Abstract: A cleaning tool 410 designed to be used with at least one cleaning implement/replaceable dusting sleeve/cleaning mitt or cleaning pad 11 is disclosed. The cleaning tool 410 includes a telescoping support 409 comprised of a plurality of telescopingly received shafts or sections (412, 413, 414, 415) wherein one of the shafts is an I-beam 415. The shafts 412, 413, 414 and 415 may be freely extended into a locked fully extended position 401 and released via depression of a first engaging projection 439. A primary support head 416 and secondary support head 418 are pivotally mounted to a forward mount 440 and releasably locked together.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool for use in wet, damp or dry cleaning is disclosed. The cleaning tool (222), (322) includes a handle (224) defining a fluid reservoir receiving cradle (231) pivotally connected to an elongated flexible support member (226) (326). A cleaning pad (228) (328) encloses the support rod (226) (326).

Abstract: Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor preferably also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, passing through the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: A transseptal cannula assembly for directing blood from the heart of a patient and a minimally invasive method of implanting the same. The transseptal cannula assembly includes a flexible cannula body having proximal and distal portions with a lumen therebetween, a tip coupled to the distal portion of the flexible cannula body, and first and second anchors coupled to the tip. The anchors can be configured to be deployed from a contracted state to an expanded state and are configured to engage opposite sides of the heart tissue when in the expanded state. The anchors resist movement of the cannula assembly along a lengthwise central axis of the flexible cannula body.

Abstract: An embolic protection system for treating a lesion in a blood vessel is provided. The embolic protection system includes a guide catheter, an evacuation sheath, a guidewire, and an infusion catheter. The guide catheter has a guidewire lumen. The evacuation sheath has an evacuation lumen and a sealing surface and is configured to move within the lumen of the guide catheter. The guidewire is configured to move within the lumen of the guide catheter and the evacuation lumen. The infusion catheter has an infusion lumen, at least one infusion port, and a guidewire lumen configured to accept the guidewire, the infusion catheter guidewire lumen being shorter than the guide catheter guidewire lumen. Furthermore, the infusion catheter is configured to move within the lumen of the guide catheter and the evacuation lumen over the guidewire. The system may further comprise a dilation catheter having a dilation balloon and a guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A system for arterial access for delivery of treatment devices is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a guidewire and a catheter. The catheter comprises a handle and a shaft. The shaft may be a steerable/deflectable tip shaft with a lumen adapted to allow passage of the guidewire at least partially there through. A passive sheath may also be provided to be delivered over the shaft. The handle controls the steerable/deflectable tip shaft and may be used to deflect the distal tip of the shaft.

Abstract: An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. Obturator assemblies and infusion catheter assemblies are provided to be used with the evacuation sheath assembly. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped and the stenosis is treated.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a subscriber unit for operation in a wireless communications system. Information on available wireless services is advertised through well known, and publicly accessible, broadcast media, for the benefit of potential subscribers. A potential subscriber uses a subscriber unit to access the broadcast media and obtain a set of available wireless services (310). The subscriber unit supplies a particular criteria related to one or more of the available wireless services to a brokering agent, and receives from the brokering agent a list of service providers meeting the criteria (320, 330, 340). The subscriber unit then establishes a subscription relationship with a selected service provider, and self-configures to operate in a mode that supports interaction with the service provider (350).

Abstract: A high efficiency amplifier arrangement consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has an amplifier (104) that receives an input signal and amplifies the input signal to produce an output signal that drives a load (108). A variable impedance transformer (300) is disposed between the amplifier (104) and the load (108) to presents a varying load impedance to the output of the amplifier (104). A control mechanism, such as a programmed processor (604, 504), controls the variable impedance transformer (300) with a control signal so that the load impedance seen by the amplifier (104) varies in accordance with an envelope of the input signal. The control signal varies the load impedance in a manner that keeps the output of the amplifier (104) near a peak value. The arrangement may further include a circuit for controlling a DC input bias (420) of the amplifier (104) to keep the amplifier (104) operating within a predetermined class of operation throughout a range of input signals.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a support member adjacent to a first member and a second member, the first and second members may be laser welded to one another by directing radiation absorbable by the first and second members at the first and second members. The support member is provided adjacent to the first member and is constructed and arranged to substantially reflect or substantially transmit radiation at one or more frequencies absorbable by at least one of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor preferably also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, passing through the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier circuit according to certain embodiments of the present invention uses a distributed radio frequency amplifier 110 having a plurality of stages each with an input. The distributed radio frequency amplifier 110 drives an output load, such as an antenna 114. A drive signal synthesizer 106, having a plurality of outputs, drives the plurality of inputs to the distributed amplifier 110. Changes in load impedance are measured, e.g., using a directional coupler 160, and the measurement is used to change a drive signal produced by the drive signal synthesizer 106 to compensate for the change in load impedance.

Abstract: An electrostatic method for increasing the transfer efficiency of spray finishing using lower voltages than are normally required and used with electrostatic spraying. The positioning and construction of ground electrodes (16) behind the air cap (18) helps ensure a clean operation.

Abstract: A high efficiency amplifier arrangement consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has an amplifier (104) that receives an input signal and amplifies the input signal to produce an output signal that drives a load (108). A variable impedance transformer (300) is disposed between the amplifier (104) and the load (108) to presents a varying load impedance to the output of the amplifier (104). A control mechanism, such as a programmed processor (604, 504), controls the variable impedance transformer (300) with a control signal so that the load impedance seen by the amplifier (104) varies in accordance with an envelope of the input signal. The control signal varies the load impedance in a manner that keeps the output of the amplifier (104) near a peak value. The arrangement may further include a circuit for controlling a DC input bias (420) of the amplifier (104) to keep the amplifier (104) operating within a predetermined class of operation throughout a range of input signals.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together.

Abstract: An electrostatic method for increasing the transfer efficiency of spray finishing using lower voltages than are normally required and used with electrostatic spraying. The positioning and construction of ground electrodes (16) behind the air cap (18) helps ensure a clean operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring a subscriber unit for operation in a wireless communications system. Information on available wireless services is advertised through well known, and publicly accessible, broadcast media, for the benefit of potential subscribers. A potential subscriber uses a subscriber unit to access the broadcast media and obtain a set of available wireless services (310). The subscriber unit supplies a particular criteria related to one or more of the available wireless services to a brokering agent, and receives from the brokering agent a list of service providers meeting the criteria (320, 330, 340). The subscriber unit then establishes a subscription relationship with a selected service provider, and self-configures to operate in a mode that supports interaction with the service provider (350).

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier circuit according to certain embodiments of the present invention uses a distributed radio frequency amplifier 110 having a plurality of stages each with an input. The distributed radio frequency amplifier 110 drives an output load, such as an antenna 114. A drive signal synthesizer 106, having a plurality of outputs, drives the plurality of inputs to the distributed amplifier 110. Changes in load impedance are measured, e.g., using a directional coupler 160, and the measurement is used to change a drive signal produced by the drive signal synthesizer 106 to compensate for the change in load impedance.