Abstract: A connector for connecting together first and second mechanical waveguides, including a first connector body having a first jaw portion provided with a first aperture for receiving the first mechanical waveguide therein, a second connector body having a second jaw portion provided with a second aperture for receiving the second mechanical waveguide therein, with the first and second connector bodies removably securable together, a first mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the first mechanical waveguide, with the first mediating body being inserted within the first aperture to be positioned between the first jaw portion and the first mechanical waveguide, and a second mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the second mechanical waveguide, with the second mediating body inserted within the second aperture to be positioned between the second jaw portion and the second mechanical waveguide.

Abstract: A device and a method for shaping a wire used in medical procedures, such as a guidewire used in conjunction with catheters. The device includes a body having a working face, and the body includes a wire-shaping portion, the wire-shaping portion having an aperture defined therein which extends from the working face along an aperture axis. The apertures include a flared section and a tip receiving section connected to the flared section, where the tip receiving section is shaped and sized for receiving a tip of the wire therein and maintaining a position of the tip of the wire while a bending force is exerted on the wire towards the working face. In one embodiment, the wire-shaping portion has a mound-shaped portion projecting from the working face from which the aperture extends, which enables to curve the wire in a smooth shape that follows the mound-shaped portion.

Abstract: A connector for connecting together first and second mechanical waveguides, including a first connector body having a first jaw portion provided with a first aperture for receiving the first mechanical waveguide therein, a second connector body having a second jaw portion provided with a second aperture for receiving the second mechanical waveguide therein, with the first and second connector bodies removably securable together, a first mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the first mechanical waveguide, with the first mediating body being inserted within the first aperture to be positioned between the first jaw portion and the first mechanical waveguide, and a second mediating body having an acoustic impedance lower than that of the second mechanical waveguide, with the second mediating body inserted within the second aperture to be positioned between the second jaw portion and the second mechanical waveguide.

Abstract: There is described a tip shaping device for shaping a tip of a guidewire, including an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between two end faces and having a lateral face extending along the longitudinal axis between the two end faces; and a planar body projecting from the lateral face of the elongated body, the planar body including a flexible section located adjacent to the elongated body and wrappable around at least a portion of the lateral face of the elongated body, the planar body having a guidewire receiving face adapted to shape the guidewire when received thereon and upon rotation of the elongated body over the planar body.

Abstract: A first closed enclosure defines a cavity having an inner dimension smaller than 5 mm. At least one second resiliently deformable closed enclosure is connected in fluid communication with the first enclosure. A fluid at more than 90% in the liquid state fills the first and second enclosures. A first portion of the first enclosure is in contact with a hot source of a temperature higher than the evaporation temperature of the fluid. A second portion of the first enclosure located between the first portion and the resiliently deformable closed enclosure is in contact with a cold source at a temperature lower than the condensation temperature of the fluid. An electromechanical transducer is coupled to a deformable membrane of the resiliently deformable closed enclosure.

Abstract: There is described a tip shaping device for shaping a tip of a guidewire, including an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between two end faces and having a lateral face extending along the longitudinal axis between the two end faces; and a planar body projecting from the lateral face of the elongated body, the planar body including a flexible section located adjacent to the elongated body and wrappable around at least a portion of the lateral face of the elongated body, the planar body having a guidewire receiving face adapted to shape the guidewire when received thereon and upon rotation of the elongated body over the planar body.

Abstract: A first closed enclosure defines a cavity having an inner dimension smaller than 5 mm. At least one second resiliently deformable closed enclosure is connected in fluid communication with the first enclosure. A fluid at more than 90% in the liquid state fills the first and second enclosures. A first portion of the first enclosure is in contact with a hot source of a temperature higher than the evaporation temperature of the fluid. A second portion of the first enclosure located between the first portion and the resiliently deformable closed enclosure is in contact with a cold source at a temperature lower than the condensation temperature of the fluid. An electromechanical transducer is coupled to a deformable membrane of the resiliently deformable closed enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to piezoelectric sensors and piezoelectric sensor arrays, to methods of manufacturing therefor, and to a method of measuring characteristics of a mechanical wave using a piezoelectric sensor array. A piezoelectric sensor is formed of a silicon substrate on which an electrical barrier is added. A patterned bottom electrode layer is added on top of the electrical barrier. A patterned bottom electrode layer is added on top of the electrical barrier. A piezoelectric layer and then a patterned top electrode layer are added on top of the electrical barrier.