Abstract: A dilation instrument includes a body, a dilation catheter, a guide member, and a force sensor. The dilation catheter has an expandable dilator. The guide member extends distally from the body and is configured to guide movement of the expandable dilator. The force sensor is operatively connected to the guide member and is configured to sense a force imparted against the guide member for monitoring engagement with an anatomy of a patient.

Abstract: A dilation instrument and method of imaging an anatomy within a patient includes a dilation catheter having a catheter body, a fluid conduit extending along the catheter body, a dilator, and at least one ultrasonic transducer. The catheter body is configured to distally extend from an instrument body and move relative to the instrument body. The dilator is connected to the catheter body in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and configured to receive a fluid from the fluid conduit and thereby inflate from a contracted state to an expanded state. The at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned on the catheter body and configured to electrically connect to an ultrasonic generator. The at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to emit a source ultrasonic signal toward an anatomy within a patient for producing a diagnostic or a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus, which includes a catheter configured for insertion into a body of a subject, the catheter comprising a flexible distal portion configured to flex in response to a mechanical force applied to the catheter, a conducting element, held by the flexible distal portion of the catheter such that a position of the conducting element changes as the flexible distal portion flexes, at least one transmitting coil, disposed within the catheter proximally to the conducting element, configured to generate an alternating magnetic field that induces, in the conducting element, eddy currents that vary with the position of the conducting element, and one or more receiving coils, disposed within the catheter proximally to the conducting element, configured to output respective signals responsively to a superposition of (i) the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil, and (ii) a secondary magnetic field generated by the eddy currents.

Abstract: A bait station comprising a housing that comprises a flexible portion; a composition contained on or in the housing and comprising at least one sugar and at least one toxin; an insert or attachment coupled to the housing; at least one olfactory attractant contained in the insert or the attachment; and optionally a container holding a liquid or gel or wick system that enhances the performance of the bait station.

Abstract: A bait station comprising a housing that comprises a flexible portion; a composition contained on or in the housing and comprising at least one sugar and at least one toxin; an insert coupled to the housing; and at least one olfactory attractant contained in the insert.

Abstract: A suspension system between two bodies, the suspension system including: a first pressure chamber provided between the bodies; and at least one other pressure chamber provided between the bodies such that the at least one other pressure chamber opposes the action of the first pressure chamber; and a control system to control the pressure and volume in the first pressure chamber and the at least one other pressure chamber to adjust the stiffness value of the suspension system independently of adjusting a distance between the bodies.

Abstract: A suspension system between two bodies, the suspension system including: a first pressure chamber provided between the bodies; and at least one other pressure chamber provided between the bodies such that the at least one other pressure chamber opposes the action of the first pressure chamber; and a control system to control the pressure and volume in the first pressure chamber and the at least one other pressure chamber to adjust the stiffness value of the suspension system independently of adjusting a distance between the bodies.