Abstract: A process of determining a sentiment score from a response from at least one individual regarding a status of a project that includes receiving a first numerical rating regarding the status of the project from a first individual of the at least one individual, receiving a first textual description regarding the heath of the project from the first individual, determining a first textual score dependent upon the first textual description with the first textual score being a numerical representation of the first textual description, and aggregating the first numerical rating and the first textual score to determine a first sentiment score reflective of the status of the project by the first individual.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter shaft body includes a proximal end segment with a first durometer and a first longitudinal length dimension. A proximal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal end segment and includes a second durometer and a second longitudinal length dimension. A distal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal intermediate segment and includes a third durometer and a third longitudinal length dimension. A distal terminal end segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the distal intermediate segment and includes a fourth durometer and a fourth longitudinal length dimension. The first durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. The fourth durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. A plurality of parallel longitudinal lumens extends through the body, providing a structure useful in a cholangioscope or other endoscopic applications.

Abstract: A steerable-catheter handle includes an outer housing with a multilumen catheter body extending generally distally therefrom. An internal track, including at least one track-defining lateral edge element, is disposed between distal and proximal terminal ends of the outer housing, which also houses a manifold engaged with the catheter body, a working-channel port member in fluid and mechanical communication with at least a first catheter lumen, a vacuum channel port member in fluid communication with at least one catheter lumen via one or both of the working channel port member and the manifold, and a generally proximal catheter port open to the internal track, where a distal endmost portion of the catheter mechanically communicates with one or more control surfaces so that the distal endmost portion of the catheter is deflectable along at least two intersecting axes, and where a portion of the catheter body extends removably through the internal track.

Abstract: A spool and gear mechanism for tensioning and manipulating the steering/deflection control wires of a steerable catheter device provides for a desired level of tension that will allow operation of the device without too little or too much tension in those wires. In a wire-tensioning mechanism for a steerable catheter, the mechanism includes at least a first and second steering/deflection control wire each attached to the spool by winding around its own detent-engaged rotatable gear in the spool and extending out through a radial wall of the spool to engage into a steerable catheter body. In a multi-spool system, the wire-tensioning/winding gears of each spool preferably are accessible for adjustment via apertures of an adjacent spool.

Abstract: A lithotripsy probe is provided including an elongate body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The lithotripsy probe further includes a stiffening element with a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The stiffening element is disposed within the lumen of the elongate body. The stiffening element has a stiffness that varies along the length of the stiffening element, where the stiffness of the proximal end of the stiffening element is greater than the stiffness of the distal end of the stiffening element.

Abstract: A spool and gear mechanism for tensioning and manipulating the steering/deflection control wires of a steerable catheter device provides for a desired level of tension that will allow operation of the device without too little or too much tension in those wires. In a wire-tensioning mechanism for a steerable catheter, the mechanism includes at least a first and second steering/deflection control wire each attached to the spool by winding around its own detent-engaged rotatable gear in the spool and extending out through a radial wall of the spool to engage into a steerable catheter body. In a multi-spool system, the wire-tensioning/winding gears of each spool preferably are accessible for adjustment via apertures of an adjacent spool.

Abstract: A secure attachment method and structure for a wire (including non-metallic fiber, yarn, cable, etc.) is provided within a steerable catheter that includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate catheter body length therebetween, with at least a first catheter lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body, at least a first elongate wire disposed longitudinally through the first catheter lumen, and an adhesive substantially within, and securing the wire to, a dilated distalmost length of the first longitudinal lumen, where at least a lengthwise portion of the wire is frayed or otherwise at least partially disaggregated. The structure and method provides for robustly secure affixation that will allow steering/deflection control by manipulation of another portion of the wire.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter shaft body includes a proximal end segment with a first durometer and a first longitudinal length dimension. A proximal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal end segment and includes a second durometer and a second longitudinal length dimension. A distal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal intermediate segment and includes a third durometer and a third longitudinal length dimension. A distal terminal end segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the distal intermediate segment and includes a fourth durometer and a fourth longitudinal length dimension. The first durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. The fourth durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. A plurality of parallel longitudinal lumens extends through the body, providing a structure useful in a cholangioscope or other endoscopic applications.

Abstract: A steerable-catheter handle includes an outer housing with a multilumen catheter body extending generally distally therefrom. An internal track, including at least one track-defining lateral edge element, is disposed between distal and proximal terminal ends of the outer housing, which also houses a manifold engaged with the catheter body, a working-channel port member in fluid and mechanical communication with at least a first catheter lumen, a vacuum channel port member in fluid communication with at least one catheter lumen via one or both of the working channel port member and the manifold, and a generally proximal catheter port open to the internal track, where a distal endmost portion of the catheter mechanically communicates with one or more control surfaces so that the distal endmost portion of the catheter is deflectable along at least two intersecting axes, and where a portion of the catheter body extends removably through the internal track.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a medical device that is configured for passing through the body cavities of a patient and for passage through an endoscope working channel is described. The mechanism comprises at least one spool having a central hole through which a central axle passes, the spool being rotatable about the axle, and the spool having at least one retaining tube having a lumen therethrough and configured to contain a portion of a drive cable. The drive cables, which may include UHMWPE, are capable of and are effective for deflecting the distal end of a catheter or endoscopic device, while preferably each being at least partially disposed through a retaining tube that is effective to prevent tangling or other binding of the cable(s).

Abstract: A medical device is provided with a probe including an elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and an external wall. The probe also includes at least two conductors extending substantially along a longitudinal length of the probe. The probe also includes a strengthening element attached to an outer surface of the external wall of the elongated shaft. The probe is configured to slidably move within a working channel of a delivery device and the strengthening element is configured to limit buckling of the probe as a distal portion of the probe is advanced past a deflection point of the delivery device.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a medical device that is configured for passing through the body cavities of a patient and for passage through an endoscope working channel is described. The mechanism comprises at least one spool having a central hole through which a central axle passes, the spool being rotatable about the axle, and the spool having at least one retaining tube having a lumen therethrough and configured to contain a portion of a drive cable. The drive cables, which may include UHMWPE, are capable of and are effective for deflecting the distal end of a catheter or endoscopic device, while preferably each being at least partially disposed through a retaining tube that is effective to prevent tangling or other binding of the cable(s).

Abstract: A method for conducting credit card transactions at a business having a plurality of remote customer interfaces includes the steps of electronically transmitting a customer's order from one of the plurality of remote customer interfaces to a transaction hub, entering the customer's order into the transaction hub, transmitting payment information for the customer's order from the transaction hub to a credit card interface at the one of the plurality of remote customer interfaces, electronically transmitting credit card information from the credit card interface to the transaction hub and conducting a credit card approval procedure. A presently preferred apparatus includes a system that includes a remote customer interface and a transaction hub. The remote customer interface preferably includes a credit card interface and a radio client. The transaction hub preferably includes a central server and a radio client.