Abstract: An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure comprises an implant sized for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure. The implant comprises a plurality of loose, bulked fibers. The fibers are formed from one or more bioabsorbable materials.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: One embodiment comprises an apparatus for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end; and a capacitive treatment element located near the distal end. The capacitive treatment element is sized for insertion into the hollow anatomical structure and placement near the inner wall. The capacitive treatment element is configured to create an electric field that extends at least partially into the inner wall. Other devices and methods for treatment of hollow anatomical structures are disclosed as well.

Abstract: An additive composition comprises at least one colloidal metal compound or metallic species and a stabilising component, wherein the stabilising component comprises the product obtainable by the condensation reaction between: (i) at least one aldehyde or ketone or reactive equivalent thereof, and (ii) at least one compound comprising one or more aromatic moieties bearing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one further substituent chosen from a hydrocarbyl group, —COOR1 or COR1, wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group. The composition may further include at least one lubricity enhancer. Compositions of the invention tend to resist haziness, cloudiness and phase separation at relatively low and relatively high temperatures, and in the presence of lubricity enhancers and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

Abstract: Ablation systems comprise a support body, an energy transmitting element supported by the support body and an insulating member covering a portion of the support body and energy transmitting member. Ablation energy is transmitted from an uncovered, exposed portion of the energy transmitting element. The insulating member may be a distal portion of an introducer sheath. An open segment may be provided in the distal portion to expose a portion of the energy transmitting element. When used in cardiac ablation therapy, for example, the insulating member decreases the amount of ablation energy dissipated in the blood circulating through the heart and thermally insulates the energy transmitting member and the tissue at the ablation site, enabling better control of the ablation process.

Abstract: A probe that may be used to create circumferential lesions in body tissue and, in some implementations, may also be used to perform mapping functions. The probe includes a collapsible/expandable structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue.

Abstract: A control system for a steam turbine driven chiller unit is provided. The control system automatically utilizes the full range of the governor, compressor pre-rotation vanes, and hot gas bypass valve capabilities to control the capacity of the chiller and provide anti-surge and override control functions to prevent undesirable operational ranges while maintaining maximum efficiency of operation.

Abstract: A control system and method for interactive startup and shutdown of a steam turbine driven chiller unit is provided. The chiller unit includes an integrated central control panel to control operation of both the steam turbine system and the refrigerant system. The central control panel has startup control system to assist an operator manually start the steam turbine system and the refrigerant system and a shutdown control system to assist an operator manually shutdown the steam system and the refrigerant system. Both the startup control system and the shutdown control system include logic for performing necessary protective actions and for notifying an operator when to perform required actions.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for the automatic startup and shutdown of a steam turbine driven chiller unit. The chiller unit includes an integrated central control panel to control operation of both the steam turbine system and the refrigerant system. The central control panel has a startup control system to automatically start the steam turbine driven chiller unit while performing necessary protective actions and a shutdown control system to automatically stop the steam turbine driven chiller unit while performing necessary protective actions.

Abstract: A diesel fuel composition containing metallic additives that are stabilised against phase separation. The diesel fuel contains a colloidally dispersed or solubilised metal catalyst compound, which can be used for diesel particulate trap regeneration and, as a stabiliser, 5-1,000 ppm (weight) of an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible organic compound having a lipophilic hydrocarbyl chain having attached directly thereto at least two contiguous polar head functional groups, i.e., the functional groups are separated by no more than three carbon atoms. The diesel fuel composition is particularly suitable for use with diesel engines fitted with a particulate trap for emissions control.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.

Abstract: Loop structures for positioning diagnostic an therapeutic elements on the epicardium or other organ surface.

Abstract: A method to additionally test a patient's specimen using an analyzer some period of time after initial tests on an aliquot of the patient's specimen are completed by retaining an aliquot of the patient's specimen within the analyzer for a period of time.

Abstract: A multi-analyzer system where at least two automatic clinical analyzers are linked together by a bi-directional sample rack shuttle, both analyzers initially capable of performing a slightly different menu of assays. The bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample rack transport system of a first one of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample rack transport system adapted and the incoming sample tube transport system of a second of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all sample racks having sample tubes with samples finally tested by either analyzer. In the event that one of the two analyzers experiences an operating failure, the analyzer system may automatically revert to a single analyzer system employing only the operational analyzer.

Abstract: A multi-analyzer system where at least two automatic clinical analyzers are linked together by a bi-directional sample rack shuttle, both analyzers initially capable of performing a slightly different menu of assays. The bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample rack transport system of a first one of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample rack transport system adapted and the incoming sample tube transport system of a second of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all sample racks having sample tubes with samples finally tested by either analyzer. In the event that one of the two analyzers experiences an operating failure, the analyzer system may automatically revert to a single analyzer system employing only the operational analyzer.

Abstract: A method to additionally test a patient's specimen using an analyzer some period of time after initial tests on an aliquot of the patient's specimen are completed by retaining the aliquot of the patient's specimen within the analyzer or by retaining another aliquot of the patient's specimen within the analyzer for a period of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an invention for increasing the current carrying capability of high-Tc superconductor materials. The inventive method includes irradiating such superconductors with light particles, such as neutrons, protons and thermal neutrons, having energy sufficient to cause fission of one or more elements in the superconductor material at a dose rate and for a time sufficient to create highly splayed (dispersed in orientation) extended columns of damaged material therein. These splayed tracks significantly enhance the pinning of magnetic vortices thereby effectively reducing the vortex creep at high temperatures resulting in increased current carrying capability.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of producing a halftone image reproduction of a continuous tone photograph. Scanning means is provided to scan the photograph to be reproduced along a series of scan lines. Incremental control parameters are provided in accordance with a reproduction ratio to define predetermined scan sample points for each scan line. Control means is provided for controlling the scanning means to produce successive sets of digital sharp and unsharp gray level data signals at the predetermined scan sample points proportional to the light reflected from successive concentric sharp and unsharp areas with the sharp area at each scan sample point corresponding to the general area of a predetermined portion of a halftone cell.