Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device system comprises a housing, electrodes carried by the housing, a transducer configured to produce input voltage signals in response to ultrasound energy, and a circuit configured to provide, via an electrical pathway, output voltage signals based on the input voltage signals. The circuit comprises a movable switch, and a slew rate detector configured to detect whether a voltage rate of an individual pulse of the input voltage signals exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage rate. The circuit is configured to move the switch to an open position in response to the detected voltage rate exceeding the predetermined threshold voltage rate.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device system comprises a housing, electrodes carried by the housing, a transducer configured to produce input voltage signals in response to ultrasound energy, and a circuit configured to provide, via an electrical pathway, output voltage signals based on the input voltage signals. The circuit comprises a movable switch, and a slew rate detector configured to detect whether a voltage rate of an individual pulse of the input voltage signals exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage rate. The circuit is configured to move the switch to an open position in response to the detected voltage rate exceeding the predetermined threshold voltage rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapeutic molecules useful for inducing apoptosis of particular cells such as, but not limited to, cancer cells and methods for generating and/or selecting same. The present invention further provides methods for inducing apoptosis of cells such as cancer cells and pharmaceutical compositions useful for same. The present invention further provides methods for generating or selecting therapeutic agents capable of inducing apoptosis of particular cells by the selective inhibition of pro-survival proteins. The present invention further provides a computational approach to therapeutic molecule design based on structure-binding characteristics.

Abstract: A method and medical system to take electrical readings includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, an electrode coupled to the monitor via a first lead and a needle such as an injection needle. The needle has a proximal end coupled to the monitor, where the monitor is able to measure an electrical pattern between the electrode and a distal end of the needle. In one example, the medical system is used to detect the contact, penetration, health and perforation of tissue at a target site.

Abstract: System and methods for locating a vascular opening and thereafter therapeutically sealing the wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are disclosed. The improved system utilizes three or more reference transducers mounted on the HIFU applicator and another transducer mounted on a distal end of a probe. The probe is used with the imaging array of the HIFU applicator. The operator places the distal end of the probe at the vessel opening using the imaging array. The position of the applicator may need to be adjusted on the patient's body, depending upon the feedback of the imaging array data. The transducers transmit and receive acoustic energy and generate signals indicative of their location. Time-of-flight (TOF) calculations are performed to determine the distances between the probe transducer and the reference transducers. A three-dimensional position of the end of the probe is calculated using a multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) algorithm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphically creating a representation of an anatomical structure, such as a heart, is provided. The distal end of an elongated probe is moved within the anatomical structure, and geometric shapes are defined within a coordinate system. By defining geometric shapes, such as spheres or circles, as the distal probe end is moved within the anatomical structure, the cavity within the anatomical structure can be represented. A representation of at least a portion of the anatomical structure can be graphically generated based on the geometric shapes, e.g., by determining a union of the geometric shapes and conforming the graphical representation around the union of the shapes. In the case of a heart, the union of the shapes will generally represent the blood volume within the heart, so that the graphical anatomical representation (which in this case will be a graphical representation of the endocardial surface of the heart) can be accurately conformed around the representative blood volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and method for navigating a medical probe (such as a catheter) relative to an anatomical body (such as a heart). A mark (such as a point or line), representing an anatomical region of interest (such as tissue targeted for treatment or tissue not targeted for treatment) is displayed on a representation of the anatomical body. The positions of the medical probe and the mark are determined within a three-dimensional coordinate system, and the proximity between the medical probe and the mark determined based on these positions. This proximity can then be indicated to a user, e.g., using graphics, text, or audible sounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and/or superimposing a medical image of an anatomical body (e.g., a heart) with graphical information are provided. Reference elements and/or reference catheter are placed in contact with the anatomical body. A physical structure within a navigational coordinate system is located using the reference elements and/or reference catheter. An image reference within an image coordinate corresponding to the physical structure is located. Location of the image reference can be accomplished, e.g., by displaying the medical image and electronically marking the displayed image reference, or by automatically locating image data corresponding to the image reference. The navigational and image coordinate systems are then registered based on the location of the physical structure within the navigational coordinate system and the location of the image reference within the image coordinate system, which allows graphical information to be accurately merged with the medical image data.

Abstract: The present invention is a device localization system that uses one or more ultrasound reference catheters to establish a fixed three-dimensional coordinate system within a patient's heart using principles of triangulation. The coordinate system is represented graphically in three-dimensions on a video monitor and aids the clinician in guiding other medical devices, which are provided with ultrasound transducers, through the body to locations at which they are needed to perform clinical procedures. In one embodiment of a system according to the present invention, the system is used in the heart to help the physician guide mapping catheters for measuring electrical activity, and ablation catheters for ablating selected regions of cardiac tissue, to desired locations within the heart.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating graphical representations of orifices and vessels. One method comprises generating a representation of the surface (e.g., an endocardial surface) within a coordinate system, and laterally moving the distal end of an elongated probe within an orifice (e.g., a valve or a vessel ostium) associated with the surface. The method further comprises defining line segments within the coordinate system while the probe distal end is moved within the orifice, wherein each of the line segments represents the probe distal end. The method further comprises defining intersection points within the coordinate system, wherein each of the points represents an intersection of one of the line segments and the surface representation. Lastly, the method comprises graphically generating a representation of the orifice based on the intersection points, e.g., by forming the orifice representation around the intersection points.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for graphically displaying a three-dimensional model of a region located within a living body. A three-dimensional model of a region of interest is displayed on a graphical display. The location in three-dimensional space of a physical characteristic (e.g. a structure, wall or space) in the region of interest is determined using at least one probe positioned within the living body. The graphical display of the model is deformed to approximately reflect the determined three-dimensional location of the physical characteristic. Preferably, the probe or probes are moved throughout the region of interest so as to gather multiple data points that can be used to increase the conformity between the graphical display and the actual region of interest within the patient.

Abstract: A distance measuring system comprises first and second transducers, and an ultrasound ranging subsystem coupled to the first and second transducers for performing a plurality of distance measurements between the first and second transducers. The distance measurement system can have various applications, including medical applications, in which case, the first and second transducers can be mounted on a catheter. The distance measuring system further comprises a filter coupled to the ultrasound ranging subsystem for filtering ultrasound interference from the plurality of distance measurements (such as, e.g., eight), and outputting a distance based on the filtered distance measurements. The filter filters the ultrasound interference by selecting one of the plurality distance measurements, in which case, the outputted distance is the selected distance measurement.

Abstract: A car seat/stroller assembly with rocking mechanism that combines a car seat, a stroller and a spring motor driven rocking swing into one system of interconnectable assemblies.

Abstract: In order to prevent stacks of containers from shifting under the influence of vibration produced by an automated product handling system and assuming positions wherein jamming/mishandling is apt to occur, a container saddle ad stopper arrangement is provided on one or more of the platforms on which the container stacks are received and arranged to engage in recesses formed in the underside of the containers in a manner which ensures that the lowermost trays assume the required orientation and position on the platform.

Abstract: A diamond drag bit is disclosed that utilizes stud type PDC cutters that have dome shaped polycrystalline diamond depth of penetration limiters fused to the tungsten carbide surface trailing the PDC compact disc. This cutter penetration limiting diamond dome surface acts as an impact or shock absorber to minimize the impact damage to the PDC cutter when drilling laminated hard and soft rock formations.

Abstract: A method for removing accumulated ash from the heat exchangers within a steam generator includes introducing a series of high-energy shocks to the tubing panels of the heat exchangers. Explosive cords are attached to the tubing panels at preselected, spaced-apart locations and separately detonated at preselected intervals to establish a vibratory pattern in the tubing panels and thereby separate the ash from the tubing panels.

Abstract: A hand operated tool is provided for attaching tufts of yarn to a canvas backing. The tool has an elongated housing at the front of which is attached a wire loop with a bight of the loop spaced forwardly of the housing and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A pair of clamps at the front of the housing are adapted to clamp a length of yarn which has been looped around the base of the wire loop by the operator. An elongated needle is mounted in the housing for sliding movement in alignment with the clamps and bight of the wire loop. A trigger mechanism is provided for closing the clamps about the yarn and a rearwardly extending plunger is provided for advancing the tip of the needle through the clamp and the bight of the wire loop.

Abstract: A sensor for the quantitative determination of reduction of a gas in which a thin tungsten oxide film detector element includes means for providing a specificity for the gas to be detected with respect to other gases. If ammonia is to be detected, a platinum catalyst is utilized. If hydrogen sulfide is to be detected, tungsten trioxide is used in the film.

Abstract: A core box having a core pattern and a self-contained mechanism for physically contacting a core, disposed within the pattern, and forcibly ejecting it from the pattern. The mechanism comprises a plurality of ejector pins which are movable into contact with the core by an inflatable bag disposed in the core box.