Abstract: Disclosed herein are glass pharmaceutical vials having sidewalls of reduced thickness. In embodiments, the glass pharmaceutical vial may include a glass body comprising a sidewall enclosing an interior volume. An outer diameter D of the glass body is equal to a diameter d1 of a glass vial of size X as defined by ISO 8362-1, wherein X is one of 2R, 3R, 4R, 6R, 8R, 10R, 15R, 20R, 25R, 30R, 50R, and 100R as defined by ISO 8362-1. However, the sidewall of the glass pharmaceutical vial comprises an average wall thickness Ti that is less than or equal to 0.85*s1, wherein s1 is a wall thickness of the glass vial of size X as defined by ISO 8362-1 and X is one of 2R, 3R, 4R, 6R, 8R, 10R, 15R, 20R, 25R, 30R, 50R, and 100R as defined by ISO 8362-1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glass pharmaceutical vials having sidewalls of reduced thickness. In embodiments, the glass pharmaceutical vial may include a glass body comprising a sidewall enclosing an interior volume. An outer diameter D of the glass body is equal to a diameter d1 of a glass vial of size X as defined by ISO 8362-1, wherein X is one of 2R, 3R, 4R, 6R, 8R, 10R, 15R, 20R, 25R, 30R, 50R, and 100R as defined by ISO 8362-1. However, the sidewall of the glass pharmaceutical vial comprises an average wall thickness Ti that is less than or equal to 0.85*s1, wherein s1 is a wall thickness of the glass vial of size X as defined by ISO 8362-1 and X is one of 2R, 3R, 4R, 6R, 8R, 10R, 15R, 20R, 25R, 30R, 50R, and 100R as defined by ISO 8362-1.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical forceps instrument that combines la robust jaw opening mechanism with an a microwave energy delivery mechanism. The instrument includes a rigid bracket mounted at a distal end of a flexible shaft, wherein a pair of jaws are pivotably mounted on the rigid bracket. The instrument includes an energy delivery structure comprising a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed on one of the pair of jaws, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit microwave energy. The electrosurgical apparatus may also comprise a handpiece that combines rotation control of an electrosurgical instrument with both power delivery and end effector actuation (e.g. jaw closure, blade retraction or the like).

Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.

Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.

Abstract: A crane-less locked axle cradle system configured to lift a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the lifted wheel along a rail is presented. The present disclosure discloses a system that can lift the locked-axle wheel off the rail with no crane thereby allowing the train with a locked axle to be transported off the mainline in a shorter period of time. A cradle system can have two parts (male and female members with wedges and rail wheels) that can be mated with each other around a rail wheel. As the male and female members are pulled together, locked wheel engagers can couple with different portions of the locked-axle wheel, causing the locked-axle wheel to lift off the rail given the gradient of the wedge or rotation of the wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel lifting can be assisted by an air bag, hydraulic cylinder, jack, or other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter then convention coaxial cables, which can minimise loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach an surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a sterilisation apparatus for sterilising a channel of a surgical scoping device. The apparatus includes: a gas supply having a conduit to deliver an ionisable gas to the channel of the surgical scoping device; and, a sterilisation instrument, separate from the gas supply and the conduit, configured to be inserted through the channel of a surgical scoping device. The sterilisation instrument includes an elongate probe. The elongate probe includes: a transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy; and, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the transmission line for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, the probe tip comprising an electrode assembly configured to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy to generate a plasma of the ionisable gas delivered to the channel from the gas supply.

Abstract: Sterilisation systems suitable for clinical use, e.g. on the human body, medical apparatuses, or hospital bed spaces. The sterilisation apparatus comprises: a microwave source arranged to generate microwave energy; a mist generator arranged to generate a flow of water mist; a gas supply; a manifold connected to receive the flow of water mist from the mist generator; and a plurality of plasma applicators connected to the manifold, wherein each plasma applicator is connected to receive microwave energy from the microwave source and a flow of gas from the gas supply, wherein each plasma applicator is configured to strike a plasma at a distal end thereof, wherein the distal ends of the plurality of plasma applicators are disposed in a plasma generating region defined by the manifold, and wherein the manifold is configured to direct the flow of water mist through the plasma generating region to an outlet thereof.

Abstract: Sterilization systems suitable for clinical use, comprising: a housing defining a water mist fluid flow path between an inlet for receiving water mist and an outlet for directing a flow of hydroxyl radicals towards a region to be sterilised; an energy delivery tip configured to produce a thermal or non-thermal plasma; a coaxial transmission line arranged to convey radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic (EM) energy; and a gas conduit in the housing and arranged to deliver gas to the energy delivery tip, wherein the energy delivery tip extends from a distal end of the coaxial transmission line. The energy delivery tip comprises: a first electrode; and a second electrode. The first electrode and second electrode are configured to: strike a plasma in the gas delivered to the energy delivery tip, and direct the plasma into the water mist fluid flow path to form hydroxyl radicals therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument that can fit within, e.g. slide relative to, the hollow cable. The hollow cable provides a bipolar electrical connection to the electrosurgical instrument that is maintained when the electrosurgical instrument is rotated relative to the hollow cable. The cable may comprise a hollow coaxial transmission line having a rotatable component mounted at its distal end. The rotatable component comprises a longitudinal passageway continuous with the hollow coaxial transmission line. The rotatable component is rotatable relative to the transmission line and comprises a first and second conductive portions that are respectively electrically connected to first and second terminals on the coaxial transmission line and which are configured to maintain an electrical connection with their respective terminal when rotated relative to the coaxial transmission line.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrosurgical instrument for delivering radiofrequency and microwave energy to biological tissue in order to cut and coagulate the tissue. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a coaxial transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy, and an energy delivery tip coupled to a distal end of the coaxial transmission line. The energy delivery tip comprises: a first electrode electrically coupled to an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line and protruding beyond a distal end of an outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line; a second electrode electrically coupled to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line and extending coaxially along a portion of the first electrode; and a dielectric body disposed between the first electrode and second electrode. The first electrode comprises a projecting nib that protrudes beyond a distal end of the dielectric body.

Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus comprising a sterilisation instrument configured to be inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilisation instrument from the instrument channel at a predetermined rate. The sterilisation instrument comprises an elongate probe having a probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy whilst being withdrawn through the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter then convention coaxial cables, which can minimise loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach an surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter than conventional coaxial cables, which can minimize loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach a surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an energy conveying structure for delivering RF and/or microwave energy to an electrosurgical instrument, where the energy conveying structure is incorporated into an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device (e.g. endoscope, laparoscope or the like). The insertion tube is a flexible conduit that is introduced into a patient's body during an invasive procedure, and can include an instrument channel and an optical channel. The energy conveying structure may be a layered coaxial structure that formed a liner that fits within the scoping device, e.g. within an instrument channel. Alternatively, the energy conveying structure may be a coaxial structure integrally formed as part of the flexible conduit.

Abstract: A method to detect a potential fault in a plasma system is described. The method includes accessing a model of one or more parts of the plasma system. The method further includes receiving data regarding a supply of RF power to a plasma chamber. The RF power is supplied using a configuration that includes one or more states. The method also includes using the data to produce model data at an output of the model. The method includes examining the model data. The examination is of one or more variables that characterize performance of a plasma process of the plasma system. The method includes identifying the fault for the one or more variables. The method further includes determining that the fault has occurred for a pre-determined period of time such that the fault is identified as an event. The method includes classifying the event.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical forceps instrument that combines la robust jaw opening mechanism with an a microwave energy delivery mechanism. The instrument includes a rigid bracket mounted at a distal end of a flexible shaft, wherein a pair of jaws are pivotably mounted on the rigid bracket. The instrument includes an energy delivery structure comprising a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed on one of the pair of jaws, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit microwave energy. The electrosurgical apparatus may also comprise a handpiece that combines rotation control of an electrosurgical instrument with both power delivery and end effector actuation (e.g. jaw closure, blade retraction or the like).

Abstract: An electrosurgical resector tool having an energy delivery structure that provides a plurality of operational modalities that facilitate biological tissue cutting and sealing using radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy. The tool comprises a static first blade element, and a pivotable second blade element that has a length commensurate with the first blade element whereby, in a closed position, it lies adjacent to a laterally facing surface of the first blade element. The blade elements constitute an energy delivery mechanisms that is compact enough to enable the tool to be insertable through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device, such as an endoscope, gastroscope or bronchoscope.

Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus comprising a sterilisation instrument configured inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilisation instrument from the instrument channel predetermined rate. The sterilisation instrument comprises an elongate probe having probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy whilst being withdrawn through the channel.