Abstract: A catheter has a shaft that defines a delivery lumen, for example, to deliver an elongate medical device therethrough; a proximal section of the catheter includes a seal zone portion, a handle portion and a proximal port portion. A relatively thin wall section of the proximal port portion extends between the seal zone portion and a proximal edge that defines part of a perimeter of a proximal opening of the delivery lumen. The handle portion projects laterally from the seal zone portion, generally opposite the relatively thin wall section. An inflation subassembly of the catheter includes a compliant sleeve member and an inflation lumen extending from the sleeve member, proximally along the shaft, and into a connector port formed in the handle portion. The inflation lumen may be formed by fusing a section of a tube to the shaft and molding the handle portion around another section of the tube.

Abstract: A syringe adapter tool facilitates inline connection of a syringe with a catheter lumen, as well as torque transfer between the syringe and catheter. The adapter tool may further facilitate passage of an instrument through a seal zone portion of the catheter lumen, which seal zone portion is located in a proximal section of the catheter.

Abstract: A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore.

Abstract: A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.

Abstract: The system and method for recycling and using the heat from compressed gas produced by a biogas treatment plant. The system includes a biogas cleaning stage and a plurality of compression and heat exchanger stages that allows the heat generated by compressed gases to be harvested. After the heat is harvested, it is delivered to a jacketed vessel containing media used to remove contaminants from the biogas. The media inside the jacketed vessel requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs and other contaminants picked up from the biogas. The system also includes an inert gas generator that creates hot inert gas that is delivered to the jacketed vessel that heats the media located therein to remove contaminants. Because the jacket vessel and the media are simultaneously heated, the system's heat-up time is reduced The system also includes a heat exchanger that partially recovers the heat from the inert gas.

Abstract: A catheter proximal section is preferably formed from a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, and includes a proximal terminal end that defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter. The proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool. An inner surface of each of the relatively soft and rigid parts may be located opposite one another, on either side of the catheter lumen. The relatively soft and rigid parts may be included in a sealing assembly that further includes an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the proximal section catheter.

Abstract: A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore.

Abstract: A syringe adapter tool facilitates inline connection of a syringe with a catheter lumen, as well as torque transfer between the syringe and catheter. The adapter tool may further facilitate passage of an instrument through a seal zone portion of the catheter lumen, which seal zone portion is located in a proximal section of the catheter.

Abstract: A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.

Abstract: A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore.

Abstract: A lead delivery apparatus includes an electrically conductive lead for an implantable medical device, a delivery shaft for delivering the lead to a target site, a fixator and a pulley structure. A flexible member is coupled to the delivery shaft and the lead and engages the pulley structure such that pulling a first portion of the flexible member moves the lead to the target site.

Abstract: An interface adapter for an implantable medical electrical lead facilitates temporary electrical connection between an external medical device and a connector terminal of the lead. A sidewall of the adapter surrounds a receptacle of the adapter and includes a contact opening formed therethrough, to the receptacle; the sidewall further includes at least one external feature that holds a connector member of the external medical device in a tilted orientation. The tilted orientation biases a contact surface of the connector member through the contact opening and into electrical contact with an exposed connector contact of the lead connector terminal, when the terminal is inserted within the receptacle of the adapter.

Abstract: A syringe adapter tool facilitates inline connection of a syringe with a catheter lumen, as well as torque transfer between the syringe and catheter. The adapter tool may further facilitate passage of an instrument through a seal zone portion of the catheter lumen, which seal zone portion is located in a proximal section of the catheter.

Abstract: A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.

Abstract: A catheter proximal section is preferably formed from a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, and includes a proximal terminal end that defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter. The proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool. An inner surface of each of the relatively soft and rigid parts may be located opposite one another, on either side of the catheter lumen. The relatively soft and rigid parts may be included in a sealing assembly that further includes an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the proximal section catheter.

Abstract: A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a steerable elongated medical device includes an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, and having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and an elongated outer tube slot through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and is formed between an outer tube slot proximal end and an outer tube slot distal end and extends axially along the outer tube distal segment through an outer tube slot length to define a cutaway portion of the outer tube. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned within the outer tube lumen and extends between a reinforcing sleeve proximal end and a reinforcing sleeve distal end.

Abstract: A steerable elongated medical device that is capable of forming as “s” shaped bend and having a guidewire tip at its distal end. The devices include an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and first and second elongated outer tube slots through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The first elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and formed between a first outer tube slot proximal end and a first outer tube slot distal end and extending axially along the outer tube distal segment through a first outer tube slot length to define a first cutaway portion of the outer tube.

Abstract: The system and method for recycling and using the heat from compressed gas produced by a biogas treatment plant. The system includes a biogas cleaning stage and a plurality of compression and heat exchanger stages that allows the heat generated by compressed gases to be harvested. After the heat is harvested, it is delivered to a jacketed vessel containing media used to remove contaminants from the biogas. The media inside the jacketed vessel requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs and other contaminants picked up from the biogas. The system also includes an inert gas generator that creates hot inert gas that is delivered to the jacketed vessel that heats the media located therein to remove contaminants. Because the jacket vessel and the media are simultaneously heated, the system's heat-up time is reduced The system also includes a heat exchanger that partially recovers the heat from the inert gas.

Abstract: A lead delivery apparatus and a method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site. The method includes inserting a hydraulic plug into an internal delivery lumen of a delivery shaft, and coupling a medical lead to the hydraulic plug. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the hydraulic plug through the delivery lumen, thereby moving the hydraulic plug toward an anatomic target site, and advancing the medical lead toward the target site.