Abstract: A delivery device (10) for an implantable medical device includes an inner shaft (26) extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a compartment (23) adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, an outer shaft (22) surrounding a longitudinal portion of the inner shaft, and a distal sheath (24) operatively attached to the outer shaft (22). The distal sheath (24) is slidable between a first position enclosing the compartment (23) and a second position exposing the compartment (23) for deployment of the medical device. A sleeve 30 surrounds at least a longitudinal portion of the outer shaft (22) and provides a substantially blood tight bearing surface that facilitates sliding movement of the delivery device (10) in an introducer (2).

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes a carrier tube, a suture, an anchor, and a sealing pad. The sealing pad maintains a constant or substantially constant shape from when positioned in the carrier tube to when removed from the carrier tube and positioned adjacent to the tissue wall puncture in a post-deployment position. The suture may retain the anchor and sealing pad in contact with the tissue wall without altering a shape of the sealing pad.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods for closing vascular holes and associated vascular closure devices are described herein. The methods, generally speaking, use hemostatic devices intended to stop bleeding by closing vascular access puncture sites following percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The methods may include positioning a sealing plug in the vascular hole. In one embodiment, the sealing plug may extend through the vascular hole into the vessel. The sealing plug may expand and thereby create a lip inside the vessel that holds the sealing plug in place.

Abstract: A delivery device (10) for an implantable medical device includes an inner shaft (26) extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a compartment (23) adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, an outer shaft (22) surrounding a longitudinal portion of the inner shaft, and a distal sheath (24) operatively attached to the outer shaft (22). The distal sheath (24) is slidable between a first position enclosing the compartment (23) and a second position exposing the compartment (23) for deployment of the medical device. A sleeve 30 surrounds at least a longitudinal portion of the outer shaft (22) and provides a substantially blood tight bearing surface that facilitates sliding movement of the delivery device (10) in an introducer (2).

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes a carrier tube, a suture, an anchor, and a sealing pad. The sealing pad maintains a constant or substantially constant shape from when positioned in the carrier tube to when removed from the carrier tube and positioned adjacent to the tissue wall puncture in a post-deployment position. The suture may retain the anchor and sealing pad in contact with the tissue wall without altering a shape of the sealing pad.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope is described which includes a laser cavity configured to provide an optical laser path for a pair of counter-propagating laser beams, an optical sensor configured to receive a portion of the energy from the counter-propagating laser beams, and a unit configured to receive outputs from the optical sensor. The unit is configured to utilize the output to generate at least a residual path length control signal, a laser intensity monitor signal, and readout signals.

Abstract: A method for determining a surface quality of a substrate sample using a differential interference contrast microscope is described. The microscope includes an eyepiece, an eyepiece focus adjustment, a microscope focus adjustment, a light source, at least one of an aperture or reticule, a camera view, a prism and an eyepiece. The method includes calibrating the focus of the eyepiece with the focus of the camera and determining a peak response ratio for the microscope through adjustment of phase between differential beams of the microscope. The substrate sample is placed under the microscope, illuminated with the light source, and brought into focus with the microscope focus. Phase between differential beams is adjusted, at least one image of the substrate sample is captured and processed to determine a level of surface structure on the substrate sample.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope is described which includes a laser cavity configured to provide an optical laser path for a pair of counter-propagating laser beams, an optical sensor configured to receive a portion of the energy from the counter-propagating laser beams, and a unit configured to receive outputs from the optical sensor. The unit is configured to utilize the output to generate at least a residual path length control signal, a laser intensity monitor signal, and readout signals.

Abstract: A method for determining a surface quality of a substrate sample using a differential interference contrast microscope is described. The microscope includes an eyepiece, an eyepiece focus adjustment, a microscope focus adjustment, a light source, at least one of an aperture or reticule, a camera view, a prism and an eyepiece. The method includes calibrating the focus of the eyepiece with the focus of the camera and determining a peak response ratio for the microscope through adjustment of phase between differential beams of the microscope. The substrate sample is placed under the microscope, illuminated with the light source, and brought into focus with the microscope focus. Phase between differential beams is adjusted, at least one image of the substrate sample is captured and processed to determine a level of surface structure on the substrate sample.

Abstract: A method for determining a surface quality of a substrate sample using a differential interference contrast microscope is described. The microscope includes an eyepiece, an eyepiece focus adjustment, a microscope focus adjustment, a light source, at least one of an aperture or reticule, a camera view, a prism and an eyepiece. The method includes calibrating the focus of the eyepiece with the focus of the camera and determining a peak response ratio for the microscope through adjustment of phase between differential beams of the microscope. The substrate sample is placed under the microscope, illuminated with the light source, and brought into focus with the microscope focus. Phase between differential beams is adjusted, at least one image of the substrate sample is captured and processed to determine a level of surface structure on the substrate sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS vibratory type inertial sensor that has some level of built in test to help improve the reliability by helping to identify erroneous or misleading data provided by the inertial sensor. In one illustrative embodiment, a test signal is injected into one or more of the inputs of the MEMS vibratory type inertial sensor, where the test signal produces a test signal component at one or more of the MEMS vibratory type inertial sensor outputs. The test signal component is then monitored at one or more of the outputs. If the test signal component matches at least predetermined characteristics of the original test signal, it is more likely that the MEMS vibratory type inertial sensor is operating properly and not producing erroneous or misleading data. In some embodiments, the test signal is provided and monitored during the normal functional operation of the MEMS vibratory type inertial sensor, thereby providing on-going built in test.

Abstract: A method for determining compensation coefficients for accelerometers which exhibit bias transients is described. The method comprises estimating bias accumulation from measured accelerometer outputs, determining a corrected accelerometer output, and determining the compensation coefficients for the accelerometer.

Abstract: A method for determining a surface quality of a substrate sample using a differential interference contrast microscope is described. The microscope includes an eyepiece, an eyepiece focus adjustment, a microscope focus adjustment, a light source, at least one of an aperture or reticule, a camera view, a prism and an eyepiece. The method includes calibrating the focus of the eyepiece with the focus of the camera and determining a peak response ratio for the microscope through adjustment of phase between differential beams of the microscope. The substrate sample is placed under the microscope, illuminated with the light source, and brought into focus with the microscope focus. Phase between differential beams is adjusted, at least one image of the substrate sample is captured and processed to determine a level of surface structure on the substrate sample.

Abstract: A method for determining compensation coefficients for accelerometers which exhibit bias transients is described. The method comprises estimating bias accumulation from measured accelerometer outputs, determining a corrected accelerometer output, and determining the compensation coefficients for the accelerometer.