Abstract: A fastener for coupling together parts with a curved surface has a male member and a female member. The male element has an overall I-shape with a head portion, neck portion and a body portion. The body portion is adapted to be coupled with one of the curved part. The head portion includes an ear on each side. A first surface on the male member is arcuate along the body, neck and head portions. The female member includes a pocket with a pair of deflectable projections. The projections extend from opposing walls toward one another. The projections engage the male member along the neck portion between the head portion and body portion to retain the male member with the female member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pumping solid-state lasers and amplifiers. More specifically, to a method and apparatus for pumping solid-state lasers and amplifiers using Light Emitting Diode (LED) arrays. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a gain medium, a plurality of LEDs in optical communication with the gain medium to excite the gain medium, the plurality of LEDs arranged in an LED array, a driving circuit to energize the LED array, and a thermoelectric cooler to reduce the temperature of the LED array, wherein the gain medium is pumped by the LED array to emit a laser light.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of using a catheter having a braided conductive member. One embodiment relates to a method for treating a condition of a patient that involves contacting an exterior wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member. Another embodiment relates to a method that involves contacting a wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member and controlling energy delivery to the braided conductive member based on at least one sensed temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for irrigating an electrode of a catheter are disclosed. Among other things, a catheter is disclosed that comprises a shaft portion including a fluid passage to conduct fluid, an electrode coupled to a distal end of the shaft portion, and a handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the shaft portion. A portion of the fluid passage defines an opening in the shaft portion. The opening is constructed and arranged such that when fluid is conducted through the fluid passage, at least some of the fluid will contact the electrode after passing through the opening in the shaft portion.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter, e.g., a coronary sinus catheter, for insertion into a cardiac vessel, such as the coronary sinus, includes a handle and a catheter shaft coupled at one end to the handle. The catheter shaft has a distal end and an anchor is associated with the catheter shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. In the deployed position, the anchor extends radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter shaft for contacting a wall and temporarily anchoring the catheter shaft within the coronary sinus. The catheter also includes an actuator for causing deployment and collapsing of the anchor upon manipulation of the actuator.

Abstract: A catheter includes a fluid network for cooling the ablation electrode, surrounding blood and tissue. The fluid network comprises a circumferential channel having an annular shape and fluidly coupled to at least one proximal longitudinal channel configured to conduct fluid along a proximal length of the catheter. The circumferential channel is configured to conduct fluid about at least a circumferential portion of the catheter. The fluid network further comprises a plurality of distal longitudinal channels fluidly coupled to the circumferential channel, with the plurality of distal longitudinal channels being configured to conduct fluid a long a distal length of the catheter. The fluid network occupies a region of the catheter peripheral to a central longitudinal axis of the catheter such that other components of the irrigated catheter, including at least one imaging sensor, is disposed within the central region of the ablation electrode.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.

Abstract: Process for producing homopolymers or copolymers of conjugated dienes by contacting monomeric material including at least one conjugated diene with a catalyst system comprising (A) a first transition metal compound selected from Cr, Mo and W compounds, and a second transition metal compound selected from Fe, Co and Ni compounds, (B) a catalyst modifier and, optionally, (C) one or more catalyst activators.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating an elongated flexible shaft of a catheter provide ease and reliability of positioning electrodes against or near tissue. Dual-bend flexible distal tips may be used in combination with flat wires. In some embodiments, flat wires which are free to rotate upon initial bending of shaft segments are employed. In some embodiments, one or more transition segments are used to relocate the satellite lumen-to-main lumen transition of pull wires away from a change in shaft stiffness.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalyzed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of using a catheter having a braided conductive member. One embodiment relates to a method for treating a condition of a patient that involves contacting an exterior wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member. Another embodiment relates to a method that involves contacting a wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member and controlling energy delivery to the braided conductive member based on at least one sensed temperature.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter and method of use for mapping and ablation procedures. The catheter includes a braided conductive member at its distal end that can be radially expanded. The catheter can be used in endocardial and epicardial mapping and ablation procedures.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter, e.g., a coronary sinus catheter, for insertion into a cardiac vessel, such as the coronary sinus, includes a handle and a catheter shaft coupled at one end to the handle. The catheter shaft has a distal end and an anchor is associated with the catheter shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. In the deployed position, the anchor extends radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter shaft for contacting a wall and temporarily anchoring the catheter shaft within the coronary sinus. The catheter also includes an actuator for causing deployment and collapsing of the anchor upon manipulation of the actuator.

Abstract: Process for producing homopolymers or copolymers of conjugated dienes by contacting monomeric material having at least one conjugated diene with a catalyst system including two or more different transition metal compounds and optionally one or more activators. Preferred transition metal compounds are based on cobalt and chromium, especially complexes thereof having benzimidazole ligands.

Abstract: A polymerization catalyst composition comprising (1) a transition metal compound of Formula (A), Z being 5-membered heterocyclic containing at least one carbon, at least one nitrogen and at least one of nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, the others being nitrogen or carbon; M is a Group 3 to 11 metal or a lanthamide metal; E1 and E2 are divalent groups of aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, or heterocyclic; D1 and D2 are donor atoms or groups; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n=m=zero or 1; y and z are zero or integer such that X and L satisfy valency/oxidation state of M, (2) a catalyst-activating support which is a solid particulate substance, insoluble in hydrocarbons, comprising at least magnesium and aluminum atoms and hydrocarbyloxy groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the molar ration of Mg/Al being in the range 1.0 to 300 and the molar ratio of hydrocarbyloxy groups to aluminum atoms being in the range 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating an elongated flexible shaft of a catheter provide ease and reliability of positioning electrodes against or near tissue. Dual-bend flexible distal tips may be used in combination with flat wires. In some embodiments, flat wires which are free to rotate upon initial bending of shaft segments are employed. In some embodiments, one or more transition segments are used to relocate the satellite lumen-to-main lumen transition of pull wires away from a change in shaft stiffness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manipulating an elongated flexible shaft of a catheter provide case and reliability of positioning electrodes against or near tissue. Dual-bend flexible distal tips (30) may be used in combination with flat wires. In some embodiments, flat wires which are free to rotate upon initial bending of shaft segments are employed. In some embodiments, one or more transition segments (48) are used to relocate the satellite lumen-to-main lumen transition of pull wires (42, 40) away from a change in shaft stiffness.