Abstract: A method of determining at least one fuel characteristic of a fuel provided to a gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes making an operational change, the operational change being effected by a controllable component of a propulsion system of which the gas turbine engine forms a part, and being arranged to affect operation of the gas turbine engine, sensing a response to the operational change; and determining the at least one fuel characteristic based on the response to the operational change.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A thermal surgical tool comprising a conductor having a ferromagnetic material attached thereto is provided. The conductor may include a support of sufficiently high Young's modulus to resist bending when the surgical tool is being used to treat tissue. One or more intervening layers may be disposed between the support and the ferromagnetic material. Each of the intervening layers may be selected for a property that facilitates construction of the surgical tool and/or enhances a functionality of the surgical tool. The thermal surgical tool can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A thermal surgical tool comprising a conductor having a ferromagnetic material attached thereto is provided. The conductor may include a support of sufficiently high Young's modulus to resist bending when the surgical tool is being used to treat tissue. One or more intervening layers may be disposed between the support and the ferromagnetic material. Each of the intervening layers may be selected for a property that facilitates construction of the surgical tool and/or enhances a functionality of the surgical tool. The thermal surgical tool can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: A thermal surgical tool comprising a conductor having a ferromagnetic material attached thereto is provided. The conductor may include a support of sufficiently high Young's modulus to resist bending when the surgical tool is being used to treat tissue. One or more intervening layers may be disposed between the support and the ferromagnetic material. Each of the intervening layers may be selected for a property that facilitates construction of the surgical tool and/or enhances a functionality of the surgical tool. The thermal surgical tool can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: A surgical instrument guide for facilitating treatment of a target tissue is provided. The surgical instrument guide may be placed between two groups of tissue such that a first group of tissue is cut and a second group of tissue is protected from being cut. The surgical instrument guide may lift tissue and slide tissue along a surface so that a target tissue may be cut to a desired depth more easily during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument guide may be releasably attachable to a surgical instrument or integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A thermal surgical tool comprising a conductor having a ferromagnetic material attached thereto is provided. The conductor may include a support of sufficiently high Young's modulus to resist bending when the surgical tool is being used to treat tissue. One or more intervening layers may be disposed between the support and the ferromagnetic material. Each of the intervening layers may be selected for a property that facilitates construction of the surgical tool and/or enhances a functionality of the surgical tool. The thermal surgical tool can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: A surgical instrument guide for facilitating treatment of a target tissue is provided. The surgical instrument guide may be placed between two groups of tissue such that a first group of tissue is cut and a second group of tissue is protected from being cut. The surgical instrument guide may lift tissue and slide tissue along a surface so that a target tissue may be cut to a desired depth more easily during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument guide may be releasably attachable to a surgical instrument or integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An enterostomy device for providing fluids and nutrients through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall of a patient is described. The enterostomy device, which may be configured as either a gastrostomy device or a jejunostomy device, comprises a low-profile retaining member which is configured to be unobtrusively positioned within the stomach or the intestine, and which is configured to provide sufficient surface area for contacting the stomach or intestine to prevent unintentional removal or release of the enterostomy device from the patient. The enterostomy device is also structured with a low-profile port hub for facilitating the inflation of the retaining member and feeding and venting through the stoma.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An enterostomy device for providing fluids and nutrients through a stoma formed through the abdominal wall of a patient is described. The enterostomy device, which may be configured as either a gastrostomy device or a jejunostomy device, comprises a low-profile retaining member which is configured to be unobtrusively positioned within the stomach or the intestine, and which is configured to provide sufficient surface area for contacting the stomach or intestine to prevent unintentional removal or release of the enterostomy device from the patient. The enterostomy device is also structured with a low-profile port hub for facilitating the inflation of the retaining member and feeding and venting through the stoma.