Abstract: A bronchoscope for insertion into a patient's airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The bronchoscope includes a bronchoscope head configured to be releasably secured and sealed to one tube of a set of interchangeable bronchial and/or tracheal tubes.

Abstract: A bronchoscope for insertion into a patient's airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The bronchoscope includes a bronchoscope head configured to be releasably secured and sealed to one tube of a set of interchangeable bronchial and/or tracheal tubes.

Abstract: A medical laser system includes a crystal-based laser, an electrosurgery or electrocautery device, a power supply for powering the crystal-based laser and the electrosurgery or electrocautery device, and a controller operably connected to the crystal-based laser, the electrosurgery or electrocautery device, and the power supply. The controller is programmed to: (a) activate the crystal-based laser by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the laser responsive to a laser activation input by a user; and (b) activate the electrosurgery or electrocautery device by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the electrosurgery or electrocautery device responsive to an electrosurgery or electrocautery device activation input by the user.

Abstract: A medical laser system in accordance with one or more further embodiments includes a crystal-based laser, a power supply for powering the crystal-based laser, a controller operably connected to the crystal-based laser and the power supply, and a memory operably connected to the controller. The controller is programmed to: (a) activate the crystal-based laser to cause a laser light emission by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the laser responsive to a user activation input; and (b) record data in the memory identifying a power level, number of pulses, and duration of the laser light emission.

Abstract: A bronchoscope for insertion into a patient's airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The bronchoscope includes a bronchoscope head configured to be releasably secured and sealed to one tube of a set of interchangeable bronchial and/or tracheal tubes.

Abstract: A bronchoscope for insertion into a patient's airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The bronchoscope includes a bronchoscope head configured to be releasably secured and sealed to one tube of a set of interchangeable bronchial and/or tracheal tubes.

Abstract: A medical laser system includes a crystal-based laser, an electrosurgery or electrocautery device, a power supply for powering the crystal-based laser and the electrosurgery or electrocautery device, and a controller operably connected to the crystal-based laser, the electrosurgery or electrocautery device, and the power supply. The controller is programmed to: (a) activate the crystal-based laser by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the laser responsive to a laser activation input by a user; and (b) activate the electrosurgery or electrocautery device by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the electrosurgery or electrocautery device responsive to an electrosurgery or electrocautery device activation input by the user.

Abstract: A medical laser system in accordance with one or more further embodiments includes a crystal-based laser, a power supply for powering the crystal-based laser, a controller operably connected to the crystal-based laser and the power supply, and a memory operably connected to the controller. The controller is programmed to: (a) activate the crystal-based laser to cause a laser light emission by controlling power supplied by the power supply to the laser responsive to a user activation input; and (b) record data in the memory identifying a power level, number of pulses, and duration of the laser light emission.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more rotating members of a radiation imaging modality, such as a CT system, are described herein. The rotating member may be configured to support at least one of a radiation source or a detector array and comprises at least one element configured to facilitate the transfer of power to the rotating member and at least one element configured to facilitate the transfer of information between the rotating member and a stator. The rotating member may also comprise one or more positioning elements that are formed within the rotating member and are configured to facilitate determining a rotation angle of the rotating member. The rotating member may further comprise, among other things, a bearing structure, antenna assembly for transferring image data, and/or a drive mechanism for facilitating rotation of the rotating member, for example.

Abstract: A medical laser system includes a crystal-based laser, a power supply for powering the crystal-based laser, a controller operably connected to the crystal-based laser and the power supply, and a liquid cooling system. The liquid cooling system includes a conduit circuit through which a cooling liquid can circulate. The conduit circuit is thermally coupled to the crystal-based laser such that the cooling liquid in the conduit circuit absorbs heat from the crystal-based laser. One or more heat sinks are coupled to the conduit circuit and to the power supply such that the cooling liquid in the conduit circuit absorbs heat from the power supply. A pump is provided for driving the cooling liquid through the conduit circuit. A heat exchanger cools the cooling liquid in the conduit circuit.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more data-links for transferring information between a stationary unit and a movable (e.g., rotating) unit, or between two movable units without contact between the units is provided. A transmitting antenna of a data-link comprises at least two capacitive conducting portions, a first portion configured to conduct signals having a first frequency range (e.g., a higher frequency range) and a second portion configured to conduct signals having a second frequency range (e.g., a lower frequency range). The second portion is comprised of a plurality of members (e.g., conductive plates) arranged to create a substantially continuous electrically conductive structure (e.g., although respective members may not be in physical contact with adjacent members). In this way, a loss of capacitance in a transition between two adjacent members is reduced to provide for transferring information at lower frequencies where a higher capacitance is desirable, for example.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more rotating members of a radiation imaging modality, such as a CT system, are described herein. The rotating member may be configured to support at least one of a radiation source or a detector array and comprises at least one element configured to facilitate the transfer of power to the rotating member and at least one element configured to facilitate the transfer of information between the rotating member and a stator. The rotating member may also comprise one or more positioning elements that are formed within the rotating member and are configured to facilitate determining a rotation angle of the rotating member. The rotating member may further comprise, among other things, a bearing structure, antenna assembly for transferring image data, and/or a drive mechanism for facilitating rotation of the rotating member, for example.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more data-links for transferring information between a stationary unit and a movable (e.g., rotating) unit, or between two movable units without contact between the units is provided. A transmitting antenna of a data-link comprises at least two capacitive conducting portions, a first portion configured to conduct signals having a first frequency range (e.g., a higher frequency range) and a second portion configured to conduct signals having a second frequency range (e.g., a lower frequency range). The second portion is comprised of a plurality of members (e.g., conductive plates) arranged to create a substantially continuous electrically conductive structure (e.g., although respective members may not be in physical contact with adjacent members). In this way, a loss of capacitance in a transition between two adjacent members is reduced to provide for transferring information at lower frequencies where a higher capacitance is desirable, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A low profile side punch assembly is provided to punch registration openings along the side edge of media in an imagesetter. The side punch assembly includes a punch actuator having a scissors configuration to provide a low profile. The punch assembly is fixed to a side face of the imagesetter. The punch assembly can be located at any location along the side face. This location can also be subsequently adjusted if necessary. The location of the punch pin is accurately set during manufacture with respect to the media surface of the imagesetter by a reference surface in the side face and by the side face of the drum. A drive mechanism for the punch actuator is also provided with a positive retraction of the actuator. The location of the punch pin may also be sensed to prevent advancement of the media before the punch pin has been retracted.

Abstract: A low profile side punch assembly is provided to punch registration openings along the side edge of media in an imagesetter. The side punch assembly includes a punch actuator having a scissors configuration to provide a low profile. The punch assembly is fixed to a side face of the imagesetter. The punch assembly can be located at any location along the side face. This location can also be subsequently adjusted if necessary. The location of the punch pin is accurately set during manufacture with respect to the media surface of the imagesetter by a reference surface in the side face and by the side face of the drum. A drive mechanism for the punch actuator is also provided with a positive retraction of the actuator. The location of the punch pin may also be sensed to prevent advancement of the media before the punch pin has been retracted.

Abstract: A conventional imagesetting system includes an imagesetter for transferring an image onto media, a wet chemical processor for processing the imaged media, an enclosed dryer section for drying the media by circulating air thereabout, and extraction rollers for extracting the media from the enclosed dryer section.