Abstract: A detector for detecting the removal and/or insertion of a weapon out of and/or into a holster. The detector may transmit a message each time the weapon is removed from the holster. A recording system may receive the message and determine whether or not it will begin recording the data it captures. A detector may detect the change in a magnitude of an inductance and/or an impedance of a circuit to detect insertion and removal of the weapon into and out of the holster. The holster is configured to couple to the detector to position the detector to detect insertion and removal of the weapon. An adhesive tape may couple a detector to a holster.

Abstract: A linkage extends between an actuator and a valve in a turbocharger. The linkage comprises two spaced member bodies having central portions with opposing curved shapes that extend between ends translatable along and rotatable about spaced pivots. Translation of one member toward the other member compresses the central portions, increasing overall stiffness of the linkage, and translation of one member away from the other member creates a gap between the central portions, allowing independent translation of the ends along the spaced pivots to compensate for misalignment between the actuator and the valve caused by heat and vibration. Another linkage extending between an actuator and a valve in a turbocharger includes two planar spaced member bodies extending between ends translatable along and rotatable about spaced pivots. The two member bodies have different thicknesses.

Abstract: A linkage extends between an actuator and a valve in a turbocharger. The linkage comprises two spaced member bodies having central portions with opposing curved shapes that extend between ends translatable along and rotatable about spaced pivots. Translation of one member toward the other member compresses the central portions, increasing overall stiffness of the linkage, and translation of one member away from the other member creates a gap between the central portions, allowing independent translation of the ends along the spaced pivots to compensate for misalignment between the actuator and the valve caused by heat and vibration. Another linkage extending between an actuator and a valve in a turbocharger includes two planar spaced member bodies extending between ends translatable along and rotatable about spaced pivots. The two member bodies have different thicknesses.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for an opto-mechanical device for enabling surgeons to rapidly simulate proposed intestinal/colorectal anastomosis cut lines and assess their impact upon tissue perfusion prior to their implementation. The pre-selection process enables a surgeon to decide upon the locations of the anastomotic cut lines that are most likely to reduce ischemia, while preserving most of the intestinal tissue length. The opto-mechanical device may simulate a cut line by applying pressure to intestinal tissue and detecting a light pattern transmitted through the intestinal tissue before and after the applied pressure. A perfusion map may be generated to estimate perfusion quality around the circumference of the intestinal tissue at the site of a simulated cut line, and the perfusion map may be displayed as a two-dimensional graphic image of the proposed anastomosis site. Once the site of the best cut line is selected, the surgeon may activate a cutting blade to implement the cut.

Abstract: Technologies are generally provided for identifying and marking the location of the laryngeal nerve prior to tissue dissection. A frame may include two multi-electrode stimulating probes, a slider with a guide movable between the two probes, and a marker probe including an anchor. The two probes supported on the frame may be inserted into tissue in a vicinity of the nerve, and a controller may sequentially stimulate the electrodes on each probe and measure electromyography (EMG) responses from each stimulated electrode. The controller may determine the nerve's location relative to the probes based on the measured EMG responses, where the location may include a lateral position between the probes and an estimated depth. The slider may be moved to the lateral position and the marker probe may be inserted through the slider to the determined depth. The anchor may be deployed next to the nerve to indicate the nerve location.

Abstract: Technologies are generally provided for identifying and marking the location of the laryngeal nerve prior to tissue dissection. A frame may include two multi-electrode stimulating probes, a slider with a guide movable between the two probes, and a marker probe including an anchor. The two probes supported on the frame may be inserted into tissue in a vicinity of the nerve, and a controller may sequentially stimulate the electrodes on each probe and measure electromyography (EMG) responses from each stimulated electrode. The controller may determine the nerve's location relative to the probes based on the measured EMG responses, where the location may include a lateral position between the probes and an estimated depth. The slider may be moved to the lateral position and the marker probe may be inserted through the slider to the determined depth. The anchor may be deployed next to the nerve to indicate the nerve location.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for an opto-mechancial device is provided for enabling surgeons to rapidly simulate proposed intestinal/colorectal anastomosis cut lines and assess their impact upon tissue perfusion prior to their implementation. The pre-selection process enables a surgeon to decide upon the locations of the anastomotic cut lines that are most likely to reduce ischemia, while preserving most of the intestinal tissue length. The opto-mechanical device may simulate a cut line by applying pressure to intestinal tissue and detecting a light pattern transmitted through the intestinal tissue before and after the applied pressure. A perfusion map may be generated to estimate perfusion quality around the circumference of the intestinal tissue at the site of a simulated cut line, and the perfusion map may be displayed as a two-dimensional graphic image of the proposed anastomosis site. Once the site of the best cut line is selected, the surgeon may activate a cutting blade to implement the cut.

Abstract: A heart pump is provided that comprises an elongate catheter body, an impeller disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter body, and one or more bearings positioned between the catheter body and the impeller. A fluid supply line for delivering infusant into the catheter is provided. A fluid return line for transporting infusant out of the catheter is also provided. A pump assembly for regulating the infusant flow along the fluid supply line and fluid return line is provided as part of an infusion system.

Abstract: A heart pump is provided that comprises an elongate catheter body, an impeller disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter body, and one or more bearings positioned between the catheter body and the impeller. A fluid supply line for delivering infusant into the catheter is provided. A fluid return line for transporting infusant out of the catheter is also provided. A pump assembly for regulating the infusant flow along the fluid supply line and fluid return line is provided as part of an infusion system.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pump includes a balloon, a catheter having a relatively small diameter lumen and an extender having a relatively large diameter lumen connected in series. A valve is positioned in the extender adjacent the end of the extender connected to the catheter. The valve enables the extender to be pressurized with a working gas prior to inflation of the balloon and to be evacuated prior to deflation of the balloon. A second valve adjacent the opposite end of the extender permits the intra-aortic balloon pump to commence a pre-inflation step or a pre-deflation step without affecting the pressure in the extender. Separate positive pressure and negative pressure extenders may be provided to reduce the movement of the working gas during inflation and deflation cycles, thereby increasing pneumatic efficiency.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pump includes a balloon, a catheter having a relatively small diameter lumen and an extender having a relatively large diameter lumen connected in series. A valve is positioned in the extender adjacent the end of the extender connected to the catheter. The valve enables the extender to be pressurized with a working gas prior to inflation of the balloon and to be evacuated prior to deflation of the balloon. A second valve adjacent the opposite end of the extender permits the intra-aortic balloon pump to commence a pre-inflation step or a pre-deflation step without affecting the pressure in the extender. Separate positive pressure and negative pressure extenders may be provided to reduce the movement of the working gas during inflation and deflation cycles, thereby increasing pneumatic efficiency.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon pump includes an overdrive system for inflating the intra-aortic balloon with a working gas and deflating the balloon more rapidly. A substantially constant inflation pressure is applied to the working gas for a predetermined time to substantially fully inflate the balloon to a working pressure. The inflation pressure is then reduced to a pressure which is substantially equal to the working pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the inflated condition and prevent its overinflation. Subsequently, a substantially constant deflation pressure is applied to the working gas and is held for a predetermined time to substantially fully deflate the balloon to a desired end deflation pressure. The deflation pressure is then increased to a pressure which is substantially equal to the end deflation pressure so as to maintain the balloon in the deflated condition and ready the system for the next inflation cycle.

Abstract: A pneumatic compression supplies both positive and negative pressure for operating a medical device. The pulsing sounds generated by the compressor are attenuated by connecting the inlet of the positive pressure side of the compressor and the outlet of the negative pressure side of the compressor to a common resonating chamber. A port in the resonating chamber acts as an outlet for the discharge of excess air in the chamber and an inlet for the entry of make-up air. By adjusting the diameter of the port with respect to the volume of the resonating chamber, sound attenuation can be optimized. In a compact design, the compressor housing serves as the resonating chamber.

Abstract: A text-processing system for presenting input data on a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) and/or a data receiving unit from which the data may be selectively retrieved and presented in a predetermined format. The system comprises memory addressing and interpreting means which functions substantially independently for CRT beam controlling means, thus enabling parallel operation of these functions. The system further comprises slewing means for controlling beam movement directly between any selected points on the CRT face. Provision is made for italicizing and/or altering the size of selected ones of the displayed characters.