Abstract: A self-oscillating spread spectrum frequency control loop contains a gated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) which receives a digital signal that can start or stop its oscillation. The VCO generates a spread spectrum carrier by receiving a triangle wave signal from a delaying ramp generator in a loop, its ramp direction controlled by a frequency comparator. The loop generates a spectrum spread as wide as possible above a minimum frequency. RF isolators that utilize low-pass filters in the transmitter and high-pass filters in the receiver, where the F-3 dB cutoff frequencies of both filters vary in a correlated manner, are used to not produce spread spectrum frequencies below the minimum frequency. Die from a given wafer lot, when designed such that the low- and high-pass cutoff frequencies track, can be used to form RF digital isolators whose minimum spread spectrum frequency does not go below the minimum frequency required by that wafer lot.

Abstract: A medical device system and method including an endotracheal tube configured for insertion into a patients mouth or nose are disclosed. The endotracheal tube may include an outer cannula extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be positioned between in a patient's trachea. The outer cannula may include a lumen extending from a first opening defined in the proximal end to a second opening defined in the distal end. The endotracheal tube may further include an inner cannula removably positioned in the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula may include a proximal end that extends outwardly from the first opening of the outer cannula, a distal end positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer cannula, and a passageway extending through the distal and proximal ends of the inner cannula.

Abstract: A self-oscillating spread spectrum frequency control loop contains a gated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) which receives a digital signal that can start or stop its oscillation. The VCO generates a spread spectrum carrier by receiving a triangle wave signal from a delaying ramp generator in a loop, its ramp direction controlled by a frequency comparator. The loop generates a spectrum spread as wide as possible above a minimum frequency. RF isolators that utilize low-pass filters in the transmitter and high-pass filters in the receiver, where the F-3 dB cutoff frequencies of both filters vary in a correlated manner, are used to not produce spread spectrum frequencies below the minimum frequency. Die from a given wafer lot, when designed such that the low- and high-pass cutoff frequencies track, can be used to form RF digital isolators whose minimum spread spectrum frequency does not go below the minimum frequency required by that wafer lot.

Abstract: A self-oscillating spread spectrum frequency control loop contains a gated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) which receives a digital signal that can start or stop its oscillation. The VCO generates a spread spectrum carrier by receiving a triangle wave signal from a delaying ramp generator in a loop, its ramp direction controlled by a frequency comparator. The loop generates a spectrum spread as wide as possible above a minimum frequency. RF isolators that utilize low-pass filters in the transmitter and high-pass filters in the receiver, where the F-3 dB cutoff frequencies of both filters vary in a correlated manner, are used to not produce spread spectrum frequencies below the minimum frequency. Die from a given wafer lot, when designed such that the low- and high-pass cutoff frequencies track, can be used to form RF digital isolators whose minimum spread spectrum frequency does not go below the minimum frequency required by that wafer lot.

Abstract: A medical device system and method including an endotracheal tube configured for insertion into a patients mouth or nose are disclosed. The endotracheal tube may include an outer cannula extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be positioned between in a patient's trachea. The outer cannula may include a lumen extending from a first opening defined in the proximal end to a second opening defined in the distal end. The endotracheal tube may further include an inner cannula removably positioned in the lumen of the outer cannula. The inner cannula may include a proximal end that extends outwardly from the first opening of the outer cannula, a distal end positioned adjacent to the distal end of the outer cannula, and a passageway extending through the distal and proximal ends of the inner cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. The surgical instrument system may include one or more capacitive sensors near a tip of a needle and electrical circuitry to monitor the capacitance of the capacitive sensors. The capacitance of the capacitive sensors may change as the needle is inserted into different tissue of lumens of the patient's body, allowing for the position of the needle to be determined based on analysis of the capacitance of the capacitive sensors.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a tract through a tissue wall having a proximal side and a distal side. The device includes a body, a retainer adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the distal side in the use orientation, and a flange adjacent an end of the body which will lie on the proximal side in the use orientation. The retainer comprises a ferromagnetic material that responds to a magnetic field to maintain the retainer in an undeployed, insertion orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. Liquid may be present in the lumen or the lumen may be devoid of liquid or tissue. The instrument is configured to determine when the needle tip is engaged with a portion of patient's tissue and determine when the needle tip has exited that portion of the patient's tissue by detecting changes in properties of the tissue, specifically, electrical resistance.

Abstract: A device for sealing a fistula includes a first flange for orienting against a first wall of the fistula, a second flange for orienting against a second wall of the fistula, and at least one stem coupling the first and second flanges. Illustratively, the at least one stem is elastomeric. The stem(s) exhibit(s) an elongation of greater than about 0.6 mm/N of force applied between the first and second flanges in the range of elongation of about 0 mm to about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) comprise(s) (an) elastomeric tube(s) including (a) wall section(s) having a varying radius along its (their) length(s). Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) pass(es) through (respective) opening(s) provided in at least one of the first and second flanges to permit adjustment of the location of at least one of the first and second flanges along the length of the stem(s).

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. Liquid may be present in the lumen or the lumen may be devoid of liquid or tissue. The instrument is configured to determine when the needle tip is engaged with a portion of patient's tissue and determine when the needle tip has exited that portion of the patient's tissue by detecting changes in properties of the tissue, specifically, electrical resistance.

Abstract: A medical instrument system and method including a tracheo-protective shield that extends outwardly from an endotracheal tube positioned in a patient's trachea is disclosed.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. The surgical instrument system may include a balloon catheter including a percutaneous dilation balloon and a moveably positionable retainer. The retainer is configured to move relative to the balloon such that upon inflation of the balloon when the balloon is positioned in the opening in the patient's tissue, the retainer engages the patient's tissue to inhibit movement of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: A device for sealing a fistula includes a first flange for orienting against a first wall of the fistula, a second flange for orienting against a second wall of the fistula, and at least one stem coupling the first and second flanges. Illustratively, the at least one stem is elastomeric. The stem(s) exhibit(s) an elongation of greater than about 0.6 mm/N of force applied between the first and second flanges in the range of elongation of about 0 mm to about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) comprise(s) (an) elastomeric tube(s) including (a) wall section(s) having a varying radius along its (their) length(s). Additionally or alternatively illustratively, the stem(s) pass(es) through (respective) opening(s) provided in at least one of the first and second flanges to permit adjustment of the location of at least one of the first and second flanges along the length of the stem(s).

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. Liquid may be present in the lumen or the lumen may be devoid of liquid or tissue. The instrument is configured to determine when the needle tip is engaged with a portion of patient's tissue and determine when the needle tip has exited that portion of the patient's tissue by detecting changes in properties of the tissue, specifically, electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.