Abstract: An apparatus comprising a torque wire connected to an imaging probe; and a torque limiter defining a bore, a first end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with a motor, a second end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with the torque wire, the torque wire being disposed through the bore of the torque limiter. The torque limiter comprises a member defining at least one cutout which causes the torque limiter to break when rotational force on the torque wire exceeds a predetermined amount, thereby decoupling the motor from the torque wire.

Abstract: A heating element with dimensions less than a centimetre according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a metallic substrate (1) which includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/m·k and an ultimate tensile strength measured at ambient temperature greater than 400 MPa and which includes a working face suitable to be placed in contact with a medium or an element to be heated, a conductive layer (3) which is supported by a face of the substrate opposite the working face and which forms a circuit comprising two power supply elements (A) linked by a thin resistive element (R) and adapted to be connected to a current source, and a dielectric layer (2) interposed between the conductive layer (3) and the metallic substrate (1).

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector; a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interface; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a torque wire connected to an imaging probe; and a torque limiter defining a bore, a first end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with a motor, a second end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with the torque wire, the torque wire being disposed through the bore of the torque limiter. The torque limiter comprises a member defining at least one cutout which causes the torque limiter to break when rotational force on the torque wire exceeds a predetermined amount, thereby decoupling the motor from the torque wire.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector; a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interface; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a torque wire connected to an imaging probe; and a torque limiter defining a bore, a first end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with a motor, a second end of the torque limiter being in mechanical communication with the torque wire, the torque wire being disposed through the bore of the torque limiter. The torque limiter comprises a member defining at least one cutout which causes the torque limiter to break when rotational force on the torque wire exceeds a predetermined amount, thereby decoupling the motor from the torque wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: One embodiment describes an automated and flexible system to analyze probe arrays. It comprises a plurality of arrays mounted on pegs that are moved by an instrument handling robot to liquid reaction stations.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of flushing a lumen of interest having a first diameter and a lumen wall. The method can include the steps of selecting a flush solution such that the flush solution lowers a fluid removal rate of a plurality of terminating lumens, the terminating lumens branching from and in fluid communication with the lumen of interest, at least one of the terminating lumens having a second diameter, the second diameter smaller than the first diameter; flushing the lumen with the flush solution; and collecting optical tomography scan data relative to a portion of the lumen wall.

Abstract: One embodiment describes an automated and flexible system to analyze probe arrays. It comprises a plurality of arrays mounted on pegs that are moved by an instrument handling robot to liquid reaction stations.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for its installation are described for melting breaches in ice dams. The apparatus is spherically or cylindrically shaped, filled with salt, another ice melter or a resistance heater. It is laid on the ice dam along the roof pitch to create a path for the drainage of water behind the ice dam. The method of installation uses grippers or hooks attached to a pole for remote placement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an adaptor is described that comprises an interface that engages one or more components of an, instrument that introduce a fluid to the interface; a first channel that directs the fluid from the interface to a housing operatively coupled to the adaptor, where the housing comprises a chamber and a biological probe array positioned within the chamber; and a second channel that directs the fluid away from the housing.

Abstract: A fluidics station is described that includes a housing that accepts removable modules, where each of the removable modules includes; a holder that receives a probe array cartridge, where the probe array cartridge includes a chamber that is fluidically coupled to fluid transfer apertures; a transport mechanism that reversibly transports the holder and the probe array cartridge between a first position and a second position; alignment pins constructed and arranged to engage one or more alignment features of the probe array cartridge, where the probe array cartridge is in the second position; and a needle constructed and arranged to interface with each of the fluid transfer apertures.

Abstract: A system for high throughput processing of a plurality of probe arrays is described that includes a means for holding a plurality of cartridges, where each cartridge includes a probe array capable of detecting biological molecules; a means for interfacing with a cartridge; and a manifold that couples each of the plurality of cartridges with one or more reservoirs, where each cartridge is coupled via the means for interfacing.

Abstract: A rotary blood pump comprises a housing and a rotor. The housing includes a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a blood flow conduit disposed between the blood inlet and the blood outlet, and a rotary bearing assembly disposed within and fixed to the housing. The rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing and includes one or more impellor blades disposed within the blood flow conduit for pumping blood through the conduit, and a shaft affixed to and rotating with the rotor. The shaft rotatably engages the bearing assembly to define an intersection between the rotor and the housing and to provide relative rotation between the rotor and the housing. In addition, the shaft further defines an axis of rotation for the rotor. In the rotary pump of the invention, at least one of the rotor and the housing defines a swirl region proximate to the intersection between the rotor and the housing.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic energy converter useful in a circulatory assist device includes a housing defining a hydraulic fluid flow path and having first and second open ends. A left diaphragm is disposed on and seals the first open end of the housing, and a right diaphragm is disposed on and seals the second open end of the housing. A reversible axial flow pump is disposed within the housing for reversibly pumping hydraulic fluid along the hydraulic fluid flow path. In another embodiment, a blood pump is provided for alternately driving left and right systole in a circulatory assist device. The blood pump includes an energy converter having left and right blood pumping elements disposed on and sealing the two open ends of the housing. In a further embodiment, the axial flow pump includes a stator, a rotor rotatably connected to the stator, several impeller blades disposed around and extending radially outward from the rotor, and a motor for imparting mechanical movement on the rotor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high inlet internal artery for use with thermosyphon tubes having condenser and evaporator sections. The high inlet internal artery allows such thermosyphons to operate above previously known maximum power throughput limits by drawing working fluid away from a stagnant pool area at the top of the condenser section of the thermosyphon tubes and transporting that fluid back into the evaporator section of the thermosyphon tube out of contact with upward flowing vapor which could impede the return of condensate. The high inlet artery of the present invention allows the circulation of liquid through a closed path and promotes increased thermal efficiency.