Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. Two or more isoelectric focusing reactions may be performed in parallel. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing nebulization of a sample from a fluid channel of a microfluidic device are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise microfluidic devices that comprise a gas channel used for nebulization of the sample at a fluid outlet of the microfluidic device. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using electrospray ionization coupled with nebulization to introduce the samples into a mass spectrometer. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing a plurality of isoelectric focusing reactions in parallel are described. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.

Abstract: An electrosurgical access catheter for assisting a physician perform an ancillary surgical procedure on a region of interest (ROI) in a patient has a tubular shaped elongate shaft and a ring-shaped active electrode located at the distal end. A passageway extends from the proximal section to the distal end of the shaft, and through the ring-shaped active electrode. The proximal section of the elongate shaft is detachably coupled to an electrosurgical controller such that the ring-shaped active electrode is operable with the electrosurgical controller and a dispersive electrode to electrosurgically make a circular-shaped incision through a tissue wall, carving a cylindrical-shaped tissue plug as the ring-shaped active electrode is advanced through the wall. The access sheath is advanced through the surgically created opening and without further dilation of the opening. The invention has particular applicability to the lung, and minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedures. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing a plurality of isoelectric focusing reactions in parallel are described. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing isoelectric focusing reactions are described. The systems or devices disclosed herein may comprise fixtures that have a membrane. In some instances, the disclosed devices may be designed to perform isoelectric focusing or other separation reactions followed by further characterization of the separated analytes using mass spectrometry. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems provide for fast, accurate separation and characterization of protein analyte mixtures or other biological molecules by isoelectric point.

Abstract: A medical appliance for use in medical procedures to controllably advance a medical device through a sheath. The medical appliance features pneumatic action and connecting structures adapted to couple the appliance to a variety of types of catheters, tools, and instruments.