Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided having a working lumen and a guide. The guide is configured to position a fragmentizing device within the working lumen. The guide is configured to prevent or minimize any unintended movement of a distal section of the fragmentizing device within the working lumen when the distal section of the fragmentizing device is positioned at a distal end of the working lumen.

Abstract: Kidney stone removal system is disclosed having components including a handle mechanism, a nozzle tip, and a guiding device. The handle mechanism employs a trigger that enables control of irrigation and vacuum/suction. Depression of a trigger in the trigger mechanism conveys status of vacuum/suction and irrigation to a user by providing increased resistance at different points of depression. When the trigger is in a home (undepressed) position, irrigation and vacuum/suction are turned off. When the trigger is in a fully depressed position, irrigation and vacuum/suction are turned on. When the trigger is in an intermediate position, irrigation may be turned on, while vacuum/suction remains turned off. The nozzle includes one or more irrigation ports positioned at a distal end of the nozzle and having an irrigation port departure angle of 30 to 60 degrees for directing irrigation fluid forward and laterally from the distal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a carrier having a base wall and a pair of side walls extending from the base wall, and a sensor mounted on the base wall between the side walls. Each of the side walls has a side step between a first side section and a second side section extending from the first side section along a longitudinal direction of the carrier. A sensor die of the sensor is spaced in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by a first lateral gap distance from the first side section and by a second lateral gap distance from the second side section. The second lateral gap distance is greater than the first lateral gap distance.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of preparing encapsulated ureolytic cells. This method includes blending freeze dried ureolytic cells and an aqueous solution to form a base mixture; mixing the base mixture with a silicate-forming compound to form a blend comprising silica encapsulated ureolytic cells; and freeze drying the silica encapsulated ureolytic cells. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a self-healing concrete. This method comprises providing silica encapsulated freeze-dried ureolytic cells; mixing the silica encapsulated freeze-dried ureolytic cells with cement to form a mixture; and blending the mixture with a calcium salt and a urea solution to form a concrete mixture. Also disclosed are silica encapsulated ureolytic cells, a method of making a concrete form, and a cured concrete product.