Abstract: A device positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may discriminate between fluid (e.g., blood) and non-fluid tissue (e.g., wall of heart) to provide information or a mapping indicative of a position and/or orientation of the device in the cavity. Discrimination may be based on flow, or some other characteristic, for example electrical permittivity or force. The device may selectively ablate portions of the non-fluid tissue based on the information or mapping. The device may detect characteristics (e.g., electrical potentials) indicative of whether ablation was successful. The device may include a plurality of transducers, intravascularly guided in an unexpanded configuration and positioned proximate the non-fluid tissue in an expanded configuration. Expansion mechanism may include helical member(s) or inflatable member(s).

Abstract: A device positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may discriminate between fluid (e.g., blood) and non-fluid tissue (e.g., wall of heart) to provide information or a mapping indicative of a position and/or orientation of the device in the cavity. Discrimination may be based on flow, or some other characteristic, for example electrical permittivity or force. The device may selectively ablate portions of the non-fluid tissue based on the information or mapping. The device may detect characteristics (e.g., electrical potentials) indicative of whether ablation was successful. The device may include a plurality of transducers, intravascularly guided in an unexpanded configuration and positioned proximate the non-fluid tissue in an expanded configuration. Expansion mechanism may include helical member(s) or inflatable member(s).

Abstract: A device positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may discriminate between fluid (e.g., blood) and non-fluid tissue (e.g., wall of heart) to provide information or a mapping indicative of a position and/or orientation of the device in the cavity. Discrimination may be based on flow, or some other characteristic, for example electrical permittivity or force. The device may selectively ablate portions of the non-fluid tissue based on the information or mapping. The device may detect characteristics (e.g., electrical potentials) indicative of whether ablation was successful. The device may include a plurality of transducers, intravascularly guided in an unexpanded configuration and positioned proximate the non-fluid tissue in an expanded configuration. Expansion mechanism may include helical member(s) or inflatable member(s).

Abstract: A continuous drop emitter comprising a liquid supply chamber containing a liquid held at a positive pressure; first and second nozzles in fluid communication with the liquid supply chamber nozzles emitting first and second continuous streams of a liquid; first and second stream break-up transducers adapted to independently synchronize the break up of the first and second continuous streams of the liquid into first and second streams of drops of predetermined volumes, respectively; and an acoustic damping material located adjacent to or within the liquid supply chamber for damping sound waves generated within the liquid chamber by the first and second stream break-up transducer. The continuous drop emitter may also configured with a Helmholtz resonant chamber tuned to a critical stimulation frequency having an acoustic damping material therein for absorbing acoustic stimulation energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming fluid droplets includes a nozzle channel, a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with the nozzle channel, and a stimulation electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the stimulation electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with a portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive and contactable portion of the stimulation electrode is operable to transfer an electrical charge to a region of the portion of the non-conductive fluid jet with the electrical charge stimulating the non-conductive fluid jet to form a non-conductive fluid droplet.

Abstract: A fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method includes a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with a nozzle channel and a characterization electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the characterization electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with first portion and thereafter a second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive portion of the characterization electrode is operable to transfer a first electrical charge to a region of the first portion of the non-conductive fluid jet and transfer a second electrical charge to a region of the second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet.

Abstract: A spray nozzle system is useful for applying imageable materials onto substrates. The system may be used for on-site fabrication of lithographic printing surfaces for use in printing. A wash nozzle and vacuum port are integrated with the spray nozzle for use in cleaning the printing residues from a used printing surface in preparation for a subsequent print job. The integrated nozzle assembly is useful in coating and cleaning operations, performed either on-press or off-press, and enables the reuse of a single printing substrate in a number of print jobs.

Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by applying an imageable medium to a lithographic substrate by positive-displacement metering of the imageable medium. The method is applied in on-press platemaking machines, separate platemaking machines and plate coating machines.

Abstract: A retainer for holding a printing plate to the cylindrical surface of a vacuum drum has a curved surface which conforms to and seals against the cylindrical surface of the drum. The retainer is held in place by pressure differential. An edge portion of a printing plate is received below a lip which extends along the retainer. The retainer is light in weight and therefore does not significantly unbalance the drum even if it is not always in the same position on the drum. The retainer is also inexpensive to manufacture and less likely than prior art clamps to cause damage if it fails.