Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: Wirelessly networked systems of implantable and non-implantable medical devices with networking protocols, software, and hardware that allow for communications and energy transfer between different the medical devices (free standing, implants and wearables) using ultrasonic waves. The networks and methods of use are used to construct cardiac pacing, deep brain stimulation, and neurostimulation networks based on ultrasonic wide band technology.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic dianhydride includes reacting an aromatic diimide with a substituted or unsubstituted phthalic anhydride in an aqueous medium in the presence of an amine exchange catalyst to provide an aqueous reaction mixture including an N-substituted phthalimide, an aromatic tetraacid salt, and at least one of an aromatic triacid salt and an aromatic imide diacid salt. The method further includes removing the phthalimide from the aqueous reaction mixture by extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a first extractor for a first time period, at a first extraction temperature and subsequent to the first time period, extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a second extractor for a second time period, at a second extraction temperature. The aromatic tetraacid salt is converted to the corresponding aromatic dianhydride. Aromatic dianhydrides prepared according to the method are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, the distal end including a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system that uses ultrasonic waves to transfer energy and data, enabling for the control and recharging of a cardiac assist device. Data and energy transfer are accomplished using pulsed ultrasonic waves. The use of ultrasonic waves allows for wireless transcutaneous energy transfer to power the cardiac assist device pump in absence of a driveline, reducing complications associated with driveline infections and improving patient quality of life.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for secured intrabody networks and interfaces for IoT and ultrasound wideband. Example devices may include a wearable device in contact with a surface of a human body, the wearable device including an ultrasonic wave generator configured to transmit ultrasonic waves, and an external receiver configured to receive the ultrasonic waves and determine data encoded in the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves may encode a single bit of data in multiple pulses through a pseudorandom time hopping scheme.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and support structures for assembling optical fibers in catheter tips and facilitating alignment and structural support. A method for assembling a plurality of optical fibers and lenses in a support structure for an ablation catheter includes providing a support structure with a proximal end, a body, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of alignment orifices or slits. A plurality of optical fibers are threaded through the alignment orifices or slits, such that each optical fiber is threaded through a corresponding alignment orifice or slit. An adhesive material is applied at each alignment orifice or slit to secure the optical fibers, and the plurality of optical fibers are then cleaved at the distal end to remove portions of the fibers extending out of the distal end. Finally, a lens is attached to each of the ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic dianhydride includes reacting an aromatic diimide with a substituted or unsubstituted phthalic anhydride in an aqueous medium in the presence of an amine exchange catalyst to provide an aqueous reaction mixture including an N-substituted phthalimide, an aromatic tetraacid salt, and at least one of an aromatic triacid salt and an aromatic imide diacid salt. The method further includes removing the phthalimide from the aqueous reaction mixture by extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a first extractor for a first time period, at a first extraction temperature and subsequent to the first time period, extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent in a second extractor for a second time period, at a second extraction temperature. The aromatic tetraacid salt is converted to the corresponding aromatic dianhydride. Aromatic dianhydrides prepared according to the method are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a system including a catheter, an optical circuit, a pulsed field ablation energy source, and a processing device. The catheter includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a shaft coupled between the proximal section and the distal section. The optical circuit is configured to transport light at least partially from the proximal section to the distal section and back. The pulsed field ablation energy source is coupled to the catheter and configured to transmit pulsed electrical signals to a tissue sample. The processing device is configured to analyze one or more optical signals received from the optical circuit to determine changes in polarization or phase retardation of light reflected or scattered by the tissue sample, and determine changes in a birefringence of the tissue sample based on the changes in polarization or phase retardation.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.

Abstract: Wirelessly networked systems of implantable and non-implantable medical devices with networking protocols, software, and hardware that allow for communications and energy transfer between different the medical devices (free standing, implants and wearables) using ultrasonic waves. The networks and methods of use are used to construct cardiac pacing, deep brain stimulation, and neurostimulation networks based on ultrasonic wide band technology.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a feedback-driven enterprise communications platform that continuously monitors and improves the effectiveness of communications within and across organizations. In one embodiment, it employs supervised machine learning techniques to correlate the attributes of such communications (e.g., topic, purpose, sentiment, authors, target audience, title and body length, publication date and time, inclusion of images, video and other media, as well as various other characteristics) with metrics representing the behavioral interactions with such communications by dynamically changing target audiences. The present invention utilizes such correlations to optimize predefined communications-related goals (defined as functions of such metrics) by generating advice (e.g., in the form of ranges of attribute values) designed to improve over time the two-way dialogue between the authors of communications and their dynamically changing target audiences.

Abstract: A method of preparing a poly(ester-carbonate) includes contacting an aqueous solution including a dicarboxylic acid with a first solution including phosgene and a first organic solvent in a tubular reactor to provide a first reaction mixture. A dihydroxy aromatic compound, the corresponding dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, water, and a second organic solvent are combined to provide a second reaction mixture. The method further includes introducing the first reaction mixture, the second reaction mixture, and a second solution comprising phosgene to a tank reactor, wherein the tank reactor has a first pH of 7 to 10. The pH is optionally raised to 9 to 11 to provide a third reaction mixture including the poly(ester-carbonate). Poly(ester-carbonate)s prepared according to the method described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing butadiene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of butene are provided. Methods for producing butadiene from a feed stream including oxygen and butene in a molar ratio of oxygen to butene (O2/C4H8) from about 0.9 to about 1.5 can include introducing the feed stream to a catalyst in the presence of steam. The molar ratio of steam to butene (H2O/C4H8) can be from about 10 to about 20. Methods can further include reacting the butene to generate a product stream therefrom comprising butadiene and water. Methods can further include separating water from the product stream to generate a butadiene stream including greater than about 85 wt-% butadiene.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a curable formulation suitable for laminating adhesive applications, and laminating adhesives made therefrom.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic dianhydride includes reacting an aromatic diimide with a substituted or unsubstituted phthalic anhydride in an aqueous medium in the presence of an amine exchange catalyst to provide an aqueous reaction mixture including an N-substituted phthalimide, an aromatic tetraacid salt, and at least one of an aromatic triacid salt and an aromatic imide diacid salt. The method further includes removing the phthalimide from the aqueous reaction mixture by extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent for a first time period, at a first extraction temperature and subsequent to the first time period, extracting the aqueous reaction mixture with an organic solvent for a second time period, at a second extraction temperature. The aromatic tetraacid salt is converted to the corresponding aromatic dianhydride. Aromatic dianhydrides prepared according to the method are also described.