Abstract: A fume hood having a retrofit drive assembly includes an elongated lifting piece, such as a toothed rack, which attaches to a fume hood sash at connection point that minimizes stress on the sash. The retrofit drive assembly also includes a drive motor driven rotary engagement member, such as pinion, for opening and closing the sash. This arrangement allows for easy field retrofit, and requires limited intrusion from behind the upper regions of the existing fume hood.

Abstract: A fume hood comprised of first and second side walls, a back wall, a work surface, and a top wall, the walls and work surface defining a work area, an access opening for providing a user access to the work area, a movable sash member disposed for vertical movement across the access opening, and an anti-cocking drive mechanism mechanically coupling a drive motor to the movable sash member.

Abstract: A fume hood comprised of first and second side walls, a back wall, a work surface, and a top wall, the walls and work surface defining a work area, an access opening for providing a user access to the work area, a movable sash member disposed for vertical movement across the access opening, and an anti-cocking drive mechanism mechanically coupling a drive motor to the movable sash member.

Abstract: A fume hood comprised of a first and second side wall, a back wall, a top wall, all of which define a work area, an access opening for providing a user access to the work area, a multi-window movable sash member disposed for vertical movement across the access opening and to vary the effective size thereof, a plurality of window positioning mechanisms, one window positioning mechanisms for each of window, and a common drive mechanism to drive each window positioning mechanism and simultaneously raise or lower each window of the multi-window movable sash member.

Abstract: A fume hood comprised of: a first and second side wall, a back wall, a work surface, and a top wall, which define a work area; an access opening for providing a user access to the work area; a movable sash member disposed within the fume hood for movement across the access opening to vary the effective size thereof; a drive motor mechanically coupled to the movable sash member; and a pressure-sensitive switch disposed on the bottom surface of the movable sash member. Upon a pressure being exerted on the pressure-sensitive switch in excess of a threshold limit, either by a user pressing against it or by the movable sash member encountering an object left within the access opening, movement of the movable sash member is ceased. The fume hood unit is coupled to an operator sensor to close the sash when the fume hood is not in use.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for receiving a stimulating signal and producing ultrasound therefrom at one or more frequencies, over an ultrabroad bandwidth at each frequency, includes a front mass disposed about a central axis, and a back mass disposed about the central axis, laterally offset from the front mass. The transducer assembly also includes one or more resonators disposed about the central axis and between the front mass and the back mass, including at least one electrical contact for receiving the stimulating signal. The back mass consists of a low-density material, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium, or magnesium alloy, or any of various low-density materials known in the art. In general, the back mass is characterized by a density of less than 6.0 g/cc. In one embodiment, the front mass and the back mass are made from different materials, and the front mass includes a deviation from symmetrical symmetry.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for receiving a stimulating signal and producing ultrasound therefrom at one or more frequencies, over an ultrabroad bandwidth at each frequency, includes a front mass disposed about a central axis, and a back mass disposed about the central axis, laterally offset from the front mass. The transducer assembly also includes one or more resonators disposed about the central axis and between the front mass and the back mass, including at least one electrical contact for receiving the stimulating signal. The back mass consists of a low-density material, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium, or magnesium alloy, or any of various low-density materials known in the art. In general, the back mass is characterized by a density of less than 6.0 g/cc. In one embodiment, the front mass and the back mass are made from different materials, and the front mass includes a deviation from symmetrical symmetry.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly, having a cobalt-base alloy housing with at least one planar wall section, and at least one ultrasonic transducer mounted to the planar wall section, the ultrasonic transducer operatively arranged to impart an ultrasonic vibrating force to the planar wall section of the housing.

Abstract: A transducer assembly and method for coupling ultrasonic energy to a body for thrombolysis of vascular thrombi is provided. The assembly includes a catalytic transducer for transmitting ultrasound into a medical target transcutaneously. The catalytic transducer includes a front mass having structure which optimizes the transmission of ultrasound into the body. A reservoir for containing a cooling conductive medium between the front mass and the body surface is provided, and is contained within the housing. In addition, the catalytic transducer includes an irrigation manifold, disposed through a center of the front mass, for directing the media into the reservoir generally along a perimeter thereof. The front mass includes an apex for accumulating expelled gasses. A sloped surface of the front mass functions to direct expelled gasses toward the apex and through an outlet provided by the irrigation manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonically cleaning the interior of a flexible, elongate, tubular medical instrument, such as an endoscope, laparoscope, or the like involves the generation of both longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves in a fluid medium within the interior channel or lumen of the instrument. The ultrasonic waves are generated within the instrument by a flexible wire resonator coupled to and responsive to an ultrasonic transducer and generator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angioplasty device comprising an elongate ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end attachable to an ultrasound generating device and a bulbous distal head or probe formed on the distal end thereof for effecting ablative treatment of an occluding lesion. The ultrasound transmission member may be formed of one or more superelastic metal alloys such as NiTi (50 at. % Ni). A guidewire lumen may be formed in the distal head or probe to permit passage of a guidewire therethrough. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be curved or bent. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be tapered or narrowed. One or more surface disruptions may be formed on the distal head or probe to improve treatment efficacy. An increased hardness coating or outer skin may be formed on the ultrasound transmission member. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into an angioscopic device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angioplasty device comprising an elongate ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end attachable to an ultrasound generating device and a bulbous distal head or probe formed on the distal end thereof for effecting ablative treatment of an occluding lesion. The ultrasound transmission member may be formed of one or more superelastic metal alloys such as NiTi (50 at. % Ni). A guidewire lumen may be formed in the distal head or probe to permit passage of a guidewire therethrough. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be curved or bent. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be tapered or narrowed. One or more surface disruptions may be formed on the distal head or probe to improve treatment efficacy. An increased hardness coating or outer skin may be formed on the ultrasound transmission member. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into an angioscopic device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angioplasty device comprising an elongate ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end attachable to an ultrasound generating device and a bulbous distal head or probe formed on the distal end thereof for effecting ablative treatment of an occluding lesion. The ultrasound transmission member may be formed of one or more superelastic metal alloys such as NiTi (50 at. % Ni). A guidewire lumen may be formed in the distal head or probe to permit passage of a guidewire therethrough. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be curved or bent. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be tapered or narrowed. One or more surface disruptions may be formed on the distal head or probe to improve treatment efficacy. An increased hardness coating or outer skin may be formed on the ultrasound transmission member. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into an angioscopic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for machining or disintegrating a calculi in place in a urinary tract. The apparatus includes a flexible, hollow endoscope which can be inserted into a ureter in its flexible state and a relatively rigid hollow tube which can be inserted into a passageway through the endoscope to straighten it. Optionally, a guide wire can be inserted in the ureter to the position of the calculi before inserting the endoscope for guiding the endoscope into the ureter. The passageway through the endoscope is larger than the rigid hollow tube. An optical system that may be made up of optical fibers can be received in and extend through the endoscope to view the calculi. A wave guide wire can be extended through the relatively rigid tube and connected to a transducer to disintegrate the calculi. The relatively rigid tube can be moved laterally in the endoscope to bring the wave guide into engagement with the calculi to facilitate disintegrating the calculi.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for treating atherosclerotic plaque and thromboses by the application of ultrasonic energy to a site of intravascular blockage. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a solid wire probe having a bulbous tip at one end and coupled to an ultrasonic energy source at the other end, the probe being carried within a hollow catheter. The catheter and probe are inserted into a blood vessel and are advanced to the site of a stenosis, where the probe is extended from the catheter and caused to vibrate ultrasonically, resulting in the destruction of the arterial plaque. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a fitting for delivering a radiographic contrast solution to the probe tip by flowing the solution into the catheter, the contrast fluid being released into the blood vessel to assist in positioning the apparatus and determining the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract: A transducer, wave guide and attachment means are provided as a screw member adapted to fit in a threaded opening in a transducer and having a tool engaging head at one end, an axial passage therethrough, a recess around the axial passage at the end opposite the tool engaging head, a wave guide slip fitted in the passage with a solidified bonding mass such as braze alloy or solder around the end of the wave guide in the recess.