Abstract: A sensor for evaluating tissue of a subject is provided. The sensor includes a flexible spine disposable on the subject, a flexible member that includes first and second flexible member portions accommodated within the flexible spine, a light source, a detector and a rigid member. The light source is attached to the first flexible member portion and is configured to emit light toward the tissue. The detector is attached to the second flexible member portion and is configured to receive the light having reflected off the tissue. The rigid member is coupled with the first and second flexible member portions. In response to a curvature of the flexible spine, the rigid member moves the first and second flexible member portions along the flexible spine to adjust a distance between the light source and the detector.

Abstract: A sensor for evaluating tissue of a subject is provided. The sensor includes a flexible spine disposable on the subject, a flexible member that includes first and second flexible member portions accommodated within the flexible spine, a light source, a detector and a rigid member. The light source is attached to the first flexible member portion and is configured to emit light toward the tissue. The detector is attached to the second flexible member portion and is configured to receive the light having reflected off the tissue. The rigid member is coupled with the first and second flexible member portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to indicator dilution measurements of a central volume (V1) with a first site of injection (S1) upstream of the central volume (V1) a second site of detection (S2) of the diluted indicator downstream of the central volume (V1), wherein a first additional volume (V2) is defined between the first site (S1) and the central volume (V1) and a first additional branch (B2) is defined between the first site (S1) and the central volume (V1) and wherein a second additional volume (V3) is defined between the central volume (V1) and the second site (S2) and a second additional branch (B3) is defined between the central volume (V1) and the second site (S2) wherein a result of central volumetric parameters are corrected for the first and second additional volumes (V2, V3) and/or for the first and second additional branches (B2, B3).

Abstract: A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof. For example, a thermo-dilution indicator and/or a hemo-dilution indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters. In a further example, an isotonic indicator and a hypertonic indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters of the subject.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof. For example, a thermo-dilution indicator and/or a hemo-dilution indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters. In a further example, an isotonic indicator and a hypertonic indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a delivery system and novel handle configuration for the delivery system that facilitates repeatable placement of implantable devices. In particular, in optical embodiments, the handle allows for the reversible coupling of scopes directly to the handle to enhance physician control during placement. The delivery system also allows for one-handed manipulation as finger action can be used to engage and disengage the scope as well as actuate the extent of implantable device deployment. Exemplary delivery systems are flexible, durable and/or assure proper installation of one or more implantable devices in a single procedure. Moreover, the preferred embodiments of the delivery system provides for the reloading of the delivery device with additional implantable devices for additional interventional procedures, resulting in a substantially reusable delivery device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the systolic phase interval (SP) of an arterial pressure curve with a starting point (t0) of the systolic phase interval (SP) and an end point (tN) of the systolic phase interval (SP) wherein a QT interval is defined as the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the hearts electrical cycle and wherein the determination of the end point (tN) of the systolic phase interval (SP) is restricted to the measured points of arterial pressure which fulfill the condition that the difference in time between the end point (tN) to be determined of the systolic phase interval (SP) and the starting point (t0) of the systolic phase interval (SP) is smaller than the QT interval.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof. For example, a thermo-dilution indicator and/or a hemo-dilution indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters. In a further example, an isotonic indicator and a hypertonic indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters of the subject.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof. For example, a thermo-dilution indicator and/or a hemo-dilution indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters. In a further example, an isotonic indicator and a hypertonic indicator may be used to determine one or more hemodynamic parameters of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to indicator dilution measurements of a central volume (V1) with a first site of injection (S1) upstream of the central volume (V1) a second site of detection (S2) of the diluted indicator downstream of the central volume (V1), wherein a first additional volume (V2) is defined between the first site (S1) and the central volume (V1) and a first additional branch (B2) is defined between the first site (S1) and the central volume (V1) and wherein a second additional volume (V3) is defined between the central volume (V1) and the second site (S2) and a second additional branch (B3) is defined between the central volume (V1) and the second site (S2) wherein a result of central volumetric parameters are corrected for the first and second additional volumes (V2, V3) and/or for the first and second additional branches (B2, B3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the systolic phase interval (SP) of an arterial pressure curve with a starting point (t0) of the systolic phase interval (SP) and an end point (tN) of the systolic phase interval (SP) wherein a QT interval is defined as the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the hearts electrical cycle and wherein the determination of the end point (tN) of the systolic phase interval (SP) is restricted to the measured points of arterial pressure which fulfill the condition that the difference in time between the end point (tN) to be determined of the systolic phase interval (SP) and the starting point (t0) of the systolic phase interval (SP) is smaller than the QT interval.

Abstract: The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a delivery system and novel handle configuration for the delivery system that facilitates repeatable placement of implantable devices. In particular, in optical embodiments, the handle allows for the reversible coupling of scopes directly to the handle to enhance physician control during placement. The delivery system also allows for one-handed manipulation as finger action can be used to engage and disengage the scope as well as actuate the extent of implantable device deployment. Exemplary delivery systems are flexible, durable and/or assure proper installation of one or more implantable devices in a single procedure. Moreover, the preferred embodiments of the delivery system provides for the reloading of the delivery device with additional implantable devices for additional interventional procedures, resulting in a substantially reusable delivery device.

Abstract: A lumen measuring device generally includes a central member dimensioned to extend into a lumen and an elongate outer member having a flexible region configured to flex outward from the central member in response to retraction of the central member. In measuring a lumen, the flexible region is caused to contact the lumen. The lumen may be contacted by linear segments that hinge or by members that bow arcuately. A polygon, such as a triangle, may be defined by portions of the outer member and the central member. A handle assembly may be provided by which the disposition of the central member relative to the outer member may be adjusted. Indicators may be defined by the central member and outer member by which the disposition of the central member and by which the diameter of a lumen may be determined.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for locking a disconnecting breaker. During locking of a single-poled or multiple-poled disconnecting breaker, the actuator of the breaker is first locked both electrically and mechanically. When the breaker is in the open position, the distance between the contacts of the breaker comprises the conductor spacing for the isolation function. The electrical and mechanical locking of the actuator is indicated both electrically and mechanically. Subsequently, the link system of the breaker is mechanically locked. The link system is locked in the interlocked position. Locking of the link system is indicated by at least one indicator. Locking of the actuator of the breaker can be controlled manually via a key- and lock device, or remotely.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen measuring device and method that allows the user to calculate the exact length and diameter of a suitable interventional prosthesis as well as the height and length of stenosis during the same exploratory procedure.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for injecting an injectate fluid into a blood vessel of a patient for carrying out thermodilution or dye-dilution measurements in order to determine hemodynamic parameters of the patient. The apparatus includes sensing means for sensing a change of pressure and/or flow rate and/or temperature inside the injection channel, and a computer coupled to the sensing means for determining the time instants of start and finish of the injection process.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.

Abstract: An intro-aortic balloon catheter system and method for determining cardiac output with the system including a distal end for insertion into an aorta and a proximal end opposed to the distal end, a balloon portion in proximity to the distal end which repeatedly expands and contracts so as to assist the pumping action of the heart, a catheter tube connected to the balloon portion with the catheter tube having a lumen introducing a pressurized gas into the balloon portion and leading the pressurized gas out from the balloon portion and a temperature sensor attached to the catheter tube and being electrically coupled to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter tube.