Abstract: A method and apparatus for intrastromal refractive surgery is disclosed wherein tissue at selected locations within the stroma of the cornea is photoablated using a pulsed laser beam. The apparatus includes an optical system for forming a shaped laser beam having a waist at a predetermined distance from the optical system. The pulse duration and pulse energy of the laser beam are selected to cause ablation to occur in front of the waist (i.e. between the waist and the optical system). To achieve this, a pulse energy is used that exceeds the minimum pulse energy required for ablation at the waist. By ablating in front of the waist, a relatively large ablation zone (per pulse) is created (compared to ablation at the waist). Furthermore, while the laser is scanned through the cornea to effectuate a refractive change, the optical system maintains a uniform waist for the laser beam.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for establishing a posture correction exercise program requires observing the patient relative to a predetermined framework. This is done to identify postural mal-alignments for the patient that can be respectively referenced to a predetermined view plane (frontal; sagittal; and transverse planes) and graded according to their severity. Additionally, the patient's weight bearing sensations are obtained for use with the mal-alignment data. This data is then input to a computer where each mal-alignment is matched with an exercise to create the corrective exercise program. The corrective exercise program can then be edited to customize the program for the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing the formation of an ice ball during a cryoablation procedure are disclosed. The system includes a reference electrode that is placed in contact with the patient and a cryocatheter having a cryotip. An electronic circuit is connected to both the cryotip and the reference electrode to measure the impedance therebetween which can be used to assess the formation of an ice ball during a cryoablation procedure. An exemplary measurement signal has a frequency of approximately 20 khz and an RMS voltage of approximately 0.5V. With the cryotip positioned proximate the target tissue, a reference impedance is measured. Next, the conductive tip member is placed in contact with the target tissue and cooled to form an ice ball. During cooling, impedance measurement(s) are taken and compared with the reference impedance to assess the formation of the ice ball.

Abstract: A device for incising a stenosis in the aortic valve of a patient includes an elongated balloon catheter, with at least one straight blade mounted on the balloon. Specifically, the blade is coplanar with the axis of the catheter, and the proximal end of the blade is located adjacent the proximal end of the balloon. In operation, the balloon/blade combination is advanced into the vasculature and positioned distal to the stenosis to be incised. 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 retracted, proximally, to incise the stenosis.

Abstract: A GigaMatrix plate for holding a large number of small-volume fluid samples includes a base for supporting a plurality of substantially parallel, elongated capillary tubes. Each tube defines a lumen that extends through the base, and each lumen has an aspect ratio greater than about 5:1. Dimensionally, each lumen has an inner diameter that is less than approximately five hundred microns and it has a length greater than about five millimeters. Further, each tube acts to optically distinguish light that is directed toward it from the sample whenever the sample fluoresces inside the tube lumen. Also, however, light from the sample that is directed axially through the tube is emitted therefrom for optical detection of the tube and the sample therein.

Abstract: A device for incising a stenosis in the vasculature of a patient includes a plurality of blades mounted on a resilient base member. The blades are arranged in a pattern to allow for relative movement between adjacent blades. Specifically, at least one end portion of each blade is juxtaposed with an end portion of the next closest blade. The base member, in turn, is mounted on the external surface of an inflatable angioplasty balloon. When the balloon is inserted into the vasculature of a patient, positioned across a stenosis and subsequently inflated, the individually moveable blades form an effective cutting edge that conforms to the surface of the stenosis to effectively allow the stenosis to be incised to a substantially uniform depth.

Abstract: A catheter is provided having a system for anchoring an inflatable balloon at a treatment site. The system includes a flexible member having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall that defines a longitudinal axis. The outer surface of the cylindrical wall is formed with a plurality of protuberances that each project radially outward from the wall. With this structure, the wall seamlessly interconnects the protuberances together. In one embodiment, the flexible member constitutes a portion of a dilatation balloon. In another embodiment, the flexible member is formed as a jacket that is placed over and bonded to a dilatation balloon. The protuberances are sized, shaped and spaced on the wall of the flexible member to allow each protuberance to penetrate and become embedded in a lesion at a treatment site during inflation of the balloon. Once embedded, the protuberances anchor the balloon at the treatment site.

Abstract: A catheter-based system for performing a cryoablation procedure uses a precooler to lower the temperature of a fluid refrigerant to a sub-cool temperature (?40° C.) at a working pressure (400 psi). The sub-cooled fluid is then introduced into a supply line of the catheter. Upon outflow of the primary fluid from the supply line, and into a tip section of the catheter, the fluid refrigerant boils at an outflow pressure of approximately one atmosphere, at a temperature of about ?88° C. In operation, the working pressure is computer controlled to obtain an appropriate outflow pressure for the coldest possible temperature in the tip section.

Abstract: An inductor for high current applications includes a nonconductive, tubular form which defines a tube axis and has a cylindrical outer surface. The outer surface is formed with a groove that extends helically about the tube axis. The inductor further includes a coiled, conductive wire that is formed with a plurality of turns. The wire is wound around the outer surface of the form with at least a portion of the wire disposed in the groove. With this structure, the form maintains a predetermined separation between adjacent turns of the coil preventing deformation of the coiled wire by strong magnetic forces that are generated when relatively high electrical currents are passed through the wire.

Abstract: A device for steering a cardiac cryoablation catheter through the vasculature of a patient includes separate first and second deflection members that connect a tip member to the distal end of a catheter tube. Importantly, the first deflection member has a first flexural modulus, and the second deflection member has a second flexural modulus that is greater than the first flexural modulus. Also included is a control wire for pulling the tip member toward the catheter tube. In response, the first and second deflection members differentially deflect, according to their respective flexural moduli, to move the tip member for steering the catheter through the vasculature.

Abstract: A cargo container of unitary construction surrounds a cargo hold and has an opening into the cargo hold defined by an edge. A flange extends along the edge of the opening and projects into the cargo hold to form a seat. A door having a panel defined by a border covers the opening. A bite extends along the border of the panel and projects away from the panel to contact the seat. When the door is covering the opening, the bite is positioned against the seat and is juxtaposed with the flange. In response to an explosive detonation in the cargo hold, the bite is forced against the seat and transfers the explosive force from the door to the container. If a seal is present on the seat, the bite is forced against the seal to form an airtight lock in the cargo container.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring heat requires a supply tube connected in fluid communication with a capillary tube. A tip member is positioned to surround the distal end of the capillary tube to create a cryo-chamber. In operation, a liquid refrigerant is introduced into the supply tube at a working pressure (e.g. 450 psia). The pressure is then significantly reduced on the liquid refrigerant as it transits through the capillary tube. The refrigerant then exits the distal end of the capillary tube, still in its liquid state. Inside the cryo-chamber, at a pressure of less than about one atmosphere, the refrigerant transitions into its gaseous state. The resultant refrigeration causes heat to transfer into the cryo-chamber.

Abstract: A system for spatially stabilizing a base point on the optical axis of a patient's eye, for photoablation of the cornea, includes an optical element for identifying the base point. The system also includes an illumination source which is a fixation point for the eye. Movement of the illumination source induces a saccadic movement of the eye wherein the optical axis of the eye moves from a first orientation to a second orientation. Following the saccadic movement of the eye there is a latency period during which the base point, and hence the eye, is substantially stabilized. Movement of the light source is timed to coincide the latency period with the resting period of the patient's heartbeat sequence, and the relaxation period of the patient's respiration cycle. During the latency period, photoablation is accomplished by directing a train of laser pulses from a laser source into the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A wireless system and method for locating the position of a movable signal emitter located inside or adjacent to a structure includes establishing at least three base station sites at known locations around the structure. The signal emitter then transmits an omni-directional, low frequency, RF signal that is received at the base station sites. Phase information is measured at each base station site and communicated to a central processing site. At the central processing site, relative phase delays are used to geometrically calculate the position of the signal emitter.

Abstract: A heat transfer segment for a cryoablation catheter includes a member, at least a portion of which is made of a thermally conductive composite material. The composite material includes a polymeric matrix material such as a polyether block amide (PEBA) and a filler material which can include metals, metal alloys, ceramics, carbon and combinations thereof. One particular composition for the composite material includes approximately twenty weight percent of filler material, with the balance being polymeric matrix material. The composite has a thermal conductivity that is significantly increased relative to the polymeric matrix material and a flexibility that is not significantly reduced relative to the polymeric matrix material. In use, the heat transfer segment is disposed within a patient's body and positioned adjacent target tissue. A refrigerant is then introduced into the heat transfer segment causing heat to flow from the target tissue, through the member and into the refrigerant.

Abstract: A device for separating particles according to their respective masses includes a substantially cylindrical wall of inner radius, “Rwall”, that surrounds a chamber and defines a longitudinal axis. A multi-species plasma having relatively cold ions is initiated at a first end of the chamber within a relatively small radius, “rsource”, from the longitudinal axis. A hollow cylinder having an outer radius, “Router”, is positioned at the second end of the chamber and centered on the axis. Cross electric and magnetic fields (E×B) are established in the chamber that are configured to send ions of relatively high mass on trajectories having a radial apogee, rapogee, that is greater than the cylinder's outer radius (r>Router). After reaching apogee, these ions lose energy and strike the cylinder where they are collected. Low mass ions are placed on small radius helical trajectories and pass through the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for incising a stenosis within a vascular conduit of a patient includes an inflatable balloon attached to an elongated catheter that defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end of the balloon includes a tapered section and at least one incising blade is attached to the tapered section. Each incising blade is oriented on the tapered section with the proximal end of the blade radially distanced from the longitudinal axis at a distance r1 and the distal end of the incising blade radially distanced from the longitudinal axis at a distance r2. After the balloon has been inflated, each incising blade is oriented with r1>r2 to position the incising blades at an angle relative to the axis. This cooperation of structure allows the incising blades to cut an incision into a stenosis during axial advancement of the inflated balloon.

Abstract: Building-to-building over the air transmission of optical data is a growing area of data communications. The fast growing use of bandwidth mandates the use of over the air transmission equipment capable of similar performance as the performance of fiber optic transmission, for distances of 3-10 Km. Transparent transmission is important to enable seamless growth from low data-rare to Gbps rates, and then to Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (DWDM) transmission of several wavelengths. The only way to achieve the required performance is with narrow, directable beams. This patent application discloses a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) mirror based, over the air, optical data transmission system. A narrow optical beam is used and a MEMS mirror fine-tunes the aiming of the beam to track building movement, vibrations etc.

Abstract: A band gap mass filter for separating particles of mass (M1) from particles of mass (M2) in a multi-species plasma includes a chamber defining an axis. Coils around the chamber generate an axially aligned magnetic field defined (B=B0+B1 sin ?t), with an antenna generating the sinusoidal component (B1 sin ?t) to induce an azimuthal electric field (E?) in the chamber. The resultant crossed electric and magnetic fields place particles M2 on unconfined orbits for collection inside the chamber, and pass the particles M1 through said chamber for separation from the particles M2. Unconfined orbits for particles M2 are determined according to an ?-? plot ( ? = ? 0 2 + ? 1 2 / 2 4 ? ? 2 , and ? ? ? ? = ? 0 ? ? 1 8 ? ? 2 ) , where ?0 is the cyclotron frequency for particles with mass/charge ratio M, and wherein ?0=B0/M and ?1=B1/M.