Abstract: An improved gastric tube for displacing a section of an esophagus during cardiac ablation procedures is disclosed. The improved gastric tube is an elongated flexible tube designed to be inserted in the esophagus of a patient and extended past the portion of the esophagus which overlies the heart. The improved gastric tube includes a first lumen extending the length of the tube which receives a control wire, plastic stylet, or other apparatus which would function for displacement of the portion of the esophagus overlying the heart. A second lumen is included which extends to the operative section of the gastric tube, where the esophagus overlies the heart, so that contrast liquid or cooling liquid can be injected into the esophagus at that location. A temperature sensor can also be included to measure the temperature of the esophageal wall, as well as electrodes to connect to a three-dimensional mapping system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for displacing a lumen within a patient in-vivo during a surgical procedure. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to displacement control wires used in a heart ablation procedure for biasing a patient body portion, e.g., a wall of an esophagus away from or closer to the heart to prevent damage to the esophagus as a result of the heart ablation. The control wire is constructed from a shape memory material such as nitinol. The nitinol material is constructed and arranged to be substantially straight when cooled for insertion. Thereafter, when inserted into the body, the nitinol material takes on a curved orientation (preformed) as it is heated to body temperature. Rotation of the control wire allows the esophagus to be displaced as desired for the procedure.

Abstract: An improved gastric tube for displacing a section of an esophagus during cardiac ablation procedures is disclosed. The improved gastric tube is an elongated flexible tube designed to be inserted in the esophagus of a patient and extended past the portion of the esophagus which overlies the heart. The improved gastric tube includes a first lumen extending the length of the tube which receives a control wire, plastic stylet, or other apparatus which would function for displacement of the portion of the esophagus overlying the heart. A second lumen is included which extends to the operative section of the gastric tube, where the esophagus overlies the heart, so that contrast liquid or cooling liquid can be injected into the esophagus at that location. A temperature sensor can also be included to measure the temperature of the esophageal wall, as well as electrodes to connect to a three-dimensional mapping system.

Abstract: System and method for returns management using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201. The system comprises a set of methods for optimizing a reverse logistics system using a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage the entire returns supply chain for various organizations, e.g. 211, 221, and 231. By operating a fourth-party logistics integrator 201 to manage multiple third-party logistics providers, a significant cost savings and efficiency can be created by tracking repair costs individually for serialized products.

Abstract: An esophageal catheter for displacing and fixing the position of the esophagus in relation to the atrium of the heart is composed of a long flexible tube to be inserted into the esophagus. A control wire is associated with the tube to change the shape of the catheter and displace the esophagus relative to the heart to reduce the risk of an esophageal fistula resulting from atrial RF ablation.

Abstract: A unitary disposable garment, such as disposable training pants, having a high degree of stretch in the cross-machine direction and fitting a broad range of wearer sizes. The unitary disposable garment is manufactured from a chassis and has a waist opening, two leg openings and a pair of side seams which join the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis. The unitary disposable garment preferably has an absorbent assembly, i.e. an absorbent insert, secured to the inner layer of the chassis. The chassis from which the unitary disposable garment is manufactured, has four elasticized ear flaps; each ear flap is elasticized by securing an elastomeric element thereto and mechanically stretching the ear flap and the elastomeric element such that the ear flap is elastically extensible in the direction of initial stretching. The front portion of the chassis is then joined to the rear portion of the chassis on each side of the disposable garment by a seam.

Abstract: A unitary disposable garment, such as disposable training pants, having a high degree of stretch in the cross-machine direction and fitting a broad range of wearer sizes. The unitary disposable garment is manufactured from a chassis and has a waist opening, two leg openings and a pair of side seams which join the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis. The unitary disposable garment preferably has an absorbent assembly, i.e. an absorbent insert, secured to the inner layer of the chassis. The chassis from which the unitary disposable garment is manufactured, has four elasticized ear flaps; each ear flap is elasticized by securing an elastomeric element thereto and mechanically stretching the ear flap and the elastomeric element such that the ear flap is elastically extensible in the direction of initial stretching. The front portion of the chassis is then joined to the rear portion of the chassis on each side of the disposable garment by a seam.

Abstract: A unitary disposable garment, such as disposable training pants, having a high degree of stretch in the cross-machine direction and fitting a broad range of wearer sizes. The unitary disposable garment is manufactured from a chassis and has a waist opening, two leg openings and a pair of side seams which join the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis. The unitary disposable garment preferably has an absorbent assembly, i.e. an absorbent insert, secured to the inner layer of the chassis. The chassis from which the unitary disposable garment is manufactured, has four elasticized ear flaps; each ear flap is elasticized by securing an elastomeric element thereto and mechanically stretching the ear flap and the elastomeric element such that the ear flap is elastically extensible in the direction of initial stretching. The front portion of the chassis is then joined to the rear portion of the chassis on each side of the disposable garment by a seam.

Abstract: A package for electronic components, especially MMIC components, is disclosed. The package is constructed from layers of ceramic cofired to form an annular piece. Metal pieces are brazed onto the top and bottom of the annular piece to hermetically seal the package. Certain of the ceramic pieces are coated with patterns of conductive material before cofiring. The conductive material forms DC power distribution lines to electronic components within the package and low loss RF feedthroughs into the package.