Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved water pump assemblies and related methods. The water pump assemblies can include pre-mounted fasteners and gaskets to facilitate easy installation or reinstallation of the water pump assemblies. The water pump assemblies further can include a temperature-control valve assembly positioned within a housing of the water pump assembly. The water pump assembly can include a variety of other pre-installed components. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved water pump assemblies and related methods. The water pump assemblies can include pre-mounted fasteners and gaskets to facilitate easy installation or reinstallation of the water pump assemblies. The water pump assemblies further can include a temperature-control valve assembly positioned within a housing of the water pump assembly. The water pump assembly can include a variety of other pre-installed components. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone) case and neck lanyard (with integrated headphones and microphone) allowing hands-free use of the mobile device. An embodiment magnetically couples the case to the lanyard. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone) case and neck lanyard (with integrated headphones and microphone) allowing hands-free use of the mobile device. An embodiment magnetically couples the case to the lanyard. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone) case and neck lanyard (with integrated headphones and microphone) allowing hands-free use of the mobile device. An embodiment magnetically couples the case to the lanyard. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A measurement system including a staging unit including a substrate having piezoelectric properties and a conductive electrode formed on the substrate, the conductive electrode including an area adapted to receive a sample, and an oscillator coupled to the conductive electrode. A method including in a tissue sample having a mass of less than about one microgram and that exerts a high osmotic pressure, calculating an osmotic pressure value for the tissue sample from a plurality of measurements of changes in the mass due to swelling.

Abstract: The tool for enhancing visualization during surgery includes a shaft having a balloon member at a distal end. A fluid conduit through the shaft permits passing and inflation fluid into the balloon to selectively inflate the balloon. The balloon is formed of a material transparent to a wavelength of interest. A waveguide extends within the shaft into the interior of the balloon to visualize anatomical features external to the balloon.

Abstract: A retractor tool has a hollow shaft with a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft has an internal bore sized to slidable receive an elongated tool of predetermined dimensions with a distal end of said tool exposed through a distal end of the bore. Such tool may be a visualization tool or other tool used in surgery. A first pivoting jaw and a second jaw are both secured to the distal end of the shaft to pivot about first and second pivot axes perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The jaws pivot between open and closed positions. In the closed positions, opposing surfaces of the jaws define a distal end of the bore extending completely between the jaws.

Abstract: A measurement system including a staging unit including a substrate having piezoelectric properties and a conductive electrode formed on the substrate, the conductive electrode including an area adapted to receive a sample, and an oscillator coupled to the conductive electrode. A method including in a tissue sample having a mass of less than about one microgram and that exerts a high osmotic pressure, calculating an osmotic pressure value for the tissue sample from a plurality of measurements of changes in the mass due to swelling.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a lesion in tissue along a desired ablation path includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. A guide carriage is sized to be received within the guide member and moveable therein along a longitudinal axis. A flexible tubular member extends from a proximal end of said carriage and through a length of the guide member with the tubular member adapted to move the carriage within the guide member upon application of a force to the tubular member. A system urges the carriage to move in a path along an axis of the guide member by amount substantially identical to a displacement of a force application location on the flexible tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a lesion in tissue along a desired ablation path includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. A guide carriage is sized to be received within the guide member and moveable therein along a longitudinal axis. The carriage is configured to receive an optical fiber extending substantially axially within the carriage and bend the fiber for a discharge tip of the fiber to aim through a bottom wall of the guide member. The carriage is further configured to bend the fiber toward said discharge tip with a curved portion subject to mechanical stress and a straight portion at the fiber discharge tip. The straight portion is selected to have a length to dissipate thermal stress arising from reflectance of light from the tissue back into the discharge tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a lesion in tissue along a desired ablation path includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. A guide carriage is sized to be received within the guide member and moveable along a longitudinal axis of the guide member. A tubular member extends from a proximal end of the carriage and out a proximal end of the guide member. An ablation element is carried in the carriage for movement. The ablation member is connected to a source of ablation energy through the tubular member. A sensor is provided for sensing a safety condition. The sensor is connected to a monitor external the guide member.

Abstract: A measurement system including a staging unit including a substrate having piezoelectric properties and a conductive electrode formed on the substrate, the conductive electrode including an area adapted to receive a sample, and an oscillator coupled to the conductive electrode. A method including in a tissue sample having a mass of less than about one microgram and that exerts a high osmotic pressure, calculating an osmotic pressure value for the tissue sample from a plurality of measurements of changes in the mass due to swelling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a body tissue in situ (e.g., an atrial tissue of a heart to treat) atrial fibrillation include a lesion formation tool is positioned against the heart surface. The lesion formation tool includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. An ablation member is coupled to the guide member to move in a longitudinal path relative to the guide member. The ablation member has an ablation element for directing ablation energy in an emitting direction away from the tissue-opposing surface. The guide member may be flexible to adjust a shape of the guide member for the longitudinal path to approximate the desired ablation path while maintaining the tissue-opposing surface against the heart surface. In one embodiment, the ablation member includes at least one radiation-emitting member disposed to travel in the longitudinal pathway. Transmurality can be assessed to approximate a location of non-transmurality in a formed lesion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a body tissue in situ (e.g., an atrial tissue of a heart to treat) atrial fibrillation include a lesion formation tool is positioned against the heart surface. The lesion formation tool includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. An ablation member is coupled to the guide member to move in a longitudinal path relative to the guide member. The ablation member has an ablation element for directing ablation energy in an emitting direction away from the tissue-opposing surface. The guide member may be flexible to adjust a shape of the guide member for the longitudinal path to approximate the desired ablation path while maintaining the tissue-opposing surface against the heart surface. In one embodiment, the ablation member includes at least one radiation-emitting member disposed to travel in the longitudinal pathway.