Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a rotor blade is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base and an offset member configured to maintain the base at a selected distance from a set point. A clamping member is supported by the base and is receptive of the rotor blade at a selected location of the rotor blade, wherein the rotor blade is positioned against the set point. A slidable component supports the clamping member and slides the clamping member within the base to the selected location of the rotor blade. The free end of the clam shell assembly can be secured to a support beam that raises the clam shell assembly and rotor blade from the base for immersion testing.

Abstract: A method and system have been provided to perform high speed nucleic acid melting analysis while still obtaining accurate melting curve sufficient for genotyping. This rapid ability to interrogate DNA should be useful whenever time to result is important, such as in molecular point of care testing. Specifically, microfluidics enables genotyping by melting analysis at rates up to 50° C./s, requiring less than is to acquire an entire melting curve. High speed melting reduces the time for melting analysis, decreases errors, and improves genotype discrimination of small amplicons.

Abstract: A cuff-blade attachment bushing removal tool system includes an alignment plate comprising alignment holes defined through the alignment plate in a pattern of a plurality of bushing holes of a blade root, a bladder plate connected to the alignment plate, and a bladder positioned on the bladder plate such that a gap is formed between the bladder and the alignment plate to receive a blade root to align the alignment holes and the bushing holes of the blade root, wherein the bladder is transitionable between an uninflated position where the blade root can be inserted into the gap and an inflated position where the blade root is clamped between the bladder and the alignment plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for microwave-assisted magnetic recording includes a magnetic write head operable to write data to a magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a spin-torque microwave oscillator coupled to the magnetic write head and operable to provide microwave radiation to the magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a driver circuit in communication with the magnetic write head. The driver circuit is operable to dynamically modulate bias current provided to the spin-torque microwave oscillator in sympathy with data being written to the magnetic storage medium by the magnetic write head.

Abstract: A thrust bearing pad includes a relatively low wear and low friction contact layer disposed on a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate allows a manufacturer to couple the thrust bearing pad to a corresponding metallic thrust bearing in a relatively secure manner while the contact layer extends the operating life of the thrust bearing and minimizes maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a guidewire body and a light source. The guidewire body includes an optically transmissive element. The guidewire body is sized for insertion in a sinus ostium of a patient. The light source is in optical communication with the optically transmissive element of the guidewire body. The light source is operable to transmit infrared light or narrowband visible light through the optically transmissive element. A detector may be used to detect light transmitted by the optically transmissive element through the patient. The detector may include a camera or a photodetector. Glasses may be used to provide an overlay of a camera image or to filter out light to enable focusing on light of a specific wavelength. A beam processing element may be used to provide a beam waist with an average irradiance of more than 10 W/cm2 within the acceptance angle of the optically transmissive element.

Abstract: A medical device for the treatment and irrigation of a sinus opening is described. The device allows for single-handed operation to access, dilate and irrigate a sinus opening. The device includes a sinus guide catheter, a guiding element, a balloon dilation catheter, a balloon catheter movement mechanism and a guiding element movement mechanism. A method for treating a sinus opening and irrigating a sinus is also described.

Abstract: A medical device and method for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a guide catheter, a guide wire, a balloon catheter, a guide wire movement mechanism and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The handle has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis along the length of the handle. The guide catheter is attached to the distal end of the handle and has a catheter lumen. The guide wire and balloon catheter are both disposed at least partially in the handle and catheter lumen. The guide wire movement mechanism and the balloon catheter movement mechanism are both operatively disposed on the handle. In addition, the guide wire movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the guide wire through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the guide wire movement mechanism.

Abstract: A medical device for the treatment and irrigation of a sinus opening is described. The device allows for single-handed operation to access, dilate and irrigate a sinus opening. The device includes a sinus guide catheter, a guiding element, a balloon dilation catheter, a balloon catheter movement mechanism and a guiding element movement mechanism. A method for treating a sinus opening and irrigating a sinus is also described.

Abstract: A medical device and method for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a guide catheter, a guide wire, a balloon catheter, a guide wire movement mechanism and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The guide wire and balloon catheter are both disposed at least partially in the handle and catheter lumen. The guide wire movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the guide wire through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the guide wire movement mechanism. The guide wire movement mechanism includes an integrated guide wire locking and rotation mechanism configured for rotation of the guide wire and for securely locking and unlocking the guide wire to the guide wire movement mechanism. The balloon catheter movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the balloon catheter through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the balloon catheter movement mechanism.

Abstract: A guide member system includes a guide member, a light source, and a detector. The guide member comprises at least one illumination fiber. The at least one illumination fiber distally transmits the light projected by the light source from the proximal end of the guide member to the distal end of the guide member. The distal end of the guide member is projects the distally transmitted light. The distal end of the guide member receives light projected from the distal end of the guide member and reflected back toward the distal end of the guide member. The at least one illumination fiber proximally transmits the reflected light from the distal end of the guide member to the proximal end of the guide member. The proximal end of the guide member projects the proximally transmitted light toward the detector. The detector detects the proximally transmitted light.

Abstract: A thrust bearing pad includes a relatively low wear and low friction contact layer disposed on a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate allows a manufacturer to couple the thrust bearing pad to a corresponding metallic thrust bearing in a relatively secure manner while the contact layer extends the operating life of the thrust bearing and minimizes maintenance.

Abstract: A dilation catheter comprises a handle, a guidewire, a dilation catheter, a guidewire movement mechanism, and dilation catheter movement actuator. The guidewire movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the guidewire relative to the handle. The dilation catheter movement mechanism is configured to translate to thereby cause translation of the dilation catheter relative to the handle. The guidewire movement mechanism also includes a rotation mechanism configured to impart rotation upon the guidewire. The rotation mechanism may include features configured to limit the amount that the guidewire may rotate. The rotation mechanism may also include features configured to convert linear movement of an actuator into rotational movement of the guidewire. The dilation catheter may include features configured to provide for side entry of the guidewire into the dilation catheter.

Abstract: An inflator system comprises a dilation catheter and a fluid pressure regulator assembly. The dilation catheter comprises a shaft defining a lumen and being sized to fit within an anatomical passageway. The dilation catheter further comprises a dilator configured to receive fluid through the lumen and thereby expand in response to fluid communicated through the lumen. The fluid pressure regulator assembly comprises a pump in fluid communication with the dilation catheter. The fluid pressure regulator assembly further comprises a control module configured to store one or more fluid pressure profiles and is operable to receive a selection of a particular fluid pressure profile from the one or more of fluid pressure profiles. The control module is operable to selectively drive the pump in accordance with a selected fluid pressure profile. The fluid pressure regulator assembly further comprises a user input feature operable to selectively activate the control module.

Abstract: An inflator comprises a body, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The body defines a reservoir that is configured to hold fluid and includes an outlet. The first drive member is operable to move through the reservoir to drive fluid from the reservoir through the outlet. The second drive member is engaged with the first drive member. The second drive member is movable relative to the body through a first range of motion to actuate the first drive member to drive fluid through the outlet at a first rate. The second drive member is movable relative to the body through a second range of motion following the second range of motion. The first drive member is configured to either drive fluid through the outlet at a second rate or not drive fluid through the outlet as the second drive member moves through the second range of motion.

Abstract: A thrust bearing pad includes a relatively low wear and low friction contact layer disposed on a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate allows a manufacturer to couple the thrust bearing pad to a corresponding metallic thrust bearing in a relatively secure manner while the contact layer extends the operating life of the thrust bearing and minimizes maintenance.

Abstract: Methods and devices for navigation and/or guidance. A device may be configured to predict an uncertainty of positioning data in the area, the prediction being based at least in part on a dynamic navigation model. The device may further be configured to guide the mobile entity based at least in part on the predicted uncertainty of the positioning data in the area. By predicting and guiding while the mobile entity is outside the area, the device may proactively mitigate an impact of the predicted uncertainty of the positioning data by initiating rerouting of the mobile entity, updating an inertial navigation system, and/or issuing an alert regarding the predicted uncertainty to of the positioning data to an operator of the mobile entity. The dynamic navigation model may comprise at least one of an environment model, a cost model, one or more positioning system models, and an excursion route model.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the operation of a imaging system, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, is disclosed including a that computer is programmed to access an image of a phantom from image data, identify a plurality of seed point in the image of the phantom using a shape recognition algorithm, and rank combinations of the seed points using a pattern recognition algorithm using a priori information about the predefined pattern. The computer is programmed to rank the combinations of the seed points to generate an indication of an imaging quality characteristic of the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a guidewire body and a light source. The guidewire body includes an optically transmissive element. The guidewire body is sized for insertion in a sinus ostium of a patient. The light source is in optical communication with the optically transmissive element of the guidewire body. The light source is operable to transmit infrared light or narrowband visible light through the optically transmissive element. A detector may be used to detect light transmitted by the optically transmissive element through the patient. The detector may include a camera or a photodetector. Glasses may be used to provide an overlay of a camera image or to filter out light to enable focusing on light of a specific wavelength. A beam processing element may be used to provide a beam waist with an average irradiance of more than 10 W/cm2 within the acceptance angle of the optically transmissive element.