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: Apparatus for handling pipe, coiled tubing, casing and conventional tubing in well drilling and servicing operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying a low strength, time varying magnetic field to a selected screening region of a host, and for sensing a responsive magnetic field from a retained ferrous body within the screening region. The excitation field coil is designed to create a region of finite magnetic field within the screening region, and a region of near zero magnetic field. The sensors are placed within the region of near zero magnetic field to minimize the effect of the applied field. The effects of the applied field are further reduced by use of a reference sensor, field compensation coils, and a feedback loop. The magnetic gradient measured by the sensors is processed to locate and characterize the ferrous body.

Abstract: A circulatory assist device, having an outer balloon and an inner balloon, with a control space between the outer and inner balloons. The device is mounted on a catheter, collapsed to a sufficiently small diameter to allow insertion into the vascular system of a patient. An expansion mechanism in the device, such as a stent, can be expanded to hold the outer balloon in an expanded state, while control fluid is pumped into and evacuated from the control space to repeatedly collapse and expand the inner balloon. At least one port is formed in the inner balloon, to allow vascular fluid to enter and exit the inner balloon as the inner balloon expands and contracts. After use, the expansion mechanism is contracted to a smaller diameter to allow withdrawal from the vascular system.

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 circulatory assist device, having a housing and a pumping membrane, with a control chamber and a pumping chamber. The device is mounted on a catheter, collapsed to a sufficiently small diameter to allow insertion into the vascular system of a patient. An expansion mechanism in the device, such as a stent, can be expanded to hold the housing in an expanded substantially rigid state, while control fluid is pumped into and evacuated from the control chamber to repeatedly deflect the pumping membrane. At least one opening is formed in the device, to allow vascular fluid to enter and exit the pumping chamber as the pumping membrane deflects. Introduction and evacuation of control fluid can be synchronized with the heart cycle of the patient. After use, the housing is contracted to a smaller diameter to allow withdrawal from the vascular system.

Abstract: A needle-less valve connector which employs a pre-slit elastomeric septum capable of axial movement proximally and distally within a housing. Connection of a blunt connector to the housing pushes the septum in the distal direction. A spring member biases the septum toward the proximal direction. The slit through the septum is held in the closed position, when the septum is in the proximal position, by an interference fit between the inside surface of the housing and the peripheral surface of the septum, with the interference fit causing an inward radial compression of the septum, orthogonal to the slit axis. The outer, or proximal, end surface of the septum can be shaped with a concave contour which causes the slit to completely close when the septum is in the proximal position. When a blunt connector is connected to the housing, the septum is pushed to a distal position, where other structure in the housing applies radial stress to the septum to open the slit.

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: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly is connectable to an interchangeable operative probe and a damping body attached to the probe. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid. The damping body is largely formed of a plastic material, to prevent the propagation of the ultrasonic waves from that portion of the probe where the damping body is mounted, to the surrounding biological tissues. Prevention of propagation of the ultrasonic energy from a portion of the probe prevents unwanted heating of that part of the surrounding tissues. The damping body can be removable or permanently affixed, such as by welding. The damping body can have a metal jacket covering a portion of the surface of the damping body, or the damping body can be entirely made of plastic. The damping body can also have an opening or a plurality of openings for aspiration of the fatty tissue.

Abstract: A needle-less valve connector which employs a pre-slit elastomeric septum capable of axial movement proximally and distally within a housing. Connection of a blunt connector to the housing pushes the septum in the distal direction. A spring member biases the septum toward the proximal direction. The slit through the septum is held in the closed position, when the septum is in the proximal position, by an interference fit between the inside surface of the housing and the peripheral surface of the septum, with the interference fit causing an inward radial compression of the septum, orthogonal to the slit axis. The outer, or proximal, end surface of the septum can be shaped with a concave contour which causes the slit to completely close when the septum is in the proximal position. When a blunt connector is connected to the housing, the septum is pushed to a distal position, where radial stress is relieved, allowing the septum to expand or be expanded, thereby opening the slit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining samples of pristine 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 fluid sample. While the test tool is in a 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 downhole conditions while using a work string, and the measurements 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 apparatus and method are disclosed for pumping segregated fluids through a tubular member, such as is required when cementing a liner into a well bore. A liner wiper plug has an internal bore formed therethrough, with a flapper valve mounted in the liner wiper plug. The flapper valve can pivot to an open position to allow fluid flow through the wiper plug, and the flapper valve can pivot to a closed position to prevent fluid flow through the wiper plug. A work string, or a stinger attached to a work string, can be positioned within the internal bore of the wiper plug, holding the flapper valve in the open position. The wiper plug can be run into the well on the work string, with the flapper valve held open, and with flow of a first fluid in progress. The wiper plug can be releasably supported from the liner. The work string is withdrawn from the wiper plug to allow the flapper valve to close.

Abstract: A downhole cutting tool for use in a wellbore, the cutting tool having a mandrel and a cylindrical knife body slidably mounted coaxially on the mandrel. The mandrel can be attached to or suspended from any type of workstring. The upper ends of a plurality of knife blades are pivotably mounted at fixed points on the knife body. The knife blades are suspended therefrom over a plurality of ramps formed on the exterior of the mandrel. A pressure chamber is formed between the knife body and the mandrel. Fluid from the work string can be directed through the mandrel to the pressure chamber, to drive the knife body downwardly relative to the mandrel, causing the lower ends of the knife blades to contact the ramps on the mandrel and kick or pivot outwardly to cause the lower tip of the blade to contact the downhole material to be cut. As the mandrel is rotated, the knife blades rotate with it and cut into the material.

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 injecting radiographic dye during angiography are provided. 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, with 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 miniature mixed gas refrigeration system and method of operation are disclosed. 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 compressed gas mixture is passed through a primary heat exchanger, and then through a primary-to-secondary heat exchanger, to precool the gas mixture. The secondary side of the primary/secondary heat exchanger is cooled by a secondary Joule-Thomson refrigeration system. Properly sized flow restrictions in the primary side of the primary/secondary heat exchanger can solidify and trap liquid contaminants that may be in the gas mixture. The gas mixture exiting the primary outlet of the primary/secondary heat exchanger passes to a primary Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded isenthalpically to a lower temperature at least as low as 183K.

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 apparatus for drilling and completing a bore hole are disclosed. The method comprises positioning a work string in the well, with a bottom hole assembly attached. The bottom hole assembly can include a drill bit, a drilling motor, orientation instrumentation, and a completion assembly. A fluid is circulated to drive the drill bit to drill the well to a target formation. Then, the completion assembly is used to produce fluids from the formation. Gravel packing can also be performed with the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns an anti-balling drill bit. The drill bit includes an approximately cylindrical steel body provided at one end with axial arms on which are mounted toothed conical wheels. The bottom of the tool body has a dome shaped profile such as a parabolic profile, whose flanks are joined at an apex located approximately along the axis (x--x) of the tool. The flanks ascend toward the cylindrical wall of the body through gaps between the arms with unbroken surfaces and without edges, each arm bearing at its end at least one extension nozzle for emitting a liquid jet, and nozzles also being mounted in said flanks.

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.