Abstract: Described herein is a method for treating a narrowed region of a lumen in the ear or nose of a patient. The method includes advancing a catheter within the lumen such that a distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate to the narrowed region, filling a fillable member to expand the fillable member within the lumen, and generating at least one shock wave from at least one shock wave emitter. The at least one shock wave creates one or more fractures in a bony structure of the narrowed region of the lumen that dilate the narrowed region.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: A stent (10) to be positioned within a urethra (611U) of a patient (611) includes a first stent end (12), an opposed second stent end (14), and a stent body (16) that extends between the first stent end (12) and the second stent end (14). Each of the stent ends (12, 14) is flared relative to the stent body (16). The stent body (16) has one or more bumps (18) from the first stent end (12) to the second stent end (14). The stent (10) moves from a compressed configuration (10C) as the stent (10) is initially positioned within the urethra (611U), to an expanded configuration (10E) as the stent (10) is deployed at a desired location within the urethra (611U). A stent deployment system (220) that positions the stent (10) within the urethra (611U) includes an inner shaft (224), at least one tube ring (226) positioned about the inner shaft (224), and an outer sheath (228) that is configured to substantially encircle the stent (10) as mounted about the inner shaft (224) and the at least one tube ring (226).

Abstract: Described herein is a method for treating a narrowed region of a lumen in the ear or nose of a patient. The method includes advancing a catheter within the lumen such that a distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate to the narrowed region, filling a fillable member to expand the fillable member within the lumen, and generating at least one shock wave from at least one shock wave emitter. The at least one shock wave creates one or more fractures in a bony structure of the narrowed region of the lumen that dilate the narrowed region.

Abstract: A paint thickness measuring device and a computer-implemented method for measuring paint thickness using the same are provided. The paint thickness measuring device includes a first continuous-wave (cw) laser, a second continuous-wave laser, a photomixer, one or more computer processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable memory. The photomixer includes an optical coupler configured to mix laser lights emitted by the first and second continuous-wave lasers and generate a terahertz (THz) wave, a photomixer emitter configured to emit the terahertz wave, and a photomixer receiver configured to detect the terahertz wave reflected off a painted surface. The non-transitory computer-readable memory stores computer program instructions executable by the one or more computer processors to perform operations for paint thickness measurement.

Abstract: A light emitting device, a method of fabricating a light emitting device and a method of controlling light emission. The light emitting device includes a plasmonic structure. The plasmonic structure is configured to have a plurality of localized surface plasmon resonances. The light emitting device also includes a broadband light emitting layer having an emission spectrum substantially overlapping wavelengths of the localized surface plasmon resonances. A spacer layer is disposed between the plasmonic structure and the broadband light emitting layer. A color of light emitted by the broadband light emitting layer is tunable by the localized surface plasmon resonances of the plasmonic structure.

Abstract: A device which detects and/or emits infrared radiation in the mid-infrared to far- infrared region is disclosed herein. The device comprises a first layer comprising a first transition metal dichalcogenide, and a second layer comprising a second transition metal dichalcogenide, wherein the second layer is deposited adjacent to the first layer to form a first interface which interlayer excitons are producible from for rendering the device operable to detect and/or emit infrared radiation in the mid-infrared to far-infrared region.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: A light emitting device, a method of fabricating a light emitting device and a method of controlling light emission. The light emitting device includes a plasmonic structure. The plasmonic structure is configured to have a plurality of localized surface plasmon resonances. The light emitting device also includes a broadband light emitting layer having an emission spectrum substantially overlapping wavelengths of the localized surface plasmon resonances. A spacer layer is disposed between the plasmonic structure and the broadband light emitting layer. A color of light emitted by the broadband light emitting layer is tunable by the localized surface plasmon resonances of the plasmonic structure.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: A THz photomixer emitter is disclosed. The emitter comprises a photoconductive material, an antenna structure, and an electrode array. The electrode array is disposed such that an electric field associated with photocarriers generated in the photoconductive material is coupled to the antenna for emission of a THz wave via the antenna structure. The electrode array is configured such that an electric field resonance pattern of the electrode array is substantially aligned with an emission field pattern of the antenna structure.

Abstract: An elastic coreless rope belt is a tubular braided rope of no core with stretch elasticity. Wherein the center part of the elastic rope belt along its length keep the same hollow shape, and at the periphery of the rope, it is provided with protruded knot parts of plural middle segment. At the plural middle segment, the diameter of the protruded knot can be changed with the changing of the axial tension. Once the axial tension is relived, the diameter and the shape will return to the origin. Thereby, it is convenient to make position limited buckling and loosening to the object hole.

Abstract: An elastic coreless rope belt is a tubular braided rope of no core with stretch elasticity. Wherein the center part of the elastic rope belt along its length keep the same hollow shape, and at the periphery of the rope, it is provided with protruded knot parts of plural middle segment. At the plural middle segment, the diameter of the protruded knot can be changed with the changing of the axial tension. Once the axial tension is relived, the diameter and the shape will return to the origin. Thereby, it is convenient to make position limited buckling and loosening to the object hole.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods that may facilitate treatment of a calcified heart valve with shock waves. A shock wave valvuloplasty device may be advanced through a patient's vasculature and self-align with cusps of a calcified aortic valve. Alignment may be facilitated by a central anchor and/or U-shaped distal bends of positioning wires. An elongated carrier may be slidably disposed over a portion of the positioning wire and carry one or more electrode assemblies that may generate shock waves. An inflatable balloon may sealably enclose the electrode assembles, and shock waves may propagate through the liquid-filled balloon and transfer energy to adjacent calcified valve cusps. The shock wave valvuloplasty device may comprise one or more features to direct shock waves to specific areas of calcified tissue. Some variations also comprise a central anchor configured to be positioned below the valve leaflets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a micro-machined switchable optical mirror device with a fast response speed. The mirror device includes a substrate defining a gap space, and a mirror assembly disposed on the substrate and deflectable in the gap space, the mirror assembly including a free end cantilever and a reflector on the cantilever, wherein the cantilever is anchored on the substrate adjacent a side of the gap space through an elastic member. In one aspect, the mirror device further includes a stop spring at an end of the cantilever opposing the elastic member.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.