Abstract: A system for treating a blood clot includes a microcatheter extending through an optional aspiration catheter, and a guidewire subassembly extending through and beyond the microcatheter, the guidewire assembly having a guidewire, an element coupled to and extending around a portion of the guidewire, and a balloon coupled to and extending around the element. The balloon includes or is coupled to a proximal seal in contact with the inner surface of the microcatheter and has at least one radially arranged pore. Infusate flows through the microcatheter into the element and between the element and the guidewire, and out and into the balloon to pressurize the balloon. The infusate escapes the balloon through the pores.

Abstract: A catheter with temperature sensing has a catheter body and a tip section with integrated thermoresistive temperature sensors on its outer surface. The temperature sensor includes a microfabricated thin film assembly of which one layer is a sensor layer of thermoresistive material. In one embodiment, the tip section has a flexible tubing on whose outer surface circumferential temperature sensors are integrated. In another embodiment, the tip section has a tip electrode on whose outer surface a tip temperature sensor is integrated. In yet another embodiment, the tip section has a tip temperature sensor integrated on its tip electrode and multiple circumferential temperature sensors distal of the tip temperature sensor.

Abstract: A catheter with temperature sensing has a catheter body and a tip section with an integrated thermosistive temperature sensor on its outer surface. The temperature sensor includes a microfabricated thin film assembly of which one layer is a sensor layer of thermoresistive material. In one embodiment, the tip section has a flexible tubing with a temperature sensor on its outer surface. In another embodiment, the tip section has an extended tip electrode with a temperature sensor on its outer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission system for wirelessly powering a power harvesting device. The system comprises at least one RF power transmitter. The system includes an AC power grid, or a DC grid to which the transmitter is electrically connected. Also disclosed is an adjustable RF power transmitter for powering wirelessly an RF power harvesting- device. Also disclosed is a power transmission system for wirelessly powering an RF power harvesting device. The system can include a computer with an antenna or a lighting fixture or a light or a battery charging unit or a battery. Also disclosed is an apparatus for wirelessly powering a power harvesting device. Also disclosed is a method for wirelessly powering a power harvesting device.

Abstract: A catheter with temperature sensing has a catheter body and a tip section with integrated thermoresistive temperature sensors on its outer surface. The temperature sensor includes a microfabricated thin film assembly of which one layer is a sensor layer of thermoresistive material. In one embodiment, the tip section has a flexible tubing on whose outer surface circumferential temperature sensors are integrated. In another embodiment, the tip section has a tip electrode on whose outer surface a tip temperature sensor is integrated. In yet another embodiment, the tip section has a tip temperature sensor integrated on its tip electrode and multiple circumferential temperature sensors distal of the tip temperature sensor.

Abstract: Medical or surgical instrument, such as a catheter, micro-catheter, guide-wire, cannula, blade, and forceps, comprising one or more sensors to allow measurement of parameters around or within the instrument, and methods for making and using the same, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for measuring fluid characteristics, such as blood characteristics, including, for example, velocity, flow direction, and pressure in a vascular system.

Abstract: A catheter with temperature sensing has a catheter body and a tip section with an integrated thermosistive temperature sensor on its outer surface. The temperature sensor includes a microfabricated thin film assembly of which one layer is a sensor layer of thermoresistive material. In one embodiment, the tip section has a flexible tubing with a temperature sensor on its outer surface. In another embodiment, the tip section has an extended tip electrode with a temperature sensor on its outer surface.

Abstract: A cutting instrument including a metal blade has a recess formed therein and a semiconductor substrate affixed to the blade in the recess. The semiconductor substrate includes at least one sensor formed thereon. The sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate may comprise at least one or an array of a strain sensors, pressure sensors, nerve sensors, temperature sensors, density sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The cutting instrument may also further include a handle wherein the blade is affixed to the handle and the semiconductor substrate is electrically coupled to the handle. The handle may then be coupled, either physically or by wireless transmission, to a computer that is adapted to display information to a person using the cutting instrument based on signals generated by one or more of the sensors formed on the semiconductor substrate. The computer or handle may also be adapted to store data based on the signals generated by one or more of the sensors.

Abstract: An etching apparatus for etching semi combustion samples may include one or more variable volume expansion chambers, two or more fixed volume expansion chambers, or combinations thereof in fluid communication with an etching chamber and a source of etching gas, such as xenon difluoride. The apparatus may further include a source of a mixing gas. An etching apparatus may also include a source of etching gas, an etching chamber in fluid communication with the source of etching gas, a flow controller connected between the source of etching gas and the etching chamber, and a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the etching chamber. A source for providing a gas by sublimation from a solid material is also provided, including a vacuum tight container and a mesh mounted in the interior of the vacuum tight container, wherein the mesh is adapted to receive and restrain the solid material.

Abstract: An etching apparatus for etching semi combustion samples may include one or more variable volume expansion chambers, two or more fixed volume expansion chambers, or combinations thereof in fluid communication with an etching chamber and a source of etching gas, such as xenon difluoride. The apparatus may further include a source of a mixing gas. An etching apparatus may also include a source of etching gas, an etching chamber in fluid communication with the source of etching gas, a flow controller connected between the source of etching gas and the etching chamber, and a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the etching chamber. A source for providing a gas by sublimation from a solid material is also provided, including a vacuum tight container and a mesh mounted in the interior of the vacuum tight container, wherein the mesh is adapted to receive and restrain the solid material.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for determining relative and absolute properties of anatomical matter, such as biological tissue including arteries as well as other surgical and medical materials. An illustrative apparatus includes a probe for probing the properties of the anatomical matter. The probe includes a probe shaft having a sense rod, where the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, and where the distal end has a probe tip that is configured to contact and probe the anatomical matter. The probe also includes a sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, where the sensor is configured to at least measure tissue relative tissue rigidity and/or absolute tissue rigidity, including rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the tissue, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the tissue, a fluid pressure in an interior of the tissue, and/or a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the tissue.

Abstract: A cutting instrument including a metal blade has a recess formed therein and a semiconductor substrate affixed to the blade in the recess. The semiconductor substrate includes at least one sensor formed thereon. The sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate may comprise at least one or an array of a strain sensors, pressure sensors, nerve sensors, temperature sensors, density sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The cutting instrument may also further include a handle wherein the blade is affixed to the handle and the semiconductor substrate is electrically coupled to the handle. The handle may then be coupled, either physically or by wireless transmission, to a computer that is adapted to display information to a person using the cutting instrument based on signals generated by one or more of the sensors formed on the semiconductor substrate. The computer or handle may also be adapted to store data based on the signals generated by one or more of the sensors.

Abstract: A cutting instrument including a metal blade has a recess formed therein and a semiconductor substrate affixed to the blade in the recess. The semiconductor substrate includes at least one sensor formed thereon. The sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate may comprise at least one or an array of a strain sensors, pressure sensors, nerve sensors, temperature sensors, density sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The cutting instrument may also further include a handle wherein the blade is affixed to the handle and the semiconductor substrate is electrically coupled to the handle. The handle may then be coupled, either physically or by wireless transmission, to a computer that is adapted to display information to a person using the cutting instrument based on signals generated by one or more of the sensors formed on the semiconductor substrate. The computer or handle may also be adapted to store data based on the signals generated by one or more of the sensors.

Abstract: An etching apparatus for etching semi combustion samples may include one or more variable volume expansion chambers, two or more fixed volume expansion chambers, or combinations thereof in fluid communication with an etching chamber and a source of etching gas, such as xenon difluoride. The apparatus may further include a source of a mixing gas. An etching apparatus may also include a source of etching gas, an etching chamber in fluid communication with the source of etching gas, a flow controller connected between the source of etching gas and the etching chamber, and a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the etching chamber. A source for providing a gas by sublimation from a solid material is also provided, including a vacuum tight container and a mesh mounted in the interior of the vacuum tight container, wherein the mesh is adapted to receive and restrain the solid material.