Abstract: A system and method for converting hazardous waste vapors into renewable and reusable energy is disclosed. The system comprises a generator, a compressor operable to pressurize vapors to a selected threshold range, and a gas storage system configured to store and feed the fully pressurized vapor to the generator at a steady state.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inflatable balloon coupled to an outer catheter shaft and an axially translatable nose tip to which the inflatable balloon is coupled. An electrode basket surrounds the balloon and has a plurality of first splines and a plurality of second splines, wherein the plurality of first splines and the plurality of second splines are configured to deploy under inflation of the inflatable balloon and wherein at least some first splines of the plurality of first splines include at least one electrode. An actuator axially translates the nose tip in a longitudinal direction to facilitate the electrode basket moving to a collapsed state when the balloon is deflated and to an expanded state when the balloon is inflated. The actuator moves between an extended position and a retracted position and a lock mechanism locks the actuator in the extended position.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inflatable balloon coupled to an outer catheter shaft and an axially translatable nose tip coupled to the inflatable balloon. An electrode basket surrounds the balloon and has a plurality of first splines and a plurality of second splines. The plurality of splines includes a first reference spline on which a first radiopaque marker is formed, a second reference spline on which a second radiopaque marker is formed and a third reference spline on which a third radiopaque marker is formed, the second radiopaque marker being located a first angular distance in a first direction from the first radiopaque marker and the third radiopaque marker being located the first angular distance in a second direction from the first radiopaque marker, wherein the second radiopaque marker is located proximal to the first radiopaque marker and the third radiopaque marker is located distal to the first radiopaque marker.

Abstract: An ablation balloon catheter includes an outer catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon coupled at a first end to the outer catheter shaft. The catheter includes a translatable nose tip to which a second end of the inflatable balloon is coupled. The catheter has a first electrode basket having a plurality of first splines and a second electrode basket having a plurality of second splines. The second electrode basket is disposed over the first electrode basket and the plurality of first splines are rotationally offset from the plurality of second splines. One or more of the first splines support one or more electrodes and one or more of the second splines support one or more electrodes. The first and second electrode baskets have a collapsed state when the balloon is deflated and a deployed state when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: A system and method for converting hazardous waste vapors into renewable and reusable energy is disclosed. The system comprises a generator, a compressor operable to pressurize vapors to a selected threshold range, and a gas storage system configured to store and feed the fully pressurized vapor to the generator at a steady state.

Abstract: A system and method for converting hazardous waste vapors into a renewable energy source is disclosed. The system comprises a feeding system operatively coupled to a combustion system. The feeding system includes a vapor byproduct source capable of producing hydrocarbon vapors and a means for separating any liquids or particulates from the hydrocarbon vapor to create a purified vapor. The combustion system includes a compressor operable to pressurize the purified vapor to a select pressure range, a means for enriching the purified vapor with a select percentage of natural gas to form a fuel mixture, and a generator operable for converting the combined fuel mixture into electricity. Optionally, the combustion system may utilize a microturbine in combination with a fuel storage system, eductor, and a calorimeter and density meter to ensure maximum energy efficiency based on a select input range for fuel composition and pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for converting hazardous waste vapors into a renewable energy source is disclosed. The system comprises a feeding system operatively coupled to a combustion system. The feeding system includes a vapor byproduct source capable of producing hydrocarbon vapors and a means for separating any liquids or particulates from the hydrocarbon vapor to create a purified vapor. The combustion system includes a compressor operable to pressurize the purified vapor to a select pressure range, a means for enriching the purified vapor with a select percentage of natural gas to form a fuel mixture, and a generator operable for converting the combined fuel mixture into electricity. Optionally, the combustion system may utilize a microturbine in combination with a fuel storage system, eductor, and a calorimeter and density meter to ensure maximum energy efficiency based on a select input range for fuel composition and pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for use as a surgical handpiece is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a body, a rotatable shaft extending from the body and including a tissue contacting component such as a burr, and an outer tube connected to the body and surrounding at least a portion of the shaft. In some configurations, the minimum separation between the tissue contacting component and the outer tube is greater than the minimum separation between the shaft and the outer tube, thereby preventing the tissue contacting component from contacting the shaft upon the application of a force perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The device may include stand-off elements positioned between the shaft and the outer tube to aid in preventing the tissue contacting component from contacting the outer tube during operation. The outer tube may be flexible with respect to the body, such as by being constructed of a relatively flexible material and/or by being flexibly connected to the body.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to catheters and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, a catheter defines a lumen and an aperture extending from an outer surface of the catheter to the lumen, and a waveguide is disposed within the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of surgical instruments for forming a liquid jet, which are useful for performing a wide variety of surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the invention provides surgical liquid jet instruments having a pressure tube and an evacuation tube, where the pressure tube includes at least one nozzle for forming a liquid jet and where the evacuation tube includes a jet-receiving opening for receiving the liquid jet when the instrument is in operation. In some embodiments, the surgical liquid jet instrument is constructed to minimize damage to the tissue surrounding the tissue that is desired to be removed. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the distal tip of the evacuation tube wall and/or the pressure tube wall is blunted to minimize tissue damage. The invention also provides surgical methods utilizing the inventive surgical liquid jet instruments for cutting or ablating a selected tissue within portions of a patient's spine, such as within the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for quickly connecting a handpiece to a pressurized fluid source. A hollow tube on the handpiece is inserted through an aperture in an annular gasket which is held in a chamber in a body. On application of pressurized fluid to the body, the gasket is pressed against the walls of the chamber, and against the tube, thereby channeling the pressurized fluid through the hollow tube. The handpiece is retained in connection with the body by a releasable connector, such as a latch. The handpiece can be removed and replaced by releasing and remaking the connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for use as a surgical handpiece is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a body, a rotatable shaft extending from the body and including a tissue contacting component such as a burr, and an outer tube connected to the body and surrounding at least a portion of the shaft. In some configurations, the minimum separation between the tissue contacting component and the outer tube is greater than the minimum separation between the shaft and the outer tube, thereby preventing the tissue contacting component from contacting the shaft upon the application of a force perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The device may include stand-off elements positioned between the shaft and the outer tube to aid in preventing the tissue contacting component from contacting the outer tube during operation. The outer tube may be flexible with respect to the body, such as by being constructed of a relatively flexible material and/or by being flexibly connected to the body.