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.

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 device for at least partially occluding an aneurysm is disclosed. The device includes a first elongate member having a distal end. A bridge is positioned proximate the distal end and transformable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. A second elongate member is movable relative to the first elongate member, the first and second elongate members being configured such that one can be moved relative to the other in order to transform the bridge between the delivery and deployed configurations.

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: A fiber optic probe of the type typically used in medical instruments includes an illumination optical fiber having a relatively high Numerical Aperture (NA) for coupling as much light as possible into the fiber at its input end. At the output end, an outwardly flared uniform taper is proved to increase coloration of the light exiting from the illumination end, thereby causing the Numerical Aperture (NA) at the output end of the illumination fiber to be a lower NA than that at the input end. Additionally, there is a bevel cut into the end of the fiber to provide total internal reflectance whereby the source light is redirected out a side of the fiber. A sidewall face may be provided to provide for a circular rather than an elliptical illumination spot.

Abstract: The present invention to is directed toward an integrated standard platform for the integration of content distributor's back office processes with multiple services from different vendors. A centralized management architecture supporting configuration and accounting management functions for multiple services is provided. The architecture comprises a database for storing configuration, user profile and usage data. The architecture also includes a service and a support gateway to regulate the provisioning, security, policies and operations regarding the content delivery. The centralized architecture has the ability to manipulate data stored in the database for facilitating delivery and control of service provided by the third party vendors. The architecture further includes a package manager module, which allows the content distributor to personalize the available content for an individual user.

Abstract: A sacrificial anode stent system comprises a stent having at least one sacrificial anode portion and a vaso-occlusive device. The vaso-occlusive device has at least one portion with a potential different from that of the sacrificial anode portion of the stent.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter including a proximal stiff metallic tube and a distal flexible tube. A distal portion of the metallic tube has a portion removed to define a void (e.g., spiral slot) which decreases the stiffness of the metallic tube. A proximal portion of the distal flexible tube is disposed in the void to provide a secure connection and to blend the stiffness of the metallic proximal tube and the flexible distal tube without significantly increasing profile.

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 implant for implantation in a bodily vessel may comprise a tungsten-rhenium (Re) alloy. Another medical implant for implantation in a bodily vessel may comprise molybdenum TZM alloy. Another medical implant may be provided in the form of a stent manufactured from a sheet of metal or from a metal tube, the metal having a modulus of elasticity of 300 GPa or greater.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for preparing platens to perform lapping operations. The system includes a platter that is rotatably mounted on a base and designed to receive the platen thereon. A main drive motor is provided for rotating the platter and the platen disposed thereon. A plurality of pressure arms are disposed on the base and configured to include a tool receiving portion that can be positioned in alignment with a lapping surface of the platen, and configured to softly touch a tool to a platen. A tool is attached to each tool receiving portion so that predetermined operations can be performed on the lapping surface of the platen. A monitor is provided to monitor predetermined parameters and maintain substantially constant conditions while preparing the platen.