Abstract: An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: A compact industrial process transmitter is provided having an electronics module that includes a top surface with a plurality of lead attachment points thereon. At least one of the lead attachment points disposed on the top surface of the compact temperature transmitter electronics module includes a upwardly extending external lead attachment clip. In some aspects, a plurality of upwardly extending lead attachment clips as well as lead attachment points that have a lead wire engaging surface that is substantially flush with or raised above the top surface of the compact temperature transmitter electronics module.

Abstract: Apparatus and method providing improved fault tolerance through redundancy of hardware and software suitable for use in a head-end of an interactive information distribution system. Communications between each of a head-end controllers and each of the server modules are coincidentally sent along at least two signal paths to provide to additional fault tolerance in the event one of the signal paths becomes inoperable. In one embodiment, a video switch comprises a plurality of I/O ports coupled between a plurality of server modules and a plurality of subscriber equipment for transferring video information between the server and the subscriber equipment. A primary and secondary switch controller are each coupled to the head-end controllers and the plurality of I/O ports. The primary switch controller is used for routing data packets containing said video information between the plurality of I/O ports.

Abstract: An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition.

Abstract: A downloadable postage rate calculating device including a platform for receiving a parcel and providing a weight for the parcel, and a processor configured to receive current rates information downloaded from a computer or other similar device. The processor calculates a postage amount for the parcel based on at least a portion of the current rates information and the weight of the parcel. The processor can also compare the postage amount for a first carrier and shipping method, with that of a second carrier and shipping method, or between two shipping methods offered by the same carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides an identification device for the camera with at least two colours for displaying the on-air signal using one colour without being detrimental to the readability of the identification device. The identification device for a camera comprises a means 20 for displaying a camera identifier and an illumination means 21 for illuminating the identifier with at least two distinct colours. The invention also relates to a camera viewfinder and a camera comprising at least one device.

Abstract: An instrument is provided to assess the transmurality of an ablation lesion from a first surface of a targeted biological tissue to an opposed second surface thereof. The instrument includes at least a first electrode operably attached to an ablation instrument adapted to engage a tissue first surface, and at least a second electrode adapted to engage a tissue second surface, the at least second electrode positioned generally opposed to the at least first electrode. Alternatively, the at least second electrode may be adapted to be placed within a chamber of an organ. These electrodes each measure at least one of conduction time, conduction velocity, phase angle, and impedance through at least a portion of the targeted tissue to determine the transmurality of the ablation lesion.

Abstract: An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: A catheter system with an enhanced steering system, allowing for positioning the distal portion of the catheter proximate to a desired biological target tissue site, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal end comprising an ablation device during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and kits, are provided for use in combination with a conventional bronchoscope or other lung viewing scope. In particular, sheaths having an inflatable cuff at their distal end are provided to receive a viewing scope through a lumen thereof. The sheaths thus provide an inflatable cuff on a viewing scope assembly so that the scope can be used in procedures which require selective isolation of regions of a patient's lungs. In particular embodiments, the sheaths may include stop elements for properly positioning a viewing scope therein, pressure transducers for providing accurate lung pressure information during procedures, and the like. Methods for using and forming sheaths having inflatable cuffs are also described.

Abstract: An ink tank which has an ink delivery port chamber and one or more free ink chambers is provided with free ink chamber ceiling heights which are lower than the ceiling height of the ink delivery port chamber to reduce the amount of air trapped in the ink tank when the ink tank is filled with ink, and to locate air trapped in the ink tank in the ink delivery port chamber.

Abstract: A flexible microwave antenna assembly for a surgical ablation instrument capable of conforming to a tissue surface for ablation thereof. The ablation instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source. The antenna assembly includes a flexible antenna coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. A flexible shield device is coupled to the antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed generally in a predetermined direction. A flexible insulator is disposed between the shield device and the antenna which defines a window portion enabling the transmission of the directed electric field in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: The disclosed lubricating suppository is formulated to have properties advantageous for coital use, including extraordinary water washability. The ingredients and phase relationships of the suppository composition provide a high degree of compatibility with water and with naturally-occurring vaginal moisture. The suppository composition contains a glyceride lubricant and can be lubricious with or without the presence of moisture. The suppository, which is solid at room temperature but melts in a short time at body temperature, is made by dissolving, for example, 10-30 parts by weight of high-HLB (e.g. >14) nonionic surfactant in 50-70 parts by weight of a molten, water-soluble polyoxyethylene glycol component and by dispersing or emulsifying 10-20 parts by weight of the glyceride (e.g. a triglyceride of C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aliphatic carboxylic acids) included in the composition.