Abstract: A palpation device for palpation of tissues for characterization (e.g., qualification and/or quantification) of subcutaneous structures is provided. The palpation device includes a frame formed from a substantially rigid material and comprising an opening; a tonometric lens extending through the opening of the frame; and a radiation source. The lens is configured to at least partially impinge a tissue of interest to identify an object embedded therein. The lens includes a body having a reflective coating on an outer surface thereof. The radiation source is positioned to illuminate the reflective coating such that a topography of the coating can be observed. The body includes a body material that is as stiff or stiffer than the tissue of interest and less stiff than the embedded object to be characterized. A system including the palpation device and an image device for obtaining an image through the lens is also provided.

Abstract: A palpation device for palpation of tissues for characterization (e.g., qualification and/or quantification) of subcutaneous structures is provided. The palpation device includes a frame formed from a substantially rigid material and comprising an opening; a tonometric lens extending through the opening of the frame; and a radiation source. The lens is configured to at least partially impinge a tissue of interest to identify an object embedded therein. The lens includes a body having a reflective coating on an outer surface thereof. The radiation source is positioned to illuminate the reflective coating such that a topography of the coating can be observed. The body includes a body material that is as stiff or stiffer than the tissue of interest and less stiff than the embedded object to be characterized. A system including the palpation device and an image device for obtaining an image through the lens is also provided.

Abstract: A blood pump-oxygenator system including a housing, an impeller, a fiber bed, and a bypass channel that provides a path for blood to be recirculated through the fiber bed; a system comprising a housing, a means for drawing blood into the housing, a means for removing carbon dioxide from the blood, a means for adding oxygen to the blood, and a means for recirculating the blood back through the removing means and the adding means; and a method for oxygenating blood comprising drawing blood into a housing comprising a fiber bed, propelling blood principally in a radial direction through the fiber bed, adding oxygen to the blood as it moves through the fiber bed, and repeating the forcing and adding steps for at least a portion of the blood.

Abstract: A blood pump having rotor and/or stator touch down zones to prevent pump failure or hernolysis which can occur if the rotor comes into contact with the stator due to power failure or mechanical shock. The touch down zones can include forming, or coating, portions of adjacent surfaces of the stator and rotor which can come into contact if a rotor touch down occurs. The materials used to form or coat the touch down zones can have properties which ensure that no consequential damage to the contacting surfaces occurs.

Abstract: A blood pump having rotor and/or stator touch down zones to prevent pump failure or hemolysis which can occur if the rotor comes into contact with the stator due to power failure or mechanical shock. The touch down zones can include forming, or coating, portions of adjacent surfaces of the stator and rotor which can come into contact if a rotor touch down occurs. The materials used to form or coat the touch down zones can have properties which ensure that no consequential damage to the contacting surfaces occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus as described herein for substantially, but not entirely, blocking back-flow through a blood pump when the blood pump is not pumping blood wherein the method and apparatus can operate passively or actively if the blood pump stops pumping in order to provide a limited back-flow through the blood pump to prevent clot formation.

Abstract: A blood pump having rotor and/or stator touch down zones to prevent pump failure or hemolysis which can occur if the rotor comes into contact with the stator due to power failure or mechanical shock. The touch down zones can include forming, or coating, portions of adjacent surfaces of the stator and rotor which can come into contact if a rotor touch down occurs. The materials used to form or coat the touch down zones can have properties which ensure that no consequential damage to the contacting surfaces occurs.

Abstract: An inventive blood pump in accordance with this invention includes a housing that has inlet and outlet ports for receiving and discharging blood. A rotor is positioned in the housing's interior for pumping blood between the housing's inlet and outlet ports, with the rotor being capable of motion in three translational and three rotational axes. An assembly for magnetically suspending and rotating the rotor in a contact-free manner with respect to the housing includes only one electromagnetic bearing that actively controls motion of the rotor with respect to one axis selected from the rotor's three translational and three rotational axes, an electromagnetic motor that actively drives motion of the rotor with respect to one of its three rotational axes, and magnetic bearings for passively controlling motion of the rotor with respect to the remaining four of its translational and rotational axes. The inventive blood pump can also be incorporated into an artificial heart.