Abstract: A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference for a localization system includes securing a reference catheter, including at least one reference localization element, at an initial reference location within a localization field. The positions of one or more of the reference localization elements are monitored for a perceived displacement that suggests that the reference catheter has become dislodged from the initial reference location (e.g., a displacement above a certain threshold, such as about 4 mm). The direction of this perceived displacement may then be further analyzed (e.g., compared to a predicted or most likely direction of displacement) to determine whether there has been an actual dislodgement of the reference catheter, and, if so, an appropriate signal (e.g., an audible or visual warning) may be generated. Upon dislodgement, guidance may be provided to aid the practitioner in restoring the reference catheter to its initial location.

Abstract: An EP catheter includes a tubular body having a proximal region, a neck region, and a distal portion predisposed into a single shallow helical fixed-diameter loop configuration and including a plurality of diagnostic electrodes. In deflectable catheter forms, at least one activation wire extends through at least a portion of the proximal region of the catheter body and is adapted to deflect the up to approximately 180 degrees relative to the proximal region. The catheter can be operated manually by a clinician or via a clinician-surrogate such as a computer processor-controlled surgical system. In addition, a variety of localization, visualization, and/or orientation-specific elements can be incorporated into the devices described, depicted, and claimed herein (e.g., metallic coil members, active impedance emitting or receiving electrodes, fluoroscopically opaque materials, and the like).

Abstract: A catheter including expandable electrode assembly having a distal cap that mechanically engages a locking feature provided on the distal ends of each of two or more flexible splines forming a portion of the expandable electrode assembly is described. The distal cap defines an atraumatic distal tip of the catheter. The catheter may be used in a cardiac mapping and/or ablation procedure.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for automatic identification of patients according to near-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Embodiments of the invention are directed to event prediction, risk stratification, and optimization of the assessment, communication, and decision-making to prevent SCD, and in one embodiment take the form of a platform for wearable, mobile, unteathered monitoring devices with embedded decision support. Thus embodiments relate to automatically identifying persons at risk for arrhythmias and SCD through the use of noninvasive, portable, wearable electronic device and sensors equipped with signal-processing software and statistical predictive algorithms that calculate stability-theoretic measures derived from the digital electrocardiogram timeseries acquired by the device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for automatic identification of patients according to near-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Embodiments of the invention are directed to event prediction, risk stratification, and optimization of the assessment, communication, and decision-making to prevent SCD, and in one embodiment take the form of a platform for wearable, mobile, unteathered monitoring devices with embedded decision support. Thus embodiments relate to automatically identifying persons at risk for arrhythmias and SCD through the use of noninvasive, portable, wearable electronic device and sensors equipped with signal-processing software and statistical predictive algorithms that calculate stability-theoretic measures derived from the digital electrocardiogram timeseries acquired by the device.

Abstract: An exemplary electronic device is in a housing to be gripped by a right hand and a left hand of a user, and has a plurality of manipulable portions. The electronic device includes: electrodes placed at positions which come in contact with the right hand and left hand of the user gripping the housing; an extractor for extracting an electrocardiographic component of the user from a potential difference between the electrodes; a determination section for determining whether the extracted electrocardiographic component is in a positive direction or a negative direction by referring to a prestored criterion; and a change section for, in accordance with a result of determination by the determination section, changing assignment between each of the plurality of manipulable portions and a manipulation signal generated in response to a manipulation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a retaining unit, an image acquisition unit, an image processor, a comparator, and an image generator. The retaining unit is configured to retain a defined attachment position being an attachment position of a biological detection sensor with respect to a body site of a user, the defined attachment position being defined in advance. The image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a capture image captured by an imaging unit. The image processor is configured to extract, from the capture image, a body shape of the user. The comparator is configured to compare the body shape with the defined attachment position. The image generator is configured to generate, based on a comparison result by the comparator, a display image to be displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically connecting measurement apparatus to a biological subject, the apparatus including a signal delivery circuit including a current buffer having a current buffer input for receiving a signal from a signal source and a current buffer output for supplying a current to an electrode attached to the biological subject, and a voltage buffer having a voltage buffer input coupled to the current buffer output and a voltage buffer output for providing a voltage signal indicative of a voltage at the electrode, to a sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a personalized radio frequency (RF) coil array for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guided interventions includes: acquiring diagnostic image data reflecting the anatomy of a portion of a patient's body; planning an intervention on the basis of the diagnostic image data, wherein a field of the intervention within the patient's body portion is determined; and arranging one or more RF coils on a substrate which is adapted to the patient's anatomy, in such a manner that the signal-to-noise ratio of MR signal acquisition via the one or more RF coils from the field of the intervention is optimized.

Abstract: A multi-channel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) coil operating at a resonance frequency includes a plurality of unit loops disposed upon a cylindrical surface of a coil body and surrounding the coil body as a closed NMR coil; and a plurality of inter-loop capacitors configured to connect adjacent unit loops respectively, wherein each unit loop comprises a signal channel and further comprises a pair of vertical conducting parts parallel to a cylindrical axis of the coil body, each vertical conducting part comprising an inductor and a first capacitor connected in serial; and a pair of horizontal conducting parts perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the coil body, at least one horizontal conducting part comprising a second capacitor; and the inter-loop capacitor connects two respective horizontal conducting parts of adjacent unit loops disposed on a same side to eliminate coupling between signal channels of adjacent unit loops.

Abstract: A wireless device communicates with a medical image capturing apparatus to adjust a position of a table supporting an object to be imaged. An operator adjusts a position of the wireless device, the apparatus measures the wireless device's position, and adjusts the table based on the measured position. A method may include measuring distances between the wireless device and each of a plurality of respective detection units arranged along an axis. An axial distance may be measured between a reference point and the wireless device using measured distances and locations of the detection units relative to the reference point. The table is moved with respect to a gantry aperture of the apparatus based on the calculated axial distance. Controlled table movement may be movement into the gantry aperture and/or table height adjustment.

Abstract: An assembly of a patient specific instrument and tracking system comprises a patient specific instrument having a body with a patient specific contact surface negatively shaped relative to a corresponding surface of a bone for complementary contact therewith. An inertial sensor unit with a preset orientation is connected to the body in a planned connection configuration, such that a geometrical relation between the contact surface and the inertial sensor unit is known. A tracking system has a tracking processor connected to the inertial sensor unit, a user interface, and bone orientation data related to the patient specific contact surface, the tracking processor producing orientation tracking data for the bone using the geometrical relation and the bone orientation data when the preset orientation of the inertial sensor unit is initialized, to output the orientation tracking data on the user interface.

Abstract: A system for determining the dimensional coordinates of a point of interest in a work space, includes a plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, located at known positions in the work space, and a wand having a first end configured for indicating a point of interest. A pair of ranging radios are mounted on the wand. A measurement circuit, responsive to the pair of ranging radios, determines the position of each of the pair of ranging radios with respect to the plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, and determines the position of the first end of the wand with respect to the plurality of fixed position ranging radios. A robotic total station may be used in lieu of the fixed-position ranging radios to monitor the positions of retroreflective elements on the wand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body and in particular to the determination over time of the location of the tip of a catheter as it is inserted and during its use in the body. In particular when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and hence its depth in the body of a patient. To assist a clinician using the coil-locating device, a display is provided that shows both a reference image of a part or portion of a body (non-subject body) and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on or over a predetermined landmark on the patient's body. The coil and its associated signal wires can be incorporated into a stylet, guide wire or a catheter.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes placing a magnetic field viewing film over a region of tissue; inserting at least one of a medical device or a medical instrument comprising at least one magnetic element into the region of the tissue; and determining a location of at least one of the medical device or the medical instrument based on a visualization by the magnetic field viewing film of a magnetic field produced by the at least one magnetic element.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for diagnosing sleep apnea are provided herein. In one example, a device for detecting airway obstructions may be provided where the device may include a wearable hollow nasal tube to be positioned in an upper airway above a constriction point and an end imaging sensor coupled to the nasal tube to collect airway image data. The device further may include a controller and communication interface to communicatively link and relay airway image data to a select remote device to determine airway obstructions. In some examples, a method may be provided including receiving airway image data from a remote end imaging sensor coupled to a nasal tube disposed within an upper airway above a constriction point, and analyzing the airway image data and displaying in a sleep study report the airway image data to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media (e.g., transitory and non-transitory) and apparatus are described herein for obtaining medical diagnostic measurements that are accurate and/or consistent over time.

Abstract: A device for the determination of at least one compression parameter during administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a patient comprising: a field generator, a field detector, and a processor. Position information and the compression parameter are determined from the field detected by the field detector. One of the field generator and the field detector is a position sensor and the other is a reference sensor.

Abstract: A noninvasive analyzer apparatus and method of use thereof is described comprising a near-infrared source, a detector, and a photon transport system configured to direct photons from the source to the detector via an analyzer-sample optical interface. The photon transport system includes a dynamically position light directing unit used to, within a measurement time period for a single analyte concentration determination, change any of: radius, energy, intensity, position, incident angle, solid angle, and/or depth of penetration of a beam of photons entering skin of a subject.

Abstract: A lactate sensor arrangement includes a catheter for withdrawing a test fluid sample, a sensor module for measuring an analyte such as lactate in the sample, and a pumping mechanism. A single uninterrupted flow path extends between the pumping mechanism and the catheter and within the flow path resides a sensor module containing a test chamber. The sensor arrangement also includes a control unit or controller that interfaces with a pumping mechanism driver. The sensor arrangement also includes a source of sensor calibration and anticoagulant solution, such as a reservoir.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for intercommunication between a medical sensor and an electronic patient monitor are provided. For example, one embodiment of a system for communicably coupling a medical sensor to an electronic patient monitor may include a sensor-side communication connector and a monitor-side communication connector. The sensor-side communication connector may be capable of receiving a raw physiological measurement signal from the medical sensor, and the monitor-side communication connector may be capable of providing a digital physiological measurement signal based at least in part on the raw physiological measurement signal to the electronic patient monitor via a data link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as interfering species, ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, known or unknown sources of mechanical, electrical and/or biochemical noise, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system processes some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently based at least in part on whether the signal artifact event has occurred.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring analyte in a host, including a continuous analyte sensor that produces a data stream indicative of a host's analyte concentration and a device that receives and records data from the data stream from the continuous analyte sensor. In one embodiment, the device includes a single point analyte monitor, from which it obtains an analyte value, and is configured to display only single point analyte measurement values, and not any analyte measurement values associated with data received from the continuous analyte sensor. Instead, data received from the continuous analyte sensor is used to provide alarms to the user when the analyte concentration and/or the rate of change of analyte concentration, as measured by the continuous analyte sensor, is above or below a predetermined range. Data received from the continuous analyte sensor may also be used to prompt the diabetic or caregiver to take certain actions, such as to perform another single point blood glucose measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data and end of life detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining the end of life of a continuous analyte sensor includes evaluating a plurality of risk factors using an end of life function to determine an end of life status of the sensor and providing an output related to the end of life status of the sensor. The plurality of risk factors may be selected from the list including the number of days the sensor has been in use, whether there has been a decrease in signal sensitivity, whether there is a predetermined noise pattern, whether there is a predetermined oxygen concentration pattern, and error between reference BG values and EGV sensor values.

Abstract: A medical needle includes a needle body including a needle tip on a front end of the needle body; a shaft provided on a base end of the needle body; a housing pipe including a first tube, and a second tube; and a lock member that includes at least one engaging unit that is releasably engaged with the shaft, and at least one engagement release unit. The shaft is slidable from a first position at which the front end of the needle body protrudes from the housing pipe by a predetermined length, to a second position at which the front end of the needle body is located in the housing pipe. Engagement of the at least one engaging unit with the shaft is releasable by pressing the at least one engagement release unit inward.

Abstract: A method includes receiving heartbeat data of a patient and receiving activity data of the patient. The activity data includes one or more activity values that are related to an activity level of the patient and that are measured independently of the heartbeat data. The method further includes determining a value of a weighting factor based on the activity data. The method also includes determining modified heartbeat data by applying the weighting factor to at least a portion of the heartbeat data. The method also includes detecting a seizure event based on the modified heartbeat data.

Abstract: A fluorescence diagnosis system has a viewing system at least one light source and a camera system. The at least one light source can be operated in three modes, a first generating white light, a second with a first fluorescence excitation light of a first excitation wavelength and a third in which a second fluorescence excitation light of a second excitation wavelength is generated producing a fluorescence image in the NIR range. The camera system is sensitive at least in the visible and the NIR range. The system further comprises an image processing system for converting the fluorescence image in the NIR range into a visible image.

Abstract: This invention relates to method of diagnosing the presence and/or severity of a liver pathology and/or of monitoring the effectiveness of a curative treatment against a liver pathology in an individual, leading to a score, comprising the combination, of at least one blood test and of at least one data issued from a physical method of diagnosing liver fibrosis, said data being selected from the group consisting of medical imaging data and clinical measurements, said combination being performed through a mathematical function. This invention also relates to a method wherein the combination through a mathematical function, of at least one blood test and of at least one data issued from a physical method of diagnosing liver fibrosis, is performed at least twice and the at least two resulting scores are combined in an algorithm based on the diagnostic reliable intervals.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.

Abstract: A knee balancing system for measuring performance parameters associated with an orthopedic articular joint comprises a force sensing module and one or more inertial measurement units. The force sensing module comprises a housing that includes an articular surface having a medial portion and a lateral portion, each of which is substantially mechanically isolated from the other. The force sensing module also includes first and second sets of sensors disposed within the housing. The first set of sensors is mechanically coupled to the medial portion of the articular surface and configured to detect information indicative of a first force incident upon the medial portion of the articular surface. The second set of sensors is mechanically coupled to the lateral portion of the articular surface and configured to detect information indicative of a second force incident upon a lateral portion of the articular surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring patient speech to determine compliance of the patient with a prescribed regimen for treating for a brain-related disorder. Patient speech is detected with an audio sensor at the patient location, and speech data is transmitted to a monitoring location. The audio sensor and other components at the patient location may be incorporated into, or associated with, a cell phone, computing system, or stand-alone microprocessor-based device, for example. Patient speech is processed at the patient location and/or monitoring location to identify speech parameters and/or patterns that indicate whether the patient has complied with the prescribed treatment regimen. Patient identity may be determined through biometric identification or other authentication techniques. The system may provide a report to an interested party, for example a medical care provider, based on whether (and/or the extent to which) the patient has complied with the prescribed treatment regimen.

Abstract: An improved medical capnographysystem (22) automatically determines the effect of therapy on the underlying patient. The system enable the determination of proper endotracheal tube or advanced airway placement, the effectiveness of CPR, and the occurrence of the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or loss of spontaneous circulation by use of a therapy analyzer (36) implementing an analyze therapy algorithm (336). The system may be implemented in platform-independent hardware or software.

Abstract: Technologies are generally provided for identifying and marking the location of the laryngeal nerve prior to tissue dissection. A frame may include two multi-electrode stimulating probes, a slider with a guide movable between the two probes, and a marker probe including an anchor. The two probes supported on the frame may be inserted into tissue in a vicinity of the nerve, and a controller may sequentially stimulate the electrodes on each probe and measure electromyography (EMG) responses from each stimulated electrode. The controller may determine the nerve's location relative to the probes based on the measured EMG responses, where the location may include a lateral position between the probes and an estimated depth. The slider may be moved to the lateral position and the marker probe may be inserted through the slider to the determined depth. The anchor may be deployed next to the nerve to indicate the nerve location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for registering a sensor assembly, implemented on a base apparatus, to a desired location associated with a head of a user. A position of a reference point on the base apparatus is determined relative to an external anatomical landmark of the user. A position of the external anatomical landmark is determined relative to the desired location. The position and orientation of the sensor assembly is determined relative to the desired location according to the determined position and orientation of the sensor assembly relative to the reference point, the determined position of the reference point relative to the external anatomical landmark, and the position of the external anatomical landmark relative to the desired location.

Abstract: A vital-signs monitor patch containing at least two electrodes, a circuit assembly, and a patch body having a chamber in which the circuit assembly is housed. The patch body also contains at least one flexible portion adjacent to the circuit assembly chamber, with at least one electrode attached to the flexible portion. The electrodes are configured for attaching the patch to the skin of a patient.

Abstract: A technique for real-time removal of power line interference (PLI) in electrocardiograms (ECG) with sampling rate a relevant integer multiple of the nominal power line frequency (NPLF), comprising band-pass PLI filtering of the ECG, determining expedient weights and weighted Least-Squares parabolic approximating downsampled to the NPLF series of band-pass PLI filtered values. The disclosed technique utilizes only integer arithmetic, includes pre-adjusting for the routine ECG sampling rates, causes negligible ringing and is still accurate in the common occurrences of PLI with deviating from the nominal 60 or 50 Hz frequency and varying amplitude.

Abstract: A filter apparatus (100) having a signal input (101) to which an input signal is applied which contains a useful component and a noise component, a fast signal path (102) and a slow signal path (103) arranged in parallel therewith. The fast signal path and the slow signal path are coupled to the signal input. The fast signal path contains a filter in order to prompt fast filtering of the input signal. The slow signal path contains a filter in order to prompt slow filtering of the input signal. An output of the slow signal path is coupled to the fast signal path by means of a signal line (106). A signal output (104) which is coupled to the fast signal path has an output signal applied to it which essentially contains useful components of the input signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a cardiovascular score for a patient. A method includes receiving, using at least one computer system, patient-specific data regarding a geometry of multiple coronary arteries of the patient; and creating, using at least one computer system, a three-dimensional model representing at least portions of the multiple coronary arteries based on the patient-specific data. The method also includes evaluating, using at least one computer system, multiple characteristics of at least some of the coronary arteries represented by the model; and generating, using at least one computer system, the cardiovascular score based on the evaluation of the multiple characteristics. Another method includes generating the cardiovascular score based on evaluated multiple characteristics for portions of the coronary arteries having fractional flow reserve values of at least a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method is provided including identifying a target portion of a patient corresponding to a portion of interest of the patient to be scanned with a nuclear medicine scanning technique. The method also includes applying an uptake increasing technique to at least one of the target portion or an application portion of the patient other than the target portion. The uptake increasing technique is configured to increase uptake of a radiopharmaceutical to the target portion of the patient relative to portions of the patient other than the target portion. Also, the method includes administering the radiopharmaceutical to the patient temporally proximate to the applying an uptake increasing technique.

Abstract: In the radiographic apparatus of this invention, a composite image generating device generates a composite high-voltage/low-voltage image for every time of the same high voltage/low voltage based on a plurality of high-voltage/low-voltage images successively acquired by a high-voltage/low-voltage image acquiring device. Based on the composite high-voltage/low-voltage image generated by the composite image generating device, a subtraction processing device carries out a subtraction process concerning high-voltage images and low-voltage images, to acquire subtraction images. Thus, a mistake by arithmetic processing is made inconspicuous without causing a dose shortage.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for dual energy spectral computed tomography imaging are provided. In one embodiment, a method for dual energy imaging comprises generating an image from a higher energy dataset and an updated lower energy dataset, wherein the updated lower energy dataset comprises a combination of a lower energy dataset and a pseudo projection dataset generated from the higher energy dataset. In this way, a weak low energy signal may be recovered, thereby enabling image reconstruction in spite of photon starvation and sparse views.

Abstract: A method of determining the histological grade of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) including: acquiring a Computed Tomography (CT) image of a person including an HCC tumor; delineating the HCC tumor; and assigning a histological grade to the HCC tumor, wherein assigning the histological grade to the HCC tumor includes: applying a plurality of filters to the HCC tumor, wherein each of the filters produces a corresponding response image and, for each of the filters, a convolution operation is performed on the filter and the CT image to produce the response image corresponding to that filter; computing an average response of the HCC tumor in each of the response images and recording each of the average responses as an Independent Subspace Analysis (ISA) feature; and determining the histological grade of the HCC tumor based on the ISA features by using a classifier.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer is configured for one-way only beamforming of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A subject information obtaining apparatus includes a plurality of conversion elements configured to receive an elastic wave that has propagated from a subject and convert the elastic wave into a plurality of electrical signals, a frequency-domain interferometry adaptive processing unit configured to execute a frequency-domain interferometry method and adaptive signal processing using the plurality of electrical signals and obtain power intensity distribution by calculating power intensity at each position on a plurality of scan lines, and a correction unit configured to execute a correction process by which variation in power intensity between adjacent scan lines in a direction that intersects with the scan lines is reduced.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus detects a plurality of feature points in a B-mode image acquired by ultrasonic measurement. The feature point detection is repeatedly performed for each measurement frame. Then, a displacement vector of each feature point between measurement frames that are temporally adjacent (consecutive) to each other is calculated. Then, a displacement direction is calculated based on the displacement vector for each feature point. An intersection of the displacement direction lines is detected as a cross-sectional center position of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for using an acoustic radiation force resulting from focused ultrasound energy in order to generate an internal force remotely and to measure quantitatively tissue elasticity in vivo and non-invasively.

Abstract: A mechanical property of anatomy is estimated from a patient in vivo, such as estimating a patient-specific material property of a valve. A morphological model is used to determine anatomy dynamics. A biomechanical model, using the anatomy dynamics, predicts the dynamics, based, at least in part, on one or more material properties. Using an inverse solution based on comparison of dynamics predicted by the biomechanical model and the dynamics determined from the morphological model, values for the material properties are determined.

Abstract: Ultrasonic catheters and methods for determining and/or monitoring reflux volumes during gastroesophageal reflux events.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter assembly having a rotatable transducer assembly is disclosed. The ultrasound catheter assembly includes an elongate flexible shaft having a lumen and a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter assembly further includes a drive member that engages the transducer assembly at a distal end of the catheter. Rotation of the drive member in a first direction causes the transducer assembly to rotate in an oscillatory fashion in a second direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transducer shaping chamber for shaping ultrasound transducers. The transducer shaping chamber includes a transducer coupon carrier having one or more slots. The one or more slots each are geometrically shaped to hold a transducer coupon having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers formed thereon. The transducer shaping chamber includes a first plate disposed over a first side of the transducer coupon carrier. The transducer shaping chamber includes a second plate disposed over a second side of the transducer coupon carrier. The second side is opposite the first side. The transducer shaping chamber is configured to move the first plate and the second plate toward each other so as to push against the transducer coupon carrier from the first and second sides, respectively, until the transducer coupon carrier has been sealed against the first plate and with the second plate.