Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: A fluid exchanger may exchange a fluid (e.g., coolant) in a reservoir (e.g., vehicle radiator) by removing or withdrawing a first fluid (e.g., old, spent, used, etc.) and by introducing a second fluid (e.g., new, clean, etc.). For example, the fluid exchanger may use a negative pressure, suction, or vacuum to draw the first fluid from the reservoir, and subsequently, the second fluid may be transferred into the reservoir using a negative pressure held in the reservoir, a positive pressure applied to the second fluid, or a combination thereof. The fluid exchanger may also include a multi-purpose, hand-held nozzle that can change an operation of the fluid exchanger from a withdrawing mode to a dispensing mode.

Abstract: Revving an engine may be helpful in various contexts, such as when servicing the vehicle. For example, in some types of services, a cleaning agent may be introduced into the intake and surrounding regions of an engine, and the engine may be revved to reduce a likelihood that the cleaning agent might puddle. In some instances, a device can be positioned within a vehicle interior and can be used to automatically rev the vehicle engine by depressing on the vehicle throttle. In other examples, an engine revving device may send a signal to an electronic-controlled throttle actuator.

Abstract: A fluid exchanger may exchange a fluid (e.g., coolant) in a reservoir (e.g., vehicle radiator) by removing or withdrawing a first fluid (e.g., old, spent, used, etc.) and by introducing a second fluid (e.g., new, clean, etc.). For example, the fluid exchanger may use a negative pressure, suction, or vacuum to draw the first fluid from the reservoir, and subsequently, the second fluid may be transferred into the reservoir using a negative pressure held in the reservoir, a positive pressure applied to the second fluid, or a combination thereof. The fluid exchanger may also include a multi-purpose, hand-held nozzle that can change an operation of the fluid exchanger from a withdrawing mode to a dispensing mode.

Abstract: A fluid exchanger may exchange a fluid (e.g., coolant) in a reservoir (e.g., vehicle radiator) by removing or withdrawing a first fluid (e.g., old, spent, used, etc.) and by introducing a second fluid (e.g., new, clean, etc.). For example, the fluid exchanger may use a negative pressure, suction, or vacuum to draw the first fluid from the reservoir, and subsequently, the second fluid may be transferred into the reservoir using a negative pressure held in the reservoir, a positive pressure applied to the second fluid, or a combination thereof. The fluid exchanger may also include a multi-purpose, hand-held nozzle that can change an operation of the fluid exchanger from a withdrawing mode to a dispensing mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adapter that is attachable to an engine vacuum source (e.g., insertable into an end of a vehicle-engine vacuum hose) to receive a cleaning fluid from a canister (e.g., aerosol can) and to meter the cleaning fluid into the vacuum source. The adapter may include a vacuum-source insert and a nozzle receiver. In addition, the adapter may include a fluid path between the vacuum-source insert and the nozzle receiver that meters a flow of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adapter that is attachable to an engine vacuum source (e.g., insertable into an end of a vehicle-engine vacuum hose) to receive a cleaning fluid from a canister (e.g., aerosol can) and to meter the cleaning fluid into the vacuum source. The adapter may include a vacuum-source insert and a nozzle receiver. In addition, the adapter may include a fluid path between the vacuum-source insert and the nozzle receiver that meters a flow of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A fluid exchanger may exchange a fluid (e.g., coolant) in a reservoir (e.g., vehicle radiator) by removing or withdrawing a first fluid (e.g., old, spent, used, etc.) and by introducing a second fluid (e.g., new, clean, etc.). For example, the fluid exchanger may use a negative pressure, suction, or vacuum to draw the first fluid from the reservoir, and subsequently, the second fluid may be transferred into the reservoir using a negative pressure held in the reservoir, a positive pressure applied to the second fluid, or a combination thereof. The fluid exchanger may also include a multi-purpose, hand-held nozzle that can change an operation of the fluid exchanger from a withdrawing mode to a dispensing mode.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Revving an engine may be helpful in various contexts, such as when servicing the vehicle. For example, in some types of services, a cleaning agent may be introduced into the intake and surrounding regions of an engine, and the engine may be revved to reduce a likelihood that the cleaning agent might puddle. In some instances, a device can be positioned within a vehicle interior and can be used to automatically rev the vehicle engine by depressing on the vehicle throttle. In other examples, an engine revving device may send a signal to an electronic-controlled throttle actuator.

Abstract: Activated clotting time (ACT) tests detect blood clotting time based on the viscosity changes of a test sample, using a ferromagnetic washer lifted to the top of a test chamber and then dropped from the top via gravity; a drop time greater than a preset threshold value indicates clotting of the test sample. Blood samples which have high levels of heparin usually produce very weak clots that may easily be destroyed by the lifting movement of the washer. But if the clot threshold is set low to detect the weak clots, false detections occur during early testing cycles when activators are not fully suspended during the mixing cycle. Improved algorithms for lifting the washer and adjusting over time enable accurate detection of weak clots.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.

Abstract: Activated clotting time (ACT) tests detect blood clotting time based on the viscosity changes of a test sample, using a ferromagnetic washer lifted to the top of a test chamber and then dropped from the top via gravity; a drop time greater than a preset threshold value indicates clotting of the test sample. Blood samples which have high levels of heparin usually produce very weak clots that may easily be destroyed by the lifting movement of the washer. But if the clot threshold is set low to detect the weak clots, false detections occur during early testing cycles when activators are not fully suspended during the mixing cycle. Improved algorithms for lifting the washer and adjusting over time enable accurate detection of weak clots.

Abstract: Activated clotting time (ACT) tests detect blood clotting time based on the viscosity changes of a test sample, using a ferromagnetic washer lifted to the top of a test chamber and then dropped from the top via gravity; a drop time greater than a preset threshold value indicates clotting of the test sample. Blood samples which have high levels of heparin usually produce very weak clots that may easily be destroyed by the lifting movement of the washer. But if the clot threshold is set low to detect the weak clots, false detections occur during early testing cycles when activators are not fully suspended during the mixing cycle. Improved algorithms for lifting the washer and adjusting over time enable accurate detection of weak clots.

Abstract: Cardiac electroporation ablation systems and methods in which pulsed, high voltage energy is delivered to induce electroporation of cells of cardiac tissue followed by cell rupturing. In some embodiments, the delivered energy is biphasic, having a cycle time of not more than 500 microseconds.

Abstract: Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium.