Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

Abstract: A sintering furnace may include a furnace chamber and a retort located within the furnace chamber that receives a part to be heated. The furnace may also include one or more heating elements positioned around the retort and a power controller including power modules connected in series. The power modules may be operably connected to the one or more heating elements and may provide a direct current (DC) power output. A controller may selectively control the power modules to supply power to the one or more heating elements.

Abstract: A furnace system for printing an object using additive manufacturing. The furnace system may include a furnace chamber; an outlet fluidly coupled to the furnace chamber for removal of an exhaust gas from the furnace chamber; a conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet; an oxygen injector fluidly coupled to the conduit; an isolation system fluidly coupled to the conduit between the furnace chamber and the oxygen injector; and a catalyst enclosure comprising an oxidizing catalyst.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for voltage-guided anatomical shell editing includes outputting, to a display device, an anatomical shell of a cardiac structure. The anatomical shell is based on signals sensed by a mapping probe, each signal including a respective sensed voltage. User input specifying a first target depth for editing is received, as is a selection of a first region of the anatomical shell. A modified anatomical shell is generated by removing a first portion of the anatomical shell including the selected first region to a first editing depth based on the first target depth and generating a new surface region on the modified anatomical shell. Based on the voltage associated with the new surface region, the edit can be maintained, undone, and/or modified.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

Abstract: A materials processing furnace provides for debinding and sintering objects and treating effluent generated by the sintering. A heating chamber maintains a controlled atmosphere for sintering the object. A vacuum pump evacuates an effluent from the heating chamber, and an injector adds a reagent to the evacuated effluent to form a mixed gas. A catalytic converter receives the mixed gas and catalyzes one or more hazardous or offensive compounds of the effluent, thereby converting the effluent to a safer and less offensive exhaust. As a result, the furnace is suitable for operation in an office environment.

Abstract: A system and method for voltage-guided anatomical shell editing includes outputting, to a display device, an anatomical shell of a cardiac structure. The anatomical shell is based on signals sensed by a mapping probe, each signal including a respective sensed voltage. User input specifying a first target depth for editing is received, as is a selection of a first region of the anatomical shell. A modified anatomical shell is generated by removing a first portion of the anatomical shell including the selected first region to a first editing depth based on the first target depth and generating a new surface region on the modified anatomical shell. Based on the voltage associated with the new surface region, the edit can be maintained, undone, and/or modified.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example system for sensing tissue contact is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter shaft including a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a sensing assembly having a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes includes a current-carrying electrode, a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode. The first sensing electrode is positioned a first distance from the current-carrying electrode. The second sensing electrode is positioned a second distance from the current-carrying electrode and the first distance is different from the second distance. The system also includes a controller coupled to the plurality of mapping electrodes. The controller is capable of calculating a parameter based at least in part on the first and the second distances.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

Abstract: A portable RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag includes one or more sensors. Each sensor measures a condition of an environment within which the RFID tag is disposed. Circuitry obtains data from measurements provided by each sensor. A transceiver modulates a radio frequency (RF) signal carrying the obtained data. An antenna, electrically coupled to the transceiver, transmits the RF signal. The circuitry, transceiver, and antenna are potted in their entirety in a thermosetting plastic epoxy for purposes of enduring extreme environmental conditions. The one or more sensors can include a temperature probe. A portion of this temperature probe can serve as the antenna.