Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and implanting heart valves are disclosed. The delivery systems can include an integrated introducer. The integrated introducer can include a sheath having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of a delivery capsule of the delivery system and an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the delivery capsule. The integrated introducer can include a hub having a hemostatic seal. The hub can have a locking mechanism configured to fix the integrated introducer in place on the delivery system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and implanting heart valves are disclosed. The delivery systems can include an integrated introducer. The integrated introducer can include a sheath having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of a delivery capsule of the delivery system and an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the delivery capsule. The integrated introducer can include a hub having a hemostatic seal. The hub can have a locking mechanism configured to fix the integrated introducer in place on the delivery system.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism, a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit coupled to the pump mechanism, and an insertion mechanism for inserting the conduit into the body. An exemplary method begins by detecting a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing, wherein the detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method automatically activates the insertion mechanism to insert the fluid conduit into the body.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism having an inlet and an outlet, a first flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and at least partially defined by structure compatible with fluid cartridge modules containing medication fluid, a second flow path in fluid communication with the outlet and terminating at a subcutaneous conduit for a body, and a drive motor that actuates the pump mechanism. An exemplary operating method detects a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing. The detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body and after the subcutaneous conduit has been inserted into the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method initiates an automatic priming operation to prepare the device for delivery of the medication fluid to the body.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism, a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit coupled to the pump mechanism, and an insertion mechanism for inserting the conduit into the body. An exemplary method begins by detecting a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing, wherein the detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method automatically activates the insertion mechanism to insert the fluid conduit into the body.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism, a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit coupled to the pump mechanism, and an insertion mechanism for inserting the conduit into the body. An exemplary method begins by detecting a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing, wherein the detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method automatically activates the insertion mechanism to insert the fluid conduit into the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and implanting heart valves are disclosed. The delivery systems can include an integrated introducer. The integrated introducer can include a sheath having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of a delivery capsule of the delivery system and an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the delivery capsule. The integrated introducer can include a hub having a hemostatic seal. The hub can have a locking mechanism configured to fix the integrated introducer in place on the delivery system.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and an insertion mechanism are disclosed. The insertion mechanism actuates an assembly having a fluid conduit and a needle. An embodiment of the insertion mechanism includes a first sliding block, a second sliding block, a torsion spring, and a living hinge. The first block is coupled to the conduit to move the conduit in an insertion direction. The second block is coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second block in the insertion direction pushes the first block in the insertion direction. The living hinge is coupled between the torsion spring and the second block. Rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism, a transcutaneous conduit assembly having a fluid conduit coupled to the pump mechanism, and an insertion mechanism for inserting the conduit into the body. An exemplary method begins by detecting a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing, wherein the detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method automatically activates the insertion mechanism to insert the fluid conduit into the body.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and an insertion mechanism are disclosed. The insertion mechanism actuates an assembly having a fluid conduit and a needle. An embodiment of the insertion mechanism includes a first sliding block, a second sliding block, a torsion spring, and a living hinge. The first block is coupled to the conduit to move the conduit in an insertion direction. The second block is coupled to the needle to move the needle in the insertion direction and in a retraction direction, wherein movement of the second block in the insertion direction pushes the first block in the insertion direction. The living hinge is coupled between the torsion spring and the second block. Rotation of the torsion spring during an insertion action actuates the living hinge to move the second block in the insertion direction and, thereafter, in the retraction direction.

Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are disclosed. The fluid infusion device has a housing, a fluid pump mechanism having an inlet and an outlet, a first flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and at least partially defined by structure compatible with fluid cartridge modules containing medication fluid, a second flow path in fluid communication with the outlet and terminating at a subcutaneous conduit for a body, and a drive motor that actuates the pump mechanism. An exemplary operating method detects a first installation of a fluid cartridge module in the housing. The detecting occurs after the housing has been affixed to the body and after the subcutaneous conduit has been inserted into the body. In response to the detecting, the operating method initiates an automatic priming operation to prepare the device for delivery of the medication fluid to the body.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an electromagnetically protected ultrasound TEE probe, a display for displaying ultrasound images, a housing including a transducer connector including at least one connection and a computer for processing electrical signals representative of received ultrasound echoes. The TEE probe includes a probe housing including an imaging sensor, an outer acoustic lens, a cable interconnect and an internal metal shield which surrounds the sensor and cable interconnect, and a cable including electrical conductors and electromagnetic cable shielding, the electrical conductors electrically to the cable interconnect at a first end, and the electrical conductors and the cable shielding are electrically connected to a transducer connector at a second end. The internal metal shield is electrically connected to the cable shielding such that all elements inside a boundary formed by the transducer housing and outer acoustic lens are substantially electromagnetically protected.

Abstract: A coaxial connector interfaces a launch end of the connector with a planar circuit mounted in a microcircuit package. The microcircuit package receives the connector through a borehole in a wall of the package. In some embodiments, the connector is axially adjustable and comprises a feed thru portion that is at least as long as the package wall is thick and has a smooth outer surface, such that the feed thru portion readily slides in the wall borehole. The connector is either a one-piece or a two-piece connector. In some of these embodiments, the connector further comprises an integrated launch substrate. In other embodiments, the coaxial connector comprises an integrated launch substrate with circuitry. The circuitry facilitates conversion of a coaxial propagation wave from the connector to a planar propagation wave at the planar circuit. In some of these other embodiments, the coaxial connector also is axially adjustable.

Abstract: An articulating elongated inspection neck effective to shield radio frequency interference. The inspection neck includes a series of individual electrically conducting parts each having a passageway there through. The parts are pivotally joined together with the passageways aligned along the length of the neck. A self-adjusting electrically conducting member connects immediately adjacent individual parts in electrical communication. The self-adjusting members maintain electrical communication between the parts throughout movement of the parts during flexure of the neck. Consequently, these members maintain electrical continuity along the length of the neck. The spacing between the parts is sized to be barrier to predetermined radio frequencies.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe having connected tip and handle regions with longitudinal axes that intersect each other at an acute angle. An ultrasonic transducer opposes a patient-contacting surface at a distal end of the tip region and is positioned orthogonal to that region's axis. This novel shape enables the administering sonographer to position the probe at the suprasternal window without substantially tilting the probe and without requiring a substantial adjustment of the patient's head, thereby obtaining improved cardiac imaging of pediatric patients and others who cannot steadily hold their head in a backwardly tilted position to accommodate the placement of conventional ultrasonic probes. In addition, the shape allows for the unassisted positioning of the probe within the subcostal window. The ultrasound transducer is a phased-array transducer rotational about the tip region axis.

Abstract: In the present invention, an easily assembled, reliable bending neck is formed for use with invasive medical devices. The bending neck comprises a series of pivotally hinged segments, each having a central lumen. The segments are positioned end-to-end, while the lumens collectively provide a shaft to accommodate delicate interconnections to a head assembly attached to the bending neck. Separate from the lumen are channels formed in each segment. The channels, combined from each segment, run the length of the bending neck and are aligned to accommodate cables used to articulate the bending neck. The separation of the lumen from the channels isolates the delicate interconnections from the motion of the cables as the bending neck is articulated.The cables and the separated lumen and channels form a bending neck having high reliability, that is easy to assemble, for use with invasive medical devices.