Abstract: A method and system of absorbing the shock force of an impact including a substance which absorbs at least part of the shock force of an impact by changing phase from a first phase to a second phase, and back to the first phase on cessation of the impact force, and a container for the substance for protecting a person from an impact injury.

Abstract: A surgical access system including an access port device. The port device has a port member, a plurality of blades, and an articulation mechanism. The blades are circumferentially arranged about a longitudinal axis of the port member to collectively define an access region. The articulation mechanism defines a pivot point along a length of each blade, and is operable to articulate the blades between collapsed and expanded states. The blade tips collectively define a diameter in the collapsed state that is less than that in the expanded state. The blades rotate about the corresponding pivot point, and the pivot points move longitudinally relative to the port member, in transitioning between the contracted and expanded states. Light source(s) can be integrated with the blades or separately provided to enhance surgical field visibility.

Abstract: A surgical access system including an access port device. The port device has a port member, a plurality of blades, and an articulation mechanism. The blades are circumferentially arranged about a longitudinal axis of the port member to collectively define an access region. The articulation mechanism defines a pivot point along a length of each blade, and is operable to articulate the blades between collapsed and expanded states. The blade tips collectively define a diameter in the collapsed state that is less than that in the expanded state. The blades rotate about the corresponding pivot point, and the pivot points move longitudinally relative to the port member, in transitioning between the contracted and expanded states. Light source(s) can be integrated with the blades or separately provided to enhance surgical field visibility.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply (SMPS) employs only energy storage components that are devoid of ferromagnetic materials. The SMPS operates only at switching frequencies such that any potential electromagnetic interference of interest is generated at frequencies appearing only outside the imaging bandwidth of a corresponding magnetic resonance imaging system powered by the SMPS.

Abstract: A power supply with a piezoelectric transformer is provided. A method for power conversion is also provided. The power supply includes a piezoelectric transformer and an oscillator circuit connected to the piezoelectric transformer. The oscillator circuit controls a sinusoidal voltage waveform at an input of the piezoelectric transformer to drive the piezoelectric transformer.

Abstract: A system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device, an antenna positioned outside of the patient's body, and a receiver in operative communication with the antenna. The banding device comprises two orthogonal ultrasonic transceiver modules, a microprocessor, and a transmitter in electrical communication with the microprocessor. The microprocessor is in operative communication with each of the two transceiver modules. The transmitter transmits signals to a receiver positioned outside of a patient's body. Another system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device having a first coiled conductor. The system further comprises a circuit external to the banding device, the circuit comprising a second coiled conductor. The circuit further comprises a tunable frequency generator and a spectrum analyzer, the circuit being tunable to allow a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device, an antenna positioned outside of the patient's body, and a receiver in operative communication with the antenna. The banding device comprises two orthogonal ultrasonic transceiver modules, a microprocessor, and a transmitter in electrical communication with the microprocessor. The microprocessor is in operative communication with each of the two transceiver modules. The transmitter transmits signals to a receiver positioned outside of a patient's body. Another system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device having a first coiled conductor. The system further comprises a circuit external to the banding device, the circuit comprising a second coiled conductor. The circuit further comprises a tunable frequency generator and a spectrum analyzer, the circuit being tunable to allow a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device, an antenna positioned outside of the patient's body, and a receiver in operative communication with the antenna. The banding device comprises two orthogonal ultrasonic transceiver modules, a microprocessor, and a transmitter in electrical communication with the microprocessor. The microprocessor is in operative communication with each of the two transceiver modules. The transmitter transmits signals to a receiver positioned outside of a patient's body. Another system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device having a first coiled conductor. The system further comprises a circuit external to the banding device, the circuit comprising a second coiled conductor. The circuit further comprises a tunable frequency generator and a spectrum analyzer, the circuit being tunable to allow a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply (SMPS) employs only energy storage components that are devoid of ferromagnetic materials. The SMPS operates only at switching frequencies such that any potential electromagnetic interference of interest is generated at frequencies appearing only outside the imaging bandwidth of a corresponding magnetic resonance imaging system powered by the SMPS.

Abstract: A power supply with a piezoelectric transformer is provided. A method for power conversion is also provided. The power supply includes a piezoelectric transformer and an oscillator circuit connected to the piezoelectric transformer. The oscillator circuit controls a sinusoidal voltage waveform at an input of the piezoelectric transformer to drive the piezoelectric transformer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: A system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device, an antenna positioned outside of the patient's body, and a receiver in operative communication with the antenna. The banding device comprises two orthogonal ultrasonic transceiver modules, a microprocessor, and a transmitter in electrical communication with the microprocessor. The microprocessor is in operative communication with each of the two transceiver modules. The transmitter transmits signals to a receiver positioned outside of a patient's body. Another system for measuring the size of a gastric lumen includes a gastric banding device having a first coiled conductor. The system further comprises a circuit external to the banding device, the circuit comprising a second coiled conductor. The circuit further comprises a tunable frequency generator and a spectrum analyzer, the circuit being tunable to allow a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A system and a method for testing a Radio Frequency (RF) device are provided. The system includes a light emitting source configured to transmit an optical test signal based on an RF signal and a detector provided as a part of the RF device and configured to detect the transmitted optical test signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: A transient noise detection system includes an imaging system having a magnetic field coil and an imaging bore. The imaging system generates an imaging signal through a signal cable, wherein the imaging signal is corruptible by a noise event. A noise event detector is positioned outside of the imaging bore and proximate to the signal cable. This detector detects the noise event from the signal cable and generates a noise signal therefrom.

Abstract: A transient noise detection system includes an imaging system having a magnetic field coil and an imaging bore. The imaging system generates an imaging signal through a signal cable, wherein the imaging signal is corruptible by a noise event. A noise event detector is positioned outside of the imaging bore and proximate to the signal cable. This detector detects the noise event from the signal cable and generates a noise signal therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining blood oxygen transport, and to measure lipid levels by correlating these levels with the rate at which oxygen diffuses through the red blood cell membrane.

Abstract: An implantable infusion pump (20) for infusing drugs or other chemicals or solutions into the body. A flexible spring diaphragm (25) forms an outer back wall portion (26) of a housing (22) of the infusion pump (20). The spring diaphragm (25) applies substantially constant force over a range of displacement and communicating internal body pressure to the drug chamber (30) so as to maintain a substantially uniform pressure difference between the drug chamber (30) and the internal body pressure.

Abstract: An implantable, anti-reflux, fluid displacement peritoneovenous shunt system. The system includes a double chambered multi-micro-orifice ascites collection device, a magnetically driven pump, and an anti-reflux, anti-backdiffusion, non-thrombogenic catheter tip, all connected by flexible tubing. The shunt is used to transfer fluid from the peritoneum to the cardivascular system to prevent accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The magnetically operated pump may be of either the reciprocating diaphragm or piston type or it may be a rotary driven bellows displacement pump.

Abstract: An implantable infusion pump (20) for infusing drugs or other chemical or solutions into the body. A movable diaphragm (26) forming a variable volume drug chamber (22). A fluid piston (32) opposing the force exerted by the diaphragm (26) on the drug solution in the drug chamber (22). The pressure of the fluid piston (32) being controlled by a regulator (33) providing a reference pressure and in fluid communication with the fluid piston (32). The regulator (33) reducing the fluid pressure of the piston fluid (32) as drug solution is expelled from the drug chamber (22) so as to maintain a constant pressure differential between the drug chamber (22) and an infusion site in the body. The implantable infusion pump (20) being readily adaptable to variable or electronic flow control.