Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.

Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.

Abstract: An electrophysiologic catheter with an improved control handle is provided. The catheter includes a heat transfer assembly to better dissipate heat in the control handle. The heat transfer assembly includes a pump, a reservoir containing a coolant, a heat transfer member, and a coolant transport network transporting coolant between at least the reservoir and the heat transfer member. In one embodiment, the heat transfer member is located within the control handle as a heat exchanger on the circuit board to receive the coolant for transferring heat from the integrated circuits to the coolant. In another embodiment, the heat transfer member is located on the circuit board directly surrounding the integrated circuits to internally cool the integrated circuit within the control handle. A second heat transfer member is located outside of the control handle as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head portion and handle portion comprising resiliently folding appendages. The appendages extend laterally outwards from a central body of the handle portion in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the appendages may each have annular loop structures with recurvant ends coupled to the body. The head portion comprises tooth cleaning elements such as bristles. The head portion, handle portion, and bristles may be a monolithic construction of a resiliently deformable material with elastic memory. The bristles may be especially pliable and adapted for infant or toddler use. The appendages have an undeformed width preventing the young child from over-insertion into the oral cavity when at maximum span. The appendages may be folded against the body for deeper insertion into the oral cavity by an adult. The implement is configured to prevent the head portion and tooth bristles from contacting a flat surface when placed thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oral care implement, comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head at an end of the handle; the body having a cavity therein for storing an oral care fluid; the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and a fluid outlet through which the oral care fluid is dispensable to an exterior of the oral care implement; a passageway fluidly connecting the cavity with the fluid outlet; a mechanism for introducing air into the cavity from the exterior of the oral care implement; and a control valve on the head movable relative to the head between a first position for preventing fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet and a second position for permitting fluid flow from the cavity through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a collapsible elastomeric element. The oral care implement may include a body having a handle portion and a head portion. Furthermore, an elastomeric element may extend from the body. The elastomeric element may comprise a hollow body that has an internal cavity, the hollow body having a base section, a middle section, and a distal section that includes a free distal tip, each of the base, middle, and distal sections coupled together by a pre-weakened section. The elastomeric element may be configured to alternate between a collapsed state and a normal state.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a first surface, and an opposite second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces. A soft tissue cleaner may have a first cleaner fixed to the second surface of the head and a second cleaner fixed to the peripheral surface of the head. Furthermore, a second cleaner may incorporate a plurality of grooves extending at least a portion of the distance from the first surface to the second surface along the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An ablation system observes and monitors ablation parameters, including temperature, impedance, and/or the system's own closed-loop response to these ablation parameters. The system comprises a catheter with electrodes and a detection circuitry configured to detect an ablation parameter for each electrode, a controller coupled to the catheter, the controller having a processing unit and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to: receive a detected ablation parameter for each electrode from the detection circuitry, determine when a detected ablation parameter violates a defined ablation parameter for each electrode, control a power supplied to each violating electrode to have a reduced power, detect a rate of power reduction for each violating electrode, and stop the power supplied to each violating electrode when a respective detected rate of power reduction exceeds a threshold rate of power reduction.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a body comprising a handle, a head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom, and at least one fluid outlet; a reservoir in the body and for storing an oral care fluid; and a pump in the body for pumping the oral care fluid from the reservoir towards the fluid outlet, wherein the pump is an umbrella check valve circumferentially surrounding a duckbill check valve. Alternatively, the invention is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, including the steps of providing a body comprising a base having first and second holes extending therethrough; and fitting to the body a unitary component comprising first and second valves at a position at which the first valve blocks the first hole and the second valve blocks the second hole, wherein the first valve is an umbrella check valve that circumferentially surrounds the second valve.

Abstract: An example may include identifying broadcast content, where the broadcast content includes program content of a program; identifying a scheduled start time of a time slot associated with the broadcast content; determining whether the broadcast content includes overflow content based on whether the broadcast content includes at least one of end credits or a break; and when the broadcast content does include the overflow content: determining an end time of the overflow content of the broadcast content; determining an actual start time of the program content based on the end time of the overflow content; and performing an action to enable a media client to play back the broadcast content, where the action enables the media client to begin play back at the actual start time of the program content.

Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a handle and a head with a front surface. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the front surface. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements may include first and/or second sets of peripheral tooth cleaning elements located adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the head. The peripheral tooth cleaning elements may include elastomeric sleeve portions and bristle tuft portions. The elastomeric sleeve portions may be formed as a part of an integrally formed elastomeric component.

Abstract: An example described herein may include sending a request to access a media stream from a content delivery network; receiving program content of the media stream from the content delivery network; sending a request, for supplemental content information, to a supplemental content server based on receiving the program content, where the supplemental content information is associated with an upcoming time period of the media stream, and where the request includes information identifying the upcoming time period; obtaining, prior to the upcoming time period, the supplemental content information associated with the media stream for the upcoming time period; and during streaming of the media stream, inserting the supplemental content associated with the supplemental content information in one or more breaks of the media stream during the upcoming time period.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus including a reservoir containing at least one fluid. A capillary channel extends from the reservoir to deliver the fluids stored in the reservoir through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, an applicator formed of a capillary material is located within the outlet. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a housing defining a reservoir; at least one fluid stored in the reservoir; and a capillary channel in fluid coupling with the at least one fluid, the capillary channel including a first capillary member and a second capillary member that circumferentially surrounds the first capillary member such that the first and second capillary members are concentric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a first surface and an opposite second surface. A first cleanser may be fixed to the first surface of the head such that the first cleanser has a hole through which a portion of the first surface of the head is exposed. Furthermore, a second cleanser may be fixed to the portion of the first surface of the head that is exposed through the hole of the first cleanser.

Abstract: An oral care implement having a multi-component handle is disclosed. In one aspect, the oral care implement comprises: a handle comprising a first component constructed of a first material and a second component constructed of a second material; the first component comprising: first, second and third depressions formed into an outer surface of the first component; and a first through-hole extending from a floor of the second depression to a floor of the third depression, the first through-hole extending through sidewalls of the first depression; and the second component comprising: a first portion disposed within the first depression, a second portion disposed within the second depression, and a third portion disposed within the first depression; and the first, second and third portions connected together to form an integral mass of the second material.

Abstract: An electrophysiologic catheter with an improved control handle is provided. The catheter includes a heat transfer assembly to better dissipate heat in the control handle. The heat transfer assembly includes a pump, a reservoir containing a coolant, a heat transfer member, and a coolant transport network transporting coolant between at least the reservoir and the heat transfer member. In one embodiment, the heat transfer member is located within the control handle as a heat exchanger on the circuit board to receive the coolant for transferring heat from the integrated circuits to the coolant. In another embodiment, the heat transfer member is located on the circuit board directly surrounding the integrated circuits to internally cool the integrated circuit within the control handle. A second heat transfer member is located outside of the control handle as a heat exchanger.