Abstract: A system for downhole communication includes a roll stabilized platform and a mud pulse generator in communication with the roll stabilized platform. The mud pulse generator generates pressure pulses in a pattern that includes encoded data. A receiver receives the pressure pulses and the encoded data is decoded. The receiver is located at any location capable of receiving pressure pulses.

Abstract: A downhole communication system includes a gap sub located at an RSS. The gap sub is located on the outer, independently rotating member of the RSS. This allows the RSS to receive electromagnetic downlink communication signals from the surface or from an MWD. The RSS transmits electromagnetic uplink signals to a second gap sub located above the RSS or to the surface.

Abstract: A system for downhole communication includes a roll stabilized platform and a mud pulse generator in communication with the roll stabilized platform. The mud pulse generator generates pressure pulses in a pattern that includes encoded data. A receiver receives the pressure pulses and the encoded data is decoded. The receiver is located at any location capable of receiving pressure pulses.

Abstract: A technique facilitates a drilling operation by providing a drill bit having limited magnetic influence. The drill bit comprises a bit head formed with a non-magnetic bit head material. Cutting elements may be attached to the bit head to facilitate cutting of rock and other formation material during drilling of a borehole. The drill bit also comprises a bit body formed with a non-magnetic body material. The bit head and the bit body are joined to construct a non-magnetic drill bit which has no or limited magnetic influences on, for example, sensors located proximate the drill bit.

Abstract: A technique facilitates a drilling operation by providing a drill bit having limited magnetic influence. The drill bit comprises a bit head formed with a non-magnetic bit head material. Cutting elements may be attached to the bit head to facilitate cutting of rock and other formation material during drilling of a borehole. The drill bit also comprises a bit body formed with a non-magnetic body material. The bit head and the bit body are joined to construct a non-magnetic drill bit which has no or limited magnetic influences on, for example, sensors located proximate the drill bit.

Abstract: A technique facilitates a drilling operation by providing a drill bit having limited magnetic influence. The drill bit comprises a bit head formed with a non-magnetic bit head material. Cutting elements may be attached to the bit head to facilitate cutting of rock and other formation material during drilling of a borehole. The drill bit also comprises a bit body formed with a non-magnetic body material. The bit head and the bit body are joined to construct a non-magnetic drill bit which has no or limited magnetic influences on, for example, sensors located proximate the drill bit.

Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of deviated boreholes. The technique employs a drilling system which may be disposed along a drill string. The drilling system may be used to drill a straight section of a borehole along a straight borehole axis and to also selectively drill a deviated section of the borehole. The drilling system comprises a housing, a bit shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and an actuator which may be selectively actuated to shift the bit shaft to another position with respect to the straight borehole axis. The actuator is selectively shiftable between an unbiased mode and a biased mode. In the unbiased mode, the bit shaft axis is in a first position with respect to the straight borehole axis during drilling of the straight section of borehole. The actuator may be selectively shifted to the biased mode in which the bit shaft axis is shifted off axis relative to the straight borehole axis to enable drilling of the desired deviated section of the borehole.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for securing a catheter with the body of a patient are generally disclosed. In particular, selectively positionable cuffs and methods for attaching selectively positionable cuffs to long-term tunneled catheters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a slidable, selectively-positionable cuff comprises an adhesive on a foldable tab. In another embodiment, a slidable, selectively positionable cuff comprises an activatable adhesive that is convertible from a nonadherent state to an adherent state beneath the skin of the patient. Additionally, the present disclosure teaches a wrappable sheet comprising a harvested extracellular matrix with an adhesive positioned on a side thereon and arranged to be adhered to the surface of a catheter so as to form a cuff. Methods of securing and/or positioning a cuff on a catheter, kits, and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A technique facilitates a drilling operation by providing a drill bit having limited magnetic influence. The drill bit comprises a bit head formed with a non-magnetic bit head material. Cutting elements may be attached to the bit head to facilitate cutting of rock and other formation material during drilling of a borehole. The drill bit also comprises a bit body formed with a non-magnetic body material. The bit head and the bit body are joined to construct a non-magnetic drill bit which has no or limited magnetic influences on, for example, sensors located proximate the drill bit.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of deviated boreholes. The technique employs a drilling system which may be disposed along a drill string. The drilling system may be used to drill a straight section of a borehole along a straight borehole axis and to also selectively drill a deviated section of the borehole. The drilling system comprises a housing, a bit shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and an actuator which may be selectively actuated to shift the bit shaft to another position with respect to the straight borehole axis. The actuator is selectively shiftable between an unbiased mode and a biased mode. In the unbiased mode, the bit shaft axis is in a first position with respect to the straight borehole axis during drilling of the straight section of borehole. The actuator may be selectively shifted to the biased mode in which the bit shaft axis is shifted off axis relative to the straight borehole axis to enable drilling of the desired deviated section of the borehole.

Abstract: Devices and methods for securing a catheter with the body of a patient are generally disclosed. In particular, selectively positionable cuffs and methods for attaching selectively positionable cuffs to long-term tunneled catheters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a slidable, selectively-positionable cuff comprises an adhesive on a foldable tab. In another embodiment, a slidable, selectively positionable cuff comprises an activatable adhesive that is convertible from a nonadherent state to an adherent state beneath the skin of the patient. Additionally, the present disclosure teaches a wrappable sheet comprising a harvested extracellular matrix with an adhesive positioned on a side thereon and arranged to be adhered to the surface of a catheter so as to form a cuff. Methods of securing and/or positioning a cuff on a catheter, kits, and other embodiments are disclosed.