Abstract: A voltage conversion circuit for the conversion of an input d.c. voltage into a three-phase a.c. voltage (UR, US, UT) in the mains frequency range having at least one inductor (L1, L2) and having multiple switches (S1, . . . , S9) controlled by a drive circuit (AST) in which a first converter section is provided (S1, D1, L1, S2) to produce positive output voltage portions and a second converter section (S3, L2) is provided to produce negative output voltage portions and the output of the first converter section is connected to the three phase outputs (R, S, T) via one each of first longitudinal phase circuit breakers (S4, S5, S6) and the output of the second converter section via one each of second longitudinal phase circuit breakers (S7, S8, S9).

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly (100) including an elongated body (108) having a proximal end (102) and a distal end (104) and a first lumen (110) having a sidewall (118) extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening (151) disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening (152) disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly (100) also includes a second lumen (112) connected to the sidewall (118) and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end (104). The second lumen includes a second opening (155) extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening (151) and a second guide wire opening (156) disposed proximally of the second opening (155) and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter (100) into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operation of a distributed computer system (SYS) comprising network nodes (NKN, NK1–NK6), each of which has at least one node controller (STR, ST1–ST6) and one communication controller (KK1–KK6), the communication controllers (KKK, KK1–KK6) being connected to each other via at least one communication channel (BUS), and provision being made between the communication controller (KK1–KK6) and the node controller (STR, ST1–ST6) of a network node (NKN, NK1–NK6) for a fault tolerance layer (FTS, FT1–FT6) that is set up to receive messages exchanged between the network nodes (NKN, NK1–NK6), the fault tolerance layer (FTS, FT1–FT6) deciding, based on information received pertaining to the status of at least one network node(NKN, NK1–NK6), about the functioning of the at least one network node (NK1–NK6) via a coordination procedure, and the coordination result being made available as an output signal (ASS, AS1–AS6), the at least one network node (NKN, NK1–NK6) being triggered as a function of the output s

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly is provided, which includes a unitary portion and at least two distal end tubes extending distally from the unitary portion. The unitary portion includes an exterior having a generally round or oval shape in cross section and includes at least two distal end tubes of generally circular (or other) cross sectional shape extending longitudinally therethrough. The catheter assembly may be made by extruding a unitary tube having internal longitudinally extending lumens (of circular or other shape), then splitting the tube on its distal end portion to form distal end tubes. The tubes are then ground and polished, the finished tubes retaining in combination the generally oval cross sectional shape of the unitary extrusion, or the finished tubes can each be finished to a circular, or other, cross sectional shape; or the finished tubes could include a combination of cross sectional shapes over its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen having a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first distal opening disposed at the distal end, and a first guide wire opening disposed proximally of the distal end and co-planar with the sidewall. The assembly also includes a second lumen connected to the sidewall and extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, proximally of the distal end. The second lumen includes a second opening extending obliquely away from the sidewall distally toward the first distal opening and a second guide wire opening disposed proximally of the second opening and in a plane generally parallel to the sidewall. A method of inserting the catheter into a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter assembly with a two-piece hub is disclosed. The catheter includes a distal portion having a plurality of catheter lumens, wherein each of the plurality of catheter lumens includes a distal tip and a proximal lumen portion. The distal portion further includes a distal hub portion slidably disposed over the proximal lumen portion, wherein the distal hub portion includes a pivoting locking member. The catheter assembly further includes a proximal portion having a plurality of catheter extensions, wherein each of the plurality of catheter extensions fluidly communicates with at least one of the plurality of catheter lumens. The proximal portion also includes a proximal hub portion having a locking receiver, wherein the pivoting locking member is releasably engaged with the locking receiver.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cover for insertion within a body of a user is disclosed. The cover is adapted to extend over at least a portion of a medical device disposed within the body of the user, and wherein the cover is dissolvable in the body of the user. Further, a method of subcutaneously inserting the cover into the body is also disclosed.

Abstract: A broadband optical amplifier is disclosed. The amplifier includes an input having a plurality of optical wavelengths, including optical wavelengths between 1610 and 1620 nanometers, and a first optical splitter optically connected to the input. The first optical splitter splits the input into a first band signal portion, a second band signal portion, and a third band signal portion. An amplifying portion is optically disposed along each of the first, second, and third band signal portions optically downstream from the first optical splitter. A first optical combiner is optically connected to the first, second, and third band signal portions to form an output. A method of amplifying a broadband optical signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for removing a catheter assembly having a catheter stabilizing device from a subcutaneous location in a patient is disclosed. The device includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end. A head is attached to the distal end of the handle. The head has an external gripping surface. The head is sized for insertion into a lumen of a catheter assembly having a tissue ingrowth cuff for gripping an internal surface of the catheter assembly within the cuff and dislodging the cuff from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A coupler for a flexible tube is disclosed. The coupler includes a first channeled member having a generally semicircular cross-section and a first longitudinal axis extending therethrough and a second channeled member having a generally semicircular cross-section and a second longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The first longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the second longitudinal axis. A hinge connects a first length of the first channeled member to a first length of the second channeled member. A lateral axis generally bifurcates the first length of the first channeled member and the first length of the second channeled member. A plurality of barbs are disposed in each of the first and second channeled members, wherein each barb extends generally toward an intersection of the longitudinal axis of its respective channeled member and the lateral axis. A lock secures a second length of the first channeled member to a second length of the second channeled member.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous flow catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes a proximal portion having first proximal end, a first distal end, and an intake lumen and a return lumen. Each of the intake and return lumens extends between the first proximal end and the first distal end. The catheter also includes a connector portion fixedly connected to the first distal portion, wherein the return lumen terminates at the connector portion. The catheter also includes a distal portion having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a distal lumen extending between the second proximal end and the second distal end. The second distal end is fixedly connected to the connector portion such that the distal lumen and the intake lumen are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: A particle-beam exposure apparatus (1) for irradiating a target (41) by means of a beam (2) of energetic electrically charged particles comprises: an illumination system (101) for generating and forming said particles into a directed beam (21); a pattern definition means (102) located after the illumination system for positioning a pattern of apertures transparent to the particles in the path of the directed beam, thus forming a patterned beam (22) emerging from the pattern definition means through the apertures; and a projection system (103) positioned after the pattern definition means (102) for projecting the patterned beam (22) onto a target (41) positioned after the projection system. The apparatus further comprises an acceleration/deceleration means (32) containing an electric potential gradient which is oriented substantially parallel to the path of the structured beam and constant over at least a cross-section of the beam.

Abstract: A system and method for suppressing light scattering in optical fiber transmission systems are disclosed. The system includes an optical fiber assembly having first and second ends and at least one blocking apparatus disposed along the fiber between the first and second ends. The method includes providing a fiber assembly having a first end and a second end; installing a blocking apparatus in the fiber assembly between the first end and the second end; and transmitting light between the first end and the second end. The fiber assembly generates Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering light in a direction opposite the direction of the transmitted light, and the blocking apparatus suppresses the Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering light.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter assembly and methods for making and inserting the same are provided. The catheter assembly includes a unitary catheter and at least two distal end tubes which extend distally from the unitary catheter. The at least two lumens in the unitary catheter are in fluid communication with passageways through the distal end tubes. The catheter assembly may be made by extruding a unitary catheter tube having internal longitudinally extending lumens, then splitting the tube on its distal end portion to form distal end tubes. The tubes are then ground and polished to form a smooth surface on the exterior of the tubes. The catheter assembly may also be made by forming an outer layer on at least two longitudinally extending catheters while leaving two distally extending portions of the tubes outside the outer layer to form the distal end tubes.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanical stop for a tube bender is disclosed. The tube bender includes an elongated arm having a pivoting end and a free end, wherein the pivoting end is pivotally connectable to a tube bender. A stop is disposed at the free end of the elongated arm, wherein the stop is disposed to engage a tube in the tube bender. A lock is disposed along the elongated arm, wherein the lock is engageable with the tube bender to adjustably secure the stop relative to the tube bender. A tube bender incorporating the mechanical stop is also disclosed.

Abstract: An information ring for use with a catheter is disclosed. The information ring includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body has a first body face extending between the first end and the second end, and a second, generally convex face extending between the first end and the second end. The body has an opening extending therethrough between the first body face and the second face. A first indicia portion is located at the first end. The first indicia portion has a first indicia face sized to allow indicia to be printed on the first indicia face.