Abstract: Systems and methods for performing and assessing neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. One method for assessing the efficacy of neuromodulation therapy includes positioning a neuromodulation catheter at a target site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient and delivering neuromodulation energy at the target site with the neuromodulation catheter. The method can further include obtaining a measurement related to a dimension of the renal blood vessel via a sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter. The measurement can be compared to a baseline measurement related to the dimension of the renal blood vessel to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation therapy. In some embodiments, the baseline measurement is obtained via the sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter prior to delivering the neuromodulation energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing and assessing neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. One method for assessing the efficacy of neuromodulation therapy includes positioning a neuromodulation catheter at a target site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient and delivering neuromodulation energy at the target site with the neuromodulation catheter. The method can further include obtaining a measurement related to a dimension of the renal blood vessel via a sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter. The measurement can be compared to a baseline measurement related to the dimension of the renal blood vessel to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation therapy. In some embodiments, the baseline measurement is obtained via the sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter prior to delivering the neuromodulation energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing and assessing neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. One method for assessing the efficacy of neuromodulation therapy includes positioning a neuromodulation catheter at a target site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient and delivering neuromodulation energy at the target site with the neuromodulation catheter. The method can further include obtaining a measurement related to a dimension of the renal blood vessel via a sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter. The measurement can be compared to a baseline measurement related to the dimension of the renal blood vessel to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation therapy. In some embodiments, the baseline measurement is obtained via the sensing element of the neuromodulation catheter prior to delivering the neuromodulation energy.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to electro-conductive pastes comprising organic metal oxide and solar cells obtainable therefrom, preferably photovoltaic solar cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to electro-conductive pastes, solar cell precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The present invention relates to a conductive paste composition comprising the following paste constituents: a. at least 70 wt. % Ag particles, based on the paste; b. a vehicle; c. an inorganic reaction system; d. an organic metal oxide comprising a metal M; wherein the metal M is one or more selected from the group consisting of the following: Se, Ge, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, Te, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W.

Abstract: A system for tracking a patient is provided. The system can include a first reference frame coupled to a first portion of an anatomical structure. The system can include a second reference frame, which can be coupled to a second portion of the anatomical structure. The system can also include a first tracking device coupled to the first reference frame and a second tracking device coupled to the second reference frame. The system can also include a tracking system that can track a position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device to ensure that the position of the first reference frame relative to the anatomical structure is substantially the same throughout a surgical procedure.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass compositions for use in forming an electroconductive paste composition. In one aspect of the invention, an electroconductive paste composition utilized in solar panel technology includes conductive metallic particles, an organic vehicle, and a glass composition comprising tellurium oxide (TeO2), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), and at least one ionic glass modifier (IGM), such as at least one of an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth metal compound, silver compounds, and/or a rare earth metal compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising Ag particles with a multimodal diameter distribution in the preparation of electrodes in solar cells, particularly in the preparation of electrodes in MWT solar cells, particularly in the preparation of the metal wrap through, or plug, electrode in such solar cells. In particular, the invention relates to a solar cell precursor, a process for preparing a solar cell, a solar cell and a module comprising solar cells. The invention relates to a solar cell precursor at least comprising as precursor parts: i) a wafer with at least one hole with a Si surface; ii) an electro-conductive paste at least comprising as paste constituents: a) metallic particles; b) an inorganic reaction system; c) an organic vehicle; and d) an additive; comprised by the hole, wherein the metallic particles have a multimodal distribution of particle diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising both, a vanadium containing compound and a phosphorus containing material, in the preparation of electrodes in solar cells, particularly in the preparation of electrodes in MWT solar cells, particularly in the preparation of the metal wrap through, or plug, electrode in such solar cells. In particular, the invention relates to a solar cell precursor, a process for preparing a solar cell, a solar cell and a module comprising solar cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising elemental phosphorus in the preparation of electrodes in solar cells, particularly in the preparation of electrodes in MWT solar cells, particularly in the preparation of the metal wrap through, or plug, electrode in such solar cells. In particular, the invention relates to a solar cell precursor, a process for preparing a solar cell, a solar cell and a module comprising solar cells. The invention relates to a solar cell precursor at least comprising as precursor parts: i) a wafer (101) with at least one hole (315) with a Si surface (113); ii) an electro-conductive paste (105) at least comprising as paste constituents: a) metallic particles; b) an inorganic reaction system; c) an organic vehicle; and d) an additive; comprised by the hole, wherein elemental phosphorus is present in at least one of the paste constituents.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising an inorganic reaction system with a high glass transition temperature in the preparation of electrodes in solar cells, particularly in the preparation of electrodes in MWT solar cells, particularly in the preparation of the metal wrap through, or plug, electrode in such solar cells. In particular, the invention relates to a solar cell precursor, a process for preparing a solar cell, a solar cell and a module comprising solar cells. The invention relates to a solar cell precursor at least comprising as precursor parts: i) a wafer with at least one hole with a Si surface; ii) an electro-conductive paste at least comprising as paste constituents: a) metallic particles; b) an inorganic reaction system; c) an organic vehicle; and d) an additive; comprised by the hole, wherein the inorganic reaction system has a glass transition temperature above 550° C.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to electro-conductive pastes with Ag-metal-oxide as additives and solar cells with high Ohmic sheet resistance, preferably photovoltaic solar cells. More specifically, the invention relates to solar cell precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising the following paste constituents: a. At least 70 wt. % Ag particles, based on the paste, b. An organic vehicle, c. A glass, d. An Ag-metal-oxide, comprising Ag, a metal M or semiconductor element different from Ag, and oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thick film conductive composition comprising metal particles wherein the specific surface area of the silver particles measured by BET according to ISO 9277 is equal to or more than 1.8 m2/g; manganese oxide; glass particles; and an organic vehicle.

Abstract: A medical injection system includes an elongate injection apparatus and an actuator apparatus. The actuator apparatus includes a fitting for coupling the actuator apparatus to a delivery catheter and a reversible gripping means to grip the injection apparatus; the gripping means is included in a plunger that is slideably engaged with the fitting and directs the injection apparatus through a fitting lumen and through a catheter lumen, when the fitting is coupled to the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, instruments, systems, and methods to navigate medical instruments within the thoracic cavity. More specifically, the present invention provides a navigation system comprising medical instruments having electromagnetic tracking functionality and the integration of previously acquired imaging into a user interface of the navigation system.

Abstract: A system for tracking a patient is provided. The system can include a first reference frame coupled to a first portion of an anatomical structure. The system can include a second reference frame, which can be coupled to a second portion of the anatomical structure. The system can also include a first tracking device coupled to the first reference frame and a second tracking device coupled to the second reference frame. The system can also include a tracking system that can track a position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device to ensure that the position of the first reference frame relative to the anatomical structure is substantially the same throughout a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A visualization and treatment system for treating a chronic total occlusion. The system includes an elongated member configured to be tracked to the chronic total occlusion. The elongated member has a transducer located at a distal end of the elongated member. The transducer is constructed and arranged to convert a first form of energy into a second form of energy to treat the chronic total occlusion. The system also includes an external imaging system constructed and arranged to create an image of the chronic total occlusion and to provide the first form of energy to the transducer.

Abstract: A tubular member adapted for endovascular delivery in a human patient comprises a tubular wire framework and the tubular wire framework forms the core of a signal device. The signal device further includes a coil, which is wrapped around the core to form an inductor, and a capacitor coupled to the inductor to form an inductor capacitor circuit. The signal device can be excited and signals acquired therefrom to determine the position and/or orientation of the signal device and the tubular member. The relative positions and/or orientations of (1) the signal device and/or the tubular member and (2) a device having a signal generating element or a signal generating element being advanced toward the signal device, tubular member or framework can be monitored. Relative positions and/or orientations of a plurality of signal devices in a tubular wire framework also can be determined after the framework is deployed in a vessel and compared to predetermined positions and/or orientations.

Abstract: An electromagnetic receiver assembly is included in a navigation element for a therapy delivery system. If the system is modular, the navigation element may be an insertable module thereof and/or include a lumen to receive another insertable module.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system is provided including a steerable, guide catheter, a delivery catheter adapted for deployment at a targeted tissue site using the steerable guide catheter, the delivery catheter including a proximal port, a distal port, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ports; a distal fixation element coupled to the delivery catheter so as to position the distal port adjacent the targeted tissue site; and a flexible hollow needle adapted to be advanced through the delivery catheter lumen, the flexible needle including a tissue-piercing distal tip for extending from the distal port of the delivery catheter for advancement into the targeted tissue site and a proximal end for extending from the proximal port of the delivery catheter through which a medical fluid is delivered.

Abstract: A medical injection system includes an elongate injection apparatus and an actuator apparatus. The actuator apparatus includes a fitting for coupling the actuator apparatus to a delivery catheter and a reversible gripping means to grip the injection apparatus; the gripping means is included in a plunger that is slideably engaged with the fitting and directs the injection apparatus through a fitting lumen and through a catheter lumen, when the fitting is coupled to the catheter.