Abstract: A method and assembly for forming an occlusion within a vascular cavity. The assembly includes a catheter having an elongate shaft comprising a metallic tubular member extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion of the catheter, a delivery wire including an occlusion member detachably coupled thereto, and a power supply for providing an electrical current to initiate electrolysis at a sacrificial link between the delivery wire and the occlusion member in order to decouple the occlusion member from the delivery wire. The invention also includes a method of positioning and disposing an occlusion member within a vascular cavity using electrolysis, wherein a distal portion of the metallic tubular member serves as a first electrode and the sacrificial link serves as a second electrode. Thus, both the first electrode and the second electrode may be intravenously located proximate a vascular cavity.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber comprising a waveguide with an input for coupling focused laser energy into the waveguide and communicating electromagnetic radiation in a propagation direction to an internally reflective tip of the waveguide, a tissue contacting surface wherein the light path from the reflecting surface to the transmitting surface in substantially homogenous in refractive index and cooled by fluid flow. In minimizing the variations in refractive index within the lateral light path, while providing active cooling directly below the tissue contact surface, the invention prevents internal reflections and beam distortion and greatly improves the efficiency and durability of the laterally directing probe. Free rotation of the tissue contact surface, about the lateral tip, may be provided and tissue vaporization efficiency may be improved by providing a morcellating tool on the tissue contact surface.

Abstract: A ferrule and method are presented that fuses optical fibers, capillaries and the like to ferrules while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule and minimizing stresses within the assembly. Reduced deformation and stress is accomplished by providing high contact angles in a symmetrical, short section of fusion in fusing the component carried by the ferrule to the ferrule. It is particularly applicable to hermetic terminations of polymer clad fiber optics where irregular glass fusion joints cause irregular light leakage at the fiber launch but benefits are significant when used for other fiber and capillary architectures as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the crushing strength of an abrasive, comprising particles, used in a lapping process. Embodiments include a crushing strength tester having a cup for holding the abrasive; a first motor for rotating the cup in a first direction; a piston having a face for rotatably fitting within the cup and contacting the abrasive; a second motor for rotating the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a press for pressing the piston against the abrasive and crushing the particles while the first and second motors are rotating. An initial particle size distribution for the particles is determined, then the abrasive is subjected to a crushing force approximately equal to that of the lapping process using the crushing strength tester. A post-crushing particle size distribution for the particles is determined, and the initial and post-crushing particle size distributions are compared.

Abstract: Fiber optic end faces produced by laser ablation, as opposed to “cleave” or mechanical polish, offer advantages in some severe environment applications such as laser surgery and delivery of extremely high energy density. The “laser polished” fiber faces are more resistant to physical damage as well as less prone to damage other structures, owing to a lack of sharp, fragile edges and laser polished faces may be formed on fibers in planes and curvatures normal to the fiber axis or off normal, as desired.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A guide wire with a distal portion having adjustable flexibility. The guide wire may include a distal polymeric member and a heat source. The heat source may be activated to cause the polymeric member to increase in temperature and increase in flexibility. The increase in flexibility of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances the ability of the guide wire to navigate tortuous vasculature to a target site. After the guide wire has been navigated to the target site, the heat source may be deactivated to cause the polymeric member to decrease in temperature and increase in stiffness. The increase in stiffness of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances support provided for devices (e.g., catheters) advanced thereon.

Abstract: Hypotubes such as micromachined hypotubes can include one or more tie layers appropriate for subsequent application of a hydrophilic coating. In particular, a medical device may include a micromachined hypotube having a level of flexibility and a tie layer disposed over the hypotube such that the medical device has a level of flexibility at least substantially equivalent to the level of flexibility of the hypotube.

Abstract: A Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-2) vector having a mutation within a packaging signal such that viral RNA is not packaged within an HIV-2 capsid is described. A further vector comprises an HIV-2 packaging signal and a heterologous gene capable of being expressed in the vector. These vectors may be co-transfected into a host cell to produce HIV-2 virus particles capable of expressing a heterologous gene.

Abstract: A guide wire with a distal portion having adjustable flexibility. The guide wire may include a distal polymeric member and a heat source. The heat source may be activated to cause the polymeric member to increase in temperature and increase in flexibility. The increase in flexibility of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances the ability of the guide wire to navigate tortuous vasculature to a target site. After the guide wire has been navigated to the target site, the heat source may be deactivated to cause the polymeric member to decrease in temperature and increase in stiffness. The increase in stiffness of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances support provided for devices (e.g., catheters) advanced thereon.

Abstract: An medical device include a shaft having an elongated inner tubular member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over a portion of the inner tubular member. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member is disposed about a proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that a distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing member. In some embodiments, the at least a portion of an outer surface of the inner tubular member is spaced from an inner surface of the reinforcing member. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on the distal portion of the inner tubular member. In some such embodiments, reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner tubular member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: The column according to the present invention provides greatly increased effective length and tortuosity, per unit length of column material, by providing a smooth or textured, tight radius helical channel or channels within a silica monolith. The capillary according to the present invention is useful in enabling fully automated massively parallel analyses, syntheses, separations and concentrations at reduced costs and higher speed as well as in immobilization, filtration, and miniaturization/acceleration/automation of classical instrumentation for practicality of general deployment in environmental threat monitoring and other applications.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured to provide distal occlusion, while still providing sufficient interior lumen space for device delivery. Such catheters can also provide a desired level of flexibility, yet can include sufficient column support. A catheter can include an elongate shaft with a lumen, an inflatable compliant balloon disposed over the distal region of the shaft, and an external inflation component.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured to provide distal occlusion, while still providing sufficient interior lumen space for device delivery. Such catheters can also provide a desired level of flexibility, yet can include sufficient column support. A catheter can include an elongate shaft having a distal region, a proximal region and a lumen extending therebetween. Distal occlusion means can be disposed over a portion of the distal region of the elongate shaft and occlusion activating means can be disposed over the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured for delivery of devices to vasculature portions such as intracranial spaces while retaining a desired level of flexibility. A catheter having an elongate shaft can include removable support means that can provide column support to the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft can include anchoring means that releasably secure the removable support means. The catheter can be deployed within a patient's vasculature, followed by deploying the removable support means.

Abstract: Produce is harvested and de-cored in a field where they are grown. The de-cored produce is loaded in totes and transported to a processing facility. The processing facility includes a washing device that immerses the de-cored ends of the produce in a tank of washing fluid (e.g., a cleaning solution that includes anti-bacterial agents). In one embodiment, a flow of washing fluid is directed through the de-cored end of the produce and out a leafy end of the produce while the produce is still loaded in totes. A washing device having a tank and a transport mechanism that moves totes loaded with de-cored produce into the tank. Optionally, a device such as a pump maintains a flow in the tank in a direction toward de-cored ends of produce.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: A medical device having a segmented construction. In at least some embodiments, a medical device including a plurality of conductive elongated members that are of such a length and are connected together in such a manner to impart a degree of MRI compatibility to the device. In some embodiments, the elongated members can include a series of solid elongate members and tubular elongate members, which construction provides one way to control at least some properties of the device, for example, stiffness, torque transmission, flexibility, shape retention, and the like. In yet some additional embodiments, at least one of the elongated members has a recess into which a protrusion of another elongated member may fit.