Abstract: A method of creating an AV fistula between adjacent first and second vessels includes inserting a guidewire from the first vessel into the second vessel. Inserting a catheter including a proximal member and a distal member over the guidewire such that a distal tip of the distal member comes into contact with a selected anastomosis site. Moving the distal member and the proximal member together to clamp tissue surrounding the aperture between the distal face of the proximal member and a proximal face on the distal member. Applying energy to an active heating member on the proximal member to cut and form the aperture, and to weld the edges thereof in order to create a desired fistula between the two vessels. Using a passive heating member disposed on the distal member to create a heating gradient across a tissue contacting surface of the distal member.

Abstract: A device and method for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. A heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed one of the distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface. A passive heating assembly is disposed on the mating diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create a fistula. The angle of the proximal diagonal end surface matches the angle of the distal diagonal end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another during deployment.

Abstract: A power controller device and system allows verification, monitoring, and control of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation catheter which comprises a main housing having a power supply, an embedded electronic controller and a user interface display, and which is configured to allow connection to an intravascular catheter. When activated, the device verifies that a valid catheter is connected, downloads stored manufacturing calibration data from the catheter, and provides a user interface to allow initiation of AV fistula creation. Once creation of the AV fistula is initiated, the device provides closed loop control of the catheter heating element and provides a means of monitoring the catheter temperature and tip position to a prescribed parameter to automate the arteriovenous fistula creation procedure.

Abstract: A method of operating a catheter assembly including monitoring a gap feedback signal indicative of a distance between a first tissue contact surface and a second tissue contact surface. Producing, via a user interface of the catheter assembly, a graphical depiction of the first tissue contact surface and the second tissue contact surface spaced apart from the first tissue contact surface by the distance. Producing, via the user interface of the catheter assembly, a gap distance warning when the gap feedback signal indicates that the distance is outside of a target gap range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content. In some embodiments, computer readable medium facilitates transactions in massively multiplayer online games. The computer readable medium can include executable instructions for execution by one or more processors to receive data to perform a transaction between participants associated with the synthetic environment. The executable instructions also can be configured to transact an exchange of a first subset of game data for the first participant and a second subset of the game data for a second participant. The exchange of subsets of the game data between the first participant and the second participant can occur in the common process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content. In some embodiments, computer readable medium facilitates transactions in massively multiplayer online games. The computer readable medium can include executable instructions for execution by one or more processors to receive data to perform a transaction between participants associated with the synthetic environment. The executable instructions also can be configured to transact an exchange of a first subset of game data for the first participant and a second subset of the game data for a second participant. The exchange of subsets of the game data between the first participant and the second participant can occur in the common process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting a plurality of semiconductor chips during the thermal cycling of the chips, including a fluid-permeable bottom screen, a chip-cavity-defining plate supported against a top surface of the bottom screen, a lower attaching mechanism for attaching the chip-cavity-defining plate to the top surface of the bottom screen, and a removable fluid-permeable top screen attached to a top surface of the chip-cavity-defining plate to cover the plurality of holes and chips therein.