue common with conventional non-virtual reality visual field testing systems.

Abstract: A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow patterns are bonded into a laminated assembly in the shape of a cylinder, with a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet in a first end, and a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet in a second end. The high pressure flow path lies alongside the low pressure flow path, with flow in the two paths being in opposite directions, to accomplish counterflow heat exchange. Substantial portions of the flow paths are either parallel to, or transverse to, the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger, with the resulting heat flow being essentially radial or axial, respectively.

Abstract: A tool for cutting or milling casing in a well is disclosed. It includes a plurality of blades extending outwardly to a substantially radial position for cutting the walls of casing strings and removing a predetermined length of the casing strings in a cutting action. The blades have cutting elements positioned on leading faces of the blades to engage the casing strings in a cutting action without tripping or removal from the bore hole. The cutting elements can be arranged in rows and columns. The cutting elements can be shaped to continually present a sharp cutting edge to the object being milled. The cutting elements can be inclined at a negative axial rake angle to cause the metal chips cut from the object being milled to break off at short lengths. The cutting element can also have surface irregularities to cause the metal chips cut from the casings to break off at short lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using virtual reality for testing and quantifying visual information from the eye, the visual pathways, and the brain. Headgear configuration allows the patient to observe a field of view into which sequenced test stimuli are presented by an excitation device commanded by a computer. Interactive sensory feedback both to and from the patient enables computer-driven presentation and modulation of test stimuli to measure with precision such parameters as visual field performance, visual acuity, and color vision. Using the system allows the patient unprecedented freedom of movement of the head and body, thus minimizing or even eliminating the stress and fatigue common with conventional non-virtual reality visual field testing systems.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a radioactive source within the catheter to irradiate a selected area of a blood vessel in combination with angioplasty procedures, to prevent restenosis of that area of the blood vessel. The catheter has a guidewire channel formed near its distal end to facilitate use of the catheter as a rapid exchange catheter, allowing insertion of the catheter over a guidewire also used in performance of an angioplasty procedure. The catheter can also have a guidewire channel formed near its proximal end to provide an O-ring sealing surface and to facilitate free guidewire movement. The catheter also has a closed end to retain the radioactive source within the catheter. The catheter can also be provided with a centering balloon or a set of centering wire loops to center the radioactive source radially within the blood vessel.