Abstract: Devices and methods for providing access to the pericardial cavity while reducing risk of myocardial damage. One method includes using an apparatus to apply pressure to a parietal pericardium, retracting the apparatus, and puncturing the parietal pericardium by delivering electrical energy using a puncture device. Another method includes moving a portion of parietal pericardium away from a surface of myocardium of the heart and puncturing the parietal pericardium by delivering electrical energy using a puncture device. The methods may include a step of confirming that the puncture device is at least partially within the parietal cavity by injecting or aspirating fluid through a lumen in the puncture device or measuring the pressure or electrical impedance at the distal end of the puncture device.

Abstract: An elongated medical assembly includes a first elongated medical device configured to be inserted, at least in part, into the patient, and also configured to be maneuvered proximate to the biological feature. A second elongated medical device is configured to be received, at least in part, in the first elongated medical device, and also configured to be selectively extended, at least in part, from the first elongated medical device toward, and proximate to, the biological feature. A biological-removal device is mounted to the second elongated medical device, and configured to cut a portion of the biological feature after the second elongated medical device has been positioned proximate to the biological feature.

Abstract: An appliance operation signal processing system comprises: an input for receiving an appliance operation signal, the appliance operation signal comprising information relating to operation of an appliance; an output for outputting information relating to a recall status of the appliance; and a processor configured to: monitor an input appliance operation signal for a change in magnitude; if a change is detected: identify a component event corresponding to the change; determine whether the component event is a designated sequence start component event; if the component event is determined to be a designated sequence start component event: extract one or more features from the input appliance operation signal between the sequence start component event and a sequence stop point; determine information relating to a recall status of the appliance by inputting the one or more features into a first algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for an RF guidewire for applying RF energy to create a channel through a region of tissue within a patient's body. The RF guidewire is configured to have a hydrophilic coating disposed thereon to reduce friction to facilitate traversal through vasculature while maintaining its mechanical, electrical and thermal properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or system are disclosed for a procedure with minimal or no fluoroscopy, for example an electrosurgical procedure, and which uses a three dimensional mapping system. The procedure typically involves electrical measurement of the electrode of a needle to determine its position. Some embodiments further include intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for tracking devices. The apparatus includes a needle with a tip electrode, an electroanatomical mapping (EAM) system, and an electrical generator, wherein a switching device is used to restrictively electrically connect the needle to only one of the mapping system or generator at a given time.

Abstract: Novel and unique medical devices and associated methods are disclosed, for a medical device for puncturing tissue at a tissue site. The medical device is an elongate member having a proximal section, a distal section, and a rail section therebetween. The medical device includes an active tip at a distal end of the distal section and is operable to deliver energy to create a puncture through the tissue. The rail section is configured to both act as a rail for supporting installation of one or more tubular members thereupon, as well as be maneuverable for enabling access to the tissue site.

Abstract: An elongated medical assembly has a distal region configured to be positioned, at least in part, proximate to a biological feature of a patient. A puncture assembly is configured to be located proximate to the distal region. A selectively expandable-and-contractible assembly is located proximate to the distal region.

Abstract: A stop-movement device is configured to be mounted to a first elongated medical assembly and a second elongated medical assembly. The stop-movement device has a body configured to stop, at least in part, relative movement between the second elongated medical assembly and the first elongated medical assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing vehicles comprises: in a vehicle production process, manufacturing vehicle components of different types, and assembling the vehicle components to form vehicles; creating a set of vehicle records, each being a record of one of the vehicles entering active service; performing vehicle repairs on a subset of the vehicles after they have entered active service; creating a respective record of each of the vehicle repairs, each of which comprises or indicates a vehicle age or usage value, and records a vehicle component fault identified in the vehicle repair; receiving at a data processing stage the vehicle records and vehicle repair records, wherein a predictive algorithm executed at the data processing stage processes the received records so as to, for each type of vehicle component: 1) identify a respective set of the vehicle repair records relating to that type of vehicle component, and 2) use the respective set of vehicle repair records to predict a respective number of or resource value

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue comprises an electrically conductive elongate member which is capable of force transmission from a distal portion of the electrosurgical device to a proximal portion of the electrosurgical device to thereby provide tactile feedback to a user. The proximal portion comprises a connector system for connecting a source of energy and a source of fluid to an electrosurgical device . The connector system includes a hub which includes an electrically conductive lengthwise member having a lengthwise member distal region and a lengthwise member proximal region. The lengthwise member defines a hub lumen therebetween and is configured to be operatively coupled to an electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A method and a system for matching a student with a tutor for a virtual class are presented. Candidate tutors for the virtual class are identified in real-time based on a student's preferences and desired class times. The desired class time may be “now” or “immediately.” Once a match is made, the virtual class proceeds at the scheduled time.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue comprises an electrically conductive elongate member which is capable of force transmission from a distal portion of the electrosurgical device to a proximal portion of the electrosurgical device to thereby provide tactile feedback to a user. The proximal portion comprises a handle or hub which includes an electrical connector configured to receive, in a releasable manner, an electrically conductive component operable to be electrically coupled to an energy source.

Abstract: An elongated medical assembly has a distal-assembly tip. The distal-assembly tip is, at least in part, selectively maneuverable along an assembly-tip movement path terminating proximate to a first biological feature of a biological structure of a patient. An elongated puncture device has a distal puncture tip. The distal puncture tip is, at least in part, selectively deployable along a puncture-tip movement path extending from the elongated medical assembly and into, at least in part, the first biological feature, and also extending from the first biological feature toward a second biological feature of the patient.

Abstract: Novel and unique medical devices and associated methods are disclosed, for facilitating efficient and repeatable puncture of a tissue site while allowing vascular access from various access sites of a patient's body. Disclosed medical devices include dilators and wires usable alone or in combination and configured to facilitate tissue access and puncture at various anatomical locations from desired access sites. The medical devices each include one or more sections having sufficient flexibility for accessing the tissue site from the access site while retaining sufficient stiffness to perform one or more additional functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an energy delivery device that avoids coring when it delivers energy to a tissue. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one electrically exposed portion and at least one electrically insulated portion. An embodiment of the energy delivery device includes an elongate member defining a lumen structured to receive a fluid, and a distal face defining an aperture in communication with the lumen. The distal face includes an electrically exposed conductive portion and an electrically insulated portion. The electrically exposed conductive portion is configured such that the energy it delivers while the energy delivery device is advanced into a tissue punctures the tissue without the tissue substantially occluding the lumen and without creating embolic particles.

Abstract: A method of perforating a tissue of a heart of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated. The method utilizes an electrosurgical apparatus having an energy delivery device which can function as an ECG measuring device at a distal end thereof and a delivery system comprising a dilator. Said method comprises the steps of (a) advancing the dilator through a superior vena cava into the heart of the patient, from a superior approach, until a distal end of the dilator is adjacent the tissue; (b) checking an ECG signal to confirm a position of the energy delivery device; (c) using the electrosurgical apparatus, which is positioned through the dilator, to create a perforation in the tissue by delivering electrical energy to the tissue; (d) advancing the distal end of the electrosurgical apparatus through the perforation; and (e) advancing the dilator over the electrosurgical apparatus.

Abstract: An elongated medical assembly is configured to be maneuverable proximate to a first biological feature of a patient. The elongated medical assembly is also configured to facilitate movement along an elongated length of the elongated medical assembly of a first medical device and a second medical device.

Abstract: A medical sheath assembly is configured to be positioned in a patient, and is also configured to convey, at least in part, an electromagnetic-transmission signal through the medical sheath assembly. The medical sheath assembly includes a sheath-support component being sympathetic, at least in part, for transmission of electromagnetic energy traveling through the sheath-support component, dispatched toward, or dispatched away from, the medical sheath assembly.

Abstract: An electro-anatomic mapping system is configured, in accordance with a preferred embodiment (and not limited thereto) to: (A) receive a first reference response signal from a first medical device, in which the first reference response signal is configured to be utilized by the electro-anatomic mapping system for formation of a first medical image; and (B) receive a second reference response signal from the first medical device, in which the second reference response signal is configured to be utilized by the electro-anatomic mapping system for forming a second medical image, and in which the second medical image, in use, depicts image noise interference resulting from activation of a second medical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating a temperature of an esophagus when heat or cold is delivered to a left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which conforms and corresponds with a cross-section of an inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heating/cooling balloon which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration. Some alternative embodiments includes altering the configuration of the balloon to conform to or correspond with the cross section of an esophagus by means other than inflation.