Abstract: A transvascularly placed steerable microcatheter, further including internal steerability and the ability to articulate in a direction at right angles to its longitudinal axis at or near its distal end. The steerable microcatheter is generally fabricated from stainless steel, nitinol, or other metal and includes an outer tube, an inner tube, hub structures, and a distal articulating region. The steerable microcatheter can be advanced through a body lumen in its straight configuration and then be selectively articulated or curved to permit negotiation of tortuous curvature. The microcatheter is especially suited to robotic or powered control applications with user intervention or using artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for systems and methods for identifying characteristics of a return pad in a monopolar electrosurgical system using contact quality monitoring (CQM) and near field communication (NFC) signals. In some aspects, resistance or impedance materials are sensed that may help identify what kind of return pad is being used, including what is the structure of the pad. In some aspects, NFC signals are used to identify characteristics of the return pad. In some aspects, the grounding or return pad may include two separate materials that form an interconnecting or interwoven mesh and both act as non-active electrodes when both contact the patient. A non-zero impedance may separate conductive lines connecting the two separate materials that may be analyzed to obtain a defining signature about that is linked to structural characteristics about the return pad.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring a health parameter of a user. A portable monitoring device comprises a housing adapted to couple to a user proximate to the user's respiratory tract; a first audio sensor, disposed in the housing, is adapted to detect a breath sound of the user and create breath sound data; and a processor coupled to the first audio sensor transduces the breath sound data into a modified breath sound signal which is representative of a parameter of the user's breathing, and the processor is adapted to compare the parameter of the user's breathing to a predetermined parameter threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for detecting and remedying a potential hypoxic state. A wearable hypoxic state detector includes an SpO2 sensor configured to measure a user's oxygen saturation, an oxygen reservoir, an oxygen conduit positioned to deliver oxygen from the oxygen storage reservoir to the user's inhalation flow path, and a controller. The controller is operably connected between the SpO2 sensor and the oxygen delivery component, and is configured to automatically induce a flow of oxygen from the oxygen reservoir through the oxygen conduit when a predetermined oxygen saturation level is detected by the SpO2 sensor.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring a health parameter of a user. A portable monitoring device comprises a housing adapted to couple to a user proximate to the user's respiratory tract; a first audio sensor, disposed in the housing, is adapted to detect a breath sound of the user and create breath sound data; and a processor coupled to the first audio sensor transduces the breath sound data into a modified breath sound signal which is representative of a parameter of the user's breathing, and the processor is adapted to compare the parameter of the user's breathing to a predetermined parameter threshold.

Abstract: A method of producing a natural gait by a patient using an ambulatory device having a patient positioned in the middle of the ambulatory device to allow for an upright trunk, minimizing abnormal lower extremities kinematics and weight bearing on arms. By having hinged corners with an adjustable friction the device allows reciprocal arm swing when unlocked. The use of four wheels permits a continuous stepping motion that does not disrupt normal gait kinematics. Having an adjustable height allows the ambulatory device to have an optimal height for placement of patient hands that minimizes weight bearing on arms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ergonomically and securely holding a portable computing device and standing the portable computing device at least partially upright on a flat surface are disclosed. The apparatus and method include a holder base with a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, the holder base being configured to hold a portable computing device at its front face by engaging distal edges of the portable computing device, a dome-shaped grip extending from the rear face of the holder base, the dome-shaped grip having at least one opening for receiving a user's finger, and a flange extending from the dome-shaped grip for supporting the holder base at an angle on a flat surface.

Abstract: An insulated mold for thermoplastics, has a recessed mold area and an elevated land area. An insulating material is deposited in the mold area and a hard layer of metal is deposited on the insulating layer. The land protects the insulating layer from delamination. Also, in some embodiments, a transition between the land and the recessed mold area is provided. The protective member may also be employed to hold down the edge of the insulating layer and to shield the edge from molten thermal plastics, thereby preventing delamination.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an automated measuring device capable of measuring the thickness of essentially any shaped article generally of any materials that is non magnetic. The measuring device of this invention comprises in combination (1) electrical controlling means, (2) magnetic thickness measuring means, (3) mounting means for mounting the article to be measured, (4) computer means for programming the measuring means for measurement of the thickness at predetermined points on the article and (5) means for collecting and recording thickness measurements. Electrical controlling means are employed to control movement of the article to be measured or controlling movement of the magnetic measuring means or a combination of both. The magnetic measuring means comprise a magnetic probe and a magnetic metal ball such that when in a measuring mode, the tip of the magnetic probe is positioned on the side of the article opposite from the magnetic ball and is in magnetic contact through the article.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for regenerating saturated adsorbents using microwave energy. A saturated adsorbent, such as activated carbon, is fed onto a continuously moving conveyor belt. The conveyor belt transports the carbon to a microwave cavity where the carbon is exposed to microwave energy. The cavity is defined by a containment enclosure which is sealed to prevent radiation leakage. The carbon is heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the contaminants to desorb. The system also includes vents for removing the desorbed contaminants and a holder for receiving the treated carbon discharged from the belt. The microwave cavity may be divided into a number of heating compartments so that the carbon on the belt is heated to different temperatures in each compartment. Each compartment is separately vented, thereby allowing selective recovery of the different contaminants in the carbon.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively regenerating at least one portion of an adsorbent bed in an adsorption system with a movable microwave device while the remainder of the bed is still being used. The adsorbent bed is held by a frame which divides the bed into a plurality of sections, each section holding a portion of the adsorbent. At least one movable regeneration carriage assembly which moves from section to section is provided. The carriage assembly supports a microwave heating device which heats the adsorbent in the section adjacent to the carriage assembly. Each section can be isolated from the others in turn and be regenerated while the remaining sections continue the adsorption function. The isolated section is swept by a purge gas which is conveyed to and from the section by flexible cords connected to the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A method of determining levels of extrinsic and intrinsic clotting factors and protein C based upon the reaction rate of the observed clot formation and the first derivative of the reaction rate of observed clot formation is provided. In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the reaction rate of the observed clot formation in a prothrombin time test or an activated partial thromboplastin time assay is determined for both test and normal plasma samples and the reaction rates compared. In another embodiment, the first derivative of the reaction rate of the observed clot formation is determined and the results compared.

Abstract: A dielectric mold member has different thicknesses producing different radio frequency (RF) voltage drops thereacross. An RF electrode is spaced differently from a thermoplastic sheet to be dielectrically heated by the RF energy such that in one implementation the sheet receives uniform potentials and is heated uniformly. In other implementations, the sheet can receive selectively controlled heating over different regions. In an alternative embodiment, multiple pairs of electrodes apply different RF field levels to different portions of the thermoplastic sheet to compensate for the different voltage drops due to different mold thicknesses or to applied different controlled heating levels to different regions.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes an evacuated envelope and a pair of facing contacts situated therein. The contacts are relatively movable along a first axis from an engaged position to a disengaged position. Conductors extending through the envelope are provided for connecting the contacts to an external circuit. A pair of magnetic field coils are disposed on opposite sides of the contacts and connected in series therewith for establishing an axial magnetic field in the space between the contacts when the contacts are in the disengaged position.

Abstract: An exothermically assisted electric fuse, having at least one exothermic body disposed in heat transfer relationship with at least a portion of each fusible element of the fuse, a triggering circuit for initiating an exothermic reaction in response to an overcurrent through the fuse, and a containment body partially enclosing the exothermic body for directing the heat energy released by the exothermic reaction. The containment body is disposed so as to confine and direct the heat energy in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the portion of the fusible element which is in heat transfer relationship with the exothermic body. In a preferred embodiment of such a fuse, the fusible element is wound around a support so that the fuse windings form the general shape of a cylinder, and the containment body is disposed so that the heat energy is directed in a radial direction with respect to the cylinder formed by the fuse windings.

Abstract: Improvement of the peak current interruption performance of a vacuum interrupter is obtained by configuring the conductive leads to the vacuum interrupter in a manner whereby the magnetic field generated by current in the conductive leads and impinging upon the space between a pair of contacts of the vacuum interrupter is minimized, thereby resulting in better performance of the vacuum interrupter.

Abstract: An identification bracelet has a band portion and an enclosure for a likeness of the wearer having an outwardly facing transparent portion, and a closure member adapted for snap closing of the enclosure. A second enclosure is provided for other identifying indicia. The enclosures and closure members are preferably integrally molded with the band portion.

Abstract: A high voltage fuse for interrupting a wide range of currents and especially suited for low current interruption is disclosed. The fuse is comprised of a fuse element having a first and a second plurality of portions of reduced cross-sections. The second plurality of portions further comprise two or more parallel conducting paths some of which carry a portion of material which has a lower melting temperature than the melting temperature of the material of the fuse element. The parameters of the first and second plurality of reduced cross-section portions, the lower melting point material, and the fuse element itself are selected to adapt the fuse to provide proper protection for the various current conditions to which a high voltage transformer is subjected. The fuse element provides fast rupturing under short-circuit current conditions while also providing the characteristic of withstanding relatively high inrush current conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum interrupter with improved separation of functional elements. The interrupter includes separable contacts for carrying continuous current and rod electrode arrays for carrying fault currents. The housing for the interrupter is evacuated, and has a plurality of interior chambers. The rod electrodes are in one chamber and the separable contacts are in an adjacent chamber. A communicating opening is provided between the chambers. The rod electrodes and separable contacts are connected in parallel in a common circuit. When the contacts are separated, arcing products are conveyed to the adjacent chamber through the communicating opening to initiate arcing between the rod electrodes.