Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A handheld medical device is configured to illuminate a test strip inserted therein and may include a housing having a port configured to receive a test strip. A circuit board may be mounted inside the housing. A measurement module may be mounted to the circuit board and may be cooperatively operable with the test strip inserted into the port to measure a sample of fluid residing on the test strip. The circuit board faces an opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port. A light source may be mounted on the circuit board and operable to emit light substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port. The light source may project the light along an optical axis substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip and illuminate an area surrounding a dosing end of the test strip.

Abstract: A handheld medical device is configured to illuminate a test strip inserted therein and may include a housing having a port configured to receive a test strip. A circuit board may be mounted inside the housing. A measurement module may be mounted to the circuit board and may be cooperatively operable with the test strip inserted into the port to measure a sample of fluid residing on the test strip. The circuit board faces an opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port. A light source may be mounted on the circuit board and operable to emit light substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port. The light source may project the light along an optical axis substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip and illuminate an area surrounding a dosing end of the test strip.

Abstract: A gas filled channel is formed between a pair of plates. A phosphor is disposed upon a surface of the channel and the channel is filled with a mixture of noble gases. A surface electrode is formed upon the exterior surface of each of the plates. Upon application of an alternating voltage to the pair of surface electrodes, the electrodes are capacitively coupled across the channel and break down the gas contained in the channel. The gasses emit ultraviolet light that causes the phosphor to emit visible light in a characteristic color.

Abstract: A gas filled channel is formed between a pair of plates. A phosphor is disposed upon a surface of the channel and the channel is filled with a mixture of noble gases. A surface electrode is formed upon the exterior surface of each of the plates. Upon application of an alternating voltage to the pair of surface electrodes, the electrodes are capacitively coupled across the channel and break down the gas contained in the channel. The gasses emit ultraviolet light that causes the phosphor to emit visible light in a characteristic color.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other fistula obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention alternatively utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a fistula.

Abstract: A luminous gas discharge display includes two opposing plates hermetically sealed by a layer of material disposed therebetween. A least one of the plates is transparent and at least one of the plates has a channel formed therein which contains an ionizable gas. A pair of electrodes communicate with the channel and are operable to ionize the gas to produce a gas discharge display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other fistula obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention alternatively utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a fistula.

Abstract: A luminous gas discharge display including at least two opposing hermetically sealed plates. At least one of the plates is formed of a transparent material and cooperatively forms with at least one other plate at least one channel. The channel contains an ionizable gas to define a gas discharge path. The display further includes at least one pair of electrodes in communication with the at least one channel. At least one of the electrodes is a flat electrode positioned internally between the plates and includes a conductive material deposited on the channel and extending from the channel to outside the periphery of the display to provide electrical contact between a voltage source and the ionizable gas to produce a gas discharge display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other fistula obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention alternatively utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a fistula.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other fistula obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention alternatively utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a fistula.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other vascular obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a vascular system in less time than the time required by activity of the selected dose of thrombolytic agent without the ultrasonic radiation of the thrombosis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a vascular system by introducing a select dose of thrombolytic agent proximate the thrombosis disposed within a vessel of a body and radiating the thrombosis with ultrasound generated exterior to the body to effect removal of the thrombosis in less time than the time required by activity of the selected dose of thrombolytic agent without the ultrasonic radiation of the thrombosis.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus and method for coupling ultrasonic energy into intravascular walls to enhance phonophoresis and for dissolution of intravascular blockages. The apparatus includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal. The radiator is sized for intravascular insertion. A transmission cable may be provided for transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transducer to the radiator. A seed liquid is introduced proximate the radiator for promoting cavitation of intravascular fluid. In addition, enhancement of dissolution of intravascular blockages and inhibition of restenosis by chemical agents is significantly increased when combined with ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus for clot dissolution and plaque ablation includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves into plaque and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal and having an inertial node position within said piezoelectric crystal. The piezoelectric crystal is constructed in order to prevent significant power loss caused by a shifting of the inertial node of the generated ultrasonic waves to a position exterior to said piezoelectric crystal due to loading of the radiator-means caused by the coupling of ultrasonic waves into the clot or plaque.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus and method for coupling ultrasonic energy into intravascular walls to enhance phonophoresis and for dissolution of intravascular blockages. The apparatus includes a radiator for coupling ultrasonic waves and a piezoelectric crystal, connected with said radiator, for the intravascular generation of ultrasonic waves; said ultrasonic waves being propagated along a longitudinal axis of said piezoelectric crystal. A seed liquid is introduced proximate the radiator for promoting cavitation of intravascular fluid. In addition, enhancement of dissolution of intravascular blockages and inhibition of restenosis by chemical agents is significantly increased when combined with ultrasonic energy.