Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature. The delivery apparatus is particularly well-suited for advancing a prosthetic valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a stenotic aortic valve.

Abstract: In a display device images are reproduced by controlling the amount of light provided by a light source by means of light modulators for individual pixels. Subsequent images are synchronised to each other by synchronisation signals regularly occurring at intervals corresponding to first time periods. The backlight is controlled to emit light during fractions of second time periods or whole second time periods which are equal to or shorter than first time periods. Several of the second time periods may be nested and evenly distributed within the first time period. The signals for driving the backlight are preferably generated in synchronism with the horizontal pixel clock. Each of the fractions of second time periods or whole second time periods during which light is emitted is divided into a number of elementary steps, wherein each elementary step corresponds to a number of pixel clock periods.

Abstract: An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. In the first case, the coolant also inflates the balloon, and spent coolant is returned to the handle via a return passage extending through the body of the catheter. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. Various configurations, such as surface modification of the balloon interface, or placement of particles, coatings, or expandable meshes or coils in the balloon interface, may be employed to achieve this function.

Abstract: A valve-retrieval device permits a non-deployed valve mounted on a balloon catheter to be retracted back into an introducer sheath for removal from a patient's body. In particular embodiments, the valve-retrieval device is adapted to be placed on a balloon catheter shaft and then advanced over the shaft into the blood vessel via the introducer sheath. The valve-retrieval device has an expandable distal end portion that assumes an expanded shape when advanced out of the introducer sheath. The valve is positioned within or adjacent the distal end portion of the retrieval device, and the retrieval device and the balloon catheter are retracted together back into the introducer sheath. The distal end portion of the retrieval device, rather than the outer surface portion of the valve covered thereby, contacts the distal end and inner surface of the introducer sheath to facilitate retraction of the valve into the introducer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC voltage converter with soft switching of the type with half-bridge arrangement at the primary side and of quasi-resonant half-wave type at the secondary side. This converter comprises a single transformer and can generate a plurality of regulated voltages at output. It furthermore comprises a resonant circuit for creating a half-wave resonant current in the secondary winding and charging a first load capacitor so as to produce a first DC voltage. It furthermore comprises an inductive circuit connected between said secondary winding and a second load capacitor able to generate a current so as to charge the second load capacitor during a part of the half-wave of the resonant current flowing in the secondary winding and thus produce a second DC voltage.

Abstract: A cryocatheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The distal end of the first handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication; and the distal end of the second handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the catheter to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of the second handle portion and the catheter in fluid communication.

Abstract: An automatic transfer of a process command activated by a user on his wireless telecommunications device in a cell of a cellular telecommunications system toward a terminal nearby in the same cell. This transfer transits via a PBX which administers all the base stations of the cellular telecommunications system and which is connected to a network comprising the terminals. The PBX will forward that process command with the supplementary information telling in which cell of the cellular telecommunications system this process command was received. With that information, a computer which administers all the terminals of the network transfers that process command to a terminal located in the same cell as the wireless telecommunications device at the time that the process command was generated on it and on which this process command will be performed.

Abstract: A cryocatheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The distal end of the first handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication; and the distal end of the second handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the catheter to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of the second handle portion and the catheter in fluid communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC/DC converter of half-bridge type with soft switching comprising a transformer. The primary of the converter is of the type with half-bridge arrangement and is linked to an input voltage source by way of two switches and the secondary is of half-wave type and is linked to a load by means of an inductance. Means are provided for alternately controlling the two switches, at fixed frequency, by pulse width modulation. To reduce the number of components of the converter, a capacitor of small value is arranged in series with said primary winding, which capacitor referred back to the secondary is designed to resonate with said inductance. The inductance is the transformer's leakage inductance seen from the secondary. The switches are advantageously switched while the current in said inductance is not zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC voltage converter with soft switching of the type with half-bridge arrangement at the primary side and of quasi-resonant half-wave type at the secondary side. This converter comprises a single transformer and can generate a plurality of regulated voltages at output. It furthermore comprises a resonant circuit for creating a half-wave resonant current in the secondary winding and charging a first load capacitor so as to produce a first DC voltage. It furthermore comprises an inductive circuit connected between said secondary winding and a second load capacitor able to generate a current so as to charge the second load capacitor during a part of the half-wave of the resonant current flowing in the secondary winding and thus produce a second DC voltage.

Abstract: A thermal treatment medical system including an umbilical having a first portion and a second portion, and a connector including a male coupling body connected to the first portion, the male coupling body having a central shank defining first and second lumens, a female coupling body connected to the second portion, the female coupling body, matable with the male coupling body and defining third and fourth lumens matable to be in fluid communication with the first and second lumens, respectively, to define first and second fluid flow pathways, respectively, through the connector when the male coupling body is mated with the female coupling body. The second fluid flow pathway is co-axially disposed about a central axis coincident with the first fluid flow pathway. The connector includes a mating mechanism for spatially locking the male and female coupling bodies with respect to each other.

Abstract: An elongated catheter device with a distal balloon assembly is adapted for endovascular insertion. Coolant injected through the device may, in different embodiments, directly cool tissue contacting the balloon, or may cool a separate internal chamber. In the first case, the coolant also inflates the balloon, and spent coolant is returned to the handle via a return passage extending through the body of the catheter. Plural balloons may be provided, wherein a secondary outer balloon surrounds a primary inner balloon, the primary balloon being filled with coolant and acting as the cooling chamber, the secondary balloon being coupled to a vacuum return lumen to serve as a robust leak containment device and thermal insulator around the cooling chamber. Various configurations, such as surface modification of the balloon interface, or placement of particles, coatings, or expandable meshes or coils in the balloon interface, may be employed to achieve this function.

Abstract: Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on an optical switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for driving a plasma display panel capable of generating a voltage falling edge on one of the electrodes of the display cells while maintaining a fixed potential on the other electrode of the display cells. This device is designed to be used at the end of the sustain phase of the display cells to bring the two cell electrodes back to a low potential. It comprises means for storing energy during a first time period of the falling edge and means for transferring the stored energy to the voltage supply source of the device during the remaining time period of said falling edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating a voltage ramp in a plasma display panel. To prime and/or reset the electrical charges present on the walls of the cells of a plasma display panel, it is known to apply a voltage ramp between the electrodes of the cells of the display panel. The device serving to generate this ramp usually comprises at least one DC voltage source, an inductor, switches operating in linear mode and diodes. The energy dissipated in the transistors serving as switches is relatively high. To reduce this dissipation, the invention proposes a device in which the switches operate in chopping mode.

Abstract: A cryocatheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The distal end of the first handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication; and the distal end of the second handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the catheter to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of the second handle portion and the catheter in fluid communication.

Abstract: A method of promoting blood vessel growth includes the steps of providing a cryocatheter having a thermally transmission region; placing the cryocatheter proximate an area of tissue to be treated; cooling the thermally transmissive region of the cryocatheter proximate the area of tissue to a temperature sufficient to injure the area of tissue; allowing the area of tissue to warm; and removing the cryocatheter from the area of tissue. Prior, during or after the cooling step, the area of tissue can be mechanically traumatized, and drugs can be injected into the tissue.

Abstract: A cryocatheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The distal end of the first handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication; and the distal end of the second handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the catheter to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of the second handle portion and the catheter in fluid communication.

Abstract: A device for characterizing a cell or particle includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel containing a moving fluid therein for carrying the cell or particle from the inlet to the outlet. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of a cell or particle along portion of the channel, the detector including a first detecting position, a second detecting position, and a third detecting position. The device further includes a light source providing an optical gradient disposed within the channel and between the second and third detecting positions. A control system is coupled to the detector to receive and process detected signals from the detector. During operation, the amount of time that a cell or particle takes to flow through a first distance (i.e., its time-of-flight) is measured. The cell or particle is then flowed past a second, downstream distance in the presence of an optical gradient and its time-of-flight is measured.