Abstract:
A left atrium ablation catheter (4), including a sheath (8) and a deflectable electrophysiology catheter (10) housed within the sheath, is used to ablate coronary tissue at a target site within the left atrium (LA) of a heart. The electrophysiology catheter has ablation electrodes (24) along the tip (10). The ablation catheter is introduced into the right atrium (RA) through either the superior vena cava (SVC) or the inferior vena cava (IVC). The distal open end of the sheath is guided through a punctured hole in the interatrial septum and into the left atrium. The distal end (20) of the sheath is either precurved or is steerable so the electrode tip can be directed to the coronary target site in the left atrium. The electrode tip is sized and configured to create the desired lesion at the target site without movement of the electrode tip.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a cryogenic device and system for treating biological tissue, which includes at least two media-flow lumens and a media-expansion element for cooling media flowing within the device. A cooling portion of the device is located along a portion of one of the media-flow lumens. The cooling portion is of a construction suitable for good contact with tissue selected for treatment. Preferably, the device and system employ one or more closed media-flow pathways for efficient recycling of the media employed. Preferably, the device and system also employ efficacious heat-exchange relationships between media-flow conduits for optimal cooling. The device and system are particularly designed for the formation of lesions in biological tissue, most particularly, the formation of deep, elongated and continuous lesions in cardiopulmonary tissue. The present invention also provides a method of using the cryogenic device and system in the treatment of biological tissue.
Abstract:
An electronic chassis door locking apparatus includes an electronic chassis door and a locking assembly. The electronic chassis door includes a recessed region formed therein. The recessed region is positioned adjacent a latch. The latch is operably attached to the electronic chassis door. The locking assembly is received in the recessed region, and includes a lock screw and a lock cam. The lock cam includes a first opening and an engaging portion. The engaging portion allows for engagement with the latch.
Abstract:
Contact between an electrophysiology catheter electrode (6) and cardiac tissue covered by blood is sensed by applying a constant voltage or current square wave signal (23) to the electrode and then monitoring the voltage or impedance or current at the electrode before, during, and after the electrode contacts the tissue. The monitored pulse (22) includes an ohmic impedance portion (30) and combined ohmic and capacitive impedance portion (32). Successive monitored pulses can be measured in several ways to determine when tissue contact has occurred: the maximum magnitudes (36) of successive ohmic resistance portions; the initial slopes (38) for successive combined resistive portions; the amplitudes (40) of successive combined resistive portions at a preset time interval from the start of each pulse; and the average amplitudes (42) of successive combined impedance portions over a preset time period for each pulse. Upon contact, the magnitudes of each changes significantly, such as 40-50% in cardiac applications.
Abstract:
A body implantable flexible lead assembly, adapted to transmit electrical pulses between a proximal end of the lead assembly and a distal end of the assembly to stimulate selected body tissue, includes a tubular, insulating housing connecting the proximal and distal ends of the assembly and having a central, longitudinal axis. At least two coiled, insulated conductors extend between the proximal and distal ends of the assembly for transmitting electrical signals, the coils of the at least two insulated conductors having substantially the same diameter. One of the coiled conductors is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the other coiled conductor(s) and has a proximal end and a distal end. Last, a helix electrode is electrically connected to the distal end of the one coiled conductor for piercing the tissue to be stimulated, the one coiled conductor being adapted to extend or retract the helix electrode relative to the distal end of the assembly through rotation of the proximal end of the one coiled conductor.
Abstract:
A distributed database system includes a communication network having a plurality of nodes each with a distributed database, a local process part for extracting relations from each database by performing local processes at each node when a query including multi-attribute relations thereof is input, a degree setting part for setting a degree number of each of the extracted relations, a relation set part for arranging relation sets each containing relations having the same degree number by grouping the extracted relations according to the degree number, an extraction part for extracting single-attribute relations from each relation set so that the single-attribute relations are added to a first relation set having the lowest degree number, a semijoin operating part for repeatedly semijoining two relations of a only relation set only when the quantity of transfer data resulting from the semijoining is decreased, so that a derived relation is added to a next relation set, and a control part for allowing the semijoin operating part to sequentially perform the semijoining and adding so that each derived relation is added to the transfer data.
Abstract:
A method for polishing a substrate having at least one micro-sized structure. The method includes identifying a first region of the substrate on which a micro-sized structure is to be located. The first region is the region in which polishing is desired. A second region of the substrate, in which polishing is not desired, is also identified. An adhesion promoter is optionally applied to the substrate. The second region of the substrate is coated with a selected coating material that does not degrade substantially when exposed to a selected electrolyte. Material is removed from the first region, exposing a micro-sized structure. The coating material may be removed by the same machining process that forms the micro-sized structure. The substrate is submerged in the selected electrolyte so that the first region is exposed to the electrolyte. The first region of the substrate is electropolished. The coating is then optionally removed.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a multiple microelectrode assembly is disclosed. Micromachining technology (such as micro-electrical-discharge machining technology, laser-beam micromachining, electron-beam micromachining) is used to manufacture an electrode/base assembly. The electrode/base assembly is placed within a container; a liquid material is placed into the container; the liquid material surrounds the electrodes of the electrode/base assembly and is allowed to solidify; and the solidified liquid material in combination with the electrode/base assembly is separated from the container. The bottom (or base) portion of the electrode/base assembly is then removed. The electrodes of the electrode/base assembly comprise a plurality of rod-like members of very small (on the order of 1 micron) metallic members of preselected dimension, shape and spacing, by which they are adapted in combination with the surrounding insulating material as a multiple microelectrode assembly.
Abstract:
FIG. 1 is a front, right and top perspective view of a neck fan, showing my new design; FIG. 2 is a rear, left and bottom perspective view thereof; FIG. 3 is a front view thereof; FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof; FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof; FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof; FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof; FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof; and, The broken lines shown in the drawings illustrate portions of the neck fan that form no part of the claimed design.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for vaccinating one or more avians in need thereof. The vaccination method comprises administering to the one or more avians a stable foam in an amount effective for inducing a neutralizing immune response against an infectious pathogen in the one or more avians. The foam comprises a gas and a liquid, and the liquid comprises a vaccine and a foaming agent. The avian may be a chick. Also provided is a method for preparing the stable foam.