Abstract: Optical connection systems including electrical-and-optical connection systems and methods thereof are disclosed. An electrical-and-optical connection system can include an extension tube having a plug and a relay module having a receptacle. The plug can be formed of a metal piece around electrical wires, which, in turn, are around optical-fiber cores that extend along a length of the extension tube. The plug can be configured to pierce through at least a sterile barrier. The relay module can include electrical wires and optical-fiber cores within a housing of the relay module, as well as a receptacle disposed in the housing. The receptacle can be configured to simultaneously accept insertion of the plug therein and establish both electrical and optical connections between the plug and the receptacle from a sterile field to a non-sterile field set up by the sterile barrier. Shape-sensing systems including the optical connection systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A guidewire locking mechanism for a rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC) placement system includes a housing defining a needle lumen and guidewire lumen communicating therewith and extending at an angle therefrom. The needle extends through the needle lumen and a guidewire aperture, disposed in a side wall thereof, and aligns with the guidewire lumen. The guidewire extends through the guidewire lumen, through the guidewire aperture, and into a needle lumen. Once accessed, the guidewire can stabilize the insertion site to the vasculature. A locking mechanism can lock a position of the guidewire and the housing can detach from the needle hub, allowing the needle to be withdrawn therefrom. The guidewire can slide through a needle slot to disengage the needle. In the unlocked position, the guidewire can pass through one of a housing slot or a lock slot to disengage the system.

Abstract: A guidance system for guiding insertion of a needle into a body of a patient utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. The guidance system can include an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of the internal body portion target, such as a blood vessel. The imaging device can be configured to provide at least one indication of status via sensory feedback based on a determined position of the needle, for example via a plurality of light-emitting diodes located on the device. One or more sensors can be included with the probe that can sense a magnetic field associated with the needle. The system may include a processor that can receive magnetic field data sensed by the at-least-one sensor to determine the position of the needle. The system can also include a display that depicts the determined position of the needle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are intraosseous access devices having various operating mechanisms, as well as methods of the intraosseous access devices. For example, an intraosseous access device includes, in some embodiments, a constant-torque spring assembly, a drive shaft, an intraosseous needle, and an interlock mechanism. The constant-torque spring assembly is disposed in a housing, and the drive shaft extends from the housing. The drive shaft is coupled to the constant-torque spring assembly. The intraosseous needle is coupled to the drive shaft. The intraosseous needle is configured for drilling through bone and providing intraosseous access to a medullary cavity of a patient. The interlock mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the intraosseous needle and the drilling therewith until the interlock mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system, apparatus and method directed to detecting damage to an optical fiber of a medical device. The optical fiber includes core fibers including a plurality of sensors configured to (i) reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and (ii) change a characteristic of the reflected light signal based on experienced strain. The system also includes a console having memory storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing receiving reflected light signals of different spectral widths of the broadband incident light by one or more of the plurality of sensors, processing the reflected light signals to detect fluctuations of a portion of the optical fiber, and determining a location of the portion of the optical fiber or a defect affecting a vessel in which the portion is disposed based on the detected fluctuations. The portion may be a distal tip of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Connection systems are disclosed for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. An example connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured to connect to each other. The first connector includes a first-connector housing, an electrical lead extending from the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element within the first-connector housing configured to pierce the drape. The first piercing element is orthogonally connected to the electrical lead. The second connector includes a second-connector housing and at least a first receptacle within the second-connector housing. The first receptacle is configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first piercing element when the first connector is disposed over the second connector with the drape therebetween. Methods are also disclosed herein for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape with the connection systems.

Abstract: A composite manhole cover includes a body made of a polymer adapted to accommodate an embedded magnetic material embedded as well as function enhancing electronics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system, apparatus and method directed to detecting damage to an optical fiber of a medical device. The optical fiber includes one or more core fibers each including a plurality of sensors configured to (i) reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and (ii) alter the reflected light signal for use in determining a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber. The system also includes a console having non-transitory computer-readable medium storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to the multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals, receiving reflected light signals of different spectral widths of the broadband incident light by one or more of the plurality of sensors, identifying at least one unexpected spectral width or a lack of an expected spectral width, and determining the damage has occurred to the optical fiber based on the identification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system, apparatus and method directed to detecting malposition of a medical device within a vessel of a patient, such as an Azygos vein. The medical device can include a multi-core optical fiber including a plurality of core fibers, where each of the plurality of core fibers includes a plurality of sensors is configured to reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and change a characteristic of the reflected light signal for use in determining a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber. The system can include a console having non-transitory computer-readable medium storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to the multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals, processing the reflected light signals, and determining whether the medical device has entered the Azygos vein of the patient based on the reflected light signals.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods thereof facilitate establishing electrical connections through a barrier such as a drape without compromising a sterile field established by the barrier. A connection system can include two connectors. A first connector can include a first-connector housing defining a cavity, a slideable end piece coupled to a distal-end portion of the first-connector housing, and at least a first piercing element connected to a first electrical lead. The first piercing element can be configured to enter the cavity and pierce a barrier disposed in the cavity when the slideable end piece is advanced toward a proximal-end portion of the first-connector housing. A second connector can include at least a first receptacle within a second-connector housing connected to a second electrical lead. The first receptacle can be configured to form at least a first electrical connection with the first piercing element after the first piercing element pierces the barrier.

Abstract: A device for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and co-generating cool freshwater and cool dry air, which device comprises at least one hermetic outer recipient containing an intermediate fluid in liquid phase and gaseous phase, the fluid having high latent heat and high capillary properties, traversed by at least one intermediate fluid evaporation tube inside the tube flows moist air whose moisture condenses, at least partly, in a capillary condensation regime on its inner face and on its outer face the liquid phase of the intermediate fluid evaporates, at least partially, in a capillary evaporation regime, and traversed by at least one LNG evaporation tube on which outer face the gaseous phase of the intermediate fluid condenses at least partially, under a capillary condensation regime, and inside the tube, the LNG is heated and changes phase and the regasified natural gas (NG) is heated to a temperature greater than 5° C.

Abstract: An information providing system 1 includes: an item list generator 55 that generates a match-pair list including items associated with a subject user based on information registered in a user profile database 51 and information registered in an item profile database 52; a session information processing system 6 that acquires session information in a session with the subject user via a user interface 2 and calculates a target social position of the subject user in a social space formed by reflection of sense of values of a plurality of registered users registered in the user profile database 51, based on the session information; and an item proposer 7 that proposes items to the subject user based on the match-pair list and the target social position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic signature imprinting system including an imprinting device and a medical device having ferrous elements. The imprinting device includes an active area configured to receive the medical device. The active area includes one or more electromagnets configured to generate one or more electromagnetic fields to imprint a magnetic signature. The imprinting device further includes one or more sensors or a user input mechanism configured to detect one or more characteristics of the medical device and a console in communication with each of the electromagnets and the sensors.

Abstract: Barriers, such as vehicle impact barriers for placing upon an existing surface such as a road surface, or a paved surface, or a pedestrian surface. Surface-mountable and removable barriers are described for use as vehicle impact barriers. Such barriers may be employed for rapid deployment in a street, causeway or other route.

Abstract: A catheter assembly configured for use with a male luer is provided herein. The catheter assembly can comprise a catheter hub having an interior chamber and a valve located in the interior chamber. The valve can comprise a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a sidewall extending therebetween to define a valve interior. The valve can include a barrier layer having a concave shape that extends in the valve interior from the sidewall at the distal portion. The barrier layer can have at least one slit extending therethrough that is in a normally closed configuration to prevent a fluid from passing through the barrier layer. The catheter assembly can further comprise a sealing ring located circumferentially at a distal end of the valve distally to the barrier layer. The sealing ring can form a seal between the valve and the interior chamber at the distal end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly includes a light source to emit light signals; a light detector to detect light signals; a coupler to optically couple the light source and the light detector to a waveguide tip; a monolithic substrate having a coupling side and a sensing side; and a lens between the waveguide tip and the monolithic substrate. The lens relays optical signals between the waveguide tip and the monolithic substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an escape tool housing member to be wound around an assist grip of a vehicle, in which a main body is to be wound around a grip portion, and a housing portion housing an escape tool is arranged to abut against an inner side of the grip portion. By pinching and then pulling with fingers a left convex portion, a pull portion, a concave portion and a right convex portion that are positioned on a front surface side of the grip portion, a left inner fixation portion and a left outer fixation portion will be disconnected from each other, and a right inner fixation portion and a right outer fixation portion will be disconnected from each other as well, thereby allowing the escape tool housing member to be removed from the assist grip.

Abstract: An upper portion of an aisle containment system for a data center. The upper portion includes spaced vertical supports aligned in two parallel rows and horizontal supports that extend between and are connected to adjacent vertical supports to form the basic framework of the upper portion. The upper portion also includes (1) at least one pair of arms that extend outwardly from opposite longitudinal sides of the basic framework and are configured to support services and (2) at least one busbar casement that is attached to the vertical supports and extends substantially the length of the upper portion. Each arm of the at least one pair of arms includes a segment that is rotatable between a first position in which the segment is substantially parallel to the vertical supports and a second position in which the segment is substantially perpendicular to the vertical supports.