Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a catheter having a torque transmitting shaft which retains adequate flexibility. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having an outer surface. In a preferred embodiment, a raised pattern is disposed on the outer surface. Preferably, the raised pattern improves the transmission of torque along the elongate shaft by including a series of bearing points which contact other bearing points along the shaft when torqued.

Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.

Abstract: A guided filter system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The system includes a guidewire slideable through a wire guide included in a distal region of a support wire. The support wire has an expandable filter, which is operable between a collapsed or enlarged condition. A variety of endovascular devices, including angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent-deployment catheters, are insertable over the guidewire and/or the support wire. Methods of using the guided filter system to direct and exchange endovascular devices to a region of interest, and to entrap and remove embolic material from the vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and system for a wet/wet differential pressure sensor based on microelectronic packaging process. A top cap with a hole can be attached to a topside of a MEMS-configured pressure sense die with a pressure sensing diaphragm in order to allow sensed media to come in contact with the topside of the pressure sensing diaphragm. An optional constraint with a hole for stress relief can be attached to a backside of the pressure sense die. Adhesive and/or elastomeric seals and/or solder can be utilized to seal the pressure sense die allowing sensed media to come in contact with both sides of the pressure sensing diaphragm without coming into contact with wirebonds and other metallized surfaces. The MEMS-configured pressure sense die can also be bonded to a substrate with standard die attach materials. Such microelectronic packaging processes yield a high performance and cost effective solution thereby providing wet-wet pressure sensing capability.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed that can help isolate the sensor and/or sensor components from a media to be sensed and/or can help reduce sensor damage caused by harsh operating environments. In one illustrative embodiment, the pressure sensor may include a substrate having a pressure sensing die mounted on a first side of the substrate, a first housing member defining a first cavity around the pressure sensing die, and a second housing member defining a second cavity on the second side of the substrate. A passivating agent, such as a gel, can be positioned in both the first cavity and the second cavity to transmit pressure from the media to a pressure sensing element (e.g. diaphragm) while isolating the pressure sensing element and other components from the media. In some cases, the first housing member and/or the second housing member may include an opening for exposing the passivating agent to the media.

Abstract: A solar cell is disclosed that may include a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bifunctional ligand and into the electron conductor. The hole conductor may be a p-type polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method of implanting an intervertebral disk prosthesis that can be assembled and disassembled in a minimally invasive fashion. The prosthesis comprises a first fixing element having an anchoring first face and a cooperation second face; a second fixing element having an anchoring first face and a cooperation second face; a first prosthesis element having an active first face and a cooperation second face, the cooperation faces of the first fixing element and the first prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; a second prosthesis element having an active first face and a cooperation second face, the cooperation faces of the second fixing element and the second prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; and each of the active faces of the prosthesis elements defining at least a portion of a spherical cap.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormal eye movement in a subject to indicate possible impairment of the subject. The subject may be presented with a visual pattern to observe. The visual pattern may cause the subject's eyes to move. Images of the eye movements may be captured. An eye motion pattern may be computed from the images. The eye motion pattern may be classified relative to other eye motion patterns or a guide. The classification may indicate whether there appears to be an abnormal movement of the eye and thus an impairment of the subject. An identification of the subject may be obtained according to a biometric from the images and used to retrieve the subject's baseline eye motion pattern. A comparison of the computed eye motion pattern and the baseline eye motion pattern may indicate whether there is abnormal movement of the eye and thus an impairment of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a page for binding in an album. The page includes a blank, printer paper sheet and a hinge strip mounted along an edge of the printer paper sheet, the hinge strip including a flexible line for allowing the hinge strip to bend along the flexible line and a portion for binding to an album. The paper sheet and the hinge strip are adapted to go through a printer together to provide a ready-to-bind printed page.

Abstract: A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter introduced through the groin and inferior vena cava into the right side of the heart comprises an elongate flexible shaft having a steerable distal section and a prolapsing section located proximally of the distal section. The distal section is inserted into the coronary sinus and a back-steering force is applied to the catheter to anchor the distal section therein, after which the catheter is further advanced to prolapse the prolapsing section against the high right atrium. Electrical pathways in both the coronary sinus and the high right atrium are mapped using respective electrode pairs carried on the distal and prolapsing sections of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for classifying cardiac responses to pacing stimulation and/or preventing retrograde cardiac conduction are described. Following delivery of a pacing pulse to an atrium of the patient's heart during a cardiac cycle, the system senses in the atrium for a retrograde P-wave. The system classifies the atrial response to the pacing pulse based on detection of the retrograde P-wave. The system may also sense for an atrial evoked response and utilize the atrial evoked response in classifying the cardiac pacing response. If capture is not detected, the system may deliver additional atrial pacing pulses to reduce atrial retrograde conduction. A backup pace may be delivered to prevent the atrial retrograde conduction if an atrial evoked response is not detected during a cardiac cycle. Alternatively, retrograde management may involve delaying a next scheduled pace may be until expiration of an atrial effective refractory period.

Abstract: A solar cell is disclosed that may include a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bifunctional ligand and into the electron conductor. The hole conductor may be a p-type polymer.

Abstract: A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for blocking blood from entering the atrial appendage which can form blood clots therein is disclosed. The membrane also prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading to strokes and heart attacks. The membranes are percutaneously installed in patients experiencing atrial fibrillations and other heart conditions where thrombosis may form in the atrial appendages. A variety of means for securing the membranes in place are disclosed. The membranes may be held in place over the ostium of the atrial appendage or fill the inside of the atrial appendage. The means for holding the membranes in place over the ostium of the atrial appendages include prongs, stents, anchors with tethers or springs, disks with tethers or springs, umbrellas, spiral springs filling the atrial appendages, and adhesives.

Abstract: Guidewire exit ramp members that may be placed over a tubular member having a guidewire lumen, which longitudinally extending and laterally accessible, and methods of use. The guidewire exit ramp member can be placed to force a guidewire loaded through the lumen in a first direction to be forced out of the lumen via an opening, slit or channel. The guidewire exit ramp member, in an illustrative embodiment, takes the form of a relatively short member having a proximal portion and a distally extending flap. The flap may be designed to enter and remain in a longitudinally accessible guidewire lumen. Combinations of such ramp members and device shafts having longitudinally extending laterally accessible guidewire lumens are also disclosed, as are methods for securing such combinations together. A method of backloading a guidewire into a catheter while causing lateral exit of the guidewire at a desired location is also shown.

Abstract: One embodiment is a medical device comprising an elongate catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter, the tip extending distally of the distal end of the catheter, the tip comprising a soft body portion and a rigid ring distal the soft body portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anastomosis catheter, for achieving a tissue to tissue or synthetic graft to tissue attachment. The catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may be used to achieve end to end or end to side anastomoses. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal implant may be made of two or more implant members. In an embodiment, implant members may be joined together by a rotational connection that inhibits separation of the members as well as axial movement of the members relative to each other. Implant members may be coupled together by a pin or pins, adhesive, or other fasteners to inhibit separation and/or rotation of the members relative to each other.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device for retrieving foreign objects from a patient and the method of constructing the device are disclosed. The device incorporates a wire cable composed of a precursor alloy to a superelastic material to improve durability of the device. Because precursor alloys exhibit, a linear stress-strain relationship and a yield point associated with a relatively high stress level, the device transfers greater stresses before experiencing deformation. Thus, greater crushing forces can be achieved using a device of this type. These crushing forces may be needed when the foreign object is too large to remove intact. This property also facilitates the device in dilating ducts to retrieve foreign objects. Using the precursor alloy additionally eliminates the need for heat treatment of the cables used in constructing the device. A retrieval device made of precursor alloy cable also is less susceptible to permanent deformation and unwinding during use.