Abstract: A system and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire for use in interventional cardiology, e.g., Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients. The guidewire has flexibility and stiffness characteristics for use as a support guidewire for TVT, e.g. for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), comprises multiple optical pressure sensors and respective optical fibers, and a pre-formed three-dimensional flexible tip, e.g. in the form of a helix. The three-dimensional pre-formed tip is configured to assist with anchoring the guidewire within one of the ventricles and atria of the heart, or within the pulmonary artery or aorta, during interventional cardiology procedures.

Abstract: A system (1) and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire (100/200/300) for use in interventional cardiology, e.g., Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors (10/20) for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients and flow. A conventional outer coil wire (35) contains a shaped core wire (31) having a cross-section defining a channel surface (132), e.g. grooves (32), extending along its length, to position optical fibers (11) and optical sensors (10/20) in a channel (33). Advantageously, the core wire has a diameter that provides sufficient stiffness to the guidewire for use as a support guidewire for TVT, e.g. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), while accommodating multiple sensors and fibers within a guidewire of outside diameter ?0.89 mm. An optical connector (112) couples the guidewire to a control system (150).

Abstract: A system (1) and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire (100/200/300) for use in interventional cardiology, e.g., Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors (10/20) for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients and flow. A conventional outer coil wire (35) contains a shaped core wire (31) having a cross-section defining a channel surface (132), e.g. grooves (32), extending along its length, to position optical fibers (11) and optical sensors (10/20) in a channel (33). Advantageously, the core wire has a diameter that provides sufficient stiffness to the guidewire for use as a support guidewire for TVT, e.g. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), while accommodating multiple sensors and fibers within a guidewire of outside diameter ?0.89 mm. An optical connector (112) couples the guidewire to a control system (150).

Abstract: An apparatus, control system and methods are disclosed for directly measuring a blood pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors arranged along a length of the distal end portion, for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors, and optionally, a temperature and/or flow sensor, are incorporated into a distal end portion having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less. Beneficially, all sensors are optically coupled, via respective optical fibers, to an optical coupler at the proximal end of the multi-sensor apparatus, without requiring electrical connections.

Abstract: A system and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire for use in interventional cardiology, e.g. for Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients and flow. A conventional outer coil contains a shaped core wire having a cross-section defining helical grooves extending along its length, which accommodate optical fibers and optical sensors within a diameter Dcore of the core wire. Advantageously, the diameter and material of the core wire provides the guidewire with sufficient stiffness for use as a support guidewire for valve replacement, e.g. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), while accommodating multiple sensors and optical fibers within a guidewire of outside diameter ?0.89 mm. An optical connector couples the guidewire to a control system.

Abstract: An apparatus, control system and methods are disclosed for directly measuring a blood pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors arranged along a length of the distal end portion, for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors, and optionally, a temperature and/or flow sensor, are incorporated into a distal end portion having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less. Beneficially, all sensors are optically coupled, via respective optical fibers, to an optical coupler at the proximal end of the multi-sensor apparatus, without requiring electrical connections.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), control system (150) and methods are provided for directly measuring a pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, e.g. enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors (10) is arranged along a length of the distal end portion (101), for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors (10), and optionally, a flow sensor (20), are incorporated into a distal end portion (101) having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), control system (150) and methods are provided for directly measuring a pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, e.g. enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors (10) is arranged along a length of the distal end portion (101), for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors (10), and optionally, a flow sensor (20), are incorporated into a distal end portion (101) having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) is provided comprising an optical micro-sensor (10) for directly measuring a fluid temperature and flow by thermoconvection, which suitable for medical applications, e.g. using minimally-invasive cardiovascular techniques. A multi-sensor apparatus (100) may take the form of a micro-catheter or steerable guidewire, equipped with a plurality of miniaturized optical sensors (10) arranged along a length of the distal end (101), each coupled via optical fibers (11) to a proximal end (102) comprising an input/output connector (112) to the control system (110), without the need for electrical connections. This enables direct measurement of blood flow, temperature and/or blood pressure simultaneously at several locations within the blood vessels or the heart, including transvalvular measurements. Preferably, the distal end portion has a diameter of 0.89 mm (0.035?) or less, and more preferably 0.46 mm (0.

Abstract: A textile machine having a multiplicity of yarn manipulating instrumentalities includes a yarn break detector. The specific machine disclosed is a tufting machine having a multiplicity of reciprocable needles threaded with respective yarns supplied from a source and the yarn break detector includes at least one metal washer carried by a respective yarn between the needles and the source. The washers are mounted above a trough having first and second spaced apart strips of electrical conducting members formed in a Vee configuration having a small gap between the plates at the lower apex of the Vee. The plates are connected in an electrical circuit which is maintained open by the gap until a yarn is broken and the washer carried thereon drops into the trough to short the plates together and close the circuit. The circuit includes a relay which energizes an indicator light and deenergizes the tufting machine motor when a yarn is broken.