Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular intervention catheters and provides catheters for performing an intravascular procedure that use a mechanism to control an operation at the end of the catheter. The mechanism can be used to steer the distal tip of the catheter from a controller at a proximal end of the catheter. The mechanism may include one or more pull wires extending along the catheter. The mechanism may optionally be manually or computer controlled.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of intravascular intervention that includes inserting a catheter comprising an extended body into a lumen within tissue of a patient, advancing the catheter to a treatment site, vibrating a proximal end of the catheter with a mechanical vibrator, and treating the treatment site while a distal end of the catheter is vibrating.

Abstract: Presenting intravascular images and angiographic images co-registered on a display. As an imaging catheter is pushed through an occlusion, a center point of the catheter and an outline of the vessel wall can be displayed. A physician can see where the catheter is crossing the occlusion within the vessel. The physician can determine what path the catheter is taking the through occlusion. Methods include extending an imaging catheter through the occlusion, determining a location of a wall of the vessel relative to a center point of the catheter, obtaining a position of the catheter within a lumen of the vessel via angiography, and displaying the catheter crossing the occlusion by co-registering the location of the wall, the position of the catheter within the lumen, and the lumen on a display.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of intravascular intervention that includes inserting a guidewire comprising an extended body into a lumen within tissue of a patient, advancing the guidewire into a chronic total occlusion, vibrating a proximal end of the guidewire with a mechanical vibrator, and crossing the chronic total occlusion while a distal end of the guidewire is vibrating.

Abstract: The invention describes methods for safely delivering ablation energy to a tissue, e.g., thrombus, in need of ablation therapy. The method uses a catheter adapted for IVUS imaging, ablation, and impedance measurements to monitor the impedance of a tissue receiving ablation energy. In an embodiment, a user may view an IVUS image of the tissue with impedance measurements to determine if it is safe to deliver additional energy. In another embodiment, a processor is configured to determine if it is safe to deliver additional ablation energy based upon the impedance measurement.

Abstract: An engine control module having an environmentally-sealed housing includes a housing-mounted air pressure sensor for providing a reliable measure of atmospheric air pressure to a control circuit mounted within the housing. The sensor is mounted on an inboard face of the housing, and includes a sensor element, a body portion and a riser portion. The sensor element is mounted in the body portion, and the riser portion protrudes through an opening in the housing to couple the sensor element to atmospheric pressure outside the housing. The body portion is sealingly secured to the inboard face of the housing, and a set of conductor pins molded into the body portion extend inward to engage a circuit board enclosed by the housing, and thereby directly couple the sensor element to the ECM's control circuit. The top of the riser portion is capped by a splash-proof lid to prevent water intrusion.

Abstract: A ballistic performance and trauma reduction system for soft body armor including a solid plastic sheet cut into multiple sections of geometric designs which overlap and are stitched to one or more layers of woven or non-woven ballistic fabric contained within a ballistic package of the soft body armor. Energy is transmitted through the ballistic sheets to the plastic sheet improving ballistic performance and reducing trauma to the wearer's body, resulting in safer, thinner and lighter armor.

Abstract: An engine control module having an environmentally-sealed housing includes a housing-mounted air pressure sensor for providing a reliable measure of atmospheric air pressure to a control circuit mounted within the housing. The sensor is mounted on an inboard face of the housing, and includes a sensor element, a body portion and a riser portion. The sensor element is mounted in the body portion, and the riser portion protrudes through an opening in the housing to couple the sensor element to atmospheric pressure outside the housing. The body portion is sealingly secured to the inboard face of the housing, and a set of conductor pins molded into the body portion extend inward to engage a circuit board enclosed by the housing, and thereby directly couple the sensor element to the ECM's control circuit. The top of the riser portion is capped by a splash-proof lid to prevent water intrusion.

Abstract: Finger probe for use in ultrasonic imaging includes a housing and a matrix array arranged within the housing to produce ultrasound beams and which includes a plurality of independently-addressable transducer elements. A finger clip is coupled to the housing and arranged to accommodate an operator's finger. A control unit is coupled to the transducer elements to provide planar and volumetric scanning capabilities. A system and method for ultrasonically interrogating a patient's body part and for producing ultrasound images based on the interrogation using a finger-mounted ultrasound probe are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semi-invasive ultrasound imaging system for imaging biological tissue includes a transesophageal probe or a transnasal, transesophageal probe connected to a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array, a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, and an image generator. The two-dimensional transducer array is disposed on a distal portion of the probe's elongated body. The transmit beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to transmit several ultrasound beams over a selected pattern defined by azimuthal and elevation orientations. The receive beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to acquire ultrasound data from the echoes reflected over a selected tissue volume. The tissue volume is defined by the azimuthal and elevation orientations and a selected scan range. The receive beamformer is constructed to synthesize image data from the acquired ultrasound data.

Abstract: Wiring an IC, using flexible circuits, by relating a circuit board to an IC and using traces on the circuit board as a second set of input to the IC. More specifically, a set of first lands on the circuit board are connected to a first set of lands on the IC. The circuit board and IC are positioned so as to present a second set of lands on the circuit board in close proximity to a second set of lands on the IC. A first flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the circuit board while a second flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the IC. The flex circuits may be connected to signal wires or may serve themselves as the main signal wires.

Abstract: A bias correcting phase compensating rate limiter to control movement of a device may include a switching arrangement adapted to reverse a polarity of an error signal in response to a set of predetermined conditions that may include a commanded rate of movement of the device exceeding a rate limit capability of the device; a time rate of change of an input signal to the rate limiter being opposite in polarity to a difference between the input signal to the rate limiter and an output signal from the rate limiter; and a time rate of change of the input signal to the rate limiter being opposite in polarity to a difference between the output signal from the rate limiter and a signal corresponding to a pre-specified neutral or trim position of the device.

Abstract: The system contains the active inceptor having mobility in a first direction. A feedback mechanism is in communication with the active inceptor. The mechanism provides a variable level of force to the active inceptor in the first direction. A programmable device communicates with the feedback mechanism. The programmable device controls the level of force provided to the active inceptor from the feedback mechanism. The programmable device is capable of recognizing and distinguishing between regimes wherein the operator is physically engaging the inceptor (“hands-on” state) and when the operator is “hands-off” the inceptor. The programmable device limits the maximum rate of displacement of an active inceptor to a specified safe and effective value regardless of changes in forces applied by the variable force feel feedback mechanism.

Abstract: An imaging device, imaging system, and methods of imaging are provided. The imaging device may fit inside a diagnostic or therapeutic assembly, such as a biopsy, drainage, or other type therapy needle assembly. The imaging device may reside inside the diagnostic or therapy assembly as the combined device is advanced to a desired location. Two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasonic images may be produced that allow for the accurate placement of the diagnostic or therapy assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a final heading of a turning vehicle, such as a rotorcraft. The system may include an algorithm that calculates an advance prediction of a final heading that will be achieved after control input is terminated. The system may also include a device, such as a display, for conveying predicted final heading information to an aircraft controller, such as a pilot.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wide field of view ultrasound imaging probe (12) includes two flat matrix array subassemblies (40,42) positioned at an angle to each other within the probe (12). Information from each array subassembly (40,42) is combined for producing data corresponding to a wide-angle field of view image.

Abstract: Wiring an IC, using flexible circuits, by relating a circuit board to an IC and using traces on the circuit board as a second set of input to the IC. More specifically, a set of first lands on the circuit board are connected to a first set of lands on the IC. The circuit board and IC are positioned so as to present a second set of lands on the circuit board in close proximity to a second set of lands on the IC. A first flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the circuit board while a second flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the IC. The flex circuits may be connected to signal wires or may serve themselves as the main signal wires.

Abstract: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) substrate that reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy includes holes, commonly referred to as vias, formed in the substrate and proximate to a MUT element. The vias in the MUT substrate reduce or eliminate the propagation of acoustic energy traveling laterally in the MUT substrate. The vias can be doped to provide an electrical connection between the MUT element and circuitry present on the surface of an integrated circuit substrate over which the MUT substrate is attached.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for passively dissipating thermal energy produced by Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) probe scanning tips. The apparatus is fabricated from a high thermal conductive material such as Alumina-based ceramics, etc., for placing at the TEE probe tip. The apparatus is placed at a distal end of the TEE probe for dissipating heat produced during a Transesophageal Echocardiography procedure.

Abstract: The invention is a wafer having variable acoustic properties. The wafer may be used as a substrate over which to form an ultrasonic transducer, an IC, or may be used as a circuit board. An ultrasonic transducer formed on the wafer may include piezoelectric ceramic transducer elements or MUT elements. By controlling the acoustic impedance of the wafer upon which the integrated control circuitry for an ultrasonic transducer is formed, the acoustic impedance of the wafer can be matched to the acoustic impedance requirements of the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, by the addition of internal voids, the wafer reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy through the wafer.