Abstract: Configurable variable-length shift register circuits include a group of flip-flops connected in a serial configuration. The plurality of flip-flops is connected to a serial data-in line and a clock line. Each flip-flop can include a data input, a clock input configured to receive a clock signal from the clock line, and a data output. The plurality of flip-flops can include a serial data-out line. The circuit includes a plurality of multiplexers connected to the plurality of flip-flops to enable a desired number of flip-flops for an application. A nonvolatile memory can be connected to the plurality of multiplexers and configured to receive a register-length indication, where the register-length indication corresponds to a selected number of flip-flops selected for enablement for a given application.

Abstract: Rapid-data-transfer sensor arrays include a controller and a plurality of sensor integrated circuits (ICs) connected in series and configured to periodically take measurements and provide measurement data to the controller as serial data. A sensor IC includes a transducer, a shift register, a serial-data-in (SDI) pin, a serial-data-out (SDO) pin, a clock pin, and a bi-directional start/done (ST/DN) pin. The sensor IC includes a power regulation circuit configured to selectively supply power for a sleep mode and an active mode for recording data and an internal shift register. When finished with the measurement, the sensor IC is configured to provide measurement data to the shift register for transfer to the controller. The controller is configured to initiate serial transfer of data from each of the shift registers of the first plurality of sensor ICs to the controller. Examples include a 2D array.

Abstract: Rapid-data-transfer sensor arrays include a controller and a plurality of sensor integrated circuits (ICs) connected in series and configured to periodically take measurements and provide measurement data to the controller as serial data. A sensor IC includes a transducer, a shift register, a serial-data-in (SDI) pin, a serial-data-out (SDO) pin, a clock pin, and a bi-directional start/done (ST/DN) pin. The sensor IC includes a power regulation circuit configured to selectively supply power for a sleep mode and an active mode for recording data and an internal shift register. When finished with the measurement, the sensor IC is configured to provide measurement data to the shift register for transfer to the controller. The controller is configured to initiate serial transfer of data from each of the shift registers of the first plurality of sensor ICs to the controller. Examples include a 2D array.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a multilayer circuit, a first magnetic field sensor, and a second magnetic field sensor. The multilayer circuit extends between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The multilayer circuit includes a plurality of electrical pads positioned at the proximal end. The first magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and has a primary sensing direction aligned with the longitudinal axis. The second magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and oriented with respect to the first magnetic field sensor such that the second magnetic field sensor has a primary sensing direction aligned with an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system comprises first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies positioned in a planar arrangement. The first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies are each configured to generate a rotating magnetic field. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a housing assembly and the first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies are positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a multilayer circuit, a first magnetic field sensor, and a second magnetic field sensor. The multilayer circuit extends between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The multilayer circuit includes a plurality of electrical pads positioned at the proximal end. The first magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and has a primary sensing direction aligned with the longitudinal axis. The second magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and oriented with respect to the first magnetic field sensor such that the second magnetic field sensor has a primary sensing direction aligned with an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tracking system that includes a sensor and a current driver. The sensor includes a substrate and magnetic sensor components configured to sense one or more magnetic fields and provide signals corresponding to the one or more magnetic fields. The magnetic sensor components are on the substrate and the substrate includes one or more conductive paths connected to one or more of the magnetic sensor components and intersecting one or more footprints of the magnetic sensor components. The current driver is configured to provide a regulated current to the one or more conductive paths intersecting the one or more footprints of the magnetic sensor components.

Abstract: A transducer includes a planar coil coupled to a magnetic flux guide. The magnetic flux guide includes an array of nanowires. The transducer could include a plurality of magnetic flux guides and a plurality of planar coils stacked together. The flux guides and planar coils could alternative in the stacked configuration.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first magnetic field sensor that is a first type of sensor and has a first magnetic field sensitivity in a first primary sensing direction. The first primary sensing direction is along a longitudinal axis of the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly further includes a second magnetic field sensor that is a second type of sensor different than the first type of sensor and has a second magnetic field sensitivity in a second primary sensing direction that is less than the first magnetic field sensitivity. The second primary sensing direction is along a second axis that is different than the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. The catheter is configured to permit relative movement between the distal segment and the proximal segment in response to an application of force on the distal segment. The catheter further includes an inductive sensing element configured to measure displacement between the proximal segment and the distal segment.

Abstract: An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the iron-containing fluid, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a multilayer circuit, a first magnetic field sensor, and a second magnetic field sensor. The multilayer circuit extends between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The multilayer circuit includes a plurality of electrical pads positioned at the proximal end. The first magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and has a primary sensing direction aligned with the longitudinal axis. The second magnetic field sensor is coupled to the multilayer circuit and oriented with respect to the first magnetic field sensor such that the second magnetic field sensor has a primary sensing direction aligned with an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for assessing electroporation therapy applied to a tissue region of a patient. In certain instances, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include one or more sensors configured to sense an application of electroporation energy by an electroporation device to determine a location of the electroporation device within the patient.

Abstract: A system comprises first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies positioned in a planar arrangement. The first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies are each configured to generate a rotating magnetic field. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a housing assembly and the first and second rotating magnetic field transmitter assemblies are positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetic field transmitter assembly. The magnetic field transmitter assembly includes an enclosure, a magnet positioned within the enclosure, and a plurality of coils wrapped around the enclosure. The plurality of coils are configured to be energized to rotate the magnet In certain embodiments, the plurality of coils include a first set of windings and a second set of windings where the first set of windings is configured to generate a first magnetic field in a first direction and where the second set of windings is configured to generate a second magnetic field in a second direction different than the first direction.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and an iron-containing fluid disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, delivering a plurality of electromagnetic pulses to the iron-containing fluid, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: In a described example an apparatus includes: an FET driver circuit configured to supply current to a coil in a stepper motor, the FET driver circuit configured to regulate the current to the coil using a fixed delta current; a current chopper pulse width modulated circuit coupled to the FET driver circuit configured to supply pulses corresponding to a step control signal and a direction control signal; a back electromotive force (BEMF) monitor coupled to the current chopper circuit configured to measure an off time pulse and to output a BEMF monitor signal; and a controller coupled to the current chopper pulse width modulated circuit to supply the step and direction control signals and coupled to receive the BEMF monitor signal.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes a magneto-resistive (MR) sensing element for sensing magnetic fields and semiconductor circuitry including an output circuit coupled to the MR sensing element. The output circuit generates a sensing signal proportional to the sensed magnetic fields to be combined with a bias signal to the MR sensing element.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor. The first magnetic field sensor includes a first substrate and a first elongated magnetic field sensor component extending a first length. The second magnetic field sensor includes a second substrate and a second elongated magnetic field sensor component extending a second length that is shorter than the first length. The first magnetic field sensor has a greater sensitivity to a sensed magnetic field than the second magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A tracking system that includes a sensor and a current driver. The sensor includes a substrate and magnetic sensor components configured to sense one or more magnetic fields and provide signals corresponding to the one or more magnetic fields. The magnetic sensor components are on the substrate and the substrate includes one or more conductive paths connected to one or more of the magnetic sensor components and intersecting one or more footprints of the magnetic sensor components. The current driver is configured to provide a regulated current to the one or more conductive paths intersecting the one or more footprints of the magnetic sensor components.