Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: A connector comprises a first housing and a second housing each receiving a plurality of electrical terminals. The second housing is connected to the first housing, and is movable relative thereto in an insertion direction of the connector with respect to a mating connector. A latch selectively fixes the first housing in a staggered position relative to the second housing in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, a second locked position, and a third locked position.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a first length from a distal end of the dilator, a second locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a second length from the distal end of the dilator less than the first length, and a third locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle is within the dilator.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus includes a dielectric carrier having a first side and a second side. The antenna apparatus also includes a multi-band antenna having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The multi-band antenna includes a first section and a second section that are bent with respect to one another. The interior surface along the first and second sections defines a receiving space. The dielectric carrier is disposed within the receiving space such that the first section is positioned along the first side of the dielectric carrier and the second section is positioned along the second side of the dielectric carrier. The dielectric carrier includes at least one projection that covers a portion of the exterior surface of the multi-band antenna.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. The guidance system can include an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors can be included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system can include a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle, and a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, in which a magnetic axis of the magnetic element can be configured to be coaxially or otherwise aligned with the cannula axis.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, wherein a magnetic axis of the magnetic element is configured to be coaxially or otherwise aligned with the needle cannula.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus includes a dielectric carrier having a first side and a second side. The antenna apparatus also includes a multi-band antenna having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The multi-band antenna includes a first section and a second section that are bent with respect to one another. The interior surface along the first and second sections defines a receiving space. The dielectric carrier is disposed within the receiving space such that the first section is positioned along the first side of the dielectric carrier and the second section is positioned along the second side of the dielectric carrier. The dielectric carrier includes at least one projection that covers a portion of the exterior surface of the multi-band antenna.

Abstract: A single piece pulsed flow wing assembly method providing for horizontal wing manufacture is accomplished using synchronized automated vehicles guided in a predetermined manner to move and, locate wing structure in a plurality of assembly positions. Multi-axis assembly positioning systems (MAPS) are used at each assembly position to support and index components in the wing structure and determinant assembly techniques are used for indexing of the components. Modular automated manufacturing processes employing magnetic assembly clamping, drilling, fastener insertion, and sealant application are employed.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an introducer assembly, a needle, and a housing. The introducer assembly includes a dilator coaxially disposed in a sheath, the dilator removably engaged to the sheath in an insertion configuration. The needle is coaxially disposed in the dilator, the needle having a distal tip and a proximal end coupled to a needle hub. The housing may be removably engaged to the dilator. The needle hub is movably disposed in the housing between a first locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a first length from a distal end of the dilator, a second locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle extends a second length from the distal end of the dilator less than the first length, and a third locked position, in which the distal tip of the needle is within the dilator.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter including an elliptical cross-sectional profile configuration that enhances fluid flow rate while minimizing the average diameter of the catheter body is disclosed. In one embodiment the catheter comprises an elongate catheter tube defining a plurality of lumens. At least a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter tube defines an elliptical cross section, in turn defined by a major axis and a minor axis. A ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the elliptical catheter tube cross section is between about 1.3 and about 1.4 in one embodiment. The catheter body can define two, three, or more lumens, in one embodiment.

Abstract: An insertion device for use in assisting with the placement of a medical device within the body of a patient is disclosed. For example, the insertion device can be employed to assist with the placement of an introducer, which provides a conduit for insertion of a catheter into the body. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a needle that is removably disposed within a bore defined by the medical device, and a needle retraction assembly. The needle retraction assembly can position the needle in any one of a first position wherein a distal tip of the needle is disposed a predetermined distance distal to a distal end of the medical device, a second position wherein the needle distal tip is disposed distal but proximate to the distal end of the medical device, and a third position wherein the needle distal tip is retracted within the medical device bore.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination of mixed-signal hardware and software that is capable or realizing hybrid chaotic oscillators that can be tuned digitally. This includes the type/class of chaotic oscillator, initial conditions, nonlinear elements, thresholds, nonlinear event surfaces, delays, etc. At the same time, tunable methods of how to use the chaotic oscillator information to encrypt and decrypt both analog and digital information is presented. This will make the secure information not vulnerable by digital information compromises or hardware breach.

Abstract: A single piece pulsed flow wing assembly method providing for horizontal wing manufacture is accomplished using synchronized automated vehicles guided in a predetermined manner to move and, locate wing structure in a plurality of assembly positions. Multi-axis assembly positioning systems (MAPS) are used at each assembly position to support and index components in the wing structure and determinant assembly techniques are used for indexing of the components. Modular automated manufacturing processes employing magnetic assembly clamping, drilling, fastener insertion, and sealant application are employed.

Abstract: A single piece pulsed flow wing assembly method providing for horizontal wing manufacture is accomplished using synchronized automated vehicles guided in a predetermined manner to move and, locate wing structure in a plurality of assembly positions. Multi-axis assembly positioning systems (MAPS) are used at each assembly position to support and index components in the wing structure and determinant assembly techniques are used for indexing of the components. Modular automated manufacturing processes employing magnetic assembly clamping, drilling, fastener insertion, and sealant application are employed.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination of mixed-signal hardware and software that is capable or realizing hybrid chaotic oscillators that can be tuned digitally. This includes the type/class of chaotic oscillator, initial conditions, nonlinear elements, thresholds, nonlinear event surfaces, delays, etc. At the same time, tunable methods of how to use the chaotic oscillator information to encrypt and decrypt both analog and digital information is presented. This will make the secure information not vulnerable by digital information compromises or hardware breach.

Abstract: An insertion device for use in assisting with the placement of a medical device within the body of a patient is disclosed. For example, the insertion device can be employed to assist with the placement of an introducer, which provides a conduit for insertion of a catheter into the body. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a needle that is removably disposed within a bore defined by the medical device, and a needle retraction assembly. The needle retraction assembly can position the needle in any one of a first position wherein a distal tip of the needle is disposed a predetermined distance distal to a distal end of the medical device, a second position wherein the needle distal tip is disposed distal but proximate to the distal end of the medical device, and a third position wherein the needle distal tip is retracted within the medical device bore.