Abstract: A medical device position guidance system is provided. The system includes at least one reference transmitter and a receiver system configured to receive signals from the at least one reference transmitter. The reference transmitter is configured to maintain a static position on a subject. The system further includes a processor configured to (i) receive signals relating to the location and orientation of each sensor of the receiver system relative to the at least one reference transmitter; and (ii) using the received signals, create an anatomical coordinate system. The system may further include an inserted transmitter configured to be attached to a medical device. The inserted transmitter is adapted to establish the location and orientation of the medical device within the anatomical coordinate system. A method for medical device position guidance is also provided.

Abstract: A medical device position guidance system is provided. The system includes at least one reference transmitter and a receiver system configured to receive signals from the at least one reference transmitter. The reference transmitter is configured to maintain a static position on a subject. The system further includes a processor configured to (i) receive signals relating to the location and orientation of each sensor of the receiver system relative to the at least one reference transmitter; and (ii) using the received signals, create an anatomical coordinate system. The system may further include an inserted transmitter configured to be attached to a medical device. The inserted transmitter is adapted to establish the location and orientation of the medical device within the anatomical coordinate system. A method for medical device position guidance is also provided.

Abstract: A configurable pathway deviation indication system for medical device placement includes one or more user-adjustable pathway boundaries and an indication activated upon reaching or breaching of any of the pathway boundaries. The system may include a medical device configured to be inserted into a patient; a location transmitter configured to transmit a signal related to a position of the medical device; and a detector device configured to receive information related to the patient's body and the location transmitter. The system may be operatively coupled to the location transmitter and the at least one detector device. The system may further include a display and a computing system comprising one or more processors and or more non-transitory computer-readable media. The system can display the position of the location transmitter; determine if the position of the location transmitter reaches any pathway boundaries; and provide the indication when the pathway boundary is breached and/or approached.

Abstract: A medical device position guidance system is provided. The system includes at least one reference transmitter and a receiver system configured to receive signals from the at least one reference transmitter. The reference transmitter is configured to maintain a static position on a subject. The system further includes a processor configured to (i) receive signals relating to the location and orientation of each sensor of the receiver system relative to the at least one reference transmitter; and (ii) using the received signals, create an anatomical coordinate system. The system may further include an inserted transmitter configured to be attached to a medical device. The inserted transmitter is adapted to establish the location and orientation of the medical device within the anatomical coordinate system. A method for medical device position guidance is also provided.

Abstract: A tubing assembly for use in conjunction with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and a sensor. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a digestive tract of a patient. The sensor includes a temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, or both, and can be located within the lumen of the catheter or in an air sampling chamber connected to the catheter. The sensor can communicate with a processor to deliver temperature and/or relative humidity readings to a display device. A constant temperature or relative humidity profile, or both after a pre-determined amount of time can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract. A catheter guidance system and a method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.

Abstract: Optical devices are manufactured by aligning domains, or poled volumes, in specific patterns in a ferroelectric crystal material. The ferroelectric crystal material may be poled in a repeated pattern, using an electrode having a shaped contact area that is essentially the same as a single spatial feature of the pattern such as a line or a triangle, or with a shaped contact area that is smaller than a spatial feature of the pattern, or smaller than all of the spatial features of the pattern. These devices may be produced use a repositionable electrode on one surface of the crystal, rather than a conventional, fixed electrode.

Abstract: The manufacture of optical devices by reversing domains in specific patterns in ferroelectric crystal material is practiced using a segmented electrode rather than a continuous electrode on at least one of the surfaces of the ferroelectric crystal material. Independent poling voltages are selectively applied to the segments to create various electric fields inside the ferroelectric crystal material. In this manner, portions of the desired domain-reversed pattern are individually established in the ferroelectric crystal material in high fidelity with their respective electrode segments so that upon completion of poling, the entire domain-reversed structure is established in the ferroelectric crystal material in high fidelity relative to the entire electrode. Parameters of the electrode segment that may be varied singly or in combination to achieve a desired degree of fidelity include the overall size of the electrode segment, as well as the shape and size of the features included in the electrode segment.

Abstract: A differential locking system in which the differential includes a differential carrier (1) which rotatably supports a pair of bevel gears (2,3) as well as a pinion gear (4) which meshes with the bevel gears (2,3) and is mounted for rotation on a shaft (5) supported by the differential carrier (1), the locking system including an annulus (6) splined to the carrier (1) and slideable axially of the carrier to cause engagement between splined teeth (9) on the annulus (6) and co-operating spline teeth (10) formed on one of the bevel gears (3) to lock the differential. The necessary axial movement of the annulus (6) is achieved by way of an annular piston (11) arranged in an annular cylinder (12) formed in the carrier (1) around the opposite bevel gear (2), and an actuating sleeve (13) which extends from the piston (11) to the annulus (6) to which it is rigidly attached, so that actuation of piston (11 ) causes the axial movement.