Abstract: An RF ablation system can include a bipolar RF electrode that has two electrodes. Some bipolar RF electrodes can include a metal tube forming one of the electrodes. The metal tube can have cuts to facilitate bending of the metal tube. Some bipolar RF electrodes can include a multi-lumen tube for the conductors. Some multi-lumen tubes can be made of a relatively high durometer material to provide column strength to the bipolar RF electrodes. Some RF ablation systems can include an adapter for a RF generator to connect each electrode to a different channel. A variety of arrangement of the channels of the RF generator and the conductors of the bipolar RF electrode can be used to couple the electrodes and a temperature sensor to the RF generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating a percutaneous fluidic connection. In one embodiment, the system includes an endoscope having an end cap with a tube that defines a distal cavity and an internal magnet circumferentially arranged around the distal end of the tube. The internal magnet is delivered into the patient's stomach and pressed against an inner wall of the stomach. An external magnet is placed on an external surface of the patient's skin corresponding to the location of the internal magnet and the inner and external magnets are coupled together. An incision is made through the skin to access the distal cavity, and an overtube containing a PEG device is inserted into the distal cavity. The magnets are decoupled and removed, leaving the overtube in place, which is subsequently retracted from the PEG device, allowing the PEG device to be anchored in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for creating an external percutaneous fluidic connections. In one embodiment, a needle is configured for extending through an endoscope. The needle includes a distal sharp tip and a lumen extending therethrough. The needle extends out of the endoscope within a body cavity to create an incision through a patient's skin. A safety cap is attached over the distal sharp tip without occluding the needle lumen. A wire is inserted through the needle lumen such that it extends from outside the body at the incision, through the body, and outside the body at the patient's mouth. After removing the needle and the endoscope from the body, a PEG device is coupled to the wire at the patient's mouth, and the PEG device is delivered through the upper GI tract and out through the incision.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for creating an external percutaneous fluidic connections. In one embodiment, a needle is configured for extending through an endoscope. The needle includes a distal sharp tip and a lumen extending therethrough. The needle extends out of the endoscope within a body cavity to create an incision through a patient's skin. A safety cap is attached over the distal sharp tip without occluding the needle lumen. A wire is inserted through the needle lumen such that it extends from outside the body at the incision, through the body, and outside the body at the patient's mouth. After removing the needle and the endoscope from the body, a PEG device is coupled to the wire at the patient's mouth, and the PEG device is delivered through the upper GI tract and out through the incision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating a percutaneous fluidic connection. In one embodiment, the system includes an endoscope having an end cap with a tube that defines a distal cavity and an internal magnet circumferentially arranged around the distal end of the tube. The internal magnet is delivered into the patient's stomach and pressed against an inner wall of the stomach. An external magnet is placed on an external surface of the patient's skin corresponding to the location of the internal magnet and the inner and external magnets are coupled together. An incision is made through the skin to access the distal cavity, and an overtube containing a PEG device is inserted into the distal cavity. The magnets are decoupled and removed, leaving the overtube in place, which is subsequently retracted from the PEG device, allowing the PEG device to be anchored in place.

Abstract: A percutaneous gastrostomy introduction system may include may include an elongate tube assembly including one or both of a dilator portion and a gastrostomy tube portion, which may be continuously formed or joined by one or more connection joints that may—in certain embodiments—provide for rotation about a common longitudinal axis. The dilator portion includes a helical surface for advancing contact with body tissue and may be disposed near (including up to and defining) a first end of the elongate tube assembly. An engagement structure, including—for example—one or more of a wire loop, a user-graspable handle, or another graspable structure may be included at the first end of the device. Device embodiments may be effective to lessen or prevent tenting of patient tissue during introduction.

Abstract: A laser weld monitoring system capable of assessing a weld quality of welding using a pulsed laser is provided. The system includes at least one sensor capable of capturing a weld characteristic of welding using said pulsed laser. The weld characteristic has multiple attributes. The system also includes data acquisition and processing equipment adapted for storing and analyzing the weld characteristic. A user first performs multiple welds to capture at least one weld characteristic for each weld. The user then determines the weld quality of each weld, and runs at least one of a library of algorithms associated with the attributes on said at least one weld characteristic for each weld to generate a single value output for the associated attribute. The user selects an attribute indicative of the weld quality by correlating the single value outputs of said at least one algorithm with the weld qualities of the welds.

Abstract: A harmonic system for use with metals and alloys such as titanium, steel, copper, gold, aluminum, etc. is disclosed. The harmonic laser system includes an oscillator cavity having a first end mirror and a harmonic separator mirror, an active medium positioned in the oscillator cavity, an electro-optic pump device for optically pumping the active medium to produce a first optical beam at a fundamental wavelength and a non-linear optical crystal positioned in the oscillator cavity to generate a second optical beam at a harmonic wavelength of the first optical beam, wherein the harmonic separator mirror outputs the second optical beam and reflects the first optical beam.

Abstract: A harmonic system for use with metals and alloys such as titanium, steel, copper, gold, aluminum, etc. is disclosed. The harmonic laser system includes an oscillator cavity having a first end mirror and a harmonic separator mirror, an active medium positioned in the oscillator cavity, an electro-optic pump device for optically pumping the active medium to produce a first optical beam at a fundamental wavelength and a non-linear optical crystal positioned in the oscillator cavity to generate a second optical beam at a harmonic wavelength of the first optical beam, wherein the harmonic separator mirror outputs the second optical beam and reflects the first optical beam.

Abstract: A laser weld monitoring system capable of assessing a weld quality of welding using a pulsed laser is provided. The system includes at least one sensor capable of capturing a weld characteristic of welding using said pulsed laser. The weld characteristic has multiple attributes. The system also includes data acquisition and processing equipment adapted for storing and analyzing the weld characteristic. A user first performs multiple welds to capture at least one weld characteristic for each weld. The user then determines the weld quality of each weld, and runs at least one of a library of algorithms associated with the attributes on said at least one weld characteristic for each weld to generate a single value output for the associated attribute. The user selects an attribute indicative of the weld quality by correlating the single value outputs of said at least one algorithm with the weld qualities of the welds.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating and recovering protein and isoflavones from a plant material. A clarified protein extract of the plant material is prepared and contacted with a polar ion exchange resin, such as an anion exchange resin allowing the isoflavones in the extract to bind with the ion exchange resin and depleting the extract of isoflavones. A protein extract which has been depleted of isoflavones is separated from the ion exchange resin, and an isoflavone depleted protein material is recovered from the isoflavone depleted extract. After removal of the isoflavone depleted extract from the resin, the isoflavones are separated and recovered from the ion exchange resin. Recovered isoflavone glycosides and isoflavone glycoside conjugates may be converted to their corresponding aglucone isoflavone form.

Abstract: A laser weld monitoring system capable of assessing a weld quality of welding using a pulsed laser is provided. The system includes at least one sensor capable of capturing a weld characteristic of welding using said pulsed laser. The weld characteristic has multiple attributes. The system also includes data acquisition and processing equipment adapted for storing and analyzing the weld characteristic. A user first performs multiple welds to capture at least one weld characteristic for each weld. The user then determines the weld quality of each weld, and runs at least one of a library of algorithms associated with the attributes on said at least one weld characteristic for each weld to generate a single value output for the associated attribute. The user selects an attribute indicative of the weld quality by correlating the single value outputs of said at least one algorithm with the weld qualities of the welds.

Abstract: A low viscosity, high gel strength protein-starch composition is provided. The protein-starch composition contains a denatured protein material and a starch material which are complexed together where the starch material is in a substantially non-gelatinized state. The protein-starch composition has a low viscosity prior to cooking, yet has a high gel strength after being cooked. A meat emulsion is also provided which contains a meat material and the protein-starch composition. A process is provided for forming the protein-starch composition in which an aqueous slurry of a protein material is formed, the protein in the slurry is denatured by subjecting the slurry to temperatures sufficient to denature the protein, a starch material is mixed into the slurry of denatured protein, and the slurry of starch and protein material is spray dried under conditions which cause the protein material and starch material to complex without gelatinizing the starch material.