Abstract: A magnetically navigable atherectomy device includes a cutting head, a flexible drive shaft having a proximal and a distal end, with the cutting device on the distal end, and a magnet associated with the cutting head, the magnet of sufficient size to allow the cutting head to be oriented by an externally applied magnetic field. The magnet may be a portion of the cutting head made from a magnetically permeable or permanent magnetic material, a portion of the drive shaft made from a magnetically permeable or permanent magnetic material; a separate magnet between the cutting head and the drive shaft, a portion a magnet on a sheath covering the drive shaft. Alternatively a guide wire can provided with a magnetic material on its distal end. Through the application of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic gradient, the artherectomy device can be guided to the location of the atheromatous material in the body.

Abstract: Atherectomy device are guided by and manipulated by externally applied magnetic fields to treat total or partial occlusions of a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A system for magnetically assisted surgery includes a magnetic support structure, a patient support structure and a magnet having at least four poles attached to the magnetic support structure so that the magnet provides a near-field magnetic field in an operating region of a patient supported by the patient support structure. The magnet is moveable so that the direction of the magnetic field lines in the operating region is adjustable. The magnet may include a pair of essentially semicircular half-segments permanently magnetized and joined in an extremely stable disk configuration. The magnetic field and gradient field provided by the magnet is such that movement of the disk in one plane combined with rotation of the disk is sufficient to orient the magnetic field during surgical use, thereby reducing interference to medical imaging devices needed during surgery.

Abstract: A method of applying an elongate magnetic element to the surface of an internal body structure includes applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element against the surface of the body structure.

Abstract: A method of applying a magnetic medical device to the surface of an internal body structure, the medical device having a magnetically responsive element associated with its distal end, the method comprising applying a magnetic field to the distal end of the magnetic medical device to apply a measured and controlled force between the medical device and tissue to facilitate cardiac sensing, mapping, pacing, ablation, biopsying and other procedures. Contact is confirmed by the angle between the direction of the magnetic medical device and the applied magnetic field, and the contact force is controlled by controlling at least one of the magnetic field direction and the magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A method of applying an elongate magnetic element to the surface of an internal body structure includes applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element against the surface of the body structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing polycarbonate wherein a chain terminator is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of a carbonate precursor, a coupling catalyst is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminator, and base is added to the reaction mixture after reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminatorin an amount sufficient to give a negative chloroformate test.

Abstract: A process for preparing polycarbonate wherein a chain terminator is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of a carbonate precursor, a coupling catalyst is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminator, and base is added to the reaction mixture after reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminator in an amount sufficient to give a negative chloroformate test.

Abstract: A process for preparing polycarbonate wherein a chain terminator is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of a carbonate precursor, a coupling catalyst is added to the reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminator, and base is added to the reaction mixture after reaction mixture after substantial reaction of the chain terminator in an amount sufficient to give a negative chloroformate test.